The next day, Cheng Su woke up early to make breakfast, but her mother-in-law was up even earlier, sitting in the living room just as dawn broke.
"Mom, you’re up so early. I’m about to make breakfast." Cheng Su smoothed her hair with her fingers and busied herself with the task.
Mother Qi was accustomed to waking early too, and with soldiers in the neighboring military district training so early, she asked, "Taiguo isn’t around; did he go to train this early?"
"Yes, he will come back for breakfast once he’s done. If I’m too busy to cook, he’ll just eat in the cafeteria," Cheng Su said.
Mother Qi frowned upon hearing this. With a wife at home, why would he still go eat in the cafeteria!
However, she didn’t say anything. When she heard Xiao Bao crying in the other room, she went in, and Cheng Su breathed a sigh of relief.
At breakfast, Qi Taiguo indeed returned, saying, "Mom and Big Sister have come all this way. I’ve asked for a couple of days off so I can show you around, how about that?"
"How can that be okay? The army is all about organization and discipline. You’ve got your wife here; you don’t need to take care of us!" Mother Qi was the first to oppose the idea, looking toward Cheng Su.
Qi Fenglian also disagreed, but she didn’t mention Cheng Su. Instead, she said, "We’re not children; we can walk around by ourselves."
"Mom, Qing City isn’t like Flower County; it’s quite big. What if you get lost? Cheng Su might not need to visit her restaurant, but she has to go to that jam factory; she’s very busy!" Qi Taiguo argued.
"That’s perfect, we haven’t been to the restaurant anyway, so we’ll just follow along and take a look. That way we’ll recognize the way in the future!" Mother Qi took the opportunity to say, "And we’ll take a look at that factory as well."
Qi Fenglian glanced at Cheng Su, who said nothing, and continued, "Mom, Taiguo’s wife is going to work; why should we get in the way? There are plenty of interesting things to do in the big courtyard. We can just enjoy ourselves at home. Taiguo’s wife doesn’t need to rush back; we’ll cook."
"This..." Mother Qi was about to speak when Qi Fenglian tugged forcefully at her sleeve.
"It’s fine, I have to go out anyway, so I’ll take Mom and Big Sister with me," Cheng Su said, looking at Qi Taiguo. "You don’t need to ask for leave; best not to cause a bad impression!"
"That’s right!" Mother Qi approved.
Qi Taiguo, feeling somewhat apologetic, quietly squeezed Cheng Su’s hand under the table.
After breakfast, Cheng Su indeed took Mother Qi and Qi Fenglian out, but their first stop was the factory. Ning Ge wasn’t there, and without a manager, she had to make some arrangements.
"This is your jam factory, huh? It looks impressive!" exclaimed Qi Fenglian, full of admiration upon seeing the small factory.
"It’s not entirely mine. I’m just a shareholder, and I own less than the others," Cheng Su explained.
"That’s still remarkable!" Qi Fenglian was thoroughly impressed.
Cheng Su smiled but remained silent, proceeding to a meeting with her sales team, letting them walk around.
Mother Qi pulled Qi Fenglian along for a tour of the factory, saying, "Look, they’re both forms of work, but what’s bad about this? This is your own place, much better than slaving away somewhere else. Listen to me, work for her here!"
Qi Fenglian glanced around and whispered, "Mom, don’t talk about this; if Cheng Su hears it, she might be unhappy. It’d ruin our relationship for no good reason!"
"Oh, I think you’re just being silly and afraid. Helping her would benefit both of you. Look, isn’t there someone from the family in every factory and shop? If Jisheng or you were to come, you would be insiders, helping to manage, without fearing others taking advantage."
Qi Fenglian stamped her foot, "Mom, that’s not something we can just decide; she has to be willing too. Don’t push Taiguo into a corner, making it hard for him."
"I think you’re just timid and useless," Mother Qi huffed and walked away.