Chapter 23: Scum, I Am Starting to Get Serious

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After leaving the machinery factory, Tian Xiang went to the family compound's neighborhood committee to inform Director Yang that she was pausing her volunteer work. The day after tomorrow, she was scheduled to attend a recruitment interview at the factory's labor union. With other matters occupying her these days, she decided not to come to volunteer anymore.

As soon as Yang Qunying saw her, she gasped and pulled her aside to whisper. The rumor about Lu Feng and Widow Jiang from last night had already spread. Yang Qunying sighed deeply, relieved that Tian Xiang had missed the encounter with him. Otherwise, if they had gotten involved and such a scandal arose, Tian Xiang’s reputation would have been ruined as well.

Yang Qunying had no idea that it was Tian Xiang who had led the charge in catching them in the act last night. Tian Xiang didn’t explain much and only smiled gently.

Having resigned from her volunteer duties, Tian Xiang went to a grocery store, retrieved the ration coupons and private savings she had been stashing away for two years, bought some tea leaves and fruit, and carried them to the Sanli Lane Street Drama Troupe.

This troupe was a self-organized group of Sanli Lane residents who pursued acting out of personal interest, not affiliated with any official organization. Still, they had a recognized name on the street, used free venues allocated by the neighborhood, and represented Sanli Lane. Though unpaid, participants usually received allowances and bonuses for activities and competitions.

When Tian Xiang was young, she often came here to play around and sometimes practiced. As she grew older and had more interests, she gradually stopped coming. Only recently, after a near collision with Lu Feng—who had awakened a fierce spirit within her—she avoided disaster and returned to practice kicking and waist movements, determined to hone her skills.

She had even formally accepted the troupe leader as her master. Of course, everyone training here addressed the troupe leader as master; it was more a formality and title than anything else.

At first, Tian Xiang paid little mind, simply training alongside senior members and performing the customary bow at the start. But after last night’s near misses with falling flowerpots, a bicycle crash, and being harassed by thugs, she felt she could no longer be a casual disciple, nor could she choose her master lightly.

The day after tomorrow at the machinery factory awaited a tough battle. Challenging the male lead was no easy task; she had to be earnest.

Wearing her practice uniform, her hair white as snow, cheeks flushed, and spirits soaring, Zhou Jian looked somewhat puzzled when Tian Xiang handed him the tea and fruit.

“Tian Xiang, what are you doing?” he asked.

Tian Xiang knelt down. “Master, please accept my bow.”

She then solemnly kowtowed three times.

Zhou Jian was stunned.

Nearby, seven or eight senior members, grandpa and grandma aged, looked on bewildered. What was Tian Xiang doing? Usually, they just performed the gesture out of politeness, never expecting her to be so earnest!

Zhou Jian quickly recovered, his heart filled with excitement and pride as he helped Tian Xiang up.

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“My child, your sincerity moves me deeply. I accept these gifts. From now on, you are my final disciple. Rest assured, I will not withhold my knowledge but will impart all I’ve learned in my lifetime to you.”

Tian Xiang was equally moved. “Master, I will work hard.”

“Good.”

“Come, good disciple, let’s perform a scene from the model opera ‘The Ferry Crossing.’ You’ll be Xiao Yan, I’ll be Grandpa.”

Tian Xiang instantly got into character. “Grandpa~~”

…

In the afternoon, after finishing work, Hu Honglian didn’t buy any groceries and hurried straight home.

At the gate of the compound, Pan Yuzhen was waiting for her.

“Xiangxiang’s mother, have you heard about Lu Feng?”

Hu Honglian nodded gravely.

“Everyone who came for haircuts today was talking about it,” Pan Yuzhen sighed. “The rumor has spread inside and outside the compound. Isn’t Lu Feng one of the factory’s model workers? A huge factory with thousands of employees, only ten get selected each year, and he made the cut. His character shouldn’t be bad. How did he end up with the widow?”

The excuse of changing the light bulb for the widow's suitor late at night was unbelievable.

Everyone knew the truth: Lu Feng’s heart was led astray by lust; he was trying to sneak into her bed.

He seemed so gentle and polite—how could he be like this?

Thankfully…

Hu Honglian was immensely grateful her daughter was sharp and clear-headed, not fooled by appearances as she herself had been.

Now that Tian Xiang hadn’t reconnected with Lu Feng, there was no need for her to explain anything. They had completely severed ties.

Hu Honglian glared. “How should I know about other people’s business? You’re asking the wrong person.”

She quickly left.

Pan Yuzhen called after her, “Xiangxiang’s mother, Tian Xiang hasn’t gotten back with Lu Feng, right?”

“No, no, absolutely not! Who told you such nonsense? I’ll tear their mouth apart!”

“That’s good; I was just worried…”

Pan Yuzhen liked to gossip but was not a bad person.

Back home, Hu Honglian shut the door behind her.

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This morning, Tian Weibing had the early shift but was already home now.

Hu Honglian hurriedly told her husband about Lu Feng.

Tian Weibing worked at a lumber factory on the city’s edge, filled with men who didn’t care for gossip. Though rumors were rampant outside, he remained unaware.

Upon hearing Lu Feng had been caught with the widow, Tian Weibing also felt relieved.

Tian Weibing said, “For Xiangxiang’s future, it’s best to have someone familiar introduce a match. You never know a person’s true nature by their face alone. Take that Liu woman, for example—you made clothes for her family for two years, and this is the match she introduced us to? I don’t know if she knew what Lu Feng was really like.”

Mentioning Liu, Hu Honglian’s fists clenched.

“That old shrew, I haven’t settled accounts with her yet!”

She spoke and rushed out, just as Tian Xiang was coming in.

“Mom, where are you going?”

Hu Honglian gritted her teeth. “I’m going to handle something. You stay here.”

It was obvious she was about to confront someone angrily.

Tian Xiang narrowed her eyes. “Who dares mess with you? Lead the way; I’ll go with you.”

The mother and daughter exchanged a look and were about to leave together when Tian Weibing came out and pulled them back.

“Forget about Liu. With Lu Feng’s scandal at its peak, it’s none of our business. If you two stir things up over there, who knows what rumors might spread?”

That made sense…

Tian Xiang realized what was going on.

“Mom, Dad’s right. Let’s hold off for now. If Liu really didn’t know about Lu Feng’s secret deeds, then it’s just that man’s cunning fooling everyone. But if she knew and still introduced him to me, it means she deliberately pushed me into danger, and we’ll have to give her a piece of our minds.”

Hu Honglian nodded. “I know what to do.”

They soon resumed talking about Lu Feng and Widow Jiang.

“Xiangxiang, you were wise to see through his true nature. It’s thanks to some kind-hearted folks who witnessed and exposed their disgraceful affair; otherwise…”

Thinking of how she had even urged her daughter to attend the machinery factory’s dance yesterday, Hu Honglian’s heart raced.

“Kind-hearted folks?”

Tian Xiang smiled and asked, “Dad, Mom, do you know who that kind-hearted person is?”