Biao Sheng has a good impression
After Liu Feng's removal from the site, the atmosphere at the beam yard and throughout the project team became much more refreshing. While the final outcome wasn't entirely satisfactory, Lan Tongtong's work environment had at least improved substantially. No longer needing to constantly guard against unexplained challenges, she could focus fully on improving her skills and on-site management, and her progress was becoming increasingly significant.
Chief Engineer Zhang Xiao increasingly relied on her, often handing her over important technical proposals for preliminary review. Zhang Biao remained her capable assistant, and the two worked in perfect harmony, managing the beam yard with impeccable efficiency. After work, the engineering department's colleagues would occasionally gather for a drink to unwind from the intense tension of the previous day.
That evening, a small construction milestone had been successfully completed, so Deputy Director Feng Chang, led by a group of key personnel, gathered for a meal at a small restaurant outside the project office. The atmosphere was lively, as everyone toasted, chatted about interesting things on the construction site, and looked forward to the day the bridge would open to traffic.
Zhang Biao was still the main force in the party, with a booming voice and a constant stream of jokes. But Lan Tongtong noticed that he seemed a little different tonight. He would glance at her from time to time, then quickly look away when she looked back. His ears were slightly red. Lan Tongtong thought he was just drunk and didn't think much of it.
After the dinner, Zhang Biao offered to walk Lan Tongtong back to the dormitory. The moonlight was beautiful, and the two of them walked slowly along the path beside the construction site. The evening breeze blew away the summer heat and the drunkenness.
After a moment of silence, Zhang Biao suddenly stopped and scratched his head. As if he had made up his mind, his voice was much lower than usual, with a rare hint of nervousness: "Um...Tongtong."
"Huh? What's wrong, Brother Biao?" Lan Tongtong turned her head and looked at him curiously.
Zhang Biao took a deep breath and looked directly at Lan Tongtong. His dark face was filled with honesty and seriousness. "I... I'm not very educated, just a rough guy. But I know you're a good girl, very, very good. Educated, willing to endure hardships, kind-hearted, and... pretty."
Lan Tongtong's heart skipped a beat, as if she had a premonition of something.
Zhang Biao continued awkwardly, yet with immense sincerity, "From the first time I met you, when you so earnestly took me through the scene, to when you were bullied by that bastard Liu Feng for me, I just... I felt that you were different from other women. I... I like you, Tongtong. I'm not kidding, I really mean it!"
After he said these words, he let out a long sigh as if he had completed a huge task, then looked at Lan Tongtong nervously, waiting for her response, like a child waiting for judgment.
Lan Tongtong was completely stunned. She hadn't expected Zhang Biao to confess his feelings for her. She had always considered him a trustworthy colleague, a righteous and straightforward friend, and even a somewhat naive and endearing "Brother Biao." She admired his honesty and responsibility, but had never considered it a romantic relationship.
Under the moonlight, Zhang Biao's eyes were clear and blazing, filled with undisguised anticipation. Lan Tongtong's heart was in turmoil. She didn't want to hurt this innocent and kind man, but she also knew clearly that she didn't have any feelings for him.
She carefully considered her words and said softly, "Brother Biao, thank you... thank you for thinking so highly of me. You are a very good person, honest, brave, and loyal. I have always regarded you as a very important friend and comrade. But... regarding feelings, I feel..."
She didn't finish her words, but her meaning was clear.
Zhang Biao's eyes dimmed instantly, a hint of disappointment flashed across his face, but he quickly forced a smile, waved his hand, and regained some of his usual carefree attitude: "It's okay! Tongtong, I understand! I understand! Just treat it as my drunken nonsense! Don't take it to heart! We'll still be good brothers in the future, and we'll do what we have to do! I, Zhang Biao, am not that stingy!"
Although he spoke so forthrightly, Lan Tongtong could still sense the bitterness behind his smile. She felt a little guilty, but she also knew that feelings couldn't be forced.
"Brother Biao, I'm sorry..." she whispered.
"Hey! What are you apologizing for?" Zhang Biao's voice rose an octave, as if to cheer himself up. "Liking you is my business, it has nothing to do with you! Don't feel burdened! Let's go back quickly, we still have to pour concrete tomorrow!"
He sent Lan Tongtong to the dormitory building, waved as usual, turned around and strode away. His back looked a little lonely in the moonlight, but he still stood straight.
Lan Tongtong watched his back, a mixture of emotions welling up in her. Beyond the steel, concrete, and rules and regulations, life on a construction site also harbored such sincere and simple emotions. Tonight's confession was like a stone dropped into the lake of her heart. Although it failed to stir up ripples of love, it made her cherish this friendship they had fought shoulder to shoulder even more.
The next day at work, Lan Tongtong felt a little uneasy when she ran into Zhang Biao at the beam yard. However, Zhang Biao's behavior relieved her. He was still loudly assigning tasks as usual, and when he encountered a technical problem, he would still run over and ask, "Lan, what do you think about this?" as if the events of the previous night had never happened. Only occasionally, when their eyes accidentally met, he would look away, a little awkwardly, or a subtle embarrassment would pass across his dark face.
Lan Tongtong understood that Zhang Biao was using his own way to defuse the awkwardness and maintain their precious comradeship. Feeling both grateful and a little guilty, she took her work more seriously, demonstrating through her actions that everything was normal.
In the afternoon, she went to the director's office to deliver a document, and Mo Zhichi happened to be there. After finishing the business, Mo Zhichi casually asked, "How has Zhang Biao been doing in the beam yard recently? Has he not been naughty again?"
Lan Tongtong hesitated, feeling she hadn't been able to talk about this matter herself, and she wanted to talk to someone, and Brother Mo was the person she trusted the most. She looked outside the door, saw no one was around, and lowered her voice, a bit amused, saying, "Brother Mo, this has nothing to do with work... It's a personal matter. Last night... Zhang Biao confessed his feelings to me."
Mo Zhichi was drinking tea. He paused when he heard the words, raised his eyelids and looked at Lan Tongtong. An extremely rare, playful expression appeared on his face. The corners of his mouth seemed to curl up slightly, but he soon regained his composure.
"Oh?" He put down his teacup, his tone expression calm. "And then?"
"I...I rejected him." Lan Tongtong answered honestly, "I think he's a very good person, a good colleague and friend, but it's not that kind of feeling."
Mo Zhichi nodded and said calmly, "Well, relationships can't be forced." He paused and added, his tone still calm, but with a hint of meaning: "Zhang Biao isn't a bad person, he just has a straightforward personality."
He didn't press for details, nor did he offer any opinions, such as "What do you think of him?" or "What are your thoughts?" He simply stated a fact and made a brief assessment of Zhang Biao's character, then lowered his head and continued to read the documents in his hand, as if this was just a trivial matter.
Lan Tongtong had expected Brother Mo to offer more, perhaps some advice, but his reaction surprised her. But she quickly understood Mo Zhichi's intention. This was her personal matter, and Brother Mo, as an elder and leader, couldn't interfere too much, much less make unwarranted comments. With this nonchalant attitude, he assured her: This is something you need to handle and face on your own. I respect your choice and believe you can handle it.
This sense of propriety made Lan Tongtong feel respected and at ease. She didn't need any clear instructions from Mo Ge, she just needed to know that no matter what decision she made, he would be the one she could trust to back her up.
"I understand, Brother Mo. I'll go back first." Lan Tongtong said.
"Well, go ahead." Mo Zhichi responded without raising his head.
Leaving the director's office, Lan Tongtong felt much more relaxed. While this brief conversation with Brother Mo didn't yield any concrete advice, it helped her sort out her thoughts. Ultimately, when it comes to relationships, one must follow one's heart. Work and life, however, must continue.
She looked up at the massive bridge piers beneath the blue sky and took a deep breath. The stories on the construction site encompassed not only the coldness of steel and concrete, the rigorous rules and regulations, and the undercurrents of power struggles, but also the simple, sincere emotions of people like Zhang Biao. All of this combined formed the complex and authentic landscape of her growth.
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