Chapter 44 : Imagination is beautiful

Han Zhenyu found that the two women looked familiar and remembered that they were the secretaries of the trade union.

He seemed to have only met these two people a few times, so why did this girl look like she was very familiar with him?

But he didn’t think much about it, just smiled and nodded, “Yes.”

Zhu Yanli smiled and said, “We’re going to the cafeteria too, let’s go together.” As she said that, she winked at Chen Hong.

Chen Hong glared at her, then looked at Han Zhenyu next to her and lowered her head shyly.

Han Zhenyu felt it was inappropriate when he heard her say that they should go to the cafeteria together.

He, a grown man, was going to have dinner with two girls he didn’t know well? What was that?

What if people misunderstand him? He’s a married man.

Just as he was about to say no, a man suddenly ran over from behind and said, “Han Zhenyu, the departure time has been advanced. Let’s go eat.”

It was Li Shaohua from the transport team. This time, he and Han Zhenyu drove the same car to the south.

This greeting helped Han Zhenyu out of the awkward situation. He nodded slightly to Chen Hong and Zhu Yanli, then followed Li Shaohua to the cafeteria.

Chen Hong watched Han Zhenyu walk away, pouting, and her mood became very depressed.

Zhu Yanli smiled and comforted her, “Although drivers often travel on business, they have high salaries, and I heard they also have extra income. If the two of you really get together, your life will definitely be better than living at your parents’ house.”

Chen Hong became even more annoyed after hearing this. She liked Han Zhenyu very much and wanted to be with him every day.

Although being a driver earns more, he would be away for most of the month.

If they get married in the future, wouldn’t she be alone? What’s the difference between that and not getting married?

Seeing that she was still upset, Zhu Yanli leaned over to her ear and smiled wickedly, “I think it’s good to marry a driver. Since you’re not often at home, you and your spouse won’t get tired of each other. Every time he comes back, it’s like a reunion. Just thinking about it gets me excited.”

Chen Hong’s face flushed with shame, and she reached out to pinch her. “I told you not to talk nonsense. Stop talking nonsense.”

“I didn’t say anything wrong. Why are you blushing? Did I say something that touched your heart?”

“If you say that again, I’ll tear your mouth apart.” The two of them laughed and chased each other to the cafeteria.

Li Shaohua and Han Zhenyu had already prepared the meal.

Li Shaohua took a mouthful of rice and bumped Han Zhenyu’s shoulder with a smile.

“A few days ago, Secretary Chen from the union asked me about you. I think she must be interested in you. She’s pretty and comes from a good family. Would you like to consider her?”

Han Zhenyu’s hand holding the chopsticks paused for a moment. Thinking about the shy look of the female comrade just now, he suddenly realized that he wasn’t overthinking.

He looked at Li Shaohua sternly and said, “Shaohua, don’t talk nonsense. I already have a wife.”

Li Shaohua almost spit out the food in his mouth. He stared at him and asked, “What did you say? You have a wife? When did you get married?”

Han Zhenyu took a bite of rice and said slowly, “I’ve been married for half a year.”

“Then why haven’t I heard you say that?” Li Shaohua was even more surprised.

He and Han Zhenyu spent most of the month together, and this guy had never mentioned marriage. How come he suddenly has a wife?

Han Zhenyu raised his eyebrows and smiled, “Do you think everyone is as obsessed with wives as you are, always talking about them? I’m afraid others don’t even know you have one.”

Li Shaohua is the nephew of a leader in the transport team. Although he is only one year older than Han Zhenyu, he has been driving in the machinery factory for four years.

He got married in December last year. His wife works in the cafeteria, and the couple has a very good relationship.

Li Shaohua ignored Han Zhenyu’s joke, stared at him for a while, then lowered his head and ate his food with big mouthfuls.

After a long while, he hesitantly asked, “Han Zhenyu, was your stepmother the one who found your wife for you?”

When Han Zhenyu first entered the machinery factory, his uncle had arranged the two of them together and told him to get along well with Han Zhenyu.

He had been a little skeptical at first, but after dealing with him a few times, he felt that this person was quite nice.

Now, he considered Han Zhenyu his best friend and told him everything.

But this guy got married quietly and didn’t even mention it to me.

Given Han Zhenyu’s personality, he would never speak about such matters.

There was only one possibility: the wife he married was not the one he liked at all. Most likely, he was forced into it by his stepmother, and she might even be unattractive.

Although Han Zhenyu didn’t know what Li Shaohua was thinking, with Li Shaohua’s vivid imagination, he must have created a dramatic scenario in his mind.

He patted Li Shaohua on the shoulder and smiled, “Don’t think too much. My wife is an educated youth. She doesn’t like crowds, so there was no banquet.”

“Really?” Li Shaohua asked, still doubtful.

Han Zhenyu knew he was concerned, so he smiled and nodded, “I used to live with them, so it wasn’t convenient to invite you over. Now we have separated. My wife is building a house, and when it’s finished, I’d like to invite you and your wife over for a meal and for you to meet her.”

Li Shaohua was relieved after hearing this but still couldn’t help complaining, “Your marriage is such a big deal. You should’ve told me so I could express my congratulations.”

“Alright, enough with the formalities, let’s eat quickly. It’s almost time to leave.”

The two finished their meal and left the cafeteria with their rice bowls.

Chen Hong and Zhu Yanli were still in line for food. Seeing the two men hurry out, Chen Hong wanted to chase after them but felt it wouldn’t be proper.

Thinking there would be more opportunities in the future, she stopped but wasn’t in the mood to wait in line.

She said to Zhu Yanli in front of her, “Yanli, I just remembered my mother asked me to go home for dinner tonight. Why don’t you come with me?”

“Ah, why didn’t you say so earlier?” Zhu Yanli said as she saw it was almost her turn. “You should go home quickly. There are dishes I like today, so I’ll eat in the cafeteria.”

“Okay, Yanli, I’ll leave first.” Chen Hong waved at her and left the cafeteria.

But instead of going home, she hurried to the transport team. She wanted to get another glimpse of Han Zhenyu.

Several machines were shipped south today, and four trucks from the transport department lined up.

The first truck started slowly, followed by the other three.

When Chen Hong arrived at the transport team, she only saw the back of the last truck.

She sighed in frustration, and when she noticed a young man looking at her, she snorted haughtily and headed back to the dormitory building, swinging her two braids.

As soon as Chen Hong reached the second floor, she saw her mother, Yu Huimin, making dumplings at the door.

Her eyes lit up. She was glad she hadn’t eaten in the cafeteria after all.

“Mom, you’re making dumplings! What’s in the filling?”

Yu Huimin saw her daughter come in and smiled, “Pork and pickled cabbage. We’re lucky today. We managed to get two taels of meat this morning. Go wash your hands quickly, and we can eat right away.”

“Yeah.” Chen Hong didn’t enter the house but went straight to the bathroom at the end of the corridor.

When she finished washing her hands and returned home, Yu Huimin had already cooked the dumplings.