Chapter 393 A Fleeting Romance

Chapter 393: A Passing Fling

Jiang Mingrui was completely unaware that Lai Liuzi had already seen through his plan and was laying a trap for him.

His breakup with Yuan Jiayin had become the gossip of the Second State Cotton Mill.

The biggest point of speculation was the reason for the breakup—rumors that he liked men.

Of course, it was all just hearsay, with no concrete evidence to back it up.

Cai Xiaole was burning with curiosity. She always felt Jiang Yu was in the know, sitting on a lot of secrets they didn’t know.

She ran over and asked, “Does Jiang Mingrui really like men? Who’s the man that caused the breakup with Teacher Yuan? Is he from our Second Mill?”

Jiang Yu automatically shook her head. “No…”

But she quickly backtracked, “I don’t know, don’t ask me.”

Cai Xiaole’s eyes lit up—Jiang Yu definitely knew!

“Oh, Jiang Yu, just tell me! My lips are sealed.”

Jiang Yu tutted. “I really don’t know. It’s probably just as Teacher Yuan said.”

Cai Xiaole tried to pry further about the man involved with Jiang Mingrui, but Jiang Yu refused to say anything.

When that went nowhere, Cai Xiaole left to fish for gossip elsewhere.

Though Jiang Yu hadn’t revealed anything, Sun Yuan’s name somehow still spread through the Second Mill.

The rumors became more elaborate, claiming Sun Yuan was the one who broke up Jiang Mingrui and Yuan Jiayin.

Sun Yuan wasn’t from the Second Mill, so many didn’t recognize him, but everyone knew Wang Tong.

Not long ago, Wang Tong had tried to send her mother-in-law back to the countryside, which had people calling her unfilial.

He Qianqian stayed quiet, not joining in the discussions.

But Auntie Tan held court about the matter in the workshop, as if she had witnessed everything herself.

“I used to think Wang Tong was heartless, but now I see—if that were my husband, I’d divorce him on the spot!”

Someone had enough and defended Sun Yuan, “Auntie, you didn’t see it yourself. How can you say that?”

Auntie Tan shot back. “Someone saw Sun Yuan and Jiang Mingrui going to the movies together constantly! It’s definitely him, no doubt!”

With her stirring the pot, the scandalous rumors about Jiang Mingrui and Sun Yuan spread like wildfire through the entire Second State Cotton Mill.

Eventually, the gossip reached Jiang Chenghuai’s ears.

Furious and humiliated, Jiang Chenghuai flew into a rage in his office.

But with rumors flying everywhere, he had no one to pin it on.

Immediately, he took off work and went home.

Lin Yue was shocked when he showed up and rushed out to meet him.

“Why are you home now? My mother’s here, visiting with me.”

Seeing her, Jiang Chenghuai's anger cooled a little.

Yet he was too embarrassed to talk about the matters at the factory, and just thinking about it made his blood boil.

"Where's Jiang Mingrui? Has he come back?"

Lin Yue shook her head. "No, didn't he go to work?"

Jiang Chenghuai snorted. "He called in sick."

Otherwise, he would have taught him a lesson right then.

Lin Yue gave her mother a meaningful look and suggested, "I'm planning to stay with my parents for a while."

Jiang Chenghuai was surprised. "Why go all of a sudden? You're pregnant now—what if something happens on the way? What would I do then?"

Lin Yue protested, "I didn't go back for New Year's, and now the Double Ninth Festival is coming up. I just want to visit my family."

She wasn't actually pregnant—where was she supposed to get a baby from? Of course, she had to find a way.

Luckily, her mother had come to help her with this scheme. If they wanted to arrange for a child, they’d definitely have to avoid Jiang Chenghuai.

"Let’s not talk about that for now. Why are you back at this hour, and why do you look so angry?"

Jiang Chenghuai fell silent for a moment before gritting his teeth and telling her about the rumors at the factory.

Lin Yue had never gotten along with Jiang Mingrui and was happy to see him humiliated.

But in front of Jiang Chenghuai, she couldn’t show any gloating.

"It’s all because Mingrui won’t get married. He’s been with Teacher Yuan for so many years—shouldn't they get married by now?"

Jiang Chenghuai snorted. "It’s time to make him get married, or else I’ll lose all face."

He had taken a day off specifically to wait for Jiang Mingrui at home.

But by evening, Jiang Mingrui still hadn’t shown up.

It wasn’t the first time he’d stayed out all night. Though Jiang Chenghuai was still angry, he didn’t wait any longer.

Lin Yue glanced at the time. "You go to sleep first. I still need to go to the inn."

Her mother was staying there, and they hadn’t finished discussing things earlier—they couldn’t speak freely in front of Jiang Chenghuai.

Jiang Chenghuai frowned. "Going out so late?"

"It’s not far. I’m just going to see my mom—think of it as a walk to settle my stomach."

With that, Lin Yue left.

Meanwhile, Lai Liuzi had his men tie up Jiang Mingrui, gagged him, and brought him before Jiang Yu.

"He tried to get people to bully Sister-in-law. One of my men reported it to me, and Brother Yue said to hand him over to you to deal with."

Lai Liuzi was straightforward—he’d simply had him tied up.

Jiang Yu looked down coldly. "Beat him up, take his clothes off, leave him tied up, and leave him by the roadside."

Jiang Mingrui glared at her, hatred in his eyes, making angry, muffled protests through the gag.

Though she couldn’t make out his words, Jiang Yu knew he was cursing up a storm.

"Just keep him gagged. I don’t want to hear him speak."

Jiang Mingrui wasn’t worth Jiang Yu’s attention. After giving Lai Liuzi her instructions, she took off on her bike without looking back.

Lai Liuzi followed her orders—beating him up, stripping him naked, and dumping him by the roadside.

"Sixth Brother, isn’t this too harsh?"

Jiang Mingrui was usually such a dignified man. If people saw him like this tomorrow, his reputation would be utterly ruined—salt in the wound.

Lai Liuzi paused mid-step. "You’ve got a point."

With disgust, he grabbed Jiang Mingrui’s underwear and tossed it to one of his underlings.

"Put it over his head. If no one sees his face, he won’t be humiliated."

Jiang Mingrui: "..." Jesus! Talk about self-delusion.

With unwashed underwear covering his head, he instinctively held his breath. His mouth was still stuffed with his own stinking sock, making him want to puke.

A cold gust of wind swept by, and Jiang Mingrui shivered hard.

He strained to make noise, hoping someone passing by might save him.

But late at night, the road was completely deserted.

Until—

He suddenly heard footsteps stopping not far away, likely checking him out.

Frantic, he made muffled noises and thrashed around.

Jiang Mingrui naturally felt shame, but being seen by one person was still better than being exposed to a crowd.

Soon, the footsteps drew closer.

"...Is this actually a person?"

Jiang Mingrui nodded desperately. "Mmph!"

Help me!

Lin Yue’s eyes went wide. With underwear covering his head, you couldn’t make out his face.

But that body though—damn fine.

Her heartbeat quickened, excitement making her face flush.

Wasn’t this like manna from heaven?

Originally, she had planned to return to the countryside and find some guy to knock her up.

Worst case, she’d just need a few tries—eventually, she’d get pregnant.

But that would mean giving some guy leverage over her, and the idea creeped her out.

With this man before her, though—they didn’t know each other. A one-night stand—who'd ever know?

"I can't carry you by myself. Wait here, I'll go get someone to help you."

Lin Yue lowered her voice, speaking softly, but it gave Jiang Mingrui goosebumps.

He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was like a lamb to the slaughter, utterly at her mercy.

Fortunately, Lin Yue wasn’t gone long before returning.

True to her word, she had indeed brought someone back.

Only now did Jiang Mingrui’s slow mind realize—she could have just untied him! Why did she need to call for help?

"Mmmpf! Mmmpf!"

Lin Yue gave his chest a pat, liking how it felt, and couldn’t help giving it another rub.

"Don’t worry, don’t worry. I’ll help you."

Jiang Mingrui was horrified when he felt himself being lifted onto the cart.

He struggled desperately, but tied up as he was, he couldn’t move an inch.

Lin Yue smirked at his resigned expression.

"Yueyue, are you sure this won’t cause trouble?"

Lin Yue chuckled. "It’s his honor to have a fling with me."

Jiang Mingrui stiffened, now he knew why her voice sounded familiar. It was Lin Yue!

He began struggling again, humiliation threatening to consume him.

Unaware that the man she’d casually picked up on the road was Jiang Mingrui, Lin Yue gave him a reassuring pat.

"I’ll only keep you for a few days. Once I'm done with what I need, I’ll reward you. Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you. I just need to borrow something from you."

Jiang Mingrui seethed inwardly. Like hell he wanted any goddamn reward!