Chapter 109: Chapter 109

Although Lu Weihua could swim, the water in the deep winter was bone-chilling, and the water-soaked cotton clothes were as heavy as stone. That feeling was really dreadful!

Lu Weihua choked on a few mouthfuls of water, adjusted his breathing, and finally managed to get his head above the surface.

Under normal circumstances, he should have been able to save himself, but this time he was out of luck. The water was so cold that it cramped his legs, and he had dived in headfirst, making him a bit dizzy, having no strength to swim to the shore.

Lu Weihua bobbed up and down in the water and began to cry for help.

On the road above, Meng Cheng’an was silently watching while holding onto a bicycle.

It was hard to say if the man was lucky or unlucky; he hadn’t been hit by a car, losing an arm or a leg, but he had fallen into the river.

Either he dies, or he survives intact.

The place wasn’t exactly remote, but since it was by the river, not many people usually passed by.

So, leave it to fate.

Meng Cheng’an leaned over, staring with interest at the person below who was floundering and calling for help.

In the river, Lu Weihua vaguely saw someone on the road, and that figure seemed familiar, so he shouted even louder.

"Save me, hurry, save me..."

Save him, and do it fast.

Who does he think he is?

Meng Cheng’an laughed, recalling how this man had lecherously stared at Tian Xiang in the restaurant earlier, and he got a bit angry, thinking he might go down to help him, perhaps to let him get relief sooner.

But it had been years since he’d last swum, afraid his skills weren’t up to par.

If he lost himself trying to kill him, that would be a big loss.

Meng Cheng’an abandoned the idea, choosing to silently observe instead.

Seeing Lu Weihua about to run out of strength, someone on the opposite riverbank noticed the situation in the water and shouted for help, quickly alarming two fishing boats not far away, which started approaching.

Looks guy isn’t going to die.

Meng Cheng’an sighed with regret and rode his bicycle away.

When Lu Weihua was rescued, he had already fainted. Fortunately, there were experienced old fishermen who pressed his belly, making him spit out some water and finally wake up.

Lu Weihua first looked around blankly, then turned his head and vomited up a puddle of water.

The onlookers said, "Better not catch a cold, hurry and take him to the hospital..."

Sanli Lane Courtyard.

When Tian Xiang returned, Hu Honglian was holding a bowl, having lunch, and sat at the door happily chatting with Pan Yuzhen.

Seeing Tian Xiang, Pan Yuzhen jokingly suggested she save candy tickets to invite everyone to eat candy later.

Usually only those young people about to get engaged or married get teased like that.

Hu Honglian smiled happily when she saw her daughter and asked if she’d eaten.

Tian Xiang had eaten.

She put her bag in her room, and Hu Honglian finished her meal.

"Mom, what happened to you today? What good thing happened?"

If she had known her mother was so happy at home, Tian Xiang would have come back later and gone to a movie with Meng Cheng’an.

Hu Honglian pulled her daughter into the room.

"Xiangxiang, this morning I went to the convenience store at the bridgehead. Granny Liu found a young man for you. I’ve seen him, he’s nice, and he has a good job at the Button Factory, right next to your Mechanical Factory. Find some time and arrange to meet him."

Hu Honglian said with a smile and then began introducing the young man’s family situation and job.

This morning, Hu Honglian was still worried. Her daughter was most likely secretly dating Meng Cheng’an, and although she didn’t agree, she couldn’t find anyone better, so she kept looking without much confidence.

But this morning was different.

She had looked at him. Admittedly, he wasn’t as good as Meng Cheng’an, lacking his temperament, but he wasn’t bad-looking and had dimples when he smiled. That face looked cheerful and very likable.

The man’s job and family conditions were pretty good. He worked in the office of the Button Factory Committee, and his father worked on the street, which was better than most families.

This is good, really good!

The gloom in Hu Honglian’s heart was swept away, and she already planned how to get engaged and arrange the banquet.

Tian Xiang, upon hearing the man was Zhou Ming from the Button Factory, instinctively clicked her tongue, "Mom, I know him; he’s my classmate. He even attended the previous cadre training class."

"Oh, he also went to class!"

Hu Honglian was even happier. This meant he was just like her daughter, an outstanding cadre.

"That’s great! Xiangxiang, you two are well-matched, a match made in heaven."

What match made in heaven?

Tian Xiang frowned, "Mom, I don’t like him that way."

Zhou Ming had a round face, smiling with squinted eyes, and dimples—an appearance that pleased mothers-in-law but wasn’t Tian Xiang’s type!

Tian Xiang only liked Meng Cheng’an; the more she got to know him, the more she liked him, and she couldn’t consider any other man.

Hu Honglian continued to persuade her, "Why don’t you like him? I think he’s quite good, heard he’s never dated anyone, and when talking to me, he blushed. Seems much more reliable than your second brother. Don’t be too quick to say no, at least get to know him."

But she’s already talking to Meng Cheng’an. What need to meet others?

Tian Xiang: "Mom, I really don’t like him. Stop trying to match us."

She said as she began to undo her hair, preparing for a nap.

This cold winter day, it’s still most comfortable in bed.

But Hu Honglian’s smile slowly faded.

"You don’t one, don’t like that one. You just like someone like Meng Cheng’an, don’t you?

Xiangxiang, did you go to Red Fifth Street this morning to see Meng Cheng’an? Are you two already dating? All those words before were just to pacify me, weren’t they?"

Tian Xiang saw her mother was angry and shook her arm back and forth.

"Mom, what’s wrong? I’m not pacifying you. If there’s someone good, of course, I’ll consider it. But Zhou Ming is my classmate. We spent ten days together in the cadre class. Wouldn’t I know if it could work out?"

Tian Xiang explained seriously, but Hu Honglian couldn’t listen anymore, her eyes even turning red.

"You’re just pacifying me, secretly dating Meng Cheng’an?

Xiangxiang, I’ve cherished and protected you as you grew up. When you fought in school, making a mess in the courtyard, so many people complained to me, and I apologized to them, never once speaking harshly to you.

Now that you’ve grown up, have your own ideas, is this how you repay me? You..."

Hu Honglian truly cried, wiping her tears with her hand.

Tian Xiang felt her head splitting.

She thought for a moment and said, "Mom, not everything you worry about is that important. Soon, society will open up..."

Tian Xiang wanted to share these thoughts with Hu Honglian, just like she had advised Meng Cheng’an, hoping her mother would trust her too.

But Hu Honglian wouldn’t listen, even covering her daughter’s mouth.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed? What nonsense are you talking about?"

"I’m telling you, never mention this to anyone else, or the consequences will be unthinkable..."