Sun Danhua became interested in Lu Heng’s suggestion:
“What method? Professor Lu, hurry and tell us!”
Lu Heng glanced at Director Qi.
Director Qi had been staring at Lu Heng intently, but when their eyes met, he quickly turned his head away, wearing an expression that said, say it or don’t, I don’t care—
Yet his ears were perked up high.
Only then did Lu Heng speak:
“Comrade Jiang Mian can completely collaborate with the Department of Agriculture as an agricultural expert.”
Jiang Mian: “I’m not an agricultural expert!”
Lu Heng: “You are.”
“I’m just someone who grows strawberries!”
“Perfect. If the Department of Agriculture wants to study off-season strawberries, Comrade Jiang Mian is exactly suited for it.”
“……”
“And also, if I remember correctly, Comrade Jiang Mian received an award for these winter strawberries. That certificate is the best proof. It’s issued by the ministry—no one would dare question your ability with that.”
Jiang Mian: “……”
Of course. These intellectuals are all full of schemes.
So that dog of a man kept the certificate for this very move!!!
“Jiang Mian, this really is a good idea!” Sun Danhua’s eyes lit up. “Director Qi just established a research group on off-season vegetables this morning. You can join as an agricultural expert.”
“……”
Jiang Mian was completely stunned.
She had only agreed to come to the capital to receive the award because the farm director promised a 100-yuan reward.
She never expected to run into something like this!
She had fallen straight into that man’s trap!
Calming herself, Jiang Mian held her large belly and said:
“Aunt Sun, thank you for your kindness, but look at me—I’m about to give birth. It’s probably not convenient for me to join the research group.”
Before Sun Danhua could respond, Lu Heng spoke again, this time even more enthusiastically:
“You’d only be responsible for technical exchange. Pregnancy won’t affect that.”
He deliberately shifted the topic:
“Now that the country is implementing reform and opening up, living standards have improved significantly. There’s a huge demand for off-season produce—especially in Friendship Stores and large hotels. These international-facing places—foreigners and Hong Kong businessmen are willing to pay high prices for fresh fruits and vegetables. The future market won’t be bad.”
“So off-season vegetables are inevitable. Other agricultural universities may have already begun research.”
“In scientific research, Huqing University has always been a leader. As for agricultural research—”
“We’re leaders too!” Director Qi clenched his fist and declared proudly.
Encouraged by him, Sun Danhua grew passionate as well:
“That’s right! Our Department of Agriculture must also take the lead. Jiang Mian, stay! You have experience, we have theoretical knowledge. If we work together, we’ll definitely achieve major breakthroughs!”
Jiang Mian: “……”
Her head was buzzing.
The soda only numbed her tongue.
But this man’s schemes? They shocked her to the core!
Watching Jiang Mian stand there in a daze, holding her belly, Lu Heng continued persuading—
No, coaxing—
No, tricking—
“Well, we can apply for research funding for this off-season vegetable project. If Comrade Jiang Mian is willing to join, she can receive a subsidy.”
Funding?
The moment money was mentioned, Jiang Mian’s eyes lit up.
Like a true money-lover, she asked:
“How much?”
“A lot—”
Jiang Mian: “……”
For someone who needed to earn money to raise her children, money had an irresistible pull.
The moment she heard there was money involved, she forgot all the potential risks.
Truly, people die for wealth just as birds die for food.
“As for food and lodging, Comrade Jiang Mian doesn’t need to worry. The university has a cafeteria and dormitories—we’ll take care of everything. In short, all your concerns will be handled.”
Jiang Mian: “……”
Thanks to him, in the blink of an eye, her entire life had been arranged for her.
She began to hesitate.
Looking at the eager Director Qi and Aunt Sun, would refusing outright make her seem ungrateful?
Of course, she also couldn’t resist that so-called “large” subsidy.
Just how much could it be?
Dozens?
Hundreds?
Or…
Well, she didn’t dare imagine too much.
“Jiang Mian, Professor Lu has already arranged everything for you. What concerns do you still have?”
“Well… Aunt Sun, could you give me some time to think about it?”
“Alright, take your time to think. If you have any other questions, just bring them up—we’ll find a way to help you solve them!”
…
Director Qi and Sun Danhua made a trip to the hotel, met Jiang Mian, and tried to persuade her to join the research group.
Now they were just waiting for Jiang Mian to agree.
This trip could be considered a success.
Sun Danhua was very satisfied.
On the way back to the university, Old Qi suddenly felt that something was off. He sucked in a breath and frowned:
“Why do I feel like something isn’t right?”
“What’s not right, Director Qi?”
“This is clearly our Agricultural Department’s matter—why is Professor Lu so enthusiastically getting involved?”
“Oh, Director Qi, you’re overthinking it. Lu Heng has been warm-hearted since he was young, always willing to help others!”
Director Qi: “……” More like he enjoys making things troublesome for others!
Sun Danhua added:
“I’ve known his mother since middle school, and both my father and he are professors in the sciences. Our families may not be especially close, but we know each other well. Don’t worry—what bad intentions could Professor Lu have? He’s just conveniently lending us a hand.”
Director Qi sucked in a breath through his teeth.
He still felt uneasy.
The more he thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed.
But he couldn’t figure out what exactly was wrong.
Could it be… he was really just craving those winter strawberries?
Going through all this trouble just for something to eat?
?????
Forget it.
Hopefully, it really was just for the food.
If Director Qi ever found out that the young man had some ulterior motive, he definitely wouldn’t let him off!
…
Jiefang Hotel.
After drinking a bottle of that overwhelmingly fizzy Beibingyang soda, Jiang Mian felt even more irritated.
She returned to her hotel room in a huff.
As soon as she entered, she punched the pillow hard.
Ah!!
Jiang Mian, Jiang Mian—has your brain been kicked by a donkey again?!
How did you fall into that damn man’s trap again?!
Back when she worked in the farm cafeteria serving food, it was all because of Lu Heng’s hands—fair, with long fingers and neatly trimmed nails, refined and delicate.
Even his lunchbox was always scrubbed spotless, which made people feel comfortable just looking at it.
Every time, she unconsciously gave him a heaping scoop of food.
Sometimes she even gave him extra pieces.
Not for any other reason—just because those hands were so good-looking.
She thought she had done it without anyone noticing.
Little did she know, he had already noticed long ago!
And after that, she fell into his schemes again and again.
Then, as if possessed, she married him.
And muddle-headedly became the cannon-fodder ex-wife who met a tragic end in the story.
Now that she knew her miserable fate, how was she still so careless, falling for his tricks again and again?
The worst part was—each time, it was a different trick.
Impossible to guard against!
Jiang Mian, can you use your brain a little?!
Next time, don’t fall for it again!
Knock knock—
Someone was knocking on the door.
It was probably Xu Hongmei returning.
Jiang Mian took a deep breath, composed herself, and went to open the door.
The moment she opened it—
A tall figure stood like a wall in the doorway.
It wasn’t Xu Hongmei.
It was Lu Heng, dressed sharply in a wool coat despite the cold, exuding an imposing aura.
!!!!
Jiang Mian’s scalp tingled in shock, and she quickly tried to shut the door.
Lu Heng stepped forward with one foot.
The sole of his shoe pressed firmly against the door.