Chapter 11: Wang Qiuya Comes Clean

Zhang Cuihua skillfully dished out meals to the steel factory workers while occasionally glancing toward the line, looking for her soon-to-be daughter-in-law.

As soon as Su Yue found her spot in the queue, Zhang Cuihua spotted her.

Her already not-so-small eyes narrowed with joy, her lips curving up high into a bright smile.

Her little daughter-in-law was so pretty—she stood out in the crowd. Zhang Cuihua caught sight of her with just a glance.

Excited, she nudged the woman next to her, Wang Qin. “Sis, can I switch spots with you?”

Wang Qin was an easy-going person. Without hesitation, she replied, “Sure, Sister Zhang.”

With that, the two quickly switched positions. The No. 3 canteen had two food windows selling the exact same dishes. Since there weren’t any performance quotas, changing spots was no big deal.

Soon, it was Li Shufang’s turn. She leaned slightly forward and said to Zhang Cuihua behind the window, “One portion of braised pork and two steamed buns, please.” Then she placed her lunchbox on the counter.

Zhang Cuihua responded enthusiastically, “Help yourself to the buns. That’s three yuan and twenty cents, plus one jin and two liang of grain coupons.”

Li Shufang was a little surprised. She often saw this lunch lady in the cafeteria but didn’t really know her well. Still, she figured the woman must be in a good mood today and didn’t think too much about it. She handed over the money and coupons.

Zhang Cuihua took the money and coupons, dropped them into the drawer, picked up the lunchbox, and scooped out a heaping spoonful of braised pork. The portion was so generous it made one smile.

Li Shufang was certainly pleased. She took out the cloth bag she’d prepared, stepped aside, and picked up her buns with chopsticks.

As she moved, Su Yue behind her became visible.

Zhang Cuihua’s smile grew even warmer. “Xiao Su! You’re coming to our place for dinner tonight, right?”

Su Yue smiled sweetly. “Yes, Auntie Zhang. I’d like one rice, one braised pork, and one potato and eggplant stew.” She handed over two lunchboxes.

“Alrighty. That’s three yuan and two liang of grain coupons.”

Seeing that Su Yue only had two lunchboxes, after scooping the rice, Zhang Cuihua added a ladle of braised pork sauce over it. Then she generously scooped out a full portion of potato and eggplant stew to place on top.

Zhang Cuihua thought to herself: This girl is too honest. Tonight I’ll have to remind her—next time she gets one rice and two dishes, she should bring three lunchboxes. That way, she’ll get more food.

When it came time to scoop the braised pork, Zhang Cuihua’s hand was steady and precise. One full ladle went in, filling two-thirds of the lunchbox.

Su Yue closed the lunchbox with a smile and said sweetly, “Auntie, I’m off to eat now.”
With that, she stepped aside, not wanting to hold Zhang Cuihua up from her work.

Li Shufang saw this and asked, “Is she your future mother-in-law?”

Su Yue smiled with bright eyes and nodded with a soft “Mm-hmm.”

Li Shufang nodded, then reminded her, “I’m going home for lunch. I’ll be back to unlock the office at 1:50. Don’t come too early.” With that, she turned and left.

At that moment, Wang Qiuya had just finished getting her food and quickly walked over to Su Yue. “Let’s go back to the dorm to eat.”

Su Yue hesitated slightly. “I share a dorm with others.”

Wang Qiuya chuckled. “I was planning to tell you at the dorm—I’m actually your dormmate. Come on.”

The two walked side by side toward the dormitory. There were quite a few people headed in the same direction, most of them girls around eighteen or nineteen. For a moment, Su Yue felt like she was still in school.

When they reached the dorm, Wang Qiuya pulled out her key and opened the door. As she did, she explained, “I usually don’t stay in the dorm, but I come here at noon to take a quick nap.”

Su Yue nodded slightly. After entering the room, she placed the lunchbox containing the braised pork in a shady spot before opening her meal to eat.

Wang Qiuya also opened her two lunchboxes and pushed the one with the braised pork toward Su Yue. “This looks delicious, but I can’t finish it by myself. Have some.”

“No need, I got some braised pork too at lunch…” Su Yue hurriedly declined.

But before she could finish her refusal, Wang Qiuya had already placed a few pieces of pork onto Su Yue’s lunchbox lid.

Seeing this, Su Yue smiled and thanked her.

Since Wang Qiuya also had potato and eggplant stew, Su Yue didn’t offer her own portion.

As they ate, Wang Qiuya asked curiously, “So, how did you meet your fiancé?”

“We were high school classmates.”

Wang Qiuya nodded, took a bite of braised pork, and added, “Today, our department head reported what happened with Qin Mingyue to Deputy Director Qin. Before we got off work, I overheard the director say that Qin Mingyue told the deputy director that you two were classmates and she was just joking around with you this morning. I think Deputy Director Qin might come talk to you this afternoon.”

There was a trace of concern in her voice.

Su Yue nodded calmly. “I’m not that close with Qin Mingyue—not nearly close enough to make that kind of joke.”

Wang Qiuya nodded again, and the two continued eating in silence.

After lunch, Su Yue stood up to go wash her lunchboxes, when Wang Qiuya suddenly said, “Su Yue, when Qin Mingyue was giving you a hard time this morning, our team lead was about to step in—but I deliberately pretended to have something urgent and distracted her.”

She looked at Su Yue with a guilty expression.

Su Yue turned around and met Wang Qiuya’s gaze evenly. “I saw that. I just didn’t expect you’d actually tell me the truth.”
Wang Qiuya sighed. “You’ve probably figured it out already. My aunt is the head of the logistics department, but I got this job on my own through the entrance exam. It was supposed to be a formal position, but Deputy Director Qin wanted to place his niece, so he suggested hiring two temp workers and deciding after a one-month trial who gets the permanent job. I was really upset about it, which is why I let Qin Mingyue trip up—to catch her making a mistake.”

Looking at Wang Qiuya, Su Yue guessed, “You’re worried Deputy Director Qin might cause me trouble, and that’s why you’re telling me this?”

Wang Qiuya nodded quickly, her face tense with concern. “My aunt said he’s narrow-minded and holds grudges—a real petty man. Even my aunt and uncle try not to offend him. Oh, and my uncle is also a deputy director at our factory.”

Su Yue gave a soft “Mm” and said, “I’m going to wash the dishes.” Then she turned and headed to the washroom.

When she returned, Wang Qiuya had already left.

Su Yue closed the dorm door, went over to the bed, and lay down for a nap.

When she woke up and checked her watch, it was already 1:30. She got up and went to the washroom to wash her face.