Chapter 16 : Can I Tell the Truth?

When Yao Xiangling returned, Jiang Yu told her about going back to Nanghe Village.

Yao Xiangling didn’t think much of it. “She’s not wrong after all, they’re your parents. If you want to go back, just go.”

She handed Jiang Yu five yuan. “When you go back, don’t go empty-handed. Bring some candies or biscuits for your sister.”

Not a word was mentioned about Jiang Hao, indicating that Yao Xiangling truly looked down on him.

The next day, with five yuan in hand, Jiang Yu went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy some biscuits.

Seeing Xie Fei fei looking cheerful, she asked a few more questions.

Xie Fei fei shyly replied, “I’m considering whether to agree to date him.”

Jiang Yu was taken aback, knowing she meant Sun Zailiang.

She felt conflicted about whether to say anything.

Xie Fei fei turned to ask her opinion “What do you think of him?”

Jiang Yu hesitated and asked, “Can I speak honestly?”

Xie Fei fei replied, “… Go ahead.”

What had started as a casual question turned into a serious conversation.

Jiang Yu said earnestly, “I don’t think he’s that great. I saw him at the entrance of the second factory last time, holding hands with a female worker and even gave her a red scarf. That female worker… she even…”

“What else?” Xie Fei fei’s expression sharpened as she pressed.

“She kissed him!” Jiang Yu blurted out, raising her hand. “I swear, I really saw it! I’m not lying to you!”

Xie Fei fei’s face changed dramatically. “Who was that female worker?”

Jiang Yu shook her head. “I don’t know her. But regardless of who she is, it doesn’t change the fact that Sun Zailiang has poor character. Fei fei, I don’t think he deserves you.”

Xie Fei fei took in her words, looking increasingly upset.

The identity of that female worker didn’t matter, what mattered was that Sun Zailiang dared to play both sides!

“I understand now, Jiang Yu.”

Jiang Yu bit her lip. “Will you be angry with me?”

Seeing her cautious demeanor, Xie Fei fei smiled.

“How could I be? You telling me this means you consider me a friend. If this is true, I should thank you.”

Otherwise, if she had ended up dating such a man, she would feel nauseous thinking about it later.

After buying the snacks, Jiang Yu left, while Xie Fei fei pondered and decided to ask for leave from the director to stake out at the entrance of the second factory.

Originally just hoping for a chance encounter, she unexpectedly spotted Sun Zailiang when he showed up.

Xie Fei fei deliberately avoided him, observing from a distance.

Soon, the female workers from the second factory finished their shifts.

Among them was a pretty girl who, not caring about being labeled as scandalous, took Sun Zailiang’s hand.

Xie Fei fei sneered and walked out, pulling her bicycle along.

At the same time, Sun Zailiang noticed her and his expression changed slightly.

By the time he reacted, Xie Fei fei was already riding away.

Feeling regretful, he managed to restrain himself from chasing after her.

But he knew that with Xie Fei fei’s proud personality, he wouldn’t be able to catch up to her, which made him feel a bit disappointed.

In terms of dating, he was still keen on Zhao Qing, who was more compliant and understanding.

However, for marriage, it would be more beneficial to have Xie Fei fei’s status.

“Liangzi, what are you looking at?” Zhao Qing called to him several times.

She had also seen Xie Fei fei and, noticing her well-dressed appearance and a bicycle, sensed a potential threat.

A woman’s intuition told her that Sun Zailiang’s relationship with that woman was not innocent, filling Zhao Qing with a sense of crisis.

Sun Zailiang smiled. “Nothing much, just saw an acquaintance. Let’s go, I’ll take you to the state-run restaurant for dinner. I specially had someone save you a portion of braised pork!”

Zhao Qing’s heart was full of him as she shyly smiled. “You’re so good to me, Liangzi.”

Sun Zailiang’s vanity was satisfied, and he discreetly pinched her soft flesh.

“Shall we meet at our usual place tonight?”

Zhao Qing shot him a playful glare. “Alright.”

…

Xie Fei fei returned home in a huff, feeling extremely frustrated.

The thought of almost dating such a man made her want to vomit.

Remembering the recent arguments she had with her parents over Sun Zailiang, she felt guilty.

As soon as she stepped inside, her mother, Huang Ying, said, “Don’t stay mad at your father, he’s relented and allowed you to date Sun Zailiang. But you can’t marry too early, he needs to be evaluated.”

Hearing this made Xie Fei fei feel even worse, her eyes reddening.

“Mom, I was wrong. Dad was right, that Sun Zailiang isn’t a good person! He’s been two-timing, I saw it with my own eyes. Thank goodness I didn’t agree to date him.”

Her words happened to be overheard by Xie Jinchang, who slammed his cup in anger.

“That scoundrel! He dares to mess around with relationships? I must deal with him properly!”

Seeing him storm out in a rage, Huang Ying quickly stopped him.

“This can’t be made public, your daughter hasn’t even dated him! On what grounds would you deal with him?”

They could only take the hit silently, but thankfully, Xie Fei fei hadn’t been involved with him, so her reputation was safe.

Xie Jinchang snorted coldly. “I knew his intentions all along! I told you he wasn’t a good person, but you didn’t believe me!”

Sun Zailiang had an older sister who went to the countryside five years ago.

She was now 25 and still hadn’t married, hoping to find a way back to the city.

When she went to the countryside at 20, she was already of marriageable age and had someone to marry.

But if she didn’t go, then Sun Zailiang had to go.

Sun’s mother thought it over and broke up her daughter’s marriage, sending her to replace Sun Zailiang in the countryside.

Because of this, she felt guilty toward her daughter and wanted to find a way to bring her back to the city.

Getting Sun Zailiang close to Xie Fei fei was because Xie Jinchang was the deputy director of the second factory, she wanted to use him to arrange a job.

Huang Ying frowned. “It’s a good thing we caught this early, if we had found out after the wedding, it would have been a nightmare.”

Xie Fei fei felt disheartened; after all, Sun Zailiang was the first man she felt an attraction to, so she was somewhat saddened.

“If it weren’t for Jiang Yu, I’d still be in the dark.”

Huang Ying was surprised. “Who’s Jiang Yu? I’ve never heard you mention her.”

“She’s a new friend I made, she’s from the countryside and visiting relatives, staying at her aunt’s house. Thanks to her, I was able to stop myself in time.”

In just a few sentences, Huang Ying developed a fondness for Jiang Yu.

“She was willing to risk offending you to tell you this, it shows she truly considers you a friend and is a kind-hearted girl. Fei fei, you should keep your eyes open for such people, they are worth befriending,” Xie Jinchang advised.

Huang Ying took the opportunity to suggest, “We should thank her properly. How about inviting her over for dinner?”

Xie Jinchang agreed and told her to take charge.

Xie Fei fei was unsure. “I’ll ask her tomorrow, if she’s free, we can arrange something. By the way, Dad, Jiang Yu is looking for a job too. Is there anything suitable for her at the second factory?”

Xie Jinchang frowned. “Did she ask you for help?”

Xie Fei fei shook her head. “No, she doesn’t even know your identity, she just asked me a few questions.”

Xie Jinchang pondered for a moment. “Jobs at the factory are limited, there are also household registration restrictions. There’s no way she would get one.”