After all, they are both from the steel factory.

If they got together, wouldn’t the Qian family find a way to criticize them?

No, why should the Qian family matter? What are they even?

Third Sister said, “What others say doesn’t matter. It’s about whether you’re happy.”

Am I happy?

Not to mention that Jiang Weidong has a good temperament, good looks, and does well in his job, even just his mother-in-law’s attitude is a huge plus.

But… the better they are, the more Lin Xia feels hesitant.

If they stayed as friends, the old lady would always be a good old lady, and Factory Director Jiang would always be a good factory director.

But if they ended up together and later broke up, the old lady would be gone, and the Factory Director who always defended her would be gone too.

She felt it might be more trouble than it’s worth.

Maybe she should go home and ask Lin Shu.

While she was lost in thought, Jiang Weidong returned from Huang County and immediately explained, “The textile factory in Huang County had a batch of dyed fabric and a lot of yarn that needed to be disposed of. I thought Lin Shu might find it useful, so I bought some more.”

With this, Old Lady Jiang would be happy and wouldn’t keep complaining about him not being considerate of her friends.

On the way home, they passed People’s Park, and Jiang Weidong asked, “Lin Xia, shall we take a walk?”

Lin Xia glanced around and wondered why they were passing by People’s Park this time since they hadn’t before.

She nodded, “Sure, let’s go.”

She acted very naturally, without any shyness.

Jiang Weidong explained his intentions to pursue her.

He had always admired her; before, when she was someone else’s wife, he didn’t have any thoughts about her.

Now that she’s single, he has more thoughts and hopes to be her revolutionary partner.

“I know you’re not very confident about marriage and are resisting getting close to others. I just hope you’ll give me a chance to pursue you.”

Lin Xia had directly refused marriage proposals from others before.

Jiang Weidong had heard that.

He continued, “If you don’t mind my approach, we can continue. If you feel pressured by me, we can keep some distance. If you’re firmly and decisively against me getting close and can’t accept me possibly being your future husband, then I’ll… just remain as Factory Director Jiang.”

Lin Xia found this perspective quite novel.

She had never heard such a viewpoint before.

She thought that Jiang Weidong must have a lot in common with Third Sister.

What they said was very refreshing.

He looked at her seriously and attentively, afraid of missing any expression on her face.

The initial impression might have been one of general liking, but admiration definitely came from understanding and appreciating her, and also from a sense of sympathy.

During her time working in the countryside, several colleagues took sick leave, and she stayed on the front lines, handling more than the men.

Even when she felt unwell, she didn’t take leave.

One day, she suddenly had acute gastroenteritis and was in so much pain that her face changed color.

If it hadn’t been for him passing by and checking on her, she might have collapsed in the wild.

On the way to the hospital, Jiang Weidong felt a pang of sympathy for her, and an impulse arose—he wanted to take care of her.

He had never mentioned this to anyone, but he had seen her when he had just demobilized.

At that time, she was dressed in plain clothes but had a pair of bright, expressive eyes.

A woman joked about her being from the countryside, and she retorted sharply, “So what if I’m from the countryside? Without the countryside, where would the city come from? The revolution was fought from the countryside to encircle the city!”

After saying that, she walked away briskly.

He was struck by her and remembered her.

He was attracted to her and quietly inquired about whose daughter she was, only to find out she was Qian Lisheng’s wife.

At that moment, he felt truly disappointed.

However, since she was someone else’s wife, he naturally had no further thoughts and turned his focus back to work.

He originally thought she was just a worker’s family member, but soon she stood out and became a factory electrician!

When he saw her in the office, Jiang Weidong felt she was glowing—radiating confidence and the light of hard work.

He was happy for her and admired her even more, subconsciously helping her more.

At that time, his admiration was untainted by selfish motives or desire.

When she got divorced, he was somewhat conflicted.

He wanted to help her but was afraid that his attitude might lead to misunderstandings or trouble, causing gossip.

So he needed to keep his distance.

Yet, feelings naturally grew during their interactions after her divorce and could not be suppressed.

Especially seeing her being ostracized because of her excellence and falling ill made him even more heartbroken and protective of her.

Originally, he planned to take it slow, approaching her subtly, letting her get used to his presence, and then proposing to be together at the end of the year or the next year.

He admired her and would never be a hindrance to her career.

His mother also valued her and would not create conflicts in her marital life.

All he needed was for her to agree.

He even hesitated to put pressure on her if…

“It’s not that the power supply bureau doesn’t have young men who pursue her, and there are also women trying to introduce her to suitors.

I really didn’t want to confess so soon.

It’s too rushed; I’m not ready yet.

He instinctively felt a bit nervous, and his voice tensed involuntarily. “Lin Xia, is it okay?”

Lin Xia looked around and whispered, “Factory Director Jiang, do you think… if we talk like this, will people say… things?”

Usually, introductions are made, and if the conditions are acceptable, they meet, get to know each other, and if things go well, they get married.

No one usually pursues like Jiang Weidong does.

How long does pursuing last?

If she doesn’t like him, can she maintain her distance and go back to the previous state?

Jiang Weidong smiled and said, “Let others say whatever they want. As long as you like it. If you agree, then what we talk about today will take effect. I will pursue you until you agree to marry me.”

Lin Xia playfully asked, “What if I ultimately don’t want to marry you? Or if I want to marry someone else?”

When she was young, her mother said she was a rebellious girl who always talked back.

Jiang Weidong’s eyes darkened but then he smiled, “You will always have the right to choose.”

What he couldn’t bring himself to say was that his pursuit wouldn’t end when she married him.

It would continue, but it would stop if she chose someone else.

He wouldn’t cause her distress.

Hearing that she would always have the right to choose made Lin Xia feel relaxed and unburdened.

She nodded, “Alright.”

He’s so good and so excellent; why shouldn’t she give it a try?

She also wanted to experience what it’s like to be pursued by an outstanding man.

Sister Lin Shu was right.

She was just disappointed in Qian Lisheng and afraid of the unknown marriage, not rejecting all men or afraid of marriage.

If it’s someone she knows well enough and who treats her well, she wouldn’t be afraid.

She felt that Jiang Weidong was a man of integrity.

If he were in Qian Lisheng’s situation, he wouldn’t hide things from his wife, wouldn’t be cold to her, and wouldn’t let his mother control his wife.

People are different.

Jiang Weidong didn’t expect the conversation with Lin Xia to go so smoothly.

He had been worried that she might have reservations about him, thinking that his previous care was for another purpose, and that she might misunderstand him.

He didn’t expect her to have no complaints and instead be willing to give it a try.

He felt even better.

On the way back, Lin Xia said, “Factory Director Jiang…” Seeing Jiang Weidong’s smiling eyes, she cleared her throat and changed her words, “Jiang…”

He’s seven years older than her, so it feels awkward to call him by his name, and she can’t bring herself to do it.

Jiang Weidong: “What do you want to say?”

Lin Xia: “Regardless of whether we succeed or not, it shouldn’t affect the relationship between our sisters and your mother. So let’s not tell her yet. We’ll let her know once it’s official, to avoid making her uncomfortable if things don’t work out.”

Jiang Weidong: “…”

So I have to pursue a wife in secret?

“And how do you plan to hide it from her?”

He couldn’t guarantee that he could keep it from his mother, as his current feelings towards Lin Xia were very different from before.

He would naturally talk about her and show concern, and if he talked too much, his mother would eventually find out.

Lin Xia: “Just… don’t be too obvious in front of her.”

Jiang Weidong: “I’ll try my best.”

Jiang Weidong drove the car straight to the doorstep, as he had a heavy bag of fabric inside.

Old Lady Jiang didn’t check anything and said, “You went to buy fabric and brought Lin Xia back? Why did you drag her around?”

She thought he was incapable of handling things properly.

Lin Shu, however, clearly felt that the relationship between her elder sister and Jiang Weidong had changed.

Before, it was Jiang Weidong who was different; now, her elder sister was also different.

Not to mention, their glances at each other were different, especially when they looked at each other.

She glanced at her elder sister.

Lin Xia held her hand and smiled.

Lin Shu understood immediately.

Lin Shu and Old Lady Jiang had already had dinner, so they cleaned up for the two of them.

Grandma Jiang placed the good food in front of Lin Xia, including a plate of spinach and liver and a plate of pickled cabbage and pork.

Seeing that the dishes were all in front of her while Jiang Weidong only had a plate of plain buns, Lin Xia pushed the dishes towards the center.

Grandma Jiang: “Lin Xia, you’re going to the countryside tomorrow, and it’ll be tough. Eat more.”

As she spoke, she also took out twenty yuan and gave it to Lin Xia.

Lin Xia: “Grandma, what’s this for?”

Old Lady Jiang: “You’re my daughter, and it’s natural for you to eat here. Why would you need to pay me for food?”

Lin Xia had previously insisted on paying for the meals, but Old Lady Jiang couldn’t refuse, so she accepted a reduced amount.

Lin Xia had also said that her sister often came to the city and stayed here, so she needed to contribute more.

Jiang Weidong felt a bit upset hearing his mother refer to Lin Xia as her “daughter,” and then he noticed Lin Shu smiling meaningfully.

He suddenly wondered if he had overcomplicated things.

If he had known Lin Xia was so easy to communicate with, would she have agreed to marry him if he had proposed?

If they were married, things would be simpler.

After dinner, Jiang Weidong didn’t rush to his dormitory as usual but stayed at home a bit longer.

Old Lady Jiang was annoyed, “Why haven’t you left after dinner? Don’t disturb us women’s conversation.”