Chapter 1371: Zhang Liyuan

Zhang Lijuan (Eleven)

That day was early June.

The weather was on the cusp of summer—not quite hot, not quite humid. In the factory, the air conditioning was unreliable, so only a few ceiling fans creaked and groaned as they turned.

Amid the old, squeaky noise, the workshop director led a group through the area and stopped right in front of me.

But he didn't look at me. Instead, he glanced up and clapped his hands to get everyone's attention, and all the workers paused to look his way.

"I have an announcement," he said flatly. "The factory is hiring more people, and we've got a bunch of new workers. Management wants experienced staff to mentor the newcomers—each veteran can take on up to two trainees. If you're interested, come sign up with me. You'll get a thirty yuan raise per trainee."

I barely paid attention to what he was saying. My eyes kept darting toward Zhang Mantun in the crowd, then quickly looking away in panic.

I couldn't quite describe the feeling. I hadn't done anything wrong, but it was as if someone had caught me red-handed, and I suddenly wanted to flee.

Zhang Mantun had noticed me too. His expression turned complicated, but I never could tell what he was thinking.

"Xiao Zhang," the director turned to me, "you don't need to volunteer—your work performance is top-notch. You'll take on two trainees to set an example."

"I…"

Before I could agree or refuse, the director pointed at Zhang Mantun: "Zhang Mantun."

Then he looked at the girl next to him: "And… Zhang Fang, right? You two are together?"

"Yeah…" Zhang Mantun mumbled and nodded hesitantly.

"Then you two pair up and apprentice under Xiao Zhang," the director said. "The rest of you, follow me."

Just as he'd arrived with his entourage, he swept them away without another word, heading off into the distance.

All that was left in the awkward atmosphere was me, Zhang Mantun, and the girl who had come with him.

I had no idea what to do next, but I wanted to escape.

I used to have a wall protecting me, but whether it was torn down by someone else or I abandoned it myself, it was gone now.

"Sis!" Zhang Fang stepped forward and naturally linked her arm with mine. "You have the surname Zhang too? We're probably related from five hundred years ago!"

"I…"

"I'm Zhang Fang," she said, then pulled Zhang Mantun over. "This is my fiancé, Zhang Mantun. Sis, we're all Zhangs—such a coincidence!"

I glanced up at Zhang Mantun, then subtly withdrew my hand from Zhang Fang's arm. If I let her hold on any longer, she might notice I was trembling slightly.

Zhang Fang seemed to sense something and quickly rummaged through her woven bag. She pulled out a pack of Da Bai Tu milk candy.

"Sis!" She kept stuffing the candy into my hands. "I brought this from the village. It's nothing special… I'll probably be a bother to you from now on."

"No…" My mind was a mess, and I pushed her hand away. "I don't want it…"

Seeing how firm I was, Zhang Fang turned to Zhang Mantun with a pleading look.

Zhang Mantun didn't seem much better off than I was. He hesitated for a while before saying to her, "If she doesn't want it… just forget it."

"Oh… you…" Zhang Fang paused, then turned back to me. "Sis, don't mind him. Zhang Mantun's not great with people. If you have any issues, just tell me."

I never imagined that one day Zhang Mantun would show up with his fiancée to be my apprentices. Now, with Zhang Fang calling me "sis" over and over, she was dragging my memories back to the past.

But she had no idea that I had just turned eighteen that day.

Of course, they were different from me—they'd only come out to work once they reached the legal age. So, in her eyes, someone mentoring them must be a senior, like an older sister.

I knew I had no real choices. I could only wait for things to unfold, unable to take the initiative.

Even though Zhang Mantun didn't seem hostile and Zhang Fang was so enthusiastic, I still had a bad feeling about it.

Right there in front of everyone on the assembly line, I accepted the pack of Da Bai Tu milk candy. I couldn't help but think this girl wasn't very savvy about social cues.

Giving something to someone so publicly like that would just invite gossip, no matter if I took it or turned it down—it wouldn't end well.

But as I said, entering the workforce early had taught me a lot.

"Come on, everyone, take a break from your work for a moment," I said to the group. "This is the new arrivals, Zhang Fang and Zhang Mantun. They've brought some candy to share—let's all have some."

As I spoke, I tore open the packaging and poured the candies onto the table in front of me.

Zhang Fang quickly caught on and chimed in, "Yeah, yeah… It's for everyone. We're just starting on this line, so we'll need you all to look out for us, brothers and sisters."

Zhang Fang turned out to be sharper than I expected, but I couldn't figure out why Zhang Mantun had become so awkward and reserved.

Was it because he'd seen me?

The workers on the assembly line broke into smiles at the sight. It was the same repetitive job day in and day out, so a little sweetness from candy was enough to lift their spirits.

I unwrapped a piece for myself and popped it in my mouth, thinking to myself that some things are meant to be, and others you can't avoid.

Since it had already happened, I just needed to focus on my own responsibilities. If they could keep quiet about the past, I'd pretend nothing had ever occurred.

I took one last look at Zhang Mantun, trying to gauge if his eyes held kindness or malice. I never asked for much—just a place to work and earn money, to support my family and save Liang Wa.

But in his eyes, I saw neither kindness nor malice—just a still pond, utterly calm.

He was choosing silence, just like before.

"You two should go sort out your dorm assignments," I said, crumpling the candy wrapper into a ball. "Our production line isn't complicated. Just sit next to me, and you can start working with everyone this afternoon."

"Got it, Zhang Sis!" Zhang Fang replied with a smile, picking up their luggage from the floor. "We'll head over now. Thanks so much for today."

I watched their backs as they walked away, then flicked the paper ball into the trash can. Such sweet candy, wrapped in something so fragile…

What would happen if the wrapper broke? Would the candy still be sweet?

I quickly told my coworkers to keep an eye on my station for a bit, then grabbed my ID card, a new bankbook, and a few packs of cheap cigarettes before leaving the assembly line.

Today was my eighteenth birthday, and I had one big thing left to do: update my personal information.

Once I got through that, the heavy weight on my shoulders would finally lift.

I'd put down roots here and live until I'd earned enough money.