Chapter 96 Home

Team members who were close to Feng Aiguo chimed in, "Team Leader Zhuang, think twice before you act! You've always told us that when it comes to tasks, we need to be steady and not be impatient for quick success, otherwise it's easy to end up with nothing."

“We all believe that Comrade Lin Yuanshu is very capable, but that doesn’t mean she is also knowledgeable about acetaminophen! At such a critical moment, you can’t just rush into any treatment.”

Lin Yuanshu feigned sadness and used a retreat-to-advance approach, saying, "Team Leader Zhuang, you don't need to go see Director Huang, nor do you need to assess my relevant knowledge. Since Comrade Feng Aiguo and the others dislike me so much, there's no need for me to join your research group. I don't want to make everyone unhappy; I still hope everyone can work happily."

Feng Aiguo squinted at Lin Yuanshu, then suddenly realized, "Team Leader Zhuang, Comrade Lin Yuanshu is just afraid of the investigation. She has no knowledge at all, and she's feeling guilty, which is why she's saying these things. Don't fall for it."

Lin Yuanshu gave a helpless smile and said helplessly, "If that's how you think, then I really don't have much to explain. However, to prove my innocence, Team Leader Zhuang can ask me three questions to see if I know anything about acetaminophen and if I can give accurate answers."

Hong Shuang'er's expression was very complicated. She didn't expect Feng Aiguo to be so easily defeated. He was simply being toyed with by Lin Yuanshu. Although Feng Aiguo seemed to be on top, Lin Yuanshu was not. He always seemed to be in complete control, while Feng Aiguo was furious and lost his temper.

Team Leader Zhuang originally didn't want to ask, but after thinking about it, in order to avoid the research team members questioning Lin Yuanshu's abilities, she still asked three questions.

Lin Yuanshu answered easily, without hesitation for a second.

Team Leader Zhuang turned his gaze to Feng Aiguo and asked, "Do you have any other questions?"

Feng Aiguo, somewhat disoriented, said, "I don't believe she really knows anything about acetaminophen..."

Feng Aiguo asked Lin Yuanshu a few questions about acetaminophen, and Lin Yuanshu, as before, did not hesitate for a second.

No sooner had Feng Aiguo finished asking his question than Lin Yuanshu gave an accurate answer in the next second.

Team Leader Zhuang nodded with great satisfaction. He hadn't expected that Lin Yuanshu not only knew about sulfadiazine, but also had an excellent grasp of acetaminophen.

Even Hong Shuang'er was impressed by Lin Yuanshu. Lin Yuanshu had only been in the research group for a short time, yet he already had such a good understanding of acetaminophen. His learning ability was truly astonishing.

The other members of the lab looked at Lin Yuanshu in shock. The comrade who was specially transferred to the research institute by Director Huang was indeed capable. He was a man of great talent, and when he did speak, he made a name for himself.

"That's enough, no need to ask anymore. Comrade Lin Yuanshu has already demonstrated her abilities; she is fully capable of handling the project plan." Team Leader Zhuang interrupted Feng Aiguo, making the final decision.

Feng Aiguo hesitated, unable to think of any reason to continue stopping Lin Yuanshu, and could only watch helplessly as Team Leader Zhuang left.

Lin Yuanshu walked up to Feng Aiguo and said with gratitude, "Comrade Feng Aiguo, you are such a good person. I was just struggling with how to demonstrate my knowledge, and you gave me this opportunity. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be able to be in charge of a project plan. I will remember your help."

Feng Aiguo took a deep breath and gritted his teeth, saying, "You can only be arrogant for now. Once my experimental results are out, you will become a loser. You will never be as good as our institute's interns."

Lin Yuanshu said with utmost seriousness, "We'll wait and see. I hope you can keep up your stubbornness."

Undeniably, there was nothing wrong with Feng Aiguo's plan itself, and he was able to achieve good results by experimenting with his own plan.

However, this result still couldn't match the expected effect of her plan. Although her experimental results were not yet available, her plan had been successfully verified by pharmaceutical companies in her previous life, giving it historical backing. In any case, she wouldn't lose.

Unable to argue with Lin Yuanshu and unable to physically confront him, Feng Aiguo stormed out of the laboratory.

No one cared about Feng Aiguo's departure.

A hint of admiration flashed in Hong Shuang'er's eyes. She walked to Lin Yuanshu's side and asked curiously, "Comrade Lin Yuanshu, you're really amazing! How do you know so much about acetaminophen? Have you been paying attention to acetaminophen before?"

Lin Yuanshu explained with a smile, "I knew a little about acetaminophen before, and after joining your research group, I looked at the information you collected about acetaminophen, so I'm not completely ignorant about it."

I originally looked at these materials out of curiosity, but I never expected to be able to use them today and show off my knowledge to Team Leader Zhuang.

The other group members also forgot their agreement with Feng Aiguo and started talking to Lin Yuanshu, "You're too modest. If it were me, I wouldn't have been able to answer Comrade Feng Aiguo's question so quickly. I hadn't even thought of an answer yet, and you had already given it to me..."

Hong Shuang'er nodded in agreement and said, "I'm glad you can join our research group. I will definitely stand by your side and experiment with your proposed plan. I will not choose Comrade Feng Aiguo's plan."

Upon hearing this, the other group members had various expressions. They didn't know which one to choose, as both proposals seemed very impressive.

However, Feng Aiguo's plan sounded more reliable. Lin Yuanshu's plan to change the raw materials was something no one had ever done before, and it seemed like it would be very troublesome to experiment with.

They still hoped to get experimental results as soon as possible, so they preferred Feng Aiguo's plan.

Lin Yuanshu readily agreed, saying, "Welcome to join the sodium phenolate mixing method team."

Hong Shuang'er said enthusiastically, "Let's work together."

She had placed all her hopes on Lin Yuanshu's plan, even though Feng Aiguo's plan sounded more reliable, it also meant it was more conservative.

She understood Feng Aiguo's work capabilities and felt that even if his plan succeeded, the improvement to the acetaminophen production process would be minimal. She thought it would be better to choose Lin Yuanshu's plan and give it a shot.

Although she didn't know Lin Yuanshu personally, she knew that someone who could improve the sulfadiazine production process could certainly improve the acetaminophen production process as well.

Not only does Maas want to be a research assistant, she wants to be a research assistant too!

Now it's a matter of who produces results first.

At the same time, Team Leader Zhuang rushed into Director Huang's office in a hurry. Director Huang looked at Team Leader Zhuang who had left and returned, and asked in confusion, "What happened? Why do you seem so flustered?"

Team Leader Zhuang took a deep breath and tentatively asked, "Which research group do you plan to assign Comrade Lin Yuanshu to? If you haven't decided yet, the acetaminophen production process research group would very much welcome Comrade Lin Yuanshu to join us. Moreover, Comrade Lin Yuanshu has already boldly proposed his own plan, and now we are just waiting to conduct experiments."

Director Huang said speechlessly, "Since you've put it that way, what else can I say? I can only let Comrade Lin Yuanshu join your research group. I can't let Comrade Lin Yuanshu give up her current plan and join another research group! When I first arranged for Comrade Lin Yuanshu to work by your side, you weren't happy about it. Now you know how capable Comrade Lin Yuanshu is! I told you long ago that she is an excellent technical talent, much better than the interns in our institute."

He originally planned to assign Lin Yuanshu to research traditional Chinese medicine analgesic injections.

Team Leader Zhuang smiled awkwardly. She hadn't taken Lin Yuanshu seriously at first, but she had to admit that people with strong work abilities were better than others at even small tasks. She had organized the data quickly and clearly, and had also learned so much about acetaminophen in such a short time.

"Alas, I'm just blind to talent, that's why you're the director and I'm just a team leader! I don't have your discerning eye and ability to recognize and appoint the right people..." Team Leader Zhuang flattered without batting an eye.

Director Huang couldn't help but smile. Of all the people in the research institute, Team Leader Zhuang was the most eloquent.

On the other side, Feng Aiguo ran to the door of the fifth laboratory. After Ma Si noticed Feng Aiguo, he told the teacher, "I'm going to the toilet," and then quickly walked up to Feng Aiguo.

He took Feng Aiguo's arm and led him outside the laboratory building. Finding a quiet spot, he asked in confusion, "Why are you looking for me during working hours?"

Feng Aiguo lowered his voice and said, "Because things are going badly. Team Leader Zhuang is going to put Lin Yuanshu in charge of the team's plan. If her plan succeeds, it will be even harder for us to impress Director Huang."

Mas said irritably, "Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on Lin Yuanshu? How come she still has a chance to get ahead?"

Feng Aiguo said with great grievance, "How can you blame me for this? Team Leader Zhuang and Lin Yuanshu's mouths aren't mine to talk to, and I can't control their behavior. I've been trying my best to stop Lin Yuanshu from taking charge of the group's plan, but Team Leader Zhuang is supporting Lin Yuanshu. I can't order Team Leader Zhuang around, so what can I do!"

Mas rubbed his temples and said softly, "Even if she's in charge of the group's proposal, it's fine. You can find a way to sabotage her group's proposal."

Feng Aiguo pursed his lips and said awkwardly, "I can't do that either, because I also proposed a plan to Team Leader Zhuang and got his approval. So I'm in charge of my group's plan, and Lin Yuanshu is in charge of hers. We're separate, and I can't interfere with Lin Yuanshu's group's plan."

Mas took a deep breath and gritted his teeth, saying, "It's a pity Lin Yuanshu didn't come to my research group, otherwise I would have made her suffer. Don't forget, the two of us are dealing with Lin Yuanshu not only for ourselves, but also for all the interns in the institute. You can't do it yourself, but you can let your close group members do it."

Feng Aiguo looked speechless. Before Lin Yuanshu even came to the research institute, Mas had already gotten into a fight because of Lin Yuanshu. How could Director Huang possibly arrange for Lin Yuanshu and Mas to be in the same research group?

Moreover, the research group that Mas joined was studying analgesia, which was a key task assigned to the institute by the state. If Director Huang were to include Lin Yuanshu in the group, there would definitely be a lot of opposition.

He thought for a moment, then made up his mind and said, "I'm busy working on my group's plan right now, and I really don't have time to deal with Lin Yuanshu. How about I leave this matter to you?"

"Lin Yuanshu's group's failure would also benefit you! Why wouldn't you want to do something that's a win-win situation?" Mas asked incredulously.

Feng Aiguo muttered under his breath, "Lin Yuanshu's group's failure isn't without its benefits for you! At least it proves that what you said before was right. Lin Yuanshu is just someone who occupies a position without doing anything. So why didn't you do it? Why do you insist on me doing it? I've already united the group members to isolate Lin Yuanshu. Where do I have so much time to focus on dealing with Lin Yuanshu!"

Mas: "..."

The two ultimately failed to reach an agreement because neither was willing to take action and they were hoping the other would.

When Feng Aiguo returned to the laboratory, Lin Yuanshu was discussing his plan with Team Leader Zhuang, and Team Leader Fang nodded repeatedly when he heard it.

Team Leader Zhuang saw Feng Aiguo walk in from outside the laboratory. She frowned and asked, "Where have you been? I was hoping to discuss your plan with you, but I haven't seen you anywhere!"

Feng Aiguo quickly explained, "I went to the toilet. I had a bit of diarrhea, so I squatted there for a while."

Lin Yuanshu raised an eyebrow. She didn't believe Feng Aiguo's statement at all. She suspected that Feng Aiguo had gone to see Mas. She suddenly wanted to try entrapment and wondered if any fish would take the bait!

Team Leader Zhuang said with some skepticism, "Then you can go and prepare your plan now. After I finish discussing it with Comrade Lin Yuanshu, I will come and discuss it with you. Before lunch break tomorrow, you and Comrade Lin Yuanshu should each submit your plan report."

Lin Yuanshu smiled and agreed, "No problem, I already have a rough framework in my mind."

Feng Aiguo: "..."

All he could think about was his argument with Mas. He wasn't joking with Mas at all. His work schedule was so tight, how could he have time to deal with Lin Yuanshu?

"I understand, I'll go write it now." Although Feng Aiguo was exhausted, he still appeared full of energy.

The sun rises and sets, and the day is over. The get off work bell rings on time, and Lin Yuanshu's favorite sound now is the get off work bell.

She tidied up the nearly completed proposal and put it into her military green satchel. It wasn't safe to leave such an important report at her workstation; if someone with malicious intent destroyed it, she would have to rewrite it all.

Hong Shuang'er asked in surprise, "You're about to leave work? Is the proposal finished?"

Hong Shuang'er asked this question because laboratory data cannot be taken home. Therefore, no one would choose to continue writing a plan after returning home, since without access to the data, any plan written would be nothing more than a castle in the air.

Lin Yuanshu said sincerely, "It's almost finished. I can revise it again tomorrow. It's much easier than the proposals I wrote at the chemical plant. I can get whatever information I need."

To be honest, writing proposals and reports was a piece of cake for her. After all, the factory where she worked in her previous life had a serious problem with formalism. Even the smallest things required a report to be submitted.

Upon hearing this, everyone instinctively looked at Feng Aiguo.

Feng Aiguo looked helpless. He wanted to finish writing it quickly, but it wasn't something he could do just by thinking about it; writing a proposal was too mentally taxing.

"I'll be there soon too," he said firmly, deceiving not only others but also himself.

It's all Hong Shuang'er's fault for talking so much. I told her not to pay attention to Lin Yuanshu, but she wouldn't listen. Whether Lin Yuanshu gets off work or not is none of her business.

Lin Yuanshu slung his bag over his shoulder and encouraged him, "Good luck! I'm going home now."

Feng Aiguo couldn't help but roll his eyes, comforting himself that it wasn't anything special that Lin Yuan wrote quickly. The best proposal wasn't about who wrote it the fastest; it was about the content.

Write slowly to ensure high-quality content, avoid overlooking details, and make the content more feasible and practical.

Before leaving get off work, the team members all gave Feng Aiguo a disappointed look. They did want to choose Feng Aiguo, but after observing him all afternoon, they found that Lin Yuanshu was more confident and could talk fluently about his proposal.

While Feng Aiguo's plan seemed plausible, Feng Aiguo's performance was not as reliable as it appeared.

Sometimes, a reliable person in charge can have a significant impact on the experimental results.

Feng Aiguo didn't notice anything unusual about the group members. He earnestly instructed them, "Don't forget to join the Optimization Iron Fan Group tomorrow. If no one chooses Lin Yuanshu's group, let's see how Lin Yuanshu handles it. What good is strong work ability if you have poor interpersonal relationships? You still can't move the work forward. If she's so capable, let her take charge of the group's plan on her own!"

The members of the research team looked at each other, and none of them stood up to give Feng Aiguo a proper answer.

Feng Aiguo frowned and said, "Don't be so timid. The law does not punish the masses. Although Team Leader Zhuang is our leader, she cannot force you to work with Lin Yuanshu."

“We understand,” one of the group members said quietly.

Feng Aiguo revealed a smug smile. Lin Yuanshu was still too green to compete with him. Although he didn't have time to sabotage Lin Yuanshu's group plan, he could still make Lin Yuanshu lose face.

After the group left the first laboratory, Hong Shuang'er frowned and asked, "Are you really going to do as Comrade Feng Aiguo instructed? If you do this, Team Leader Zhuang might get angry."

One of the group members said confidently, "Comrade Feng Aiguo said that the law does not punish the masses. Even if Group Leader Zhuang is angry, it's useless. You can't force a cow to eat grass!"

In fact, he has already sided with Lin Yuanshu. Although Lin Yuanshu is younger than Feng Aiguo, she is so composed and confident that people have no choice but to trust her.

That's why he would show favoritism towards Feng Aiguo, so that when everyone else chooses Feng Aiguo, he and Hong Shuang'er will choose Lin Yuanshu, so that no one will compete with him for the position.

“That’s right! Everyone, don’t forget that it was because of Comrade Lin Yuanshu that Director Huang was disappointed in us interns. So we must unconditionally support Comrade Feng Aiguo’s idea,” another member said earnestly.

Despite saying that, what he really thought was that since Lin Yuanshu had already started working at the Dongfanghong Medical Research Institute, he was now considered a member of the institute, and supporting Lin Yuanshu wouldn't be considered betraying the organization.

Hong Shuang'er looked at everyone who unanimously chose Feng Aiguo, her expression was very complicated. Had Feng Aiguo bewitched them? Making them so devoted and willing to obey his orders at all costs.

She genuinely felt that Lin Yuanshu's crime was undeserved; it was Director Huang who transferred her to the research institute, so how could all the blame be placed on Lin Yuanshu?

Hopefully, Team Leader Zhuang won't be too angry when he sees this scene tomorrow.

On the other side, after getting off work, Lin Yuanshu went to the entrance of the canteen kitchen to wait for Zhou Xiangyang, as usual.

After the two met, they walked together to where the bicycles were parked. Lin Yuanshu spoke first, saying, "Let's not go home today. Let's go see how the apartment building construction is going, and then we'll go have barbecue. Director Qian gave me some meat coupons before, but I haven't had a chance to use them yet."

This meat ticket was a reward given to her by Factory Director Qian for completing the improvement of the sulfadiazine production process. Of course, the Health Bureau also gave her a reward, rewarding her with fifty yuan and some industrial vouchers.

The reward was much greater than she had imagined, so she was quite happy at the time.

Zhou Xiangyang paused for a moment, then smiled and replied, "Okay."

He wasn't happy about eating barbecue, but rather about being able to see his own house; he would finally have his own home.

Zhou Xiangyang rode his bicycle and took Lin Yuanshu to the institute's apartment building. The building had already been topped out, and construction workers were installing stair railings.

Lin Yuanshu walked over and politely inquired about the approximate time it would take to complete the renovation.

The construction worker glanced at Lin Yuanshu, but didn't stop working. He said expressionlessly, "About three months."

"Thank you," Lin Yuanshu said softly.

Another construction worker looked at Lin Yuanshu with envy. Working at the research institute was so comfortable; he could live in such a nice apartment building, unlike him, who could only squeeze into a room with his parents, which was extremely inconvenient.

Zhou Xiangyang was feeling down. It was three months before he could move, and three months felt like an eternity. Ever since he learned that Lin Yuanshu had been allocated a house, he had wanted to move out of that house immediately.

Before I had a choice, I felt that living there was pretty good. But since I have a choice, I can't wait to escape from that home.

Lin Yuanshu patted Zhou Xiangyang on the shoulder and said seriously, "Do you know why I'm going to eat barbecue today?"

Zhou Xiangyang shook his head and said softly, "I don't know."

Lin Yuanshu smiled and said, "Because eating barbecue will make you feel less sad. Delicious food can heal everything."

Zhou Xiangyang silently retorted in his heart, "Food can't cure everything, only my wife can."

The two enjoyed a barbecue together. As soon as Lin Yuanshu tasted the barbecue, he felt that his hard work was worthwhile.

After finishing the barbecue, Lin Yuanshu went to see a movie with Zhou Xiangyang. After all, if she went home now, Zhou's mother would definitely advise her to be thrifty and manage the household well, saying things like, "You won't go poor from eating or dressing, it's only from not being able to plan that you'll go poor."

To avoid being nagged by Zhou's mother, it was just in time to go home after watching the movie, by which time Zhou's mother and the others were already asleep.

Meanwhile, in a family's home in the Xiaohe production team, Grandma Cao called her youngest daughter-in-law into the room.

She looked at her youngest daughter-in-law with a serious expression and slowly advised, "Xiangling, you should think about what you're going to do in the future. My youngest son has been gone for a hundred days. Things are different now than before. It's not necessary to remain a widow anymore. I'm not that old-fashioned. You should look forward and find someone to rely on."

Zhou Xiangling patted her five-year-old son's head and said firmly, "I already have someone to rely on, and I have a child. I don't want to remarry. I was born a member of the Cao family, and I will die a member of the Cao family. I will never betray Brother Cao."

Grandma Cao was stunned for a moment, her expression complicated. She hadn't expected her youngest daughter-in-law to be so loyal to her youngest son. That's why she hoped her youngest daughter-in-law could have a better life.

She frowned: "You're thinking too simply. Your son is still so young, what can he do? It's not easy for a woman to raise a child, especially since you're so young. You can't expect to live like this for the rest of your life."

Zhou Xiangling understood the unspoken meaning in Grandma Cao's words. She held back her tears and looked at Grandma Cao pitifully, "I still have you, Mom. Gouzi is your grandson. You can't abandon him!"

Cao's eldest sister-in-law, who had been eavesdropping outside the door, couldn't hold back any longer. She stormed into the room, hands on her hips, and yelled, "You think you can do whatever you want? You want us all to work ourselves to the bone to support you two lazybones? When my younger brother was alive, I didn't say much, since he was quite hardworking. But you? You've been married into this family for so many years, and even the kids in the production team earn more work points than you..."

Zhou Xiangling was scolded by Cao's eldest sister-in-law. She weakly retorted, "It's not like I didn't do any work. I did all the housework."

Sister-in-law Cao rolled her eyes and said with disdain, "How tiring can housework be? Everyone grows up doing housework. As long as you're willing to earn work points like us, I can take care of all the housework. My younger brother has been dead for a hundred days, and you've been crying for a hundred days without doing anything. And your lazy son isn't much better than you. All he does is go out and play all over the mountains and fields every day. He doesn't even know how to lend us a hand."

Seeing her once kind and gentle aunt turn into such a hideous person, Gouzi fearfully moved closer to her mother.

Zhou Xiangling, holding her son, retorted loudly, "How can you say that about my son? My son is not lazy. He's so weak, how can he do heavy work? You're going to kill him!"

She looked at Grandma Cao and said with tears streaming down her face, "Mom, are you just going to watch my sister-in-law bully us orphans and widows? I followed Brother Cao home without a second thought. I even abandoned my own parents for Brother Cao. Brother Cao didn't pay a single penny of dowry when he married me. You promised me that you would treat me like your own daughter."

Grandma Cao looked at her eldest sister-in-law with a troubled expression.

The eldest sister-in-law of the Cao family saw that her mother-in-law was soft-hearted. She said seriously, "It's not that they can't stay, but the premise is that you have to support them. My husband and I will not get involved. We will separate the family now. I am not willing to waste a single grain of rice for outsiders."

If Zhou Xiangling were the hardworking and diligent type, she wouldn't be so aggressive. But unfortunately, she had known Zhou Xiangling for six years and knew that Zhou Xiangling was lazy and gluttonous. If it weren't for the fact that earning work points in the production team was mandatory, she probably wouldn't even have worked in the fields.

When asked to do chores, she complains of being tired, and her son is no better. When asked to glean wheat with the others, he runs off to slack off under a big tree.

The younger brother is willing to support these two people, but she is not. She has her own children to raise! She can't even feed her own children, so how can she have enough to take care of her sister-in-law?

Grandma Cao showed a helpless expression. She wanted to help Zhou Xiangling, but she was too old to raise her grandson even if she didn't eat or drink.

She said softly, "Xiang Ling, think it over carefully! In the end, our family has wronged you, but there's nothing we can do about it!"

Upon hearing this, Sister-in-law Cao rolled her eyes. She looked at Zhou Xiangling and said aggressively, "You're not entirely without responsibility for my younger brother's sudden death. If you hadn't asked for pastries, he wouldn't have taken the oxcart to town to buy them for you. If he hadn't taken the oxcart, the accident wouldn't have happened. So, you're the culprit behind all of this..."

Hearing what Cao's sister-in-law said, Zhou Xiangling was filled with helplessness. She grabbed Cao's mother-in-law's sleeve and said urgently, "It's not my fault, don't blame me, I didn't want this to happen either."

Just as Grandma Cao was about to reply, she was pulled out of the room by her eldest sister-in-law, who said sarcastically, "Mom, what's there to talk about with an outsider? You promised your sister-in-law that you would treat her like your own daughter. Perfect timing, you can marry her off soon, and everyone will be happy."

Zhou Xiangling paused for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, "I don't need to trouble you with my remarriage, sister-in-law. My biological parents are still alive! I'll be taking Gouzi back to my parents' home tomorrow."

Sister-in-law Cao said with a big smile, "That's great."

The thought of getting rid of two burdens tomorrow was truly relaxing. She had never liked her sister-in-law. The sister-in-law she imagined was hardworking and capable, not like Zhou Xiangling, who was delicate and weak, couldn't even recognize all the crops in the field, and would only cry and look pitifully at her husband when something happened.

Grandma Cao breathed a sigh of relief; it was good that Zhou Xiangling had come to terms with it.

Zhou Xiangling took the dog back to her room. She sat on the edge of the bed, tears streaming down her face. Even if she went back to her parents' home, she would never betray Brother Cao.

Thinking of her parents, she felt even sadder. Her parents wanted her to marry a worker, but she refused because she had fallen in love with Brother Cao, who worked at a textile factory carrying raw materials. Brother Cao was gentle and considerate, unlike any of the men around her.

However, her parents looked down on Cao Ge because he was from the countryside. They felt that being a porter was not a stable job, but just a temporary contract worker who could lose his job at any time.

She recklessly got together with Brother Cao, which led her parents to sever ties with her unless she broke up with Brother Cao. She refused, and she never saw her parents again after that.

Even now, with Cao Ge's sudden passing, she has no choice but to return to her parents' home and bow down to them. However, she still does not regret her decision.

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Author's Note: Zhou Xiangling is the male protagonist's younger sister. It was mentioned earlier that Zhou's mother has a daughter, with whom she hasn't been in contact for a long time.