The next day, 6:00 a.m.
Cheng Zi was about to go to her first day of work after transmigrating into the novel.
She woke up a little early today.
But Xie Ci was even earlier—he had already gone out for a morning run.
She put the porridge on to cook and tidied herself up properly. She looked neat, capable, and refreshed.
Just as she stepped out of the bathroom, Xie Ci returned.
Breakfast was simple. After eating, they prepared to head early to the garment factory.
“I’m leaving.”
“I’ll see you off.”
Cheng Zi sized him up. Seeing how particularly well-groomed he looked today, she nodded. “Alright.”
Xie Ci was already thinking about buying a bicycle later. It would be convenient to send Cheng Zi to work when he was home. He still remembered the faint thrill he felt when she leaned against him yesterday…
The garment factory was some distance from the military compound. Cheng Zi usually took the bus—four stops.
By bicycle, it was about twenty minutes.
Tongcheng Garment Factory was a large textile enterprise in the light industry sector and, at this time, still a formal state-owned work unit.
In Tongcheng, if a young man had a position as a worker in a garment factory, it made it much easier for him to find a wife.
There were only two designers in the factory: Cheng Zi and an older, experienced designer known as Sister Zheng.
Since the 1980s, fashion trends had been increasingly influenced by foreign styles, and public acceptance had broadened. Clothing designs became more diverse.
Fashion designers were gradually emerging as a profession.
But even so, they still did not have a higher status than regular factory workers.
The original owner’s reputation in the factory was mediocre—or more accurately, quite bad…
She had reserved all her gentleness for Gu Yechen. In daily interactions, she lacked social tact and had a somewhat proud personality.
Yet everyone in the factory knew her.
In a sense, she was “famous”—for the wrong reasons.
They arrived just as the factory rush hour began.
This was Xie Ci’s first appearance in front of everyone. People only knew Cheng Zi was married, but no one had ever seen her husband.
Cheng Zi jumped off the back seat of the bicycle. Xie Ci instinctively reached out to steady her. “Careful.”
He held her waist. His grip was strong, and she naturally leaned into him.
Cheng Zi: “……”
She was held firmly in his arms. When she looked up, she seemed to fall straight into a deep pool—Xie Ci’s eyes were striking: deep, narrow, and clear.
“Yo, look at this—who is this? They’re already flirting at the factory gate.”
A woman’s voice suddenly rang out.
Cheng Zi slowly stepped out of Xie Ci’s arms and even helped him straighten his collar.
“You should head back first.”
Xie Ci didn’t move. Too many people had already gathered.
He was worried she would be bullied again.
The woman was Zhang Cuihua, known in the factory for her sharp tongue and half a workshop supervisor. She had always been at odds with the original owner.
She was holding a steamed bun with bite marks on it. “Cheng Zi, who is this? Why don’t you introduce him?”
Everyone in the factory knew about Cheng Zi’s messy reputation. Zhang Cuihua was sure she wouldn’t dare introduce him.
But Cheng Zi smiled faintly and looked at Xie Ci shyly. “My husband. Xie Ci. He’s a soldier.”
Zhang Cuihua’s smile froze.
She had been about to mock her further, but she swallowed her words.
In this era, soldiers held a high social status, and gossiping about military marriages could lead to serious consequences. No matter how much she disliked Cheng Zi, she didn’t dare speak recklessly now.
Xie Ci’s attention was entirely on Cheng Zi. Even though he knew she was acting, he still felt genuinely happy.
“Husband!”
“Hubby, you should go back first.”
“Mm. I’ll come pick you up later.”
Xie Ci’s ears turned slightly red from hearing her call him “husband.” He obediently turned to leave.
Cheng Zi flipped her hair, tucking loose strands behind her ear, then walked into the factory with a sway of her waist.
Let them stare all they want.
Seeing Xie Ci ride away on his bicycle, Zhang Cuihua immediately regained her energy. She rolled her eyes and rushed forward.
“Hey, hey, hey, Cheng Zi! I just happened to have something to tell you. The design draft you submitted last Friday is no good. You delayed the progress of our entire team. Come with me to see the factory director.”
Cheng Zi: ?
Is this ever going to end?
She barely looked at her and didn’t even stop walking.
Zhang Cuihua raised her voice. “Oh my! Everyone look at this—military wife acting all high and mighty, bullying us workers! I’ve got four kids to feed, and she’s trying to ruin our livelihood!”
Cheng Zi laughed in anger.
So skilled at emotional manipulation?
“Fine. Let’s go to the director’s office. You’d better actually have a problem with the draft.”
Zhang Cuihua immediately led the way and sent someone to fetch the drawings.
It was supposed to be a simple workplace dispute.
She was ready to handle it calmly.
But Cheng Zi suddenly felt that she had perfectly embodied one truth: when it rains, it pours.
At that moment, Li Qianqian was sitting in the factory director’s office, chatting and laughing with Director Li.
“Uncle Zhang, that’s how it is. If he can be a designer, fine—but he doesn’t necessarily have to design. Ah Chen is a university student, just arrange whatever position you think is suitable.”
Clearly, the female lead was paving the way for the male lead.
“Why are you still standing there? Come in.”
Zhang Cuihua walked in first.
When Li Qianqian saw Cheng Zi, her smile disappeared immediately. She picked up her tea and sipped slowly.
“You two don’t have eyes? Didn’t you see I have a guest?” Director Zhang frowned angrily.
“Director, we can’t wait. That batch of premium fabric needs to be produced these few days. But Cheng Zi’s design draft doesn’t work and has delayed our progress. You decide what to do.”
Zhang Cuihua spoke with confidence, clearly trying to smear her.
Li Qianqian watched the scene like it was entertainment, her eyes filled with contempt and provocation.
Cheng Zi glanced at her.
Li Qianqian looked pure and delicate—large eyes, straight brows, fair enough skin, and a petite frame. She fit the era’s definition of beauty.
Even though society was slowly becoming more open, people’s thinking was still constrained. Women like Cheng Zi, with striking beauty, were easily labeled as seductive and improper.
“Cheng Zi, why are you making such a low-level mistake again?” Director Zhang said impatiently.
“Again?”
Cheng Zi searched the original owner’s memory. She had made almost no mistakes at work. Where did “again” come from?
“Director Zhang, there is nothing wrong with my design. If the second workshop can’t produce based on the drawings, then blaming me doesn’t solve anything.”
At that moment, the worker sent to fetch the drawings arrived, out of breath, and handed them over.
“Director Zhang, take a look. She’s just stubborn. You’ll understand after seeing them.”
Director Zhang looked at the drawings, then at Li Qianqian.
Li Qianqian subtly gave him a look.