“What happened to her?”
Director Lin’s words successfully piqued Cheng Fangqiu’s interest, prompting her to ask further. The former pursed her lips, seemingly hesitant to speak.
Seeing this, Cheng Fangqiu more or less guessed the answer and immediately felt somewhat disinterested. Dealing with someone like Tailor Wu, a small figure with no background, would be easy and effortless. However, when it came to someone like Mother Huang, who had influential connections, even if there were public complaints, the consequences would be insignificant and inconsequential.
Such is reality.
The atmosphere grew somewhat oppressive. Cheng Fangqiu broke the silence first, bidding farewell to Director Lin before leaving with Ding Ximei and the others. Sensing something was off, Ding Ximei asked about the matter, and Cheng Fangqiu briefly explained the whole story.
“Truly, the bigger the forest, the more diverse the birds!”
“Exactly! Running into people like them is just the worst luck.”
Cheng Fangqiu didn’t want to waste time discussing such people. Thinking there was still plenty of time, she took the two to browse the department store. She had previously promised Cheng Xuejun a reward, and this was a good opportunity to fulfill that promise.
After several previous conversations, Cheng Xuejun had already learned to accept her kindness. However, the department store was so large that he couldn’t immediately decide what he wanted, leaving him feeling somewhat awkward.
Since stationery items like pens and ink had already been gifted by Zhou Yinghuai to curry favor with Cheng Xuejun, his brother-in-law, Cheng Fangqiu helped him pick out a pair of sneakers. They were from an old domestic brand, almost a standard for city kids at the time.
“Try them on quickly,” Cheng Fangqiu pressed Cheng Xuejun to sit on a chair. The salesperson was also very enthusiastic and promptly brought over the pair of white sneakers. “These are our best sellers. They’re good quality and won’t hurt your feet.”
Cheng Xuejun was originally wearing a pair of somewhat worn cloth shoes. He carefully changed into the sneakers. Having never worn such nice shoes before, he seemed to forget how to walk. It was only under Cheng Fangqiu’s encouragement that he stepped onto the plastic bag laid out by the salesperson and took a few steps.
“Do they fit?”
Cheng Xuejun first nodded, then shook his head. “Sis, let’s get a size bigger.”
He was at an age where he was growing rapidly, with his height changing daily and his feet getting longer. The cloth shoes his mother had made for him two years ago no longer fit this year. If such nice shoes couldn’t be worn and couldn’t be sold, wouldn’t that be a waste?
To his surprise, Cheng Fangqiu waved her hand decisively. “We’ll take this pair. If we get a size bigger, what if they fall off while walking?”
With that, she asked the salesperson to ring them up, leaving no time for Cheng Xuejun or Ding Ximei to refuse. The salesperson, seeing this, couldn’t help but laugh and turned to ask Cheng Xuejun, “Little brother, do you want to wear them now, or should I pack them up for you?”
“I won’t wear them now.” What if they got dirty? He wanted to save them for his sister’s wedding.
“Alright, then take them off, and I’ll pack them in a box for you.”
While Cheng Xuejun was changing his shoes, Cheng Fangqiu’s eyes wandered to a pair of women’s leather shoes on the shelf. The design was simple and elegant, quite suitable for Ding Ximei. She called Ding Ximei over to try them on, but the latter refused, waving her hands. “I don’t need them.”
“Come on, just try them. If they fit, they’ll go perfectly with the dress I bought you last time. Most importantly, this style can be worn all year round—stylish and versatile.”
In the end, Ding Ximei couldn’t refuse and reluctantly tried them on. She discovered that Cheng Fangqiu’s eye for fashion was sharp. When she put them on, even the salesperson couldn’t help but compliment her.
Cheng Fangqiu decided to buy the pair as well. Thinking that since they were already shopping, it wouldn’t be fair to show favoritism, she bought a pair for everyone in the family. They could try them on later, and if the size wasn’t right, they could always exchange them.
However, this arrangement felt somewhat unfair to Cheng Xuejun. After all, the trip was supposed to be a reward for him, but it ended up being a shopping spree for everyone. To make up for it, she picked out a pair of leather shoes for him as well.
Since she had bought so many pairs of shoes, all of which were considered high-end items in the store, the salesperson, who earned a commission, was beaming with joy. She even threw in a few pairs of socks as a bonus.
After happily finishing their shopping, they went to the wedding supplies section and bought a bunch of decorations for the new house, especially red paper. They needed it for cutting double-happiness characters and wrapping items. She bought dozens of sheets, and since there were many people around, they could help cut them out.
After leaving the department store, they headed to a state-run restaurant. Zhou Yinghuai and Zhou Yingchen were reliable, and there wasn’t much to worry about on their end. They only stayed for a short while before returning to the guesthouse.
Cheng Baokuan and Zhou Yingchen had already gotten up and even went out for a meal together. Though they were sober, they still felt a bit sluggish. Seeing the shoes Cheng Fangqiu had bought for them, however, their spirits lifted.
Her good taste and the perfect fit of the shoes left no room for criticism, and everyone was very satisfied. As for Zhou Yinghuai’s shoes, they would have to wait until he got off work to give them to him.
Meanwhile, the technical department at the machinery factory was also bustling with activity. Today marked the completion of restoring all the previously damaged documents, and everyone’s faces were filled with joy. They even planned to gather at the cafeteria after work for a small celebration with a few drinks.
“Zhao Zhigao, are you really not coming?”
“I really can’t. I’m still feeling a bit off.”
Zhao Zhigao leaned back in his chair, looking completely listless, a far cry from his usual energetic self. Last night, he had been so drunk that he blacked out and couldn’t even remember how he got home. It wasn’t until his mother woke him up for work this morning and recounted the events that he pieced together what had happened.
Dazed and confused, he came to work and managed to make a mistake even while handling the simplest document. Fortunately, Brother Huai noticed it in time and didn’t hold it against him, simply asking him to revise it. Otherwise, it could have been a disaster!
They say alcohol leads to trouble, and that’s absolutely true. Zhao Zhigao secretly vowed to never let himself get so drunk again. Not only did it disrupt his work, but it also caused trouble for others.
But how come Brother Huai, who also got drunk, seemed completely fine?
Little did he know, Zhou Yinghuai, whom he mentioned, was currently relying on tea to stay alert. His face couldn’t hide his exhaustion, and he was also regretting his overindulgence last night. Originally, he had planned to rewrite the lost research report today, but his mind was in such a mess that he couldn’t focus. He decided to wait until tomorrow, when he felt fully recovered, to tackle the task.
When it was time to get off work, Zhou Yinghuai packed up his briefcase and opened his office door. At the same time, the door of the adjacent office also opened. Whether it was a coincidence or the other person had been waiting for him, the two rarely crossed paths like this.
“Oh, Comrade Zhou, you’re off work too? You look so pale—did something happen?”
Hu Pingsheng was the first to break the silence, his tone full of concern, but the corners of his mouth curled into a faint, mocking smile, creating a stark contrast.
Zhou Yinghuai gave Hu Pingsheng a cold glance, not wanting to waste words on him. He’d rather go home early to have dinner with his sweet and soft wife, drink a cup of honey water, and get a good night’s sleep.
Unexpectedly, Hu Pingsheng didn’t leave as he usually did after being brushed off. Instead, he followed with a cheeky grin. “I heard Comrade Zhou is getting married in a couple of days. I might not be able to make it because of some important matters, so let me wish you a happy marriage in advance.”
Hearing this, Zhou Yinghuai stopped in his tracks, his expression darkening completely. “Are you that thick-skinned? I didn’t invite you, and I don’t need your blessings.”
Both of them were key figures in the department, and almost as soon as they met, everyone’s eyes automatically turned toward them.
Upon hearing Zhou Yinghuai’s words, a few people couldn’t hold back their laughter, though they quickly stifled it. However, Hu Pingsheng still heard it. He glared at them with a grim expression before turning back to Zhou Yinghuai, the smile on his face fading significantly.
But then, as if remembering something, he quickly regained his usual air of superiority and nonchalance, smiling as he spoke, “I wonder if Comrade Zhou has ever heard this saying?”
At this point, Hu Pingsheng’s smile widened, and he lowered his voice meaningfully. “Flowers don’t bloom for a hundred days. I wonder if Comrade Zhou will one day regret being so arrogant in front of me?”
After listening to Hu Pingsheng’s words, Zhou Yinghuai seemed to find it somewhat amusing. A few low chuckles escaped his throat, but his face remained indifferent, now tinged with a hint of mockery. Without even glancing at Hu Pingsheng, he strode straight toward the door.
This silent response was like a heavy slap to the face. Hu Pingsheng’s expression instantly turned cold, and a flash of ruthlessness crossed his eyes. He quickly followed Zhou Yinghuai out of the department, leaving behind a crowd of onlookers.
“Do you think Hu Pingsheng has something wrong with his head? Why does he keep provoking Brother Huai for no reason?”
“Who knows? It’s not like this is the first time. If you ask me, it’s not hatred—it’s pure love!”
“Ugh, that’s disgusting to even say.”
As soon as Zhou Yinghuai arrived home, he noticed something different. A large double-happiness character was pasted right in the center of the front door, flanked by couplets on both sides, symbolizing eternal harmony.
He unlocked the door and entered to find the house completely transformed. Everywhere he looked, there were dazzling shades of red, instantly lifting his weariness. The corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curl into a slight smile.
“You’re back?” Cheng Fangqiu, who was pasting double-happiness characters on the cabinet, was the first to notice Zhou Yinghuai’s return. Her big eyes immediately curved into crescent moons. “There’s chicken soup simmering in the kitchen. Go have a bowl. Dad and Yingchen have already had some. It’ll make you feel better.”
“Okay.”
Zhou Yinghuai responded, setting down his briefcase. As soon as he turned around, he saw her standing on a chair, teetering on tiptoe to paste something high up. His breath hitched, and his heart leaped into his throat. In three quick strides, he rushed over and steadied her by the waist.
“Be careful!”
Cheng Fangqiu was startled by his sudden approach. It took her a moment to realize he was worried about her. She giggled and said nonchalantly, “I know what I’m doing.”
“Falling from this height is no joke.” Zhou Yinghuai rarely showed a stern face with her, but his expression darkened now. His eyes scanned the surroundings, noticing many sharp objects on the floor. If she were to fall and hit her head on any of them…
The thought of the unbearable consequences made his grip on her waist tighten involuntarily.
Sensing his unease and fear, Cheng Fangqiu paused, then put down what she was holding and patted the back of his hand to reassure him.