Chapter 168 The Childhood Friend

Chapter 168 The Protagonist's Childhood Sweetheart

But in Su He’s eyes, Tan Xiaoshuang was pretty manipulative—capable of making so many people fight over her.

Back then, Su He actually had a childhood friend who was willing to play with her. The original host projected all her childhood dreams onto him.

But as they grew older, her only playmate gradually became closer to Tan Xiaoshuang, and eventually ended up disgusted at the mere sight of the original host.

That childhood friend was also outstanding—handsome, top of his class, and later made it into a top-tier university in the capital alongside Tan Xiaoshuang.

In this alley, they were the legendary perfect couple, childhood sweethearts destined for each other.

The original host, Su He? She was naturally seen as the ugly, domineering, unwanted intruder desperately trying to butt into their world.

This was a wound that never healed for the original host, because she had always secretly loved that childhood friend.

After they fell out, Su He vowed to find someone way better than him—which was how poor Fu Tinghua got dragged into her sights.

"Su He, what happened to you?" Tan Xiaoshuang’s face fell.

"What do you mean? Don’t tell me you’re not thrilled I’ve gotten hotter?" Su He shot back sarcastically.

"No, it’s just… you’ve changed so much. I’m just surprised," Tan Xiaoshuang said uncomfortably.

"Huh? Everyone’s here? Uncle Su too." At that moment, a pleasant male voice cut into their conversation.

Su He turned and saw a handsome, tall guy.

But compared to her Dr. Fu, he wasn’t even close.

And sure enough, he was checking her out, his once-over instantly irritating her.

"And who’s this?" His eyes lit up as he looked at Su He.

"A Ze, why are you here?" Tan Xiaoshuang quickly interrupted Xu Runze’s question, turning it back on him.

"Oh, I was worried about you, so I came along to help with the groceries," Xu Runze replied with total sweetness.

"There’s nothing to worry about—it’s just around the house," Tan Xiaoshuang blushed, lowering her head shyly.

Standing nearby, Su Shiming chuckled. "Looks like another love story’s brewing in our alley."

"This time we came back specifically to have dinner with both families and talk marriage," Xu Runze smiled.

"Congratulations…"

Su Shiming had always been well-liked in the neighborhood—he was a teacher and had a good reputation.

That was why, back in the day, so many people respected him—even if they didn’t play with Su He, they never actively bullied her either.

He genuinely wished Xu Runze and Tan Xiaoshuang well; after all, he’d watched them grow up together, and now they were finally tying the knot.

"Grandpa, when are we going grocery shopping? Niu Niu’s starving!" Niu Niu piped up after enduring the grown-ups’ chitchat for a while.

She hadn’t wanted to interrupt, but her stomach had already started growling loudly.

Mom always said: when you're hungry, eat—you shouldn’t let yourself starve.

So she bravely spoke up.

Although Su Shiming was a strict teacher to his students, he spoiled his daughter and grandchildren rotten.

The moment his granddaughter said she was hungry, he panicked and exclaimed, "Hungry? We can't have our Niu Niu starving!"

He scooped her up in his arms and added, "Come on, Grandpa will get you some snacks to hold you over first. What do you want?"

Grandpa? The only person Su Shiming would call "Grandpa" had to be Su He's daughter.

Xu Runze's eyes landed on the fair-skinned, stunningly pretty woman.

The more he looked, the more unbelievable it seemed—was this really Su He?

"Now then," Su He smiled at Zai Zai and Niu Niu, "how about Mommy buys you some tanghulu to satisfy your sweet tooth?"

"Yay! I want tanghulu!" Niu Niu instantly cheered.

The whole family was strikingly good-looking, and the two kids were adorable little twins, making Tan Xiaoshuang's mom jealous as hell.

Before, her Xiaoshuang and Runze had always said they were swamped with school and didn’t need to rush into marriage.

Later, they claimed work kept them too tied up to get married.

Now look at Su He, who grew up with them—her kids were already so big. How could they not feel pressure?

No way—this time, the wedding had to happen.

Both of them were already twenty-two. If they didn’t tie the knot soon, her Xiaoshuang would end up left on the shelf.

Back then, her Xiaoshuang had been the neighborhood hottie, with tons of guys chasing after her.

Now she had to envy the very Su He she once looked down on the most? Tan Xiaoshuang’s mother was having none of that.

"We’ll take off first—we’ll talk later. My grandchild’s hungry," Su Shiming said before hurrying away with Su He and the kids, as if afraid Niu Niu might actually starve.

Watching Su He walking away, Xu Runze’s gaze turned complicated.

"A Ze, what’s wrong?" Tan Xiaoshuang stepped in front of him, blocking his view, smiling as she asked.

"Nothing. Aren’t we supposed to go get groceries? Let’s go."

"Oh, we’ve got almost everything. Just need some pork ribs now," Tan Xiaoshuang’s mother quickly interjected, worried they’d waste money on unnecessary things.

"Ah, look at Su He—she had twins in one go. Sure, she used to be this ugly, pudgy kid, but now she’s gotten skinny after giving birth, and both kids are happy and healthy."

Tan Xiaoshuang’s mother went on and on, clearly trying to push the couple into getting married and having kids.

But she didn’t realize that right now, the two of them were on completely different pages.

On the way home, Su Shiming was in such a good mood that he even hummed a tune.

"Dad, you’re really happy?" Su He couldn’t help but ask.

"You bet! Seeing you doing so well makes me prouder still than anything else. And finally, we shut those busybodies up. They always loved talking behind your back, but this time, you showed them. From now on, let them all just envy us."

So even parents had always cared about what people said about their daughter.

After all, they loved her deeply—but when she wasn’t going anywhere before, what could they do?

"Dad, don’t worry. I’ll make you even prouder. I’ll earn big money, buy a house in the capital, and bring you and Mom there to move in. You can live in the courtyard next to ours, and we’ll come over for dinner all the time."

Su He spoke so naturally that even Su Shiming started picturing it.

"Don’t be ridiculous. Buying a house in the capital isn’t that easy! Besides, how would that look—bringing your parents along like that?"