Chapter 757: Su Shen’s Letter
Gu Zi walked over and saw that it was Jin Long delivering something. She opened the door and, upon seeing the large cardboard box in the trunk of his car, she asked, “Good morning, what are you delivering today?”
Jin Long unloaded the box and pulled out a package of pork from one side, explaining, “The box contains baby formula. Brother Su said that Lele’s formula is running out, so he asked me to buy some. He specifically instructed that since Lele is growing, we need to buy more. That’s why I bought a whole box. The pork is here, a full ten pounds of top-quality pork. Sister-in-law, didn’t Brother Su tell you before he left that I would be delivering the formula?”
Gu Zi hadn’t expected the older man to be so thoughtful, even arranging for someone to buy formula in advance when it was running out. She had planned to buy it herself, but now it seemed she didn’t need to make the trip. This was just as well, as it meant she could start reviewing her work earlier.
“I really didn’t know. Thank you for bringing it in, and the pork as well. I hope it didn’t inconvenience you?”
Jin Long was a tall and strong man. He easily carried the whole box of formula and ten pounds of pork without even breaking a sweat. “No inconvenience at all, sister-in-law. Why be so polite? These items are heavy. I will deliver the meat to you on time, so you don’t have to worry about it. Brother Su was very concerned about you getting tired. Before he left, he had everything arranged at the pig farm and slaughterhouse, so you don’t have to worry.
“By the way, I also have a letter here. Brother Su wrote it before he left and asked me to give it to you. I think it’s a good time to give it to you now. Since there’s nothing else to do, I’ll leave first. Lele, Uncle is leaving. I’ll bring you candy next time.”
Jin Long moved the items into the house, handed the letter to Gu Zi, and quickly excused himself. After all, with Brother Su not at home, he had no reason to linger, nor was it necessary. A woman’s reputation was paramount.
After Jin Long left, Gu Zi opened the letter and began to read. As she reached the end, tears welled up in her eyes, but she also smiled. Writing a letter was indeed in line with the older man’s style of doing things.
In his letter, Su Shen conveyed with clarity his understanding that his journey to the capital military region would not be a swift one. He anticipated that it might necessitate some negotiation before he could return to their simple life. Despite this, he was confident. He assured that he would return home as soon as possible, for he believed that there was nothing he couldn’t achieve once he set his mind to it. This was especially true when his demands were both reasonable and justifiable.
He expressed regret for not being able to communicate these thoughts in person. He implored her to take good care of herself, not to overwork, and to relax when necessary.
If she found herself too tired, he suggested she take their child to a restaurant or have food delivered, relieving her of the daily cooking duties. He encouraged her to study hard, not only for the upcoming exams but also for her own personal growth. He wished for her to soar in the vast sky of knowledge…
Upon reading this, Gu Zi found her eyes welling up with tears. What a wonderful man he was. His love, though devoid of sweet nothings, filled her with warmth.
Gu Zi thought that Su Shen’s letter should be shared with their two sons. However, as she read from beginning to end, it was only in the last few lines that she found words meant for the children.
He wrote that Su Bing, as the elder brother, should look after his younger sibling and not cause trouble for their mother. Su Li, though still young, should start learning to help their mother and not be so demanding about food. Their mother had to work and prepare for exams, and didn’t have much time. He reminded them that they were young men who should protect their mother and sister when he was not at home.
That was all. Gu Zi blinked, thinking that the letter didn’t necessarily need to be shared with the boys. She decided to mention it casually when they returned from school, perhaps altering the stern tone to make it more palatable for them.
At that moment, school had just ended. Su Li, as before, was struggling to keep up with the pace of the lessons. However, heeding his mother’s advice, he did as suggested. He grabbed Gao Ming, who was eager to play, and said, “Let’s discuss the problem we just learned, shall we?”
Children of their age were naturally playful, and Gao Ming was no exception. Fresh out of class, he was not keen on continuing with schoolwork. But the one asking was his acknowledged second brother! Scratching the back of his head, Gao Ming, though not understanding what there was to discuss, sat back down.
Seeing the two of them studying, other boys gathered around. Some joined the discussion, others were there just for the fun of it. Regardless, Su Li’s spot became the center of attention among the boys. One even eyed the large lunchbox in Su Li’s drawer and said excitedly, “Wow, you brought your own food? I heard your mom’s cooking is really good. Can we all go to the cafeteria together today?”