Chapter Twenty: Conspiracy

“All right, all right, I get it,” Chu Zhengsheng said, sounding as if he were rather aggrieved. He sat down on the sofa and smiled at Su Xin before continuing, “Come on, Old Su, we’ve both just arrived in C City. You’re the new official, lighting your three fires—don’t burn me along with the rest! I still have a family to feed, you know.” He sighed, shaking his head in mock complaint. “Ah, what can I say? Having an old friend like you—it’s really my misfortune, my misfortune...”

“Hmph, don’t shout at me. Isn’t this me helping you get a foothold in C City?” Su Guohui replied, sipping his tea. “How many times have I told you, Old Chu? C City may seem calm on the surface, but beneath it the currents run strong. It’s a highly exclusive place. Since I took office, I’ve seen plenty of those old hands’ faces. We can get by if we just drift along, but if we want to take root, we must pull out the poison completely! With your business standing, you helping me gives me some confidence, doesn’t it?”

Chu Zhengsheng laughed. “Enough, enough, let’s talk about that another time. These things aren’t settled in a day or two.” Clearly, he had no intention of digging deeper, wanting to leave the matter at that. Su Xin, who had been listening with growing confusion, glanced at her father, Su Guohui, and asked, “Dad, what are you and Uncle Chu talking about? What poison?”

“Children shouldn’t meddle in adult affairs!” Her father dismissed her question immediately, then turned to her with a stern look. “Hmm? Xin Xin, where’s your male classmate? Wasn’t he supposed to help you with your homework?”

“He’s... upstairs using the computer. I was bored, so I came down to keep you company.” Su Xin’s face showed a trace of displeasure, but she knew her father’s temperament well: strict separation of public and private matters, never mixing work with family.

Chu Zhengsheng was surprised by her answer. “Well, Xin Xin, I didn’t expect you’d bring a boy home to play! You’re certainly ahead of Tong Tong—she’s never brought a single classmate home, except you, not once since she was little.”

“Don’t misunderstand, Old Chu. That male classmate is Xin Xin’s desk mate, a top student. He’s here especially to help Xin Xin with her homework today,” Su Xin’s mother quickly explained, afraid Chu Zhengsheng might get the wrong idea.

“Oh, so he’s a good student who’s not a bookworm and knows how to use a computer. That’s rare. Xin Xin, how’s your classmate’s computer skills? Should I go up and give him a lesson? Haha, when it comes to academics, your Uncle Chu may not be much, but I do know computers. My software subsidiary is full of computer talents.” Chu Zhengsheng was clearly rather proud as he spoke of computers. Though he didn’t understand much about programming languages, his group’s software company boasted many senior engineers. He may not have seen a pig run, but he’d certainly eaten pork—he considered himself at least somewhat experienced.

“Old Chu, you’re really joking. Students Xin Xin’s age aren’t studying computers; they’re probably just playing games,” Su Guohui replied, his face full of disbelief. In his eyes, children were just children—what real skills could they have?

As soon as Su Guohui finished, Su Xin was immediately indignant, defending me: “Dad, don’t underestimate him. Xiao Qiang isn’t just good at academics; his computer skills are top-notch. He was just now coding some software, and his command typing speed even surpasses my cousin’s.”

“Nonsense! Your cousin is a top student at Huaxia University—how could he be outdone by a high schooler? Don’t exaggerate your classmate, Xin Xin. How have I taught you? Always be truthful. Be upright and honest—call things as they are! Look at what you’re saying now; it’s absurd!” Su Guohui didn’t understand computers. Like many middle-aged people of his era, he couldn’t grasp this high-tech stuff. But ignorance didn’t mean he was unaware of the importance of computers. In 1997, during Huaxia’s period of rapid development, computers weren’t yet widespread, but their significance had already taken root in every official’s mind. Thus, Su Guohui deeply appreciated computer talent. He had even suggested that her cousin major in computer science, knowing well that computers would become indispensable in future work and life.

Su Xin, though gentle, had a stubborn streak remarkably similar to her father’s. Seeing he didn’t believe her, she immediately retorted, “Fine, let’s not argue. Let’s see with our own eyes—no empty words! Dad, Uncle Chu, let’s go upstairs now and see if I’m exaggerating!”

Chu Zhengsheng found it amusing that Su Xin was sparring with her father. Truthfully, he couldn’t believe her claims either. High schoolers nowadays, at best, had some basic computer literacy. Even many university students only knew how to type. A high schooler who could code and write commands? That was pure fantasy. At least in Chu Zhengsheng’s eyes, such a person hadn’t yet been born. But hearing Su Xin speak so confidently, he thought perhaps this student wasn’t as skilled as she claimed but was at least familiar enough with computers to impress a young girl like her. Chu Zhengsheng appreciated talent but disliked pretentiousness. Since Su Xin had brought it up, he was curious to see for himself whether it was true or false. He slapped his thigh and stood up. “All right, Old Su, you don’t need to go up. I’ll go with Xin Xin and see for myself—let’s find out if it’s your daughter who’s mistaken or you.”

Su Guohui nodded with a stern expression. “Fine, go ahead. Xin Xin, go with your Uncle Chu and show him your computer genius classmate. Let him see just how impressive a high schooler without a full-grown beard can be.”

“Fine, let’s go! I’m not lying, so what do I have to fear, hmph!” Su Xin shot her father an unhappy look, took Chu Zhengsheng’s arm, and together they headed upstairs.

Watching her daughter’s back as she ascended, Su Xin’s mother quietly tugged at her husband’s sleeve and whispered, “Guohui, when was the last time you saw your daughter so earnest? That classmate named Xiao Qiang—could he possibly...”

“Hmph! Women’s talk!” Su Guohui grumbled, glaring at his wife. “Who is your husband? Not only am I the Party Secretary of C City, I am also a direct descendant of the Su family! How could my daughter be dating in high school? Imagine the scandal if word got out!”

“I was just saying, why get so worked up? But I feel something’s not right, Guohui. You should have someone investigate quietly—better safe than sorry...” Hearing this, Su Guohui finally pondered for a moment. He glanced at Su Xin and Chu Zhengsheng, who were already upstairs, and his face grew cold. “Fine, I’ll look into it. Don’t worry too much. The Song family has officially allied with Father recently, and I’m considering arranging a marriage for Su Xin.”

“What?!” Su Xin’s mother was utterly shocked. “You... Su Guohui, are you selling your daughter? Just now you were saying how disgraceful it would be for her to date in high school, and now you’re...”

“Enough shouting!” Su Guohui glared at her coldly. “Do you think I want to arrange a marriage for my daughter so early? I have no choice! The central government is undergoing a major reshuffle, and the Su family’s power is not what it used to be. Many key members have been demoted or kicked out; even I, a direct descendant, have been sent down to this small C City as Party Secretary. I’m doing this so the currently influential Song family can lend us a hand. Besides, it’s just an engagement, not a wedding. Why are you so anxious?”

“But if Xin Xin finds out, how will she feel...” Su Xin’s mother was nearly in tears. Her husband never consulted her on major matters, and once he did, it meant the decision was as good as final. She now feared how deeply Su Xin would be wounded if she learned her father had arbitrarily arranged her engagement.

“No matter how she feels, nothing will change.” Su Guohui sighed long and low. “As long as she’s my daughter, she must make sacrifices for the Su family.”

The living room fell into a deep, silent hush...