The stern question immediately reminded Sun Jiayang of the awkward scene that morning. The forced smile on his face nearly faltered, but upon catching a warning glance from Zhou Yinghuai beside him, he steadied himself and spoke, “Comrade Cheng, I came this time specifically to apologize.”
Hearing this, Cheng Fangqiu finally noticed the large and small bags in Sun Jiayang’s hands. It was clear that they were bought last-minute from the supply and marketing cooperative, as even the packaging was brand new. Among them, the most eye-catching was the glossy green watermelon, its stripes distinct. Just by looking at it, one could tell it was a sweet and juicy melon!
Having not tasted proper fruit in a long time, Cheng Fangqiu subconsciously swallowed, but she quickly composed herself, lifted her head, and looked at Sun Jiayang. “You already apologized this morning. Whether I accept it or not is my business. There’s no need for you to apologize repeatedly—it’s meaningless.”
“This…”
Sun Jiayang hadn’t expected such a response and was momentarily at a loss. However, recalling something, he suddenly calmed down and said, “It was entirely my fault. I misspoke. When I return, I will voluntarily apply for ideological re-education and deeply reflect on my own erroneous and backward thoughts.”
“I know the harm I’ve caused you has already happened. No matter how many times I apologize, there’s no way to undo it.”
“These things are just a small token of my sincerity. Even if Comrade Cheng does not forgive me, please accept them. Even if they can make up for a little, it’s still something.”
Upon hearing these words, Cheng Fangqiu remained unmoved. She narrowed her eyes, her gaze shifting suspiciously between Sun Jiayang and Zhou Yinghuai. Sun Jiayang’s behavior seemed normal, flawless even.
However, having spent many years in the industry in her past life, she had seen all kinds of actors—extras playing minor roles, as well as award-winning film emperors and empresses. Such small tricks could never escape her eyes.
What’s more, she didn’t believe that a person could change so drastically in such a short time. The fact that he was now speaking so sensibly was clearly because someone was guiding him behind the scenes. And that person…
Cheng Fangqiu’s gaze settled on Zhou Yinghuai. His expression remained natural, as if it had nothing to do with him. He stood to the side like a proper wooden figurine, as if he had simply come to accompany Sun Jiayang on this trip.
“I want to speak with Comrade Zhou alone.”
“Huh? Huh?” Sun Jiayang had assumed that after delivering such a well-reasoned and heartfelt speech, no one could remain indifferent. He had even prepared himself to shake hands and make peace with Cheng Fangqiu. Yet, unexpectedly, she completely ignored the topic and instead requested a private conversation with Zhou Yinghuai?
What was going on?
Not only was he confused, but Zhou Yinghuai was also somewhat surprised. He glanced at Cheng Fangqiu, and when he saw the knowing look in her eyes, his heart clenched. However, he still nodded and said, “Alright.”
The two of them walked into the main hall one after the other. After entering, Cheng Fangqiu gently nudged the door shut with the tip of her foot—not fully closed, but just enough to block Sun Jiayang’s view so that he couldn’t see what was happening inside.
Sunlight filtered evenly through the wooden window, casting a warm glow over the room. Tiny specks of dust twirled and drifted in the air, unable to find a resting place. The tranquility of the afternoon made the cicadas’ chirping all the more pronounced.
The Cheng family’s main hall was not large. It held only a few miscellaneous items and some tables and chairs. With just the two of them—one man and one woman—standing face to face in such a confined space, the atmosphere subtly shifted into something more intimate.
Zhou Yinghuai clenched his palm, about to break the silence, when he saw Cheng Fangqiu suddenly step toward him. Her unexpected approach made him instinctively retreat two steps, causing his calf to bump against a wooden chair, producing a sharp noise.
“Be careful.” She seemed startled by his sudden retreat and quickly reached out to grab his hand.
Zhou Yinghuai’s hand did not match the privileged image he outwardly projected. Instead, it bore the traces of hardship, rough and calloused. Just a slight touch was enough to feel the thin layers of hardened skin—marks left from years of working with machinery.
In contrast, her hand was worlds apart from his. Her fair and flawless fingers were soft as if they would break at the slightest pressure. Her neatly trimmed nails were round and delicate, like fine porcelain.
One black, one white. One large, one small. The stark contrast only made the point of contact between them feel even more searing. Zhou Yinghuai’s breath hitched, and he looked up in a slight panic, meeting her gaze filled with concern. It instantly reminded him of her drowsy, sleepy-eyed expression from not long ago.
For a brief moment, the inappropriate memory surged back into his mind, rendering him defenseless. All he could do was hastily let go of her hand, avert his eyes, and hoarsely say, “I’m fine. Thank you.”
His large hand hid by his side, fingertips rubbing against each other—whether to erase the lingering softness or to savor it, he himself did not know.
“As long as you’re fine.” Completely oblivious to his turmoil, Cheng Fangqiu blinked at his reaction, a little puzzled.
It was just a simple touch. Was that really such a big deal?
But then, remembering the conservative nature of this era, Cheng Fangqiu coughed lightly, suddenly feeling a bit self-conscious as she scratched her forehead. She had merely been trying to create a bit of physical contact to bridge the distance between them. Who would have thought he’d be so… innocent?
Cheng Fangqiu clasped her hands behind her back and shifted the topic to the main issue at hand. “You were the one who sent him here? And those words—were they what you told him to say?”
Although it was a question, the tone was undeniably certain.
Zhou Yinghuai lifted his head in surprise. After a moment of thought, he still nodded. “How did you know it was me…?”
“I just know.” Cheng Fangqiu bit her lower lip, feigning anger, but the grievance in her eyes was impossible to conceal, and even the end of her sentence carried a slight sob. “You… How could you do this?”
The sudden change in atmosphere caught Zhou Yinghuai off guard. Before coming here, he had imagined countless possible reactions from her, but none of them resembled the one unfolding before him. He froze for two seconds before quickly realizing that he had been too clever for his own good.
His actions had only made things worse.
“Sorry, I just…”
As the leader of the mechanical factory’s task force, he had asked Sun Jiayang to come and apologize, aiming to mitigate losses, repair their relationship, and prevent anything that could damage the factory’s reputation. Logically, there was nothing wrong with this approach. But now, looking at the girl’s reddened eyes, he began to doubt whether his decision had been the right one.
“I don’t need his hypocritical apology at all. Even if he says all those nice words, deep down, he must still think the same way. He looks down on me. He looks down on people from the countryside. Prejudices ingrained in one’s bones don’t just disappear overnight.”
“Did you really not realize that bringing him here would only make me more upset?”
As she spoke, her delicate, peach-blossom eyes gradually grew misty, a thin layer of red creeping in. Teardrops clung to her lashes, on the verge of falling yet stubbornly staying put. She looked up at him pitifully, making one’s heart twist painfully, as if it was about to shatter.
An indescribable emotion surged in Zhou Yinghuai’s chest. He furrowed his brows, momentarily at a loss for how to respond.
At a time like this, silence was no different from tacit admission. Cheng Fangqiu lowered her gaze, unable to hide the disappointment on her face, and murmured, “Do you also look down on me?”
His head snapped up abruptly, and without thinking, he interrupted her, “No!”
That one word burst out of his mouth, making her eyes widen in pleasant surprise.
Realizing his slip, Zhou Yinghuai’s gaze darkened, his heartbeat accelerating suddenly. He took a deep breath, trying to maintain his usual composure. “We are all citizens of this country. There’s no difference between us…”
“I understand.” Cheng Fangqiu cut off Zhou Yinghuai’s diplomatic response. Lowering her eyelashes, she mumbled, “You’re colleagues. It’s only natural for you to take his side. And what am I in all of this?”
“You should go back. I won’t spread rumors or cause trouble.”
Seeing her like this, Zhou Yinghuai wanted to say something more, but the words got stuck in his throat. He pushed open the door of the main hall, the sunlight pouring in so brightly that he couldn’t keep his eyes open. After a brief pause, he took a step forward and left.
Zhou Yinghuai knew that he had miscalculated. His original intention was to find a way that benefited both parties—on one hand, protecting the mechanical factory’s reputation, and on the other, offering her both a material and symbolic form of compensation through the apology.
At no point had he meant to rub salt into her wounds.
But clearly, she had misunderstood him. In her mind now, he was undoubtedly a despicable, selfish man.
Had he known things would turn out like this, he wouldn’t have gotten involved no matter what.
Thinking of this, Zhou Yinghuai’s already grim expression darkened further. He looked as if he had just crawled out of the underworld, making people instinctively avoid him. As for the culprit of this whole mess, Sun Jiayang, he was desperately trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible, fearing that he would be dragged out as a scapegoat.
The moment Zhou Yinghuai walked out of the Cheng family home with a face like thunder, Sun Jiayang knew that this matter had completely fallen through.
Panicked, yet still afraid, he couldn’t help but plead for help. “Brother Huai, what do I do now? Cheng Fangqiu wouldn’t go around exaggerating things and spreading rumors, would she?”
“Shut up!” Zhou Yinghuai snapped, glaring at him in frustration. Even at this point, Sun Jiayang was still only thinking about himself, addressing her by name and assuming the worst about her. His selfishness made Zhou Yinghuai’s brows furrow deeply.
Someone like this would only cause trouble in the team. Besides, if he stayed here, Cheng Fangqiu would undoubtedly feel uncomfortable every time she saw him in the future. It would be better to send him directly back to the provincial city and let the factory deal with him.
Having made up his mind, Zhou Yinghuai took Sun Jiayang to the village headquarters, where he found the village secretary and the brigade leader. He relayed everything that had happened that morning and conveyed the mechanical factory’s stance on handling the matter properly.
The issue of discrimination between urban and rural areas had always been a thorn between them. Upon hearing about the incident, both the village secretary and the brigade leader were instantly filled with anger and frustration. However, considering their positions, they couldn’t say too much. Now that Zhou Yinghuai was willing to take the initiative to handle Sun Jiayang, they fully supported the decision. Without hesitation, they processed the necessary documents, allowing Zhou Yinghuai to escort Sun Jiayang back to the provincial city.
After leaving the brigade office, Zhou Yinghuai turned his head and said coldly to Sun Jiayang, “Go pack your things. You’re going straight back to the factory. I’ll apply for a replacement to be assigned here.”
Sun Jiayang’s face turned ashen. He wore a bitter expression, wanting to plead for another chance. However, when he met Zhou Yinghuai’s cold stare—filled with both hostility and impatience—he found himself unable to say a single word.
At the same time, he couldn’t help but feel a sliver of relief. Rather than staying in the countryside, constantly on edge, it might actually be better to return to the factory and take things one step at a time. He usually had a decent track record—surely they wouldn’t judge his character and ideology based on just a few careless words and completely ruin his future, would they?
Besides, even if things didn’t go well at the factory, he could still try to pull some strings. Staying in the countryside, on the other hand, would be like waiting for his own demise.
His eyes flickered as he weighed his options, and suddenly, going back to the factory didn’t seem so unbearable anymore. Without further hesitation, he swiftly packed up his belongings, caught a ride on the tractor heading to the county town, and hurried back to the provincial city.