Jiang Wanqing felt terrible. She looked up several times, wanting to explain the situation of Hung Hing to Molly, but the words stuck in her throat.
That evening, Cheng Ran came to pick her up from school as usual. Seeing that she looked preoccupied, he thought something had happened to her and put his arm around her shoulder.
Are you unhappy today?
She pursed her lips and exhaled: "It wasn't me, it was Molly."
What's wrong with her?
Cheng Ran was puzzled, after all, he had just seen Molly acting carefree and happy yesterday.
She looked at his face and asked seriously, "Is there anything you're hiding about Hung Hing?"
Upon hearing this, his eyes flickered; he always found it difficult to remain completely calm in her presence.
"Cough cough...he..."
"Molly thinks she saw him at the market yesterday."
The thing I was most worried about still happened. Cheng Ran rubbed his forehead and hummed helplessly.
"Let's talk as we walk."
After the two left the school, Cheng Ran stopped hiding things from her and explained the whole story to her.
“Hung Hing did come to the Beijing area, and he was indeed at the market selling mountain products. Molly saw him.”
Jiang Wanqing quickly concealed the shock in her eyes, a hint of worry flashing across them.
"Is he encountering difficulties?"
"Well, after all, it's an ordinary family, and we can't just sit around and do nothing, so he wants to save some money through his own efforts."
After hearing his words, she slowly lowered her eyes. She had almost naively thought that Hung Hing had only come for Molly, but it seemed that wasn't the case.
"I want to see him."
"Now?"
"May I?"
"Let's go to the market then."
He could never refuse her requests, and thinking that since he already knew, meeting her was inevitable sooner or later, he agreed.
Instead of going straight home, the two went to the market to look for someone.
There were many rotten vegetable leaves left on the damp ground, and wet puddles in front of the seafood stalls. Jiang Wanqing walked around the dirty ground and followed Cheng Ran to the area where mountain products were sold.
There were a few people selling local products at this spot, but among them, Hung Hing was nowhere to be seen.
Where are the others?
"Maybe they've packed up and gone home. Let me ask."
Cheng Ran frowned and walked to the stall where Hung Hing usually stood, but it had already been taken by someone else.
"Excuse me, comrade, could you tell me where that young man who used to sell mountain products is?"
"Oh, you mean that young comrade? He's having a really lucky day. A big boss bought all his mountain produce and delivered it to his door. He probably won't be coming back today. If you want to buy some mountain produce, check out mine. These are all top-quality goods!"
Mistaking Cheng Ran for someone who wanted to buy local mountain products, the stall owner began to enthusiastically promote his wares, thinking that his business had indeed turned around after occupying this "auspicious spot."
Unexpectedly, Cheng Ran took two steps back and waved his hand.
"No need, I wish you a prosperous business."
"Hey, you... you're just taking my information for free!"
As soon as he left, the man spat a few times, clearly unhappy, but Cheng Ran didn't care.
He returned to Jiang Wanqing's side and shook his head: "He's not here."
"Then let's come another day."
There's nothing that can be done if the person isn't there; they can only come back another time. Jiang Wanqing pursed her lips, thinking of the various convenient communication devices of the 21st century. Indeed, this era is still too limited...
Unable to find anyone, they went home first. Meanwhile, Hongxing delivered a large basket of mountain produce to Zhengyuan's factory area.
The factory manager's assistant led him inside, his attitude warm and welcoming.
"Young man, these mountain products are what our factory director bought for the canteen to improve the workers' meals. Someone will take them to the canteen later, and you can come with me to the factory director's office to settle the payment."
Hung Hing was dazzled by the vast factory area and nodded in agreement.
"Thank you. Your factory manager is so kind to the workers. He must be a good person. I'm sure I'll be very happy working here."
"Hahaha... Our factory manager is indeed a good person. You'll see when you meet him."
The assistant led him toward the factory manager's office, unloading the basket he was carrying onto the person who was there to meet him.
Before entering, Hung Hing habitually tidied his appearance and put on a smile.
"Director Zheng, this is the comrade who sold us our mountain products."
"Hello, Director Zheng."
After being introduced to Zheng Yuan, Hong Xing greeted him politely.
After looking him up and down a few times, Zheng Yuan pushed up his glasses, smiled kindly, and pointed to the chair next to him.
"Please sit down."
"Thank you, thank you. I won't stay. I'll pay and leave as soon as I can, so as not to delay you."
Hong Xing saw that such a large factory must be very busy, so how could he let the factory manager entertain him? Even in the army, there was no such logic.
"Hahaha... Don't worry, I'll definitely settle your money right away. I have no ill intentions. I just want to chat with you and let me understand how everyone's life is these days. We factory owners can't be ignorant of people's hardships. We should strive to benefit the people."
He spoke so well that Hung Hing's eyes almost welled up with tears, and his first impression of him was immediately elevated to the highest level.
"Director Zheng, you're such a kind person. Shall I... sit for a while?"
"Yes, please sit down."
Zheng Yuan got up from his office chair and gave his assistant a look, signaling him to leave.
Soon, only the two of them were left in the office. Zheng Yuan poured him tea and asked where he lived, showing him a lot of concern. For a moment, Hong Xing was almost at his wit's end. After all, he had been in Beijing for so long, and few people had ever cared about him like this. He answered truthfully.
"Comrade Hong Xing, you were a soldier before, weren't you?"
"Ah, Director Zheng, how...how did you know?"
When asked about his previous profession, Hung Hing became wary, because he didn't mention it.
"Don't be nervous, because you have the bearing of a soldier, you're easy to recognize."
"Really?" Hung Hing scratched his head and smiled helplessly.
When his gaze fell on Zheng Yuan's severed finger, Zheng Yuan composed himself and began to change the subject.
"You must be very tired selling mountain products every day. How much money do you make?"
"Not much, it's all hard-earned money, just enough for my own expenses," he replied.
"Since it's so hard and the income doesn't match the effort, have you thought about changing jobs? After all, there are so many places in Beijing, you need to think long-term. Keeping a small stall in the market isn't a long-term solution."
"You're right, but I plan to take it slow. You can't get fat in one bite. I'll save some money first and then plan what comes next."
For some reason, as they talked, Hung Hing lost the relaxed feeling he had at the beginning. An indescribable emotion welled up in his chest, making him restless and wanting to leave.
"Director Zheng, I have something to attend to..."
"My factory is short of workers. You are capable enough, and you will be well paid. Would you like to join us?"
Upon hearing this, Hung Hing was stunned. He clearly hadn't expected Cheng Yuen to offer him a job opportunity. They had only just met, and even if he was kind-hearted, he wouldn't offer such great help on the very day they met.
"Uh... thank you for your kindness, but I still want to sell my mountain products first."
"Don't you want a stable job and a stable income?"
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