“Dad, what are you looking at?” After asking, Liang Rui instinctively glanced over and immediately spotted Jiang Meishu and Director Lu.
He froze for a moment. “Jiang Meilan?”
“Wait, why is my potential stepmom on a blind date with Director Lu?”
His question instantly silenced the surroundings.
Liang Qiurun remained silent.
Only then did Liang Rui belatedly realize he had spoken inappropriately. He tentatively asked Liang Qiurun, “Dad, are you still going to date Jiang Meilan?”
Liang Qiurun simply watched quietly into the distance without responding.
Liang Rui then muttered to himself, “If I really had to choose a stepmom, I think Jiang Meilan would be acceptable.”
He had interacted with her before and felt they might have common topics to discuss?
Moreover, she seemed kind-hearted—probably wouldn’t turn out to be an evil stepmother, right?
Hearing his son’s words, Liang Qiurun merely glanced at him. “What makes you think Jiang Meilan would become your stepmother?”
Liang Rui replied instinctively, “Didn’t you two meet first?”
Shouldn’t there be some order of priority?
Liang Qiurun responded, “Was the blind date successful?”
He withdrew his gaze from Jiang Meishu and Director Lu, lowering his eyes. “Liang Rui, no one in this world waits around forever.”
He was no exception.
And neither was “Jiang Meilan.”
He had failed the blind date and actively abandoned it, so “Jiang Meilan” was free to pursue other matches.
There was nothing wrong with that.
But—
Logic aside, reality was reality.
Liang Qiurun had to admit he wasn’t a saint; perhaps he still harbored some strange feelings deep down.
This was something he had never experienced before.
He had been on blind dates before, and when those matches later dated others, he had never cared.
Liang Qiurun touched his chest, wondering: Was he sick?
But these thoughts remained unspoken. Before leaving, he warned Liang Rui, “Since she has made a new choice, don’t disturb her.”
Liang Rui grunted in reluctant agreement.
He felt uncomfortable too.
He thought he was being ridiculous—previously, when “Jiang Meilan” was set to become his stepmother, he had resisted and schemed to sabotage it.
Now that “Jiang Meilan” was dating someone else, he felt as though someone who belonged to his family had been snatched away.
Liang Rui reflected that he truly was being unreasonable.
After Liang Qiurun left, Liang Rui didn’t rush back to school—skipping class was nothing new for him.
He lingered for a while, watching “Jiang Meilan” and Director Lu, though he had no idea what they were discussing for so long.
Growing tired of staring, Liang Rui headed to the hospital room and asked Jiang Chenliang, “Uncle Jiang, is there any work I can do here?”
Jiang Chenliang was taken aback. “Not really, I think?”
Not getting a clear answer, Liang Rui turned to Wang Limei, who thought for a moment and said, “The thermos is out of hot water.”
“But—”
“That’s for shared use—”
Before she could finish, Liang Rui had already grabbed the thermos and headed to the public water room to refill it.
Once he left, the Jiang Family members in the room exchanged bewildered glances. “Is he really planning to serve our family like a workhorse?”
Wang Limei asked in disbelief.
Jiang Chenliang murmured nervously, “I’m afraid this might shorten my lifespan.” After all, this was the factory director’s son.
It wasn’t that Jiang Chenliang thought too little of himself, but as an ordinary factory worker, he understood all too well the gap between them.
These words made Jiang Meilan glare at him. “What premature death? He caused the accident, so taking responsibility is the least he should do.”
“Dad, just accept it.”
Seeing that it was about time, and that her father had someone to look after him, Jiang Meilan stood up. “Shen Zhanlie and I are heading back now.”
“We’ll come see you again tonight.”
Wang Limei urged her, “Go back early.” After a pause, she thought for a moment and added, “I’ll go home tonight to get some meat and large bones for you to take to your in-laws’ place.”
She knew very well that the Shen family’s circumstances were particularly difficult. When she had initially considered marrying her younger daughter into the Shen family, she had planned to provide some support. Now that her elder daughter had married into the family, she would do the same.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Meilan instinctively refused. “There’s no need.”
She didn’t want to use her natal family’s resources to subsidize her in-laws.
Shen Zhanlie also said, “Mom, it’s not necessary. These were given to Dad by Factory Director Liang to help him recover.”
He didn’t want to take advantage of the Jiang family either—doing so would make him look down on himself.
Seeing that both young people were unwilling, Wang Limei thought for a moment and changed her approach. “Then next time I cook some, you two can come over for a meal.”
In these times, eating meat was as rare as celebrating the New Year. With the Jiang family having received so many ribs and large bones, even the broth from stewing them with radishes would be nourishing.
This time, Jiang Meilan didn’t refuse.
After they had all left, Grandma Lu couldn’t help but wonder, “Why did Factory Director Liang bring so many good things?”
She quickly glanced over the items—whether it was the malt extract or the milk powder, none of these were things ordinary people could easily obtain, let alone the two packs of Da Qianmen cigarettes.
These were truly precious.
Wang Limei didn’t want to go into too much detail, so she casually replied, “Factory Director Liang’s son caused some trouble, so he came to apologize to our family.”
Grandma Lu understood then and didn’t press further. Instead, she asked, “I wonder how things are going between my Zhiyuan and your daughter?”
Wang Limei was also concerned.
Earlier, that incident had been witnessed by Factory Director Liang, and she had no idea what he thought about it.
But perhaps he wasn’t dissatisfied?
After all, Factory Director Liang hadn’t gotten angry or brought up the matchmaking matter again.
Did that mean the matchmaking between Meishu and Factory Director Liang was over?
And one more thing—how were things between Meishu and Director Lu?
Meanwhile, Jiang Meishu, the subject of everyone’s concern, was utterly astonished. “What did you say? You graduated from Central University of Finance and Economics in the class of ’65?”
Lu Zhiyuan nodded. “Yes.”
Jiang Meishu stared at him for a long moment. Good heavens.
She had actually met an alumnus.
And an alumnus from sixty years ago, no less.
She felt a sense of unreality, as if she had crossed time and space to find something in common with him.
Something that connected to her previous life.
This realization made Jiang Meishu choke up. So, she wasn’t entirely alone in this unfamiliar world.
There were still threads tying her to her past life.
“What’s wrong?” Lu Zhiyuan asked softly.
Jiang Meishu lowered her gaze, then looked up again with a radiant smile. “It’s nothing. I’m just very happy.”
“Lu Zhiyuan,” she extended her hand to him, “it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Her smile left him momentarily stunned.
Hesitating for a moment, he finally reached out his hand. “The pleasure is mine.”
Jiang Meishu pursed her lips in a smile, curiosity flickering in her eyes. “Did you come to the Meatpacking Factory right after graduation?”
Lu Zhiyuan nodded. “Yes.”
“My school assigned me to the Meatpacking Factory back then.”
Now, the Meatpacking Factory was the best work unit in the entire Capital, bar none.
Jiang Meishu listened with deep envy. “Did all graduates get assigned jobs back in your time?”
“Yes.”
“All twenty-six people in our class received assignments.”
Jiang Meishu sighed softly, “That’s truly wonderful.”
When she graduated, the job market was already flooded with finance majors, and accountants were even more abundant. Even though she graduated from a top-tier program at Central University of Finance, it only secured her an internship opportunity during her junior year.
And that was it.
The year she graduated was dubbed the year with the largest number of college graduates in history.
It was also the year with the worst economic environment.
Over twenty million college graduates needed jobs.
And she was one of them, which made her cherish the internship she landed at a major company all the more, driving herself relentlessly.
Until she burned herself out.
Recalling her own graduation circumstances compared to the current situation felt like comparing heaven and earth.
Noticing her silence,
Lu Zhiyuan also grew quiet. He wasn’t particularly talkative to begin with—if categorized, he’d fit the stereotype of an engineering-minded man.
With Jiang Meishu not speaking, he struggled to find conversation topics. In that moment, Lu Zhiyuan felt frustrated by his own social awkwardness.
They walked for a while.
Jiang Meishu began feeling the awkwardness too and suggested, “Shall we go back upstairs?”
Lu Zhiyuan nodded. As they ascended, he remarked, “Comrade Jiang, since you treated my grandmother to a meal, let me invite you next time.”
Jiang Meishu looked surprised, her eyes widening. “No, no, no! I just shared one cornbread bun with your grandmother—that thing costs nothing.”
Five cents each.
How could she let him treat her to a proper meal? That would be no different from freeloading.
Lu Zhiyuan’s expression turned serious. “Comrade Jiang, I’m not joking. If you hadn’t given my grandmother that Wo Wo Tou, she would’ve gone to bed hungry in the hospital last night.”
“I’m not suggesting anything fancy—how about we eat at the Meatpacking Factory cafeteria?”
His upright posture and stern eyebrows made Jiang Meishu feel like she was being addressed by a strict school principal.
She momentarily felt unable to refuse.
Moreover, what truly tempted her was the prospect of eating at the Meatpacking Factory cafeteria. The bowl of Yangchun noodles her sister brought back after that blind date had been absolutely divine.
Jiang Meishu decisively stopped hesitating. “Then please treat me to a bowl of Yangchun noodles at your factory cafeteria.”
One taste was enough to become unforgettable.
Lu Zhiyuan made an affirming sound, his stern features relaxing slightly.
“How about this evening?”
“Sure.”
Jiang Meishu hummed in agreement, promptly accepting.
When they returned upstairs, relatives from both sides immediately inquired.
“How did it go?”
Wang Limei asked first. Jiang Meishu explained, “Comrade Lu said that to thank me for giving Grandma Lu a Wo Wo Tou, he plans to treat me to Yangchun noodles at the Meatpacking Factory tonight.”
Only then did she regret agreeing too quickly without consulting her family elders.
Jiang Meishu turned to Wang Limei and asked, “Mom, can I go?”
The young girl felt the nervousness and apprehension of having agreed to eat with a member of the opposite sex without first getting parental permission.
This left Wang Limei caught between laughter and tears. She was actually hoping her youngest daughter would go out to eat with Lu Zhiyuan so they could get to know each other better.
“Go ahead. Have dinner with Comrade Lu tonight. Your eldest brother and sister-in-law, along with your fourth brother, are coming over anyway. We don’t need so many people here.”
Hearing her mother agree, Jiang Meishu immediately breathed a sigh of relief. “As long as you don’t object.”
In her previous life, she had always been a well-behaved girl who followed the rules step by step. Even the love letters she received in high school and college were brought home for her parents to screen.
As a result, she was genuinely willing to follow her parents’ wishes in this regard.
Grandma Lu, watching from the side, grew even more convinced that the Jiang Family had raised Jiang Meishu well. This girl was sensible, obedient, considerate, and had self-respect.
The more she looked, the more she liked this future granddaughter-in-law.
She couldn’t wait for her eldest grandson and Lu Zhiyuan to hit it off soon.
Neither family mentioned the word “matchmaking,” but both tacitly allowed this to be exactly that.
Only the little fool Jiang Meishu remained in the dark, thinking it was just a simple meal.
However, Lu Zhiyuan was somewhat concerned. “Grandma, I’m taking Comrade Jiang to the Meatpacking Factory for dinner tonight. I’ll prepare your meal in advance and bring it over first.”
Grandma Lu naturally didn’t mind. She waved her hand, saying, “Just treat Comrade Jiang to a good meal, that’s all.”
Liang Rui, who had just come in from fetching water, happened to hear this. He immediately pricked up his ears.
What?
“Jiang Meilan” was going to have dinner with Lu Zhiyuan?
Were they progressing this fast?
Liang Rui instantly felt a sour taste in his heart. He placed the metal thermos on the table with a thud, causing everyone to instinctively look over.
Jiang Meishu also noticed Liang Rui and was surprised. “What are you doing here?”
Liang Rui said sourly, “You only just noticed me now?”
“I thought—”
Just as Liang Rui was about to spill the beans, Wang Limei quickly interrupted, “Liang Rui came with Factory Director Liang to apologize to your dad. Secretary Chen and Liang Feng were here too, but they’ve left now.”
“They left Liang Rui here to work like an ox and serve like a horse for our family.”
Jiang Meishu was taken aback for a moment, then quickly realized this was a great opportunity to make money.
She was so good at being vicious.
So, Jiang Meishu walked up to Liang Rui and suddenly called out, “Little ox-horse.”
Liang Rui, “What?”
Jiang Meishu smiled sweetly at him and patiently explained, “The ox and horse who work like an ox and serve like a horse.”
Liang Rui, “…”
Sure enough, he must be sick to have thought it would be nice for “Jiang Meilan” to become his stepmother.
Was this nice?
This was clearly infuriating!
Indeed.
The next second.
Jiang Meishu heard a ding-dong sound.
[Alipay received one hundred thousand yuan]
Jiang Meishu’s eyes lit up instantly, and she grew even more enthusiastic. “Hey, little ox-horse, are you here to serve my dad?”
“Then pour me a glass of water first. Let me experience what it feels like to be served.” As soon as she said this, Jiang Meishu felt she was being a bit too much.
But then she thought of the Villainy Points. Whatever, she’d stop being human.
Sure enough, Liang Rui’s face turned pale with anger.
He even forgot to curse at Jiang Meishu.
Not hearing the ding-dong sound again, Jiang Meishu felt a bit regretful. She had only made a few hundred thousand today.
Since there were no more Villainy Points, Jiang Meishu couldn’t be bothered with Liang Rui.
Liang Rui was a bit of a jerk. Even though Jiang Meishu ignored him, he kept popping up in front of her, to the point where she was starting to get annoyed with him.
Around four in the afternoon, Eldest Brother Jiang, his wife, and Younger Brother Jiang all arrived.
Jiang Meishu immediately handed over her shift. “You take care of Dad. Comrade Lu and I are going out to eat.”
Lin Qiaoling had brought a lunchbox, but since their home was quite far from the hospital, the braised pork rib soup she brought had already gone cold.
She was a bit puzzled. “Comrade Lu?”
“He’s the grandson of Grandma Lu in the next bed,” Wang Limei explained. “Meilan helped Grandma Lu, and her grandson wants to repay her by treating her to a meal.”
Lin Qiaoling was sharp. She still found it a bit odd and eyed the two of them suspiciously. Worried she might say something rash, Wang Limei quickly added, “Since you’ve brought the food, your father can eat now. He’s hungry.”
“But why is the food so cold?”
At this, Lin Qiaoling sighed helplessly. “The temperature dropped sharply this morning, falling over ten degrees all at once. The aluminum lunchbox and enamel mug offer no insulation at all. Even though Dali kept the food tucked inside his coat, it still turned cold by the time we got here.”
“Can we find a way to heat it up in the cafeteria?”
Wang Limei hesitated. “Heating the food costs twenty cents.” She was reluctant. “Forget it. Poor families can’t afford to be so particular. We’ll just eat it cold.”
Seeing this, Liang Rui suddenly spoke up. “I’ll take care of it.”
Everyone was reminded of his presence. Before Wang Limei could react, he had already grabbed the aluminum lunchbox and enamel mug and dashed off toward the hospital cafeteria.
As he rushed out, he bumped into Younger Brother Jiang, who was taken aback. To his surprise, Liang Rui apologized, “Sorry.”
Younger Brother Jiang was stunned. “?”
Was he seeing things? He actually heard Liang Rui apologize to him.
After Liang Rui left with the lunchbox, Liang Feng was waiting in the hallway. The two of them were like a pair of inseparable partners.
Liang Rui shoved the lunchbox into Liang Feng’s arms. “Take this to the hospital cafeteria to heat it up, then bring it back for Uncle Jiang.”
It was as if he were caring for someone for the first time. He pulled two yuan and two jin of food coupons from his pocket.
“Go buy some steamed buns or noodles while you’re at it and bring them over too. Otherwise, there won’t be enough to eat.”
Liang Feng was still in some pain, but his Little Uncle had insisted he come. He hadn’t entered the ward, staying outside the door to assist Liang Rui.
Now that Liang Rui had handed everything over to him, he was confused. “What about you?”
Liang Rui smirked coldly. “I’m going to check on Jiang Meilan.”
With that, he turned to leave.
But he glanced back into the ward one more time. It was a large room, crowded and noisy. Jiang Chenliang, who should have been resting, had his ears covered as he lay there, clearly unable to sleep properly. His face was pale, with dark circles under his eyes.
Liang Rui pressed his lips together, gave a deep look, and finally left.
He decided he would ask his father to arrange a different room for Uncle Jiang. But first, he needed to find Jiang Meilan!
The People’s Hospital was three kilometers from the Meatpacking Factory. Lu Zhiyuan offered to give Jiang Meishu a ride on his bicycle.
Jiang Meishu hesitated.
Lu Zhiyuan said, “The buses are all packed at this hour. If we walk, it’ll be dark by the time we get there.”
Jiang Meishu found it hard to refuse. But she was timid by nature, and hearing how far it was made her want to back out and cancel the plan.
Still, she had already agreed.
It would be impolite to decline now.
Lu Zhiyuan seemed to notice something. “It’s only a ten-minute bike ride. We’ll make it just in time for the Yangchun noodles at the canteen. If we’re lucky, we might even get clay pot pork.”
At this, Jiang Meishu was immediately tempted. Indeed, no foodie could resist such delicacies.
For a hungry wolf like her, it was even more impossible to refuse.
Seeing her agreement, Lu Zhiyuan breathed a slight sigh of relief. Pushing his Large Frame Bicycle, he patted the rear seat. “After I start riding, can you jump on?”
“Can you?”
Jiang Meishu, “…”
As someone born in the 2000s, she hadn’t ridden a bicycle since she could remember.
She replied uncertainly, “Probably?”
“You ride first, and I’ll try.”
She hoped her muscle memory from her previous life would help her get on. However, Jiang Meishu had overestimated herself. Once the Large Frame Bicycle started moving, the rear seat was too high and kept moving forward—she simply couldn’t get on.
She didn’t dare to jump.
Afraid of falling.
Lu Zhiyuan waited for a while but didn’t feel her get on. He turned to look at her.
The young girl’s face was flushed red, glistening beads of sweat clinging to the tip of her nose. She pouted and said pitifully, “I don’t dare to get on.”
Lu Zhiyuan found it both amusing and endearing. He immediately stopped and pointed to his bicycle. “I’ll stop and get off. You get on now.”
After a pause, he added, “I won’t ride. I’ll stay right here. You get on.”
This time, Jiang Meishu tried to get on and succeeded, though she inevitably had to grab Lu Zhiyuan’s waist for support. Feeling awkward, she quickly let go and gripped the icy-cold seat instead.
It was almost November, and the Capital’s winter was growing colder, making the bicycle seat shockingly cold to the touch.
“You can ride now.”
After steadying herself, Jiang Meishu whispered to him.
Lu Zhiyuan acknowledged with a hum and reminded her, “Hold on tight.” Despite his slender appearance, he was quite strong. He pedaled the bicycle with such vigor it felt like riding a wind-and-fire wheel—extremely fast.
The biting wind whistled past, cutting into their faces like knives.
Jiang Meishu instinctively wanted to hide her face, but there was nowhere to escape. She felt like crying but had no tears.
She could only comfort herself.
Almost there, we’re almost there.
Not far away.
A black Red Flag Car had just witnessed the entire scene, including Jiang Meishu’s clumsy struggle to get on the bicycle.
After an unknown amount of time.
Liang Qiurun’s gaze remained fixed on them. “Jiang Meilan” seemed to be freezing badly—her face pale, lips purple, and her body trembling.
As the bicycle moved further away.
Liang Qiurun remained in his previous position, motionless.
Secretary Chen cautiously asked, “Sir, are we still returning to the Meatpacking Factory?” The official from Hei Province was still waiting for Factory Director Liang to receive him.
Liang Qiurun hummed in acknowledgment and prepared to take off his overcoat. But then, as if remembering something, he paused slightly and picked up a thin blanket that was always kept on the seat. “Give this to her later.”
Secretary Chen was momentarily stunned but quickly realized who “her” referred to.
Still, he couldn’t resist asking again, “For Comrade Jiang?”
Liang Qiurun didn’t answer. Instead, he lifted his eyes and glanced over lightly. With just that one look, Secretary Chen immediately lowered his head.
“Understood. I’ll make sure to complete the task.”
The car drove on for a while.
As she passed the bicycle, Secretary Chen pulled over to the side of the road, took a blanket, and got out, walking toward the bicycle.
Lu Zhiyuan also noticed her. He immediately leaned his bicycle against the side, his long legs supporting him on the ground. “Secretary Chen?”
He often interacted with Secretary Chen.
Secretary Chen gave an “ai” sound, bypassed Lu Zhiyuan, and handed the thin blanket in his hand to Jiang Meishu in the back seat, “Comrade Jiang, this is for you.”
Jiang Meishu was taken aback, “?”
Lu Zhiyuan was equally surprised.
Unfortunately, Secretary Chen didn’t elaborate and simply turned to get back in the car. Jiang Meishu instinctively glanced over but couldn’t see the person inside the vehicle, only a rolled-up window.
Faintly, she could make out an exceptionally clear and handsome profile, as smooth and refined as fine jade.
Was it from Old Liang?
Jiang Meishu was puzzled. Why?
She wasn’t acquainted with Old Liang.
Lu Zhiyuan was also curious, “Do you know each other?”
Jiang Meishu shook her head, “Not really.”
She hadn’t even met Old Liang—how could that count as knowing him?
Jiang Meishu even suspected it might be because of Lu Zhiyuan, “Is it because you’re his right-hand man at work, so he noticed I was cold and sent the blanket?”
When she left in the morning, the temperature hadn’t dropped yet, but by evening, it had fallen by over ten degrees. The blanket arrived just in time.
Lu Zhiyuan shook his head, “I don’t know.”
He glanced at Jiang Meishu, whose face was flushed red from the cold and lips tinged purple, “Just cover yourself with it for now. Don’t catch a cold.”
Jiang Meishu sneezed, her nose turning red. Hugging the thin blanket, she felt an overwhelming warmth spread through her body.
“Your boss is quite considerate,” she remarked to Lu Zhiyuan.
Considerate?
Lu Zhiyuan felt a bit lost in thought. As Factory Director Liang’s subordinate, he knew the man’s character well—it couldn’t simply be summed up as “good.”
That was too vague.
If his colleagues were to label Factory Director Liang, they certainly wouldn’t describe him as a good person.
Rather, he was someone who appeared gentle and refined on the surface but was actually a decisive, efficient workaholic with a no-nonsense approach.
Unable to figure it out, Lu Zhiyuan decided to stop pondering.
Soon, they arrived at the entrance of the Meatpacking Factory. Thanks to the thin blanket Liang Qiurun had provided, Jiang Meishu hadn’t suffered too much. Whenever the wind grew too strong on the bicycle ride, she bundled herself up from head to toe with the blanket.
It was warm, indeed.
But when she got off, she noticed she seemed to have picked up the scent from the blanket—a bit like cedar, faint and crisp.
It smelled quite pleasant.
Jiang Meishu drifted into a daze, wondering what kind of cologne Old Liang used. If her circumstances improved in the future, maybe she could try buying some?
In her previous life, she had a rather niche hobby—she loved all kinds of pleasant fragrances. The only issue was she couldn’t afford them; otherwise, there was no drawback.
“We’re here. Let’s head straight to the cafeteria,” Lu Zhiyuan said, parking the large frame bicycle by the cafeteria entrance.
Jiang Meishu hopped off the bike. Having sat for too long in the chilly weather, the moment her feet touched the ground, a sharp pain shot through the soles of her feet.
Her face turned pale from the pain.
“What’s wrong?” Lu Zhiyuan asked her.
Jiang Meishu, her small face white with pain, gasped, “My feet hurt.”
“It hurt terribly the moment I jumped down.”
“Did you step on a nail?”
Otherwise, why would it hurt so much?
Lu Zhiyuan listened, then paused, “Let me see.”
He crouched down to inspect, “No nails.” Soon, he realized why Jiang Meishu was in pain.
“You didn’t step on a nail. It’s because of the cold weather. You were sitting on the bicycle with your feet dangling for too long, causing poor blood circulation. The moment you landed, the sudden impact caused that piercing pain.”
“Take a few steps, you’ll feel better soon.”
Jiang Meishu followed his suggestion and walked around. The initial sharp pain gradually subsided to a tolerable level, leaving only a slight numbness in her soles.
“Feeling better now?”
Jiang Meishu nodded.
Lu Zhiyuan thought for a moment. “You’re just not used to riding bicycles yet. Once you get accustomed to it, you’ll be fine.”
Jiang Meishu remained silent with a pained expression.
She swore to herself she would never ride a bicycle again. The pain in her soles when she jumped off was unbearable, truly unbearable.
Now she understood what her sister meant when she said:
She was just too delicate – couldn’t stand the cold, couldn’t bear the heat, and couldn’t endure pain.
It was truly remarkable how the Jiang Family had managed to raise her all these years.
She didn’t respond to Lu Zhiyuan’s comment.
Entering the cafeteria, Jiang Meishu was astonished by its size, comparable to university cafeterias in later eras.
Since it was still early and not yet off-work time, the cafeteria wasn’t crowded. Only a few scattered people were inside. Jiang Meishu found a corner seat and settled down.
Still holding the thin blanket, she hadn’t figured out how to return it to Liang Qiurun when she heard Lu Zhiyuan say to her, “Wait here for me. I’ll go check what good food they have at the service window.”
“Go line up first.”
Jiang Meishu murmured in agreement, “Alright.”
After Lu Zhiyuan left,
Jiang Meishu quietly observed the cafeteria. She recalled having visited here very few times because their family hadn’t been allocated an apartment in the Meatpacking Factory’s residential building, so they had always lived in the Qudeng Hutong Compound.
Unlike her father, sister, and Eldest Brother who worked here, Jiang Meishu’s life had followed a simple routine between home and school throughout her past years.
She had even visited the Meatpacking Factory where her family worked only a handful of times.
Like a child who rarely went out, she quietly examined everything around her.
Feeling curious about everything.
Factory Director’s Office.
After processing three documents in succession,
Secretary Chen checked his wristwatch and cautiously reminded, “Sir, Director Zhu from Hei Province Breeding Farm will come to our Meatpacking Factory for a study visit at six this evening.”
Liang Qiurun naturally knew this. He casually placed the processed documents aside, and Secretary Chen skillfully stamped them with a large red official seal.
Indicating they were ready to be taken away at any time.
After completing everything, Liang Qiurun finally got up and put on a pine-green overcoat over his white shirt – the same one he had worn during his time in Zhu Dui.
Though he had worn it for at least ten years, it still appeared neat and well-pressed.
“Drive me to the entrance.”
At these words, Secretary Chen immediately picked up the car keys. First, he went out to instruct someone to have the cafeteria staff prepare quickly.
Then he drove Liang Qiurun to the Meatpacking Factory entrance.
At 5:40, several people had already gathered at the factory entrance.
When Director Zhu from Hei Province Breeding Farm arrived, Secretary Chen promptly opened the car door. “Director Zhu, our Factory Director Liang is waiting for you in the car.”
Director Zhu responded affirmatively and got into the car, smiling at Liang Qiurun. “Factory Director Liang, it’s really not easy to arrange this study visit to your Capital Meatpacking Plant. I’ve been waiting in line for a month just for this.”
Liang Qiurun smiled gently, his demeanor as refined as jade. “Director Zhu, I can’t accept that comment. Actually, our factory was the one that visited your esteemed facility first for learning.”
With just one sentence, the awkwardness of their first meeting was effortlessly resolved, and the Capital Meatpacking Plant’s condescending attitude was also brought down a notch.
This also made Director Zhu unconsciously relax a bit.
The car arrived at the entrance of the cafeteria.
Secretary Chen got out to open the car door.
Inside the cafeteria, preparations had long been underway.
“Factory Director Liang will be entertaining distinguished guests on the second floor today.”
“Show off our cafeteria’s specialty skills—we can’t let Factory Director Liang down.”
“Also, Factory Director Liang particularly enjoys braised pork tripe, so make sure that’s included.”
“And the casserole of boiled pork—when should it be ready? Has anyone mentioned what time Factory Director Liang will arrive?”
It couldn’t be done too early or too late. If too early, the meat wouldn’t be fully cooked; if too late, it would be tough to chew.
It had to be served at just the right moment—that casserole of boiled pork would simply melt in your mouth, incredibly tender and fragrant.
The entire cafeteria was bustling because of Liang Qiurun’s arrival.
Not far away, Jiang Meishu seemed to notice something. She just felt that the cafeteria chefs were starting to rush from the back kitchen to the front hall one after another.
Even the second floor was being cordoned off, with the entrance area cleared out.
Seeing Jiang Meishu’s curiosity, Lu Zhiyuan happened to be carrying two bowls of Yangchun noodles over. After setting them on the table, he explained, “The private rooms on the second floor are for Factory Director Liang to entertain guests.”
“They’re not open to the public on ordinary days.”
“Of course, we ordinary folks can’t go up there.”
Even people like them wouldn’t easily go up to the second floor.
Now Jiang Meishu understood—it was as if the second floor was Liang Qiurun’s private club.
Noticing her staring blankly at the second-floor staircase, Lu Zhiyuan remarked, “Factory Director Liang is an exceptional person, so outstanding that he’s practically out of reach.”
He had always considered himself among the most outstanding since childhood—otherwise, he wouldn’t have been admitted to Central University of Finance and Economics, and after graduation, assigned to work at the Meatpacking Factory.
But compared to Factory Director Liang, his own excellence still fell far short.
This was the first time Jiang Meishu had heard Liang Qiurun’s reputation described by someone her own age—his fame was formidable.
She asked curiously, “Do you admire him?”
Lu Zhiyuan, “I suppose?” He smiled, “But from top to bottom, there isn’t a single worker at the Meatpacking Factory who doesn’t admire him. I’d say it’s more like a mix of awe, fear, and admiration.”
How complicated.
Jiang Meishu thought that perhaps through Lu Zhiyuan, she roughly understood why her father treated Liang Qiurun with such trepidation and caution. Setting aside that blockhead son of his, Liang Qiurun himself was an extraordinarily outstanding person.
“I forgot to get vinegar.”
Lu Zhiyuan suddenly stood up and said to Jiang Meishu, “I’ve gone off on a tangent. Let me go get you some vinegar.”
Jiang Meishu wanted to say it wasn’t necessary.
But Lu Zhiyuan had already walked away, so she could only withdraw her gaze and look down at the large bowl in front of her.
White noodles, with tender green scallions floating in the bowl, topped with a drizzle of sesame oil, steaming hot with white mist rising.
This was freshly made Yangchun noodles, incredibly fragrant, with the noodles at their most delicious state.
Jiang Meishu shamelessly swallowed her saliva.
Until—
Suddenly, there was a commotion at the entrance of the Meatpacking Factory.
“Factory Director Liang.”
It was Chef Zhang from the Meatpacking Factory cafeteria, standing at the entrance, “The dishes are all served. We’re just waiting for you and the guests to go upstairs.”
Liang Qiurun glanced at Secretary Chen, who instantly understood and said to Chef Zhang, “You’ve worked hard.”
Secretary Chen represented Liang Qiurun externally, which made Chef Zhang feel overwhelmingly honored. “It’s our duty.”
To receive a “you’ve worked hard” from Factory Director Liang—what an honor!
Liang Qiurun nodded and had just taken two steps forward when Lu Zhiyuan, holding a plate of vinegar, looked up and unexpectedly met Liang Qiurun’s gaze.
An indescribable pressure followed.
He had never realized that Factory Director Liang possessed such an intense presence, to the extent that even making eye contact felt somewhat stressful.
“Factory Director Liang.”
Lu Zhiyuan called out.
Liang Qiurun nodded, took two more steps, then suddenly turned back and asked, “On a blind date?”
Lu Zhiyuan hesitated for a moment before nodding.
Liang Qiurun pressed, “With whom?”
His tone was sharp, like jade developing edges—the jade itself remained smooth, but the edges were sharp enough to prick.
Lu Zhiyuan was puzzled, but faced with Liang Qiurun’s question, he instinctively glanced back toward the distance and replied softly, “With Comrade Jiang Meilan.”
Hearing her name abruptly,
Jiang Meishu instinctively turned around.
She saw the man standing at the entrance—tall, upright, and as refined as jade.
Yet, there was an undeniable pressure emanating from him.
Their eyes met.
Liang Qiurun’s sharp gaze swept across her fair face—