Chapter 013: The Gossip I Was Enjoying Turned Out to Be About Me

At the mechanical factory’s dance, Zeng Qingwen was the factory’s announcer, so naturally, she had to be the host.

This was a perfect opportunity to glean the nature of the two people’s relationship and to privately gauge the thoughts of the second female lead.

When Tian Xiang was about to leave, Hu Honglian asked, “Where are you going?”

Tian Xiang casually replied, “Just going for a stroll over by the bridge.”

“It’s almost dark; what’s there to stroll for?” Hu Honglian glanced at her daughter and tentatively suggested, “There’s a dance at the mechanical factory later. Why don’t you go check it out?”

The implication was clear: at the mechanical factory, Lu Feng would definitely be there.

Tian Xiang held back her urge to lecture and said, “I’ll see.”

She understood well that as long as the label of ‘female lead’ stuck to her forehead, everyone around would think she and Lu Feng were a match made in heaven.

Hu Honglian was overjoyed. “Be careful on the way. If it gets too late, have someone escort you home.”

“Got it.”

…

The evening event at the mechanical factory was naturally the liveliest among several factories.

The activities began in the afternoon with a quarterly work summary, speeches, and award ceremonies. Then came a communal meal for the entire factory, and only after that did the dance commence.

This dance was specially arranged for the factory’s young workers—in essence, a chance for everyone to mingle freely, either to meet potential partners or to deepen existing relationships.

When Tian Xiang arrived, she saw many young men and women heading inside.

She was alone, wearing a military cap, and was stopped by the gatekeeper.

“Comrade, which department are you from?”

Tian Xiang thought, I’m from the social department.

“I’m from the textile factory up front.”

The gatekeeper asked, “Who brought you?”

Since this dance was exclusively for the young people in the factory, it was normal to invite outsiders, but they had to be accompanied by someone.

Everyone arrived in pairs or groups today; she was the only one alone and half her face hidden by a cap. Of course, the old man had to ask.

This was the factory area—if an unauthorized person sneaked in, he would be held responsible.

This gatekeeper was truly diligent.

Tian Xiang tilted her cap to the side, revealing her delicate face.

“Sir, my friend is an officer in the factory union’s publicity department, surname Meng. He’s busy inside today, so I didn’t want to trouble him and came alone.”

There was no choice; aside from Lu Feng, the only young man she knew in the factory was this background figure.

Fortunately, she had learned his surname last time; otherwise, this lie would have been impossible to sustain.

Before meeting the gatekeeper, the young woman was as beautiful as a fairy, making him smile. “Alright, go on inside. The auditorium is that way.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Tian Xiang hurried in.

The gatekeeper asked a colleague beside him, “Publicity department of the factory union, surname Meng? Could it be Meng Cheng’an?”

Another old man replied, “There are only two unmarried young men in the union’s publicity: Lu Feng and Meng Cheng’an.”

So she really was here for Meng Cheng’an.

What a surprise—the young lady was so pretty!

Meanwhile,

Tian Xiang followed the crowd to the auditorium.

The mechanical factory had thousands of employees, so the auditorium was quite large, comparable to a school playground. There was a stage at the front, tables and chairs arranged below, but today the center was cleared to serve as the dance floor.

When Tian Xiang entered, many people were already inside. Around the resting areas were snacks like sunflower seeds and peanuts for casual munching.

The mechanical factory really spared no expense!

The program would start in about ten minutes. After entering, Tian Xiang moved to a spot where many “onlookers” gathered, grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds, and quietly sat down.

A few minutes later, she gathered the backgrounds of several nearby spectators: one was a quality inspector from the mechanical factory’s production workshop, and two others were from the neighboring button factory.

At first, the three chatted about gossip from their workshops. When the program was about to start, Lu Feng appeared, and the conversation shifted to him.

This week’s Red Star Weekly featured another poem of his.

It was truly beautiful: “Moon through mist, dreams of yearning…”

“That’s obviously a love poem. Who do you think he’s pining for? Could it be that shrew from Sanli Alley who slapped him before?”

Tian Xiang froze mid-sunflower seed.

She had become a shrew!

Even more exaggerated than a virago.

“No way! Losing such face, if I were Lu Feng, I’d hate her to death.”

“Not necessarily. I heard that shrew came to the factory gate looking for him afterward, and they even talked. Lu Feng’s a good guy; he doesn’t bother with grudges.”

“She actually came back? Is she regretting it?”

“Probably. Recently, someone saw her around the family housing area. Seems like she’s still clinging to him…”

Beside them, Tian Xiang ground her teeth in frustration as she continued to munch seeds.

Clinging? These people only saw her appearing on Red Five Street and conveniently ignored the disdainful look she gave Lu Feng!

Tian Xiang casually popped two seeds and interjected, “I think he’s longing for someone he once missed.”

“Who?”

All three turned sharply to look at her.

Tian Xiang raised her chin while eating seeds.

Their gaze followed hers to the stage ahead.

Under the bright lights, Lu Feng was tuning the speakers with someone.

Not far away, Zeng Qingwen, dressed in a beautiful skirt, was reviewing the program list with a girl holding a flute.

Before the dance began, there were a few small performances to liven up the atmosphere.

Tian Xiang said nothing, just slightly lifted her chin.

The three began imagining a grand drama.

Soon, someone whispered, “Those two were high school classmates. Last year’s snowman competition, they teamed up and even won a prize. I think announcer Zeng likes Lu Feng, but the deputy factory director Zeng disapproves.”

“Yeah, though it’s never been openly said, some things are obvious to anyone with eyes.”

“Deputy Director Zeng has already arranged for her daughter to go to university next year!”

Tian Xiang interjected, “So, they were torn apart by Deputy Director Zeng?”

This second female lead was impressive—turns out she was the deputy director’s daughter.

“Probably. They never publicly admitted their relationship, so it’s hard to say.”

Tian Xiang said, “I think Lu Feng is just a playboy. If the Zeng family disagrees, shouldn’t he be trying harder? Why is he still going around on blind dates? Who wouldn’t be heartbroken in his position? It’s not announcer Zeng’s fault if the family disapproves, yet he turns around and chases after others—what does he think those girls are?”

But as soon as she finished, the three spectators laughed at her.

The quality inspector from the mechanical factory asked, “Which factory are you from?”

“The textile factory.”

Tian Xiang’s lie flowed smoothly.

“No wonder. You didn’t go to No. 2 High School, huh? You don’t know. Our factory’s announcer Zeng is proud. She hardly ever gives a second glance to most men. Back then, Lu Feng sat next to her and was often bossed around. We all have two eyes and one mouth—why should that be?”

“Exactly. Lu Feng is so outstanding, even her family looks down on him. Not fighting for bread, just for pride! If I were Lu Feng, I’d look elsewhere. Without your daughter, there must be no good girls in the world!”

Indeed, not for bread, but for pride.

But if they knew Lu Feng’s true feelings—embracing one on the left and one on the right—they wouldn’t think that way.

At the lower part of the auditorium, Meng Cheng’an carried a basket of tangerines and entered. Looking up, he spotted Tian Xiang not far away.

She wore a red and black plaid jacket, paired with black slim pants. A military cap covered half her face, two long braids draped casually over her shoulders. Munching sunflower seeds and chatting quietly with those nearby, she was the only splash of color in the entire auditorium.