Chapter 167 Could It Be Cheating?

Chapter 167: Could It Be an Affair?

"Su He, where did you get this painting? It's so well done!" Su Shiming grabbed the painting and began admiring it.

The skill in this painting is seriously impressive.

Su He hesitated, unsure how to explain to her father that this wasn’t a real painting, but something printed in her dimensional space.

She had used paper from this era as much as possible when printing it, but current technology was nowhere near as good as future tech.

"Oh, Dad, never mind who painted it. I'm asking Mom if she can embroider it," Su He said, turning to Wen Qing.

"This’ll take a ton of work," Wen Qing said, examining the piece. "When does your friend need it by?"

"He gave me three months, and he’s willing to pay."

Wen Qing had been hesitant at first—it would be no easy task to stitch such a detailed design.

But when she heard there was money in it, her interest perked up.

Honestly, Su Shiming had already retired due to health issues.

Now both of them were living off his small pension, and money was tight.

They always wanted to give their daughter more spending money and buy toys for the grandchildren, but they just couldn’t afford it anymore.

So earning some extra cash was a chance she couldn’t pass up.

"Three months? Doable," Wen Qing replied.

"Mom, are you sure? Don’t push yourself too hard," Su He added quickly.

Seeing how thoughtful Su He was being, Wen Qing smiled.

"You think I don’t know that? I’ll be careful. This embroidery needs real attention to detail, but I’ll go slow and steady.

Besides, I’ve got plenty of free time these days anyway."

Seeing that Wen Qing seemed sincere, Su He let out a relieved breath.

"Mom, what’s a fair rate for this? I’ll talk to him about it," she asked again.

She didn’t know the going rate for embroidery, and since she’d be paying her mother with points from her space, she wanted to make sure the amount was reasonable.

Wen Qing hesitated before answering, "It’ll take three months, and the design is complicated. The usual rate would be 120 yuan—40 per month."

She flushed a little. Talking wages with her daughter felt awkward, almost like her daughter was her boss.

"But since it’s your friend, we can cut him a deal—30 yuan a month should be fine," Wen Qing quickly added.

"No, better stick to the regular rate. Business is business."

With that, the deal was basically settled.

Su He pulled the embroidered fabric the client had provided from her bag and handed it to Wen Qing.

Looking at the expensive-looking material, Wen Qing started to worry.

"Sweetie, what if I ruin this fabric if my embroidery doesn't turn out well?" Wen Qing asked worriedly.

"Don't worry, Mom. They've got extra fabric," Su He reassured her.

"This fabric is so soft to the touch," Wen Qing admired more and more.

If she could really embroider the design from the painting onto such beautiful fabric... it would be a crowning achievement of her embroidery career.

"You're staying for dinner tonight," Su Shiming, who had been quietly watching the mother and daughter talk so happily, finally said. "I'll run to the market."

"Dad, I'll go with you. Mom, you stay home and take a look at the design."

Before Wen Qing could protest, Su He had already taken the kids and left with Su Shiming for the market.

"This child," Wen Qing muttered in fond exasperation.

On the way to the market, Su Shiming couldn't help but ask, "Is it really your friend who's paying?"

Su He: "..."

Why this sudden pang of guilt?

But they *are* paying—it's just virtual currency.

"It's true—why would I lie?"

"Honey, you've really come into your own. Come on, tonight I'll cook something delicious for you."

Su He: "..."

No way. She should be the one cooking. It was rare for her to visit her parents, and she ought to do her filial duty.

Besides, she had come with another reason—to ask her mother to do the embroidery.

"Dad, let me cook for you tonight. You two take it easy," Su He said with a smile.

Father and daughter laughed together all the way, enjoying their time.

"Oh, Teacher Su, and who’s this?" A neighbor who recognized them couldn’t resist approaching.

Was Teacher Su... cheating?

She’s so young—how could she possibly be interested in Teacher Su?

Poor Wen Qing.

"This is my daughter, Su He. You used to hold her as a baby—don’t you remember?"

Su Shiming couldn’t resist gloating.

My daughter has grown up so beautiful. All those people who said she’d never get married can eat their words now.

"Huh? But... but..." The woman covered her mouth, staring at Su He in disbelief.

"Mom, what's wrong?" A younger woman cut in.

"Oh, Xiaoshuang! When did you get back?" Su Shiming beamed.

"Uncle Su, it's been ages! I just came back a couple of days ago to visit my parents," Tan Xiaoshuang said, smiling.

At this moment, she also spotted Su He standing beside Su Shiming.

"And who's this—" Tan Xiaoshuang felt she looked somewhat familiar, but she'd surely remember such a beautiful girl if they had met before.

"This is our Su He! Don't you recognize her?" Su Shiming jumped in quickly.

"What! You're Su He?" The words burst out before Tan Xiaoshuang could catch herself.

Her proper smile cracked instantly.

"Yes, long time no see, Tan Xiaoshuang," Su He replied with a beaming smile.

Tan Xiaoshuang had been the prettiest and most outstanding girl in the neighborhood where the original her grew up.

Oh, and to add—though the original her was once the neighborhood bully, she had no friends.

Her "bully" title came from being overweight, so the other kids wouldn't play with her.

Plus, she was strong—nobody could take her in a fight.

As for Tan Xiaoshuang, she was the alley's darling. Every boy in the neighborhood adored her and even protected her.

Out of jealousy, the original her had once bullied Tan Xiaoshuang.

But her gang of admirers ganged up on the original her and beat her to a pulp.

After that, the original her would always go out of her way to avoid running into Tan Xiaoshuang.