CHAPTER 278: CHAPTER 278: THE TEST

"Why?"

Su Xiaoxiao pointed to the bulb overhead: "A room barely over ten square meters and you use a fifteen-watt bulb. It’s so dim when turned on, it’s less bright than a candle. If I can sew under this, that would be a miracle."

The sadness Liu Cuilan had just started to build up instantly dispersed. She glared at her third daughter who exposed her frugality, feeling a bit stifled.

She just wanted to indulge herself for a moment, is that not allowed? Really, they say she’s a soft cotton jacket that keeps warm, but she’s nothing of the sort.

Seeing her mom’s expression, Su Xiaoxiao went up and hugged her arm, giving it a gentle shake: "Mom, if you need to sew, do it during daytime, this light is too dim and strains your eyes. I’ll get you a desk lamp later, and if you’re worried about electricity usage, just turn it on when sewing."

Her words made Liu Cuilan feel comforted again.

Look at that, her little cotton jacket is still so thoughtful, unlike those two stinkers who always make her angry.

After they chatted for a while, Su Xiaoxiao mentioned she’d be going on a business trip soon.

Upon hearing this, Liu Cuilan suddenly thought of something: "My youngest, be careful on your way to work tomorrow morning. I saw two fierce-looking men lurking around our neighborhood today. They seemed sneaky and not like good people."

Su Xiaoxiao was curious: "Mom, did you get a good look at them? I didn’t see them when I came back from work."

Liu Cuilan thought for a moment: "One was tall and sturdy, the other had shifty eyes and looked like a skinny monkey..."

Why does this description sound familiar?

Su Xiaoxiao pondered for a bit but couldn’t remember, so she decided to let it go. Feeling sleepy after a full meal, she yawned: "Mom, I’m going to sleep now, you should too, and stop sewing. It’s a miracle if you don’t stab your hand with this lamp."

"Can’t you wish me some good?"

Liu Cuilan glared, prompting Su Xiaoxiao to quickly slip away.

At the door, she spoke earnestly again: "Old Liu, our family isn’t so poor anymore, you don’t have to be so frugal. I’ll buy a brighter bulb and replace it for you another day."

"Who are you calling ’Old Liu’? Hurry up and go to bed, your mom’s eyesight is still good, I’m not blind."

Though Liu Cuilan was scolding, her heart felt warm. Her daughter had grown up and learned to care for her.

Look at that, offering to buy desk lamps and replace bulbs; tomorrow she should brag about this to the old ladies, they’ll be envious.

Su Xiaoxiao left the room and found the main hall was already tidied up, and even the lights had been turned off.

She intended to turn on the light to see the path, but thinking about her mom’s stingy style, she held back.

With a click, she turned on her wrist’s electronic watch; it’s really convenient with modern technology.

Just as she was preparing to return to her room to consider how many electronic watches she’d bring tomorrow, she suddenly heard a cat’s meow from outside the courtyard door.

The sound was rough and hoarse, like someone stepping on its tail, very unpleasant.

"Where did this stray cat come from? Sounds awful."

Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but complain. Just as she was about to enter the house, the cat’s meow turned into barking.

She belatedly realized, this wasn’t barking, it was someone pretending.

Uh-oh, she forgot there were two people waiting for her at the door.

She had originally planned to inform Liu Cuilan and then go out, but she got too hungry and focused on eating, forgetting her business.

At the courtyard door, Liu Dadan’s stomach rumbled loudly with hunger, he mimicked barking with a face full of grievance, taking a moment to ask Skinny, "Bro, do you think that brat is messing with us? It’s so late already."

She said she’d come out in a while, but now all the neighbors are turning off lights and going to bed, still no sign of her.

Most importantly, neither of them had eaten any hot food yet.

He was famished to the point his chest was sticking to his back: "I think the brat is doing this on purpose, getting back at us for last time..."

He hadn’t finished speaking when the courtyard door creaked open from inside.

Skinny slapped Liu Dadan’s forehead with a righteous look: "What are you saying? Comrade Su is not the sort to break promises. Maybe something delayed her at home."

He turned with a big grin to Su Xiaoxiao: "Comrade Su, can we pick up the sewing machines now? We’ve brought the remaining balance."

Carrying such a large amount of money, they were afraid of being robbed on the way, walking cautiously without taking big steps, wary of attracting attention.

Su Xiaoxiao burped, then looked up to meet Liu Dadan’s resentful gaze.

This brat ate and drank well at home while they squatted outside the door for half the night, only able to smell the aroma and drink the northwest wind.

"Why not? Just testing your patience. Can’t handle such a small wait? Then let’s not do this business. There are plenty of people looking to buy sewing machines from me; if you don’t want to, I’ll refund your deposit right now."

Though a bit guilty, Su Xiaoxiao was fluent in making stuff up.

After all, it’s true that she’s not worried about selling these sewing machines, those ten units are nothing to her.

In business, you also need to know how to bluff a bit.

Upon hearing this, Skinny immediately yanked Liu Dadan behind him: "Comrade Su, don’t say that. We’ve paid the deposit because we trust you. We’d never pull such unreliable tricks. Don’t listen to this fool. Even if you make us wait till midnight, we have no complaints."

Su Xiaoxiao nodded deliberately: "That’s better. Honestly, lots want to buy sewing machines from me, but I’m picky about who I sell to."

She raised her chin and nodded towards the two of them: "Come on, follow me."

She changed direction and headed towards a quiet alley.

In the countryside, there were no streetlights, and the moon hadn’t fully risen yet, leaving the road in darkness.

Liu Dadan and Skinny followed Su Xiaoxiao into the alley, as they walked, Liu Dadan suddenly spotted a greenish glow ahead, like ghost fire.

Immediately scared, he screamed and jumped onto Skinny, wrapping his burly arms around Skinny’s neck, almost knocking the wind out of him.

Skinny’s face turned red as he frantically clawed at the powerful arms squeezing him, feeling like his waist was about to snap.

Su Xiaoxiao, hearing the noise, looked back and clicked her electronic watch light, illuminating the two hugging figures.

More accurately, Liu Dadan was tightly embracing Skinny, while Skinny, rolling his eyes, desperately clawed at the iron grip around his neck, seemingly about to faint.

"What are you two doing..."

It looked like they were playing some new game, but not sure, best to observe more.

As the light shone, Liu Dadan realized the greenish glow was gone, let out a sigh of relief, and finally released Skinny.

Regaining freedom, Skinny stretched his neck and gasped for air; once he recovered, he kicked Liu Dadan in the butt: "Are you nuts? Nearly choked me to death."

Liu Dadan felt a bit wronged: "Bro, I saw... ghost fire just now, it was greenish and scary."

"This isn’t a graveyard, where would you get ghost fire? You asking for a beating!"

Skinny was so angry his face turned red, cursing the person who gave him such a spooky nickname, what’s with the ’bold’ part, utter nonsense.

Listening to Liu Dadan’s description, Su Xiaoxiao silently glanced at her fluorescent wristwatch, then grew silent.