Chapter 168 Reunion – The Daily Gossip of the Sickly Young Aunt in the Compound

Chapter 168 Reunion - The Daily Gossip of the Sickly Young Aunt in the Compound

"Cen Xi, why are you sitting here spacing out?" Xiao Yifan noticed Cen Xi propping his head up, lost in thought, as he passed by his desk.

"I'm thinking about something!"

"What are you thinking about?"

"I'm pondering what kind of products people need most right now."

"Wait, what? Why are you thinking about that?" Xiao Yifan was puzzled, as their main tasks as engineers and researchers were usually handed down from management.

Those tasks kept them busy for a long time, leaving no room for independent projects.

"Just thinking!" He didn't elaborate further.

Cen Xi had previously developed a product on his own initiative, which was why he became a lead engineer after transferring to the machinery factory.

However, since arriving at the factory, he had been focused on assigned tasks and hadn't had the chance to develop new products.

Last night, Lin Qing's words served as a reminder, and he decided to think about whether he could develop a potential competitive product for the factory to increase its profitability.

After all, new staff housing would only be possible with increased profits!

"Alright, keep at it! If you come up with something, remember to count me in!" Xiao Yifan had started as an assistant. His greatest strength was in coordination, and he wasn't particularly strong in independent research. He usually didn't worry about such challenging issues.

Just like now, after asking, he quickly lost interest and left without further inquiry.

Cen Xi watched him ask a couple of questions and then leave, feeling a little confused, but he didn't dwell on it and continued to ponder his own problem.

...

"Qing Qing, is there a kidnapper in your neighborhood?" Wang Jiaojiao came over first thing in the morning at the office.

"No, it's just a misunderstanding."

"Ah, wasn't there a child who went missing? Wasn't he kidnapped?"

"He wasn't kidnapped! Turns out, he apparently stole something from a neighbor and got scared and hid!"

"Ah?"

Wang Jiaojiao hadn't expected such a twist in the story, "Quick, spill the details!"

Wang Jiaojiao was dying to know.

"Yes, tell us, tell us!" Tang Xihua also joined in.

Those who lived farther away had only heard half the story, and not knowing the rest left them hanging!

Alright! Everyone here loves gossip, so Lin Qing didn't hold back and spilled all the juicy details during the gossip session from afternoon till night.

"Wow!"

"Ah?"

"The compound drama is truly something!"

"Heh." Lin Qing simply chuckled dryly.

Isn’t it intense?

One thing after another, it never stops!

"Alright, alright, back to work, back to work!" Lin Qing sent everyone back to their seats.

Lin Qing herself went back to flipping through the ledger, sighing as she looked at the income and expenses. Suddenly, she thought of her conversation with Cen Xi yesterday. When will the factory make enough money to build a new dormitory?

...

"Qing Qing, you go and save us a seat, we'll get the food. What do you want to eat?" Fu Huihui said.

"Okay! I’ll have the braised tofu and stir-fried green beans."

"Alright!"

Then the three of them went their separate ways, and Lin Qing went to find a seat.

Lin Qing looked around the cafeteria and finally found a seat that could accommodate three people!

She had just sat down when Su Shengnan appeared out of nowhere!

"Hey! Comrade Lin Qing!"

Lin Qing looked up, her beautiful eyes meeting Su Shengnan's. Ugh, she's really clingy!

Lin Qing put on a smile, "It’s you! What a surprise!"

"Yes, what a surprise! Is this seat taken? Can I sit here?"

Lin Qing glanced at the three seats she had already saved with her stuff and said, "These two are saved, but feel free to sit anywhere else!" After all, she couldn’t control it!

She can sit wherever she wants.

Su Shengnan, pretending not to understand, said happily, "That’s great, then I’ll sit here!"

The cafeteria had long tables, and Lin Qing had only saved one seat across from her and one next to her. Su Shengnan chose the seat diagonally across from Lin Qing.

Lin Qing didn’t comment on her choice of seat, just smiled and turned to see when Wang Jiaojiao and Fu Huihui would return.

"Jiaojiao, Huihui!" Lin Qing stood up and called out!

Soon, Wang Jiaojiao and Fu Huihui found their way there. When they saw Su Shengnan, they were momentarily stunned, and a look of surprise crossed their faces!

Su Shengnan, of course, noticed their reaction, but she was tough and didn’t let it bother her, quickly averting her gaze.

Fu Huihui looked at Lin Qing: What’s the deal here?

Lin Qing: She came over by herself, what was I supposed to do?

Wang Jiaojiao: What are you two whispering about?

"Comrade Lin Qing, I work in the Women’s Federation at our factory. Which department do you work in?"

At the mention of the Women’s Federation, Lin Qing, Wang Jiaojiao, and Fu Huihui all looked up at her in unison. The Women’s Federation again?

Lin Qing turned to look at Fu Huihui. She had forgotten to ask earlier, but now there was no need—Su Shengnan had revealed it herself!

"The Women’s Federation! That’s... great!" Lin Qing forced a laugh.

"Yeah, it's going well! I heard the Women's Federation has hired quite a few new staff recently!" Fu Huihui continued.

"Is that so?" Su Shengnan lowered her eyes, her tone with a hint of something more.

"Yes!" As a cadre of the Personnel Department, Fu Huihui was the most qualified to speak on the matter.

She had seen the director of the Women's Federation introduce several new people this month!

"By the way, you still haven't mentioned which department you're in?" Su Shengnan returned to the topic.

"Oh! I'm from the Personnel Department, and they're from the Finance Department!" Fu Huihui quickly jumped in.

"Are your departments busy?"

"It's manageable, though probably not as engaging as the Women's Federation!" Fu Huihui added.

Fu Huihui and Su Shengnan chatted back and forth, while Lin Qing kept to herself, quietly eating.

"Is that so, Comrade Lin Qing?"

"Yeah," Lin Qing nodded perfunctorily.

Su Shengnan was getting a bit annoyed. She had brought up so many topics hoping to get closer to Lin Qing, hoping to get on friendlier terms, but unfortunately, it was all ruined by Fu Huihui!

Su Shengnan would say something, Fu Huihui would respond, and sometimes Su Shengnan tried to pull Lin Qing into the conversation, but Lin Qing would only mumble in agreement.