Chapter 135: Just Talking Nonsense

When Su Qinghu said she was getting busy, she really meant it. She juggled her work while also contacting the construction teams her mother-in-law had mentioned earlier. By the time her mother-in-law told her all the paperwork for the house was ready and handed her the keys, it was already Thursday.

Su Qinghu didn’t personally handle the wall painting or the purchase of basic renovation materials. Instead, after consulting with the teams and weighing her options, she picked a few suppliers and left the rest to them.

Work started on Friday. Su Qinghu swung by at noon to check on things, was quite satisfied, and then hurried back to the office.

Of course, in those three days, Su Qinghu had pretty much figured out where the rumors were coming from.

But since it wasn’t just one department, confronting anyone directly wouldn’t have that “green tea white lotus” flavor.

Trying to use a “green tea white lotus” approach to lure someone out? That was easier said than done. After all, no one’s an idiot—who’d willingly walk into a trap?

There definitely weren’t any fools like that.

“Sister Li,” Su Qinghu took advantage of the ten minutes before afternoon work started, handed Sister Li a green-skinned melon, and leaned in to ask, “Do you know much about Wang Liang?”

Sister Li naturally accepted the melon. “Him? His university wasn’t far from yours. After graduation, he was assigned to our operations department. His parents work in retail—one does purchasing, the other is in admin. As for him, well, he has this little quirk where he can’t stand injustice.”

At the mention of this “can’t stand injustice” quirk, Sister Li couldn’t help but shake her head and laugh.

Su Qinghu got it. “So, the type who doesn’t care about the facts, can’t tell right from wrong, and just acts on emotion?”

“Yeah.” Sister Li nodded with a smile. Seeing someone enter the office, she lifted the melon. “Where’d you buy this? I can smell how sweet it is from here.”

“I didn’t buy it,” Su Qinghu grinned. “One of the guys on the renovation crew gave it to me. He’s from the outskirts and grows these at home. It was meant for his team, but I happened to be there, so he gave me one.”

“And you’re giving it to me when you only have one?” Sister Li laughed and handed it back. “Take it home for your two boys.”

Life was better now, but it wasn’t like you could eat whatever you wanted. Bringing home a melon, a handful of candies, or a couple of popsicles could make the kids happy for days.

“You have it,” Su Qinghu joked as she walked back to her desk. “This is my bribe in case something comes up on Saturday and I need you to cover for me.”

It was Friday, and tomorrow was Saturday. She still needed to double-check the things she’d need for her outing and for the weekend barbecue.

So, she had to leave on time Saturday and completely unplug on Sunday.

Sister Li cradled the melon, laughing. “You don’t need to bribe me! Just ask!”

“But I want to sweeten both your mouth and your heart, Sister Li!” Su Qinghu sat down, rested her chin in her hands, and gazed at Sister Li. “It’s so hot—imagine coming home, soaking the melon in cold water, slicing it open for a bite of cool, sweet goodness. And then remembering it was a pretty girl who gave it to you—oh, just thinking about it is wonderful!”

Sister Li was thoroughly amused. “Who brags about themselves like that?”

But then again, she had to admit—it did sound pretty nice!

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Just before the end of the workday, both Su Qinghu and Sister Li got assignments. One was to cover the story of a dog belonging to an elderly person living alone being rescued. The other was about a minor accident between a tricycle owner and a young guy riding a bike one-handed while carrying a radio, which ended up getting smashed.

When they checked the locations, Sister Li gave Su Qinghu the easier, closer one and took the more complicated case herself, which might require mediating a dispute.

Su Qinghu quickly packed up, slung her camera over her shoulder, grabbed her bag, and dashed out.

Yep, she was doing everything now, even getting sent out on solo assignments. As the director put it: “How can a multi-talented person like you just sit around in the office growing mushrooms after finishing your work? Talented people should get out there and do more! Being too idle doesn’t fit the spirit of young people these days…”

Su Qinghu almost wanted to tell the director that she didn’t have any particular “spiritual needs” right now—everything could wait until autumn, when it would be cooler and she could be more energetic.

But since the director had just helped her dodge a meeting with the chief and relieved her of business pressure, she knew to be grateful and just accepted the arrangement.

The upside was that once she finished her work, she could take her time strolling back to the office…

When she reached the area, Su Qinghu went straight to a group of elderly folks and asked for directions. When they heard she was a reporter, they stopped chatting and eagerly offered to show her the way.

“Miss, your job is really great—you get to go everywhere.”

Su Qinghu just smiled, not saying much.

What could she say? That’s just how people saw it. They completely forgot about the freezing winters, scorching summers, rainy days, and snowy, icy roads…

“Miss, your salary must be pretty high, right?”

That perked Su Qinghu up—turns out asking about salaries wasn’t unique to any era. “About the same as an ordinary worker.”

“Oh, that’s not bad—forty or fifty a month, right?”

Once they realized her pay was average, her job didn’t seem so glamorous anymore, and the conversation drifted elsewhere.

“How old are you, miss? Do you have a boyfriend? Want me to introduce you to someone better?”

Su Qinghu almost stumbled. Sure enough, no matter the era, you’d always get asked these questions.

Job, salary, relationship status, marriage—no one could escape these topics.

“I’m in my twenties. I have a boyfriend, and he’s great. No plans to trade up,” Su Qinghu said, trying not to laugh. Forget marriage—let’s see where this goes.

“What does he do? How much does he make? Is he good-looking? Is he even worthy of someone as pretty as you?”

Now Su Qinghu really laughed. Guessing their next question was almost a game at this point.

She said, “My guy is super handsome! You won’t find anyone better-looking in the whole capital! I liked him the moment I saw him! And he likes me too!”

“Oh, love at first sight, huh?”

Su Qinghu, deadpan, kept up the nonsense. “Absolutely! We really did fall in love at first sight!”

Just then, retired soldier Cai Huayang walked by: “!!!”

Did he just overhear some juicy gossip? Captain Chen and his wife fell in love at first sight?

Love at first sight—Captain Chen?!!!

Su Qinghu had been so caught up in her story that she hadn’t seen Cai Huayang ahead. Now, suddenly spotting him, she froze.

Is this what happens when you talk nonsense behind someone’s back? You get caught red-handed?

No! She refused to believe it!

“I can believe the love at first sight part, but if you say he’s the most handsome in the capital, I’m not buying it,” an old man said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. “Maybe you’re just seeing him through rose-colored glasses? Back in the day, my wife used to say the same about me.”"