Chapter 27: On What Grounds?

Is this really what an interview is like?

Tian Xiang felt a bit bewildered. "Director Li, do you not need to check my academic credentials or identity documents?"

Li Huai slapped his forehead. "Right, right. Little Tian, you were the last one to arrive, and in my rush, I completely forgot. I’ve already checked the other two; just take yours out and let me verify them."

Tian Xiang handed them over with both hands.

Li Huai first verified her identity information to ensure it matched her letter of introduction. Nearby, Tao Huilan and Chen Yong were preparing to leave. Tao Huilan, bag on her back, walked with quick strides as if she had some urgent business to attend to. Chen Yong, however, glanced at Tian Xiang and, after stepping outside, did not leave immediately, choosing instead to wait for her under the bulletin board.

Tian Xiang’s documents were verified quickly. Li Huai returned them to her, and seeing that there was no one else in the office, he smiled and said, "Work hard." Being able to have a word with her privately was a sign of his approval and high expectations.

Tian Xiang nodded. "I will, Director."

As Tian Xiang stepped outside, Chen Yong walked up to meet her. "Hello, Comrade Tian. We’ll be colleagues starting tomorrow, so let me introduce myself. My name is Chen Yong, I live at Apartment 109 of the Family Quarters, and I’m a warm-hearted, righteous, and well-educated person. In high school, I was part of the staff music band and even won a second-place prize at the municipal level representing our machinery factory."

Chen Yong rambled on incessantly. Tian Xiang had no desire to engage with him and quickened her pace, but he stuck to her like glue, refusing to leave.

Tian Xiang stopped and turned around. "Chen Yong, is your mouth leaking? You have so much to say? Let me tell you..." She had intended to tell him straight that she had no interest in loafers or shallow men who judged by appearances. But before she could finish, the label above Chen Yong’s head suddenly changed from "Loafer (Infatuated)" to "Minor Villain 9 (Infatuated)."

This... Last time, the "Background Character Comrade" had turned into a villain, and now Chen Yong was doing the same. Tian Xiang was shocked, finally understanding what was happening. She hadn't been able to remove the label from her own head—she was the heroine of this world! Any man who surrounded her or interacted closely with her would be seen as an obstacle to the romance between the hero and heroine, causing trouble for them both.

Isn't that exactly what a villain is? Great, she wouldn't be able to have any contact with the opposite sex from now on.

Tian Xiang was quite annoyed. Why should that be? Her instinct was to ignore it and face whatever came her way. But while she didn't care, these labels caused real trouble for others—bad luck, public embarrassment, or being humiliated by the protagonists.

Seeing Chen Yong about to speak again, Tian Xiang immediately stopped him. "Shut up! I advise you to stay away from me. If you keep pestering me, be careful—your luck might turn bad and you’ll end up miserable."

Chen Yong opened his mouth wide. "Huh?"

"No, really, Comrade, you believe in that stuff?" Chen Yong chuckled. "We’re going to be colleagues starting tomorrow; we’ll have to work together no matter how far apart we stay!"

That was indeed a problem.

Tian Xiang replied, "Only work, don’t think about anything else. I told you before, we aren't cut from the same cloth. This is my second warning. Since you’re just laughing it off, then there’s nothing I can do. Suit yourself."

She had said what needed to be said; if he didn't listen, it wasn't her concern. Tian Xiang continued walking. Chen Yong still trailed after her like a puppy.

"Comrade Tian, we’re going to be working together, yet you won't even tell me your name? Is it really that cold-hearted of you? And hey, all that nonsense about bad luck and misery, I, Chen Yong..."

Chen Yong wanted to say who he was, as he didn't believe in such superstitions at all. But before he could finish his sentence, he tripped over something. He didn't even know what it was, but he stumbled and lunged forward.

Tian Xiang had been keeping her guard up, and as he lunged, she dodged to the side. By sheer coincidence, they had just reached the factory gate, and Chen Yong’s nose made intimate contact with the iron gate. Blood began to gush out instantly.

Tian Xiang: "..."

Chen Yong was also stunned, clearly not understanding how he had managed to crash into the gate. He opened his mouth to speak, but the blood flowed into it. He reached up to wipe it, saw the bright red on his hand, rolled his eyes, and fainted dead away.

Tian Xiang: "..." She took two more steps back in shock. What was wrong with this guy? Was he seriously injured, or did he just faint at the sight of blood?

In the security office, the two guards panicked, called for help on the internal line, and soon carried Chen Yong away to be taken to the factory hospital. Tian Xiang watched it all in silence, then shook her head and said, "I warned you, but you didn't believe me."

Tian Xiang pushed her bicycle out, ready to head back. She turned her head and saw the "Background Character Comrade" approaching, watching her from a short distance away. Tian Xiang brightened and took the initiative to walk over.

"Officer Meng, are you heading out? Official business?"

Meng Cheng’an nodded as he got off his bike. He looked at Tian Xiang and then at the factory gate nearby, a flicker of expectation in his heart. "You?"

Tian Xiang explained, "I came for an interview."

"An interview?"

Tian Xiang replied, "For a position in the factory union's administrative group. I got the recommendation letter."

"Oh." So she was here for business, not to see him. Meng Cheng’an felt a slight sense of disappointment. He asked, "Did it go well?"

Tian Xiang said, "It was alright. I start a trial period tomorrow."

"A trial period?"

Tian Xiang shrugged. "They were overstaffed."

Meng Cheng’an frowned; he was certainly aware of the hiring situation in the factory. His handsome face glowed in the sunlight as he encouraged her, "You, you'll be fine." She was smart and clear-headed.

Tian Xiang nodded. "I will work hard."

Meng Cheng’an hummed in agreement, meeting her smile. "I’m also with the factory union, in the Propaganda Department."

Tian Xiang said, "I know. We’ll be colleagues from now on."

Meng Cheng’an nodded. "Are you heading back now?"

"Yes."

"Alright."

Meng Cheng’an turned to go inside.

Tian Xiang called out, "Oh, wait."

Meng Cheng’an, who had just turned around, felt the corner of his mouth lift, and his hand tightened instinctively on the handlebar. He quickly suppressed the emotion and turned back as if nothing had happened. "Yes?"

Tian Xiang asked, "I still don’t know your name. I only know your surname is Meng. What is your given name?"

Calling him "Officer Meng" or "Background Character Comrade" all the time didn't feel quite right. Since they would be in the same factory, she needed to know his name if she ever needed to find him.

"My name is Meng Cheng’an."

"Meng Cheng’an." Tian Xiang blinked. It sounded so scholarly; surely someone with such a name must be well-read. Tian Xiang smiled. "A lovely name."

Meng Cheng’an’s expression remained calm. "I’m leaving now."

So, she had long forgotten about the dinner invitation. Meng Cheng’an pushed his bike into the factory area. Tian Xiang watched him go and sighed softly. She hadn't forgotten about the dinner; she had almost brought it up just now. She was about to start a new job and wanted to have a happy meal with a friend to celebrate. But after witnessing Chen Yong crashing into the gate and being carted off to the hospital, she hesitated.

If they got too close, wouldn't she bring him bad luck, too? Sigh, forget it. She would wait until she could remove the labels.

"Meng Cheng’an, Meng Cheng’an, such a nice name..."