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The person who received Fang Shuning and Song Jiuchen was surnamed Wu. Song Jiuchen kept calling him "Director Wu, Director Wu," but after a while, Director Wu said, "I am not the director."

Song Jiuchen and Fang Shuning stood there awkwardly, their toes digging into the ground.

Fortunately, no one seemed to care. Let's just call him Factory Director Wu for now.

Factory Director Wu had a serious and meticulous demeanor, clearly a very pragmatic person. Without any idle chatter or polite small talk, he immediately led the two on a tour of the factory, explaining things as they went.

Song Jiuchen and Fang Shuning listened attentively, even taking out paper and pens to take notes. Having done extensive research beforehand, they possessed a certain level of understanding and familiarity with the subject matter. Therefore, they were quite familiar with some of the professional terminology. Factory Director Wu hadn't expected that their interactions, which he had initially thought were those of laymen, would turn out so well.

Therefore, they spoke with even more enthusiasm.

Starting in the late morning, we toured the entire factory in one go, which took nearly four hours, past lunchtime. No one felt hungry while we were talking.

Factory Director Wu rarely met such congenial people, so he took the two to the factory canteen for a meal. Since it was past lunchtime, the canteen chef prepared a separate meal for the group.

Fang Shuning turned to Song Jiuchen and said, "Song Jiuchen, I feel we should also build a canteen in the factory so that it will be convenient for the employees to eat. Moreover, if possible, I would like to open the factory canteen to the public so that the elderly people living alone in the village can eat there."

Fang Shuning spoke in a calm tone, and most of the time, Song Jiuchen found it difficult to discern any joy, sorrow, or emotion from her voice. He always felt that she had many stories to tell, but to outsiders, she appeared strong, decisive, and capable of easily resolving any problem.

But Fang Shuning's underlying tone is sadness. The way she looks at the night while lying in the rocking chair, the way she smokes by the window, and the way she casually talks about starting her job while squatting by the roadside...

She always spoke with an air of nonchalance and indifference, downplaying everything. The hardships and bitterness she had endured in the past had forged her current achievements.

Nothing is accomplished overnight. And no value is easily gained.

However, it seems that she has never expressed these things or these emotions.

In Fang Shuning's dictionary, showing weakness seems to be something that is not allowed.

If she isn't allowed to, no one will ever know the real her.

Seeing that Song Jiuchen was standing there blankly without replying, Fang Shuning waved her hand in front of him, "What are you thinking about now?"

Factory Director Wu sensed something was amiss between the two and became curious. His expression was serious and earnest, but he immediately launched into gossip, asking directly if they were a couple.

Fang Shuning nudged Song Jiuchen with her elbow, "What should we say when Director Wu asks what our relationship is?"

Song Jiuchen knew that Fang Shuning was deliberately teasing him, so he cleared his throat and said in the same serious tone, "Classmate, friend, and even from the same village."

Well, this is exactly what Fang Shuning said to me, and she's already turned it back on me. This person is quite vengeful and petty.

Men who are too calculating don't win people over.

Factory Director Wu expressed his disbelief, saying, "Although I may look rough and tough, I'm actually very perceptive. Your relationship is definitely not that simple; don't try to fool me." Factory Director Wu had an expression that suggested he knew exactly what was going on.

"That's right, Director Wu. He pursued me, but I didn't agree, so he said that on purpose."

"Xiao Fang, although I've only known you for about half a day, I can tell you're a very capable girl. You're also beautiful and have good qualities. When it comes to men, we need to be selective and not rush into agreeing. There are many forests to choose from, so we need to be careful."

Fang Shuning never expected that Director Wu, who was usually so serious, could say something so interesting.

Song Jiuchen didn't say anything, just watched the two of them talking back and forth with a peaceful expression. Although he was the one in the conversation, he didn't care at all. Neither of them had any bad intentions, and he was upright and honest, not a backstabber, so there was nothing he couldn't say.

The meal ended in laughter and cheerful conversation.

The factory was far from the city center, so Factory Manager Wu specially arranged factory accommodations for the two of them. The conditions were simple, but at least they were clean. He even thoughtfully left a jacket next to Fang Shuning's for Cui Sitong, so the two could rest for a bit and then wander around in the afternoon.

Factory Director Wu has to attend a meeting this afternoon, and he will contact the two of them after the meeting.

Song Jiuchen barely slept the night before, and he was really sleepy now.

After saying goodbye to Fang Shuning, I went back to my room to rest.

Fang Shuning wasn't sleepy, and out of boredom, she chatted with Cui Sitong and Liu Yi in the group chat. At that moment, Liu Yi didn't have class, and Cui Sitong was on his way after finishing work.

Fang Shuning: [Friends, I'm being very serious. If I were to date Secretary Song, would you support it?]

Cui Sitong: [I told you so! I told you so! Two people need to be alone together, and that's how it works.]

Liu Yi: [Whether we support it or not is irrelevant; it's up to you. If you're willing, we'll support it.]

Fang Shuning: [The problem is, I'm worried that if we get together and then break up, what if he makes things difficult for me in the village? What about the cannery I invested tens of thousands of yuan in?]

Liu Yi: [Song Jiuchen doesn't seem like that kind of person either.]

Cui Sitong: [How can you be thinking about breaking up before you're even together? If it were me, I'd enjoy the present and worry about the future later.]

The three of them continued gossiping casually. But Fang Shuning's mind had already wandered off somewhere else.

Cui Sitong's words, "Why are you already thinking about breaking up before you're even together?" lingered in Fang Shuning's mind.

Yes, why is that?

Because Song Jiuchen is different from others. He's not the kind of man you can casually play with and then leave without a word. He's overly serious and sincere. It's as if his casualness and capriciousness are seen as dirty tricks to desecrate her. He's a very, very good person; he's different from her.

Those who betray true feelings deserve to swallow a thousand needles. That kiss that stirred her heartstrings and that blurted-out "okay" seemed to be needles piercing Fang Shuning's heart.

Fang Shuning couldn't imagine that she could spend a long time with someone, or even live with them.

People have different opportunities and trajectories in their growth. Fang Shuning envisions her ending as growing old alone but proudly. She will be surrounded by piles of money, living in the most expensive nursing homes, enjoying the insincere care of strangers, until the moment of her death.

She doesn't give her heart to anyone, nor does she need others to give her theirs. Because true feelings can change in an instant.

Such illusory things are the least valuable.

She was used to measuring everything by value; everyone and everything was just a commodity to be sold, and she was no exception. But this couldn't be blamed on her; that's just how society is—realistic, indifferent, and devoid of human sentiment.

Song Jiuchen slept soundly, completely unaware that Fang Shuning's mindset had undergone a dramatic change during his sleep.