Chapter 101: Chapter 101

The next day, Meng Cheng’an returned to the factory to work.

At lunchtime, Tian Xiang asked about his health.

After Tian Xiang left yesterday afternoon, Meng Cheng’an rarely had a peaceful sleep and only woke up at midnight.

This time when he woke up, he felt refreshed, and his fever was gone.

Meng Cheng’an: "I feel almost better, just a bit weak in the limbs."

"Then take more rest, leave the heavy work for later, and wait until you are fully recovered."

Tian Xiang: "By the way, Chen Yong and I are going to attend a training course in the city next Monday for ten days."

The end of the year is approaching, and various activities are coming one after another.

Of course, it’s also thanks to the union’s good work over the past few months that we got these two spots, which is a good thing and an acknowledgment of their work.

Meng Cheng’an paused his hand holding the chopsticks, but then quickly smiled and said, "This is a rare opportunity. Our union only gets a chance every two years, and those selected have the potential to be rated as advanced."

Tian Xiang immediately got excited, "Really!"

Tian Xiang smiled proudly.

Being rated as advanced would be fantastic. Back then, Lu Zazha was an advanced worker, and this label was something to boast about in the marriage market.

With all that’s happened to Lu Zazha this year, it’s impossible for him to be rated.

If she could achieve it herself, it would, to say the least, change her image somewhat.

That’s right, even though she’s now dating Meng Cheng’an, the label of protagonist on her forehead hasn’t changed.

This might be related to the fact that they couldn’t go public or get engaged.

Originally, she thought finding someone to date would get rid of the protagonist’s image, but who would’ve thought it would turn out .

You can’t outsmart fate!

When the notice about the training came, Tian Xiang rushed home from work to share the news with Hu Honglian.

Hu Honglian was sitting at the door picking vegetables, absent-mindedly unaware of her daughter’s words.

For a week, Tian Xiang noticed Hu Honglian was not in good spirits, often sighing as if something was bothering her.

Pushed by her daughter, Hu Honglian snapped out of it, blankly asking, "Xiangxiang, what’s up?"

Tian Xiang repeated the news about going to the training.

"Mom, I heard that attending this training class gives you the potential to be rated as advanced at the year-end commendation ceremony."

Hu Honglian was also delighted, the gloom in her heart swept away.

"Xiangxiang, how many people are in this training class? Does every factory send someone?"

Tian Xiang nodded; she had inquired about the details.

The training class was organized by the city to cultivate outstanding staff from various factories, held in the city’s cadre school, with each factory sending people. There were only two spots, usually nominated for promising young staff.

The more Hu Honglian listened, the brighter her eyes became. She softly reminded her daughter, "Since it’s such a good opportunity, you must study well. If there’s a suitable male colleague, keep an eye on him and see if there’s anyone you click with. Broaden your horizons."

The past week, Hu Honglian was exhausted trying to find a match for her daughter.

Granny Liu was very helpful, introducing four candidates with decent conditions, suitable matches for her daughter.

But she had seen them, and honestly...

Hu Honglian didn’t know how to put it; before she might have reluctantly agreed to arrange a meeting or something, and if her daughter liked him, they could date.

But now, with Meng Cheng’an’s exceptional presence, those she previously found acceptable now seemed lackluster, either too short or too plain.

Even she couldn’t pick one, let alone introduce them to her daughter.

She should never have seen Meng Cheng’an, and now not only her daughter but even her own standards had risen.

The timing of this training class was perfect, with all these promising young staff members learning and interacting together. Maybe...

Hu Honglian chuckled.

Tian Xiang chuckled as well, casually nodding, "Okay, I’ll keep an eye out."

When the time comes, she would simply say there was no suitable match.

These days Tian Xiang occasionally returned late, and the factory’s small woods began to bear her and Meng Cheng’an’s footprints.

Hu Honglian looked seriously at her daughter, "Mom is serious; don’t just brush it off."

"Alright, mom, I got it."

The day before leaving for the training class, Tian Xiang and Meng Cheng’an went to Bridgehead Restaurant.

The two had been dating for almost half a month, usually just finding places to walk around for dates. Meng Cheng’an had mentioned eating out several times, but Tian Xiang, worried about the cost, hadn’t agreed.

This time Tian Xiang was leaving, and Meng Cheng’an insisted on having a farewell meal for her.

They ordered one meat dish, one vegetable dish, and an egg soup.

This time they ordered less, no need for takeout, and finished it all.

After dinner, neither was in a hurry, walking their bikes slowly towards Sanli Lane.

As they neared the place, Meng Cheng’an took out a cloth bag from his coat pocket and handed it to her.

Tian Xiang took it, opening to find a watch inside, not the ordinary wristwatch but an antique pocket watch.

The watch was so exquisite, with blue and red little stones around the dial, resembling gemstones, and the strap was also golden. Could it be a gold chain?

Tian Xiang felt the item in her hand was so hot, she almost couldn’t hold it.

"Why are you giving me a watch?"

Meng Cheng’an: "Didn’t your watch break? It’s best to have one when you go to study, so you can easily check the time."

Tian Xiang’s watch, which had no strap, broke during the disaster relief and couldn’t be repaired afterwards, becoming completely useless.

The watch was also passed down to her by Tian Weibing, many years ago.

"This looks too valuable."

Using this to check the time would surely dazzle everyone’s eyes.

Meng Cheng’an: "Just wrap it when you use it."

Saying so, he took the pocket watch, fiddled with it, and those chains were tucked into the cloth bag, leaving only a tiny dial exposed.

With this, it wouldn’t be noticeable.

But Tian Xiang still refused.

She softly asked, "Is this something your family painstakingly preserved? You should take it back and hide it, save it as a family heirloom or sell it for a good price in the future."

She didn’t dare accept it!

If someone saw it, it might become a troublesome issue.

Meng Cheng’an understood this but wanted to give her a watch, yet he didn’t have an industrial ticket.

Besides, he wanted to give her the best. This watch was passed down from his deceased grandmother, a very important item.

Seeing his hesitation, Tian Xiang clicked her tongue and said, "Alright, a watch is such a precious thing, not everyone has one. I really need it for classes, I can just ask a classmate."

Meng Cheng’an didn’t want her asking classmates, especially if they were male classmates!

He took back the pocket watch and then removed the watch from his wrist and handed it to her.

She had already declined once; it would’ve been impolite to refuse a second time, so Tian Xiang accepted it.

"Then I’ll borrow it for ten days."