Of course, it wasn’t just because she revealed Zhou Hongxia’s temporary worker status—there was another important reason: the bride price.
Zhou Hongxia, fearing that the Yang family would look down on her because she wasn’t a permanent worker, chose to give up. But the Yang family was truly the best match among the options she had considered—she really didn’t want to stay at her own family’s home.
As the eldest daughter, she had been responsible for tirelessly taking care of her younger siblings. She had finally found a temporary job, with her monthly wages all going toward supporting her youngest brother, whom she treated almost like her own child.
Now, even her upcoming marriage came with the requirement from her family that the bride price must be no less than 100 yuan, or the wedding wouldn’t be allowed.
If her temporary worker identity hadn’t been revealed, meeting that bride price wouldn’t have been a problem. But now, having already rejected the request for the sake of marrying into the Yang family… where was she supposed to find 100 yuan for her family?
Fortunately, her fiancé, Yang Lixin, was a good man and willing to marry her. Since she knew where the household registration booklet was, she and Yang Lixin simply went to register their marriage.
Next Sunday, she would go directly to the Yang family.
The week passed much as usual, busy in the workshop. Yang Lihua had already applied for a half-day leave in advance with Director Sun, who didn’t ask many questions and approved it immediately.
“Alright, since it’s your eldest brother’s wedding, don’t worry about the factory. Go home early,” Director Sun said gently.
Because of Yang Lihua and recent events, Zhao Panlai’s reputation at the factory had taken a hit. He had previously used his seniority to meddle in the work of directors like her.
“Thank you, Director Sun,” Yang Lihua said politely, then immediately returned to the dormitory.
She deliberately changed into the blue floral dress made from flawed fabric that her mother, Sun Meilan, had sewn for her. The dress had been delivered a few days ago by her eldest brother, Yang Lixin, who had personally ridden over on his bike.
The style was simple yet elegant, making her face look even brighter. Perhaps it was the improved meals at the factory, or maybe the daily drops of spring water she had been drinking this past month—her whole appearance had grown more spirited and attractive.
Zhu Yuanyuan hadn’t gone to the cafeteria yet. Sitting by her bed, her gaze fell on Yang Lihua’s clearly new blue dress. Her eyes darkened, and she let out a barely audible huff.
A new dress—what was there to be proud of? She had plenty of them herself; every month her parents bought her new clothes.
“Wearing such flashy clothes during work hours… your mind isn’t on your job at all. Could it be… you’re meeting someone?” She wished Yang Lihua would get tricked somewhere and disappear, so she wouldn’t have to see that charming face at the factory.
Her own face had once been the most enviable, but ever since meeting Yang Lihua, nothing seemed to go right for her.
Yang Lihua’s lips curved in a contemptuous smile. She glanced at Zhu Yuanyuan and said, “Comrade Zhu Yuanyuan, are you jealous of me? Jealous that I’m prettier than you, jealous that I’m more liked than you…”
“What jealousy? What do you have to be jealous of? My father is the logistics supervisor at this factory. Anything I want, I can get—why would I envy you?” Zhu Yuanyuan shouted, her voice full of frustration.
“I’m telling you for your own good—reminding you to pay attention to your image! We’re workers; we must live simply and work hard. Look at you, all flashy…”
“For my own good? Comrade Zhu Yuanyuan, then all the clothes in your wardrobe should be thrown away. Do they reflect the hardworking spirit? Oh, and don’t forget—while you’re at it, eat more coarse grains instead of just meat. And the cold cream on your desk? Totally not in line with a worker’s character…”
Yang Lihua unleashed a torrent of words at Zhu Yuanyuan’s belongings. Since Zhu Yuanyuan criticized her for not fitting the worker’s image, shouldn’t she lead by example?
“You… you can’t just throw my things!”
“But didn’t you say it yourself? These things don’t fit the worker’s image. I’m just taking your words literally. Unlike you, who buys things recklessly while gossiping about me, accusing me of scheming and cheating you out of money. You used your father’s position in logistics to spread rumors in front of the senior workers, trying to block them from teaching me.
Oh, your family runs this textile factory, do you really have that much power?”
Yang Lihua had endured Zhu Yuanyuan’s behavior for a long time. With Director Sun’s changed opinion of her, she finally had the chance to vent her frustration.
Zhu Yuanyuan was momentarily speechless, stammering, “You… you’re lying! I never said such things. And that wooden box—you cheated me!”
“Cheated you? How?” Yang Lihua stood her ground. “You insisted on buying it from me. I never once said it was for sale—you spent two yuan to take it. You realized it was ordinary, regretted it, and then started spreading rumors. You relied on your father at logistics to make accusations without fear of repercussions.
Using your little influence to let your child stir up trouble in the factory, undermining camaraderie!”
Slapping that “undermining camaraderie” label on her, Zhu Yuanyuan trembled with anger, pointing at Yang Lihua.
“Yang Lihua, you’re slandering me! Don’t think that just because you became a block worker you’re special. This factory has deep waters—you cross me, and you’ll pay!”
“Is that so?” Yang Lihua smiled, but it was an unsettling one. “Then I’ll wait and see what consequences you can bring me. From now on, let’s speak face-to-face. If I hear any more bad rumors, I won’t be so patient.
Maybe I should ask the union chairman—is it the textile factory’s policy to bully outsiders like me?”
Who was afraid of whom? Her father in logistics wasn’t going to let her use his position to bully people. As for her mother, a fine yarn worker with decades in the workshop who couldn’t even compare to Zhao Panlai—how much power could she really wield?
Having said that, Yang Lihua stopped looking at Zhu Yuanyuan’s twisted, furious face, slung her bag over her shoulder, and prepared to leave.
At the door, she paused and glanced back at Zhu Yuanyuan, still frozen in place. Calmly, she added,
“Today I asked Director Zhao for leave to attend my eldest brother’s wedding. But Comrade Zhu Yuanyuan, it’s late now—why haven’t you gone to the cafeteria? Did you ask for leave too?
I shouldn’t say anything. A righteous comrade like you wouldn’t possibly hide in the dormitory to slack off, right, Comrade Zhu Yuanyuan?”