Chapter 58: Failing at Flattery

Su Qinghu turned her head and saw a short-haired woman about the same age as Sister Li sprinting at full speed. Behind her was a skinny young woman who looked a bit like a student—probably, like Su Qinghu, a recent university graduate assigned to the work unit.

—Could this be the legendary “news chase”?

Su Qinghu tightened her grip on the camera in her arms and dared not slow her pace.

“Since Sister Li doesn’t want to catch up, then—” The short-haired woman gave a confident smile, her voice rising, “Xiao Ding, run faster!”

As soon as she finished speaking, Su Qinghu felt a blur flash past her, even stirring the loose strands of hair by her ear.

She blinked, watching the slim figure weave through the crowd of people getting off work, quickly disappearing until only her head was visible.

“……”

So that smile from the short-haired woman just now—it was the smug, victorious kind…

Should she—

Su Qinghu kept running, glancing at the girl called Xiao Ding, then at herself, and took a deep breath.

—If it’s a race, well, why not give it a try!

“You—” Seeing Su Qinghu catch up and even start to pull ahead, Sister Li grabbed her. “Just stay behind me!”

She was actually quite curious how, growing up in that kind of environment, little Su could develop such a graceful figure and such fair, glowing skin.

She sped up, and Su Qinghu kept close behind. Glancing at the short-haired woman, Su Qinghu, panting, asked Sister Li, “Actually, we could just sprint ahead too, why—”

Before she could finish, Sister Li chuckled and said without looking back, “I’m worried someone might take advantage of you.”

It was rush hour, with lots of people riding bikes and walking home, men and women alike. A pretty girl like Su would probably attract attention from even the women, let alone…

Su Qinghu was stunned, then burst out laughing. “I thought you were worried about my new clothes.”

Sister Li shook her head with a smile. “How far are we from that woman now?”

Su Qinghu looked back. “About four meters.”

Sister Li nodded and, to save her strength, said no more.

Up ahead, the girl called Xiao Ding was slowing down, probably because she’d bumped into someone and was being held up, nodding her head in apology.

“Get ready—we’re sprinting.”

At Sister Li’s command, Su Qinghu perked up and followed without hesitation.

As for Xiao Ding, who was apologizing to someone… Well, she did bump into someone, so she should apologize. Besides, her mentor was catching up—no need for them to worry about her.

After that run, Su Qinghu felt both amused and exhilarated. When they finally stopped in a small alley, she braced her hands on her knees, gasping, “Now…I…Sister Li, I really think you’re right about me needing to exercise.”

With a strong body, you could run for news stories and fend off hooligans.

“You’ll find exercise even more necessary in the future,” Sister Li said, taking a deep breath to steady herself before stepping forward to knock on the door.

The door opened. Before Sister Li could say anything, an old lady with a head of white hair smiled and said, “Looking for my righteous son? He’s not home. Too many people; the house can’t fit them all, so I sent him out to talk.”

“Auntie, do you know where he might have gone?” Sister Li asked. “We heard about his act of bravery and wanted to interview him.”

The old lady thought for a moment. “Is it going to be in the newspaper?”

“Most likely, yes,” Sister Li replied with a smile. “Could you tell us where he might be now?”

No matter how anxious she felt, Sister Li’s expression remained calm and composed.

The old lady pondered and pondered, until both Sister Li and Su Qinghu could hear hurried footsteps approaching.

Was that the short-haired woman and Xiao Ding catching up?

Even Sister Li looked a little anxious now. Su Qinghu thought for a moment, ready to try a little charm and persuasion.

She stepped forward, shaking her camera. “Auntie, I’m really good at taking photos. You’re so good-looking—your son must be, too. It’s so hot today, he’s probably sweated it out by now. It’d be great to take a nice photo of him for everyone to see.”

The old lady looked at Su Qinghu and smiled. “What’s good-looking about me? I’m already old.”

“You’re beautiful in every way! Even your hair is so smooth and shiny. I bet when you were young, you were a stylish and elegant lady—maybe even an expert in calligraphy and painting,” Su Qinghu said with a grin.

The old lady laughed heartily. “How can you tell I’m an expert in calligraphy and painting?”

“There’s a faint scent of ink about you,” Su Qinghu said—not just flattery; she really could smell it and see it.

And the old lady spoke slowly and elegantly, with the air of an old-school artist.

“Come in, let’s talk,” the old lady said, her gaze lingering on Su Qinghu and Sister Li before stepping aside to let them in.

Su Qinghu and Sister Li exchanged a glance and followed her inside.

The old lady closed the door and led them in, saying directly, “This act of bravery… it’s not so easy to talk about.”

“My son’s a teacher at a school. That thief was once his student, dropped out in junior high…”

Su Qinghu: “!!!”

Oh wow, this situation… really isn’t easy to talk about…

Her flattery just now was a complete fail.

Sister Li paused, glanced at the old lady, and habitually furrowed her brows. How was she supposed to write this story?

“That’s how it is. How do you expect him to accept an interview?” The old lady sighed and shook her head. “He can’t get over it himself—he’s basically put himself in time-out.”

Su Qinghu knew it was inappropriate, but she couldn’t help thinking of how sensationalist new media in the future would handle this. If they got hold of this story, they’d blow it up for sure.

[Shocking! Teacher catches student stealing!]

[Teacher: I caught my own student]

[Years later, teacher and student meet again like this!]

[Student caught stealing by teacher—was it the teacher’s fault?]

[Teacher: Sorry, student, but I had to catch you!]

……

Su Qinghu shivered, shook her head, and cleared her mind of all those messy thoughts.

“How old is this student now?” Sister Li asked.

The old lady replied, “Sixteen. Started preschool at six, entered junior high at twelve, dropped out at fourteen.”

So he’s been out of school for two years? Dropped out in eighth grade?

Sister Li nodded and continued, “When he dropped out, did your son try to visit the family and persuade them?”

“He did, but it didn’t help,” the old lady said calmly. “His family had already found him a master to learn a trade from.”

They had plans for the boy, so there was nothing they could do.

Su Qinghu let out a sigh of relief. Thank goodness there was still a way out. Otherwise, in the future, people would criticize: “Your family’s not poor, why not just pay for him to keep studying…”"