Su Mingde clenched his fists, but ultimately said nothing, turned around and staggered out of the office.

The roar of Section Chief Li and the laughter of his colleagues behind him felt like knives stabbing into his back.

Stepping out of the street office building, the glaring sunlight made Su Mingde feel dizzy.

He leaned against the wall, his stomach churning, but he couldn't vomit anything.

What do we do now?

go home?

I can never go back to that home.

Going to visit friends?

His so-called friends are fine with eating and drinking together, but who will help him when he's in trouble?

"Meijuan..."

Su Mingde suddenly remembered Liu Meijuan, and a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes.

Yes, go find Meijuan! She loves him and will understand his situation.

Maybe...

Perhaps her father, Director Liu, could help her find temporary accommodation, or even resolve any work-related problems...

This thought roused Su Mingde.

He looked at the stolen work clothes he was wearing. Although they were worn out, they were at least more presentable than wearing nothing at all.

The textile factory isn't far from here; it's only a 20-minute walk.

Su Mingde dragged his aching body toward the textile factory.

As he passed a small shop, his reflection was seen in the shop window.

Messy hair, bruised eyes, ill-fitting clothes...

How could I possibly meet Meijuan looking like this?

He hesitated for a moment.

"Comrade, could I borrow some water to wash my face?"

Su Mingde asked in a low voice.

The woman at the convenience store gave him a disdainful look, but eventually pointed to the water tap in the backyard.

Su Mingde thanked him profusely, splashed some cool water on his face in the backyard, and then combed his hair with his fingers.

The face reflected in the puddle was still haggard, but at least it was cleaner.

People come and go at the entrance of the textile factory. Female workers, dressed in uniform blue overalls, enter and exit the gate in twos and threes.

Su Mingde stood under the sycamore tree opposite, looking around nervously.

He didn't know what shift Liu Meijuan was working today, so he could only wait there.

The iron gate of the textile factory gleamed coldly in the setting sun. Su Mingde had been squatting under the sycamore tree opposite, waiting for a full three hours.

The pain in his body felt like countless needles pricking him, but he couldn't care less.

He had to see Liu Meijuan and explain why he hadn't been able to raise enough money for the bride price.

"Wait a little longer... wait a little longer..."

Su Mingde muttered to himself, his fingers unconsciously picking at the tree bark.

His gold-rimmed glasses had been stolen by a beggar, and now everything he saw was blurry and rough, but he still stared intently at every female worker who came out of the factory gate.

Suddenly, his body stiffened abruptly, and that familiar figure appeared!

Liu Meijuan, wearing a light blue polyester shirt and with her hair styled in fashionable waves, walked out with several female workers.

Su Mingde's heart pounded. He was about to get up when he saw a man in cadre's uniform walking quickly toward Liu Meijuan.

The man was about thirty years old, with slicked-back hair and a bright watch on his wrist.

He wrapped his arm around Liu Meijuan's waist, the movement as practiced as if he had done it countless times.

What made Su Mingde's blood freeze was that Liu Meijuan not only didn't push him away, but instead leaned into his arms with a coquettish smile!

"This...this is impossible..."

Su Mingde's voice caught in his throat, turning into a sob.

His legs felt like they were filled with lead, yet he still staggered across the street.

The top half of a brick tripped him, and he instinctively picked it up. The sharp edge of the brick cut his palm, but he didn't feel any pain.

"Ugh, not here..."

Liu Meijuan's coquettish voice drifted on the wind as she gently pushed against the man's chest, but didn't actually break free.

"It would be so bad if someone saw it."

"What are you afraid of?"

The man casually pinched her cheek.

"Who in the entire factory doesn't know you're one of my people? Besides..."

He leaned close to Liu Meijuan's ear, his voice low but still clear.

"Didn't you already hook up with that silly fiancé? Oh right, weren't you supposed to be delivering the betrothal gifts today? What, he didn't come?"

Liu Meijuan pursed her lips.

"Who knows where that good-for-nothing ran off to? He can't even scrape together two thousand yuan, and he still has the nerve to say he wants to marry me?"

At this point, she suddenly laughed and drew circles on the man's chest with her finger.

"But it's good this way, it saves me the trouble of dealing with him. You have no idea, he wouldn't even dare to touch my hand on any date, like a eunuch."

The man laughed loudly and suddenly pulled Liu Meijuan into a nearby alley.

"That's perfect, how about coming to my place tonight? My wife's gone to her parents' house anyway."

His hand was already restlessly sliding down.

"Your belly...you need to hurry up, or it'll start showing."

"Be gentle!"

Liu Meijuan slapped his hand away, but her eyes were full of seductive charm.

"What's the rush? That idiot has already agreed to marry me. Even if the child looks like you after we're married, it doesn't matter; he'll raise it as his own."

Su Mingde stood at the alley entrance, gripping the brick in his hand tighter and tighter.

His temples throbbed, and his ears were ringing, as if a thousand bees were swarming around his brain.

"If you ask me, you shouldn't bully them too much."

The man lit a cigarette and blew a smoke ring.

"At least I helped you solve a big problem."

Liu Meijuan's voice was sickeningly sweet, yet it sent chills down Su Mingde's spine.

"Tch, that idiot was kneeling and begging me to give him a few more days yesterday. You didn't see his behavior; he was like a dog, agreeing to whatever I said."

The man laughed heartily, his hand roaming over Liu Meijuan's waist.

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