Chapter 48

He Cheng’an was in the midst of renovations at the Seagull Community in the provincial city. Six or seven households had nearly completed their renovations, and he had already collected the payment.

Once the furniture from the store was delivered, He Cheng’an received a commission as well.

When Zhang Hao returned with food, He Cheng’an was in the yard counting money.

April had arrived, and the weather was just right. It was warm but not too thin to dress. The spring breeze blew through, lifting everyone’s spirits.

Zhang Hao said, “Just wait a few more days; a few more households will be completed together.”

When he mentioned this, Zhang Hao was not worried but happy. With the Seagull Community nearing completion, He Cheng’an had also secured six households in a nearby community, Chengfu Garden, so they wouldn’t have to worry about a lack of work in the future.

Zhang Hao continued, “It seems like house prices have risen again recently. When I was working, I heard the homeowners say that prices might increase even more in the future. Brother He, are you considering buying a place in the provincial city?”

The money He Cheng’an had earned wasn’t enough to buy a large apartment, but it was sufficient for a smaller one, around sixty or seventy square meters, or perhaps a bit larger.

He Cheng’an thought of the terrace apartment in the Seagull Community. He wanted to buy it for Lu Yun, but he knew he didn’t have enough money.

The terrace apartment was over one hundred sixty square meters and would cost more than one hundred thirty thousand. If he included renovation and tax costs, it would be close to one hundred fifty thousand before it was ready to move in.

As for Zhang Hao’s suggestion to buy a smaller place first, he had considered that as well.

He Cheng’an replied, “I’ll go back and discuss it with Ah Yun.”

Zhang Hao chuckled in the yard and said, “What do you mean discuss? You want to ask for her opinion, right?”

—o—o—o—

Recently, Lu Yun had also developed some acne on her face. When He Cheng’an returned with Lu Dong, Lu Yun was in the process of squeezing her pimples, doing so carefully and attentively, but in the end, she still hesitated to continue.

She had even found an excuse for herself; He Cheng’an had come over, so she decided to put off dealing with her pimples until next time.

However, Lu Yun still felt confident about her skin. If one were to describe what made Lu Yun happiest, it would probably be the description in the original text: that the Female Supporting Character, even nearing thirty, looked almost the same as she did in her twenties, and her style and temperament had matured even further.

Lu Yun had something she wanted to tell He Cheng’an, and He Cheng’an had something he wanted to say to her as well. When they both called each other’s names almost simultaneously, Lu Yun smiled and gestured for He Cheng’an to go ahead.

He Cheng’an began, “Many of the renovations I was doing over at the Seagull Community have been completed. This time when I go back, a few more will be finished. In addition to that, I’ve secured some new renovation work at Chengfu Garden, so with everything combined, I should be able to buy you a smaller apartment in the provincial city.”

Without waiting for Lu Yun to respond, he continued, “I don’t mean to suggest that you need to move to the provincial city. We would just be buying a place there so that if you do decide to go, you could stay in an apartment instead of a rented room, which would be much more comfortable. And if you want to buy a house in the county, that’s an option too.”

Lu Yun asked, “But what if I want to stay in the county?”

He Cheng’an didn’t hesitate at all and replied, “Wherever Ah Yun is, that’s where I’ll be.”

Lu Yun couldn’t help but laugh, “So, off to the provincial city it is.”

During dinner that night, Zhang Meili was shocked to learn that He Cheng’an was actually planning to buy Lu Yun a house in the provincial city.

Like the rest of the Lu family, her expression was one of astonishment. She thought that even if they moved to the provincial city, it would just be Lu Yun and He Cheng’an renting a place together.

Zhang Meili was also aware of how much money He Cheng’an had saved since he had previously shown her his bankbook. It hadn’t been long, yet he was already able to consider buying a house in the provincial city.

He Cheng’an added, “It might be a little small, but once I earn more money, we can buy a bigger one, and you can all move in together.” When he said this, his sincerity was evident; he didn’t seem to be merely saying nice things.

To He Cheng’an, the Lu family was like his own family, and he wanted Lu Yun to live with them.

Zhang Meili’s eyes glistened with tears as she said, “Just look at the son-in-law we found.”

. —o—o—o—

Since she had made up her mind to move to the provincial city, Lu Yun wasn’t the type to waver. She had been finding her review for the college entrance exam increasingly challenging. Balancing work and study had become exhausting, so she figured it would be better to resign early and focus entirely on her studies. Thus, resigning from her job became a priority on her agenda.

Lu Yun wanted to invite everyone from her office out for a meal. Ideally, she should have booked a private room at a hotel, but they all preferred to eat the spicy skewers from Lu Yun’s shop.

With a smile, Lu Yun said, “Spicy skewers will have to wait for another time. Let’s go to the State-Owned Restaurant this time.”

In the office, Sister Sun, who had the best relationship with Lu Yun, couldn’t help but ask, “Why the sudden invitation for everyone?”

Lu Yun replied, “I’m going to resign.”

Sister Sun gasped, “You… you’re resigning?”

Lu Yun nodded, “Yes, I am. Most of He Cheng’an’s business is in the provincial city. After we get married, it’ll be too inconvenient for him to keep traveling back and forth. But it’s not just for him; I want to go to university, and I want to attend a university in the provincial city. So, moving there is a good choice for me.”

Although Sister Sun wished to continue working alongside Lu Yun and considered her a friend, she recognized that moving to the provincial city was a positive step for Lu Yun. Moreover, Lu Yun was also preparing for college.

Sister Sun said, “Going to university is great! You have to make sure you get in! You won’t believe it; I ran into Li Chunxia at the bookstore when I was buying books for my son. She was so full of herself that if you didn’t know better, you’d think she was already a university student. Now everyone in the factory is saying she and Chen Zhiqiang make a perfect couple.”

Hearing about Li Chunxia and Chen Zhiqiang again left Lu Yun with a feeling of disconnection, as if she were trying to recall her life before her journey. Perhaps it was because she was currently focused on her present, working hard for her future, and rarely thought about those old matters.

As for the future, she was now actively pursuing it.

Lu Yun responded calmly, “Let her worry about her own university. I’ll focus on mine. If I keep comparing myself to her, how will I live my life? I’d just be fixated on her every day.”

Sister Sun laughed, “You’re right. There’s really no point in that.”

Sister Sun then asked, “You’ll need to rent a place first when you get to the provincial city, right?”

Lu Yun shook her head, “No, we’re going to buy a place first.”

Sister Sun gasped and covered her mouth, “You’re buying a house?”

In Sister Sun’s mind, buying a house in the provincial city meant that Lu Yun and He Cheng’an were establishing their footing there.

As they headed to the cafeteria, they happened to run into some people from other offices. Although it was a bit awkward for them, they greeted Lu Yun and Sister Sun before quickly making their exit.

In the afternoon, news of Lu Yun’s resignation began to spread through the Cotton Textile Factory. It was said that their factory’s “Changhua” ^[1]literally “Factory Flower,” a term often used to describe the most beautiful person in a factory was leaving to move to the provincial city with her partner, who was planning to buy a house there.

When Lu Yun heard this, she didn’t think much of it and continued to focus on her tasks, preparing to resign and hand over her work.

The deputy director of the office looked at Lu Yun, wanting to ask if she had thought it through, but upon hearing that she and her partner were buying a house in the provincial city, he felt there was really nothing to ponder.

If she were his daughter, he would certainly encourage her to resign, after all, everyone hoped for a better life.

—o—o—o—

Later that evening, when Lu Yun was on her way home, she ran into Chen Zhiqiang outside the Cotton Textile Factory. He stepped forward, making Lu Yun feel as though this encounter was not by chance, but that he had been waiting for her.

Since their last meeting, Lu Yun and Chen Zhiqiang had crossed paths several times in the factory, but they had always just brushed past each other without speaking.

Chen Zhiqiang asked, “Are you going to resign?”

Lu Yun nodded without saying a word.

Chen Zhiqiang continued, “Have you thought this through? Once you resign, it won’t be easy to come back and find an office job.”

Lu Yun replied, “Thanks, but I’ve made my own decision. Besides, let’s not forget what you said.”

After watching Lu Yun ride away on her bicycle, Chen Zhiqiang caught up with her, cycling alongside her.

Chen Zhiqiang said, “Lu Yun, can I ask you a question? When you…”

Lu Yun stopped her bicycle and responded, “Chen Zhiqiang, you know what your aunt, your sister, and your parents are like, right? I’m too delicate to handle those kinds of people. I’ve come to realize that I don’t have feelings for you anymore; it’s just that simple.”

Chen Zhiqiang stared at her, pressing on, “Is it more about them or about us?”

Lu Yun replied firmly, “It’s not about one being more than the other. Just think about it: if I were with you, what kind of life would we have? When your aunt and sister bully me, would you stand up for me? And if we divorced, would I be the one they say, ‘Thank goodness she’s gone,’ while you introduce your second wife to others, lamenting how if you’d met her first, you wouldn’t have married Lu Yun?”

Lu Yun wanted to limit her connection with Chen Zhiqiang. Her words were a form of self-assertion and also a reflection of the sentiments expressed in the original text, encapsulating her role as a Female Supporting Character.

She concluded, “So, this is truly the best decision I could make right now.”

Chen Zhiqiang’s voice unintentionally rose a bit, “And what about He Cheng’an? Doesn’t his family have any issues?”

Lu Yun smiled and replied, “Chen Zhiqiang, as for He Cheng’an’s family, the only time they approached us was once because of my appearance, but they haven’t bothered me since then.”

The reason was simple: they were fine because He Cheng’an had taken on all the responsibility and hadn’t even discussed it with Lu Yun.

Meanwhile, Li Jiao, who had recently started dating someone from the Cotton Textile Factory, noticed Lu Yun and Chen Zhiqiang together. She ignored her own partner and ran over to hide, eavesdropping on their conversation.

Li Jiao’s partner quickly pointed out, “That’s our Changhua, Lu Yun.” Assuming Li Jiao didn’t know, he recounted the situation, ultimately exclaiming, “But our Changhua is truly impressive; she’s even buying a house in the provincial city!”

This incident highlights the societal pressures and expectations surrounding relationships, particularly within a close-knit community.

Lu Yun’s assertiveness in addressing her relationship with Chen Zhiqiang reflects a growing awareness and desire for agency in her life choices, reinforcing the importance of self-determination in navigating personal relationships.