"Hehe, he's just simple-minded."
Shan Mianzhi was already a very tactful person, and after starting work, she became even more adept at it. So even if there was only one male colleague, she was still able to have a very congenial conversation with them.
Aunt Li came over to refill the tea. "Hehe, all of you should stay for dinner today."
"Aunt Li, I want to eat your Zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste). I think it tastes even better than the ones in restaurants."
"Alright, I'll make you noodles. Young man, what would you like to eat?"
"You're too kind, I can eat anything."
"Okay, that's better."
"Hongmei, I'm going to help Aunt Li."
Because of the presence of Shan Mianzhi, an outsider, none of the three women discussed the work at the underwear factory.
They chatted about funny things that happened during their school days. It was already quite an achievement that they were able to sit together again after so many years.
"Hao Dan, where will you work after graduation?"
"I've been assigned to the State Administration of Radio and Television, and the job is pretty good."
"Aren't you busy with work at the TV station right now?"
"It's alright. I'm a newbie, and I'm still learning everything. I haven't had much exposure to it yet."
Why didn't you go to the magazine office?
"Hongmei, you didn't know, did you? The State Administration of Television now oversees newspapers and radio stations."
"You can do it like that?"
"Yes, they're all under one leader. You only bump into them during major meetings. In reality, they each manage their own affairs."
"Hehe, I thought you were going to become the editor-in-chief of a newspaper!"
"Actually, I wanted to try out a different industry."
Zhang Hongmei gave Hao Dan a thumbs up, saying, "You have ambition." She never expected that the seemingly gentle Hao Dan would have such thoughts.
Yu Hongxia and Shan Mianzhi were also chatting. They had worked together for several years, but even though they lived in the same city after graduation, they had never actually met.
"Chairman Shan, you are now riding high on the spring breeze, enjoying the sights of all the flowers in Chang'an in a single day!"
"Hehe, why do you say that?"
"I heard that you are doing very well in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and are highly valued by the leadership."
"It's just so-so. But I really like this job, so I put a lot of effort into it."
"You're also very good. I heard you're now a deputy section chief. You're the highest-ranking official in our cohort, right?"
"Hehe, we live in a small government office."
The four of them had a very pleasant chat, and Zhang Hongmei was even more patient with Shan Mianzhi.
Thinking to myself, this patience was also cultivated by Daniel.
Dan Mian tried to speak to Zhang Hongmei subtly, but was always intercepted by the two girls, which made him a little annoyed.
Actually, I had already let go of it, but I just wanted to chat more with the fairy in my heart.
Zhang Hongmei found it quite amusing; the two women were working together so well.
"Hongmei, we're back."
Cheng Guangxu and the other two came in together.
"Oh dear, what if they're all acquaintances?"
Hao Dan and Yu Hongxia were both amused by Cheng Guangxu.
"Senior Yu, you're getting more and more beautiful. Hao Dan, you're such a strong woman now. I feel very honored to meet Chairman Shan."
"Cheng Guangxu. You've been abroad for a few years, and you've become quite the smooth talker," Yu Hongxia teased him. She remembered all the embarrassing things he had done.
"Hehe. Look at what Senior Yu said. I've just grown up and matured!"
Cai Peilin wasn't familiar with them, so he just nodded and sat down to gulp down tea.
Zeng Zhongkang didn't recognize him either, so he just nodded and sat down to the side.
Zhang Hongmei could sense that Zeng Zhongkang was in a very bad mood. This wasn't going to see a relative; it was going to see an enemy!
However, it's not appropriate for me to ask.
Zeng Zhongkang sat for a while and then said, “Hongmei, everyone, you all chat. I’m going to wash up.”
Cai Peilin also stood up and said the same thing, then the two went back to their room.
Their departure had absolutely no impact on Yu Hongxia and Hao Dan. On the contrary, they felt even more at ease.
The three women chatted while Cheng Guangxu stayed with Shan Mianzhi.
"Do you face discrimination abroad?"
"Of course, on my first day in the classroom, seeing all the disdainful looks on my classmates' faces made me feel extremely uncomfortable."
Even after we skipped a grade and graduated, I never made friends with a foreigner.
Although they look down on me, they don't maliciously slander me, and I'm quite content with that.
Cai Peilin and I are the same. Zeng Zhongkang has a powerful aura; no one in their class dares to mess with him. As for Hongmei, I don't know her very well, but based on her grades alone, no one would underestimate her.
"When you left, I was worried that you would get hurt."
"How could that be? They're all educated people. Besides, the four of us are always together, and we're never alone. Most importantly, we've never gotten involved with them."
"Hehe, I was overthinking it."
Where do you want to work this time you're back?
Cheng Guangxu was taken aback for a moment, but did not answer Shan Mianzhi's question directly. "I'll listen to Hongmei. Besides, the three of us are going back to our hometown tomorrow."
I've been away for three years; I absolutely have to go back and visit."
Shan Mianzhi didn't believe Cheng Guangxu's words at all, but he also knew that he really couldn't ask any more questions.
It's already past five o'clock, and Wang Ying came over to call them for dinner.
The two elderly people did not show up, mainly because they were afraid that the younger generation would feel uncomfortable. Besides, they were both quite busy, having spent the entire afternoon looking for someone.
The young couple is consummating their marriage tomorrow. Both are men and don't know anything about these things, so after being introduced by others, they found a few older women who used to serve others.
However, neither of them has decided who to use; it's up to Hongmei to decide.
When they got back, they heard that Zhang Hongmei's classmate had come to visit her, so the two decided to eat by themselves.
Aunt Li prepared a very generous spread, including two kinds of fried sauce: one with egg and the other with minced meat, as well as a mushroom and minced meat sauce, a tomato and egg sauce, sesame paste, sesame oil, and minced garlic.
The young people had quite a good appetite; they ate three large bowls of cold noodles, and there wasn't a single one left.
Liu Jingsong ate porridge with Gu Chuanming and Zhang Xingguo. This child was very sensible; whenever the elderly were around, he would always stay with them. Even if he was just sitting to the side reading a book, he would stay in the same room.
After finishing his meal, Shan Mianzhi said goodbye and left.
“Hongmei, I have to go back too. My mother is still taking care of the children at home.”
Zhang Hongmei was stunned for a moment, "Senior Yu, I didn't even know you had a baby."
"It's okay, what's going on? Now you're divorced."
I'll talk to you again when I have a chance later. I'll head back now.
“Okay, I’ll see you out.” Zhang Hongmei stood there blankly as she saw Yu Hongxia out.
“Hongmei, I’m going back too. My family won’t let me stay out too late.”
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com