She's Too Sweet - Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Suddenly hearing that behind her, Su He was stunned for a while before she understood what he meant.
The “he” in his words referred to Chen Yao.
Su He felt a bit confused and turned to look at Xie Lou.
Xie Lou was chewing on a piece of beef, raising an eyebrow at her.
Su He rolled her eyes and turned to leave.
The door slammed shut with a bang.
Xie Lou: “……”
Damn it.
* * * * * * * * * *
Previously, Su He had refused Chen Yao’s invitation to the school’s welcome party, but unexpectedly, the next day at the start of the semester, Chen Yao and some student council members blocked her way to class.
Su He: “……”
Chen Yao smiled and said, “There’s really no other choice; this year, too few new students are participating, especially among self-study students. Not one of you has signed up. Su, could you please help us out?”
Su He: “……”
Ahead was the classroom, and behind her was a tree-lined path bustling with students who were all looking their way. Su He felt a headache coming on. She said, “Senior Chen, there are just over twenty self-study students; it’s not a big deal if they don’t participate, right?”
“Of course it matters! This is the school’s directive; we need a sense of collective honor,” Chen Yao argued persuasively, able to spin any situation into something favorable.
“Right, Su… Su is it? Please help us out,” one of Chen Yao’s lackeys stumbled over her name.
Su He glanced at the lackey.
The lackey was sweating profusely; it was clear that Chen Yao had ulterior motives.
Su He said, “I have a few roommates; they…”
Before she could finish, Chen Yao interrupted, “Oh no, you’re the only one suitable! It’s not like we need you to be the main dancer; we just need someone to fill in a spot at the edge.”
But I still have to dance.
What Chen Yao wanted her for was to fill in for one dancer in a performance.
Su He: “……”
Just as they were at an impasse, the class bell rang. Su He looked at Chen Yao. Although he didn’t have class this period, he couldn’t keep blocking her. He smiled and stepped aside, saying, “Su, please go ahead.”
Su He shot him a glance and walked straight into the classroom.
With just that one glance, Chen Yao’s heart raced again as he watched Su He’s back.
He thought to himself,
How did I not realize how pretty she is back then…
I was young and ignorant.
I should have known better.
* * * * * * * * * *
Back in the student council, news of Chen Yao blocking self-study student Su He spread quickly. Xie Lou was talking with someone when he glanced up coldly at Chen Yao.
After sitting down, Chen Yao propped his chin on his hand and said, “I’ll keep trying.”
Xie Lou scoffed and tossed a stack of documents at him.
Chen Yao fumbled to catch them and exclaimed upon seeing them, “Hey! The approval came through?”
Xie Lou took out a cigarette without responding and stepped outside to smoke. Across from him was the classroom where Su He was currently attending. The tree shade covered half of the window. Xie Lou leaned against the railing with deep-set eyes that hid his thoughts.
Finally, he pulled out his phone.
He sent a WeChat message to Su He.
Xie Lou: “You don’t need to cook tonight; I’m going out.”
* * * * * * * * * *
After class, when Su He returned to her dorm and saw her phone, she noticed Xie Lou’s message but didn’t reply as usual. But that also meant she could rest for the evening.
She had another class in the afternoon. After finishing it, she thought about inviting her two roommates out for dinner but received a call from Wang Hui instead.
Furrowing her brow, Su He stepped outside the dorm to answer.
“Hello….”
Wang Hui’s voice came through with a hint of laughter: “Are you in class?”
Feeling somewhat bewildered, Su He leaned against the railing and replied, “Yeah.”
“Hey Huo Huo, when do you finish?” Wang Hui asked eagerly. Su He felt dazed; she still called her by that nickname—a name their family loved when her father was still around.
She responded, “Just one more class this afternoon.”
“Then you’re done now?” Wang Hui sounded even more excited. Su He’s brow furrowed again as she said, “Mom, just tell me what you need.”
Wang Hui paused for a second before laughing and saying, “I’m in Hai City now; I’m near Hai City University. I thought I’d come see you and maybe have dinner together?”
Su He fell silent.
She didn’t speak for quite some time. Eventually, she quietly asked, “You… came all this way just to see me?”
“Yes!”
Wang Hui answered cheerfully. Su He’s heart trembled slightly. After four years away from school—if not for her determination and some money left by her late grandmother—she would hardly have had another chance at education. Wang Hui had a new family now and had to take care of her younger sister from that family. No one thought about whether Su He needed to continue studying or not.
Thus, arranging for school had been entirely up to Su He herself. She only informed Wang Hui after being accepted into university. Wang Hui’s family made it clear: as long as you don’t spend my money, do whatever you want.
However, unspoken opposition lingered behind those words. Wang Hui believed that since Su He inherited their grandmother’s skills, it would be better to use that money to open a restaurant or even become a personal chef for wealthy families…
Returning from B City to Hai City University meant Wang Hui didn’t even come out to see her off. She packed her own luggage…
Those beautiful days were long gone; memories of her mother’s nurturing love had faded away too. Su He thought she had gotten used to it all.
Unexpectedly, just three or four sentences from Wang Hui could still pull at her heartstrings.
Su He’s throat felt dry as she asked softly, “Did you come alone?”
“Yes! Just me! Huo Huo, I’m at the east gate of your Hai City University now—should I wait for you or come find you?” Wang Hui’s gentle voice was close by.
Su He replied, “I’ll come down; wait for me.”
After saying that, she turned back into the dormitory to change clothes and grabbed her wallet before heading downstairs.
There happened to be a bike outside; Su He picked one and rode towards the east gate.
From afar, she spotted a gray Volkswagen. Wang Hui stood beside it wearing sunglasses. If it weren’t for the peeling paint on the car body showing its age clearly—Wang Hui’s demeanor resembled how she used to be before their father went bankrupt.
It’s just that now she no longer had such a man pampering her like their father did.
Only endless life struggles tormented her now.
Su He parked the bike and walked towards Wang Hui who was waving at her.
* * * * * * * * * *
When mother and daughter met again after some time apart, there was an awkward silence. Wang Hui stepped forward and hugged Su He tightly; Su He closed her eyes briefly before asking: “What do you want to eat? Should I cook something for you when we get home or…”
“Let’s eat out!” Wang Hui smiled slightly while glancing at Hai City University. “This school is pretty good; it’s always been your dream school right?”
“Yes,” Su He nodded in agreement.
Wang Hui took her hand affectionately. “Now adult education is valuable too; I didn’t know that before so…”
Su He replied simply with an “mm-hmm.”
“Get in the car; I’ve booked us a restaurant.”
As they drove away from the east gate in Wang Hui’s car,
Along the way while looking at familiar scenery brought forth an expression of melancholy mixed with nostalgia on Wang Hui’s face. The journey from nothingness into existence is thrilling and joyful; however descending from existence back into mundanity carries an unbearable weight of pain that can haunt someone for life.
Hai City…
Once upon a time belonged entirely to the Su family…
* * * * * * * * * *
Upon arriving at the restaurant Wang Hui had booked for them, Su He felt surprised upon seeing it. She glanced at her mother who smiled back at her saying: “What are you looking at? It’s rare for me to visit you so naturally we should find somewhere nice.”
Yu Lou Tai, a well-known Chinese restaurant known not only for its high prices but also its fame.
Once upon a time they hired their grandmother who used to run things here as well…
A meal here wouldn’t cost less than three thousand yuan without getting much food either.
Su He told Wang Hui: “This is too expensive.”
Wang Hui pushed down her sunglasses looking slightly annoyed but quickly forced on a smile saying: “It’s not expensive! Let’s go.”
Was there ever a time when she needed to worry about money when visiting places like this?
Unable to argue against Wang Hui further nor wanting to spoil their brief moment of warmth as mother and daughter—Su He held back any further objections. In previous visits they always went into private dining rooms but tonight there were none available so they could only sit in the main hall which had an air of retro elegance thanks to its pearl curtains hanging down beautifully around them
Wang Hui began ordering dishes,
Su He watched as she picked various items off the menu,
Wang Hui ordered quite a number of dishes all at once causing Su He’s brow to furrow slightly as she attempted to intervene but Wang Hui pressed down on the menu smiling saying: “Trust me! There’s also an aunt coming later—Aunt Zhou! You know her right?”
Su He: “……”
Wang Hui knew many wealthy women so much so that she couldn’t remember them all clearly anymore; shaking her head slightly in response,
Wang Hui playfully tapped Su He’s forehead like old times saying: “Silly Huo Huo.”
Instinctively frowning slightly upon realizing what she did—before she could react further Wang Hui had already waved behind herself calling someone over followed closely by an overwhelming scent of perfume wafting towards them—the diamond-studded Aunt Zhou arrived carrying an expensive designer bag while sizing up Su He with keen eyes before sitting down with a smirk directed towards Wang Hui saying: “Why aren’t we seated in private rooms?”
Wang Hui still looked past Zhou towards where Su He sat before returning focus back onto Zhou with an awkward laugh saying: “The ambiance outside isn’t bad either! So what? Is Cheng Yao busy tonight?”
Upon hearing this Aunt Zhou laughed lightly saying: “Kids these days don’t have time for us old ladies! They’re probably off having fun with friends while only obedient little Huo Huo stays here accompanying you!”
Su He greeted Aunt Zhou politely but remained silent afterwards as Aunt Zhou continued smiling brightly while holding onto those diamond earrings under bright lights making them sparkle dazzlingly—meanwhile noticing how much attention Wang Hui paid towards those accessories instead
Feeling uneasy inside due partly towards Aunt Zhou’s attention yet also because of how much focus seemed directed towards material possessions made Su He’s mood sour further still…
Just then dishes started arriving on their table,
Thinking maybe they could finally eat quietly together—who knew Aunt Zhou would suddenly reach out touching Su He’s hand lifting it up gently inspecting closely
Seeing this made Wang Hui’s eyes light up staring intently towards Aunt Zhou
Aunt Zhou held onto Su He’s hand, turning it over repeatedly, commenting wistfully: “Such delicate hands! After years spent cooking pots and pans they’ve grown roughened, haven’t they? And look at this face—it doesn’t seem quite as youthful anymore either…it really tugs on my heartstrings…”
Wang Hui nodded enthusiastically beside them saying: “Yes indeed! Huo Huo has been such a good help taking care of Grandma!”
“Isn’t that right?” Aunt Zhou remarked glancing sideways toward Wang Hui then turning back towards Su He’s face again continuing on about how Cheng Yao must’ve seen through all these changes because he preferred more spirited girls rather than someone like poor little Huo Huo who seems so meek…
Her words flowed smoothly sounding sweet yet veiled with hidden meanings beneath each compliment
Realizing what was being implied made realization dawn upon Su He’s mind causing panic within herself—she shot an incredulous look towards Wang Hui whose expression remained frozen trying hard not to show any signs of panic either even though inside emotions ran wild…
Before long, unable to bear anymore tension within herself—she abruptly stood up pulling the chair away loudly exclaiming coldly while looking downwards saying: “I have something else going on! You two enjoy your meal.”
That word ‘Mom’ stuck painfully in her throat, unable to voice it aloud instead leaving behind two stunned faces as she stormed away briskly leaving both women bewildered…
* * * * * * * * * *
The table fell silent momentarily afterward—a nearby table hidden behind pearl curtains closed softly shutting away sounds echoing throughout the restaurant while slender fingers gently tapped against smooth pages inside a black notebook held by a man casually leaning back, appearing to have a relaxed overall demeanor
He drawled lazily stating simply: “Let’s wrap things up here today?”
“Sure,” replied his companion nodding along affirmatively
“I’ll take care of the bill,” he added putting the notebook neatly inside a black briefcase before standing up, preparing to leave.
“Alright alright,” came a quick agreement from the other man
With confirmation received he finally departed walking towards the exit where heavy rain poured outside soaking everything within sight beneath curtain-like sheets cascading downwards, drenching streets entirely.
At Yu Lou Tai entrance, moisture hung thickly around the air brought forth by rainfall
Taking out a cigarette, he lit it whilst gazing blankly unto downpour, lost in deep thought until eventually turning back, glancing inside Yu Lou Tai searching specifically where earlier seated position was occupied by none other than young lady named ‘Su Huo’
Staring intently, his lingering gaze remained fixed there until finally deciding to move toward the parking area, bending low and shoving the notebook inside the car, he momentarily paused mid-motion, noticing a slender figure standing amidst the rainstorm, clutching arms tightly, shivering slightly and swaying precariously under harsh winds battering against their body.
Bang—
Suddenly he slammed the car door shut tightly followed swiftly by long legs encased within black trousers stepping boldly forward into torrential rain ahead…