In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Yang Guangming returned to his office, picked up a production report he hadn't finished reading that morning, and tried to focus his attention on the numbers.

Thoughts about Shen Meiyu, like fleeting clouds drifting past the window, lingered briefly in his mind before vanishing without a trace.

He didn't really care much.

As long as he remains steadfast in his stance and clear in his attitude, Shen Meiyu's existence or non-existence makes no difference to him.

His current focus is on his small, warm home in Building 3 of the family compound, and his gentle, quiet, and devoted wife, Lin Jianyue.

Thinking of Jian Yue, a gentle smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.

Her delicate, crescent-shaped eyebrows and eyes, her slender fingers as she straightened his collar, the warm lamp she lit while waiting for him to return home... all of these constituted his real happiness at that moment.

The next few days seemed to return to their previous routine, stable and fulfilling.

In the early morning, he and Lin Jianyue would get up together amidst the rising noise outside the window. Sometimes they would make a simple breakfast in the small kitchen, cooking some white porridge and eating it warmly with pickles; other times they would walk together to the breakfast stall at the entrance of the alley, ordering soy milk and fried dough sticks, eating while watching the bustling street come alive in the morning light.

At noon, he ate at the factory canteen. The aluminum lunchbox contained a large pot of stir-fried dishes cooked by the canteen chef. The taste wasn't particularly good, but the portion was generous.

If he doesn't work overtime in the evening, he goes home on time. Sometimes Lin Jianyue comes home early and has already washed the rice and put it in the pot. He then puts on his apron, takes the spatula, and stir-fries two of his signature dishes.

After dinner, the two would either stroll along the path lined with sycamore trees near the family compound, chatting about their day; or they would stay at home, he reading while she listened to opera or news on the radio, occasionally exchanging a knowing glance, enjoying their simple yet warm world together.

This kind of stable and peaceful life is exactly what he has always longed for.

However, just as Yang Guangming had vaguely anticipated, his "chance encounter" with Shen Meiyu did not end with their brief conversation at the cafeteria entrance last time.

The frequency of these encounters seems to exceed the range of normal probability.

On Wednesday afternoon, he went to another office building in the factory to deliver some materials to the leader.

On the way back, on the stone path connecting the two buildings, I ran into Shen Meiyu again.

She was walking with several other female workers who were also wearing blue overalls and caps. They looked like they had just finished their shift and had a tired look on their faces.

Upon seeing Yang Guangming, Shen Meiyu's steps visibly faltered, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes for a moment. She then whispered something to her companion before quickly walking a few steps to meet him.

"Guangming, are you going to the Party Committee office building?" She had a perfectly measured smile on her face, neither overly enthusiastic nor cold, and her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for the few people who approached to hear her clearly.

"Okay, I'll deliver some materials." Yang Guangming stopped, nodded, and looked at her calmly, as if she were any ordinary colleague in the factory.

The female workers walked past them, their curious gazes sweeping over the two of them. They whispered amongst themselves as they walked away, leaving behind a hint of ambiguous speculation in the air.

"Just got off work?" Yang Guangming asked casually, purely out of basic politeness and to maintain appearances, his voice revealing no emotional fluctuation.

"Yes, I'm on the early shift today." Shen Meiyu raised her hand to smooth the stray hairs on her forehead that were slightly damp with sweat. The movement seemed to carry a subtle, deliberate intention, as if she wanted to show a kind of feminine weakness. "The machines in the workshop are a bit noisy, and cotton fibers are flying everywhere. I'm afraid it will take a few more days to get used to it."

Her tone carried a subtle hint of vulnerability, as if she were seeking understanding and sympathy.

"Yeah, it's like that at first, you get used to it gradually." Yang Guangming's tone was flat, as if stating an objective fact, without any comfort or encouragement. "If there's nothing else, I'll head back now. I still have work to do in the office."

"Okay, then you go ahead with your work." Shen Meiyu quickly stepped aside to make way, her smile freezing slightly.

With a slight nod, Yang Guangming strode away without hesitation, without uttering another word. His back was straight, his steps steady, showing no trace of lingering or hesitation.

Friday noon, the cafeteria was bustling with activity.

After having lunch with several former colleagues from the factory office, Yang Guangming carried his empty lunchbox and walked out with the crowd.

Just as I reached the relatively quiet area near the cafeteria entrance, I caught a glimpse of that familiar figure out of the corner of my eye.

Shen Meiyu stood alone by a cement pillar on one side of the door, holding a lunchbox in her hand, seemingly waiting for someone, but her gaze kept glancing towards the exit.

Seeing Yang Guangming come out with his colleagues, her eyes flickered, as if she had made up her mind, and she took the initiative to walk over, her steps seeming a little hurried.

"Guangming, have you finished eating?" Her greeting was almost identical to the last time, with a deliberately crafted air of familiarity.

"Hmm," Yang Guangming responded, without stopping, but slowing down slightly as a basic courtesy.

The former colleagues who were with her glanced at Shen Meiyu curiously, then looked at Yang Guangming with inquiring eyes.

Yang Guangming's expression remained unchanged, as if he didn't notice the gazes of the group, nor did he seem inclined to stop and introduce himself.

Shen Meiyu seemed a little embarrassed, her cheeks flushed slightly, but she still took a few steps and spoke quickly, as if afraid of missing this opportunity:
"Um... I heard the factory is having night school training next week, and I'd like to sign up. I wonder if the process is complicated?"

She came up with an excuse that seemed reasonable and would likely lead to further conversation.

Yang Guangming slowed his pace, glanced at her businesslike, his gaze lingering without any further lingering:
"Specific matters are handled by the labor union and the publicity department. Detailed notices should be posted on the bulletin board. Just register according to the requirements."

His answer was clear and unambiguous, without any hint of offering additional help or further explanation, directly blocking any potential extension of the conversation.

"Oh, I see. Thank you." A hint of disappointment flashed across Shen Meiyu's face, but she quickly concealed it and put on a polite expression.

"You're welcome." After saying that, Yang Guangming and his colleagues turned and left, leaving Shen Meiyu alone. Their figures quickly merged into the dispersing crowd.

Yang Guangming could feel the gaze following him from behind, filled with a sense of resentment and inquiry, but he did not turn around, not even once.

Xiao Zhao, the new young clerk in the factory office, couldn't keep a secret. He couldn't help but glance back in the direction where Shen Meiyu had disappeared, then leaned close to Yang Guangming and whispered with a hint of youthful gossip: "Section Chief Yang, who is that woman? She looks unfamiliar. Is she from the workshop? It seems like she wanted to talk to you about something?" His tone was more curious than probing.

Yang Guangming remained calm as he continued walking forward, saying in a casual tone, "It's an old classmate I haven't been in touch with for many years. He just returned to the city and was assigned to the workshop, so he's probably not familiar with the factory yet. I just happened to run into him and asked him a few questions."

He spoke calmly, directly positioning Shen Meiyu as an "old classmate" and "new colleague," and emphasized that they hadn't been in contact for many years and that he was just "asking a few questions casually," completely silencing any further inquiries or rumors that Xiao Zhao might have.

Xiao Zhao gave an "Oh" and drew out the tone. Seeing that Yang Mingming seemed to take it for granted and didn't want to talk about it, Xiao Zhao wisely stopped asking questions and started talking about the afternoon's work arrangements.

Despite the numerous chance encounters, Yang Guangming's heart remained as clear as a mirror.

The Hongxing State-owned Cotton Mill covers a vast area and employs several thousand people. Although there is business interaction between the office building area and the workshop area, it is impossible for two people from different departments and whose work does not directly overlap to "coincidentally" meet so frequently in different locations within a few days unless it is deliberately arranged.

The probability of this chance encounter is so high that it's hard to believe it's just a coincidence.

He could vaguely guess Shen Meiyu's purpose.

Returning to the city for the first time means entering a completely unfamiliar new environment, and financially, one may face difficulties due to various family reasons.

Her attempt to approach this "old acquaintance," who was financially well-off and held a certain status, was nothing more than an attempt to find some support or assistance in her isolation and helplessness. Perhaps there was even a faint glimmer of hope that she could salvage some of the "old friendship" that had long since vanished, and find a convenient foothold for her new life in the city.

But Yang Guangming had made up his mind and kept clear boundaries.

As long as she doesn't explicitly state her intentions or cross any boundaries, he will treat it as a chance encounter between ordinary classmates, maintaining basic politeness and the distance between colleagues. He will not hesitate to avoid and refuse any hints or requests that go beyond that.

He is now a married man with a beloved wife and a family that needs careful management and care.

Maintaining a clear boundary with Shen Meiyu, an "old classmate" with an unpleasant past and clearly ulterior motives, is a sign of respect for Lin Jianyue and a responsibility to one's own marriage and current happiness.

He could not allow any potential risks to disrupt his hard-won peaceful life.

He believed that as long as he remained clear in his attitude, consistent in his words and deeds, and unmoved, Shen Meiyu would naturally understand his resoluteness and estrangement after encountering a few setbacks, thus recognizing reality and dispelling those unrealistic ideas.

Time will teach her to be independent in new environments, rather than trying to depend on or cling to others.

Two or three days passed, during which time I "bumped into" Shen Meiyu again on the main road of the factory area.

At that time, she was pushing a small cart for transporting materials, while Yang Guangming was going to the workshop to find out about the situation.

The two saw from afar that Shen Meiyu seemed to want to stop and talk, but Yang Guangming simply nodded from a distance as a greeting, and then walked past her without stopping, heading straight for his destination.

Shen Meiyu's smile became somewhat forced, and the expectation in her eyes faded, turning into a dimness. She no longer tried to find topics to talk about, but just silently watched his back as he walked away.

Yang Guangming thought that things would probably just calm down gradually.

Shen Meiyu will gradually come to terms with reality, devote her energy to her new job and adapting to life, and stop bothering him.

He optimistically estimated that these deliberate "chance encounters" would soon disappear completely.

However, he underestimated Shen Meiyu's ability to "create" topics and attract attention.

He originally thought that Shen Meiyu's purpose in repeatedly encountering him was not yet clearly revealed, and that it would gradually fade away as she adapted to her new environment, eventually ending without any real cause.

Unexpectedly, before Shen Meiyu could find a suitable opportunity to ask him for help, she herself became the talk of the town throughout the factory in an unexpected and sensational way.

This incident has thrust her into the center of public opinion and temporarily halted any potential follow-up actions she might take against Yang Guangming.

It was Wednesday noon. Yang Guangming had finished lunch in the cafeteria and returned to his office.

He picked up the thermos and brewed himself a cup of fragrant oolong tea. The tea leaves unfurled in the boiling water, releasing a refreshing aroma.

Then, he picked up the day's Liberation Daily from the table, intending to use this rare lunch break to read the newspaper, relax, and learn about major domestic and international events.

I had just opened the newspaper and read a few lines of the editorial on economic development when the office door was rudely pushed open, bringing with it a slight breeze that ruffled the documents on the corner of the desk.

Yang Guangming looked up and saw Chu Dahu rushing in, his face showing a complex mix of surprise, excitement, and "I knew it" expression. There were even fine beads of sweat on his forehead, indicating that he had come quickly.

"Guangming! You're really patient!" Chu Dahu slammed the door shut, strode over to Guangming's desk, and, hands on the edge, whispered, but the excitement in his voice was barely contained, bursting forth like boiling water, "Have you heard? Something big has happened! It's about Shen Meiyu! Your ex..."

He stopped himself from speaking just in time, but the meaning was already crystal clear.

Yang Guangming put down his newspaper, looked at him calmly, nodded, and said in a serene tone:
“I met her a long time ago. She went back to the city and is working in the spinning workshop. I ran into her at the canteen entrance a week ago.”

His reaction was too bland, as if he were talking about something trivial that had nothing to do with him and that he already knew. This surprised and dissatisfied Chu Dahu, who was eager to share explosive news, as if he had punched cotton.

"Do you know why she was able to return to the city? And get a job at our factory?" Chu Dahu leaned closer, his eyes wide, his voice even lower, as if sharing a secret. "There's a story behind this! It's explosive! Like a theatrical performance!"

Yang Guangming frowned slightly.

He was indeed curious about how Shen Meiyu obtained this spot, but it was only the kind of curiosity that ordinary people have when they hear about extraordinary events.

He solemnly declared again, his tone clear and firm: "Dahu, Shen Meiyu and I had already made things clear and completely ended long before she went to the countryside."

We're just ordinary classmates now, not even friends.

I don't care about her affairs, and they have nothing to do with me.

He had to reiterate his position to this childhood friend with whom he knew him well, to prevent any unnecessary speculation.

Chu Dahu, Yang Guangming's childhood friend and classmate in junior and senior high school, knows all about Yang Guangming and Shen Meiyu's not-so-long past.

He never thought highly of Shen Meiyu back then, always feeling that this girl was too shrewd, calculating, and lacked sincerity in her interactions with others; she wasn't someone who would settle down and live a down-to-earth life.

Later, when Chu Dahu learned that Yang Guangming had finally broken up with her, he was secretly relieved for his friend, feeling that Yang Guangming had finally seen the error of his ways and hadn't hung himself on that crooked tree that he thought was not very reliable.

At this moment, seeing Yang Guangming's eagerness to distance himself and his reluctance to talk further, he not only didn't feel disappointed, but it also confirmed his initial opinion, and he was even a little gratified that his friend was now so clear-headed.

He chuckled, a hint of smugness in his voice, and plopped down on the wooden chair next to him, which groaned softly.

He adopted a stance that said, "Even if you don't listen, I have to tell you, otherwise I'll feel suffocated."

"I know you don't care, but I still have to tell you! Otherwise, I'll feel really uneasy! This matter has spread throughout the factory, and you'll find out the details sooner or later!"

Chu Dahu habitually slapped his thigh and continued, "You didn't see the show at the factory gate this morning! It was more exciting than a play! You should have gone to see it too!"

Seeing his intense desire to share, Yang Guangming knew that if he didn't let him finish this "melon" today, he would never leave so easily.

So he picked up his teacup, blew away the foam, took a sip of the warm tea, leaned back in his chair, and adopted a slightly helpless but attentive posture, asking cooperatively:
"Oh? What's the show? Is it related to your shift today?"

He gave Chu Dahu a smooth way to get into the conversation.

Seeing that Yang Mingming had finally "got the hang of it," Chu Dahu immediately perked up, his eyes shining, and began to tell the story vividly:

"That's right! This morning, I happened to be on duty at the factory gate guardhouse."

Around nine o'clock, a middle-aged couple came in. They looked like ordinary workers, wearing faded work jackets. They didn't look well, especially the woman, whose eyes were red and swollen, as if she had been crying for a long time, and her hair was also a bit messy.

They found the gatekeeper and said they needed to see Shen Meiyu urgently.

According to regulations, employees are generally not allowed to enter the factory to visit people unless they are immediate family members or on official business during working hours, so as not to affect production.

But seeing how anxious they were and how off they seemed, the security guard, Old Zhang, asked me to make a decision.

I figured I was looking for Shen Meiyu, who was a classmate I knew, and I didn't want her to be delayed by something urgent, so I called the spinning workshop.

Chu Dahu paused for a moment before continuing, "When Shen Meiyu came out and saw the couple, her face changed instantly, turning deathly pale, and she almost dropped the cotton gloves she was holding."

However, she quickly regained her composure, took a deep breath, and went over to talk to them.

At first, the voice was not loud, and we couldn't hear what they were saying. We could only see Shen Meiyu forcing a smile on her face, as if she was explaining something.

Before long, the middle-aged woman suddenly became agitated, her voice rising sharply and trembling with tears. She pointed at Shen Meiyu's nose and hurled insults like "vixen," "heartless," "deceived my son," and "black-hearted," and even tried to rush over and hit Shen Meiyu!

As Chu Dahu spoke, his tone was tinged with complex emotions, a mixture of sympathy for Shen Meiyu's situation and, more importantly, a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of deep emotion or reflection) about this farce:
"Shen Meiyu didn't fight back, she just turned pale and hid behind, her eyes were panicked, she looked quite pitiful."

You know, as the person on duty, I can't just stand by and watch her get beaten up by outsiders at the factory gate. What would that look like? It would also have a bad influence on the factory if word got out.

I and two other colleagues from the security department quickly went over and separated them.

As soon as we approached, the middle-aged woman, as if she had found someone to reason with, immediately turned her anger towards us, bursting into tears and wailing loudly, attracting the attention of some passing workers who gathered around to watch the spectacle.

Upon hearing this, Yang Guangming twirled his teacup, already understanding the situation somewhat.

The plot is not hard to guess.

He asked calmly, his tone still composed: "Shen Meiyu is still the same as always. Could she have deceived another young man who is devoted to her?"

"Hey! You guessed right!" Chu Dahu slapped his thigh. "The person he deceived this time is named Tian Yonggang, a fellow educated youth who went to the countryside with him. The middle-aged couple who came to find him are Tian Yonggang's parents, honest and unassuming workers from the Chengbei Machinery Factory, who seem quite decent."

He continued, speaking faster and with the excitement of a climax: "Tian Yonggang's mother cried and accused Shen Meiyu of ruining their family!"
The elderly couple went to great lengths and pulled a lot of strings to finally get their son a job offer to return to the city! It's one of the factory's expanded recruitment quotas this year!
And what happened? They were too busy with work to leave, so they let their son handle the procedures himself.

What seemed like a sure thing, a sure thing, turned out to be that Tian Yonggang was bewitched by Shen Meiyu and secretly transferred this precious spot, which so many people were fighting tooth and nail for, to Shen Meiyu!

After all the formalities were completed and Shen Meiyu had been working at the factory for several days, the elderly couple only found out the truth from someone else! Can you believe it? Who could stand that?

Chu Dahu spread his hands, looking indignant on behalf of Tian's parents.

Yang Guangming nodded slightly, indicating his understanding.

In those days, a regular job at a state-owned factory, especially one that allowed people to escape rural life and return to the city, was invaluable and beyond monetary worth. It was a coveted opportunity for countless families, a chance to change their entire lives.

It is truly unbelievable that Tian Yonggang could transfer the property so easily and without his parents' knowledge. No wonder his parents were so angry and heartbroken, feeling as if the sky had fallen.

This is tantamount to having the family's hope for the future stolen!

The elderly couple knew that what was done was done and the job quota was gone, since their personnel files had already been transferred.

As a last resort, they pressured Shen Meiyu to immediately go and get a marriage certificate with their son, Tian Yonggang.

Chu Dahu almost spat out his saliva. "Their thinking is simple and practical. As long as they get the marriage certificate and the job goes to their daughter-in-law, at least the good stuff won't go to outsiders, and they'll be family."

"We'll figure out a solution later when my son returns to the city. At least in the future, when he has grandchildren, their household registration can be transferred to the city with their mother. That will be something to look forward to and a form of security."

Yang Guangming objectively commented: "From the perspective of Tian's parents, this request sounds reasonable and is the only remedy they have had out of desperation."

He could understand the feeling of trying to grasp at the last straw after all hope has been dashed.

"Yes! Anyone would think the same way!" Chu Dahu's voice rose a little higher, filled with indignation. "But Shen Meiyu wouldn't have it! At first, she tried to fool them, to dodge the question, saying that the two of them were still young and there was no rush to get a marriage certificate. Right now, they needed to focus on their revolutionary work and actively seek progress, and they would talk about it in a few years when things had stabilized. She made it sound so high-sounding."

Upon hearing this, Tian Yonggang's parents were even more furious. Wasn't this a clear case of deceiving their son, intending to discard him after he had served his purpose?

It exploded right then and there!
They insisted that Shen Meiyu give them a definite answer immediately, that she must agree to get the marriage certificate today, or they would report her to the factory leaders, saying that Shen Meiyu was morally corrupt, deceived young people's feelings, and used improper means to obtain a job, and that she didn't deserve to be a member of the working class! They were going to sue her!

Seeing that things were about to escalate, and more and more workers were gathering around, pointing and whispering, Shen Meiyu knew she couldn't fool them anymore. If she didn't clarify things, her reputation in the factory would be completely ruined.

Chu Dahu curled his lips, seemingly disdainful and contemptuous of Shen Meiyu's subsequent behavior. "When she saw our security personnel surrounding her, she was afraid that things would really get out of hand with the factory leaders, so she immediately changed her tune, pretending to be aggrieved, her eyes reddening, and began to tell her so-called 'truth' in a tearful voice."

"What did she say?" Yang Guangming asked.

Although he could guess the general direction—it was nothing more than shirking responsibility—Shen Meiyu's specific explanation still piqued his interest.

Shen Meiyu said that she and Tian Yonggang had never officially started dating!
Tian Yonggang had been pursuing her relentlessly, but she had never given him a clear answer!

"It's just that we shouldn't make things too tense!"

Chu Dahu mimicked Shen Meiyu's feigned grievance and trembling tone, which sounded somewhat comical, "She even said that this time, Tian Yonggang himself took the initiative and repeatedly insisted on giving up the spot to her."

They said he, a man, could manage in the countryside, but she, a girl, was physically weak and couldn't handle it. Tian Yonggang is a real man; there will be other opportunities in the future.

She initially disagreed, feeling that she shouldn't take such a big advantage, but Tian Yonggang said that his family didn't really support him going to the textile factory, and he himself didn't like working in the textile factory, finding it boring and not wanting the job opportunity, but also felt it was a pity to waste the opportunity.

After Shen Meiyu found out the truth, she reluctantly and with a guilty conscience accepted the offer, feeling extremely grateful for Tian Yonggang's selfless help!
That sounds so real!

Yang Guangming's lips curled into a barely perceptible, cold smile.

This line of reasoning is entirely in line with Shen Meiyu's consistent style. She is adept at using ambiguity to portray herself as passive, innocent, or even forced to accept goodwill, thus shifting all the key responsibility onto the other party and absolving herself of any responsibility.

Tian Yonggang is currently far away in the countryside and probably has no way to defend himself. Even if he does, his defense would be weak and powerless in the face of Shen Meiyu's performance and the established facts.

When Tian Yonggang's parents heard this, they almost fainted on the spot!

His hand trembled as he pointed at Shen Meiyu, and he immediately demanded that she return the job, saying that the position wasn't for someone like her.

Chu Dahu imitated the way Tian's father was so angry he couldn't speak.

"At this point, Shen Meiyu acted quite 'understanding' and 'thoughtful,' saying that the staff had reminded her and confirmed repeatedly that once the procedures were completed and the file was in place, it could not be transferred back, as the policy did not allow it."

She offered financial compensation, essentially buying the spot, and asked the elderly couple to name a price. She said she didn't have the money now, but could deduct it from her monthly salary over several years, promising to pay it off in cash. She wanted to settle the matter with money.

"Isn't this just being a scoundrel!" Chu Dahu concluded, his voice agitated. "A chance to return to the city for work, a secure job, and a city residency permit—can these be bought for a few hundred yuan? These things are priceless! Of course, the old couple wouldn't stand for it. They kept arguing, saying they didn't want money, they wanted either their jobs back or to get married immediately. There was no third option."

"And then what? Did the union step in to mediate?" Yang Guangming asked.

When such a dispute involving the ethics and vital interests of employees occurs at the factory gate, it is inevitable that the labor union and factory leaders will be alerted. The security department can only maintain order and cannot make a ruling.

"Yes, things got really heated later, and a leader from the union came and invited them all to the union office for negotiations. We also helped disperse the workers who were watching." Chu Dahu nodded. "I don't know the specifics of how they talked inside, or what the heated debate went like, because the door was closed. But before I came to find you just now, I heard some news. There's a result, an agreement reached between the union and the labor relations department."

"What was the result?" Yang Guangming pressed.

"The union's decision was that Shen Meiyu would give Tian Yonggang's family a one-time compensation of 800 yuan."

Five hundred will be paid within one month, and the remaining three hundred will be paid within one year. That will settle the matter. The Tian family can no longer harass Shen Meiyu's work and life with this matter, and Shen Meiyu will have no further dealings with the Tian family.

Chu Dahu's tone was clearly indignant, "If you ask me, this outcome still favors Shen Meiyu."

Eight hundred yuan? It's a huge sum now, many workers can't even save a hundred yuan a year, but to buy a spot to go back to the city and work in our factory? No way!
Shen Meiyu got a huge bargain! It's like she bought her future with just that little money!

Sunlight shone silently as fingers tapped unconsciously on the table.

Indeed, this outcome seems to have come at a huge economic cost for Shen Meiyu, who will have to live frugally to pay off her debts for a long time to come. But in reality, she has exchanged a relatively low cost for a secure job and urban residency that countless people dream of, a job that can completely change their destiny.

In this process, Shen Meiyu's scheming, performance, and feigned weakness, as well as her possible exploitation of certain policy ambiguities and the mediator's sympathy, likely played a key role.

Of course, Shen Meiyu was already a worker in the factory, and the union leaders were somewhat biased towards her, which was also the union's consistent working style.

As for the elderly couple, they will probably have no choice but to swallow their pride and accept this helpless reality.

After all, the procedures were legal from a procedural standpoint, and the son signed the document "voluntarily" in black and white. Continuing to make trouble would not bring any real benefits to the Tian family, who have already lost their spot. On the contrary, it might make things more tense, and they might not even get this little bit of compensation.

"Alright, you've shared your gossip. Go do what you need to do now." Yang Guangming began to dismiss him. He needed time to process the information and consider its potential impact on him. "I still need to read the newspaper for a while. I have a production scheduling meeting to prepare for this afternoon."

Chu Dahu stood up contentedly, chuckling with a hint of relief after sharing the excitement: "I knew you'd react like this. Alright, I won't disturb your rest and work, Section Chief Yang."

However, after this incident, Shen Meiyu is now completely famous in the factory. She's now known as "Shen Meiyu who tricked her boyfriend into giving her a spot to return to the city."

"From now on, I'll inevitably be pointed at and talked about behind my back at the factory; life won't be easy."

His tone carried a hint of schadenfreude, as well as a subtle, almost imperceptible, sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both regret and reflection).

Yang Guangming gave a noncommittal "hmm".

This is the path Shen Meiyu chose herself. Whether it was due to the hardships in the countryside, her strong desire to return to the city, or other calculations, she naturally has to bear the consequences herself.

In the adult world, every major choice comes with a corresponding price.

After Chu Dahu left, the office fell silent again.

Yang Guangming, however, found it difficult to focus on the printed words in the newspaper. He folded the newspaper and placed it aside, leaned back in his chair, and gazed at the azure sky and the distant silhouettes of tall factory buildings outside the window. His fingers unconsciously tapped lightly on the smooth tabletop, producing a rhythmic sound.

Although Shen Meiyu's actions solved her job problem and her status as a resident returning to the city, they also put her in the spotlight, leaving an indelible stain on her moral character and saddled her with a huge debt of eight hundred yuan.

In an era when the average worker earned only thirty or forty yuan a month, these debts were undoubtedly a heavy burden.

Based on his understanding of Shen Meiyu's family situation, he knew that her family would probably have little money to support her. After this incident, he knew that her job was not obtained in a respectable way, and he was afraid that not many of her relatives and friends would be willing to lend her money.

Therefore, Shen Meiyu's frequent and deliberate attempts to get close to him were obviously aimed at borrowing money or seeking other forms of assistance, such as getting a less demanding job through his connections.

She saw her "old classmate," who was doing quite well at the factory and with whom she had a past relationship, as a potential lifeline.

Yang Guangming was almost certain that, given Shen Meiyu's current desperate situation and her unwillingness to give up easily, she would probably come looking for him soon.

The initial 500 yuan of the 800 yuan was like a death warrant, driving her to desperately seek any possible source of funding.

He originally thought that, given Shen Meiyu's past personality, she might try to find a better, more natural opportunity or create some other excuse.

Unexpectedly, Shen Meiyu's eagerness exceeded his expectations.

Less than two hours after Chu Dahu came to tip him off, around four o'clock in the afternoon, the black rotary dial telephone on his desk suddenly rang.

Yang Guangming put down his pen, reached for the microphone, and held it to his ear: "Hello, who is this?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, with only the sound of soft breathing. Then a deliberately soft female voice, tinged with timidity and hesitation, came through, as if she had mustered her courage: "Guangming... it's me, Shen Meiyu."

The sound was somewhat distorted by the electric current, but the deliberately created sense of fragility remained clear.

Yang Guangming's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and his tone instantly became businesslike, carrying a clear sense of distance and indifference: "Comrade Shen Meiyu, is there something you need?"

He deliberately emphasized the word "comrade," the implication of drawing a clear line was self-evident.

Upon hearing the cold and formal title "comrade," Shen Meiyu on the other end of the phone seemed to choke, her breath catching in her throat, before continuing in a voice tinged with a pleading tone:

"I...I need your help with something. Could we...find a place to talk after get off work? Just for a little while."

She tried to make her tone sound relaxed and natural, but her urgency and anxiety still betrayed her.

Without any hesitation, and without even waiting for her to finish speaking, Yang Guangming refused directly, his tone firm and leaving no room for negotiation:
"It's inconvenient. Comrade Shen Meiyu, I am now married and need to avoid suspicion. It's not convenient for me to meet or contact any female comrades who are not relatives in private."

We're just ordinary classmates. Considering the potential impact, it's best to minimize unnecessary contact in the future.

His words were clear and unambiguous, leaving no room for ambiguity.

He paused, giving Shen Meiyu no chance to explain, argue, or change the subject, and with a decisive air of ending the conversation, spoke even faster:
"If it's a work-related matter at the factory, please follow the normal procedures and contact the appropriate department."

If it's a private matter, I don't think there's anything between us that needs to be discussed privately. I hope you understand my attitude and stance. That's all.

After saying that, without waiting for Shen Meiyu to react on the other end of the phone—whether to be shocked, to cry, or to plead further—he hung up the phone decisively and almost without hesitation.

The microphone made a crisp "click" sound when it was put back on the landline, completely cutting off the connection on the other end.

Yang Guangming's expression remained calm and normal, as if he had just handled a very ordinary official matter.

He felt no turmoil, neither guilt nor sympathy.

He knew that such troublesome entanglements had to be cut off in the clearest terms at the outset. Any hesitation or ambiguity could be misinterpreted by the other party as an opportunity, thus leading to more unnecessary trouble.

Although he had decisively refused and made it clear that he was drawing a line, Yang Guangming knew that given Shen Meiyu's current predicament and her tenacity or even shamelessness in not giving up until she got what she wanted, she would likely try to find a way to come to him again.

For example, they could block him at the office door, or pass on a message through other classmates, or even... try to contact Lin Jianyue?
Thinking this, his eyes sharpened even more. This was something he absolutely could not allow to happen!
He didn't want these pointless and annoying entanglements to affect his peaceful and happy life, and he didn't want to cause any unnecessary misunderstandings with Lin Jianyue.

Seeing the moon is his bottom line; he must keep any potential risks out of her world.

We must find a way to resolve this potential problem as soon as possible.

Yang Guangming leaned back in his chair, his fingers interlaced, lost in brief thought.

A moment later, an idea gradually became clear in his mind.

Under the current circumstances, there's no need to take things too far; things haven't reached that point yet. He decided to resolve the issue in a more moderate way.

After a moment's thought, he picked up the internal phone again and skillfully dialed the number for the security department's duty room.

"Hello, this is the security office." A young voice rang out.

"I'll look for Chu Dahu," Yang Guangming said.

"Wait a minute... Da Hu! It's Section Chief Yang from the factory office on the phone!" came the shout from the other end.

Soon, Chu Dahu's familiar loud voice rang out on the other end of the phone, sounding a bit puzzled: "Guangming? What's wrong again? Are there any details you haven't clarified?"

"Da Hu, come to my office. I need to talk to you about something," Yang Guangming said calmly.

"Now? Okay, I'll be right there, you wait." Chu Dahu sensed the seriousness in his tone, didn't ask any more questions, and readily agreed.

A few minutes later, the office door was pushed open again, and Chu Dahu slipped in, closing the door behind him: "What's up, Guangming? Why are you being so mysterious? Any other instructions?"

Yang Guangming gestured for him to sit in the chair he had just been sitting in, then sat up straight himself and got straight to the point without any small talk: "Dahu, Shen Meiyu just called me."

Chu Dahu's eyes widened, and his voice involuntarily rose: "What? She's looking for you? What does she want? Does she want to borrow money?" He reacted quickly and immediately grasped the crux of the matter.

Yang Guangming nodded, his expression serious: "Although she didn't say it explicitly, only that she wanted to talk privately, I guessed it was true. I refused directly and clearly told her not to contact me privately in the future, clearly drawing a line between us."

"Well done! That's how it should be! Hesitation only leads to more trouble! Once you get involved in this kind of trouble, you can't get rid of it! You did the right thing!" Chu Dahu gave a thumbs up and expressed his agreement repeatedly.

"However, I don't think she'll give up."

Yang Guangming calmly analyzed, "Her current situation is extremely urgent; she desperately needs money."

The initial five hundred yuan was no small sum. She estimated that her family couldn't raise much, and the places where she could borrow money were also limited.

Those of us who are her "old classmates," especially those with good prospects, are very likely to become her next targets.

At this point, Yang Guangming paused, opened the drawer of his desk, took out a thick kraft paper envelope that he had prepared beforehand, and pushed it onto the table in front of Chu Dahu.

"Here is two hundred yuan. I prepared it in advance."

Chu Dahu was stunned. He looked at the envelope, then at Yang Guangming, his face full of confusion and bewilderment: "Guangming, what is this...? If you don't want to get involved with her, why are you giving her money? Isn't that a contradiction? And why is it given to me?" He couldn't understand Yang Guangming's intentions at all.

Yang Guangming looked at Chu Dahu and slowly revealed his plan: "Based on my understanding of Shen Meiyu's style, she's likely to ask you for money after she's run into a snag with me."

She knows we're childhood friends, the closest of buddies. If I can't get through to her, you're the most likely target. You and she are classmates, and now you work in the same factory. If she really asks you for money…”

He leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and clearly instructed: "You should show her that you are doing what you can, but only reluctantly, and out of consideration for our long-time classmates, you should lend her one hundred yuan."

You need to make her feel that this hundred yuan was earned by Chu Dahu through frugality and hard work, and that it wasn't easy for him.

Then, pointing to the remaining money in the envelope, he said, "Yan Jun is definitely also one of her targets for borrowing money. You should talk to Yan Jun in advance and ask him to 'lend' Shen Meiyu a hundred yuan as well."

Chu Dahu was even more confused, his brows furrowing into knots: "Huh? Why go through all this trouble, and drag Yan Jun into it? If you don't want to get involved with her, why are you secretly helping her, and going through all this trouble?" He simply couldn't understand this roundabout strategy.

Yang Guangming sighed and patiently explained, "Da Hu, listen to me. I'm not helping her; I just want some peace and quiet."

This amount of money isn't a large sum for me, but it's well worth it to completely get rid of any potential harassment from her.

He paused, then continued to explain his considerations in detail: "Think about it, Shen Meiyu's most urgent need right now is the first installment of five hundred yuan."

This is very important to her!

She can scrape together some money from her own family, borrow two hundred from you, and maybe even scrape together some from other sources or get an advance on her wages from the union. That should be enough to barely cover the initial five hundred yuan.

Once she gets past this most urgent hurdle, the one most likely to drive her to desperation, the subsequent monthly deductions from her salary to slowly pay off the debt won't be so pressing for her.

Having solved the biggest problem at hand, and without giving her any chance, she naturally won't bother me anymore.

It's not a critical juncture; after all, she has her pride too.

Chu Dahu carefully considered Yang Guangming's words, and the confusion on his face disappeared, replaced by sudden realization. He couldn't help but slap his thigh:
"By bypassing you, we've completely extricated you from the situation using my name and Yan Jun's name!"

She solved the biggest problem right now, so you don't have to resort to desperate measures to harass you anymore. She also prevented herself from having a reason to continue bothering you in the future. You've thought of everything!

"That's pretty much what it means."

Yang Guangming nodded, satisfied with Chu Dahu's comprehension. "Remember, your acting must be convincing. When lending money, you need to be careful with your attitude."

You can't be too generous, making her think you have plenty of money and can come back again; nor can you be too cold and harsh, since you still have a superficial friendship, so you have to act reasonably.

You need to make her genuinely feel that this hundred yuan was something Chu Dahu painstakingly scraped together out of consideration for your longtime friendship, and that it might have affected your own family's life. The same goes for Yan Jun.

Chu Dahu patted his chest and confidently assured her, "Don't worry, I'm good at acting! I guarantee it'll be just like the real thing! I'll make her feel guilty for holding that hundred yuan, and she won't have the face to ask for it a second time! Leave this task to me, I guarantee I'll complete it flawlessly!"

He picked up the envelope on the table, weighed it in his hand, felt its heavy weight, and smiled, "I reckon she'll be looking for me in the next day or two. If she does come looking for me, I'll do as you said."

After seeing Chu Dahu off, Yang Guangming sat quietly alone in his office for a while.

After dealing with this matter, he felt much relieved.

He believed that after this incident and his clear and resolute attitude, Shen Meiyu should be able to fully understand his position and determination.

The best they could be is to become the most ordinary "colleagues" and "old classmates" among the thousands of employees of the Hongxing State-owned Cotton Mill, who would only nod and greet each other occasionally, or even ignore each other.

Apart from that, there should be no further interaction.

His life, his happiness, and his future all revolve around the woman named Lin Jianyue and their small, warm home in the Red Star Factory residential compound.

He would eliminate any element that tried to disturb this peace without hesitation.

This was his responsibility, and also his choice. (End of Chapter)