Chapter 21: What Are You So Smug About?

The next day, when Tian Xiang woke up, Tian Weibing had already left for work.

Hu Honglian had cooked porridge and made a few scallion pancakes. She had already eaten and was about to leave for her job.

“By the way, Xiangxiang, you’re not going out this morning, right? Your eldest brother sent a telegram a few days ago saying your sister-in-law is due to give birth next month. I exchanged some tickets with someone, so you should go to the post office later and send the things over.”

Tian Xiang’s two older brothers were both assigned to rural work. The eldest, Tian Haiyun, had settled down in his assigned village, and his wife lived there as well.

Tian Xiang said, “Mom, why don’t you find time to send it at noon? I have something to do this morning.”

She still needed to visit the local police station on Red Fifth Street to inquire about the case.

A whole night had passed, and she still didn’t know the outcome.

“You child, you’re not even working, and you have so many things going on?” Hu Honglian was displeased. “If you have time to do volunteer work, why not look at job postings more? If you find something interesting, tell me. Your father and I will find a way.”

She assumed her daughter was still volunteering on Red Fifth Street.

Last night, Hu Honglian was beside Tian Xiang when she spoke with Tian Chuying.

More than ten days had passed, and Tian Xiang’s opinion of Lu Feng hadn’t changed. They even went to the dance, hoping to clear up misunderstandings and make contact, but it seemed it didn’t work out.

This was the first time Hu Honglian had seen her daughter dislike someone so much.

Well, if her daughter didn’t like him, then so be it.

Since this attempt failed, she decided to put the relationship issue aside for now and focus on finding work.

Jobs in the city were scarce these days. Most young graduates either took over family positions or joined their parents’ factories as temporary workers, hoping for permanent positions later.

But Tian Weibing was a carpenter, and the lumber mill only hired men.

Hu Honglian’s own job couldn’t be passed to her daughter either; she was a cleaner. While it was fine for her to do it, she couldn’t bear the thought of her delicate daughter sweeping and mopping floors.

Tian Xiang could become a hairdresser, learning to cut hair from the masters inside the shop.

Back when she graduated from middle school, Hu Honglian had suggested this to her daughter, but Tian Xiang was adamantly against it. With no other option, she sent her to high school, planning to reconsider after two years.

It was during these two years that Hu Honglian began to hope her daughter could enter one of the five major factories. She befriended Mrs. Liu from the Qiaonan Convenience Store, who had made clothes for people for two years.

Opportunities arose, but unfortunately...

Forget it, better not dwell on it.

Tian Xiang said, “Mom, I understand. Don’t worry.”

She also wanted to find a job quickly; she couldn’t just eat and drink at home every day.

After finishing breakfast and washing the dishes, Tian Xiang rode her bike to the Red Fifth Street settlement police station.

She was a witness to last night’s case. The other party did not hide anything and told her everything in detail.

The widow Jiang and Lu Feng had been alone together late at night. Their personal conduct was questionable. The street committee and the workplace had already been notified, and they believed the higher-ups would address the matter.

Tian Xiang frowned. “Just a reprimand?”

The investigator nodded.

“How can it be just a reprimand?” Tian Xiang was furious. “I saw them hugging with my own eyes, so they definitely…”

She didn’t know how to put it exactly, so she raised both hands and wiggled her thumbs up and down.

“Comrade, you understand what I mean, right?”

It was pitch dark inside; they must have done it!

The investigator, a young man who had never had a relationship, blushed at her gesture.

He cleared his throat and said, “As I mentioned, their personal conduct is indeed problematic. The workplace will handle it accordingly. As for us, since they are in a relationship, we can’t say much.”

“They’re a couple?”

Tian Xiang laughed.

The investigator said, “Both of them said they only recently confirmed their relationship.”

A young man dating a widow? Anyone with a shred of sense would know that was nonsense.

But to avoid losing his job or facing punishment, Lu Feng had no choice.

Tian Xiang said, “Last night, Lu Feng’s mother was shouting there too. They’re just making excuses!”

The investigator sighed helplessly. “Lu Feng’s mother said that he told her about it, but she didn’t agree. That’s why she was so upset last night…”

After leaving the station, Tian Xiang was still dazed.

So, after all her efforts last night, Lu Feng would at most receive a reprimand, and that would be handled by his workplace.

No wonder they were so calm when caught red-handed last night—they must have already planned their response before the doors opened.

Not bad, truly the male lead, quick on his feet.

But Tian Xiang thought that wasn’t enough.

Her label as the female lead hadn’t been removed yet, and Lu Feng, as the male lead of this world, would try to make a comeback no matter how much his reputation was ruined.

In Tian Xiang’s expectations, even if Lu Feng didn’t end up in jail, he surely wouldn’t keep his job.

Without a job, stripped of his halo, it wouldn’t be so easy for him to maintain his harem.

But in the end, it was just a matter of personal misconduct, with a notice sent to his workplace for reprimand!

Lu Feng’s filthy thoughts—despite nine years of moral education—had never been corrected. Would a slap on the wrist at the factory make any difference?

“No, the factory can’t just handle this so casually.”

Tian Xiang was about to push her bicycle to the machinery factory when someone called out to her on the main road.

Jiang Peiqin, carrying a vegetable basket, walked over slowly and smiled at Tian Xiang. “Thank you for last night. If you hadn’t caused that scene, how could Lu Feng and I have become a couple? Little sister, you really helped your sister-in-law a lot.”

Tian Xiang looked at the label on her forehead.

She didn’t know when widow Jiang had changed from a minor character eight to a six.

So she was just a six—what was there to brag about?

Tian Xiang said, “Why? Don’t tell me you think you can marry Lu Feng?”

Such a thought was far too naive.

Jiang Peiqin laughed self-mockingly. “Marriage or not, that’s too far ahead. Live for today, drink for today. We’ll deal with the future when it comes.”

What kind of mindset was that? Knowing it was impossible, yet still willing to play along with Lu Feng’s games.

Could it really be that she loved him to death and no one else would do?

Tian Xiang said, “Your happiness is priceless; do as you please.”

If she was willing, what could Tian Xiang do?

All she could do was wish her well.

Tian Xiang rode away toward the machinery factory to find Chairman Jiang.

At the police station, Chairman Jiang had said she would never cover up for anyone.

Lu Feng was a member of the factory union. Tian Xiang wanted to see if Chairman Jiang could truly be fair and honest.

The gatekeeper looked a little surprised. “Not looking for Officer Meng?”

This man had a surprisingly good memory.

Tian Xiang said, “I’m here to see Chairman Jiang. It’s important.”

The gatekeeper handed her a notebook. “Alright, just register. I’ll make a call.”

Tian Xiang wrote her name but left the workplace section blank.

“Gatekeeper, just mention my name. Once Chairman Jiang hears it, she’ll know everything.”

“Okay.”

The gatekeeper dialed an internal line to the union office.

“Hello, this is the gatehouse. A young lady named Tian Xiang is here to see Chairman Jiang. Yes, yes, got it.”

The call ended quickly.

The gatekeeper said, “Go in, turn left, administrative building, second floor. You can go now.”