Chapter 48: Had a Partner

Wu Peng left early the next morning. His relationship with Yao Fanghua was now officially public. Although there hadn't been any formal declarations of love like "Will you be my girlfriend?", their relationship was officially acknowledged in his eyes. He couldn't wait to announce it to the world.

How could Yao Fanghua not see him off on his long journey? Besides, she had just held Hua Hua's hand last night after bringing her back, and he was so excited that he couldn't sleep half the night, spending the other half having erotic dreams. He was so excited that not seeing Yao Fanghua again would make his restless heart uneasy.

He ran to Yao Fanghua's place before dawn. Yang Liu stepped on a few bricks, supporting Wu Peng, and finally Wu Peng stepped on Yang Liu's shoulders to climb onto the top of the wall.

The third brother's ears perked up, and he jumped up. Even though he knew the people outside were acquaintances, he still kept growling.

"Shut up, or I'll stew you!" Wu Peng jumped down and lay face down on the ground. The wall was high enough, but it still wasn't safe. Next time he came back, he'd pour broken glass all over it.

He entered the courtyard, clung to Yao Fanghua's window, and insisted that she get up to see him off.

"Aren't you reluctant to part with me? I know you'll miss me. I'll miss you too, hehe. Get up quickly, you have to see me off. I won't feel at ease on the way if you don't see me off. You don't want anything to happen to me on the way, do you..."

A series of buzzing sounds filled Yao Fanghua's head. "Didn't we say goodbye last night? We agreed not to see you off today." It was still dark and so cold; she didn't want to get up.

"Get up quickly, I'll just say a few words to you and then leave."

...You've said so many things while you were peeking through the window. Nobody believes you.

He wouldn't give up until he saw her, especially since they were already at the door. Wu Peng kept asking through the window if she had arrived and urged her to open the door quickly.

Yao Fanghua put on her clothes and let the person in.

Wu Peng chuckled and followed him into the house.

He kicked the third brother out as soon as he entered the house. That bastard! He hasn't even shared a room with Hua Hua yet, and this bastard is already lounging around in the house.

With the troublesome dog gone, Wu Peng hugged Yao Fanghua and kissed her. He had wanted to kiss her like this for a long time, especially yesterday. He was amazed at himself for managing to restrain himself last night. He didn't know how long he would be gone, and he was afraid he would suffocate if he didn't give her a kiss.

Wu Peng felt he couldn't get enough of kissing her, "What should I do, what should I do?"

It got hard.

I feel terrible. Waaah!

"Why don't you rub it for me?"

Yao Fanghua pinched him, "Get out of here."

This trip was worthwhile; I got a kiss and even got a key to the front door, hehehe.

Wu Peng is full of springtime spirit.

Yang Liu could hardly bear to look at Wu Peng, who seemed to be in heat the whole way.

After seeing Wu Peng off, Yao Fanghua couldn't sleep, so she got up to tidy up the house.

...

Today is the day Aunt Yao and her family are going back to their parents' home. I refused Aunt Yao and Uncle Yao's offer of a job, so I figured they wouldn't be happy to see me. It's better not to go.

Indeed, Aunt Yao harbored a great deal of resentment towards Yao Fanghua. She had already planned out what to say to put Yao Fanghua in a bad light, hoping that her father would step in and pressure her, saying that even a minor leader like him was ruthless towards his own family. But in the end, she never saw him.

Then, along with Fang Guizhi, who was equally frustrated, they went to Yao Fangfang's room, closed the door, and listened to Fang Guizhi's rant for a long time. After listening to the rant, Fang Guizhi added a few more provocative remarks.

"Forget it, let her vent at home. If we really make a scene at their factory, we'll really become enemies. After all, we're family." Taking it outside? Fang Guizhi hesitated. The problem was, she wasn't in the right. What grounds could she use to cause trouble? If things escalated, she might shoot herself in the foot. If she were Yao Fanghua's biological mother, she'd be right no matter what, and just the label of "unfilial" would crush Yao Fanghua. She'd definitely make Yao Fanghua submit completely.

Aunt Yao cursed Fang Guizhi a hundred times in her heart, but what's the use of only cursing her at home? She didn't dare to curse her out loud, and she didn't use her brain. They lived so close, yet she didn't manage to find any dirt on Yao Fanghua. If all else failed, dirt on Li Chunying and the others would have been fine too.

Aunt Yao patiently taught her a few words of advice: "No cat doesn't steal fish. How did she get that house? As long as you find her weakness, you don't have to worry about her not obeying. Wei Liang's job will be a piece of cake."

Fang Guizhi was apprehensive. She was fine with cursing, but when it came to actually fighting, she was honestly hesitant.

Yao Fangfang, who had been silent all along, seemed to be deep in thought after listening.

Regardless of what others thought, Li Chunying, wearing a gold ring, was in a good mood, especially as Aunt Yao looked at her hand repeatedly and complimented her, causing her to burst into laughter from time to time.

The shrill laughter infuriated Fang Guizhi and the others.

...

Yao Fanghua took the quilt out to sunbathe, wiped the floor, and then led her third son into the study.

The small camphor wood box was placed on the workbench.

Yao Fanghua picked up the key and opened the door openly again.

Now that she was in charge of keeping the contents of the box, she decided to put everything in the safe first.

First, he picked up the bracelet and the jade hairpin and examined them carefully. Then he picked up the dagger to look at, followed by the porcelain vase, and then the two paintings.

Finally, there were a few pieces of paper at the bottom of the box.

Yao Fanghua picked up a card, opened it, and sat up straight.

This isn't it, this isn't that one. Yao Fanghua burned the paper she got long ago. This one is exactly the same as the one she got before, with the same technique, clearly drawn by the same person.

So this is the real, good stuff!

Yao Fanghua was greatly encouraged. She took out the remaining few sheets of paper, looked at them repeatedly, and memorized them one by one.

It's a pity she's busy with work and can't go out and explore; otherwise, she would definitely find those places on the map as soon as possible. Does Wu Peng even realize he's sitting on a gold mine? When he gets back, I'll probably have to ask him about those maps.

After placing these items into the safe, Yao Fanghua was still somewhat overwhelmed with excitement. These were no ordinary sheets of paper; to Yao Fanghua, they were treasure maps. Only after returning to her workbench and picking up her carving knife did her emotions gradually calm down.

Holidays are always too short. On the first day back to work after the New Year holiday, Yao Fanghua met Yu Bei, who was dressed in military green, at the factory gate.

The two looked at each other across the crowd.

Yu Bei knew Yao Fanghua worked here and was even a department head. He just didn't expect to run into her before even entering the factory.

He returned on the second day of the Lunar New Year; he had been discharged.

After learning he had been assigned to the fan factory, his father took him to visit Director Yu yesterday. The two families were related in a roundabout way; they weren't exactly unrelated, but they weren't very close either. If you traced their lineage back a few generations, they might actually be from the same clan.

There aren't many people with the surname Yu, but those who are related and share the same surname naturally feel closer. His father's New Year's gifts were also very thoughtful. As a fellow military man, Factory Director Yu was quite pleased with him and told him to just call him Uncle Yu in private.

His job changed from security guard to driver, specifically the factory manager's driver.

Yao Fanghua was surprised to see Yu Bei here. She paused for a moment, nodded, and went into the factory.

When she said she had a boyfriend, she wasn't entirely lying to Wu Peng. She did indeed have a boyfriend. It was during her teenage years when she first experienced romantic feelings.

Yu Bei felt a pang of sadness as he looked at Yao Fanghua's retreating figure, feeling utterly empty.

The fan factory now has two workshops, with a lot more staff. As the factory has grown, there's been more official business. We were originally going to assign a car to Factory Director Yu, applying for one along with a truck, but we're short on funds, so it's been put on hold for now. But sooner or later, we'll have to buy that car. Yu Bei's position is perfectly fine.

After Yu Bei reported for duty, he stayed by the factory director's side, serving as both a half-assistant and driver.

When Director Geng met Yu Bei, he said he would treat him to a welcome dinner that evening. He then invited all the directors to get acquainted.

The people around the factory director, whether they are assistants or drivers, are all his close associates. Director Geng's main focus is on cultivating good relationships with them.

When Director Geng personally came to invite her, Yao Fanghua naturally agreed.

Yu Bei was, after all, just a driver, not a leader. The fact that these section chiefs came was a show of respect. The welcome banquet that evening was lively, with almost all the section chiefs present.

Yao Fanghua stood out prominently among them. There was no way around it; their factory had very few female employees, and even fewer leaders. Among the department heads, apart from the finance department head, Yao Fanghua was the only female. Unfortunately, the finance department head was absent today, so Yao Fanghua was the only female employee sitting in this group.

During the event, Yu Bei toasted everyone. There was nothing he could do; they were all leaders, and their presence was a sign of respect.

When Yu Bei toasted Yao Fanghua, a bitter feeling welled up inside him. He didn't clink glasses with her, but instead downed his drink in one gulp.

"Oh dear, Comrade Xiao Yu is so considerate of the female comrades. Director Yao doesn't need to drink, so I'll drink it myself. No, no, come on, Director Yao, let me toast you. Let's have a drink together." Tang Xinyong is the workshop director of the fan factory. He has a lot of dealings with Yao Fanghua and they get along well.

After the two bumped into each other, Director Geng bumped into Yao Fanghua right away.

Everyone joined in the commotion, eager to have a drink with Yao Fanghua. Even Zhang Hua, in this situation, drank with Yao Fanghua, otherwise he would seem too out of place, as if he and Yao Fanghua had some serious grudge.

In the end, it was naturally Director Geng who settled the bill, and no one argued with him. Everyone knew perfectly well that he would be able to get it back no matter what.

As the drinking party ended and a cold wind blew, Yao Fanghua felt a little dizzy.

Tang Xinyong offered to take Yao Fanghua back, but Yao Fanghua waved her hand and refused.

This restaurant is close to home, just a few steps away, why would I need to deliver it?

Most of the people came on foot after going home.

Seeing that Yao Fanghua was walking steadily and wouldn't be far from home, Tang Xinyong had nothing to worry about. The group then dispersed and went home.

Yu Bei was the last to come out. After saying goodbye to Director Geng, he pushed his car and followed Yao Fanghua at a distance.