In the blink of an eye, October 18th arrived.
This was the day of Jiang Meishu and Jiang Meilan’s blind dates. Because Factory Director Liang’s personal matter had drawn attention from higher leadership, the venue for the blind date was specially arranged at the Meatpacking Factory’s Trade Union Office.
As for the blind date with Shen Zhanlie, it was organized by Wang Lamei and Father Jiang, so it would take place in the Meatpacking Factory’s cafeteria.
Thus, the household was bustling with activity early in the morning.
“We only have one presentable set of clothes in the house. Who should wear it?”
Wang Lamei took out a white Dacron shirt, considered the family’s finest attire—not only was it free of holes, but it also bore only slight creases from folding.
Since it was made and brought home, this piece of clothing had hardly been worn.
“If it’s not enough, we could either take out the set of clothes I wore for my wedding back in the day or borrow Xiao Juan’s new clothes from your aunt’s house.”
Jiang Meishu and Jiang Meilan exchanged glances.
Jiang Meilan said, “Let Meishu wear the white shirt. She’s meeting Factory Director Liang and needs to look more presentable, or else the Liang family might look down on her.”
“As for me—”
She glanced at the clothes Wang Lamei handed over—one was brightly colored in red and green, the other was Zhao Xiaojuan’s school uniform.
“I’ll wear Xiao Juan’s school uniform.”
Jiang Meishu thought for a moment, her slender, pale hand picking up the school uniform. “I’ll wear the school uniform. I’m thinner and smaller in stature.”
Xiao Juan was five years younger than them.
The school uniform wasn’t very large, and Jiang Meilan probably wouldn’t be able to fit into it.
Jiang Meilan wanted to say something more, but Wang Lamei made the final decision. “Let’s go with Meishu’s idea. Meishu will wear Xiao Juan’s school uniform, and you’ll wear this Dacron shirt.”
“Go change quickly. Don’t be late for the blind date—it would leave a bad first impression.”
Jiang Meishu and Jiang Meilan went to change their clothes.
In those days, middle school uniforms consisted of loose white shirts and baggy blue pants.
The only difference was that the white shirt had the words “Meatpacking Factory Middle School” printed in red across the chest.
After changing into the school uniform, Jiang Meishu looked at herself in the mirror, preening a little as she blew out a breath. “I look so pretty.”
And indeed, she did.
Jiang Meishu had delicate features, bright eyes, and sparkling white teeth. Her fluffy hair was tied into braids, and wearing the school uniform shirt gave her a full, student-like aura.
“Stop preening and go to your blind date.”
A voice urged from outside, “Eat early and don’t waste time.”
Wang Lamei called out loudly.
Worried they might need to use the restroom frequently during the blind date, which would be inconvenient, she had specifically prepared a dry meal for breakfast, boiling two eggs.
Each of them also got one Wo Wo Tou.
Jiang Meishu came out after changing.
Wang Lamei, holding breakfast, stared at her for a long moment. “Are you Meishu or Meilan?”
With two braids, a face like a silver plate, snow-white skin, and a smile revealing pearly white teeth, she truly had a dignified and virtuous air.
To be honest, even her own mother had trouble recognizing her.
Jiang Meishu grinned playfully. “Mom, guess?”
Wang Lamei understood instantly. “Meishu.”
“Don’t even mention it—with you dressed up as your sister like this, I really couldn’t tell.”
Jiang Meilan also came out. “What about me?”
She imitated her sister’s timid demeanor.
Well then!
Wang Lamei was momentarily dazed. “If you hadn’t said anything, I wouldn’t have been able to tell you apart.”
Such was the nature of twins.
“Since you’ve swapped, then think of yourselves as the other from now on. I won’t call you by the wrong names anymore.”
“Whether we can pass this hurdle depends entirely on you.”
Neither family wanted to lose their prospective son-in-law, so they had no choice but to do this against their conscience.
After breakfast, it was barely seven o’clock.
Still very early.
Wang Lamei urged them to go out, “Go early to familiarize yourselves with each other’s environments, and don’t keep Factory Director Liang and Comrade Shen waiting too long.”
They weren’t allowed to stay at home.
Jiang Meishu and Jiang Meilan had no choice but to leave, each assuming the other’s identity, and went to the Meatpacking Factory for their blind dates.
When they reached the guard post at the Meatpacking Factory, they parted ways.
“I’m going to the Trade Union Office.”
“I’m going to the cafeteria.”
Jiang Meilan was still somewhat uneasy. She asked Jiang Meishu, “You’ve been to the Trade Union Office before, right?”
Jiang Meishu thought for a moment, “I’ve been there once, not very familiar with it, but isn’t our aunt leading the way ahead?”
That was true.
Hearing this, Jiang Meilan relaxed a bit, “Play it by ear.”
Jiang Meishu hummed in agreement and turned to leave.
But Jiang Meilan suddenly called out to her, “Meishu.”
Jiang Meishu, “Hmm?”
“If,” Jiang Meilan looked directly at her, her face unable to hide her worry, “I mean if, if you regret it, there’s still time to back out.”
Liang Qiurun was impotent. Marrying him after this blind date would mean living as a widow for the rest of her life!
This was even harder than being a stepmother or daughter-in-law!
Jiang Meishu pointed upward, then downward, “You mean Liang Qiurun’s… condition?”
Jiang Meilan, “Mm.”
“Blind date marriage is no joke. It’s for a lifetime.”
Jiang Meishu grinned, chuckling, “That’s exactly what I like about it.”
He’s impotent.
She loves that!
Just getting married without fulfilling marital duties, no need to have children, plus money, a big house, and a meal ticket.
This kind of rare good fortune, hard to find even with a lantern, had come to her.
Wasn’t this like winning the lottery?
Seeing that she showed no sign of reluctance, Jiang Meilan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Jiang Meishu also asked her, “Sis, is it really worth it to marry Shen Zhanlie through this blind date and bear so many children for him?”
Eight children.
Eight trips through the gates of hell.
Each time was a struggle between life and death.
Was it really worth it?
Jiang Meilan’s eyes were firm, “It’s worth it.”
She smiled, her expression gentle yet powerful, “Meishu, I’m not having children for Shen Zhanlie, but for myself.”
For that self that longed for what she couldn’t have.
She desperately wanted to have one, no, many children connected to her by blood.
To watch them grow from crying newborns to toddling toddlers, to hearing them call “Mommy” in their milky voices.
To see them grow up, marry, and have children of their own.
And for her to be surrounded by children and grandchildren, living in that lively, bustling atmosphere full of human warmth.
It was a dream she had been unable to achieve for two lifetimes.
Jiang Meishu couldn’t quite understand, but she asked with her porcelain-white face tense, “No regrets?”
“No regrets.”
“And you?”
Jiang Meishu, “I have no regrets either.”
Among her limited choices, it was the best one.
She had no regrets.
They glanced at each other, one turning left, the other right, their backs moving away from each other, growing farther apart.
They were both walking toward their own paths, and they would never look back.
*t
Jiang Meishu went to the Meatpacking Factory’s Trade Union Office first. When she arrived, people were already working there.
Jiang Lamei stood at the door craning her neck in anticipation. When Jiang Meishu appeared, she felt somewhat dazed and couldn’t help rubbing her eyes, “Meilan?”
To be honest, if she hadn’t been informed in advance about the identity swap between Meilan and Meishu, she would have thought it was Meilan who had arrived.
The same face, the same hair, even the clothes were identical.
No—she was wearing her daughter’s school uniform, which made her appear more youthful and vibrant.
Jiang Meishu nodded, “Auntie.”
She blinked at her, “I’m Meilan.”
She was reminding her not to slip up.
Jiang Lamei hummed in acknowledgment, taking her hand and examining it carefully, “How did you manage this?”
“Even the demeanor is exactly the same.”
Jiang Meishu smiled without answering, making a shushing gesture.
Jiang Lamei led Jiang Meishu to her office.
Once inside the office, Jiang Lamei poured Jiang Meishu a cup of tea, tossing in a few stray tea stems, “Take a couple sips first, so you don’t get thirsty later.”
Jiang Meishu took it—it was quite hot—so she set it aside without drinking immediately.
“Are you all prepared?”
Jiang Meishu nodded, “Pretty much.”
“You—” Jiang Lamei wanted to offer more advice but didn’t know where to start. Staring at Jiang Meishu’s strikingly beautiful face, she finally said after a long pause, “Be extra careful, don’t—” get exposed.
If this elaborate deception were discovered, even she, as the aunt, wouldn’t escape unscathed.
Jiang Meishu replied, “I know, Auntie.”
“Hmm.” Jiang Lamei weighed her words, “Factory Director Liang—”
“He’s very capable, authoritative, and meticulous. When you meet him for the blind date, be cautious.”
Her tone carried a hint of warning.
In Jiang Meishu’s eyes, she already saw Factory Director Liang as half in the grave.
She nodded, thinking to herself, Old men are good, old men are great—old men die early.
Perfect for inheriting his assets.
“As for his son—” Jiang Lamei visibly winced at the mention of Liang Rui, “He’s a real troublemaker, prickly all over. Ah, never mind, why am I bringing this up? Let’s get through the blind date first.”
Jiang Meishu nodded. She had already encountered Liang Rui and confirmed he was difficult to deal with.
But it didn’t matter.
Meet the wicked stepmother.
The more rebellious Liang Rui was, the more relaxed she’d feel while carrying out her tasks.
After all, she couldn’t bring herself to be cruel to a stepson who was too kind-hearted.
Jiang Meishu took a sip of water from the enamel mug. These days, enamel mugs didn’t insulate well—it quickly became too hot to hold, so she set it down. “Auntie, I’ll be careful.”
“Alright, go out and walk around. See if any of your former colleagues recognize you. If even those familiar with you can’t tell, then you have nothing to fear with Factory Director Liang.”
Jiang Meishu chirped an acknowledgment, her voice noticeably cheerful.
After all, no one enjoys being lectured, not even by a beloved aunt.
Seeing her like this, Jiang Lamei’s brows instantly furrowed. She wanted to say that Meilan wasn’t usually like this.
Unfortunately, Jiang Meishu gave her no chance to nag, vanishing in the blink of an eye like a rabbit.
Just as Jiang Meishu reached the outside and was about to head upstairs to check out the blind date office, she overheard voices from inside before entering:
“Her? She’s just lucky. If her aunt weren’t the Trade Union director, would she ever get a chance to have a blind date with Factory Director Liang?”
“Exactly, she’s just a temporary odd-job worker, not even a formal employee. We formal employees haven’t gotten our turn, so why should she?”
“Of course it’s because she has a good aunt. Besides, you’re not actually envious of her, are you?”
“Don’t you all know about Factory Director Liang’s family situation? That son of his – who knows how many times the school has called him in. Even Director Jiang has been summoned to mediate. If someone like Jiang Meilan marries into that family, not only will she struggle as a stepmother, she’ll probably get beaten too.”
“She’ll likely come to work with bruises all over her face by then.”
“Who’s to say? Maybe she won’t even qualify to get beaten? After all, what kind of family is Factory Director Liang’s? And what kind of family is hers? Would Factory Director Liang even look twice at her??!”
BANG—
The door swung open.