There was even a Newbie Gift Pack?
This system was pretty good.
“Then extract the Physical Restoration Potion!”
【Extracting it for Host now!】
Very soon, a bottle of Physical Restoration Potion appeared in Lin Tingwan’s hand. She hurriedly drank it.
A warm sensation instantly spread through her limbs, and the soreness throughout her body disappeared in an instant.
Wonderful.
She then extracted the Flawless Concealing Pearl Cream and applied a thin layer to the places Zhou Huaijin had left marks on. In the blink of an eye, every trace had completely disappeared, and her skin looked even fairer and cleaner than before.
【System, let me try that Affection Detection Skill.】
【Retrieving data for Host. Zhou Huaijin’s current affection level: negative eighty, extreme hatred.】
Lin Tingwan was so shocked that her jaw nearly dropped.
“System, does Zhou Huaijin really hate the original owner that much?”
【Of course. The original owner and Zhou Huaijin grew up together as childhood sweethearts, and their families had arranged their engagement when they were young. But just after Zhou Huaijin’s mother passed away, the original owner unilaterally demanded to break off the engagement.
Zhou Huaijin was devastated. He took his young brother and left his hometown, enduring countless hardships and struggling his way upward until he became a factory director. All these years, his hatred for the original owner was what kept him going and made him stronger. What do you think? Does he hate her or not?】
“Heh, System, so he developed hatred because he loved her?”
【That is the main reason he turned dark. He never had a father while growing up. The original owner’s family brought a little light into his life, and the two of them had been engaged since childhood. He devoted himself completely to her. Who would have thought the original owner would be so vicious?】
“That’s all because the author wrote it that way. Forget it. Whatever happens, I’ll deal with it tomorrow. Your big sister needs her beauty sleep. I’m exhausted.”
【Good night, Host.】
Perhaps because she had taken the restoration potion, Lin Tingwan soon fell asleep.
She slept soundly without dreaming.
The next morning, just as the sky began to brighten, smoke curled from the chimneys of every household in the apartment building.
Wang Cuihua carried a floral washbasin in her hands, her expression as unpleasant as ever.
She glanced sideways at Lin Tingwan, who had just stepped out of her room, and was about to scold her for being lazy.
Lin Tingwan hurried over and supported her.
“Mom, you worked so hard getting up this early to make breakfast. I am so lucky that I get to eat the food you cook every day. And your needlework is the best in the whole family compound.”
The vulgar words that had been about to leave Wang Cuihua’s mouth immediately got stuck. She stood there in stunned silence.
Lin Tingwan had always done nothing but argue with her. When had she ever said a single nice thing to her?
She awkwardly snorted. “Let go.”
Lin Tingwan said, “Oh right, Mom. When you hang clothes out in the morning, not only are your movements graceful, but you are also quick and efficient. The ten Aunties Zhang next door combined cannot compare with you.”
“Did you do something bad again last night?” Wang Cuihua looked at her suspiciously.
“Mom, of course not. Come on, let’s go eat.”
Breakfast was noodles with a few pieces of leafy greens and one egg.
Lin Tingwan gave the entire egg to her mother in law while she ate plain noodles.
If this had been the original owner, she would have cursed her mother in law for being stingy and then eaten the entire egg herself.
“Mom, I’m going to work. I’ll miss you. Oh right, this jar of snow cream is for you. If you take good care of your skin, even an eighteen year old girl would not be able to compare with you. I’m leaving. Bye!”
Wait, she had actually given her snow cream?
Wang Cuihua had been frugal her entire life and had never even used snow cream before.
She looked down at the item in her hand, and her tone softened slightly.
“Lin Tingwan, remember to stay away from Director Zhou.”
“I know. Thank you for caring about me, Mom.”
See?
That was what they meant by never striking someone who greeted you with a smile.
She was only a nasty mother in law. How could Lin Tingwan possibly fail to win her over?
Lin Tingwan picked up her canvas bag and walked outside. She happened to run into Auntie Zhang, who was carrying a vegetable basket.
“Auntie Zhang, good morning. Are you going to buy vegetables?”
Zhang Mei froze. Lin Tingwan had always been so arrogant that she never took the initiative to speak to anyone in the family compound. Her behavior today was extremely unusual.
At that moment, Zheng Changfu also came out.
Lin Tingwan greeted him as well. “Good morning, Changfu.”
Zheng Changfu froze first, then lowered his head with a flushed face.
“G, good morning.”
Zheng Changfu was somewhat short and had dark skin. He did not have a proper job and could only survive by taking on odd jobs. None of the unmarried young women in the family compound were willing to pay him any attention. He had even developed the habit of hunching his body whenever he walked.
“I’m off. See you around.”
Lin Tingwan smiled and waved at them before walking ahead.
“That little widow, did she take the wrong medicine today?” Zhang Mei asked after finally recovering from her surprise.
Zheng Changfu’s heart began pounding faster, and his ears turned even redder.
“Wait, Changfu, why are you blushing?” Zhang Mei noticed that something was wrong with her son.
“nothing.”
“You’d better behave yourself when we go to arrange a marriage today. If you still cannot find a wife, you will stay single for the rest of your life.”
Changfu nervously clenched the corner of his clothes and lowered his head even further.
In the past, Lin Tingwan would not even spare him a glance from the corner of her eye. Today, she had actually greeted him first.
Could it be that she had feelings for him?
The thought made Changfu’s cheeks grow hotter and hotter.
Actually, Lin Tingwan really was beautiful. She was the prettiest woman in the entire family compound.
Even Comrade Qiao could not compare with her.
If only he could marry Lin Tingwan. How wonderful would that be?
“Changfu, did you hear what I said?” Zhang Mei angrily tugged on his ear.
She had once cried and begged for a son, and now that son could not even find a wife.
She could barely hold her head up in the family compound anymore.
Zheng Changfu nodded. “I, I heard you.”
“Why are you stammering? I’m telling you, behave yourself later. If you make me a laughingstock again, I’ll die right in front of you!”
As Lin Tingwan walked along the road, the people from the family compound pointed at her and whispered among themselves.
“Look at that shameless widow from the Ji family.”
“She has completely disgraced all of us women.”
“Exactly. She nearly drove Director Zhou crazy with all her pestering. He even wanted to report her to the police several times.”
“In ancient times, someone like her would have been thrown into a pig cage.”
“Fortunately, Director Zhou and Comrade Qiao have gotten together. Otherwise, who knows what kind of trouble she would have caused him.”
“Exactly. Look at the way she dresses. She looks like a seductress.”
…
In the past, the original owner would have charged over and started arguing with them long ago!
After all, the original owner really had been in the wrong. If Lin Tingwan started arguing with them, she would have no grounds to defend herself.
Besides, she had never been good at arguing either.
“Auntie Li, good morning.”
“Auntie Sun, good morning.”
“Grandma Zhou, good morning.”
Lin Tingwan smiled and greeted everyone one by one.
This was what they called repaying resentment with kindness.
Everyone was collectively stunned.
Was this really that vicious little widow?
In the past, she had only known how to curse them until they were speechless.
Her skin was thicker than a city wall. Once she started arguing with someone, she would keep going until the other person began questioning their entire existence.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning.”
“Good morning.”
After responding, everyone hurried away.
“She must have been upset after hearing about Director Zhou and Comrade Qiao.”
“Does she really think that if she takes the initiative to be friendly with us, we’ll take her side? What a joke.”
Soon, these people encountered Zhou Huaijin, and their attitudes immediately changed completely.
“Director Zhou, congratulations! I heard you’re going to marry Comrade Qiao!”
“Director Zhou is such a fine man, and Comrade Qiao is gentle and virtuous. You two are truly a perfect match. Our factory is going to have another happy occasion!”
“Have you decided when the wedding will be?”
Congratulations came from every direction.
Zhou Huaijin’s expression remained indifferent, as though he were listening to someone else’s affairs.
In a place as small as the family compound, Comrade Qiao had walked out of his dormitory building early in the morning. Anyone with eyes could tell what had happened.
Besides, people loved to fill in the blanks with their own imaginations. They could easily create an entire story from it.
Zhou Huaijin said calmly, “I’ll tell everyone later.”
With that, he walked straight into the factory grounds.
The crowd became even more excited after hearing this.
They were finally going to see Director Zhou get married.
Over the past few years, the enthusiastic aunties at the factory had arranged countless potential matches for him, but he had rejected every single one.
“This is wonderful. Now we don’t have to worry about the factory director being alone anymore.”
“Exactly. Comrade Qiao is such a good person. I’m sure she’ll take good care of the factory director.”
At the state owned factory’s office building, Qiao Shuran had just entered the office when two female colleagues surrounded her.
Su Guilan asked, “Comrade Qiao, is it true that something is going on between you and the factory director?”
Chen Chunyan said, “I heard you took care of him all night, and then you two consummated the marriage?”
Su Guilan exclaimed, “Your face is covered in scratches. Good heavens, how passionate was Director Zhou?”
Chen Chunyan laughed. “Comrade Qiao, you’re something else. The factory director is always so distant. We don’t even dare say more than a few words to him. Who would have thought he was actually like this?”
Qiao Shuran frowned and hurriedly explained, “Comrade Su, Comrade Chen, please don’t make things up. Director Zhou and I didn’t do anything. My face became irritated, so I scratched it myself. If you keep spreading rumors like this, it will affect Director Zhou’s reputation.”
“What is there to be afraid of saying? Everyone in the factory already knows that the director is going to marry you.”
“Exactly. You two are such a handsome man and beautiful woman. You are a perfect match.”
“That’s right. I think Director Zhou probably cannot wait to marry you and bring you home.”
“No, that’s really not the case. You have all misunderstood.”
Qiao Shuran was practically laughing herself to death inside, but on the surface, she looked anxious as she continued explaining.
At that moment, Lin Tingwan entered the office.
Su Guilan glanced at her and said sarcastically, “Someone failed to seduce the factory director, so I guess someone is going to cry now.”
Chen Chunyan joined in. “We’ll soon be able to attend Director Zhou and Comrade Qiao’s wedding banquet.”
Lin Tingwan pretended not to understand and smiled as she greeted them.
“Good morning, everyone.”
The women rolled their eyes at her and returned to their workstations.
They all thought she was putting on an act.
They had often argued with her before, and she had always cursed them horribly.
Yet today she did not even talk back. Instead, she had taken the initiative to greet them.
It was as though the sun had suddenly risen in the west.
Qiao Shuran’s internal alarm bells immediately began ringing.
Could Comrade Lin be planning to change her strategy?
Was she planning to pretend to be kind and win back Director Zhou’s heart?
That would not do!
As luck would have it, the monthly summary accounts needed the factory director’s signature and approval. Qiao Shuran picked up the accounts and went to Zhou Huaijin’s office.
Only Zhou Huaijin was in the leader’s office, reviewing documents.
Looking at the handsome man before her, Qiao Shuran’s heart began beating faster.
Who did not like a handsome, capable man with a good temper?
Zhou Huaijin was somewhat cold, but he was well mannered and treated people with respect.
In her previous life, he had treated her very well after marrying her.
It was only that he lacked the tenderness of a lover.
In this life, she was determined to win his love!
Qiao Shuran gently knocked twice on the door.
“Come in.”
Zhou Huaijin did not even raise his head as he spoke calmly.
Qiao Shuran slowly entered.
“Director Zhou, I have finished checking all the summary accounts for this month’s material usage and employee attendance. Please review and sign them.”
“All right. Wait a moment.”
After saying this, Zhou Huaijin picked up the thick account book and began looking through it in a strictly businesslike manner.
He did not look at her once.
Even so, Qiao Shuran’s face still turned red.
She obediently sat on the wooden sofa beside him and waited.
Zhou Huaijin was very serious when he worked, and his focused expression made him look even more handsome.
Qiao Shuran’s eyes remained fixed on him.
Some people seemed impossible to get tired of looking at.
“Comrade Qiao, I’m finished.”
Only when Zhou Huaijin’s voice sounded did Qiao Shuran come back to herself.
He did not look at her, but she was certain that he knew she had been secretly watching him.
Caught like someone who had been discovered doing something embarrassing, her face grew even redder.
When she took the account book, she could not bring herself to leave just yet.
“Director Zhou.”
Zhou Huaijin had no choice but to raise his head.
He noticed that the marks on her face looked even more obvious today.
But he clearly remembered that he had not scratched her face that night.
He had only kissed her face. Could the marks really have become this obvious?
He had not bitten her face.
“Is there something else?”
After asking, he lowered his head and returned to his documents.
Qiao Shuran’s eyes reddened as she said aggrievedly, “There is one more thing I want to explain. When I came to work this morning, everyone in the factory and the family compound was talking about how I stayed at your place the night before last. I swear I never told anyone about what happened that night, and I don’t know how the news spread. I’m afraid these rumors will affect you, and I have been very uneasy.”
Zhou Huaijin said calmly, “I know it wasn’t you.”
Qiao Shuran’s hanging heart finally settled.
“Director Zhou, thank you for trusting me. But now everyone is talking about us. If this continues, your reputation will be ruined.”
Zhou Huaijin was forced to raise his head. “Comrade Qiao, how do you want to resolve it?”
Hadn’t they agreed that she would not pressure him? Why did it sound like she was pressuring him now?
Yes, it was his fault that she had suffered a grievance. But he still had not investigated the matter clearly, and he could not shake the feeling that something was strange.
“I originally planned to find someone and get married, but now that something like this has happened, I… I don’t know what to do either.”
Qiao Shuran lowered her head with reddened eyes.
Zhou Huaijin asked the question that had been bothering him.
“That night, Comrade Lin said you went to my dormitory with Doctor Wang.
How did Doctor Wang leave afterward?”
Qiao Shuran’s fingers twitched violently. She raised her head with tears in her eyes.
“Doctor Wang gave you the medicine and left. I was worried about you, so I stayed behind to take care of you. Director Zhou, do you suspect me?”
Zhou Huaijin said, “No. I don’t remember anything. I simply want to understand more.”
Qiao Shuran bit her lower lip and decided to strike at the root of the problem.
“Director Zhou, I understand your concerns now. Don’t worry. I will resign and I will never appear in front of you again.”
Zhou Huaijin’s expression became serious.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I already told you I would take responsibility. It’s just that the wedding cannot be arranged in haste. We have to wait until my younger brother comes home for the end of the term before we hold the wedding.”
The end of the term?
Was he joking?
The semester had only just begun.
Qiao Shuran was afraid that delaying things would lead to complications, but Zhou Huaijin was a man who kept his word. Since he had said he would take responsibility, he would certainly do so.
She wiped away her tears.
“I’ll listen to you. I can wait. It’s all right.”
Lin Tingwan was organizing the workshop report data from the previous week.
Looking at the crooked and error filled figures written by the original owner, she could only sigh.
This clerical job had been obtained through connections and money by her late husband while he was still alive. The original owner had muddled through the job for two years and still had not learned how to do it properly.
She often wrote the numbers incorrectly before. Fortunately, the mistakes had never been too serious, and Qiao Shuran, who worked in accounting, could easily adjust the accounts and smooth things over. Since the leaders also considered that her husband had been a technician at the factory, they would at most reprimand her a few times and had never punished her.
But this time, the original owner had completely mixed up several sets of core data.
The workshop’s total machine production figures had a massive discrepancy, while the steel consumption figures and production figures for each process had been completely reversed.
If these figures were submitted to accounting, they would directly disrupt the entire factory’s raw material calculations and the distribution of workers’ piece rate bonuses.