Aunt Chu's Dismissal
Su Shen recalled advice he had received from a recent important customer, who happened to be a renowned child psychologist with a side job in child psychology.
He had learned a few things about children's psychology during their conversation.
Children, he realized, were inherently straightforward. If you treated them well, they would like you and feel comfortable around you. Conversely, if you didn't treat them well, they'd become afraid and distant.
Observing Su Le's reaction, it was clear that she was afraid of Chu Xi.
Su Shen felt a pang of regret for not understanding these dynamics earlier.
He had never recognized the importance of studying child psychology until he noticed the significant changes in Su Le after Gu Zit s involvement in their lives. The disgust in Su Shen's eyes intensified. He looked at Su Bing, wanting to see what he had to say.
Su Bing, focused on soothing his sister, responded calmly, "Dad, you're the head of our family. My brother and I will follow your lead."
With those words, Su Bing didn't even glance at Chu Xi as he carried his sister back to the living room.
Seeing that Su Bing didn't voice his support, Chu Xi turned his attention to Su Li, hoping that he would intervene.
Su Li withdrew her gaze from the dining table and took a step back. "Didn't you always say that taking care of us was tiring? Daddy's doing this to show concern for you. Moreover, we have a new stepmother whose cooking seems more suitable for children. Please go back and rest well. Take care of your health."
After expressing his opinion, Su Li ran back into the living room and signaled to Su Bing, making a gesture indicating "mission accomplished."
Su Bing's guidance had clearly paid off.
Impressed with his brother's wisdom, Su Li admired him for being such an excellent teacher.
He had previously thought that his brother wasn't particularly skilled in communicating, but now he saw how effective his guidance was.
Hearing this, Su Shen did not want to say anything else. He walked straight to the door and opened it wide.
"Aunt Chu, please go back!"
Chu Xi glanced at the kitchen. Gu Zi walked around her and placed the last dish on the table before heading to the living room.
Su Shen usually did not speak much, but once his tone became serious, there was a kind of dignity that could not be rejected.
Chu Xi was so frightened that she didn't dare to speak.
Under such circumstances, Chu Xi felt that if she said anything more, he might pursue the matter and she would not be able to get the rest of his salary.
Chu Xi had no choice but to walk out and leave the Su family in embarrassment.
Su Shen closed the door and looked at the living room.
Gu Zi was hugging Su Le in her arms and teased her with a lively expression, making the little girl so happy that she blossomed.
As for Gu Zi, she had a lot of expressions, but because she was very beautiful, no matter how many expressions she made, it was very pleasing to the eye.
For a moment, Su Shen was fascinated.
When Su Li saw Su Shen like this, he pushed his brother and said quietly, "Dad has never looked at our stepmother like this."
Su Bing glanced at him and told him to shut up.
Gu Zi also noticed Su Shen's gaze. She was a little flustered by his stare, and her face turned hot.
Su Shen walked over to her and stretched out his hands. "You rest for a while. I'll carry Lele."
Gu Zi was quite content with the way Chu Xi was promptly dismissed. She gently placed the child in the man's arms and called out to Su Bing and Su Li to wash their hands and get ready to eat.
Afterward, she approached Su Shen and said, 'Mr. Su, it's time for dinner. The meal is ready for you. Please, have a seat."
With a natural grace, she held Su Le in her arms.
When Su Shen was a young boy, he lost his parents. He and his sister had to rely on each other and encountered many different experiences along the way.
In his later years, he served as a soldier and became an officer in the army. However, life took an unexpected turn, and he decided to retire from the army to pursue a career in agriculture, ultimately establishing a pig farm in Daqing Village.
These life experiences had significantly enriched his understanding and insight.
He couldn't help but recognize the unspoken message in Gu Zi's actions.
Would she reward or reprimand him when he made mistakes, perhaps with a mischievous grin or a gentle scolding?
"Thank you," he responded, moving towards the dining area.
Gu Zi's heart fluttered with anticipation, feeling a trace of ambiguity in the man's gaze when he looked at her moments ago.
She gently patted her cheeks and followed him to the dining table. At the dining table, Gu Zi covertly stole glances at Su Shen from the corner of her eye.
He ate with remarkable elegance, adhering to a strict routine of not taking the same dish more than three times.
She couldn't help but wonder, "Is Su Shen an ascetic by nature?"
Despite the strict dining habits, she found herself quite drawn to him.
Gu Zi's face blushed unintentionally.
Su Li happily devoured a duck leg. When he looked up, he noticed that Gu Zi's attention had shifted away from Su Shen. Her cheeks had taken on a rosy hue, making her even more attractive than usual.
Confused, Su Li turned to Su Bing and asked, "Brother, do you think she's feeling shy?"