Chapter 1106: Visit from Neighbors
Su Li and Su Le were late risers by habit. Typically, Gu Zi would let them sleep in while the others finished breakfast, then rouse the children so they could eat before being driven to school.
Most days, it was Su Shen who handled drop-off duty, but with him away on business, the task had fallen to Gu Zi these past two mornings—after which she’d hurry back to campus for her own classes.
On the third day, Su Shen called. "This deal’s proving trickier than expected," he said, his voice crackling through the line. "Might be stuck here a few more days. Gu Zi, try to avoid unnecessary outings while I’m gone, alright?"
Even through the phone, she could sense his unease. "I’ve followed every one of your instructions to the letter," she assured him, infusing her tone with playful solemnity. "Stop worrying and focus on work. Love you!"
A warmth bloomed in Su Shen’s chest. After hanging up, he turned to his associate. "Chen Yu, step into my office. There’s something personal I’d like to discuss..."
Back home, Gu Zi maintained her routine—school runs, lectures, and otherwise staying in. But Saturday arrived with no classes, and the fridge revealed a dire shortage of groceries. She marshaled the three children for a market trip, only to swing open the front door and freeze.
A man loitered near their gate, his silhouette jarringly familiar. It was that thief, Jiang Yao!
Her pulse spiked. He had been released already? The bandages still wrapped around his head didn’t soften his menace.
When their eyes met, he startled like a spooked cat and bolted.
"Mom?" Su Li tugged her sleeve, snapping Gu Zi from her daze. "Aren’t we going?"
She’d barely shepherded the kids past the gate when a flock of neighborhood women materialized, their arms laden with baskets and cloth bundles. "Ah, Gu Zi! What luck finding you home!" trilled the ringleader.