“What do you mean?”

“I mean, I don’t care who your boyfriend is—it has nothing to do with me. You, on the other hand, should be careful not to be used as a pawn.”

Treating her as a romantic rival? How naive.

The girl glared at her for a moment before angrily turning on her heel and storming off. Who knew if she believed it?

Dai Qing knew she couldn’t leave her post for too long. She returned to her workstation, but during lunch, as she was wiping the cotton lint off her clothes and preparing to head to the cafeteria, the same girl appeared again.

“Hold it! I double-checked. Liu Ming isn’t interested in you at all. Since you don’t care about him, stay away from him from now on.”

Dai Qing stared at her for a moment, her thoughts drifting to her past life. Had she been just as foolish back then?

“Liu Ming? He’s nothing. Is he really worth you coming here twice to question me? How about we go to the supervisor and ask him to give me a testimony?”

At the mention of the supervisor, the girl hesitated, suddenly uneasy. “Do you really not like Liu Ming?”

“Absolutely disgusted. He makes me sick. Clear enough?”

“How can you talk like that? You’re so young, yet so vicious! No wonder Liu Ming said you’re unreasonable and ungrateful.”

Huh? Did this girl get kicked in the head by a donkey?

Oh heavens, I’ve found myself a hopeless romantic.

Dai Qing glanced at the girl’s face. Judging by her fate, this woman was cursed with unlucky love prospects—romance that would go nowhere.

From what she’d heard, there’s no reasoning with someone in love. No point in wasting her breath.

“I’m going to get my lunch. Don’t block my way.”

She held back her frustration, knowing she had to time her actions perfectly to strike back when the moment was right.

“You… You’re so rude!” The girl stomped her foot, muttering angrily as Dai Qing walked away.

At the cafeteria, Dai Qing bought two stuffed buns with egg and pickled vegetables, along with a bowl of sour and spicy soup—dinner sorted.

On her way back to the workshop, she was blocked by none other than Liu Ming.

“Xiaoqing, I heard Li Xing was giving you trouble. I’m really sorry about that. She’s been pestering me lately, and I didn’t think she’d come looking for you—”

Before he could finish, Dai Qing waved him off, “A good dog doesn’t block the road. Also, address me as ‘comrade.’ Are you two out of your minds? You and her dating is none of my business. Who do you think you are to me?”

She finally understood the true meaning of the phrase “persistent pest.”

Absolutely revolting.

Dai Qing tried to harness the energy within her. If she could, she would’ve pummeled this jerk. If words didn’t work, she’d be happy to let her fists do the talking.

Unfortunately, no matter how many times she tried, her strength remained weak.

“Xiaoqing… comrade, there’s nothing between Li Xing and me. She’s been chasing after me, but I’ll set things straight with her soon.”

“Get lost.”

“Pfft—look at this guy! Can’t he see she’s fed up with him and still won’t leave?”

“There’s plenty of these slick guys in the workshop—no substance, just smooth talk and persistence, tricking young women.”

Dai Qing turned to see Cheng Hao standing under a pine tree with two others, hidden in the shadows cast by the streetlamp.

With his hands casually in his pockets, Cheng Hao swaggered over without any hint of embarrassment at having overheard the conversation.

“We just happened to be passing by.”

“Comrade Dai, this textile factory brings in workers from all over the country, so you’ll meet all sorts. Be careful not to get tangled up with a pest like this. If you can’t shake them off, report it to the supervisor. Or, if it gets bad, the security department can step in.”