Chapter 117: Chapter 117

Tian Xiang felt that the current situation at home was like a taut string, ready to snap at any moment.

There’s still more than half a month before the end of the year, when is Grandpa coming back?

It’s the same outcome whether you face it now or later, better to let the storm come sooner than to be strung along, it’s too wearying .

Meng Cheng’an: "It’ll be within these two weeks, he can’t let go of me, he’ll definitely be back before the end of the year."

That’s great, can’t endure much longer.

Tian Xiang glanced at Meng Cheng’an’s gentle face and tentatively asked, "Haven’t received any telegram recently? No news at all?"

Meng Cheng’an shook his head, but...

"It should be good news."

To prevent implicating his grandson, Grandpa didn’t let any word slip to this side.

It must be good news!

In a couple of years, one’s background won’t matter anymore.

Tian Xiang breathed a sigh of relief, smiled, and said, "I know how to handle it now."

The two continued to eat, today’s cabbage stew with glass noodles from the cafeteria was nice, Meng Cheng’an wanted to give Tian Xiang some, but as he prepared to scoop some into her container, he noticed a couple sitting nearby discreetly staring at Tian Xiang, their eyes full of confusion and disdain.

Meng Cheng’an retracted his container.

He knew what those people were thinking, it was baffling to them why the beautiful and smart Mr. Tian would associate with him, even talk about being in a relationship.

If it was just himself being looked down upon, Meng Cheng’an didn’t care, he was used to it, but now Tian Xiang had to endure this with him, which made him sad.

This wasn’t what he wanted to bring her.

But for him to give up, that’s impossible.

Tian Xiang was waiting for the noodles, why did he take them back?

"What are you doing?"

Tian Xiang saw Meng Cheng’an’s somewhat upset look, glanced around, and quickly understood.

It’s just those disdainful glances, the darkened antagonist wouldn’t even fear killing and arson, why care about these?

Tian Xiang couldn’t be bothered with those people’s opinions and actively took some noodles from Meng Cheng’an’s container into her own bowl.

"Hurry and eat," she said.

Meng Cheng’an smiled, that’s just how she was, doing things her own way, never influenced by those around her, independent and confident, she was his light.

At the next table, two young workers from the factory’s office exchanged a silent glance, pursed their lips, and quickly left with their lunch boxes, changing seats.

Once Tian Xiang and Meng Cheng’an left, a female colleague remarked, "Acting like it’s such a big deal, hanging out with someone like that, how did she get selected for the cadre training program? Did she use some underhanded means?"

She had been nominated for that cadre training program two years ago but never got the chance.

Even those two new guys from the union who had been here less than half a year got to go, it was simply unfair.

That Tian Xiang, with so many young men in the factory, could pick anyone, yet chose one with problems.

How can she do her job like that? She’s likely stuck in her current position forever, wasting the opportunity for training.

Tian Xiang went to the family quarters to handle some work after lunch.

She had to take leave in the afternoon to pick up Hu Honglian and couldn’t go to work.

But there were some things that had to be settled today.

On her way back to the factory after work, she ran into Li Huai who was heading back to the factory for work too.

Tian Xiang told Li Huai about her leave, deciding not to return to the factory and instead go directly to her grandmother’s house.

Li Huai nodded, the leave request was fine, but...

"Tian Xiang, wait a moment, I have a few words I want to discuss with you."

"Director, what’s the matter?"

Tian Xiang set her bike aside.

Li Huai paused for a moment, "Our union’s outstanding employee, as for the internal affairs office this year, I was considering submitting your name for comparison and selection from above. But lately, I’ve noticed you’re close with Meng Cheng’an, what’s your situation? Are you two together?"

Li Huai usually didn’t care about such gossip, but there were too many people talking about it, making it hard for him not to know.

Tian Xiang openly admitted, "Yes, Director, we’ve been together for almost two months now."

Li Huai "ah-ed," touched his nose, hesitated, and said, "Is that so. Tian Xiang, you’re aware of his family’s situation, right?"

Tian Xiang nodded, "I know all about it."

Knowing, yet still dating.

In a young girl’s mind, appearance indeed outweighs everything else.

Li Huai: "In that case, I must make something clear to you. If you really decide to date Meng Cheng’an, then I’ll have to switch this year’s nomination to Chen Yong. You have to understand, although Meng Cheng’an works in the factory, he hasn’t received any opportunities or honors these years. The factory must consider certain impacts when evaluating outstanding employees, you get that, right?"

Tian Xiang understood.

Though she greatly desired the department’s outstanding employee badge and wanted the factory’s outstanding worker title even more, with gains come losses; choosing Meng Cheng’an equated to giving up those things.

She had thought about this before and could understand.

Tian Xiang: "Director, I understand, you can nominate Chen Yong, he’s worked hard these past two months and made significant progress in all aspects."

Li Huai breathed a sigh of relief, "Alright, off you go then, ride safely."

Tian Xiang nodded and set off on her bicycle to her grandmother’s house.

The Hu Family’s place was some distance away, in the suburbs, near the water plant.

Tian Xiang biked for nearly an hour to get there.

Hu’s courtyard was among a block of low, old houses; this used to be a village but later became part of the urban area due to the water and steel plants being built, the fields were taken over, turning it into a fringe area.

Though the people here received ration coupons, getting monthly allotments, jobs were scarce, making life more strained compared to those in the city.

But being on the outskirts, they could grow some vegetables outdoors, which helped save a little.

The Hu Family had a vegetable patch, right by the yard wall.

Tian Xiang always took a peek at her grandmother’s vegetables when she came over, clamoring for a taste of something fresh for lunch.

But in such cold weather, there was nothing but cabbage and radishes.

Tian Xiang took a look and went over to knock on the door.

The Hu Family’s yard door wasn’t closed, Tian Xiang pushed it open to see her grandmother sitting at the doorway sorting beans, Hu Honglian was there too, mother and daughter chatting happily, not looking like they had any concerns at all.

But as soon as Tian Xiang greeted them, Hu Honglian’s face fell.

"Xiangxiang is here."

Xu Jiafeng put down what she was holding and quickly came over to welcome her granddaughter.

"Grandma, here, I specially bought this for you."

Tian Xiang handed over two pounds of soft egg cake, which she had bought on her way over.

"You child, always buying things every time you come, this old woman hasn’t doted on you in vain."

Xu Jiafeng chuckled, seeing Hu Honglian still sitting still, she urged her, "Go pour Xiangxiang a cup of hot water to warm up!"

Hu Honglian didn’t move, holding her head and saying, "Oh, my head hurts, I need to lie down for a bit."