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.
Gu Zi ushered the children inside before addressing the women. "Is there something I can help you with?"
The ringleader beamed. "We came to wele you properly! Saw all the deliveries and renovations—didn’t want to intrude earlier." She gestured to the newly paved road beyond the alley. "Word is, we have your husband to thank for speeding up the construction. Even had our potholes patched! None of us will trip in the dark now."
Her panion chimed in, cheeks pink with embarrassment. "Our neighborhood fundraisers kept stalling—everyone had excuses. But your family stepped in like guardian angels."
She thrust forward a basket of eggs, its contents nestled in straw. "Just some humble produce from our gardens. Please don’t think it too meager."
Gu Zi’s throat tightened. Su Shen had mentioned offhandedly covering the roadwork costs after griping about the delays. Typical of him to solve a munity-wide problem without fanfare.
"You’re too kind," she demurred, swinging the door wider. "The convenience benefits us all. e in for tea—it’d be rude not to host you properly."
As the group filed into the courtyard, a chorus of shrieks erupted. There, lounging in his custom cedar doghouse plete with weatherproof awning, was Big Yellow. The mastiff yawned, tongue lolling.
"Heavens!" gasped one, clutching her chest. "That beast could feed a family for a week in a hotpot!"
Su Li, already sulking about the delayed outing, whirled around with fists clenched. "Big Yellow is family!" he shouted, planting himself between the dog and the offenders.
Gu Zi suppressed a smirk. Atta boy.
She clicked her tongue. "He’s our security system. Harmless if you don’t trespass. Big Yellow—place."
The dog obediently retreated to his plush memory-foam bed. It was a gift from Su Shen after it had defended the house from burglary. The women gaped at the orthopedic mattress and monogrammed fleece blanket.
"Damn," muttered one, poking the doghouse’s brass fixtures. "This mutt lives better than my grandson."
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