It was almost time. Lin Sui accompanied Luo Feifei to the hotel. Since Guo Weiqiang was treating, there was no sense in turning down a free meal — plus they had plans to set in motion. It truly was a case of running into trouble just when you least expected it.
As soon as they stepped inside, they ran into Chen Qinghe. She was wearing a white dress and didn’t seem at all affected by what had happened the day before. She even took the initiative to greet Lin Sui: “Comrade Lin, what a coincidence.”
Chen Qinghe smiled and said, “I heard the movie Police Story is showing tonight and it’s supposed to be really good. Would you like to go watch it together?”
Was this her way of telling Lin Sui that Gu Shaonan had invited her to the cinema?
Lin Sui thought to herself: This Chen Qinghe is a sharp one. She probably assumes I’ve taken a liking to Gu Shaonan and is now flaunting their relationship right in front of me.
She smiled and replied, “No thanks. We already have plans with others. I’ll be going then.”
Just as Chen Qinghe turned to leave, Lin Sui suddenly called out, “Which room did your boyfriend book?”
Chen Qinghe paused mid-step. “Book a room?”
If Lin Sui’s friend had come here to rent a room with someone — and regardless of the circumstances — if they were caught red-handed while still unmarried, it would be labeled as improper relations between a man and a woman. There would be no way to explain it, and if word got back to their work unit, they’d almost certainly lose their jobs.
Not only had Lin Sui set her sights on her fiancé and befriended her rival, but she had also taken her younger brother’s position. Now here was the perfect chance to get back at her.
Before long, Chen Qinghe heard Luo Feifei say, “Room 303. After dinner, I told him to go up first.”
Room 303 — great, that was on the same floor as hers. She committed the number to memory.
Seeing that it was still early and the shoe factory usually finished work late, Chen Qinghe went outside and found a convenience store with a telephone. She placed a call to the factory’s personnel department.
Her brother had complained that Director Zhang of Personnel was arrogant and had kicked him out.
Well then, let him see exactly what kind of person he had chosen to hire.
Perfect — the director hadn’t left work yet.
“Hello, Director Zhang? I’d like to file a report!”
Afterward, Chen Qinghe walked to the cinema entrance and told Gu Shaonan she had a stomachache and would have to watch the movie another time. Gu Shaonan had no choice but to walk her back.
Back at the hotel, Lin Sui and Luo Feifei had barely sat down when Guo Weiqiang arrived.
He had slicked his hair back until it shone like oil, carried a briefcase under his arm, and wore glasses — looking every bit the image of a refined scoundrel.
No wonder Luo Feifei had fallen so deeply for him in her past life.
This was only the second time Guo Weiqiang had met Lin Sui, and he felt no dislike for her presence.
It was only natural for a young woman to feel a little nervous, and bringing a friend along made sense — especially since Lin Sui was such a beauty.
“Tonight, it’s my treat,” he said grandly. “Order whatever you like.”
Thinking ahead to what he hoped would happen later, he certainly couldn’t appear stingy.
Luo Feifei had to clench her fists so tightly her nails nearly broke just to stop herself from smashing a bottle over his head.
“Hmph, Brother Weiqiang is so generous,” she said sweetly. “Then I won’t hold back.”
Lin Sui smiled and echoed the words in her head: Generous, my foot — I’ll make sure you regret it soon enough.
Guo Weiqiang hadn’t expected Lin Sui to be so bold. She ordered one expensive seafood dish after another, and each selection made his eyes twitch. But since he had already spoken, he couldn’t take it back — he just winced inwardly at the thought of the bill.
Luo Feifei suddenly flashed him a bright smile and tugged at his arm. “After dinner, could you book a room for my friend? It’s getting late, and it wouldn’t be safe for her to travel back to the village.”
Guo Weiqiang thought to himself, What a nuisance. But this was the night he had been looking forward to for ages. “Fine, fine,” he said quickly.
He turned to look at Lin Sui — and what did he see?
Lin Sui lifted the corner of her lips in a playful smile. Oh my goodness, Guo Weiqiang felt his heart skip a beat. Could it be her friend is also here looking for a good time?
If that was the case, after he finished with Luo Feifei, he could go straight to her room too!
His imagination ran wild, and he was practically glowing with excitement. “Since the food hasn’t arrived yet, I’ll go book the room right away.”
But to be safe, he asked Lin Sui to come along so he could confirm that was indeed what she wanted.
Lin Sui agreed — staying in the hotel would make their plan easier to carry out. Having lived two lifetimes, she could see right through Guo Weiqiang’s intentions, but she couldn’t be bothered to call him out. He would learn his lesson soon enough anyway.
They went down to Room 305, just two doors away from 303. Seeing how close it was, Guo Weiqiang grew even more eager, his eyes lighting up with mischief as he prepared to say something suggestive.
But just then, a voice called out.
Lin Sui turned and her eyes widened slightly. “Oh, it’s you again! It’s the square-faced uncle!”
“And… Elder Zhou Chiye is here too.”
What a coincidence — everyone was gathering in the same place today.
She didn’t know that Zhou Chiye was a man of action. That night, after hearing Lin Sui’s bold plans, he had thought things over carefully. By the next day, he had already asked Old Yu for advice on the feasibility of developing bamboo farming.
Old Yu had arranged for several experienced craftsmen and technical experts to come over, and they had spent the whole afternoon talking about the project with great enthusiasm.
Elder Zhou had invited everyone out for dinner, and by pure chance, they had run into Lin Sui.
Zhou Chiye’s expression was stern and serious. His gaze swept from the room key in Lin Sui’s hand to the man standing beside her.
He recognized Guo Weiqiang — he worked at the Grain Bureau. Zhou Chiye had visited the office once regarding the supply of high-quality rice. Though they hadn’t spoken directly, he remembered seeing Guo Weiqiang’s wife come to the office to look for him.
Are young girls these days really so unprincipled? Or are they just too naive, falling for sweet words and following men anywhere?
Seeing Secretary Zhou staring at the room key in her hand with a look of disappointment, as if she were some misguided young woman, Lin Sui realized he must have misunderstood the situation.
She smiled charmingly. “Hello, Uncle Zhou. Secretary Zhou, what a coincidence! Are you also here for dinner? Let me introduce you — this is the boyfriend of my friend.”
Before she could finish, Secretary Zhou ignored her completely, walked straight past them, and headed upstairs.
Lin Sui could have sworn she felt a chill breeze pass by as he walked away.
Her introduction fell completely flat. Old Yu, however, stopped and smiled kindly. “Little lady, last time you said you wanted to thank me. Well, here’s your chance — why don’t you treat us to dinner today?”
Old Yu was a man of experience. He could tell at a glance that this young woman was inexperienced, and he worried she might be tricked by someone with bad intentions. Though the strict crackdown on public morality had ended years ago and society was becoming more relaxed, as the county head, he still felt it was his duty to keep an eye on things.
Lin Sui’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “That would be an absolute honor, but I already have plans with my friends today. Would next time be alright?”
Her tone was sincere and respectful.
Besides, Guo Weiqiang’s wife would be arriving any minute. She needed to keep an eye on the timing — and who knew who else might show up?
Old Yu could only nod. “Very well, next time then.”
Lin Sui and Luo Feifei were seated in the main dining hall, while Secretary Zhou and his companions were in a private room.
As she walked past, Lin Sui glanced inside and saw them smoking and talking among themselves, completely ignoring her. Never mind, she thought. The main plan is what matters. I’ll find a way to fix my image later.
Perhaps thanks to the fast metabolism of her young body, Lin Sui was able to shake off any awkwardness quickly. She enjoyed the seafood feast thoroughly, then exchanged a meaningful look with Luo Feifei.
Luo Feifei leaned in and whispered to Guo Weiqiang, “Since we aren’t married yet, I don’t want anyone seeing us together. Why don’t you go up first?”
She batted her eyelashes and gave him a coy look. “Get yourself cleaned up and wait for me, okay?”
Inside, however, she wanted nothing more than to chop him into pieces. She slipped a small box into his hand beneath the table.
Guo Weiqiang was beside himself with excitement. Young girls these days really do have bold spirits! “Alright, alright — don’t keep me waiting too long. These days it’s all about free love. If anyone says anything, I’ll take care of it.” He hurried to pay the bill and then rushed upstairs.
Lin Sui almost laughed out loud, but held back when she saw the rage simmering in Luo Feifei’s eyes. “Go on up to Room 305. I’ll stay here and wait for Guo’s wife. We have to give him enough time to get properly ‘cleaned up,’ don’t we?”
Back in the private room, Zhou Chiye finished smoking two cigarettes and grew more and more frustrated. He had taken her words to heart and had been running around doing research, looking into opportunities and resources. Meanwhile, she seemed to be living it up and enjoying herself.
Wasn’t that just a little bit unfair?