After coming out of the academy, Cheng Su and Ying Xiaoya returned to the city and parted ways to go home. Just as she reached the courtyard gate, she saw Third Uncle Cheng hesitantly standing there.
"Third Uncle, you’re back? Why aren’t you going in?" Cheng Su was quite surprised.
"The gatekeeper said you went out and haven’t come back, Taiguo isn’t here either, so there was no way to get in, I just thought I’d wait here!" Third Uncle Cheng replied with a smile.
"If I didn’t come back, would you have waited until it got dark?" Cheng Su playfully scolded, taking the things from his hands: "Why so many things?"
"They’re all prepared by your mom and your Third Aunt, worried you might miss the taste of home. They made some pastries and brought some homemade preserves." Third Uncle Cheng replied.
"It’s so far, there’s no need to bring these, come in quickly." Cheng Su led the way in front.
These days Guiying was about to give birth, so she didn’t go to work. She carried a large belly and took a pot to the kitchen. Upon seeing Cheng Su, she greeted and curiously glanced at the man behind her.
"This is my Third Uncle." Cheng Su introduced.
Guiying promptly greeted him.
Third Uncle Cheng smilingly responded, "Hello, hello."
Once inside, Cheng Su served him tea, sat down, and said, "I thought you might stay at home for a few more days, didn’t expect you’d be down here so quickly!"
"There’s work in the renovation crew, the boss giving three days off is already generous, can’t make it hard for others, right?" Third Uncle Cheng explained.
Which made sense, Cheng Su nodded, smiled, and said, "Dazhi praised you in front of me, saying you do a good job, picking things up quickly, and that once you get skilled enough, you’ll definitely be able to make it on your own!"
"Really?" Third Uncle Cheng rubbed his hands.
Cheng Su smiled and nodded, "Would I joke with you?"
Third Uncle Cheng felt a bit embarrassed and said, "I’m just learning."
"Third Uncle, you’re doing great, first learn the craft well, then you can do things on your own. Don’t mind the hard work or low pay, unlike that..." Cheng Su paused.
Third Uncle Cheng saw the anger on her face and said, "Are you talking about Zhang Jisheng not being good?"
"He’s so capable, always complaining, but doesn’t see his own limits. If not for considering my Elder Sister, I wouldn’t bother with him." Cheng Su, having started, just continued speaking.
Third Uncle Cheng thought for a while and said, "His thinking has changed, it wasn’t like this in the beginning, but later on it just..."
"Third Uncle, who does he usually hang out with? In your renovation crew, there are a few not-so-proper ones, right?" Cheng Su recalled Zhang Jisheng going to prostitutes; they say you become like those you associate with, so how could he do such things if he wasn’t influenced?
"There are some, but in the renovation crew, there’s always one or two like that. Jisheng usually hangs out with them, drinking and eating, once I even saw them whistling and teasing little girls passing by. Sigh." Third Uncle Cheng hesitated before saying.
"Really a bunch of scoundrels, such disgrace." Cheng Su was furious, thinking maybe Dazhi should fire him, let him go back to his hometown, that’d be better than causing trouble here.
"Su Girl, don’t concern yourself with his issues, just remind your Elder Sister to keep an eye on the money." Third Uncle Cheng cautiously said, "After all, you’re just a sister-in-law, meddling with your Elder Sister’s matters might upset people."
"I know, I’m merely feeling it’s unfair for my Elder Sister." To have a man like that, really unlucky.
Third Uncle Cheng was about to say something more when suddenly there was a loud crash outside, startling the two of them.