A single sentence left Zhou Wenxuan speechless.
He had rushed all the way over and was already drenched in sweat.
At that moment, seeing the ice cream in Shen Nanzhi’s hand, he looked like a dying fish seeing water.
He reached out to grab it, but she dodged away.
Coldly, she said, “If you want one, take it from the fridge.”
Zhou Wenxuan looked shocked. “You installed a fridge too? How much is it?”
“A small fridge. 288 yuan. No discount.”
“288 yuan? That cheap?” Zhou Wenxuan’s jaw almost dropped. “A unit like this costs over a thousand on the market now.”
When he saw the fridge, he was even more stunned.
It was indeed small, but the design and appearance were modern and elegant—strikingly appealing.
He opened the door and saw ice cream and popsicles inside.
He quickly grabbed a popsicle, tore off the wrapper, and shoved it into his mouth.
The cold spread from his tongue down his throat, and he couldn’t help but let out a satisfied sound.
“So refreshing!”
Feeling physically cooled down and mentally satisfied, his curiosity rose again.
“Nanzhi, where did you get all these appliances? They look high-end, definitely not cheap. Is Factory Director Lu that rich, letting you spend like this?”
The moment Lu Xiangyang was mentioned, Shen Nanzhi felt a sharp sting in her chest.
That was the second time today someone had belittled him.
If it weren’t for the fact that she still needed Zhou Wenxuan, she would have already slapped him and told him to get lost.
After finishing the last bite of ice cream, she stood up and looked him straight in the eye.
“The money Xiangyang gave me was earned by his own work. Not a single cent came from his family or any illegal source. Say one more sarcastic word, and I won’t be polite.”
Her gaze was sharp—each word struck like a slap.
Zhou Wenxuan realized he had gone too far and quickly apologized.
“Nanzhi, don’t be angry. I just meant he’s a disabled man…”
“Zhou Wenxuan!” she cut him off. “Being able to marry Lu Xiangyang is me reaching up. If you keep talking nonsense, we won’t even be friends anymore.”
The anger in her chest surged.
Zhou Wenxuan couldn’t help but shiver.
He still didn’t want to lose this business partner.
“Alright, alright, I won’t say it. I’ll go load the goods.”
“Come back.”
Shen Nanzhi called him back and handed him three bills—two twenties and one ten.
“This is your pay for yesterday.”
Zhou Wenxuan took the money, his hands slightly trembling.
Fifty yuan.
It wasn’t much for two days of effort, but in his hands, it felt heavy.
This was the first time he had ever earned money with his own labor.
And it felt better than anything.
Shen Nanzhi observed his reaction and continued:
“I know you don’t have much money right now, so your wages will be settled daily for now. Starting next month, it’ll be monthly.”
“Also, starting tomorrow, you’ll pick up the goods yourself and deliver them directly to the supply and marketing cooperative. Your daily pay increases by 5 yuan.”
At the mention of the extra five yuan, Zhou Wenxuan’s eyes lit up instantly.
“Deal!”
He quickly calculated in his mind: 55 yuan a day income, 30 yuan expenses, leaving 25 yuan for investment.
The more he thought, the more excited he became, working even faster.
This time, there were not only fans, but also rice cookers and a small refrigerator.
When they arrived at the supply store, a long queue had already formed at the counter.
Shen Nanzhi became so busy that she completely forgot about calling Lu Xiangyang to ask about the marriage application.
At the food factory gate, Lu Xiangyang’s wheelchair scraped against the ground, producing a faint friction sound.
The guard rushed up with an ingratiating smile.
“Director, a young woman came to see you this morning. Pretty well-dressed—looked like she was trying to use you for a job.”
“At first I thought she should come in to cool off because of the heat, but she actually said she was your wife. I immediately drove her away.”
He looked proud, as if he had done something great.
He didn’t notice Lu Xiangyang’s face had already turned dark.
Wang Dashan sensed something was wrong and tried to stop him, but the guard kept talking.
“What’s her name?”
Lu Xiangyang’s voice came out cold, like it was from a frozen abyss.
The guard shivered.
“Sh-she said… Shen Nanzhi.”
“She came to see me.”
Lu Xiangyang’s tone grew even colder.
The guard was now shaking uncontrollably.
“I-I’m sorry, Director!”
Lu Xiangyang glanced at him coldly, turned his wheelchair, and left.
Back in the office, Wang Dashan could still feel the chilling atmosphere.
He cautiously said, “Director, I’ll call back home and ask if sister-in-law returned.”
“She didn’t go home. Call the supply and marketing office—Director Huang.”
His voice was calm, but his hands holding the documents were slightly trembling.
All he could think about was—why had Shen Nanzhi come to see him?
At first, he assumed she was there to rush the marriage application.
But something felt off.
Shen Nanzhi had loved Jiang Feng for years—how could she change her mind in just two days?
Last night, Wang Aunt had said Jiang Feng insisted on marriage, and Shen Nanzhi said she would rather die than marry him.
At the time, Lu Xiangyang was eating the cake she made, feeling warm and content, not thinking much of it.
Now, he realized—it might have just been anger.
She had liked Jiang Feng for so long… how could she not marry him?
Thinking that Shen Nanzhi would become someone else’s wife made his heart tighten painfully.
He knew she was at the supply store but didn’t dare ask why she came.
He was afraid of the answer.
Wang Dashan finished the call.
“Director, sister-in-law is at the supply store. She’s busy.”
“Don’t call her sister-in-law,” Lu Xiangyang reminded him.
Wang Dashan was confused. “But didn’t you two already hold a wedding…”
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Lu Xiangyang interrupted. “That was just acting to help her get revenge on Jiang Feng. She’ll calm down in a couple of days.”
He still couldn’t bring himself to say she would become Jiang Feng’s wife.
“And the bride price you gave?” Wang Dashan asked carefully.