Chapter 78

Chapter 78

"Here are two tickets for you—for our upcoming performance. I hope you can come and watch our troupe's show." Yao Mingzhu placed the tickets in their hands.

"Panlong Hall."

"Sister Mingzhu, what’s this about?" Gu Xiaolei asked, looking at Yao Mingzhu as if she couldn’t quite believe it.

"I’ll be performing at Panlong Hall. Remember to come and watch me perform."

Yao Mingzhu hurried back to her troupe.

"Sister Mingzhu!" Gu Xiaolei called out, her voice trailing behind as she stood there, stunned.

By the time Yao Mingzhu had disappeared into the troupe building, Gu Xiaolei turned toward Jiang Yiwei, her eyes wide with realization.

Jiang Yiwei got the message right away.

"She’s inviting us to watch their performance. Want to go?"

"Of course! How could I miss Sister Mingzhu’s performance?"

Gu Xiaolei wouldn't miss it for the world—especially since this was the first time Mingzhu had personally invited her. She had to show her support.

Clutching Jiang Yiwei’s arm tightly, she insisted, "You’re going too—no excuses. You have to come with me."

The idea of having Yiwei along made Xiao Lei all the more excited.

"Alright, I’ll definitely go with you."

Just then, Yiwei found herself thinking of Fu Xunian.

She'd been swamped lately, barely seeing him at all.

Now that she had some free time—and on her day off, no less—he should be home. She wanted to visit him.

"Xiao Lei, we're done for today—you can head home now." First things first—she had to get rid of Xiao Lei before visiting Fu.

But Xiao Lei held on even tighter. "But it's barely evening! We could go for a walk."

She rarely got to spend time with Yiwei, and since it was still early, going home now would be a waste. Far better to stroll around outside for a while.

And so, try as Yiwei might to refuse, she ended up spending the entire day with Gu Xiaolei.

Before they knew it, five days had flown by—it was finally the day of Yao Mingzhu’s performance.

Jiang Yiwei and Gu Xiaolei made their way outside Panlong Hall.

As dusk settled, cars and crowds gradually gathered at the venue, lining up in orderly queues.

"So many people!" Yiwei whistled at the size of the crowd.

"With such an important event and bigwigs in attendance, everyone wants to be here. Come hell or high water, those with or without tickets will move heaven and earth to be there."

"Sister Mingzhu told me that the Panlong Hall can seat over a thousand people. And because today's performance is quite grand, a good number of workers came to watch too."

Besides the senior leaders Yao Mingzhu had mentioned earlier, the extra tickets went to several factories in the capital city. However, each factory only got a few tickets for their workers.

"So that's why. No wonder I saw several workers wearing different factory work clothes."

Just now, Jiang Yiwei noticed several people dressed in different factory uniforms—they were workers from various factories.

They even gave tickets to factory workers.

Suddenly, Jiang Yiwei thought of Fu Xunian.

She wondered if Fu Xunian's factory had received any tickets, and even if they had, whether he would come to the performance. Considering his personality, she figured he wouldn't come to something this crowded.

"Yi Wei, time to go in."

Gu Xiaolei pulled Jiang Yiwei toward the entrance of the venue, handing their two tickets to the staff at the door. Once they checked them, Jiang Yiwei and Gu Xiaolei entered the huge Panlong Hall.

The massive hall, capable of holding over a thousand people, was packed with people, and all the talking made it loud and crowded.

Jiang Yiwei glanced at the seat numbers on their tickets. Fortunately, Yao Mingzhu had given them seats close to the stage—otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to see the performance clearly from too far away.

As time passed, by seven o'clock, the hall suddenly fell silent.

This was followed by a speech on stage, and once the speaker finished, the performance began.

Jiang Yiwei and Gu Xiaolei sat quietly watching the performance, occasionally whispering a comment or two about what was happening on stage.

At one point, Jiang Yiwei pressed a hand to her stomach and quietly said to Gu Xiaolei, "Xiao Lei, I need to run to the restroom."

Gu Xiaolei understood what she meant and asked, "Do you want me to come with you?"

"No need, I can go alone. You enjoy the show—I’ll be back soon."

With no phones or TVs around, everyone was totally into the live show, and Gu Xiaolei was even more engrossed than she was.

Besides, many people went to the restroom alone.

She could handle it herself, so Gu Xiaolei stayed behind to keep watching.

Jiang Yiwei slipped out quietly and followed the signs to the restroom.

After using the restroom, she felt relieved and was about to return to the hall when a familiar voice coming from down the hall to her right made her pause.

"Comrade Zhang Shuyan, I’ve told you many times—I already have someone I’m seeing. I can’t return your feelings."

Jiang Yiwei raised an eyebrow, recognizing the voice. She followed the sound.

"That’s not true! If you really had someone, why doesn’t anyone at the factory know? People are still trying to set you up with other women!"

Zhang Shuyan’s eyes were red, looking upset.

If Fu Xunian really had a girlfriend, how could no one at the Third Automobile Manufacturing Plant know about it?

And yet, people kept trying to set him up.

"I really do have someone. But it’s up to me whether to talk about it—I don’t have to tell anyone if I don’t want to."

"As for people trying to set me up, I've said no every time."

Fu Xunian’s expression was unusually serious. A hint of impatience flashed in his eyes.

“What about Liu Shaochong’s sister? She’s still hung up on you. You and Engineer Liu are tight—how come you never told him?”

Plenty of folks at the factory knew Liu Shaochong wanted Fu Xunian to marry his sister, especially those who worked in the office.

If Fu Xunian was already taken, Liu Shaochong wouldn’t still be pushing for it.

Liu Shaohong was his own flesh and blood—he’d never screw her over.

“Shaochong hasn’t given up on making me his brother-in-law. Ask *him* why he won’t drop it, not me.”

Once he and Jiang Yiwei got together, he had made it clear to Liu Shaochong.

But Liu Shaohong had it bad for him—she wanted him and wasn’t willing to let go. Liu Shaochong couldn’t rein his sister in, just waiting for the day Fu Xunian and Jiang Yiwei might split so he could push again.

But whether or not he and Jiang Yiwei ever broke up, he would never be with Liu Shaohong.

Fu Xunian had made himself crystal clear. If people still didn’t get the hint, that was on them.

The only thing Fu Xunian could do was make his stance known.

“I *knew* you were faking having a girlfriend,” Zhang Shuyan spat.

Fu Xunian sighed helplessly. “Zhang Shuyan, I’m dead serious. I really do have someone.”

“Oh yeah? Then who’s the lucky girl?”

She needed to see with her own eyes who’d snagged Fu Xunian—and find out exactly where she fell short.

“That’d be me.”

Both Fu Xunian and Zhang Shuyan whipped around to see the stunning woman walking up.

When Fu Xunian saw Jiang Yiwei, a softness Zhang Shuyan had *never* seen flashed across his otherwise calm eyes.

Zhang Shuyan’s chest clenched painfully.

She watched as the girl approached Fu Xunian. If anyone claimed Jiang Yiwei was better, Zhang Shuyan would’ve laughed in their face.

“So this is your so-called girlfriend?” Zhang Shuyan stared at Fu Xunian, not missing the warmth in his gaze.

The second Jiang Yiwei showed up, Fu Xunian couldn’t look away—Zhang Shuyan couldn’t ignore it.

Fu Xunian usually had eyes only for machines at work. Now, his focus stayed locked on Jiang Yiwei.

Turns out, Fu Xunian *could* fall for someone—it just wasn’t her or anyone else. It was the woman standing right in front of her.

Zhang Shuyan burned with shame over how hard she’d pushed.

“Hey there. Jiang Yiwei—Xu Nian’s girlfriend.”

“Jiang Yiwei… *you’re* the one he’s with?”

If it had been anyone else, Zhang Shuyan would’ve stepped aside gracefully upon learning they were taken. But it had to be Fu Xunian—a man as gentle and refined as jade. How the hell was she supposed to just walk away?

Zhang Shuyan felt bitter.

Fu Xunian, however, held Jiang Yiwei’s hand, fingers laced, rendering words unnecessary.

“It’s because you’re in love with her, so you can’t like me.”

Because Fu Xunian loved Jiang Yiwei, he couldn’t love anyone else.

“Comrade Zhang Shuyan, she’s the only one for me.”

The one he loved was Jiang Yiwei.

Zhang Shuyan battled tears, staring at their intertwined hands, her heart aching with resentment. But Fu Xunian didn’t love her—he loved Jiang Yiwei.

“I’m sorry… I always thought you were lying to me. If I had known you weren’t, I wouldn’t have kept pursuing you.”

No matter how much it hurt, Zhang Shuyan had no choice but to give up.

“It’s alright. I never held it against you.” No matter what, Fu Xunian couldn’t bring himself to criticize Zhang Shuyan for her past persistence.

Her eyes brimming with tears, she looked at Jiang Yiwei. “Comrade Jiang Yiwei, if I ever gave you the wrong impression, I apologize.”

“Comrade Fu Xunian told me outright he was taken, but I refused to believe it. I’m truly sorry—I never meant to chase him.”

She didn’t want Jiang Yiwei to misunderstand Fu Xunian because of her, nor did she want to come between them.

Since Fu Xunian had a partner, Zhang Shuyan sincerely wished them happiness.

Each sentence she spoke was choked out between sobs.

Jiang Yiwei slipped her hand free from Fu Xunian’s grasp, took out a handkerchief from her pocket, and placed it in Zhang Shuyan’s hand.

“If Xu Nian doesn’t blame you, then neither do I.”

If anyone’s at fault, it’s Fu Xunian for being such a heartthrob.

Besides, once Zhang Shuyan learned Fu Xunian truly had a partner, she stopped chasing him and even apologized and explained herself.

Jiang Yiwei believed every word Zhang Shuyan said.

Gripping the handkerchief, Zhang Shuyan stifled her tears and forced herself to say, “I… I won’t disturb you two. The show’s still going—I should go back and keep watching.”

Then she fled. Worried, Jiang Yiwei instinctively moved to follow, but Fu Xunian pulled her back.

“What are you doing?” Jiang Yiwei glared at him.

Fu Xunian replied, “She needs to be alone right now. How’s she supposed to collect herself if you follow her?”

“But what about her? She’s just a young woman.”

Jiang Yiwei was still concerned about Zhang Shuyan’s state.

“Come with me.”

Fu Xunian steered Jiang Yiwei outside the performance hall and instructed, “Wait here for me.”

He entered the hall alone, leaving Jiang Yiwei speechless.

After a while, Fu Xunian emerged, with two girls trailing behind him.

"Sorry for the trouble."

"We're all from the Third Auto Plant—no need to be so polite."

"We're going to see Zhang Shuyan now."

Before leaving, both girls couldn't help but glance at Jiang Yiwei, then went off to find Zhang Shuyan.

It dawned on Jiang Yiwei: some of the people who came to watch the performance were workers from the Third Auto Plant.

"You had them go to Zhang Shuyan," she said pointedly.

Jiang Yiwei realized Fu Xunian's intention.

"They're the best ones for the job."

"True enough."

It was indeed most appropriate for them to calm Zhang Shuyan down.

Fu Xunian took Jiang Yiwei's hand. "Come on, let's talk."

It'd been ages since he last saw her, and since they’d run into each other here, he wasn’t about to pass up a chance to be alone with her.

As for whatever show was going on inside, it didn’t really matter to him whether he watched it or not.

"Absolutely!" Jiang Yiwei shared the same thought as Fu Xunian.

They made their way to a big tree where there was a stone bench, and sat down together.

The moment she sat, Jiang Yiwei crossed her arms, looking like she meant business.

"What’s this about?" Fu Xunian asked, seeing her accusatory expression.

"Fu Xunian, you better come clean—how many girls have you been stringing along behind my back?"

He actually had the nerve to be working his charm on so many people without her noticing.

If she hadn’t stumbled on this today, she wouldn’t have known just how many women were head over heels for him.

"I can't help how she feels," Fu Xunian explained. "Zhang Shuyan is a colleague in the publicity department. When she first confessed to me, I spelled it out clearly—I already have a girlfriend."

She liked him, and when she confessed, Fu Xunian had already rejected her and made it clear he had a partner.

But that didn’t seem to sink in.

"What about Cheng Shaohong?" she pressed.

Zhang Shuyan had mentioned Cheng Shaohong.

Cheng Shaohong was still hung up on Fu Xunian.

This was news to Jiang Yiwei—today was the first time she learned that Cheng Shaohong was Cheng Shaochong’s sister.

Fu Xunian had once told her that both he and Cheng Shaochong were engineers at the Third Auto Plant, and that they were tight from years of working together. But he had kept Cheng Shaohong from her.

"Cheng Shaochong wants to set you up with his sister."

Fu Xunian could only continue explaining to Jiang Yiwei, "After making us official, I spelled it out clearly to Shaochong. But Shaohong is even more persistent than Zhang Shuyan—my only option is to completely distance myself from her and make her move on completely."

Fu Xunian had already taken many steps to keep his distance from Cheng Shaohong, giving her no reason to hope.

Yet unlike Zhang Shuyan, Cheng Shaohong didn’t give up even after learning he was in a relationship.

"One after another, they stay devoted to you, knowing full well you have someone. You really have a way with women."

Cheng Shaohong’s feelings for Fu Xunian ran deep—even after finding out he had a girlfriend, she still refused to let go and was willing to keep waiting. Her persistence was hard to handle.

"So what's your plan? You can't just keep leading her on. We can't let her waste her youth waiting for something impossible."

"Besides, you and Cheng Shaochong are pretty close friends. I’m worried that if his sister ends up single forever, he might blame you."

Though Jiang Yiwei couldn’t muster any kindness toward those who desired Fu Xunian.

Even earlier, in front of Zhang Shuyan, she had put on a polite front. But now, alone with Fu Xunian, she wanted to have it out with him.

"I've already spelled it out clearly to Shaochong—he shouldn’t let Shaohong keep waiting for the impossible." Cheng Shaochong had always understood his position.

He didn’t want this issue to ruin the friendship they’d built over years of working together.

But he just couldn’t figure out what to do. He had already made himself clear.

"In that case, I do have an idea."

Jiang Yiwei actually did have an idea—she just wasn’t sure if Fu Xunian would agree.

"What idea?" He might as well hear her out if it could help resolve the problem with Cheng Shaohong.

"How about we get together for dinner sometime?"

"Maybe once Cheng Shaohong sees me in person, like Zhang Shuyan did, she’ll give up on you."

Her presence had helped get through to Zhang Shuyan, making her finally believe Fu Xunian hadn’t lied.

Perhaps seeing her face-to-face would make Cheng Shaohong come to her senses and move on.

Fu Xunian looked down, thinking it over. "Alright, I’ll talk to Shaochong and set up a meeting."

After considering it carefully, this might actually work.

With the matter settled, Jiang Yiwei finally brought up something else.

"Who gave you the ticket?" Fu Xunian was curious about where Jiang Yiwei got hers.

"I made costumes for one of the performing troupes, and they were really happy with my work. The ticket was their way of thanking me."

The tickets were likely given to troupe members, and Yao Mingzhu must have passed hers along to Jiang Yiwei and Gu Xiaolei.

"And you? You don't usually care for these things. Why did you come?"

"It was Xiao Liu. He likes this girl from the factory finance department and knew she'd be here. He didn't want to come by himself, so he roped me into coming."

Fu Xunian really wasn't into these kinds of shows.

But when the girl Xiao Liu liked came to watch, he got nervous and dragged Fu along for support.

"Trying to pursue a girl but being so timid—aren’t you afraid she might actually like you?"

With Fu’s handsome, refined face, he was practically a magnet for admirers.

Yiwei had always figured there were plenty of girls who liked Fu.

"She was never into me."

The girl Xiao Liu liked had never been interested in him.

"How could you tell?"

How did he know she wasn’t into him?

Fu pointed at his eyes. "I can see it in their eyes."

They kept talking for a bit, until Yiwei remembered Xiaolei was waiting for her.

"I'd better get back, or Lei'll get worried."

Fu glanced at the time. "The show's probably wrapping up. I'll walk you home after."

"Alright, I'll go with you."

She nodded.

The two returned to the theater, and as soon as Yiwei sat down, before she could even say half a word to Xiaolei, everyone around them stood up and the crowd burst into applause.

Xiaolei pulled Yiwei up, and together they clapped with the rest of the audience.

The end of the applause meant the show was over.

People poured out of the theater, and Yiwei searched the crowd for Fu, but couldn't find him.

Outside, Xiaolei volunteered to see Yiwei home.

"Yiwei, let me take you back! My folks sent a car for me."

Xiaolei’s family, worried about safety late at night, had a car waiting for her.

She happened to notice the car parked not far away.

"Don't worry, I've got a ride. You go ahead."

"Who's giving you a lift? Your brother?"

Xiaolei assumed it was Yiwei’s older brother coming for her.

Yiwei looked behind her and finally spotted who she was looking for, then pointed toward Fu, who was up ahead leaning on his bike, waiting for her.

"There—he’s the one taking me."

Xiaolei followed her gaze and her eyes went wide.

"No way—it's him?"

Xiaolei had never gotten over Fu Xunian.

"You *do* know him."

Jiang Yiwei couldn't recall when Gu Xiaolei had ever met Fu Xunian.

"Don’t you remember... when we first met? Qiao Yun thought you were a con artist. When you saw we weren’t making progress, you told us you had someone waiting for you."

"The person you dashed toward back then—was him."

At the time, Jiang Yiwei had run straight to him.

"Plus, he’s so strikingly handsome—forgetting him would be impossible!"

How on earth could she forget Fu Xunian? Back then, she’d even thought he and Jiang Yiwei were a match made in heaven.

She looked back and forth between Jiang Yiwei and Fu Xunian.

They still looked perfect together now.

"So you still remember him?"

Who knew Gu Xiaolei had such a steel-trap memory? It had been ages, yet she still remembered Fu Xunian clearly.

"Of course I remember. With looks like his, forgetting him would be impossible."

"He’s your boyfriend, right? Seriously, you didn’t even bring him around for us to meet!"

Previously, when Gu Xiaolei teased Jiang Yiwei by asking if she had a boyfriend now, the girl had just outright said she didn’t.