It was 1961. After the New Year, everyone gradually returned to work. In this era of poverty and hardship, when people were often hungry and cold, and diligence, simplicity, and hard work were highly valued, Qi Zhifang, with her heavily made-up eyebrows and eyes, was truly an anomaly. While everyone else wore mismatched cadre uniforms or work clothes, she always managed to make things stand out. She would adjust the waist of her clothes and lower the neckline, making the loose-fitting clothes more form-fitting and highlighting her ample breasts, slim waist, and large hips.

She walked out swaying with every step, exuding a captivating charm, but this kind of beauty was only appreciated by men; women openly and secretly cursed her as a vixen.

She didn't care about the pointing fingers and whispers, wearing a pink and purple scarf around her neck. Passersby could smell the fragrance. A woman in work clothes spat in her face and cursed, "Vixen! Shameless!"

Qi Zhifang, wearing half-inch heels, stopped and turned around, saying, "Who are you calling a vixen? Who are you calling shameless?"

The woman wasn't afraid to shout, "I'm talking about you! Look at yourself! Ugh, you're cheap and disgusting!"

Qi Zhifang suppressed her anger and said sarcastically, "At least when I act like this, people still call me a vixen, which proves I'm good-looking. If you act like this, then all that's left is 'Pah!' 'Cheap!' 'Disgusting!'"

The woman pointed at her and muttered "you" for a long time. Qi Zhifang snorted coldly, "What about me? I didn't spend a penny of your money on what I wore or used. Look at you! Your face is full of jealousy, so ugly! You know what? Just by looking at you, I can tell that you're insecure because you're not good-looking, and you're using that mean face to cover up the fact that you're ugly! How pathetic!" After saying that, she left.

The woman was so angry with Qi Zhifang that she burst into tears. Her close friend came over and comforted her, saying, "Stop crying! It's bad luck to talk to a woman like that. Let's go back to work!"

"I really can't believe that someone like that can get into the archives and work in the office. She should be sent to the factory and work eight hours a day. Let's see if she still has those bad habits and time to put on makeup."

"She's shameless! I wonder where she's going to go to act like a hooligan this time, and who she's going to seduce!" The one who said this was a slightly plump woman. She looked fierce and had a loud voice. "Look, look, what are you looking at? Qi Zhifang has come out. Why don't you go home and keep an eye on your husbands? Don't let that vixen snatch them into her den. If you lose your husbands, you'll have nowhere to cry!"

Qi Zhifang wasn't much better off; she was furious. If Wei Shuqing were here, she would definitely say that this was enough to prove that a leopard can't change its spots.

She's made such a mess of her home, yet she shows no remorse. Instead of saving money for a better life, she's back to causing trouble and being vain. It's clear that Qi Zhifang alone couldn't have caused all this trouble; it's the family members involved.

Qi Zhifang arrived at the archives room as usual, tidied up the room, and then began to file documents.

Just as I was busy, I heard someone say, "Comrade Xiao Qi, hello. Please find the files of these three comrades from Workshop Three." Then they handed over the names of the three people.

Qi Zhifang looked up at the sound and saw a man in a silver-gray cadre uniform enter. It was the same man who had helped her in the cafeteria that day. She quickly said, "Okay! I'll find him right away!"

She only found out later that the man was Section Chief Liang from the factory's Party Committee. She frantically rummaged through the shelves. Old Liang smiled at her, shook his head, and slowly walked over, saying, "I'll look on the left, you look on the right, that'll be faster!"

Qi Zhifang smiled sheepishly and said, "Okay, thank you, Section Chief Liang."

The two started going through the files and found all the information in about twenty minutes. Qi Zhifang straightened up, tucked a stray hair behind her ear, and said, "Thank you for what happened in the cafeteria that time!"

Old Liang smiled and said, "You're welcome. I couldn't bear to leave such a beautiful woman like you all alone and helpless! And thank you for giving me the chance to be a hero and save the damsel in distress!"

Actually, these words were quite explicit for that era, but Qi Zhifang, whether from being single for a long time or something else, only felt a little embarrassed and a little indignant, but mostly felt happy and at ease.

Old Liang glanced at Qi Zhifang's flushed face, smiled politely, and left without saying anything more to her, taking the file with him.

Qi Zhifang was also distracted from work at this moment. Her heart was pounding like a deer, and she was probably already thinking about what to name her and Lao Liang's second child.

After finally getting off work, I packed my things and headed home. Most people in the factory walked in groups, some in twos and threes, others in groups of ten or twenty.

Qi Zhifang came out alone, slowly. As soon as she reached the factory gate, she saw Section Chief Liang pushing his bicycle and walking slowly forward. For some reason, she quickened her pace and caught up with Old Liang. Old Liang felt someone beside him, turned around and smiled, "Comrade Qi, what a coincidence!"

Qi Zhifang smiled slyly, with a hint of playfulness, and said, "It's after get off work hours now, what a coincidence! Why isn't Section Chief Liang riding his bicycle?"

Old Liang gave a wry smile, patted the bicycle seat, and said with a laugh, "I don't know which bastard pulled out my valve core. This is the third time this month. It seems like he's been targeting my bike. I don't even know what I did to offend him."

Qi Zhifang was stunned, clearly not expecting anyone to target their leader like this. She could only utter a sound of surprise. Being ripped out three times in a month was truly a devastating experience.

The two walked side by side without saying anything more. After walking for a while, Lao Liang parked the car in front of the restaurant and said, "I'm not pushing anymore. The more I think about it, the angrier I get. We're just here. Comrade Qi, would you do me the honor of having a meal with me?"

Qi Zhifang felt a strong urge to try it, but she pretended to be reserved and said, "No, I have to go home. Goodbye, Section Chief Liang!"

He ran off as soon as he finished speaking, and when he got home, he was still thinking to himself whether his words and actions were appropriate.

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