Chapter 24: The Second Household in Bliss, the First Household Under a Dark Cloud

Tian Xiang was the eyewitness and one of the reporters of last night's incident. To protect the public's personal information, the local police station would not disclose her details unless it was relevant to the case or required by the organization. Tian Xiang was not from Red Five Street, and no one in the resettlement area knew her. Everyone only knew that a very formidable young woman had appeared last night, first looking for someone, then kicking down a door, acting with immense courage throughout. As for her name or where she came from, only the investigators at the station were aware. Even the people on Red Five Street didn't know; by the time the news reached Sanli Lane, no one had any clue. They only knew it was a brave and public-spirited citizen.

Learning that she had become an anonymous hero, Tian Xiang felt quite embarrassed. "Dad, Mom, that public-spirited citizen is me!" She quickly recounted her bold and fearless deeds from the night before to her parents, though she dared not mention how she had nearly been hit by a flowerpot or pestered by thugs.

Hu Honglian and Tian Weibing listened in astonishment. "Xiangxiang, you're not joking, are you?" Hu Honglian exclaimed. The public-spirited citizen was actually her precious daughter!

"Why would I joke about this?" Tian Xiang replied. "Mom, I told you I would find proof of his illicit affair, and I did." Although she hadn't completely taken down the scumbag Lu, this was a heavy blow.

Her daughter had indeed said such things, but Hu Honglian began to scold her. "You child, you're too reckless! Running into dark alleys in the middle of the night—weren't you afraid of something happening? You took the lead like that; if Lu Feng saw you and you two crossed paths, what if he retaliates? Even if he doesn't dare, do you realize how dangerous it was to be at the front last night? What if those two got angry and attacked you? Oh, my dear daughter! You aren't a fighter; you'll be the one to suffer. Just thinking about it makes my heart race. I'm telling you, don't be so rash again! If there's something to do, tell Mom; I'll help you! Look at these years, have I ever done anything without including you? How did it become you doing things secretly and leaving me behind?"

Hu Honglian was quite angry. Tian Xiang hugged her mother's arm and acted spoiled. "Mom, it's not that I didn't want to include you; I was just afraid you wouldn't believe me! I had a careful plan this time; nothing would have happened. Of course, next time, I'll definitely tell you." Hu Honglian pouted; she wasn't so easily coaxed.

Tian Xiang changed the subject and took out the letter of recommendation given by Director Jiang. "Dad, Mom, look! I'm going to have a job soon! Hehehe..."

A job? Hu Honglian immediately perked up. Tian Xiang unfolded the letter for them to see.

Seeing that the letter was written by Chairman Jiang of the factory union, the couple was overjoyed. Hu Honglian had previously spent so much effort trying to find her daughter a suitor on Red Five Street, ultimately just to secure a decent job. After the Lu Feng incident, she had been ready to give up, but unexpectedly...

"With this recommendation letter, can you get into the machinery factory? As a union officer?" Hu Honglian was thrilled. Being an officer was good; the work might be miscellaneous, but it was easier than the workshop floor.

"Since Chairman Jiang wrote it, it should be pretty much set," Tian Xiang said. "I'll know the details when I go the day after tomorrow." Tian Xiang wasn't entirely sure, but since the fair and upright Chairman Jiang had written the letter for her, it should be solid.

Hu Honglian slapped her thigh. "Xiangxiang, let's go, let's head to the market." She wanted to buy something good to celebrate.

As the mother and daughter were about to head out, the sound of tables being slammed and items being smashed drifted through the thin brick wall from next door. They looked at each other. Tian Xiang grabbed a book, rolled it into a trumpet shape, and pressed it against the wall to eavesdrop. Hu Honglian leaned in next to her and whispered, "What are they saying?"

"Mom, be quiet first."

"Okay, okay..."

Not far away, Tian Weibing, who was sitting at a small table, was already accustomed to this. He helplessly picked up the vegetable basket. "Forget it, I'll go to the market." If he went any later, there wouldn't be anything good left. Hu Honglian waved her hand, signaling him to go.

Tian Xiang listened for a while and figured out what the commotion next to them was about. Tian Chuying had heard that Lu Feng was in the clinic and wanted to go take care of him. Now that Lu Feng's reputation was ruined, the couple next door certainly didn't want their daughter getting involved. It was just asking for humiliation! Because of the attempted bride-snatching, Tian Chuying's reputation was already tarnished. If Lu Feng were a good man, one could claim she was blinded by his excellence and made a mistake, but now that Lu Feng was in this state, wouldn't Tian Chuying be fighting a widow for a man? It was too shameful; no decent girl would do such a thing. Her family forbade it, but Tian Chuying insisted on going, and the mother and daughter were arguing.

Tian Chuying, being stubborn, grabbed her bag and ran out. He Cuifen pointed at her daughter and cursed, "Go ahead, run! If you have the guts, don't ever come back to this house!"

He Cuifen, whose forehead seemed to bear the mark of a "villain," was spitting as she shouted, her face flushed with rage. Tian Chuying hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth and ran off. The busybodies in the courtyard were baffled, asking what was wrong with Tian Chuying and where she was going. He Cuifen, too embarrassed to explain, quickly slammed the door shut.

Next door, Hu Honglian and Tian Xiang stood with their hands on their hips, laughing. Tian Chuying was determined to jump into a fire pit, and the outsiders were happy to watch the show.

At dinner, because Tian Xiang was about to start a job, the second branch of the Tian family had egg drop soup and stir-fried green beans with pork strips; the family of three was happy and content. Next door, because Tian Chuying hadn't returned, the couple didn't cook and just ate dried pancakes with boiled water.

The next day, Tian Xiang went to the theater troupe in the morning and tidied up the house in the afternoon. She even took out her newest set of clothes and used hot water and a ceramic cup to iron them straight.

Because of the interview, Hu Honglian pulled her daughter up early the next day to get ready. Since she had an interview, she had to look her best and not waste the opportunity given by Chairman Jiang. Tian Xiang followed suit, pinning back her bangs to reveal a smooth forehead. Hmm, she looked a bit more mature like this.

At breakfast, Hu Honglian studied her daughter carefully. Not bad, her Xiangxiang was the most beautiful. Previously in Sanli Lane, her daughter was the "courtyard flower," and now that she was going to the machinery factory, the title of "factory flower" would soon change hands.

Tian Xiang's interview was at nine; there was no need to rush. Hu Honglian had to head to work and reminded her daughter to bring her diploma and related materials. Tian Xiang saw her mother off, listening attentively.

At eight-thirty, Tian Xiang pushed her bicycle out and ran into Pan Yuzhen, who was heading out to buy groceries. "Xiangxiang, where are you off to today?"

Tian Xiang smiled. "It's been months since I graduated, so I'm going to look for job information." The interview wasn't a certainty yet, so she didn't want to talk about it.

Pan Yuzhen nodded. "No rush, the main thing is to find a good one; a job is a lifelong matter."

"That's for sure," Tian Xiang agreed.

Arriving at the machinery factory, the security guard recognized her. "Here for Officer Meng or Chairman Jiang today?"

Tian Xiang handed over the recommendation letter. "Uncle, neither. I'm here for an interview today."