Chapter 15: Simply Because I’m Beautiful!

(1/3)

Judging by the situation between the scoundrel and the second female lead, their secret affair must have been going on for quite some time—after all, it had reached this point. Yet Tian Xiang found herself puzzled. Zeng Qingwen was a fine, beautiful young lady, the daughter of the deputy factory director’s family—why was this happening?

Tian Xiang hesitated, unsure whether to shout for help, when suddenly the scene ahead changed. Zeng Qingwen bit Lu Feng on the arm, then raised her handbag and slammed it fiercely onto him, as if striking an enemy. If Tian Xiang hadn’t seen with her own eyes Zeng Qingwen clutching Lu Feng’s neck, biting him back and forth, she would have rushed out to intervene.

So these two were tangled in love and hate, difficult to part or reconcile!

Ugh...

This was far more complicated than any romance novel Tian Xiang had ever read in the library’s abandoned warehouse. She couldn’t fathom what was going on in their minds.

Nearby, Zeng Qingwen’s belongings spilled all over the floor. Lu Feng, angry from being hit, stormed off ahead. Zeng Qingwen chased after him a few steps but missed, cursing silently in frustration before turning back to gather her things. Yet, as she bent down, a wave of sadness overwhelmed her and tears began to fall.

At that moment, a low voice spoke from the darkness, “It’s not worth it. He’s a libertine, a scoundrel who dreams of countless conquests and embraces. Comrade, you’ve been deceived by his appearance and facade.”

Zeng Qingwen stopped picking up her things, a cold sweat breaking out on her back.

“Who’s there?”

She stared intently at the door not far off, trying to approach.

The voice continued, “I know you’re confused, so how about a bet?”

Zeng Qingwen’s heart tightened. “A bet on what?”

“To bet whether he’s good or bad. You don’t have to do anything—just wait quietly at home. I’ll find a way to notify you. Remember, you must come.”

The voice grew fainter and then vanished into the darkness.

Zeng Qingwen stood frozen for a long moment.

When a middle-aged woman tidying up the stage ahead came over, she pointed to the door at the corridor’s end and said, “It seems like someone’s there.”

The woman raised her broom and opened the door.

“No one’s here! Qingwen, are you all right?”

Zeng Qingwen forced a smile. “I’m fine. Maybe I just imagined it.”

Flustered, she hurriedly gathered her scattered things and left with her head down.

(2/3)

Outside in the large square, seeing the passersby, her racing heart gradually calmed.

She had been quite shaken—not only by the voice in the dark but also because the matter between her and Lu Feng had evidently been witnessed. Luckily, the person hadn’t shouted, or else if her father heard, she’d never be able to stay at the factory.

Who was it? To claim that Lu Feng was a scoundrel and dare to bet with her?

Though the voice was disguised, as if speaking through a pinched nose, she recognized it as female.

Thinking of Lu Feng’s recent sulky outings on blind dates, Zeng Qingwen gritted her teeth. “If it’s a bet, then so be it.”

Behind a flower bed near the square, Tian Xiang emerged from behind a tree after seeing Zeng Qingwen leave the factory gate. She rubbed her previously pinched nose and smiled.

Zeng Qingwen still had some backbone and sense—not immediately running to Lu Feng to snitch. Very good. Now Tian Xiang just needed to catch the scoundrel’s flaws.

Turning back toward the assembly hall, she wanted to see if Lu Feng was there. Since he had been bested by Zeng Qingwen earlier, maybe he’d seek comfort from Widow Jiang.

Entering from the side door, Tian Xiang was suddenly grabbed by a figure behind the door.

What was this about?

Tian Xiang quickly dodged sideways and grabbed the person’s arm, gritting her teeth as she executed a shoulder throw.

She had learned this from an old master in the street theater troupe a few days ago.

The master said it was good for young girls to learn self-defense—it could be used to fight dogs or confront lecherous ruffians.

This was Tian Xiang’s first time putting her lessons into practice.

After throwing the person out, she was nearly out of breath.

Damn, who was this? Quite heavy—she almost failed.

The commotion at the side door drew the attention of several dancing couples nearby, who rushed over to see what was happening.

Tian Xiang then saw clearly who was lying on the ground, clutching his arm in pain.

No wonder he reached out so casually—it was Lu Feng, that scoundrel.

Among the crowd, some who knew Lu Feng helped him up and asked Tian Xiang how she could hit someone.

Tian Xiang pointed at Lu Feng. “You shouldn’t ask me, but him! I was just coming in from outside when he suddenly reached out to grab me. Such lecherous behavior—how could I not teach him a lesson?”

Is that so?

The crowd looked to Lu Feng for an explanation.

(3/3)

Lu Feng rolled on the ground, his clothes dusty and hair disheveled, looking rather miserable.

He gave Tian Xiang an angry glare but said nothing, then left.

Tian Xiang pointed at him. “See for yourselves—he’s embarrassed and angry, even glaring at me.”

With the main player gone, no one knew what else to say. They exchanged glances and dispersed.

Tsk, just because he’s the male lead, no one stepped up to defend someone standing up for herself?

Tian Xiang pressed her tongue against her molars and followed the retreating figure, pulling her hat down tighter.

Ahead, Lu Feng went straight to the bike shed. When he grabbed his bike, he knocked over a row of bicycles beside him with too much force.

He didn’t bother to set them upright, instead kicking them angrily.

Except for the brief praise he received for hosting in the afternoon, the rest of the day was filled with troubles.

Lu Feng was furious—Zeng Qingwen hitting him was one thing, but how dare that shrew Tian Xiang lay hands on him?

A girl from Sanli Lane—if only she were pretty…

Lu Feng shouted, “What’s so great about her? Why should she be allowed?”

The angrier he got, the more he kicked before mounting his bike and leaving.

Near the flower bed in the distance, Tian Xiang spat sideways and cursed the rude trash before leaving the factory gate.

She mounted a bicycle parked outside and headed straight for the Hongwu Street resettlement area, planning to stake out Widow Jiang’s place.

The more rejected one is, the more they long for a place of warmth.

Lu Feng would probably go to Widow Jiang tonight.

After nearly ten busy days, finally something was stirring.

Tian Xiang’s mood surged with excitement as she plotted how to notify Zeng Qingwen, passing beneath a two-story building when suddenly a flowerpot fell from above.

With a loud crash, tiles and dark soil exploded in front of her.

In less than a second, the flowerpot struck Tian Xiang’s head.

Startled, she looked up and cursed the mischievous child on the second floor, “What are you doing? Trying to kill someone?”

The child was dumbstruck.

A parent rushed out to apologize to Tian Xiang.

“Comrade, the child wasn’t paying attention. Sorry.”

Seeing they meant no harm, Tian Xiang lectured the child briefly and rode on.

But as she reached the street corner, another bicycle suddenly rushed down from above.