Chapter 118: Inappropriate
It took a lot of persuading to dispel Tian Xiang’s concerns and good intentions, after all she knew that unless something unexpected happened Yan Bin’s group was done for, how much trouble could Tang Tian alone stir up?
No sooner had Yan Bin gone in than perhaps someone even more eager than herself would eagerly want to take action against her.
It was said that Tang Tian, who relied on the Yan family’s power and Yan Bin’s influence, had offended many people by being arrogant and overbearing everywhere without restraint on ordinary days.
Just Qin Jianjun, who followed behind her with ulterior motives wagging his tail, was probably enough to make her suffer badly.
In the courtyard she picked up Little Round Circle, chatted for a while with Mother Zhang and Mother Mao, the two old ladies who had worried about her all night, and only returned to her small courtyard after coquettishly coaxing them into hearty laughter.
It was getting late, no time to rest, she changed clothes and took Little Round Circle’s lunch from the space, then hurriedly rushed to the factory to work.
As expected, after fermenting for a morning, those with quick ears for news all knew about this major shock that affected most of Gu City or upper-class families or high officials.
Once one person couldn’t hold back and confided in a close connection, it meant everyone knew, the speed of gossip spread was never to be underestimated.
From the office to the canteen she listened all the way, Su Ning who had been a bit sleepy instantly became spirited, and in her rare good mood she got an extra meat dish with her lunchbox.
Especially upon seeing Tang Tian’s face change drastically, panicking and rushing straight out of the canteen door, her good mood immediately multiplied several times.
The extremely brilliant smile on her face involuntarily made all the people in the room who were secretly paying attention to her dazed and their hearts race.
“Cadre Su!”
Before she could eat two bites of her meal with her head down, a familiar call came from beside her, and looking up she saw it was indeed Qiao Yuan.
Thinking of his stepping forward last night, although on the surface it seemed he hadn’t provided any substantial help, in fact it had distracted that group, allowing her to smoothly take them down.
So she couldn’t be as cold as usual anymore, her impression of Qiao Yuan had clearly changed.
He looked like a sloppy, slick, unreliable guy, but stepping up bravely when it mattered showed his heart wasn’t bad.
“Comrade Qiao hasn’t thanked you yet, is your body alright?”
“Ah, no… nothing’s wrong, the doctor said I’m very strong!”
Was she caring about him?
Seeing that the smile on Su Ning’s face didn’t diminish because of him, and she even spoke to him in a rare gentle tone.
Qiao Yuan was so happy he was like a silly 100-plus jin fool, the guy who usually dared to openly defy his old man was now acting all shy and coy like a young bride meeting her in-laws for the first time.
It made Chen Baisi beside him almost unable to watch, he had to clench his fist by his mouth and cough hard, “Cough~”
“Uh, um, Cadre Su are you okay? I see your face…”
“Scraped it accidentally when thrown off the vehicle, it’ll be fine in a couple days.”
“That group really needs a beating, Su Ning… Cadre Su rest assured, I won’t let them or the one behind the scenes get away!”
Think they could sleep easy after going in, then turn around and pull strings to get out?
Dream on!
Gritting his teeth he secretly spat, Qiao Yuan vowed looking at her, “Guarantee they won’t dare show up in front of you a second time.”
She could only smile awkwardly yet politely then bury her head in eating, Su Ning truly hadn’t worried about this from the bottom of her heart.
Carefully pulling out a chair to sit opposite her, Qiao Yuan patiently waited for her to finish eating first, silently preparing in his mind what he wanted to say later.
Chen Baisi was very perceptive too, silently sitting down at a nearby table not too close not too far, conveniently warning the restless people around with his eyes.
Instantly making all the male comrades who had ideas or not twist their heads away, cursing inwardly.
Su the beauty was really hard to approach, black-faced Zhang Ze in front, Fu Jiaming the fly-swatter expert behind, and Qiao Yuan the sticky domineering king in the middle.
So hard, too hard!
Amid the sighs and chest-beating around her, Su Ning didn’t know, only felt that being stared at so directly with that burning gaze like it could scorch her any second.
Helplessly stopping her actions, swallowing the food in her mouth she asked, “Comrade Qiao, is there something else?”
“Hehe, Cadre Su I want to say a few words to you.”
“Go ahead.”
Putting down her chopsticks, Su Ning looked up at the person opposite, her expression very serious without any perfunctory attitude.
Clearing his throat, Qiao Yuan nervously rubbed his trouser legs, wiping off the sticky sweat in his palms.
“I’m Qiao Yuan, the Yuan from calm and peaceful, only son at home with an older sister above named Qiao Jing.
Twenty-one this year, high school graduate, third-level electrician in the textile factory’s first production workshop, salary 48 yuan a month.
My dad is Qiao…”
“Stop, wait a minute first.”
Why did it sound more and more off?
Having to interrupt his long speech, Su Ning looked at the earnestly sitting straight person with a puzzled expression, “Comrade Qiao why are you telling me this?”
“Su Ning I like you, I want to date you with the premise and purpose of marriage, do you agree?”
Finally saying this out loud, Qiao Yuan didn’t dare breathe, all his blood surged to his head like crazy, making his face hot and red with a trend of getting hotter able to cook eggs.
She didn’t lack admirers at school, but students were all very subtle, the boldest just secretly stuffing vague letters into her schoolbag.
Someone confessing so straightforwardly in person wanting to date was truly a first, stunning her for a moment.
As the person opposite grew increasingly restless, sweat beading on his forehead, after several minutes of silence Su Ning slowly spoke.
“First thank you Comrade Qiao for liking me, but sorry we’re not suitable.”
The flush on his face visibly receded rapidly, though he had expected she would likely refuse, when it really happened Qiao Yuan still felt an inevitable surge of discomfort.
Struggling to calm his emotions, he rallied and asked repeatedly.
“Where do you think we’re not suitable? Or what about me you don’t like or aren’t satisfied with? I can change!”
“It’s not that issue, it’s that I don’t have those feelings for you, shouldn’t the premise for dating be mutual affection?”
Didn’t everyone around say that a male comrade with looks, salary, and family background, the three haves, was super easy to find a partner, with his conditions it was a sure thing?
Mutual affection was better of course, but if she didn’t like him but didn’t dislike him either that was fine? Feelings could be cultivated slowly after marriage what not?
“Su…”
“Sorry Comrade Qiao, I have something to do first.”
Decisively standing up and closing her lunchbox, Su Ning disliked beating around the bush and didn’t want to entangle further on this with him.
Ignoring the person who looked about to cry, she simply turned and left straightforwardly.
She didn’t care what he thought, but no reason to make herself uncomfortable just because someone else was upset.
She had no experience with relationships and didn’t quite understand, but like was like and dislike was dislike, she couldn’t do something like with a certain former classmate who didn’t like but didn’t reject advances.
“Qiao bro? You, you okay?”
Having heard the whole conversation, Chen Baisi looked at the departing figure, moved to his side and cautiously asked, “Qiao bro?”
Glancing at his reddened eye corners, then at the gawking crowd around, afraid of accidentally poking his sore spot and having to clean up the mess again.
Chen Baisi had to carefully choose his words again, consoling, “Su Ning she…”
“Enough, shut up.”
Alright, better not speak.
Making a zipping motion over his mouth, Chen Baisi helplessly swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue.
Time passed minute by minute, the person with that dejected expression finally recovered after a long while, stood up and slammed a fist on the table.
Qiao Yuan stared at the canteen door, where her figure was long gone, but the flame reignited in his eyes burned hotter than ever, with a trace of imperceptible madness.
“It’s just a rejection, heh, I refuse to believe it!”
Worst case he’d prepare to be rejected a hundred times, even a chaste woman fears a persistent suitor!
Maybe not even a hundred times, she’d be moved by his sincerity? His old man hadn’t won his beauty that way too? It’d work for him the same!
Right, exactly!
“Let’s go, why are you still standing there?”
“Where we going Qiao bro.”
“……”
