Monday morning, the damp and chilly air carried an unusual heaviness. The moment Lu Changfu stepped into the factory grounds, he could sense that something was wrong.
Old Zhang, the security guard, didn’t poke his head out to greet him as usual. He merely nodded silently, his expression somewhat gloomy.
Several workers who had arrived early were gathered around the bulletin board, quietly discussing something. When they saw him approaching, they quickly dispersed, avoiding his gaze.
Lu Changfu’s heart sank.
Sure enough, at nine in the morning, the harsh sound of the broadcast bell shattered the silence of the workshop.
Then came the hoarse, weary voice of the boss, Chen Jianguo:
“All employees, please gather in the cafeteria immediately. There is an important announcement to make.”
In the cafeteria, only a dozen or so people stood scattered around. These were all the employees the factory had left.
Boss Chen Jianguo stood beside an old, worn-out dining table at the front. He was in his fifties, but still looked quite energetic.
Beside him stood his wife, who also didn’t look her age.
Although she was fifty, she looked barely over forty.
“Everyone…”
Chen Jianguo began, his voice trembling slightly. He cleared his throat.
“I called everyone here today because I want to formally announce something. The factory… can’t keep going anymore.”
Although everyone had been mentally prepared for this, there was still a wave of quiet gasps and sighs from the crowd.
Old Wang, standing beside Lu Changfu, spat harshly on the floor.
“Damn it. It finally happened.”
“My wife and I have discussed this for a long time.”
Chen Jianguo continued, his voice filled with helplessness.
“Our son has been urging us several times to move to Australia. This factory building is on our own land, and after all these years, it’s worth quite a bit of money. If we sell it and give everyone their compensation… then at least we’ll feel that we’ve done right by everyone who has worked with us for all these years.”
He took out a sheet of paper.
“Based on years of service, the compensation standards are listed here. The 15th of next month will be the final working day. On the 16th, you’ll receive your final month’s salary and compensation. After that… we’ll have to go our separate ways.”
The crowd fell silent.
A sense of sadness spread through the room.
The factory had been operating for more than a decade and carried the memories of many people. Now, it had finally reached the end of the road.
Lu Changfu’s mind was buzzing.
Even though he had the system and more than one million yuan as a financial cushion, losing this stable job—with its generous free time—would be a major blow to his writing schedule.
More importantly, there was Chen Lili…
If the factory shut down, would their “contract” continue?
Would she simply take the money and return to her hometown?
He instinctively looked toward Chen Lili, who was standing at the edge of the crowd.
Her head was lowered, and both hands were tightly gripping the hem of her work uniform. Her knuckles had turned white.
He couldn’t clearly see her expression, but Lu Changfu could sense the tension surrounding her… and perhaps even a hint of despair.
After the meeting ended, the workshop was no longer filled with the usual roar of machinery.
Only silence remained.
No one had the heart to work. People gathered in small groups, discussing what they would do next.
During the lunch break, Lu Changfu had little appetite. He hurriedly ate a few bites in the cafeteria before returning to the dormitory.
He needed to think things through.
He had barely sat down when his phone rang.
It was Song Liyuan.
“Brother Lu~”
Her voice was as sweet and cloying as ever, but today she sounded especially enthusiastic.
“I heard your factory is shutting down? Oh, don’t be sad. With your talent, how could you not shine wherever you go?”
Lu Changfu was somewhat surprised that the news had spread so quickly.
“How did you know?”
“Zhao Feng told me.”
Song Liyuan laughed.
“Brother Lu, are you free at lunchtime? I’m right near your factory. I brought you something delicious to cheer you up~”
Lu Changfu frowned and wanted to refuse, but Song Liyuan had already continued:
“I’m almost at the entrance. I’ll wait for you~”
After hanging up, Lu Changfu felt somewhat annoyed.
He didn’t really want to deal with Song Liyuan at a time like this, but she was already at the factory gate. It would be rude not to see her.
He walked to the factory entrance.
Sure enough, Song Liyuan was standing there.
Today, she was wearing a short goose-yellow down jacket, paired with tight jeans and long boots. Her legs looked long and straight, and her makeup was exquisite. Against the drab factory grounds, she stood out particularly prominently.
She was also carrying a delicate insulated bag.
“Brother Lu!”
The moment Song Liyuan saw him, she immediately jogged over and naturally tried to link her arm with his.
Lu Changfu instinctively stepped aside.
“Why did you come here? Isn’t your store busy?”
“No matter how busy I am, you’re more important.”
Song Liyuan pouted and handed him the insulated bag.
“I made you some rock-sugar stewed pear. It’s good for your throat and lungs. When I heard about what happened at your factory, I was worried you’d be in a bad mood.”
Her concern was direct and passionate, carrying an almost irresistible quality.
Lu Changfu accepted the bag and thanked her.
“Thanks. I’m fine.”
“Are you really okay?”
Song Liyuan moved a little closer and looked up at him, blinking repeatedly.
“Brother Lu, don’t pretend you’re fine. What are you planning to do next? How about opening a studio and focusing on writing? I can help you handle the miscellaneous things. I know quite a few people…”
She continued talking enthusiastically, unconsciously moving closer again. Her sweet, warm perfume surrounded him.
Lu Changfu found her enthusiasm somewhat overwhelming, especially since they were standing right outside the factory. Quite a few passing workers were already looking at them curiously.
He took half a step back.
“I’ll head back to the dormitory first. Thanks for the soup.”
“Brother Lu!”
Song Liyuan grabbed his sleeve, her voice becoming softer, carrying a hint of hurt.
“Do you hate me?”
“No.”
“Then… how about having dinner together tonight? I know a newly opened restaurant that’s really good. I’ll treat you. Consider it… a celebration for your upcoming new life?”
Her eyes were filled with anticipation, along with a subtle hint of probing.
Lu Changfu looked at her beautiful, perfectly made-up face so close to him, but for some reason, another face suddenly came to mind.
A clean, makeup-free face that was usually expressionless.
“Tonight… we’ll see. I might have something to do.”
He gave a vague answer.
“Okay…”
Song Liyuan released his sleeve but still smiled.
“Then I’ll wait for your message! Call me anytime!”
Watching her graceful figure walk away, Lu Changfu breathed a sigh of relief and carried the insulated bag back.
Just as he reached the dormitory building, he saw a familiar figure standing in the shadows near the stairs, seemingly hesitating over whether to come up.
It was Chen Lili.
Her complexion looked especially pale today. There were faint dark circles beneath her eyes, as if she hadn’t slept well.
When she saw Lu Changfu, she seemed startled, and her fingers twisted together nervously.
“Lili?”
Lu Changfu walked over.
“Did you need something?”
Chen Lili looked up at him, then quickly lowered her head again. Her lips were pressed tightly together, and she didn’t say anything for a long time.
Lu Changfu noticed that her shoulders were trembling slightly.
“Let’s go upstairs and talk. It’s cold outside.”
He took out his key.
Chen Lili hesitated before silently following him into the dormitory.
The room was somewhat messy. Lu Changfu quickly moved the clothes piled on the chair aside.
“Sit.”
Chen Lili didn’t sit down.
She simply stood in the middle of the room, like a reed that could snap at any moment.
She lowered her head, her voice as soft as a whisper.
“Lu Changfu… about the agreement… I want to change it.”
Lu Changfu’s heart stirred.
“How do you want to change it?”
Chen Lili took a deep breath, as if she were using every ounce of strength she had.
“I… I need money. I need it urgently… 80,000 yuan.”
She raised her head. Her eyes were already red, but she stubbornly held back her tears.
“My father… was diagnosed with cancer. He needs surgery immediately… We need at least 80,000 yuan as a down payment…”
Lu Changfu was stunned.