Aze must have gone to the Tang family because of his grandmother. 

Xu Xiaoyun went home and changed her clothes. She didn’t return the cosmetics Bai Lu had given her last time, and since she was afraid it would be too obvious, she simply applied a light layer of lipstick. 

Gu Chengze heard Xu Xiaoyun’s voice from a distance, and he suddenly became confused. Why was she so sure that it was because of his grandmother that he went to the Tang family? Did something happen between her and Tang Momo in her previous life? 

Seeing Xu Xiaoyun was getting closer and closer, Gu Chengze put away his doubts and wore his usual expression on his face. 

When Xu Xiaoyun saw the figure in front of her, she couldn’t help but slow down. In her previous life, although they had been married for nearly two years, they had spent less than two months together. 

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say they were strangers, as their interactions had been quite distant. Back then, she felt frustrated waiting for Gu Chengze to come and comfort her. Unfortunately, he wore a cold expression every day, which only made Xu Xiaoyun angrier and more frustrated. 

Zhao Xiuli had always encouraged her to join the army, but Gu Chengze never brought it up, and she couldn’t bring herself to mention it either. The idea tempted her, but since Gu Chengze didn’t say anything, she kept quiet as well. This continued for over a year until Tie Yanming appeared. 

At first, Xu Xiaoyun did not accept Tie Yanming’s advances. After all, she was married, so she had to restrain herself, even if she had any small thoughts. 

It wasn’t until the time she fell into the water and Tie Yanming rescued her that she began to see things differently. He understood her worries and left quickly after saving her, without mentioning it to anyone. 

He secretly came over to help her with the heavy work at home every day. With Tie Yanming’s comparison, Xu Xiaoyun became more and more dissatisfied with Gu Chengze. In the end, she and Tie Yanming decided to cross the line. 

Thinking of this, Xu Xiaoyun quickly suppressed these memories. She was short-sighted and was swayed by a few small favors from Tie Yanming. After all, the money Gu Chengze sent back every month was enough for her to live on. 

Next year, when Tie Yanming is assigned here, I will not let him have an easy time. 

Recalling her fate from her previous life, Xu Xiaoyun clenched her fists. 

Gu Chengze lowered his gaze to hide his emotions. It seemed that, as he had previously suspected, the educated youth she mentioned hadn’t been sent to the brigade yet. 

“Comrade Gu, I came to ask you about Momo. She and I grew up together, and we had some misunderstandings in the past. I didn’t expect her to leave suddenly. We are friends, and I believe she isn’t the type of person who leaves without saying anything.” 

Xu Xiaoyun had an expression on her face that said, “Even though I am sad, I believe in her.” 

Gu Chengze unconsciously took a step back. “In this case, aren’t you looking for Tang Momo? What’s the use of telling me this?” 

He had heard Tang Jianan mention this matter yesterday. It was clearly that Xu Xiaoyun let her family ridicule Tang Momo after Tang Dajun passed away, and that was why they gradually lost contact. How had it turned into Tang Momo avoiding her after she become a worker? 

Xu Xiaoyun was stunned, obviously not expecting Gu Chengze’s reaction. She lowered her eyes and shook her head. “I also want to find her, but I don’t know where she is.” 

Gu Chengze chuckled lightly. “Everyone in the entire brigade knows that she works in a food factory. If you really wanted to find her, why wouldn’t you be able to find out about her?” 

The clear mockery in Gu Chengze’s eyes made Xu Xiaoyun uncomfortable. She bit her lower lip fiercely and resented Tang Momo’s existence in her heart. 

How infuriating! He actually defended Tang Momo. Why didn’t Tang Momo die in the heavy rain on the mountain a while ago like she did in her previous life? Wouldn’t there be less trouble now?! 

For a moment, Gu Chengze’s expression stiffened, but he quickly realized it wasn’t appropriate and adjusted himself to meet Xu Xiaoyun’s smiling face. “I’m being foolish; I forgot about this. Thank you, Comrade Gu, for reminding me.” 

As soon as Xu Xiaoyun turned around, she couldn’t hold back her smile anymore. Why was Tang Momo so annoying?  

When her father died, she thought she would finally live worse than she had before. But it hadn’t been long, and she had moved to the city. Even Gu Chengze, who was usually cold, was speaking up for her. Why was she always so lucky?  

After Xu Xiaoyun left, Gu Chengze stayed where he was, unable to move on. Did Tang Momo really die young in their previous life? 

But if it was really true, then how come Tang Momo knew about what happened between him and Xu Xiaoyun? Gu Chengze was confused again. 

Fortunately, Xu Xiaoyun said that Tang Momo’s early death was due to the last heavy rain. Since she survives, she should be fine by now. 

Because of Xu Xiaoyun’s words, Gu Chengze had been a little absent-minded. Seeing this, Zhao Xiuli couldn’t help but ask with concern, “What’s wrong? You seem down.” 

Gu Chengze shook his head. “It’s nothing. I’m just thinking about returning to the team.” 

“Aren’t there still a few days left? Why do you want to go back early?” 

Zhao Xiuli thought he would be leaving soon, and she felt a bit anxious. 

“I’m just thinking on what to things I need to bring in advance?” Gu Chengze calmed down and comforted her. 

“That’s good. Your uncle hasn’t brought the things I asked someone to find for you yet. It will probably take two days, so there’s no need to rush. I also visited Aunt Xi yesterday and told her not to worry about you anymore. I just felt a little bad for keeping her busy for so long.” 

Zhao Xiuli couldn’t help but sigh after speaking. 

“Well, I’m not in a hurry so we can talk about it later.” 

Gu Chengze had lost interest in the idea of seeing anyone. 

*** 

Because everyone knew that Tang Xiaoxue forcibly took Tang Dajun’s job, they took good care of Zhang Xiaoli, who was reporting today. This made Zhang Xiaoli sigh in relief. She was originally worried that these people would not get along well with her. 

When she went to the union earlier, the vice-chairman had spoken very gently and even asked if they had found a place to live.  

Regarding the children’s schooling, she even said that she would take care of it, since there were schools near the factory. 

Although Tang Dajun had worked at the shoe factory before, Zhang Xiaoli was not very familiar with the people around her since she had been raising her children in the countryside. 

Now that she was at the factory, she still felt a bit sad when they mentioned Tang Dajun. 

The morning passed quickly. Zhang Xiaoli followed them to the canteen, packed two meals, and took them home since Jianan and the twins were still waiting. 

Because they had just arrived, and with Zhang Xiaoli and Tang Momo’s instructions, Tang Jianan spent the whole morning tidying up things in the backyard with the twins. Yesterday, they had just tidied up casually, and many things needed to be rearranged.  

When Zhang Xiaoli returned, the three children were sitting in the living room waiting for her. When they saw the food she brought back, the two little ones ran over excitedly. 

***  

On Tang Momo’s side, she had been drawing all morning but was not satisfied with her work. It wasn’t until Yang Jianlin reminded her that it was already lunchtime that she realized how much time had passed.  

“Come on, let’s eat first. The production line hasn’t started yet, so there’s no need to rush on this.” 

After Yang Jianlin finished speaking, he glanced at the drawings on her desk. She had written and drawn many times that he could no longer see clearly what they looked like at the beginning. 

Tang Momo felt a bit embarrassed and scratched her head. She wasn’t in a hurry; she just forgot the time. She followed Yang Jianlin all the way to the canteen. She suddenly thought of the three children at home, and wondering if Zhang Xiaoli had brought the food back yet. 

“Worried about home?” 

Yang Jianlin noticed she seemed distracted.  

“Kind of. My younger siblings are the only ones at home today.” 

It was already a strange environment, and with small children, Tang Momo really felt a bit worried.  

“If you are really worried, you can go back for a bit later.” 

Yang Jianlin is the youngest in the family. He has been cared for by his elder brothers and sisters since he was a child, so he can understand the feelings of Tang Momo as the eldest sister. 

Tang Momo shook her head, “No need; I guess my mother will have gone back by now.” 

“If you really can’t relax, just go back for a bit. Otherwise, you’ll be worried all afternoon.”  

Yang Jianlin suggested. 

Tang Momo glanced at him when she heard this. He looked serious, which reminded her of what people call “old cadres” in later years, and she couldn’t help but laugh.  

Yang Jianlin was a little confused, “What are you laughing at?” 

Tang Momo shook her head, “It’s nothing.” 

Seeing her shaking her head, Yang Jianlin didn’t ask any more questions. “If you want to go, I left the bicycle keys on my desk.” 

“Okay, thank you, Brother Yang.” 

Tang Momo had already decided not to go back, but she still thanked Yang Jianlin for his kindness.  

After lunch, Tang Momo returned to the dormitory and was planning to take a short nap. As soon as she returned to the dormitory, she was grabbed by Wang Qian and Hu Jie, both of whom seemed a bit excited. “Momo, you had lunch with Secretary Yang today!” 

“Yes, what’s wrong?” 

Tang Momo was somewhat puzzled by their excitement. 

Seeing that Tang Momo was so calm, the two of them shook her arms harder. “Don’t you know that Secretary Yang is a flower in our food factory?” 

“A flower?” 

Tang Momo was even more confused; isn’t ‘flower’ used to describe girls?  

“Anyway, it means that Secretary Yang is the most handsome man in our food factory. I heard that he comes from a cadre family. The most important thing is that he is not married yet, so do you understand?” 

Hu Jie gave her a knowing look. 

“Oh, I see.”  

Tang Momo raised the corners of her lips; it seemed that Yang Jianlin was quite a figure in their factory.  

“The union has introduced several girls to Secretary Yang this year, but he turned them all down. So everyone was surprised to see you having lunch with him today.” 

Wang Qian explained softly.  

“I guess he puts his career first.” 

Tang Momo guessed. 

“Because he’s rejected so many offers, everyone is curious about whom he will marry in the end.” 

After Hu Jie finished speaking, she secretly glanced at Tang Momo. Momo was so pretty; she and Secretary Yang did make a good match. 

“Well, I guess we’ll only know when he gets married.” 

Tang Momo shrugged her shoulders.  

“Now that you’re working to the factory director’s office and working with Secretary Yang; it probably won’t be long before someone asks you about his preferences.” 

Wang Qian had one more thing she didn’t say: maybe some people would see her as a rival.  

“If they are willing to pay, I can consider it.” 

Tang Momo touched her chin with a serious look on her face. 

Hmm, perhaps she could give Yang Jianlin a heads-up in advance and they could split the money fifty-fifty.  

Everyone else in the dormitory was amused by Tang Momo’s idea. Tang Momo waved her hands toward them, “I’m exhausted from moving these past couple of days. I’m going to sleep.” 

Before Tang Momo fell asleep, she always felt that she had forgotten something, but unfortunately, she never remembered it. When sleep came over, she pushed that thought aside. 

Tang Xiaoxue took Chen Lanying around the city for a day, bought some things at the supply and marketing cooperative, and then sent her back to the Qingshui Brigade. 

She originally planned to go back herself, but thinking of the disdainful looks from the people at the brigade, she dismissed that idea.  

Since she wasn’t going back, she decided to tell Qiu Ming about Tang Momo’s situation tonight and ask him to take her to the Yang family.  

Thinking of this, Tang Xiaoxue did not go home directly. It wasn’t long until Qiu Ming would get off work. She might as well pick him up.   

Qiu Ming was a little surprised when he saw Tang Xiaoxue at the factory gate. Didn’t she say she was going back with her mother? 

“Why are you here?” 

After being married for over a decade, Qiu Ming knew her well enough to understand that she only took the initiative when there was something to gain. 

In the past, when he was young and they were newly married, Tang Xiaoxue did whatever she wanted. He once found that charming, but now it felt like she was just causing trouble.  

“Are you not happy that I came to pick you up from work?”  

Seeing his cold expression, Tang Xiaoxue’s tone also became colder. 

“Alright, let’s get to the point. Where’s your mother? Has she gone back?”  

Ever since the issue of replacement happened, Qiu Ming had grown increasingly impatient with Tang Xiaoxue.  

He felt she was both greedy and brainless. If only she had been a little more careful back then, no matter how much her sisters-in-law stirred things up now, she wouldn’t have been able to trouble them. 

“My mother has gone back. I came to see you for something important. Let’s eat out tonight. I have already told my mother about it.” 

Thinking about what she had to say next, Tang Xiaoxue began to soften her approach with Qiu Ming.  

Seeing his hesitation, Tang Xiaoxue quickly added, “It’s about my work.” 

 Only then did Qiu Ming glance at her. “Let’s go.”  

They chose a corner table, ensuring there were no familiar faces around before Tang Xiaoxue spoke up, “The vice chairman of our labor union came to see me yesterday.” 

“Why did they want to see you? Did you tell them that you don’t want to give up your job?” 

Qiu Ming asked with a displeased expression. 

Tang Xiaoxue shook her head. “No, she asked about my relationship with Tang Momo. Tang Momo has now entered the food factory.” 

“Your niece seems quite impressive,” Qiu Ming replied, sounding disinterested. 

“Impressive? She only got into the food factory because of her looks. The vice-chairman was actually warning me. Tang Momo somehow got to know her nephew, who is the secretary of the factory director. Not only did she get him to find her a job, but she also asked him to help with issues at the shoe factory.” 

“So? What does that have to do with us?”  

Qiu Ming felt that Tang Xiaoxue was being ridiculous. Wasn’t she like that back in the day?  

“What do you mean it has nothing to do with us? The Yang family is a cadre family; how could they let someone like her in? If the Yang family finds out, what if they blame us?” 

Tang Xiaoxue said this while assessing Qiu Ming’s attitude. 

Upon hearing this, Qiu Ming became serious. He had always lived under the shadow of his father and elder brother, whose only requirement of him was to avoid trouble. 

With this thought in mind, he glanced at Tang Xiaoxue and slowly said, “So, what do you plan to do?” 

“I think people won’t believe us if we deny our relationship, so before the Yang family’s parents know anything about it, we should come and apologize and let the Yang family believe that we are innocent. What do you think?” 

After saying this, Tang Xiaoxue cautiously looked at the person across from her. 

Qiu Ming hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Okay, after we finished eating, we’ll go.” 

***

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