Chapter 126: Unusual
Regarding the style issue of male-female relationship, this matter can be big or small, depending on how smart the two are in choosing.
Fortunately, the man is unmarried and the woman is unmarried. If they are partners and about to marry, the union will at most criticize and educate.
But if not partners and messing around with male-female relationship, that’s hooliganism. Not only will the factory expel, but also sent down.
“High probability we’ll get to eat wedding candy.”
Tang Tian is stupid but can’t overcome her timidity and fear of trouble. Obediently marrying, even someone she looks down on in every way, is still better than being sent down for farm reform.
As for Qin Jianjun, that person has a very clear head and will only make choices more favorable to himself faster than Tang Tian.
“I think so too.”
Hu Yong thought about it and felt the same. Anyone without a hole in their brain knows what to do.
But deep down, he still hoped Tang Tian could make more trouble, the kind that directly gets rid of him.
He shrugged, opened the lunchbox in his hand, and Hu Yong naturally changed the topic, “Couldn’t grab the braised ribs you wanted, so I changed it to braised fish. Try the fish from Du Yan Reservoir; the taste is pretty good!”
“Fine, whatever there is to eat, I’m not picky.”
“Cadre Su, is Cadre Su here?”
A loud call came from outside the office, making the two who were about to tuck in glance at each other.
Putting down the chopsticks in her hand, Su Ning stood up and quickly walked to the door to open it.
The person standing outside looked unfamiliar, around nineteen or twenty, with a flushed face and white teeth, very delicate.
“Cadre Su?”
“That’s me. Who are you?”
“Someone at the gate asked me to help call you.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“Hehe, no problem, small matter. I’ll head out first.”
The person smiled embarrassedly, scratched the back of his head, and turned to leave.
Su Ning returned to her desk, covering the lunchbox she hadn’t taken a bite from, while thinking about who would come looking for her at this time.
Thinking there was still Xiao Lian at home, she decided to simply go out the factory gate and check on things, handling reports in the afternoon.
She greeted Hu Yong, grabbed her canvas bag with the lunchbox, and headed to the factory gate.
Waiting there was Yan Bei, standing straight like a pine or cypress, emanating a keep away aura with cold air blowing out.
A flash of surprise in her eyes, her lips unconsciously curved up, and the braids on her chest swung beautifully behind her as her steps quickened.
“How come you’re here? That’s really rare.”
Hearing that familiar yet slightly playful voice from behind, Yan Bei turned around almost without thinking.
The moment he saw her figure, his deep eyes instantly gave form to days of longing, surging uncontrollably.
Just this one glance dissipated the exhaustion of three sleepless days and nights, replaced by indescribable satisfaction.
Looking at her almost greedily, Yan Bei thought this time he truly understood why people say lovesickness has no cure except one person.
“Why are you staring at me so intently?”
She subconsciously touched her cheek, Su Ning puzzled: Is there dirt on my face?
Yan Bei smiled and shook his head without explaining, his gaze sliding to her hand and pausing slightly, “Haven’t eaten yet?”
“Was just about to, but didn’t get the chance.”
“Let’s go, to the state-run restaurant. I’ll treat you to a big meal.”
Thinking they hadn’t seen each other for over ten days, and this workaholic had come from the research lab specifically to see her, Su Ning hesitated only a few seconds before nodding and dropping her plan to go home for lunch break.
The state-run restaurant was on Beizheng Street, not far from the textile factory. Walking fast, it was just over ten minutes.
Chatting while walking, they arrived at the restaurant door unnoticed. At mealtime, the hall was crowded with only one or two empty seats by the wall.
Yan Bei went to order while she held the seats. The two had quite the tacit understanding; upon entering, just a glance told them each other’s intent.
Not long after, Yan Bei came to Su Ning’s table carrying the meal.
“Stir-fried pork with tofu, eggplant with beans. Try the taste.”
“I still have braised fish from our factory canteen. Heard the fish meat is fresh and tender, very tasty. Perfect to try together.”
Two people, three dishes, especially the stir-fried pork with tofu in generous portions, more than enough for them.
Attentive Yan Bei had long figured out her preferences, so no worry the ordered dishes wouldn’t suit her taste.
So when he saw her repeatedly reaching for the dishes he ordered with her chopsticks, the smile at his lips deepened uncontrollably.
“How long are you resting this time?”
“Probably two or three days like usual. Speaking of which, I should thank you.”
“Hmm? What do you mean, thank me for what?”
Pointing to the yellow jade pendant hanging around his neck, Yan Bei really felt this research’s success was inseparable from it.
Since putting it on, he hadn’t taken it off except for bathing, even sleeping with it.
Not sure if the jade had spirit or because it was from his beloved, it always made him feel calm and focused, with exceptional concentration for research calculations, simply twice the result with half the effort.
Recalling Mid-Autumn day, Luo Shuangshuang’s good luck, and that ink jade pendant that inexplicably cracked with two fine lines.
He couldn’t say why, but he vaguely felt the jade stones she gave had great spirituality.
“That means Puguang Temple lives up to its name.”
“I have two pieces of jade with good water quality. Some day I’ll send them over for the master to bless.”
In Gu City for a year or two, he’d of course heard locals talk about Puguang Temple’s legendary efficacy.
With Ms. Xiang’s birthday approaching, if truly so effective, it would make a suitable gift.
Ending the topic, Yan Bei began subtly inquiring about her situation over the past half month.
Hearing her candidly mention Qiao Yuan’s public confession, colleagues tripping her up, and being blocked by a few hooligans.
His heart was like overturning all seasonings, a mix of flavors surging up.
Sour, astringent, a faint sense of crisis, and self-blame for not being by her side when facing danger.
“In the next couple days, I’ll make you a small thing to hold your secret weapon.”
Three-pepper powder useful for surprise attacks to save life at key moments, and the medicinal water she developed was good too.
Plus a special small device for easier carry and spray…
Yan Bei thought briefly and had some ideas, deciding to design and make it soon after returning.
“Then thanks in advance.”
Not refusing his kindness and care, Su Ning now got along with them more casually and freely, like old friends of many years.
“By the way, Yan Bei, if possible, can you help me get a set of lab vessels and tools?”
“For drug manufacturing research?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll think of a way. Shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll bring it with the small thing when done.”
“Good. Probably in these couple days Fu Jiaming will be back from his business trip. Come to my place together then, I’ll cook for you as thanks!”
Pressing his tongue against the roof of his mouth, Yan Bei couldn’t help chuckling: Does she think he’s Fu Jiaming that foodie to coax?
But anyway, such a long-time hangout invitation he was very willing for, not foolish enough to refuse.
“Su Ning! How come you…”
Qiao Yuan’s delighted voice rang out abruptly, but trailed off upon seeing the person beside her, his smile quickly vanishing, silenced by the noise.
His face was too recognizable; even seen only once or twice, impossible to mistake.
Fu Jiaming’s friend from the neighboring mechanical factory, how could he be here, eating with Su Ning, even chatting and laughing in perfect harmony.
Like being dunked headfirst into a vat of vinegar and forced to gulp it down, that sourness twisted Qiao Yuan’s features.
“How come you’re here?”
“Oh, why can’t I be here.”
Rivals meeting, eyes especially red.
Their staring gazes sparked like firecrackers.
Chen Baisi, always glued to him, saw the situation was off and carefully stepped back a few paces, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.
Su Ning, noticing the two inexplicably turning hostile, thought of Fu Jiaming who spat at Qiao Yuan on sight; it wasn’t odd for these two.
“Qiao Yuan, I’m eating with a friend and don’t want to be disturbed.”
Qiao Yuan turned to her, full of hurt upon hearing this, “Su Ning, you said it yourself, I’m your friend too.”
“Oh, sorry, I take it back.”
Shocked and incredulous Qiao Yuan: ……
Such words, can they be taken back?
