Prev | TOC | Next
———
~ Please support this site by disabling your ad-blocker ❤️ ~
______
CHAPTER 1
PART 4
Being able to sleep until waking up naturally every day was a great happiness, one that Su Xiaotong couldn't even imagine when she worked in Jingzhou. But now, she not only had this happiness but even more.
Her son woke up earlier than her and had already finished breakfast under Gu Lei's care, playing with toys on the floor mat in the living room. Seeing Su Xiaotong getting up, Gu Lei smiled and said, "I made the Eight Treasure Congee that you like, and I also peeled the eggs for you. Go and eat."
"Mm." Su Xiaotong nodded, walked over, and touched her son's head before sitting down at the dining table to have breakfast. After she finished eating, Gu Lei collected the dishes and utensils while washing and said, "Take Xiaoliang downstairs to play for a while. Even though he doesn't have to study, physical exercise is still important."
"What about you?"
"Starting from today, I'm going to work. I plan to take freelance projects online and do design work from home."
Su Xiaotong thought for a moment and said, "How about I also take some design projects?"
"No need, no need. You just need to accompany Xiaoliang. In the afternoons, you can have tea and read books. We moved here so that you can relax and enjoy life, right? I can't let you be as exhausted as before."
"But won't it be tough for you to work alone?"
Gu Lei finished washing the dishes, dried his hands, and walked up to Su Xiaotong. He gently placed his hands on her shoulders and said, "Xiaotong, as long as you're happy, I'm willing to do anything. What's a little bit of hard work? Don't worry about earning money. I've done the calculations. Taking freelance projects online, earning more than 10,000 yuan a month should be no problem. The cost of living in Lishi is not high, it's enough for our family. Besides, I've just started taking orders on the platform. As I do more, build up a good reputation, the prices will increase. Just trust me, I will definitely make sure you have a good life."
Su Xiaotong smiled calmly, "Alright, I trust you."
Gu Lei also smiled, "You guys go have fun. Yuehai Park has a free children's play area, Xiaoliang likes to go there."
Su Xiaotong nodded and asked her son, "Xiaoliang, do you want to play on the slide?"
Little Xiaoliang was playing with his toys and didn't answer. Su Xiaotong approached him and asked again, and he nodded hesitantly.
Su Xiaotong put on light makeup, changed into sportswear, and held her son's hand as they walked out of the house. After waiting for a moment in the elevator lobby, the mother and son entered the elevator. Just before the two metal doors closed, a woman who had just walked out of her apartment called out, "Hey, wait a minute!"
Su Xiaotong pressed the open button on the right side of the elevator, and the woman hurriedly walked in, saying, "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
The woman appeared to be around thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old, with curly hair and wearing a long dress, without much makeup. As the elevator descended, she stared at Su Xiaotong and her son, and said, "Why haven't I seen you before?"
"Oh, we just moved here three days ago."
"I see. Did you buy the apartment or rent it?"
"We bought it."
"Is it unit 1201?"
"Yes."
The woman smiled, "Then we're neighbors. My name is Li Xueli, and I live in unit 1203. Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too. I'm Su Xiaotong. Please take care of us."
"And this... is your son?"
"Yes."
"You're quite young. To have such a big son already."
"I'm already 35."
"Ah? Really?" The woman exclaimed exaggeratedly, "You're only one year younger than me? I thought you were under thirty. How do you take care of yourself? You look so young!"
"Thank you for the compliment, but I'm not as young as you say."
As they were talking, the elevator reached the first floor. The three of them walked out together, and Li Xueli seemed to be a sociable person who didn't intend to part ways. She continued the conversation, "Are you taking your son to school? Oh... wait, it's already past ten. Is the school not properly coordinated yet?"
Su Xiaotong remained silent for a few seconds. She felt that their neighbor on the first floor would eventually find out the situation, so she decided to be honest, "No, my son is a bit special and doesn't need to go to school."
Li Xueli had a straightforward personality and scrutinized Gu Xiaoliang for a while, saying, "What makes him special? I didn't notice anything."
"He has intellectual disabilities," Su Xiaotong reluctantly spoke the words.
"I see... but that's fine. He seems really well-behaved," Li Xueli replied.
Su Xiaotong didn't want to continue the conversation with her and began to wrap it up, saying, "Li Xueli, I'm taking my son to Yuehai Park. Are you going to work? Let's chat another day."
"I'm not going to work. I'm going to the market to buy groceries. It's in the same direction as Yuehai Park. Let's go together."
Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/
Su Xiaotong couldn't refuse and forced a smile, nodding reluctantly.
Along the way, Li Xueli kept prying into Su Xiaotong's family situation. Su Xiaotong found this nosy woman annoying, but as a newcomer, she didn't want to offend anyone, so she patiently provided some basic information, such as being from Jiangsu, previously working in Jingzhou, and some details about Gu Lei. For questions she didn't want to answer, she would change the topic or make excuses. Finally, they arrived at the market, and Su Xiaotong thought she could finally get rid of the woman. However, Li Xueli said, "Since you're new here, would you like to familiarize yourself with the market? Let me recommend a few good stalls to you."
"No need, I don't cook or buy groceries. My husband takes care of that."
"Oh my, you're so lucky! You married a good man. Nowadays, there aren't many men who can cook!"
"Well, Li Xueli, I'll just…"
"Wait," Li Xueli grabbed Su Xiaotong's hand and said, "Tonight, let's have a welcome party for your family of three."
"Huh? What kind of welcome party?"
"You'll find out then. Anyway, tonight at six o'clock, your family of three will come to my house for dinner, and I'll introduce some neighbors and friends to you."
"Oh... there's no need for that. Thank you, Li Xueli. You don't have to trouble yourself."
"What trouble? It's settled then. I'll go buy groceries now. Do you have any dietary restrictions?"
"No, Li Xueli, really, it's not necessary..."
"You must come. The 'welcome party' is a tradition. It's not just for you. I have hosted welcome parties for many people in the neighborhood!" Li Xueli said as she walked towards the market, waving her hand at the mother and son.
Su Xiaotong wanted to politely decline, but Li Xueli was already far away. She stood there with her mouth open, feeling stunned for a moment, then sighed and took her son's hand, walking towards Yuehai Park.
Read only on https://royaltywrites.com.ng/
We hope you enjoyed this chapter! You can vote for this novel translation and drop a review on Novel Updates!❤️
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
0 Comments
What's on your mind...