“Director Lin, my brother is still young and doesn’t know any better. I apologize to you on his behalf. Is that enough?”
Lin Sui was utterly taken aback by how manipulative and false this woman sounded. She sneered again. “Can you eat your brother’s meals for him too?”
“I’m not leaving until he apologizes to my friend!”
“Wow, as expected of Sister Sui!”
In that moment, Lin Sui shone like a bright light in his eyes.
“And what if I refuse to apologize?” Chen Bin jutted out his chin defiantly.
“Then we go straight to the police station.”
Lin Sui’s gaze turned sharp as a blade. “The officers will help us sort out right from wrong.”
Gu Shaonan finally snapped back to his senses. He didn’t want the situation to blow up — he knew Lin Sui meant every word and would actually call the police, and she never cared about saving face.
Even though Chen Bin wouldn’t face criminal charges, the incident would be embarrassing for everyone involved. Eventually, Gu Shaonan gave in and turned to Chen Bin. “Apologize to Comrade Luo Feifei.”
Chen Bin seethed with anger, but seeing his brother-in-law suddenly turn so stern made him flinch. He mumbled an insincere “I’m sorry.”
The second the words left his mouth, he stormed off in a rage.
Let him try running any faster if he dares.
Lin Sui didn’t spare Gu Shaonan or Chen Qinghe another glance. She took Luo Feifei’s hand. “Come on, let’s go celebrate your new job.”
“Right — no use wasting time on people like that.”
The two young women lifted their spirits again. Their light skirts swayed together, making a lovely, eye-catching sight as they walked.
Gu Shaonan couldn’t help but wonder: Could Lin Sui also be reborn, just like me?
Chen Qinghe was furious and confused. She glanced at Gu Shaonan, whose expression was more complex than she had ever seen.
She couldn’t hold back her question. “Did you actually know Lin Sui long before today? I feel like you treat her differently.”
There was a clear note of jealousy in her tone. Gu Shaonan’s thoughts were interrupted, and he pushed down his tangled feelings. “I told you, I only met her a few days ago. We’ve barely crossed paths two or three times. Don’t overthink it.”
At the same time, he tried to calm her down. “Look at the bigger picture. Even if Chen Bin didn’t get that spot, it might not be the worst thing. His job at the community office isn’t bad at all. In a couple of years, many factories will struggle and lay off workers — Chen Bin would have been one of the first to go.”
“Besides, let this be a lesson for him. Maybe he’ll realize his shortcomings, work harder, and find something better in the future.”
Chen Qinghe saw the sense in his words and her anger faded a little. “Still, Lin Sui was far too aggressive. From now on, you’d better stay away from someone like her.”
“Understood.”
Gu Shaonan smiled. “You go home first. Tomorrow after work, I’ll take you to the movies. I let you down in my past life — this time, I’ll make it all up to you.”
Hearing that, Chen Qinghe’s mood brightened considerably. “Great. And this weekend, come with me to South City Hospital to see my father. His surgery is scheduled in the next couple of days, and there will be more expenses after that.”
Gu Shaonan replied firmly, “Don’t worry about the money — I’ll handle it. The only thing is, I don’t have much saved for the betrothal gift right now, only 1,000 yuan. Once I start earning more, I’ll make up the rest.”
Seeing how confident he sounded, Chen Qinghe felt warm and happy inside. She gave him a playful look. “It’s not like I’m marrying you for your money.”
Gu Shaonan knew full well she wasn’t the type to care about wealth — otherwise, he wouldn’t have stood a chance. His heart softened, and he pulled her into a quick embrace. Afraid someone might see, he let go almost immediately.
“Off you go.”
A smile finally returned to Chen Qinghe’s face. Maybe I should apply for a job at the shoe factory too, she thought. That way, I can keep a closer eye on him.
That’s just how people are — when there’s competition, you finally learn to cherish what you have.
Not long ago, Chen Qinghe was still torn between choosing Liu Gao or Gu Shaonan. But seeing a beautiful girl like Lin Sui set her sights on him, her competitive streak flared up — and suddenly, she was more determined than ever to marry Gu Shaonan.
Meanwhile, Luo Feifei tried calling Guo Weiqiang but couldn’t get through. She had no idea what was going on.
“Guess we’ll try again tomorrow night.”
Lin Sui went back to Luo Feifei’s place and slept the whole afternoon. When she finally woke up, Luo Feifei — the hardworking shampoo girl — had already returned home with groceries.
Lin Sui blinked in surprise. “You’re off work this early today?”
“I quit!” Luo Feifei beamed. “I’m officially an employee at the shoe factory now. Did you sleep so soundly you forgot?”
“Come on, get up! Tonight we’re having hot pot!”
Lin Sui decided she couldn’t wait any longer.
“Feifei, there’s something I need to tell you. But you have to brace yourself first, okay?”
Luo Feifei turned pale instantly. “Did the shoe factory change their mind and reject me again?”
“Of course not!”
“Ugh, you scared me half to death.” Luo Feifei patted her chest in relief. “Then what is it?”
“Your boyfriend, Guo Weiqiang — he’s already married.”
For a split second, the air seemed to freeze. Luo Feifei’s face twitched, and her voice trembled. “You’re joking, right? That’s not funny at all.”
But Lin Sui wasn’t smiling. Luo Feifei knew her best friend would never say something like that lightly.
The bag of meat and vegetables she’d just bought slipped from her hands and hit the floor with a thud. She stared blankly at Lin Sui for a moment, then suddenly let out a sharp cry: “I’m going to find him and get to the bottom of this!”
Lin Sui rushed over and held her back. “Feifei, calm down!”
Luo Feifei turned around, tears streaming down her face. Between sobs, she asked, “How did you find out?”
“Hmph — that scumbag!”
Lin Sui guided her to sit on the small sofa. “I saw them by accident. He was out shopping with a woman who works at the same office. Later, I asked my uncle to look into it — her name is Feng Juan.”
It was true, though in this timeline, the truth hadn’t come out yet.
Guo Weiqiang worked as a clerk at the Grain Bureau. His wife was a section chief there — plain-looking, and much older than him.
That was probably why Guo Weiqiang was looking for excitement outside his marriage.
He had met Luo Feifei when she was washing hair at the salon. She was young, pretty, and sweet-tongued.
Afterward, Guo Weiqiang pursued her, thinking a shampoo girl wasn’t a “respectable” kind of woman — someone he could sleep with and abandon without any responsibility.
Luo Feifei buried her face in her hands. “How could he do this? I was seeing him with the intention of getting married!”
“Listen, Feifei, don’t be upset. You deserve someone far better than a man like that.”
After a few seconds, Luo Feifei lifted her head, her jaw set with anger. “But I can’t let him get away with it! That disgusting creep — I’m going to make him regret it!”
Lin Sui’s heart skipped a beat. “Wait — tell me honestly. Did he ever… take advantage of you?”
“He tried to get me to book a hotel room with him a few times,” Luo Feifei admitted. “Thankfully, I kept putting him off and never agreed. Otherwise, I’d be kicking myself right now.”
Lin Sui breathed a huge sigh of relief. Thank goodness I came back in time — there’s still a chance to fix this.
“Didn’t you plan to meet him for dinner tomorrow night? Here’s what we’re going to do…”
The next day, Guo Weiqiang received a call from Luo Feifei. She told him she’d landed a new job and wanted to treat him to a meal.
When she mentioned having seafood at the Bright Hotel, Guo Weiqiang’s eyes lit up and his curiosity grew.
“Just dinner?”
“What else did you have in mind?” Luo Feifei asked, her voice soft and flirtatious.
Guo Weiqiang felt his whole body tingle. He’d been trying to get this girl into bed for ages — agreeing to meet at a hotel was clearly a sign she was finally giving in.
She’s finally come to her senses, he thought. Besides, I have a stable government job — of course a simple shampoo girl would jump at the chance.
“Fine then,” he said eagerly. “I’ll book the room ahead of time.”
Luo Feifei let out a soft “Oh?” and pretended to hesitate. “Will you really take responsibility for me afterward?”
“Of course I will! What kind of question is that? It’s settled then.”
Guo Weiqiang was over the moon, humming to himself all day long.
That evening, Lin Sui’s uncle asked if she’d like to come over for dinner — his wife had gotten off work early. Lin Sui declined, then asked for the phone number of a specific office at the Grain Bureau. Since her uncle knew everyone and everything in town, he got the number for her in no time.