Qin Hongmei took a step forward, nearly pressing against Sutan’s arm, her head bowed.
Her heart was screaming: "Go ahead, Sutan, hit me! Make a scene just like you did on your wedding night with Zhou Jianfeng. The more you stir up trouble, the more Zhou Jianfeng will loathe you, and the sooner you two will get a divorce!"
Two months ago, Qin Hongmei had sent a tentative letter to Zhou Jianfeng, hoping he would come to pick her up. If he didn't, she was prepared to look elsewhere.
To her surprise, Zhou Jianfeng appeared before her less than ten days after she sent the letter. At that time, she and Taotao were living in a dilapidated mud hut in the countryside. The east and south courtyard walls had collapsed, and the yard was overgrown with weeds. When Zhou Jianfeng saw the conditions she and Taotao were living in, she only had to say, "Jianfeng, take me away," and he brought her back to the city without a word of hesitation.
After their return, Zhou Jianfeng arranged a place for her to stay and covered all their living expenses. Though they were not married, they were viewed by outsiders as a couple. She believed that because Zhou Jianfeng was treating her so well, he must intend to marry her, and she waited in high spirits for him to propose.
Instead, she heard the news that Zhou Jianfeng was getting married.
She did not argue or make a fuss; instead, she acted exceptionally docile every day. This was a calculated move to ensure Zhou Jianfeng felt guilty, keeping the scales of his heart tipped in her favor. On the night of Zhou Jianfeng’s wedding, she had merely employed a few subtle tactics, and Zhou Jianfeng had spent the entire night away from home, eventually sending Sutan to prison.
Qin Hongmei considered Sutan a brainless fool. All it took was a little provocation, and Sutan would act like a mad dog, causing a scene regardless of the setting.
"Sutan, we are in public! Show me some respect!" Zhou Jianfeng frowned upon seeing Sutan and was the first to reprimand her. "You were born with a life destined for hardship!"
Without giving Sutan a chance to explain, Zhou Jianfeng turned and left after scolding her.
By the time she emerged from the department store, Zhou Jianfeng was carrying a black plastic bag, and Qin Hongmei’s eyes were fixed intently on it.
"This is the clothing I bought for you. Go to the restroom inside the store and change into it!" Zhou Jianfeng threw the bag on the ground.
Sutan curled her lips coldly and glanced down. Inside were a shirt and a pair of trousers; they couldn't have cost more than thirty yuan in total. It seemed Zhou Jianfeng cared a great deal about appearances.
When she came out after changing, Zhou Jianfeng and Qin Hongmei were already gone. Qin Hongmei had likely said something to him, causing them to leave. Fortunately, the bicycle was still where she had left it. Sutan mounted the bike and rode away.
She didn't notice someone watching her from not far behind.
"Captain, didn't that woman just curse her man as a 'dog man'?" Wang Xiaojun scratched the back of his head, looking completely bewildered. "This is the first time I've seen a woman change her expression faster than turning a page!"
"When she was flattering her man, the wrinkles on her face were practically smiling, and yet she turned around and started cursing!" Wang Xiaojun continued. "Captain, do you think that woman actually loves her man or not?"
Wang Xiaojun was only eighteen years old. He had never even held a conversation with a stranger, let alone been in love, so he naturally didn't understand the complexities of a woman’s mind.
Hechengming’s dark eyes flickered with a complicated expression as the words Sutan and Zhou Jianfeng had exchanged played over in his mind. He had made inquiries about Sutan after returning the day before.
Zhou Jianfeng and Qin Hongmei were junior high classmates. Qin Hongmei had been very popular back then, and Zhou Jianfeng was one of the many who had feelings for her. However, Qin Hongmei was proud and ambitious. A few years ago, when her family introduced her to a man who looked decent and provided a generous dowry, she married him.
Her married life had been a difficult one. Two months ago, the coal mine where her husband worked collapsed, and he was buried underneath. Her in-laws blamed her for "cursing" her husband and threw her and her son out. Zhou Jianfeng brought them to the city, provided a home, and covered all their expenses.
On their wedding night, Qin Hongmei’s son had a high fever, and Zhou Jianfeng left to attend to him, staying away for a whole week. Upon returning, he beat Sutan and had her sent to a detention center. Yesterday was Sutan’s first day back, and if he hadn't intervened, she likely would have been beaten by Zhou Jianfeng again.
Yet, just a moment ago, Sutan had spoken to Zhou Jianfeng with flirtatious tenderness, her every word filled with care for him.
A cold, mocking arc tugged at the corner of Hechengming’s mouth. He regretted having thought that if Sutan wanted a divorce, he would help her out of respect for their former friendship. It seemed he had been worrying for nothing. Even after a stint in prison, Sutan remained hopelessly devoted to Zhou Jianfeng.
The thought made Hechengming inexplicably angry; he felt a sudden urge to stand in front of Sutan and give her a piece of his mind.
Sutan rode her bicycle slowly toward the Textile Mill. The department store was only twenty minutes away, but she took half an hour, and once she reached the entrance of the mill, she intentionally waited outside for another ten minutes.
Hearing the grand clock in the city center toll the hour, Sutan squeezed her eyes shut to conjure a look of anxiety and trepidation before walking toward the Textile Mill.
At this hour, everyone was busy working, and the streets were sparse. Sutan deliberately chose the most crowded paths as she walked, ensuring that everyone she passed caught sight of her face and whispered about her.
Knock, knock.
Sutan knocked on the door of the director’s office. "Director, I... I’m back."
Her voice was frail, carrying the exhaustion of someone recently recovered from a serious illness.
Director Wang looked up, smiling as he gestured. "Sutan, come in. You’ve suffered these past few days!"
The old man before her was portly and greasy—this "dog man" was Zhou Jianfeng’s accomplice. The two of them had conspired to ruin an innocent girl, and now he wanted to brainwash her into being grateful.
If that was what they wanted, she would give it to them.
Sutan curled her lips, her almond-shaped eyes glistening. "It is thanks to the Director and the Factory Manager’s clear-sightedness that I have been cleared of these false charges! Under your leadership, our Textile Mill will surely continue to thrive!"
The flattery hit the mark; Director Wang laughed until the wrinkles on his face bunched up.
"Ahem..."
Seeing that Sutan had successfully charmed the Director, Qin Hongmei interrupted, "Sutan, no matter how much you flatter him, it doesn't change the fact that you’ve been to prison! The Director is busy—tell him clearly why you’ve returned today!"
Sutan’s beautiful eyes swiveled with a look of surprise. She scanned Qin Hongmei’s fair face before letting her gaze fall upon the Director’s now-darkened expression.
"Director, I was only speaking the truth. I didn't mean to make Comrade Qin misunderstand and think I was flattering you. If this has caused you any trouble, please forgive me!"