Zhang Xiaoli was stunned for a moment; obviously, she didn’t expect someone to ask her to dance, and it was actually the leader of the shoe factory union. 

While she was in a daze, Tang Momo on the side had already started to cheer her on and signaled her to accept. 

Seeing the smiles on their faces, Zhang Xiaoli hesitated for a moment but finally nodded in agreement. 

This was the chairman of the shoe factory union inviting her to dance; perhaps it was because there weren’t many people from the factory today. With this thought, Zhang Xiaoli’s attitude became more relaxed. 

Tang Momo recognized him at a glance as the chairman of the shoe factory union, but she didn’t think much about it. After all, it was only a dance, and she didn’t necessarily want to force Zhang Xiaoli to remarry—she just hoped that she could be a little happier. 

“Sister, aren’t you going to dance?” 

Tang Jianan took a look at the people on the dance floor. Most of them were young men and women. He couldn’t help but start to worry about Tang Momo. How could she miss such a good opportunity? 

Tang Momo saw through his thoughts at a glance and poked his forehead. “Don’t worry about these things at a young age. If you worry too much, be careful you might not grow taller in the future.” 

Tang Momo was very happy with her current situation and hoped to maintain it until the college entrance examination.  

Thinking about the next two years, Tang Momo couldn’t help but sigh. It would be really a long two years. 

Although the original owner hadn’t attended high school, Tang Momo was at least in university, so she could remember the knowledge in her textbooks after reviewing it once. 

But there are always people better than her, so she couldn’t afford to be careless and made time to review every day.  

She then remembered that Xu Xiaoyun didn’t go to high school either, and she didn’t know how she solved the problem of not being able to read the textbook. 

While the siblings were talking, Wang Qian and Hu Jie also came over. “Momo, why don’t you go dancing?” 

“I’m not very good at dancing, so I won’t join in the fun.” 

After speaking, she gently patted Tang Jianan’s head and said, “These are my friends.” 

Tang Jianan and the twins obediently called them “sister.” 

It was the first time they had met the twins, and they were quite surprised. “Momo, are they twins?” 

Twins are quite rare these days. 

“Yes, they are twins.” 

Tang Momo rubbed the heads of the two little ones while talking. 

So, for the next moment, the two began to study whether the twins looked alike. 

Tang Momo recalled the original owner’s memories and explained to them. “They used to look quite alike, but now that they’ve grown, they don’t resemble each other as much.” 

“She looks more like you.” 

Wang Qian pointed at Tang Yangyang, especially since the two sisters were wearing the same dress today. 

“Why didn’t you go dance?” Tang Momo asked this time. 

She remembered that Wang Qian was very excited when she learned about this event. 

“It was too crowded, so I didn’t want to go; it’s better to come here and chat.” 

Hu Jie and Wang Qian both looked disappointed. 

It seemed they didn’t find anyone suitable partner, so Tang Momo nodded knowingly. 

At that moment, Zhang Xiaoli walked over after finishing a song; the three children still had to go to school tomorrow, and they needed to do their homework when they got home, so she planned to take them back to do it.  

“Why are you leaving so soon? You should stay a little longer.” 

Tang Momo tried to persuade them to stay. 

“They haven’t finished their homework yet. Momo, come back for dinner tonight. Mother will prepare delicious food for you.” 

Perhaps because of the danced, Zhang Xiaoli felt uncomfortable all over. 

Tang Momo also saw her discomfort, and when she noticed this, she stopped trying to persuade her to stay and responded with a smile. “Okay, I’ll be back later.” 

After Zhang Xiaoli left with Tang Jianan, and the twins. Wang Qian and the others gathered around Tang Momo to talk for a while. Eventually, they found the event uninteresting, so they all decided to just go back to their dormitory. 

Tang Momo didn’t forget the new task given to her by Director Wu yesterday, so she asked when they arrived at the dormitory, “That reminds me, what competition did we have with the Second Factory at the end of the year in previous years?” 

“In previous years, sometimes it was organized by the labor union, and sometimes it was organized by the Women’s Federation. There was a mix of everything. Anyway, it was just to express the closeness between the two factories,” Wang Qian replied casually. 

“Why are you asking this suddenly? Are there any new arrangements?” Hu Jie looked concerned. 

Tang Momo nodded, “Yes, Director Wu hopes that I come up with some new ideas this year.” 

“This is an honorable task. Good luck!” Wang Qian said with a smile as she teased her. 

After chatting with them in the dormitory for a while, Tang Momo planned to go back. 

“It’s not even five o’clock yet. It’s too early for you to go back,” Wang Qian said, glancing at the watch on her wrist, trying to get her to stay a little longer. 

“I’m just going back to check on their homework,” Tang Momo replied. When she saw the watch. She decided to exchange a ticket next month when she got paid to buy a watch from the supply and marketing cooperative, thinking it would be more convenient for her to have a way to keep track of time. 

“Momo, I see you are still reading high school textbooks. Do you have any plans?” Hu Jie had long noticed the high school textbooks on Tang Momo’s desk. 

“I didn’t have the chance to study before, so I’m thinking of studying now that I have time. Do you want to join me?” She hinted since most of them had only graduated from middle school. 

“Forget it, just looking at books gives me a headache,” Wang Qian refused without a second thought. 

Hu Jie, however, agreed immediately, “Sure, if you don’t mind, I’d love to study with you. 

“Of course I don’t mind. There is strength in numbers,” Tang Momo replied, she was actually hoping that someone would study with her. She didn’t expect that this wish would come true so quickly. 

When Hu Jie saw that she agreed, the smile in her eyes became even stronger. She really liked Tang Momo more and more. 

Thinking about her younger siblings at home, Tang Momo decided not to talk with them any longer. She gathered her things and headed back. 

She thought it was still early, and she could take advantage of this to draw some drawings for Aunt Huang. There were too many things she wanted to buy recently, so she was increasingly motivated to make money. 

Seeing her coming back, Zhang Xiaoli quickly explained to her, “Momo, Chairman Zheng asked me to dance today because there aren’t any other people from the shoe factory.” 

Vice Chairman Yang had come with her husband, so Chairman Zheng wouldn’t disturb them.  

“Mother, don’t be nervous; this is just normal socializing. We won’t think too much about it,” Tang Momo said. 

After Tang Momo finished speaking, she realized something was wrong. If it was really normal socializing, Zhang Xiaoli wouldn’t go out of her way to explain it to her. 

She didn’t think much about it at first, but Zhang Xiaoli’s explanation made her think more. Could it be that President Zheng is single? 

If so, this can be considered a good candidate. Chairman Zheng looks quite elegant. 

Tang Momo noticed Zhang Xiaoli’s relieved expression and held back her speculations. It seemed she needed to take the time to find out. If the other person truly had good character, she would support Zhang Xiaoli’s interactions with him. 

Seeing that Tang Momo didn’t think much about it, Zhang Xiaoli breathed a sigh of relief. “Then you sit down for a while, and I’ll go cook.” 

“Sister, I want to eat the food you cooked.” 

Tang Jianping came and hugged Tang Momo’s leg while acting cute. 

“Why, do you think the food I cooked is not delicious?” Zhang Xiaoli pretended to look displeased as she glanced at him. 

“Of course not; we just haven’t eaten the food cooked by my sister for a long time.” 

After Tang Jianping finished speaking, Tang Jianping pulled over Tang Yangyang. 

“Yangyang, do you agree with what I said?” 

Tang Yangyang nodded quickly, “Yes, we haven’t eaten the food cooked by eldest sister for a long time.” 

“Okay, then you go over there and play, and I’ll go cook.” Tang Momo said with a smile on her face.  

She knew them well; Zhang Xiaoli’s cooking was on the lighter side, while she herself preferred it a bit spicier, so they were just craving something spicy. 

“I’ll go and help you.” Zhang Xiaoli said as she headed towards the kitchen. 

“Mother, take a break; I can handle it.” 

Tang Momo pressed Zhang Xiaoli on the stool with both hands and stop her from helping. 

As Tang Momo went into the kitchen, Zhang Xiaoli’s racing heart gradually returned to normal. 

Thinking of the dancing scene earlier, she felt extremely uncomfortable. The first time she met Chairman Zheng was when she and Momo went to the shoe factory to seek justice. 

Later, she entered a shoe factory and met him several times. Unexpectedly, he still remembered her and took the initiative to care about whether her family affairs were resolved. 

She heard from others in the factory that Chairman Zheng’s lover passed away from illness a few years ago and that he had only one son, who had just taken over his mother’s position at the chemical factory a couple of years ago. 

Thinking of this, Zhang Xiaoli quickly slapped her cheek to stop herself; what did it matter to her how someone else was doing?  

Tang Momo had not been back for several days because she was busy with this event. She only ate the dishes served at the canteen, so now she was craving something spicy. 

She decided to cook a simple spicy hot pot since Zhang Xiaoli bought a lot of ingredients in advance. 

After a while, the smell wafted out of the kitchen, and the two little ones kept saying how delicious it smelled. 

Zhang Xiaoli couldn’t help but chuckle at them, “Fine, I know you all like strong flavors; next time I cook, I’ll make it spicier.” 

“Mother that’s good, eating spicy food in winter is warming.”  

The family of five sat together to eat and chatted about the most exciting things that happened. The room felt warm and comfortable. 

Tang Momo’s eyes fell on Tang Yangyang, and then she remembered that she didn’t buy new clothes for anyone else this time, so she said, “Mother, it’s been a while since the seasons changed; you, Jianan and Jianping should also get new clothes. I’ll draw a style later, then buy the fabric and find someone to make it.” 

“No need to find someone; I can make it when I have time.”  

Previously, a coworker in the workshop moved and planned to replace her old sewing machine at home with a new one. Zhang Xiaoli discussed this with her and use two months’ worth of meal stamps to buy the old sewing machine. 

“Yes, Sister, we have a sewing machine at home now.” 

Tang Yangyang’s expression was extremely proud when she said this. In the past, no one in the Qingshui Brigade had a sewing machine at home, so how could she not be proud? 

Zhang Xiaoli told her where the sewing machine came from. Tang Momo was a bit curious: “Mother, why did you buy a sewing machine?” 

“When I’m free, I can use the sewing machine to help others with sewing, and I can also exchange it some things.” 

Nowadays, trading is not allowed, so many people adopt the primitive methods of exchanging goods. 

“You work enough already; don’t bother with these things when you get home.” 

Tang Momo advised against it, considering that Zhang Xiaoli’s health had already deteriorated quite a bit over the past two years, so she thought it would be best for her to rest and recover now. 

“It doesn’t take any effort. I just need to step on the sewing machine.”  

Zhang Xiaoli looked unconcerned. 

Tang Momo knew she wouldn’t be able to change her mind, so she decided not to press further, thinking it would be better to take a gradual approach. 

When Tang Momo arrived at the factory the next day, she noticed that everyone seemed to be looking at her. Just as she was feeling puzzled, Wang Qian and Hu Jie approached her with teasing expressions. “Momo, you probably don’t know yet, but you’re quite the star in our factory now.” 

“Is it because of yesterday’s discussion?” 

Tang Momo was confused because most of what she explained yesterday was based on materials collected from the workshop, so they should have already known about it.  

“That’s one way to see it.” Wang Qian said, shaking her head dramatically. 

“Everyone is asking about your dress. At first, they thought you bought it and wanted to know where, but later they found out you designed it yourself, and they were surprise. They believe there’s nothing you can’t do.” 

Hu Jie gently clarified it for her. 

Tang Momo felt a bit speechless. So, she became popular because of a dress?  

“Everyone is rushing to buy woolen cloth, saying they want to make a skirt like yours.” 

After Wang Qian finished speaking, she looked at her with a flattering look on her face, “Momo, can you design one for me too?” 

Wang Qian felt that she was not suitable for wearing suspenders, so she wanted Tang Momo to draw a new style for her. 

“Sure, but you’ll have to wait until I’m done with my current work,” Tang Momo replied. 

“Don’t worry, I plan to wear it for the Chinese New Year and I’ll also wear a woolen coat outside it. It will definitely look good then.” Wang Qian said, looking pleased. 

When Tang Momo heard this, she glanced at Wang Qian twice. It seemed that this girl had a great sense of style. 

Tang Momo then pulled Hu Jie aside and whispered, “You would look great in a long dress. When I have some free time, I’ll design a new style for you as well.”  

Hu Jie had a gentle and graceful demeanor, and Tang Momo thought she would suit an ankle-length dress perfectly. 

“Then I’ll trouble you, Momo,” Hu Jie said, feeling a bit embarrassed. 

“It’s no trouble at all,” Tang Momo reassured her. They usually took good care of her, so this was her way of repaying them.  

The three of them walked towards the factory together and happened to meet Yang Jianlin. 

Yang Jianlin nodded to them and went directly to the factory director’s office. He would go to the newspaper office later and give them the pictures he took yesterday. 

“Secretary Yang looked good yesterday. It’s a pity,” Wang Qian said regretfully.   

Although Wang Qian didn’t say it outright, everyone knew what she meant by “pity.” 

Tang Momo glanced at Hu Jie next to her. Seeing her lowered eyes and unable to see clearly the emotions in her eyes, Tang Momo patted Wang Qian’s shoulder and said, “Alright, enough with the regret. Let’s get going.” 

 *** 

Gu Chengze was a little nervous when he received Tang Momo’s reply again. He hesitated for a long time before opening the letter. Although Tang Momo’s words were still distant and polite, Gu Chengze felt a changed in her attitude from her choice of words. 

For a moment, there was a smile on his face, and he thought that maybe letting nature take its course was the best way. 

However, this joy didn’t last more than two days. This time, he received a letter from Xu Xiaoyun. Although the envelope didn’t have a name on it, he recognized her handwriting at a glance.  

After hesitating for a moment, he opened the envelope, and inside there was only a photo cut out from a newspaper. 

***

🌸 Thank you so much for reading! 🌸 If you’d like to download the PDF or EPUB version, you can grab it for free on my Ko-Fi page! ☕📖✨

https://ko-fi.com/s/3b1f469e02