Chapter 4

He was in his final year at the public security school and was currently interning at the Public Security Bureau substation near the factory. If nothing unexpected happened, he would stay on there after graduation.

Xie Lang’s mother was the director of the Personnel Section, and he had grown up in the factory surrounded by praise and attention. Nearly every worker at the factory knew who he was. “You guys at the Public Security Bureau substation get off work pretty early too.”

Jiang Lian leaned out to take a look. “Is Sister Bai not in the office?”

Jiang Ling and Xie Lang were high school classmates. Back when they were still in school, he would sometimes visit the Jiang household to look for Jiang Ling and had long become familiar with her family.

Xie Lang leaned lazily against the doorframe and shrugged. “No one’s in the office. I think she went out for a meeting.”

The door to the office next door was locked, so Jiang Lian invited him into the room to talk.

“Come in first, there’s a draft in the hallway, it’s quite chilly.”

Xie Lang stepped into the office as she said.

Jiang Lian asked, “How’s your internship at the Public Security Bureau going? Are you getting used to it? Is it tiring?”

Toward this male lead of the original novel, Jiang Ling watched him with curiosity and scrutiny.

Sensing the gaze from the one he liked, Xie Lang stood by the door, a little at a loss, and said, “The station is actually pretty quiet, not tiring at all.”

This was a time when people were poor, and households often quarreled over trivial matters, but few of these disputes ever escalated to the level of involving the Public Security Bureau.

With a smile on her face, Jiang Lian praised, “Xie Lang is really a decent young man now. I wonder which lucky girl will get to marry into your family.”

His handsome face flushed red with embarrassment. “No one can say for sure what’ll happen in the future.”

Xie Lang came from a good family background. Jiang Lian had never thought about this matter before, but the conversation had naturally led here. “You and our Jiang Ling are a great match—a talented man and a beautiful woman, and you’ve known each other since high school.”

The more she said it, the more she felt the two were well-suited. Xie Lang’s face turned even redder.

“Please don’t say that. If word gets out, it won’t be good for her reputation.”

Jiang Lian had been through this kind of thing herself and could clearly see that Xie Lang had feelings for Jiang Ling.

“That’s easy. Before word gets out, the two of you can just get together.”

Before Jiang Ling could stop Jiang Lian, Xie Lang spoke up, “I heard something from someone, though I don’t know if it’s true. If I misheard, please don’t take it seriously.”

His words came out a bit jumbled.

Jiang Lian chuckled, “You silly kid, we’ve known each other for so many years. Just speak plainly.”

“I heard someone spreading rumors, saying that Jiang Ling has a partner.” The smile on his face was somewhat forced.

News really did travel fast. It was probably spread by those aunties in the staff dormitory compound.

Jiang Lian was the first to deny it. “How could that be? That must be nonsense from outsiders. Our Jiang Ling doesn’t have a boyfriend.”

Just then, the wooden office door that had been left slightly ajar was pushed open from the outside.

Standing outside the door was a refined young man with an air of elegance, noble in bearing and features as delicate as jade. Who else could it be but Song Guanshu?

Xie Lang had once been a sent-down youth in the same village as Song Guanshu. Song Guanshu had gone to the countryside earlier and was a few years older than him.

So Xie Lang addressed him, “Brother Song.”

“Brother Song, how did you know I was in the Accounting Section?” He was straightforward and not very guarded. Only after a moment did he realize Song Guanshu wasn’t here for him. “Did you come to the Accounting Office for something?”

He casually introduced, “Jiang Ling is my classmate, and she’s a staff member in our factory’s Accounting Section. If you need anything, she’s the one to go to.”

Song Guanshu gave a slight nod. His eyes were sharp and intense, yet he always wore a gentle smile. “I’m here to pick up my partner from work.”

Xie Lang was stunned by that sentence. He looked around at the Jiang sisters inside the room. “Are you here to pick up Sister Lian?”

Jiang Lian was already married, with children running around the house, so it obviously couldn’t be her.

Who else could it be? Xie Lang didn’t want to think about it.

What a clueless brat. Jiang Lian couldn’t help giving him a smack on the back.

Thinking of what Xie Lang had just said earlier, Jiang Lian forced a smile. “You’re Jiang Ling’s partner?”

Xie Lang wasn’t stupid. What Jiang Lian had figured out, he also realized—just a step behind—but he simply hadn’t dared to believe it.

Now that Jiang Lian had said it out loud, he held his breath, hoping to hear a denial from Song Guanshu.

Song Guanshu’s lips curled into a faint smile. “We registered our marriage yesterday.”

Even Jiang Ling was startled by that. This man would really stop at nothing just to provoke Xie Lang.

As the eldest sister of the Jiang family, Jiang Lian naturally didn’t believe that her youngest sister would go as far as registering their marriage without telling the family.

“Comrade, you may be my sister’s partner, but marriage is a serious matter—it’s not something to joke about.”

He pulled out a brand-new red booklet with the words Marriage Certificate written on it, handed it to Jiang Lian, and quite “casually” made sure Xie Lang saw the names and photo on the certificate.

After confirming that the official seal wasn’t a fake, Jiang Lian couldn’t help smacking her sister on the head while holding the marriage certificate. “Jiang Ling, are you out of your mind? How could you get married without telling Mom and Dad, and even secretly go and register it?”

She was furious, and her hand came down hard.

“Ow, Sis, take it easy!”

The moment those words came out, Song Guanshu, the legitimate husband, wasn’t even as quick to react as Xie Lang, the high school classmate.

He stepped in front of Jiang Ling. “Sister Lian, let’s talk this out properly, don’t hit Jiang Ling.”

Song Guanshu said, “Eldest Sister, everything is my fault. If you need to hit someone, hit me.”

Jiang Ling couldn’t hold back an eye-roll—so fake.

If he truly felt sorry for her, he would’ve stepped in earlier. Why wait until Jiang Lian had already been talked down before saying such a thing?

But Jiang Lian didn’t know Song Guanshu’s true colors and had a very favorable impression of him. This young man, scholarly and refined in appearance, yet willing to step in front of her sister—he was a real man.

Xie Lang lowered his head and muttered, “We’re still in the factory. Please keep your voice down. If others hear, it won’t be good for Jiang Ling’s reputation.”

No matter how slow Jiang Lian could be, she could now clearly see that Xie Lang had feelings for her sister.

She really wanted to give this ungrateful brat Jiang Ling a good beating, but at this moment, she had to steady herself for Song Guanshu’s sake, afraid he might have caught on to Xie Lang’s reaction just now.

After all, Jiang Ling had already registered her marriage with him. No matter how unwilling she might be, they were now husband and wife.

“Don’t overthink it. Xie Lang and Jiang Ling are just classmates. There’s nothing between them.”

The words reeked of “there’s no silver here,” making it more suspicious. Even if Song Guanshu hadn’t thought much of it before, hearing that would naturally raise doubts.

Both Jiang Lian and Xie Lang were worried that Song Guanshu might read too much into it. Jiang Ling noticed the slight curve in Song Guanshu’s eyes and thought to herself, This guy must be thrilled right now.

Xie Lang’s eyes dimmed, but he still echoed, “Yes, we’re just classmates.”

Song Guanshu’s voice was full of affection. “Jiang Ling is such a wonderful person. It’s only natural that someone would like her. As long as I know her heart belongs to me, that’s enough. I would never overthink it.”

“Isn’t that right, Jiang Ling?”

Just as she was secretly rolling her eyes, Jiang Ling was suddenly called out. She replied, “That’s right. Otherwise, why would I register my marriage with you?”

The words from Jiang Ling’s own mouth hit Xie Lang even harder. He looked down at the floor, his face full of sorrow.

Some were joyful, others troubled.

While Xie Lang was upset, Song Guanshu was in a completely different mood.

In Jiang Lian’s heart, she gave a silent nod—this young man seemed quite reasonable and understanding.

She had originally been more satisfied with the idea of Xie Lang becoming her brother-in-law, but now, the scales in her heart tipped more toward Song Guanshu.

The young man was truly handsome, like a movie star. He spoke gently and behaved politely, and he treated Jiang Ling well.

“Xiao Song, are you one of our factory’s employees?” Jiang Lian asked.

“Yes, I work in the Technical Section.”

Xie Lang added, “Brother Song was one of the college students who got in during the first year after the college entrance exam was reinstated.”

He said with a hint of regret, “I applied to Beicheng University too, but my grades weren’t good enough. Brother Song is really impressive.”

Beyond regret, there was also envy. It seemed like everything he ever wanted, Song Guanshu could easily obtain.

Including the university admission letter he longed for, and the girl he had liked for many years.

Jiang Ling glanced at this silly guy with a trace of sympathy. In the first year the college entrance exam was reinstated, Xie Lang, being a high school student, naturally signed up.

But he didn’t pass, while Song Guanshu, who had copied his university choice, got in.

Xie Lang wasn’t stupid, but Song Guanshu was a high-IQ genius. With someone like that constantly being compared to him, it was inevitable that Xie Lang would feel defeated.

Having read more than half of the book, Jiang Ling still couldn’t figure out why Song Guanshu was always so displeased with Xie Lang.

Xie Lang was a sunny, cheerful person who held no hostility toward anyone. It didn’t make sense that he had ever offended Song Guanshu.

Jiang Lian asked, “What do your parents do, Xiao Song?”

No matter the time period, a person’s parents’ occupation was always an important criterion when choosing a partner.

Song Guanshu replied calmly, “Both my parents have already passed away.”

Xie Lang truly was a saint. Even though Song Guanshu had taken the girl he liked, he still spoke up for him. “Brother Song is very capable.”

“That’s true.”

Jiang Lian shot a glare at Jiang Ling in exasperation. Like a mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law, the more she looked at Song Guanshu, the more pleasing he seemed to the eye.

“You two have already registered your marriage. Tonight I’ll take you both home. This is something the family needs to be informed of.”

Song Guanshu was very obedient. “We’ll do whatever Eldest Sister says.”

The three of them were now one family. Xie Lang, feeling like an outsider, was about to quietly slip away when Jiang Ling called out to stop him. “Xie Lang hasn’t come to our house in a long time. There’ll be a lot of people around today—it’ll be lively. Come with us.”

Jiang Lian couldn’t help shooting a sharp glare at this wretched girl. Bringing the new son-in-law home was one thing, but why drag Xie Lang along to witness it?

“Xie Lang came to the Personnel Section to find Director Bai. Don’t make trouble.”

No matter how fierce Jiang Lian’s glare was, Jiang Ling sat upright, unmoved.

Of course she knew it wasn’t appropriate. But if Xie Lang tagged along and there was an outsider present, even if the Jiang family wanted to explode, they would have to hold back.

Afterward, she would move into the staff dormitory.

“I… it might not be appropriate,” Xie Lang said, though he did want to go.

Song Guanshu also extended an invitation. “Come along. The more the merrier.”

Since even Song Guanshu, as Jiang Ling’s husband, had spoken up, Xie Lang didn’t hesitate any longer. “Alright then.”

Song Guanshu and Xie Lang each rode a bicycle. Since Jiang Ling and Song Guanshu were now “husband and wife,” it was only natural that she should ride with him.

Xie Lang was used to giving rides to older women from the factory and didn’t think much of it.

Jiang Lian swiftly got on the back of Xie Lang’s bicycle. When she turned and saw her younger sister still dawdling, she urged her, “Hurry up.”

Jiang Ling still remembered being thrown to the ground yesterday. She said, “I’d rather walk home.”

“If I’m riding a bicycle, there’s no reason for you to walk,” Song Guanshu replied.

Hah, don’t forget your heroic stunt yesterday afternoon.

Jiang Ling jabbed at him lightly, “I won’t fall off again, will I?”

Song Guanshu smiled faintly. “With you sitting behind me, I’ll be extra careful. If you do fall, I’ll cushion you myself.”

Jiang Ling had come out of yesterday’s fall unscathed thanks to him being that very human cushion.

She couldn’t figure him out, was he deliberately showing off their affection, or just being passive-aggressive?