"You better stop talking and change the topic." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Change to what?"

"Like when Xiao Qiao gets off work. If it’s a no-go, I’ll treat you to dinner."

She wasn’t interested in machinery, had finished reading the bulletin, and didn’t want to keep wandering around the factory aimlessly with Zhang Xiaoqin. It was better to have dinner early and head back.

As for Qiao Jun...

Next time, if there’s a chance, she’ll see him. No rush now.

However, Zhang Xiaoqin disagreed. She looked at her watch and, as if she’d seen a ghost, dragged Yi Chichi towards the door.

"Old Qiao is getting off work."

Yi Chichi replied with a "huh," "Are you sure he can leave on time?"

"Absolutely sure. He’s not some important figure; he leaves on time every day."

Of course, he also has to be on time to work, but he can take leave or swap shifts if needed.

"What does he do?"

"He works in an office just like me, but I’m in the Propaganda Department, and he’s a union officer."

Wow, having a family background sure is an advantage.

Many eligible young people can’t even find temporary work and are left with no choice but to go to the countryside.

But these two are different, one in the Propaganda Department, the other a union officer.

Yet, she didn’t say much; life isn’t absolutely fair anyway. Some people’s starting points are others’ lifelong goals.

It’s been like this since ancient times.

Soon, they reached the main entrance.

Seeing them come out, Chang Lusheng wondered, "Why did you come out so soon?"

He thought they’d go to the canteen for a meal before leaving.

"It’s almost time to get off work."

Before Zhang Xiaoqin finished speaking, the work bell rang.

The once noisy factory area started bustling again.

Men and women in work clothes appeared in groups, and Zhang Xiaoqin stood at the entrance with her eyes like radars fixed on the entrance of Bay 2.

A minute passed, two minutes passed... five minutes passed...

Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and she shouted Old Qiao.

Qiao Jun, who came out with his colleagues, heard the voice, turned around, saw Zhang Xiaoqin, said something to the person beside him, and then walked over.

When he reached them, he looked Zhang Xiaoqin up and down knowingly and said, "Didn’t work out again."

Yi Chichi, "???"

What do you mean by didn’t work out again?

She looked at Zhang Xiaoqin, "Wasn’t that the first one?"

Zhang Xiaoqin’s mouth twitched helplessly, saying, "You two should just not bother with this."

Then she asked Qiao Jun, "Aren’t you surprised to see Chichi?"

Qiao Jun’s gaze fell on Yi Chichi’s face; how could he be surprised?

Seeing her reminded him of getting beaten up by Uncle Yaozi and being seen by her with a broken tooth.

He also had to save face.

However—

"Did you just arrive today?"

"No, I’m leaving the day after tomorrow."

Qiao Jun’s eyes widened, "You’ve been here so long and didn’t come to see us?"

The words sounded familiar, and Yi Chichi quickly looked at Zhang Xiaoqin, then at Qiao Jun, and sighed, "No wonder you two are childhood friends who could elope together."

Your thought processes and mental connections are uncannily similar.

"That was sneaking out, not eloping."

Qiao Jun corrected earnestly; they’re not criminals, so there’s no need to use a word like elope.

"Not much difference."

Yi Chichi didn’t care about such details. She said, "How about dining at a state-owned restaurant?"

"You’re treating?"

Qiao Jun’s eyes lit up, looking like he’d fully exploit Yi Chichi to a big meal.

Yet unexpectedly—

"You treat!"

They said in unison, eyeing him eagerly.

His childhood friend, staunch confidante, and sister-in-law even threatened, "If you don’t treat, I’ll call Mom to report you, and I’ll also report you when Chichi returns."

By Mom, she meant Mu Da.

Yi Chichi nodded with a smile, "I’m good at that."

Tattling was definitely her forte.

Qiao Jun, "..."

Having these two around was indeed fate.

"Alright then."

To avoid being reported, he was willing to break the bank.

"Let’s go, I’ll take you to eat some good food, and meanwhile, we’ll pick up Xiao Juan."

He asked Yi Chichi, "Do you mind meeting my girlfriend?"

"I don’t mind."

"We’ll walk there; she works at the chemical factory."

"Alright."

So, after greeting Chang Lusheng, Yi Chichi and Zhang Xiaoqin followed Qiao Jun away.

They chatted while walking.

About ten minutes later, they reached the chemical factory.

The girl in work clothes standing at the entrance, upon seeing Qiao Jun and Zhang Xiaoqin, smiled, and when she saw Yi Chichi standing next to Zhang Xiaoqin, the astonishment and curiosity flashed in her eyes as she walked over.

Then—

"Xiaoqin, is this comrade your friend?"

Ignoring Qiao Jun completely as she approached, she showed great interest in Yi Chichi.

Zhang Xiaoqin cheerfully introduced them, and when she learned it was Yi Chichi, Zhang Xiaojuan’s smile became brighter.

She reached out her hand, "Comrade Yi, I’ve heard so much about you."

Yi Chichi reached out to shake her hand, laughing, "Hello, Comrade Zhang, it’s nice to meet you!"

"Likewise, after Qiao Jun and Xiaojuan returned from the Northeast, they often talked about you."

Yi Chichi chuckled, "I bet they badmouthed me."

A joke, but both of them could sense the truth behind it. Zhang Xiaojuan even bluntly said, "Not really, we only occasionally mentioned your bad points."

She sold out her boyfriend and sister quite decisively.

Zhang Xiaoqin was dissatisfied, "Sis, don’t ruin my friendship with Chichi. I didn’t really badmouth her; it was all Old Qiao’s doing."

Qiao Jun dared not say a word.

His girlfriend was quite protective; she’d scold Zhang Xiaoqin herself, but heaven forbid anyone else say a bad word about her. She’d retaliate fiercely.

Not talking back was okay, but talking back could turn into a confrontation and then a brawl.

In her words, it’s her sister, she can scold her as much as she likes. Who are you to scold my sister; I’ll beat you to a pulp.

He had been beaten, even though it wasn’t his fault, and his girlfriend didn’t help him but instead scolded him for being a man and bickering with a little girl.

It left him with nowhere to reason.

But since he was attracted to her, he went along with it.

Zhang Xiaojuan agreed with Zhang Xiaoqin, saying, "Yeah, it was all Old Qiao."

Qiao Jun, "..."

Honestly, he wasn’t surprised at all.

Just a little heartbroken.

Zhang Xiaoqin was satisfied, smiling, "Sis, Old Qiao is treating us to dinner."

"Treating Chichi, right."

She was quite forward; previously it was Comrade Yi, now it became Chichi. But that’s all right; Yi Chichi was fine with it.

Zhang Xiaoqin didn’t think that was important; what mattered was—

"We’ll eat too."

Saying this, she asked Yi Chichi in an almost seeking-approval tone, "Right, Chichi."

"Yes."

Yi Chichi nodded, and Zhang Xiaojuan smiled, "Where are we going to eat?"

"Old Yang’s house."

Qiao Jun provided the answer, and Yi Chichi raised an eyebrow. Wasn’t it supposed to be a state-owned restaurant?

Why are we going to someone else’s house?

Being puzzled, she overheard Zhang Xiaojuan whisper, "Have you spoken with Old Yang? Is it safe?"

"All set, it’s safe."

Qiao Jun whispered back, and Yi Chichi opened her mouth, about to speak but swallowed her words.

Since Qiao Jun said it was safe, it must be.

As for Old Yang’s house... if nothing goes wrong, he should be running a private kitchen at home, only serving acquaintances, not many, perhaps one or two tables a day at most.