Volume One, Chapter 16: Is She Not at Home Because She's Having an Affair with Another Man?

It seemed she still hadn’t taken his words to heart.

What a joke—could a mere house really hold him back?

In the blink of an eye, with effortless ease, Song Chuanhe entered the room where Jiang Weiyue was supposed to be.

His vision was exceptional; even in pitch darkness, his sharp eyes could see clearly.

When he saw that Jiang Weiyue’s bed was empty, the bedding gone, his brow furrowed deeply and his expression darkened.

Where had she gone?

Why wasn’t she at home?

Not only was she absent, but Jiang Weiyi was also missing.

From what he had investigated, Jiang Weiyue often stayed at her family home because it was inconvenient to make breakfast in the staff quarters.

Could it be that today she had returned to stay there?

Failing to find the person he sought, Song Chuanhe felt a tightening in his chest.

The pain of being abandoned and betrayed by Jiang Weiyue all those years ago surged up again.

The next day.

Troubled in his heart, Song Chuanhe rose early and went to the factory.

He had thought he might meet Jiang Weiyue at the factory gate.

After all, by this time, her breakfast stall would have already opened.

But to his surprise, he waited for ten minutes at the gate until half past eight, and Jiang Weiyue never showed up.

Just as he was about to return to the director’s office to attend to work, a voice called out.

“Brother Chuanhe, Brother Chuanhe, I’ve been waiting for you in the director’s office for a long time. You never appeared. So you’re here after all.”

Song Chuanhe glanced at Jiang Weili coolly and said without warmth, “Is there something you need?”

“Brother Chuanhe, I made breakfast for you.”

“Thanks, I’ve already eaten. You keep it for yourself.”

With that, Song Chuanhe turned and left without a second thought.

Seeing him refuse her breakfast and wanting no further conversation, Jiang Weili grew anxious.

“Brother Chuanhe, don’t go. I have something to tell you—it’s about Sister. Don’t you want to hear it?”

She was gambling that Song Chuanhe still cared about Jiang Weiyue’s affairs.

Sure enough, after she said this, the man stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her.

Jiang Weili felt both happy and sad at that moment.

Happy because Song Chuanhe finally paused and was willing to listen.

Sad because she couldn’t hold onto him—after all, it was still that wretched Jiang Weiyue who had his heart.

She dared not dwell on it: could it be that Song Chuanhe still cared for that wretched woman?

Otherwise, why would he appear at Jiang Weiyue’s breakfast stall at this hour?

“Brother Chuanhe, my eldest sister is about to get engaged in a few days. She’s very satisfied with the man, and she likes him a lot.”

“What did you say?”

“I said my eldest sister is about to get engaged. The groom’s family will visit soon. If you have time, you could come by to receive some wedding candy and witness the celebration.”

Jiang Weiyue—how dare she?

His revenge was far from over. How could she dare to seek another man?

“Where is she now? Why isn’t she at the stall today?”

“I don’t know where she is. Maybe… maybe she’s with her fiancé. I really don’t know… Brother Chuanhe…”

Before Jiang Weili could finish speaking, Song Chuanhe strode away with long strides.

Jiang Weili stomped her foot angrily in place.

Now she understood clearly—Song Chuanhe’s heart still belonged to that wretched Jiang Weiyue!

Otherwise, why would he care so much when she mentioned Jiang Weiyue’s engagement?

As the saying goes, love is caring; only when love fades does indifference follow.

But even if Brother Chuanhe still cared for Jiang Weiyue, what difference would it make?

With her knowledge from a past life, she would only deepen the rift between Jiang Weiyue and Song Chuanhe.

Qin Mu had been waiting for Song Chuanhe in the director’s office for some time.

Finally seeing Song Chuanhe enter with a dark expression, Qin Mu was surprised.

Even after knowing Song Chuanhe for several years, this was the first time he had seen the usually expressionless man look so grim.

It was almost as if his wife had been caught cheating by Brother Chuanhe himself.

“Brother Chuanhe, what’s wrong so early in the morning?”

Song Chuanhe took a deep breath and remained silent.

Seeing this, Qin Mu persisted, unbothered, “Brother Chuanhe, who made you angry? Tell me, I’ll go beat them up. Anyone who dares to mess with my Brother Chuanhe must want to die.”

After saying this, Qin Mu realized something.

In this world, only Jiang Weiyue could make Brother Chuanhe angry.

After all, few people could stir his emotions.

Jiang Weiyue was unique.

“Brother Chuanhe, tell me honestly—is it Jiang Weiyue who’s upset you again?”

“Go check where she went yesterday.”

Qin Mu hesitated, then said instinctively, “Brother Chuanhe, do you… suspect that woman is cheating on you?”

Song Chuanhe’s eyes, sharp as ice blades, shot a cold glare at Qin Mu.

Startled by the piercing look, Qin Mu immediately shut his mouth.

“I’ll make sure to complete the task.”

——

On her first day making breakfast at the school’s bun shop, Jiang Weiyue adapted quite well.

By the time she finished and tidied up, it was already past ten.

She planned to visit the steel factory’s staff quarters to look for Wang Lan.

Boss Gao smiled broadly when he saw Jiang Weiyue’s chubby face brimming with suppressed joy.

“Comrade Jiang, should we settle your bun money monthly or daily?”

“Boss Gao, I’m fine with either. But if it’s monthly, I might ask you to advance some money to buy ingredients.”

“That’s fine, either way works. Monthly is more convenient; daily means counting every day.”

“But we keep track of how many buns you sell each day, so you can rest assured.”

“And with Teacher Chen around, I wouldn’t dare to cheat you,” Boss Gao joked, making Jiang Weiyue smile.

“Comrade Jiang, I’m not joking. Teacher Chen is the son of the school principal, interning here with a bright future.”

“You must seize this opportunity. I treat you like family, so I’m telling you this.”

“I know you’re different from those other girls—you’re hardworking. But back then, being hardworking only earned empty praise; you got no real benefit.”

“Look at you, working so hard for so little each month. You’re so pretty—if you married Teacher Chen, you’d never have to worry about food or drink.”

“Not only that, Teacher Chen’s mother isn’t simple either. She runs a business in the capital and is very wealthy.”

Hearing this, Jiang Weiyue was surprised but quickly thought it normal.

From the first moment she met Teacher Chen, she sensed something extraordinary about him.

His every gesture was effortless, radiating nobility.

Now it seemed her intuition was right.

But none of this pertained to her.

No matter the era, Cinderella and the prince were impossible. Even if it happened, their relationship would never be equal.

Especially not in the early 1980s, just after the reform and opening up.

Back then, social status mattered. If the groom had a good job, he would expect the bride to have a respectable one too.

So with someone like Teacher Chen, she dared only to admire from afar, never to entertain fantasies.

Besides, Teacher Chen had helped her greatly when Song Chuanhe had pushed her into a corner.

“Boss Gao, you misunderstand. Teacher Chen and I are just ordinary friends. Please don’t say such things again. I don’t mind, but I worry it might harm Teacher Chen’s reputation or cause trouble for him.”

“Girl, I’ve worked in the canteen for years. I’ve seen all kinds of people and incidents. Teacher Chen is definitely interested in you.”

“Besides, Teacher Chen isn’t an outgoing type. If there were many breakfast vendors in Sansui County, why would he only recommend you to sell breakfast here and not others?”

“Of course, maybe your buns are just really good. But from what I know of Teacher Chen, he definitely likes you.”

“Boss Gao, you really have it wrong. I have to go now.”

Before Boss Gao could say more, Jiang Weiyue had already left.

Boss Gao then said to the aunties helping in the kitchen, “You guys tell me if I’m right. Teacher Chen always seems polite but distant.”

“I’ve known him a long time and have never seen him help anyone like this.”

“Boss, you’re right, but Comrade Jiang looks good at least. She probably isn’t suitable for Teacher Chen, right?”

“Sister Li, you don’t know. Looks are capital. Many women abroad marry into wealthy families just because of their pretty faces.”

“And these women often had less-than-reputable pasts. What’s wrong with Comrade Jiang? She’s not only pretty but cooks well and has a gentle temperament. A good wife and mother.”

“Talking is useless. Can the principal and his wife accept her? If I were the principal’s wife, I’d want my son to marry a girl with a steady job.”

“Tch, Sister Li, you might as well say your niece is fit for Teacher Chen instead of beating around the bush.”

Everyone in the kitchen knew Sister Li’s niece liked Teacher Chen.

But at 28, Teacher Chen was considered an old maid. She was also known for a volatile temper and a troubled past.

Though she had a stable teaching position, few men could tolerate her mood.

She was also picky, looking down on men without jobs or those working in factories.

She’d been single all these years until Chen Haodong came to intern at the school, and she liked him at first sight.

Once proud and aloof with other men, she became surprisingly forward with the one she loved.

“I’m just telling the truth. The principal likes my niece too. Maybe someday she really will end up with Teacher Chen.”

Hearing this, many inwardly sneered. Teacher Chen was young, handsome, capable, and from a good family. Who would willingly marry a woman much older than him?

If the woman was pretty, a slight age gap was acceptable. But if she was not beautiful and had a bad temper, who could stand her?

Didn’t men like gentle, pretty women?

Jiang Weiyue felt much lighter after leaving the school.

Hearing Boss Gao’s words earlier, she truly didn’t know how to face Teacher Chen.

But she thought Boss Gao might be overthinking. Teacher Chen had a stable teaching job and a good family background.

He could never like someone like her—unemployed, without status, just a pretty face.

Jiang Weiyue rode her old bicycle toward the steel factory.

At this time, coincidentally, the factory was having lunch.

The factory provided one meal for workers, including those on night shifts.

Family members living in the quarters could also eat there.

The food was decent—two vegetables, one meat dish, and soup. For that era, it was quite good.

Some workers’ families prepared meals ahead of time so workers could eat at the quarters and rest after work without going to the canteen.

When Jiang Weiyue arrived home, Wang Lan wasn’t there.

Knowing her well, Jiang Weiyue guessed Wang Lan had gone to bring food to Jiang Zhen and her two sons.

Jiang Weiyue waited about twenty minutes before Wang Lan returned.

Seeing Jiang Weiyue, Wang Lan was delighted.

“Weiyue, why didn’t you tell me you were coming? I would have prepared more food. But it’s okay; I’ll go make you some noodles.”

“Mom, I’m not hungry. I came to talk, then I’ll leave.”

Seeing Jiang Weiyue’s serious expression, Wang Lan asked worriedly, “What happened?”

“Mom, I’m no longer selling breakfast at the steel factory gate.”

“Are the workers still not buying? Sigh, even Song Chuanhe doesn’t mind anymore, but why won’t they buy? Well, if they don’t want to, then forget it.”

“You’ve worked so hard selling breakfast all these years. You deserve a good rest. I’ll have a matchmaker introduce someone for you so you can marry early and put my mind at ease.”

“If they don’t buy, it’s fine. I’ve signed a deal with Sansui Middle School. They’ve contracted all the buns I make every day and assigned me to the teachers’ quarters. I won’t have to run back and forth in the cold anymore.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“That’s great. Cooperating with the school is much better than selling breakfast at the steel factory gate. The income is stable too.”

“So I’m telling you—I’m moving to the school quarters. You won’t be able to take care of the chickens and vegetables at home. If you have time, please go back to the family home to look after them.”

“No problem. I’m just idling at home anyway.”

After settling things with Wang Lan, Jiang Weiyue left without lingering.

But as she stepped out of the staff quarters building and headed toward the main gate, a sudden hand forcefully covered her mouth.

That large, domineering hand dragged her into a nearby corner and pressed her against the wall.