Chapter 3: Slapped Him Hard

The next day, Tian Xiang got up and first glanced at the mirror.

It was terrible—the words "foolish waste" were still there.

But she believed that label could be changed.

Since Tian Chuying had become the heroine through reincarnation, if she acted in ways inconsistent with her character, it should be possible to alter the narrative.

Of course, this was just her speculation; the truth would only be revealed through experimentation.

After breakfast, Tian Weijun and his wife were about to leave for work.

Before going, Hu Honglian repeatedly reminded her daughter, “Get plenty of rest and keep your spirits up. I’ll come back at noon to take you to handle something important.”

Tian Xiang nodded obediently.

Hu Honglian affectionately stroked her daughter’s braid. “Xiangxiang, do you want braised pork belly or stewed fish chunks? I’ll bring some from the restaurant at noon.”

Her daughter had suffered such a heavy grievance and needed to be well nourished.

“Mom, I’ll cook for myself at noon,” Tian Xiang replied.

Those dishes were too expensive.

Her daughter’s thoughtfulness tugged at Hu Honglian’s heart. “Alright then, I’ll bring you the pork belly.”

Tian Xiang was speechless.

After seeing Hu Honglian off, Tian Xiang slung her floral bag over her shoulder, ready to head out.

If she let her mother accompany her to settle the matter between Lu Feng and Tian Chuying, who knew what she would turn into? Meanwhile, her mother was only drifting further down the path of an insufferable antagonist.

She decided to handle this matter on her own.

After locking the door, Tian Xiang made her way directly to the neighborhood committee.

The two ladies from the Women’s Friends Office, who were casual onlookers, received her.

Seeing the labels on their foreheads, Tian Xiang was a bit puzzled. There should be some plot and dialogue—at least a minor character—but why were they just bystanders?

She couldn’t quite understand, but it didn’t matter.

The matter of her younger sister snatching her elder sister’s matchmaking prospect had already been thoroughly understood by everyone through Director Wu of the neighborhood committee yesterday afternoon.

Tian Xiang didn’t elaborate further. The main purpose of her visit today was to ask these two to accompany her to the machinery factory to find Lu Feng.

“My cousin isn’t very smart and is quite naive. She went to the blind date on my behalf yesterday, claiming she had liked Lu Feng for a long time and that their feelings were mutual.

I feel something’s off.”

Tian Xiang frowned deeply. “If they truly have mutual affection, then why is Lu Feng going on a blind date with me? Doesn’t that seem strange?”

“Yes, continue your analysis,” said the two women, their eyes gleaming with gossip. One of them instinctively reached into her pocket for sunflower seeds but realized the setting was inappropriate and silently put them back.

Tian Xiang paused, then continued, “Of course, this is just one side of the story—my sister’s. We need to ask Lu Feng to find out the truth. If he really has feelings for my sister but still comes to a blind date with me, that’s messing around irresponsibly. This is serious. To prevent my sister from being deceived, I need to go and clarify.”

The two women exchanged a glance and swiftly packed up.

“Comrade Tian Xiang, you make perfect sense. This trip is necessary.”

“A rare good girl indeed—losing a match to her own sister yet still worried her might be deceived...”

Tian Xiang hadn’t expected things to proceed so smoothly and gratefully clasped their hands. “Officer Zhang, Officer Guo, you’re both good comrades. Thank you.”

The three of them cheerfully rode their bicycles toward Lixin Machinery Factory on Hongwu Street.

Coming out of the alley and onto the main road, Tian Xiang’s eyes were dazzled by the bustling passersby.

From Sanli Alley to Hongwu Street, they passed a canal lined with willow trees, rode west for about ten minutes, then pushed their bikes over a small stone arch bridge guarded by stone lions, and finally arrived at Hongwu Street.

Unlike the dark alleyways and dilapidated courtyards of Sanli Alley, Hongwu Street was home to the city’s five largest factories, complete with apartment buildings, malls, hospitals, schools, and every kind of entertainment and dining.

No wonder the young women of Sanli Alley all dreamed of marrying into Hongwu Street—people always aspire upward, and water flows downward. Who wouldn’t envy it?

Lixin Machinery Factory was at the very edge of Hongwu Street.

Led by the two casual onlookers, Tian Xiang smoothly entered through the big iron gate and met Lu Feng’s supervisor, Director Liu of the factory union, who wore the label “Supporting Role 56” on his forehead.

Unfortunately, Lu Feng was not there—he had gone to the workshop.

Director Liu took them to the reception room.

“Do you three have something important to discuss with Xiao Lu? He’s an excellent union officer and usually very busy.”

Judging by his tone, he was defending Lu Feng even before knowing the details.

It seemed Lu Feng had a good reputation and was well-liked here.

The two officers from the Women’s Friends Office quickly explained the situation.

Hearing that Lu Feng was suspected of improper relationships, Director Liu laughed heartily, “Lu Feng is one of our model workers at the machinery factory—this must be a misunderstanding.”

Tian Xiang said, “I believe in the moral education here at Lixin Machinery Factory, but my sister said they have liked each other for a long time. This cannot be ignored. So please, Comrade Lu, come here and clarify this in front of everyone.”

Director Liu confidently replied, “Alright, please have a seat.”

After Director Liu left, the two officers opened their notebooks to record their work and visits for the day.

Even amidst gossip, work had to continue.

Tian Xiang courteously poured hot water for them, then turned to leave.

Since she was here to make a scene, it was best to do it outside the office—in the plaza. The reception room was cramped, and voices wouldn’t carry out well.

The machinery factory’s conditions were quite good—the plaza was clean and level.

There were flower beds, red flags, a bulletin board, and a notice board.

Tian Xiang admired them quietly, but her gaze suddenly froze upon a certain figure.

“Hm?”

Near the notice board stood a man posting large character posters, yet why was there no label above his head?

Tian Xiang was puzzled and turned to look for other figures.

Passerby A, Passerby B, Scumbag 3, Fangirl 1, Fangirl 2...

Her eyes were fine!

So, the problem was with that man!!

Tian Xiang was stunned. Among all the background characters, how did an anomaly sneak in?

Who was he???

Her gaze was so intent and confused that the man beneath the bulletin board, having finished posting the big-character poster, turned his head to look at her.

Their eyes met. The man paused, emotions flickering in his eyes.

But he was too far away for her to see clearly—only a vague impression.

White shirt, green military pants paired with white sneakers—clean and refreshing. Handsome features, an elegant and outstanding demeanor.

He looked surprisingly like a protagonist, yet he was a nobody—not even a passerby label. Could he be a background figure in this world?

Tian Xiang frowned and shook her head, quickly averting her gaze. Although puzzled, it was none of her business.

After about ten minutes, Director Liu returned with Lu Feng.

The twenty-something Lu Feng wore a gray plaid shirt with black dress pants, holding a notebook and pen, a slight smile at his lips—sunny and handsome, surrounded by three colleagues, looking poised and charming.

If one ignored the label on his forehead, Tian Xiang thought he was exactly her type.

But now...

Tian Xiang charged forward and firmly slapped him across the face.