Chapter 7: The Post Office Job, Are You Really Going to Quit? I’m Your Mother!…

Chapter 7: Would You Really Hit Me? I’m Your Own Mother!

Just the mention of Grandpa Su made Auntie Su feel guilty. She didn’t dare touch Su Xiaoxiao or scold her, so she could only snap, “Without a father or mother, let’s see how your in-laws treat you!”

“At least they won’t be as bad as you!” The Zhangs had asked for money but never forced me to work. Most of the time, I volunteered to help because I believed that since my husband wasn’t home, it was my duty to care for his parents.

Who knows how Grandpa Su raised you?

Wouldn’t it be more comfortable just to laze around at home?

Auntie Su had seen exactly how Su Xiaoxiao treated her in-laws—she really hadn’t been as harsh. Unable to argue back, Auntie Su snapped, “That’s only because you had parents! The Zhangs didn’t dare bully you back then!”

Su Xiaoxiao said, “Then why are you saying all this? Just wait and see if I regret it.”

“By then, it’ll be too late!”

Su Xiaoxiao smirked. “I brought it on myself. I deserve it, okay?”

Auntie Su couldn’t come up with a response again. “You—you’re just being stubborn!”

Ignoring her, Su Xiaoxiao grabbed a small stool and sat by the kitchen door, waving at Tuan Tuan. “Do you want to come to Mommy?”

Over the past few days, Auntie Su and Liu Dajun had shown their true colors. The child didn’t understand why they were acting like this but was afraid of them and wanted to stay far away, so he shook his head and waved at Su Xiaoxiao.

Su Xiaoxiao said, “Play for now. Mommy will come over soon.”

Liu Dajun came out carrying a few bundles and loaded them onto the tricycle. Su Xiaoxiao watched him charge forward without even glancing at Tuan Tuan. “You’d better watch it! If you hurt my son, I’ll make you both pay for it!”

Liu Dajun scoffed, “All you can do is threaten us with Xiao Xue’s parents and Xiao Chen’s in-laws!”

Su Xiaoxiao widened her eyes dramatically, feigning surprise. “Didn’t you know? Even if I break both your legs, the police wouldn’t be able to charge me! Because it would count as domestic violence. And with what you two did a couple days ago, the judge would think I finally snapped and lashed out in anger!”

Liu Dajun flinched, clearly shaken. Auntie Su stormed outside and pointed at Su Xiaoxiao. “Dare to lay a hand on your father, and I’ll break your legs!”

Su Xiaoxiao stood up and hurled the stool at her.

Auntie Su instinctively dodged while Liu Dajun gasped, “Watch out!”

The stool hit the doorframe and clattered inside. Auntie Su jumped back in fear, roaring, “You actually threw it? I’m your own mother!”

Su Xiaoxiao grabbed the hoe beside her, and Auntie Su bolted inside in terror. Su Xiaoxiao turned to Liu Dajun. “What were you saying earlier?”

Liu Dajun backed away into the vegetable patch, right in front of Tuan Tuan.

The child had been playing with the vegetables when he heard the commotion and turned around—just in time to see the stool land. He hadn’t seen his mother’s fierce expression, so he looked puzzled, as if asking, What’s going on? What happened to Grandpa?

Su Xiaoxiao smiled. “Keep playing! Mommy was just joking with Grandpa and Grandma.”

Liu Dajun pointed at the stool. “This is a joke?!”

Su Xiaoxiao raised the hoe, and Liu Dajun immediately clammed up. She went into the kitchen, grabbed a rolling pin, then sat back down—rolling pin in one hand, hoe in the other—eyeing them as they packed.

Auntie Su didn’t dare drag her feet anymore. Once the small items were packed, they carried their cabinet and bed out to the yard. When Liu Xu returned, the family of three made three trips, clearing everything out.

But since they were moving the tricycle slowly, it wasn’t until around 3 p.m. that they finally left.

On their last trip, Auntie Zhao hesitated. After all, they had been lifelong neighbors. She couldn’t help asking, “Leaving just like that?”

Auntie Su shot back, “If we stay any longer, we’ll be dead!”

Auntie Zhao sputtered for a moment, speechless yet amused. “Don’t be ridiculous!”

Su Xiaoxiao leaned against the doorframe with a grin. “Seriously! She’s *terrified* Grandpa might come haunting her at night!”

That wasn’t what Su’s mother meant at all, so she shot back without thinking: “Stop bringing Grandpa into everything.”

Su Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes. “Oh *fine*, I’ll just talk to Grandpa directly.” She looked up and called out dramatically, “Grandpa, if your spirit is watching, come back and see how your daughter is bullying me!”

A gust of autumn wind blew through, making Su’s mother shiver as she snapped, “Shut up already!”

Su Xiaoxiao scoffed. “Someone’s feeling guilty!” She scooped up the child clinging to her leg, who was watching the scene wide-eyed. “Even *Tuan Tuan* isn’t spooked!”

Tuan Tuan tilted his head curiously, looking around at the familiar faces in the alley. “Where’s Mommy’s grandpa *hiding*?”

Su Xiaoxiao froze for a beat—then burst into laughter!

Auntie Zhao and the other neighbors couldn’t help but laugh too.

Su’s mother turned red from embarrassment and hurried Liu Dajun and Liu Xu away.

Once the two vehicles drove off, Su Xiaoxiao finally stopped laughing. Auntie Zhao sighed. “Your parents, what a pair—they’re both clueless. But still, they could’ve helped watch Tuan Tuan while they were here. Now that they’re gone, how will you manage work with him tagging along?”

Su Xiaoxiao shrugged. “Tuan Tuan and I already talked about it. He can come to work with me. If not, there’s always kindergarten.”

“Kindergarten’s fine,” Auntie Zhao mused. “The elementary school here’s right next to the kindergarten. I’ll go early and pick up Tuan Tuan along with my grandkids. He can hang out at my place first.”

Su Xiaoxiao was surprised—Auntie Zhao had never liked Liu Dajun for trying to take advantage of the family, and avoided him. Little did she know, Liu Dajun avoided *her* just as much, annoyed by her constant gossiping and sticking her nose where it didn’t belong.

But then again, gossipy didn’t mean she wasn’t kind. Su Xiaoxiao smiled. “Thanks a bunch, then.”

“No need to thank *me*,” Auntie Zhao said. “I saw your mom even took the washbasin. Need to buy new stuff? I’m free this afternoon—we can go to the store together.”

Su Xiaoxiao thought about needing to buy things like toothpaste and vanishing cream, and how hard it would be carrying it all with Tuan Tuan. “Then I’ll take you up on that.”

After grabbing some cash from the house and locking the door, Su Xiaoxiao held Tuan Tuan’s hand and went shopping with Auntie Zhao. They bought not only buckets and basins but also several locks.

Back home, Su Xiaoxiao chucked the old locks into a busted pail and replaced even the lock on Grandpa Su’s bedroom door.

Liu Dajun must have felt guilty—since Grandpa passed, he’d only opened the room twice a year: once in summer to air things out, and once at year-end for cleaning. Otherwise, it stayed bolted shut tight.

When Su Xiaoxiao opened the door, a dusty smell hit her face, and she told Tuan Tuan to stay back.

Curious, Tuan Tuan trailed after her.

Su Xiaoxiao hadn’t meant to inherit the original owner’s life, but she had kept Grandpa’s home safe, no regrets. So seeing his portrait didn’t scare her one bit.

She placed the photo on the table facing the door. With things as they were, she didn’t dare set up the incense burner—for fear of drawing attention.

After closing the door, she went to her so-called parents’ room across the courtyard. Only trash remained. After cleaning it up, she moved to Liu Xu’s room. Liu Xu hadn’t planned to take the furniture, but Liu Dajun didn’t want to leave anything for Su Xiaoxiao—not even the stuff in Liu Chen’s room.

After tidying those rooms, Su Xiaoxiao let out a soft tsk.

Only now did Tuan Tuan realize his grandparents and uncle were really gone. “Mommy, where did Grandma and Grandpa go?”

Su Xiaoxiao smiled. “Gone back where they belong. This is Tuan Tuan and Mommy’s home now.”

“What about Daddy?”

“Of course, it’s Daddy’s home too, sweetie.” She paused. “Does Tuan Tuan miss Grandma and Grandpa?”

"I don't like them!" the child said, shaking his head decisively.

Su Xiaoxiao replied, "Mom doesn’t like them either. From now on, it’ll just be Mom and Tuan Tuan at home. Tuan Tuan can play anywhere he wants, and no one will steal his eggs anymore. Are you happy?"

Tuan Tuan grinned, "Mom, I’m hungry!"

"Me too."

Su Xiaoxiao bolted the courtyard gate and took Tuan Tuan to the kitchen.

The next morning, Su Xiaoxiao locked both the house and courtyard with new locks before taking Tuan Tuan out to eat.

On his first visit to a restaurant, Tuan Tuan didn’t dare look around and stayed curled up in his mother’s arms. After a few visits, though, he started bossing Mommy around as soon as they walked in: "Mom, sit there! Mom, I want a big steamed bun, and you get fried dough sticks. Mom, I want pepper soup, and you get silken tofu. Mom, let’s try everything!"

The child’s voice filled the restaurant. Su Xiaoxiao smiled and patted his little head. "Mom knows. Go sit down now."

What Tuan Tuan had said was actually what Su Xiaoxiao had been teaching him these past few days. She hadn’t expected him to remember it all—and even dare to say it out loud.

The staff couldn’t help but ask, "What’s the good news today? The little one’s so happy!"

Su Xiaoxiao glanced at the child, who was clambering onto a stool, fearless. "Nothing special. He’s just gotten used to coming here after a few visits."

The staff recalled his very first time, when she teased him and he buried his face in Su Xiaoxiao’s arms in fear. "Right! He used to be shy as a mouse. I even wondered why such a pretty ‘girl’ had a crew cut like a boy. Turns out he really is a boy. Good thing I didn’t ask."

"Wouldn’t have been a big deal. Kids this age are easy to mix up." Su Xiaoxiao didn’t mention that the original owner kept the boy’s hair short like his father’s. She thought the crew cut looked neat and made hair washes quicker, so he wouldn’t throw a fit.

After the meal, Su Xiaoxiao carried the child for a while, let him run ahead for a bit, then carried him again until they reached the post office.

They arrived early, so the place was empty except for the staff. As soon as they stepped in, colleagues chatting inside noticed them. Wang Ying came out, scooped up Tuan Tuan, and kissed his cheek. "Tuan Tuan, did you eat already?"

Tuan Tuan scrunched his face and turned back to his mother.

Wang Ying laughed and handed him back to Su Xiaoxiao, giving his bottom a playful smack. "You little stinker!"

The child turned his head and retorted, "I’m not stinky! Tuan Tuan’s sweet—Mom says so!" Then he tugged Su Xiaoxiao’s clothes. "Mom, say it! Tuan Tuan’s sweet!"

Su Xiaoxiao nodded. "Tuan Tuan’s sweet."

Wang Ying burst into laughter.

The child looked confused. Su Xiaoxiao was puzzled too—was it really that funny? Maybe Wang Ying just had an easy laugh.

Wang Ying was a woman in her thirties, brash and outspoken, yet she got along well with the gentle and kind original owner. Back when Su’s mother pressured the original owner to transfer her job to Liu Chen, arguing that Liu Chen taking over wasn’t secure and might still lead to being sent down to the countryside, the original owner hesitated. That job had come from a government-assigned position after years of study, and she couldn’t bear to hand it over. But she also thought it wouldn’t matter since Liu Chen was family. Unsure what to do, she asked Wang Ying for advice.

Wang Ying worried that if the original owner gave in, she’d end up taking the blame once Su Xiaoxiao found out. So she warned that if the job went to Liu Chen, Tuan Tuan wouldn’t be able to inherit it later.

Not wanting both her husband and child in the military, the original owner told her parents the transfer wasn’t possible—the director wouldn’t allow it, and they’d have to go over the director’s head to reach the bureau chief. Liu Dajun and Su’s mother didn’t dare approach the bureau chief, and since the original owner was too passive to argue, they dropped the idea.

Remembering this, Su Xiaoxiao held back from joking about Wang Ying’s easy laugh. "Has Liu Chen come in yet?"

Wang Ying quickly sobered. "We were just saying how foolish Liu Chen is—quitting her job right after getting married, thinking she’d found a meal ticket for life..." She suddenly remembered Su Xiaoxiao was Liu Chen’s sister. "You didn’t know she quit?"

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head.

Wang Ying sighed. "That girl, I don’t know what she’s thinking."

Another colleague chimed in, "Probably afraid you’d scold her if you found out!"

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head. "That’s not it."

Everyone turned to look at Su Xiaoxiao.

Su Xiaoxiao: "It's complicated."

Wang Ying immediately said, "Come in and tell us!"

Su Xiaoxiao thought she’d have to see the manager later anyway, so she carried Tuan Tuan inside. Once there, Wang Ying handed her a chair and told her to put Tuan Tuan down.

Tuan Tuan was seeing the post office for the first time and was curious about everything, not even asking his mom to play. Su Xiaoxiao kept an eye on him to make sure he didn’t wander off while explaining, “Back then, my mother feared the local authorities would assign Liu Chen to rural labor. Since Tuan Tuan was still little and needed me around, my mother had Liu Chen fill in for me at work. Everyone knew about it. I worried that Liu Chen might refuse to give the job back later, so my mother promised on Liu Chen’s behalf that once she got married, she’d return the job to me. Since both my parents had jobs, one of theirs could be passed on to Liu Chen.”

At this point, Wang Ying caught on: “Liu Chen didn’t want to?”

Su Xiaoxiao nodded: “The lightbulb factory job isn’t as cushy as here. Here you just fill out forms when someone comes in, and chat when things are slow. When I realized Liu Chen really wasn’t going to hand it back, I threatened to write to Tuan Tuan’s father. She’s scared of him, so she caved. Probably too ashamed to admit I forced her out, she told everyone she didn’t want the job anymore.”

Wang Ying couldn’t help but say, “That explains it. I knew something was up—just a few days ago, she treated us to dinner and seemed happy, then suddenly started complaining.”

Su Xiaoxiao took the chance to say, “Actually, I should thank Auntie Wang for this. If you hadn’t reminded me back then that giving the job to her would mean Tuan Tuan couldn’t inherit it later, not even divine intervention could’ve helped me get it back!”

“Oh, don’t mention it,” Wang Ying replied. “It was all up to you. If it were someone else, no matter how much I said, they wouldn’t listen anyway.” Suddenly, she remembered something: “Since Liu Chen quit, can you take over now?”

Su Xiaoxiao nodded: “Her ‘quitting’ was just her telling the boss she wouldn’t come anymore.”

Wang Ying added, “Right! She was using your name, so to officially resign, you’d have to sign for it.”

Su Xiaoxiao seized the moment to say she’d go ask the manager when she could start.

Wang Ying and the others urged her to go quickly, promising to watch Tuan Tuan.

The boss was clueless about Liu Chen skipping work today. When Su Xiaoxiao told him Liu Chen had quit, he was stunned for a second before realizing she’d left without even saying goodbye.

The manager was too angry to speak at first. Then he asked what had happened. Su Xiaoxiao repeated what she’d told Wang Ying. The manager couldn’t help but grumble, “I even gave her two yuan when she got married! Your sister’s got no shame!”

Su Xiaoxiao shot back, “A decent person would’ve given the job back without a fuss instead of making me beg!”

“This… really—” The manager glanced at Su Xiaoxiao’s calm smile. “Can’t expect everyone to have a conscience!”

Su Xiaoxiao smiled lightly: “Water under the bridge. Boss, when do you think I should start?”

“Next Monday,” the manager decided after thinking. “The job’s still under your name, so no paperwork needed. I’ll just let accounting know to pay you directly this month.”

Su Xiaoxiao had been about to bring up the salary issue, but hearing this, she left it at that.

Thanks to her predecessor’s memories and the simple nature of postal work, Su Xiaoxiao quickly got the hang of it after watching Wang Ying for a bit. By lunchtime, she headed home with Tuan Tuan.

Out of eggs and meat coupons, she swung by the market and bought a fish. Spotting crabs, she grabbed two of those too.

Holding her child’s hand in one hand and groceries in the other, she paused at the alley entrance.

The kid blinked, wondering why they’d stopped, then looked ahead: “Auntie?”

“I’m no auntie of yours!” Liu Chen snapped, stepping closer with a scowl.

The child froze in fear. Su Xiaoxiao’s heart ached. She crouched down, scooped him up with one arm, and glared coldly: “Got something to say? If not, scram!”