Chapter 16: Can I Speak Honestly?
When Yao Xiangling returned, Jiang Yu told her about going back to South River Village.
Yao Xiangling didn't think too much of it. "She wasn't wrong to say so. They are your parents, after all. If you want to visit them, feel free to do so."
She gave Jiang Yu five yuan. "Don't go back empty-handed. Bring some candies and biscuits for your sister."
Yao Xiangling didn't mention Jiang Hao at all, clearly showing that she truly looked down on him.
The next day, Jiang Yu took the five yuan and went to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy biscuits.
Noticing Xie Feifei's joyful expression, she asked a bit more out of curiosity.
Blushing, Xie Feifei said, "I'm considering whether to agree to date him."
Jiang Yu was taken aback, knowing she was referring to Sun Zailiang.
She became conflicted, unsure whether to say it.
Xie Feifei turned to ask Jiang Yu's opinion. "What do you think of him?"
Jiang Yu hesitated and asked, "Can I speak honestly?"
Xie Feifei: "...Go ahead."
Jiang Yu, who had only been asked casually, actually had something to say.
Jiang Yu said seriously, "I don't think much of him. The last time, I saw him at the gate of the Second Factory. He was holding hands with a female worker and gave her a red silk scarf. The female worker even…"
"What else did she do?" Xie Feifei asked sharply.
"She even kissed him!" Jiang Yu continued, raising her hand. "I swear, I really did see it. I'm not lying."
Xie Feifei's face changed dramatically. "Who was the woman?"
Jiang Yu shook her head. "I don't know her. But regardless of who she is, it doesn't change the fact that Sun Zailiang has poor character. Feifei, I don't think he's worthy of you."
Xie Feifei took her words to heart, her expression becoming increasingly troubled.
Who the woman was didn't matter. What mattered was that Sun Zailiang dared to two-time!
"I understand now, Jiang Yu."
Jiang Yu bit her lip. "Will you be mad at me?"
Seeing Jiang Yu's cautious expression, Xie Feifei smiled.
"Of course not. You told me this, which means you consider me a mate. If this is true, I should thank you."
Otherwise, if she had started a relationship with such a man, she would feel sick thinking about it later.
Jiang Yu bought her things and left, while Xie Feifei thought it over and decided to ask the director for leave to wait outside the Second Factory.
It was just a shot in the dark, but she didn't expect to actually run into Sun Zailiang.
Xie Feifei deliberately kept her distance and observed from afar.
Soon, the female workers from the Second Factory finished their shift.
One of the female workers, who was delicate and attractive, wasn't afraid of being accused of inappropriate behavior. The two of them boldly took her hand.
Xie Feifei gave a cold laugh and rode her bicycle out.
At the same time, Sun Zailiang spotted her, his face changing slightly.
By the time he reacted, Xie Feifei had already ridden away.
Sun Zailiang felt vexed, but he restrained himself and didn't chase after her.
However, he knew that with Xie Feifei's proud nature, he wouldn't have had a chance with her, and he couldn't help but feel a little regretful.
When it came to dating, it was still the considerate Zhao Qing, whom he was holding hands with, that mattered.
But when it came to marriage, Xie Feifei's status offered greater advantages to him.
"Brother Liang, Brother Liang, what are you looking at so intently?" Zhao Qing called out several times.
She had also seen Xie Feifei, and from her neat clothing and the fact that she could afford a bicycle, deduced that her family must be well-off.
Her intuition told her that Sun Zailiang's relationship with that woman wasn't just casual, and Zhao Qing felt a sense of unease.
Sun Zailiang smiled, "It's nothing much. I saw an acquaintance. Come on, I'll take you to the state-run restaurant. I specially asked them to set aside a dish of braised pork for you!"
Zhao Qing's thoughts were filled with him, and she smiled shyly.
"Brother Liang, you're so good to me."
Sun Zailiang's vanity was satisfied, and he surreptitiously pinched her hip.
"How about we meet at our usual place tonight?"
Zhao Qing gave him a coquettish look, "Alright."
...
Xie Feifei returned home seething with frustration.
The thought of almost dating such a man made her want to vomit.
She also felt guilty because she had quarreled with her parents over Sun Zailiang over the past two days.
However, just as she returned home, her mother Huang Ying said, "Don't be angry with your father. He has agreed to let you date Sun Zailiang. But you can't get married so soon; he needs to examine him first."
Xie Feifei felt even worse, her eyes reddening as she lowered her head.
"Mom, I was wrong. Dad is right; Sun Zailiang is not a good person! He's been two-timing, and I saw it with my own eyes today. I'm glad I didn't agree to date him."
This was overheard by Xie Jinchan, who was so furious that he smashed the cup he was holding.
"This bastard dares to engage in inappropriate relationships! I must deal with him severely!"
Seeing that he was about to storm out, Huang Ying hurriedly stopped him.
"This matter can't be blown out of proportion. Your daughter hasn't even dated him! What charge can you use to punish him?"
They could only swallow this silent loss, but fortunately, Xie Feifei hadn't been with him, so her reputation was still intact.
Xie Jinchan let out a cold hum, "I've seen through his intentions all along! I told you he wasn't a good person, but you didn't believe me!"
Sun Zailiang had an older sister who was sent to the countryside five years ago.
Now 25 years old, she has delayed marriage in the countryside as she has been trying to find a way back to the city.
When she went to the countryside, she was already 20 and of marriageable age, with someone she was engaged to.
But if she didn't go, Sun Zailiang would have to go in her place.
After much deliberation, their mother broke off her daughter's engagement and sent her to the countryside instead of Sun Zailiang.
Because of this, she has felt guilty about her daughter and has been trying to find a way to get her daughter back to the city.
She instructed Sun Zailiang to get close to Xie Feifei simply because Xie Jinchan was the vice director of the Second State Cotton Mill, hoping to use his connections to secure a job.
Huang Ying frowned. "Fortunately, we found out in time. If we had only found out after they were married, it would have been much more troublesome."
Xie Feifei looked dejected. After all, this was the first male comrade she had romantic feelings for, and it still hurt a little.
"If it weren't for Jiang Yu, I would still be kept in the dark."
Huang Ying looked surprised. "Who is Jiang Yu? You've never mentioned her before."
"She's a new friend I just made. She's from the countryside and is currently visiting the city, staying with her great-aunt. It's thanks to her that I found out in time."
These few words made Huang Ying form a favorable impression of Jiang Yu.
"Her willingness to risk offending you to tell you this shows that she really considers you a friend and is a good-hearted comrade. Feifei, you need to be more discerning from now on. People like her are the ones worth befriending." Xie Jinchan offered some advice.
Huang Ying seized the opportunity to suggest, "We should properly thank her. How about inviting her over for a meal?"
Xie Jinchan agreed and asked her to take care of it.
Xie Feifei was unsure. "I'll ask her tomorrow. If she's available, we can talk more about it. By the way, Dad, Jiang Yu is also seeking employment. Is there anything suitable at the Second State Cotton Mill?"
Xie Jinchan frowned. "Did she ask for your help?"
Xie Feifei shook her head. "No, she doesn't even know your status. She just inquired about a few things."
Xie Jinchan pondered for a moment. "Jobs at the factory are like a one-to-one arrangement, and there are household registration restrictions. There's no position available for her."