After Liu Li and Fu Jingchen's relationship became clear, their interactions became increasingly natural and relaxed. They continued to eat at the same table in the cafeteria, discuss technology in the library, and occasionally take walks side by side in the factory area after work, openly accepting the blessings or curious glances from their colleagues. Although the rumors hadn't completely stopped, their openness gradually removed the fertile ground for their growth.

However, beneath the calm surface, new ripples are forming.

That afternoon, Liu Li was organizing the equipment list needed for the preparation of the technology center in the technical department office when there were two crisp knocks at the door. She looked up and saw a tall, young man in a neat Zhongshan suit with a standard cadre hairstyle standing at the door, a perfectly appropriate smile on his face.

"Is Comrade Liu Li here? I'm Zhao Weiguo from the Publicity Department." His voice was loud and his tone was enthusiastic.

Liu Li had an impression of Zhao Weiguo. He was the only son of the factory's Party Committee Secretary. After graduating from high school, he didn't go to the countryside but went directly to the factory's propaganda department as a clerk. He was a skilled writer, and his name frequently appeared in the factory newspaper. He was a well-known "penman" in the factory and a topic of private discussion among many young women. However, the two had no prior work-related interaction.

"Officer Zhao, please come in." Liu Li stood up and greeted him politely.

Zhao Weiguo walked in calmly, his gaze quickly sweeping across the office before finally settling on Liu Li. His smile widened. "Did I disturb your work? Comrade Liu Li, you made a great contribution to the project team at the ministry recently, bringing honor to our factory. Our publicity department is preparing to write a detailed report to publish in the next issue of the factory newspaper, and also submit it to the city's workers' newspaper. I'm here today to schedule a time for an exclusive interview with you to gain a deeper understanding of some details."

He spoke clearly and logically, with proper manners, and possessed the approachable charm unique to propaganda cadres.

"That's a good thing, it's what we should do." Liu Li nodded. She was happy to cooperate, as it would help promote the factory. "Director Zhao, when would be a convenient time for you?"

"How about tomorrow morning? It won't take up too much of your time," Zhao Weiguo replied immediately, very efficiently.

"Okay, I should be in the technical department tomorrow morning."

“Okay, it’s settled then.” Having achieved his goal, Zhao Weiguo didn’t leave immediately. Instead, he changed the subject, his gaze falling on the equipment list spread out on Liu Li’s desk. His tone was filled with just the right amount of curiosity and flattery, “Comrade Liu Li, are you busy with the technical center’s affairs? You’re really capable of handling a lot of work. I heard that you also came up with this idea? That’s remarkable! Our factory needs young comrades like you who have ideas and drive.”

His praise sounded sincere, but it came on so frequently that Liu Li, who was used to discussing technology in a very structured way, felt a little uncomfortable. She just smiled politely and said, "It's all thanks to the collective wisdom and the support of the factory leaders."

“Excessive modesty is just arrogance,” Zhao Weiguo laughed heartily, sounding cheerful and easygoing. “Then I won’t bother you any longer, Comrade Liu Li. See you tomorrow.”

After seeing Zhao Weiguo off, Liu Li didn't take the little incident to heart, treating it as just a normal work meeting.

However, starting with the interview the following morning, Zhao Weiguo appeared in her field of vision much more frequently.

During the interview, he not only took detailed notes on the technical aspects but also interspersed his remarks with praise for Liu Li's personal abilities and hard work. After the interview, he would visit Liu Li's office in the technical department every few days, citing reasons such as "checking the details of the manuscript," "supplementing materials," or "learning about the latest developments of the technical center for subsequent reporting."

Sometimes he would bring her the factory newspaper with the news report, specifically pointing out the paragraphs praising her; sometimes he would borrow a few technical books that he considered "profound," saying he wanted to study and improve himself, and casually ask her one or two simple questions; sometimes he would even just "bump into" her in the canteen, and then naturally join her and Fu Jingchen's table with his lunchbox, chatting and laughing, the topics ranging from factory news to current affairs, showing that he was knowledgeable and good at socializing.

Unlike Fu Jingchen's quiet and reserved nature, which is immersed in the world of technology, Zhao Weiguo's enthusiasm is outward and conforms to the standard template of "proactive and ambitious youth" in this era—a respectable job, a good family background, good communication skills, resourcefulness, and the ability to appropriately present himself and care for others.

After several such incidents, not only Liu Li sensed something was amiss, but other colleagues in the technical department, as well as Fu Jingchen who was often with Liu Li, also vaguely noticed Zhao Weiguo's "enthusiasm" that went beyond the scope of normal work.

A new, subtle attention once again quietly surrounded Liu Li. This time, however, the source and nature of that attention were completely different from the malicious slander from people like Sun Peng, yet it still troubled her somewhat. She realized that the son of the factory's Party Secretary, the propaganda department's writer, seemed to have developed a special interest in her that went beyond comradeship.