Seeing his refusal.
Jiang Lamei felt her heart leap to her throat. “Factory Director Liang, are you really not going to reconsider? The two girls are twins with similar personalities, and the younger one is even prettier.”
“And most importantly, she developed feelings for you after seeing your photo.”
To ensure the marriage swap between her two nieces would succeed, she was truly putting great effort into her sales pitch.
She thought no man could resist hearing that a young, beautiful comrade liked him.
After all, what an honor it was.
Regardless of gender, being liked by someone always brought a certain pride.
It was recognition from others.
Unfortunately.
Liang Qiurun was someone who understood neither romance nor matters between men and women.
He paid no attention to what Jiang Lamei said.
Liang Qiurun curled his slender fingers and tapped them on the table. The photo happened to be beside his hand and vibrated from the tapping. He glanced at it indifferently, his voice cool. “Director Jiang, you’ve overstepped.”
Just those few words.
Instantly made Jiang Lamei stop short, swallowing back all the prepared words she had stored up.
“I—”
She struggled to formulate a response.
Liang Qiurun continued, “If Comrade Jiang Meilan is willing, she may come. If not, this arranged meeting can be canceled.”
“In this new society with new customs, there’s no room for forced transactions.”
Sunlight streamed through the glass window, illuminating his face. His usually gentle and refined features now carried a sharp and solemn edge.
Jiang Lamei was momentarily stunned. Only then did she understand why those people she encountered outside said the gentle Factory Director Liang had sharp and decisive methods.
Because his gentleness was merely superficial. Once he became serious, ordinary people couldn’t withstand it.
Like Jiang Lamei now—she nervously twisted the corner of her clothes. Despite having lived most of her life, at this moment she felt like an ordinary person, unsure how to respond.
She could only nod repeatedly. “Factory Director Liang, you’re absolutely right.”
As she spoke, she wondered why she, who was usually so articulate in the Trade Union, couldn’t utter a single word in front of Factory Director Liang.
Liang Qiurun watched Jiang Lamei’s reaction impassively and continued, “This arranged meeting should be based on mutual willingness.”
“If there’s unwillingness, then let’s pretend it was never mentioned.”
One had to admit, the factory director was indeed the factory director.
He immediately identified the core issue with sharp insight.
It wasn’t that the younger sister liked him and wanted to switch.
Rather, the original comrade scheduled to meet him probably wasn’t willing, hence this story about the younger sister liking him and wanting to meet instead.
Asking whether he would be willing to switch.
Speaking with intelligent people was straightforward.
As soon as Liang Qiurun finished speaking.
Jiang Lamei’s heart tightened, realizing Factory Director Liang might have detected the truth.
She grew increasingly nervous, her heart nearly pounding out of her chest. Bowing her head, she quickly took responsibility. “Factory Director Liang, I understand. The children’s games have truly disturbed you.”
After a pause, she added an explanation, both for Jiang Meilan and the Jiang family.
With an ingratiating smile, she subtly flattered him, hoping to salvage something.
“But Factory Director Liang, please rest assured, our Meilan is very willing to meet with you. After all, with your excellent qualifications, one couldn’t find better even with a lantern.”
Liang Qiurun neither confirmed nor denied his belief. He sat upright behind the vermilion office desk, his posture ramrod straight, with strikingly handsome features.
His facial features were so exceptionally beautiful that one could hardly look away.
Even Jiang Lamei found herself momentarily dazed—how could Factory Director Liang be so extraordinarily good-looking?
If she could bring him into her family, whether as a son-in-law or nephew-in-law, just looking at him would make her eat several extra bowls of rice.
What was Meilan thinking?
Rejecting such an outstanding man like Factory Director Liang.
The more she thought about it, the more reluctant Jiang Lamei became to let Factory Director Liang slip away.
Bring him into the family.
She must bring him into the family!
Such a prime catch shouldn’t be left for others to snatch.
Whether it was Meilan or Meishu, she would brainwash them as soon as she got home.
With a face like Factory Director Liang’s, how could they give up on him?
In just a moment, Jiang Lamei had made up her mind. She took a slight step forward and stood before Liang Qiurun’s desk.
“Don’t worry, in three days, my Meilan will definitely meet you for a blind date at the Trade Union office.”
This was a firm promise.
Liang Qiurun looked up at her in surprise. “Thank you for your concern, Director Jiang.”
“However, if there’s any coercion involved, let’s forget it.”
This had always been his stance.
“Absolutely not,” Wang Lamei denied outright. “My girl adores you beyond words.”
She lied without batting an eye.
Liang Qiurun gave a faint smile and brought up another matter.
“Director Jiang, if my son Liang Rui gets into fights or causes trouble at school, please notify me through the Trade Union first.”
Normally, school fights should involve contacting parents directly.
But Liang Rui was notoriously fierce, and as the new factory director’s son, other parents dared not confront the director directly. Instead, they used the school’s name to seek the Trade Union’s help in mediation.
After all, wasn’t the Trade Union responsible for resolving all kinds of disputes within the Meatpacking Factory’s households?
Jiang Lamei responded eagerly, “Factory Director Liang, rest assured, if there are any issues with Liang Rui, I will definitely inform you beforehand.”
Liang Qiurun nodded in gratitude. As Jiang Lamei was about to leave, he paused thoughtfully, then handed her a bag of bright red apples from his desk.
“Sorry to trouble you to make this trip.”
The apples were as large as fists, vividly eye-catching. Such high-quality fruit was hard to come by on the market, and ordinary people couldn’t afford it even if they wanted to.
Jiang Lamei was flustered by the gesture. “Factory Director Liang, this is too generous!”
In these times, many struggled to have enough to eat.
Let alone afford luxuries like apples.
Most ordinary families never even saw such fruit, much less tasted it.
Liang Qiurun nodded gently, his voice warm. “It’s nothing valuable. Please accept it.”
Jiang Lamei immediately understood. “I’ll make sure to give these apples to Meilan. You have my word, Factory Director Liang.”
Only then did she take the apples.
Liang Qiurun raised an eyebrow, realizing she had misunderstood, but he didn’t bother to explain. He watched her leave and was about to resume work when he noticed a small black-and-white photo left forgotten on the desk.
In the photo, a young woman with large, smiling eyes and a sweet, gentle smile looked both delicate and serene.
Liang Qiurun studied it for a moment. “Such a young girl, talking about love.”
The wife he sought was never about romantic affection.
Rather, he needed someone respectful and reliable, capable of managing his household and disciplining Liang Rui.
The girl in the photo…
Was entirely unsuitable.
Jiang Lamei emerged from the factory director’s office carrying a bag of bright red apples, having been stared at countless times by the workers along the way.
Each time she met their gazes, she would smile sweetly and say, “Factory Director Liang gave these to me. He’s such a good man.”
Her words instantly sparked envy and assessment in many.
Brimming with excitement, Jiang Lamei walked away with the apples, her back straight and proud the entire way home.
This was the art of navigating social dynamics in the factory.
Being connected to the factory director’s family made everything run more smoothly.
It was all about human relationships and social connections.
Thinking this, Jiang Lamei grew even more convinced that she couldn’t afford to lose this match with the Liang family.
At the Jiang household, Wang Limei remained seated calmly, but Jiang Meilan was growing restless.
Eager to visit the Shen family and discuss the marriage swap, she urged, “Mom, why don’t you go to the Shen house?”
“Ask if they’d agree to the marriage swap?”
Wang Limei was busy assembling matchboxes—diligent as ever, her hands never idle throughout the day.
“Your aunt hasn’t returned yet. What would I go there to ask?”
“If you don’t go and ask, how will you know where things stand?” Jiang Meilan, truly anxious, tugged at Wang Limei’s sleeve. “Mom, just go and ask, please?”
Laying her cards on the table, she added bluntly, “I want to be the one to meet Shen Zhanlie.”
Wang Lamei, seeing her daughter’s lack of shame, couldn’t help but tap her forehead sharply. “Nothing’s settled yet. He’s still your sister’s match.”
“But Meishu doesn’t like him anyway. Can’t you go ask for me?”
Unable to resist her eldest daughter’s pleading, and with her younger daughter Jiang Meishu chiming in, “It wouldn’t hurt to ask,” Wang Limei relented.
Jiang Meishu had no desire to marry Shen Zhanlie and bear eight children either.
Good heavens!
Even rabbits weren’t that prolific!
What made it worse was that Shen Zhanlie couldn’t use his own fertility on himself. If he could bear the eight children, she might have reluctantly agreed to the match.
But since she was the one expected to carry them, she simply refused.
With both daughters in agreement, Wang Limei had no choice. After washing her hands, she said, “You two handle this bucket of pig offal. I’ll go to the Shen house and see what the situation is.”
It wouldn’t hurt to check. Perhaps Mother Shen wasn’t as ideal as she imagined?
An unexpected visit might reveal something different.
Jiang Meishu and Jiang Meilan were both delighted.
But once Wang Limei left, faced with the bucket of bloody pig offal, Jiang Meishu couldn’t bring herself to touch it. She turned to Jiang Meilan.
Jiang Meilan snorted, “I knew you’d find it disgusting. Why don’t you complain when you’re eating it?”
Jiang Meishu pursed her lips into a smile and wheedled, “Sis, my dear sister.”
“Touching this gives me goosebumps.”
To prove her point, she reached into the bucket. The moment her fingers brushed against the pig liver and large intestines, the fine hairs on her jade-white arms stood on end.
“See? I wasn’t lying!”
Jiang Meilan shook her head at her sister’s antics and tapped her forehead lightly. “Born without a noble fate, yet afflicted with noble sensibilities.”
She carried the wooden bucket to the courtyard, heading for the public sink to clean the pig intestines.
Jiang Meishu followed with a small stool, swallowing saliva eagerly. “Pig intestines are best when braised.”
Jiang Meilan cut her off, “Stop talking.”
Jiang Meishu replied meekly, “Okay.”
After a moment, Jiang Meishu asked quietly, “Do you think the Shen family will agree?”
Will they agree?
Jiang Meilan didn’t know.
At the Shen residence.
As soon as Wang Limei arrived, Mother Shen greeted her, “Old sister, you’ve come.”
Actually, Mother Shen was five years younger than Wang Limei, but due to life’s pressures and having lost her husband early, she appeared several years older than Wang Limei.
Wang Limei hummed in acknowledgment, supporting Mother Shen’s arm as they entered the house. Once inside, she glanced around. Though the Shen home wasn’t large, it was meticulously organized—not a single strand of hair could be seen on the floor.
They were cleanly people.
Her fondness for this prospective in-law grew stronger. “Sister Shen, I’ve come to discuss something important with you.”
Mother Shen poured her a glass of water, then after a moment’s thought, resolutely scooped a spoonful of white sugar from the nearly empty glass jar into it.
In these times, serving guests sugared water was considered the highest form of hospitality.
Wang Limei took note of this, her smile widening. “Well, as you know, my two daughters are twins. Since childhood, they’ve always competed for things.”
This was famous throughout the entire alley.
Mother Shen naturally knew. She handed over the prepared sugared water. “What’s the matter?”
Wang Limei accepted it but didn’t drink, instead placing it on the table. She seemed hesitant, somewhat ashamed to speak openly. “My Meilan has also taken a liking to your Zhanlie. I wanted to ask if it would be possible to change Zhanlie’s blind date partner?”
Having broached the subject, it became easier to continue.
“Simply put, could we switch Zhanlie’s blind date to Meilan?”
Mother Shen was taken aback. “Your Meilan has taken a liking to my Zhanlie?”
It took her a moment to process this. “Wasn’t she supposed to have a blind date with Factory Director Liang?”
The news about Jiang Meilan’s planned blind date with Factory Director Liang had spread through the Dazayuan like wildfire.
Even the Shen family had heard about it.
Wang Limei paused, surprised that Mother Shen knew. She pressed on awkwardly, “Yes, but there’s no helping it. My Meilan has just taken a fancy to your Zhanlie.”
“She wants to have a blind date with your Zhanlie.”
Mother Shen certainly knew that compared to the younger Jiang daughter, the elder Jiang daughter had a much better reputation. She was presentable in social settings, capable in household chores, and most importantly, she had a job—meaning she could support herself after marriage.
However, Mother Shen had more considerations. She lowered her voice and asked, “If your Meilan likes my Zhanlie, what about your Meishu?”
How could Wang Limei answer this?
Admit that her twin daughters were swapping blind date partners?
She was too embarrassed to say it.
Mother Shen was clever. Reading the other’s expression, she guessed most of the story.
“You know our family’s situation—we’re quite poor. If Meishu were to date my Zhanlie, we’d worry we couldn’t provide for someone so delicately raised. But if it were Meilan—”
Mother Shen felt tempted.
She was about to respond.
The next second, the Shen family door was pushed open. Shen Zhanlie stood tall and broad-shouldered in the doorway, his face obscured by the backlight.
But his deep, husky voice carried into the room.
“No.”