Chapter 103: Chapter 103

This weekend, Hu Honglian not only came herself but also brought her son.

Tian Xiang was somewhat surprised to see her second brother, wondering if her mother had given birth to this thought of finding a match for her second brother!

Hu Honglian clicked her tongue, "Your second brother is just a janitor, how can he be worthy of the young cadres in the factory? I’m just worried he’ll run around aimlessly at home, so I brought him along to keep an eye on him."

Her son’s poor choice of friends led Hu Honglian to control him more strictly; now Tian Chenhui only goes to work and stays home, unable to go anywhere else.

Tian Xiang felt that deliberately bringing someone to see a prospective match was wrong, and now hearing her second brother belittled, she felt pity for him.

This time, Hu Honglian brought a set of undergarments and a newly knitted scarf for her daughter.

Tian Xiang knew they hadn’t eaten, so she put away the items and took them to the cafeteria.

This cafeteria also served communal meals, but there was a small window where you could order noodles and dumplings.

By the time the three of them arrived, there were hardly any people left in the cafeteria.

Tian Xiang went to order and wait for the meal, while Tian Chenhui stayed next to her. When the dumplings were ready, they carried them together.

Hu Honglian didn’t go over but looked for a seat in the hall.

The cafeteria wasn’t big, a small space with seven or eight narrow tables inside.

Hu Honglian quickly found a seat in the middle.

This was the cadre school; although the place was small, the atmosphere was pleasant. The campus had statues of great leaders and slogans, giving a unique feel.

Thinking of her daughter being educated here made Hu Honglian feel prideful and especially proud.

I heard that the young cadres training here are all outstanding talents from the factory; each one is an elite.

Her daughter mingling with these people naturally made her happy.

But before she could enjoy this sense of pride for long, she heard someone at the table behind quietly gossiping about others.

Initially, Hu Honglian just frowned.

Weren’t these people selected elite talents from the factory for training? Why are they also engaging in gossip like women, talking behind people’s backs?

Lately, she heard the words "Mechanical Factory," and her heart tightened, her ears perked up.

She swiftly pieced the story together; those three didn’t know from which factory they came, but they were gossiping about her precious daughter!

Hu Honglian couldn’t stand it; she got up and went over directly.

"This young cadre, where did you hear those words you just said?"

Chu Yun was engrossed, suddenly startled and patted his chest, frowning at Hu Honglian, "Auntie, what’s your deal?"

Hu Honglian stood with her hands on her hips, "I’m not doing anything; I’m just interested in those topics you discussed — stealing men, using connections to get into the Mechanical Factory, pushing out the factory’s offspring — and I’d like to join in."

Chu Yun choked, realizing everything he just said was overheard by this person.

He had spoken softly! How sharp were this person’s ears?

Chu Yun: "Comrade, there’s nothing to it; you heard wrong."

Tian Xiang was waiting for food at the little window, not wanting to make a scene and be discovered.

After a few days, Chu Yun could tell that although Tian Xiang seemed like a bookworm, always with her nose in a book, she wasn’t one to suffer losses easily. Otherwise, he would have bullied her already.

Hu Honglian: "My hearing isn’t impaired; how could I hear wrong? You were just discussing how she not only entices people in the factory but isn’t content at school either, causing male classmates to lose focus in class, watching her every day and trying to impress her. This young comrade, I ask you, is the ’her’ you mentioned Tian Xiang?

Only two people from the Mechanical Factory came here, one man and one woman. Since you talked about enticing, you certainly didn’t mean the male comrade, right? It must be Tian Xiang.

You, young comrade, which unit are you from?"

Hu Honglian just wanted to see who this person was so she could report them right after lunch.

Chu Yun’s heart tightened, realizing why he got tangled up — this person knew Tian Xiang and seemed to be family.

Sweat broke out on Chu Yun’s back; Tian Xiang was already hard to deal with, and now someone more formidable came.

"Comrade, don’t say things recklessly; none of this is true."

Chu Yun didn’t want to admit it; although it wasn’t peak mealtime, there were still people around — two or three tables, with about seven or eight people sitting.

If they caused a commotion, everyone would look over, and those into gossip would even come over with their meal boxes.

Chu Yun had no face to admit all this publicly; once everyone returned to their workplaces, her reputation wouldn’t just be ruined on Red Fifth Street but would be known throughout the city’s factory units.

Thinking about being pointed at everywhere she went made Chu Yun’s face turn white.

Daring to bully her precious daughter, Hu Honglian wouldn’t let it go easily.

She sneered and said, "Don’t think that by denying, you can make this go away. I tell you, I’ll find out which unit you’re from by simply asking around, and this afternoon I’ll go to your unit, have a chat with your factory’s union people.

Young girl, you look quite young, at most twenty, I think. How come, at such a young age, you’ve learned the ways of a gossipy old woman, talking behind people’s backs? Is it that your factory didn’t teach you well or your parents didn’t educate you properly?

I tell you, my daughter Tian Xiang got into the Mechanical Factory because she was appreciated by Chairman Jiang. Her work ability is strong; not only has she been featured in newspapers, but she also received a banner.

This excellent officer you accused of using connections for her position — are your eyes blind?

My daughter is not only excellent but also beautiful, always the focus of any crowd. Those male comrades must look at her; could it be her fault?

I tell you, young girl, my daughter has a reputation; our Tian Family also has a reputation. She’s always been pursued by others; she never took the initiative to chase anyone. Who’s this Lu Feng you mentioned? A man involved with a widow, can he be any good?

Such a person wouldn’t even get a glance from my Xiangxiang; what’s there to fight over! Where did you hear this nonsense from, or is it all just your own foolish imagining? Seeing my daughter is prettier and more capable than you, you envy and hate her, wanting to destroy her reputation.

As fellow women, how could you be so gossipy, trying to ruin a classmate’s reputation? How bad is your thinking — I can hardly imagine."

Hu Honglian spoke smoothly without even pausing.

Chu Yun’s face was red as blood, eyes rimmed with redness, ashamed to the point of no return, unable to say a word.

After all, she was just a young girl; she might make small moves behind the scenes, but lacked the courage to do so openly.

The two young girls eating with Chu Yun, seeing how things unfolded, felt ashamed and wanted to leave with their meal boxes.

Hu Honglian blocked them, "What’s wrong? You have the nerve to gossip about my daughter, but now you can’t face people? Go on, keep talking — I still want to listen."