Chapter 466: Don

After leaving Xu Haimin's office, Su Xinghui went home; he hadn't returned in over a month and truly needed to visit his parents.

Back home, his mother was cooking; seeing Su Xinghui, she beamed: "Starhui's back! Why didn't you call before coming home? Luckily your sister's family is coming for dinner tonight, or we'd have nothing good to serve."

Su Xinghui smiled: "It's fine, Mom, I eat well every day at work. When are your daughter and son-in-law arriving?"

Guo Suhua said: "They should be here soon—she said she'd come straight after work."

Su Xinghui felt relieved inside: thank goodness he had an older sister who could often return to keep his parents company; otherwise, working so far away would have filled him with guilt.

Confucius said, "While parents live, do not travel far," and though there's a follow-up—"if you travel, have a purpose"—if his parents spent every day alone at home, Su Xinghui still couldn't feel at ease.

Indeed, not long after, Su Xingyun and Tan Mingcheng arrived home with their son Tan Weisheng; both were delighted to see Su Xinghui. Su Xingyun went into the kitchen to help their mother, while Tan Weisheng sat in the living room chatting with Su Xinghui.

Tan Weisheng said: "Starhui, I saw in the newspaper lately—Meng Hu Ling made the Hudong Daily again. Looks like you're really doing well there."

Su Xinghui replied: "It's alright, Brother-in-law. Thank you for coming home often to keep Mom and Dad company."

Tan Weisheng said: "Starhui, don't talk like outsiders. We're family. We're happy you're doing well at Meng Hu Ling. Your sister and I don't have much ability, so since you're away, we just come back often. Besides, we get free meals too."

Su Xinghui glanced at the kitchen and asked softly: "Brother-in-law, has Mom been off work all this time?"

Tan Weisheng nodded: "Her work schedule's been irregular lately—she's lucky if she gets to the factory once a week. Xingyun worried about her mood, so we've been coming home more often to keep her company."

Su Xinghui nodded; indeed, Guo Suhua was at the age for menopause, and with career setbacks, her low spirits were normal. He rarely came home now—if he lived with them daily, she probably wouldn't be so cheerful either.

In truth, he owed it to his sister's family: their frequent visits meant Tan Weisheng could spend more time with Guo Suhua, lifting her spirits.

As they spoke, Su Wenjun returned from work; seeing his son home, he said nothing aloud, but Su Xinghui could tell his mood was clearly improved.

Dinner was still far off, so Tan Mingcheng played chess with his father-in-law, while Su Xinghui watched. When he saw Su Wenjun's position weakening, he offered advice; Tan Mingcheng was only playing to entertain his father-in-law, so he didn't object.

Su Xinghui knew his brother-in-law had a gentle nature, which was why he dared to guide his father—since they'd returned, the house had become much livelier.

After two games, Guo Suhua and Su Xingyun finished cooking; the family ate together cheerfully. Guo Suhua sighed: "Starhui's really a busy man now—coming home is so hard."

Su Wenjun said: "Aren't you keeping those newspapers with his name? He's doing well at work—we can't hold him back."

Guo Suhua said: "I was just saying that."

In fact, Guo Suhua had kept every newspaper clipping with her son's name, showing them to many acquaintances—all praised Su Xinghui, making her feel proud.

Su Xinghui said: "Dad, Mom, it's so hot in Shangjun County—should we buy an air conditioner?"

Guo Suhua immediately shook her head: "Air conditioners are crazy expensive! Why buy one? We couldn't even pay the electricity bill!"

Back then, air conditioners cost at least two or three thousand yuan—nearly a year's salary—and there were no energy-saving models; running one all night used over ten kilowatt-hours, costing several yuan—electricity bills could equal a month's salary. They simply couldn't afford it.

Su Wenjun added: "We've lived for decades without one. Before, we didn't even have a fan—summer nights we slept on the rooftop, nice and cool. Why bother with air conditioning now? If the transformer can't handle it and burns out, that'll be worse."

Su Xinghui wanted to compensate for not being home, seeing how hot Shangjun got, so he thought of an air conditioner—but now he realized it wasn't the right time: not just the cost, but the transformer couldn't even handle one.

It seemed impossible to buy an air conditioner in the next one or two years—Shangjun County's infrastructure still had many needs.

Su Xinghui smiled: "Then let's not buy one. I'm just used to Meng Hu Ling's coolness—coming back to Shangjun, I felt too hot and thought of it."

Su Wenjun said: "Speaking of Meng Hu Ling—it really is cool. I once stayed there on assignment; even in summer nights, we needed a thin blanket."

Guo Suhua had heard her son say Meng Hu Ling was cool in summer; she nodded: "It's a great place. Starhui always hated the heat—when he was little, every summer he broke out in heat rashes, couldn't sweat out the toxins, got boils—he suffered so much. Now it's good he's there."

Su Xinghui smiled: "Mom, if you can't stand the heat here, you can always come visit us at Meng Hu Ling."

Guo Suhua shook her head: "No, I'm used to it here. Besides, I have to cook for your dad—he'd just eat noodles every day if I wasn't home."

Su Wenjun said: "I'm just busy with work. Besides, noodles are nutritious too."

Their words made the whole family laugh.

After dinner, Su Xinghui said: "Sister, Brother-in-law, stay a while longer—I'm going to visit County Chief Zhang."

Su Xinghui hadn't returned in a month; he needed to report to Zhang Kaishan. The family all understood.

Su Xinghui went to Zhang Kaishan's home; Zhang Cheng opened the door, and Su Xinghui saw Zhang Kaishan slumped wearily on the sofa.

Zhang Kaishan perked up slightly at seeing Su Xinghui: "Starhui's back? When did you get in?"

Su Xinghui said: "I arrived this afternoon. Uncle Zhang, haven't you eaten yet?"

Su Xinghui asked because he saw a steaming bowl of noodles still on Zhang Kaishan's dining table.

Zhang Kaishan nodded: "I just came back from the dike, so I haven't eaten. Have you eaten? Should I ask your aunt to make you another bowl?"

Su Xinghui hurriedly said: "I've eaten. You eat quickly."

Zhang Kaishan nodded and began eating the noodles in large bites.

Su Xinghui asked Zhang Cheng softly: "Have you all eaten already?"