The next day, Cheng Su woke up early to make breakfast, but her mother-in-law was up even earlier, sitting in the living room just as dawn broke.
"Mom, youāre up so early. Iām about to make breakfast." Cheng Su smoothed her hair with her fingers and busied herself with the task.
Mother Qi was accustomed to waking early too, and with soldiers in the neighboring military district training so early, she asked, "Taiguo isnāt around; did he go to train this early?"
"Yes, he will come back for breakfast once heās done. If Iām too busy to cook, heāll just eat in the cafeteria," Cheng Su said.
Mother Qi frowned upon hearing this. With a wife at home, why would he still go eat in the cafeteria!
However, she didnāt say anything. When she heard Xiao Bao crying in the other room, she went in, and Cheng Su breathed a sigh of relief.
At breakfast, Qi Taiguo indeed returned, saying, "Mom and Big Sister have come all this way. Iāve asked for a couple of days off so I can show you around, how about that?"
"How can that be okay? The army is all about organization and discipline. Youāve got your wife here; you donāt need to take care of us!" Mother Qi was the first to oppose the idea, looking toward Cheng Su.
Qi Fenglian also disagreed, but she didnāt mention Cheng Su. Instead, she said, "Weāre not children; we can walk around by ourselves."
"Mom, Qing City isnāt like Flower County; itās quite big. What if you get lost? Cheng Su might not need to visit her restaurant, but she has to go to that jam factory; sheās very busy!" Qi Taiguo argued.
"Thatās perfect, we havenāt been to the restaurant anyway, so weāll just follow along and take a look. That way weāll recognize the way in the future!" Mother Qi took the opportunity to say, "And weāll take a look at that factory as well."
Qi Fenglian glanced at Cheng Su, who said nothing, and continued, "Mom, Taiguoās wife is going to work; why should we get in the way? There are plenty of interesting things to do in the big courtyard. We can just enjoy ourselves at home. Taiguoās wife doesnāt need to rush back; weāll cook."
"This..." Mother Qi was about to speak when Qi Fenglian tugged forcefully at her sleeve.
"Itās fine, I have to go out anyway, so Iāll take Mom and Big Sister with me," Cheng Su said, looking at Qi Taiguo. "You donāt need to ask for leave; best not to cause a bad impression!"
"Thatās right!" Mother Qi approved.
Qi Taiguo, feeling somewhat apologetic, quietly squeezed Cheng Suās hand under the table.
After breakfast, Cheng Su indeed took Mother Qi and Qi Fenglian out, but their first stop was the factory. Ning Ge wasnāt there, and without a manager, she had to make some arrangements.
"This is your jam factory, huh? It looks impressive!" exclaimed Qi Fenglian, full of admiration upon seeing the small factory.
"Itās not entirely mine. Iām just a shareholder, and I own less than the others," Cheng Su explained.
"Thatās still remarkable!" Qi Fenglian was thoroughly impressed.
Cheng Su smiled but remained silent, proceeding to a meeting with her sales team, letting them walk around.
Mother Qi pulled Qi Fenglian along for a tour of the factory, saying, "Look, theyāre both forms of work, but whatās bad about this? This is your own place, much better than slaving away somewhere else. Listen to me, work for her here!"
Qi Fenglian glanced around and whispered, "Mom, donāt talk about this; if Cheng Su hears it, she might be unhappy. Itād ruin our relationship for no good reason!"
"Oh, I think youāre just being silly and afraid. Helping her would benefit both of you. Look, isnāt there someone from the family in every factory and shop? If Jisheng or you were to come, you would be insiders, helping to manage, without fearing others taking advantage."
Qi Fenglian stamped her foot, "Mom, thatās not something we can just decide; she has to be willing too. Donāt push Taiguo into a corner, making it hard for him."
"I think youāre just timid and useless," Mother Qi huffed and walked away.