Chapter 147 : Emergency Notice

Seeing that Han Zhenyu was truly angry, Su Xieqiu realized she couldn’t confront him directly. She needed to think of a way to smooth things over first.

She pondered briefly, then let her expression fall, pretending to be upset. “Han Zhenyu, what do you mean? Do you think I spent your money?” she snapped.

Before he could respond, she shoved the money in her hand into his arms. “Here, take your money. Keep it for yourself from now on. I won’t use a single penny of yours anymore.”

Han Zhenyu’s face darkened. Her accusation made it seem like he was unwilling to let her spend money, completely missing the point of his concern.

“Su Xieqiu, stop twisting things. You know that’s not what I mean,” he said firmly.

He placed the money on the kang and stared at her. “Now tell me, who’s been supplying you with these goods?”

Realizing her ploy hadn’t worked, Su Xieqiu stuck to her story. “I already told you last time. The supplier didn’t want to reveal their identity. I promised to keep it a secret, so how could I go back on my word?”

“Fine, fine, fine… You won’t say, is that it?” Han Zhenyu muttered, pacing the room angrily.

After a moment, his tone softened. “Su Xieqiu, please, don’t go to the black market anymore, okay? I don’t want you taking risks. I can provide for you.”

His sudden change in demeanor melted her defenses. When he had been stern, she could counter his every move. But now, his heartfelt concern and pleading stirred warmth in her heart, and her eyes reddened slightly.

However, she still needed a reason to explain her supplies without revealing her secret space. The imaginary supplier would have to remain part of her story.

After a moment of silence, she looked at him seriously. “Han Zhenyu, there are some things I truly can’t tell you. But please believe me, there’s nothing shady about where these things come from. I don’t go to the black market, and I would never put myself in danger.”

She stepped closer, smiled, and took his hand. “I want to live a good life with you. I’d never do anything illegal, and I have no interest in the black market.”

Han Zhenyu gazed at the troublesome woman before him, realizing he was utterly in her grasp. He had never been so concerned about anyone else before. He wanted to protect her and keep her from harm.

He suddenly pulled her into a tight embrace. “Su Xieqiu, remember what I said today. If I ever find out you’ve gone to the black market, I will… I will deal with you myself.”

Su Xieqiu rested her head on his chest, wrapped her arms around his waist, and whispered, “Okay, I know.”

The two continued talking quietly for a while. Feeling his arms still wrapped tightly around her, she gently pinched his waist. “Aren’t you going to the factory? Hurry up and go.”

Reluctantly, Han Zhenyu let her go. Glancing at his wristwatch, he said, “Alright, I’ll go now.”

“Come back early,” she reminded him as she walked him out. “And don’t forget the salt. I can’t make soybean paste without it.”

“I won’t forget,” he replied.

—

At the factory, Han Zhenyu headed straight to the transport team. Learning that the trucks were loading machinery in the third workshop, he made his way there.

Xu Haifeng and a few other drivers were chatting and laughing when they spotted him. “Zhenyu, aren’t you on break today? Why are you here again?” one of them asked, surprised.

Han Zhenyu greeted the group briefly and addressed Xu Haifeng. “Brother Xu, I need to borrow some tickets from you.”

He didn’t plan to share the details with the other drivers. In the transport team, he was close only to Li Shaohua and Xu Haifeng. The rest were acquaintances at best.

When he had first joined the factory, some of them had bullied him relentlessly. Though he had retaliated against them, he wasn’t one to forgive and forget easily. He remembered every slight and held onto those memories.

Now that Han Zhenyu had established himself within the transport team, those who once treated him poorly were now outwardly polite, addressing him as a brother and maintaining a friendly façade. However, beneath the surface, fierce competition and scheming among the drivers persisted.

Xu Haifeng, noticing Han Zhenyu’s serious expression, quickly walked over and asked, “What kind of tickets do you need?” as he pulled out a stack of cash and various tickets from his pocket.

Drivers often carried ample money and coupons while on business trips, ready to buy valuable items they could resell later.

Han Zhenyu didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he led Xu Haifeng to a quieter spot and whispered, “Brother Xu, I’m not here to borrow tickets. I’ve got something to tell you.”

Surprised, Xu Haifeng asked, “What’s the matter? Why so urgent?”

Han Zhenyu lowered his voice further. “I just heard from a friend that the higher-ups might investigate drivers for smuggling goods.”

Xu Haifeng’s eyes widened in shock. “What? Zhenyu, is that news reliable?”

Han Zhenyu shook his head. “I’m not sure yet. It’s just what I heard. But since you’re heading to the provincial capital today, I thought I should let you know. What you do with the information is up to you.”

After a moment of consideration, Xu Haifeng decided to pause all trades for the time being. Knowing Han Zhenyu’s cautious nature, he realized that Zhenyu wouldn’t have shared this warning unless there was a real possibility of trouble.

“Zhenyu, you’re a good brother. Thank you,” Xu Haifeng said sincerely.

“Brother Xu,” Han Zhenyu replied, half-jokingly, “I can’t guarantee the news is accurate. If this delays you from making money, don’t hold it against me.”

Xu Haifeng laughed. “Zhenyu, do I look like someone who doesn’t know how to appreciate kindness? You risked a lot to share this with me. How could I blame you for losing out on some money? If I did, would I even be human?”

“Of course, I trust your character, Brother Xu. That’s why I came to you with this as soon as I heard,” Han Zhenyu said. Glancing toward the other drivers nearby, he added, “My friend took a big risk telling me this. If word gets out and the higher-ups catch wind of it, it’ll cause a lot of trouble. So…”

Xu Haifeng understood the gravity of the situation. “Don’t worry, Zhenyu. This stays between us. I won’t tell anyone.”

Relieved, Han Zhenyu smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Brother Xu. I trust you. I’ll head out now. Drive safe.”

“Alright, and when I’m back, we’ll have a drink together.”

“Deal.”

As Han Zhenyu rode away on his bicycle, Xu Haifeng returned to the workshop.

The other drivers eyed him curiously. “Haifeng, what were you two talking about so secretively?” one asked.

“Oh, Zhenyu wants to buy clothes for his wife but doesn’t have enough cloth coupons, so he borrowed two from me,” Xu Haifeng lied smoothly.

One of the drivers snickered. “Wow, didn’t think he’d be that romantic. A grown man buying clothes for his wife, what a catch.”

Xu Haifeng ignored the crude remark. The other drivers often made inappropriate jokes, and trying to stop them only encouraged them further. He found it best to let their chatter fade into boredom on its own.