Chapter 117: Shaped by the Environment

Because of shyness, Arlene, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up: “He doesn’t know. I didn’t want to involve him, so I never mentioned it.”

Upon hearing Amy describe Liu Zhengjun as a bit of a blockhead, Wang Wenyu recalled Jiang Fan’s past.

She chimed in, encouraging Liu Zhengjun: “My rascal over there used to blush like you when he saw girls at school. Now, he’s shameless. Men just need to take that first brave step, and then they get used to it.”

Despite everyone’s concern, Liu Zhengjun remained silent. Jiang Fan anxiously pressed him, “We’ve all said so much. Do you agree or not? Can you act like a man and give us an answer?”

Seeing Liu Zhengjun’s face flush deep red, Arlene mustered her courage and said, “Don’t pressure him. Feelings can’t be forced. If he’s unwilling, then so be it.”

Before, Arlene only showed care through actions without words. Now, speaking up like this was a direct expression: she did truly like Liu Zhengjun.

Liu Zhengjun, looking like a prisoner, lowered his head but stole a glance at Arlene and murmured, “It’s not that I don’t want to agree... it’s just that I look like this and I’m awkward with words. I don’t deserve her.”

Hearing Liu Zhengjun admit his feelings, Arlene, who had endured so much hardship, was moved to tears.

Amy, seeing her efforts finally bear fruit, glanced at Jiang Fan who was still teasing Liu Zhengjun. The affection she secretly harbored surfaced unintentionally in the warm atmosphere.

Amy stole a glance at Jiang Fan but couldn’t escape Wang Wenyu’s notice. Women are finely tuned to matters of the heart, and Wang Wenyu found herself looking at Amy a few more times.

Unaware that Wang Wenyu was already plotting to straighten him out, Jiang Fan only thought about Liu Zhengjun’s situation and kept chanting, “Give them a kiss.”

Public displays of affection on the street, like hugging and holding, were considered improper in Jiang Fan’s hometown, but in Dongguan, such scenes were common enough. Even a little public “touch” rarely drew attention.

Liu Zhengjun was too shy to let go, and Arlene was bashful too, though she took the initiative to link her arm through his.

Jiang Fan joked, “You little rascal, now that you have a woman, you don’t have to sneak around to wash your underwear anymore.”

If not for Wang Wenyu’s intervention, Jiang Fan would have been eager to see the two rush off to the bridal chamber.

After dinner, Wang Wenyu noticed how obedient Liu Zhengjun was to Jiang Fan and how helpful he had been. She led everyone to a fruit shop, picked out a box of mangoes, and gave them to Liu Zhengjun as a congratulation for no longer being single.

After everyone left, Wang Wenyu told Xiao Yuxin about Arlene pursuing Liu Zhengjun.

Seeing Wang Wenyu’s curiosity, Xiao Yuxin smiled and explained, “This kind of thing is very common in Dongguan. More than ninety percent of factory workers are women. They live in the factory, work long hours, have almost no leisure time, and rarely come into contact with the outside world. Their youth is all spent on the assembly line.”

In an environment dominated by girls, any man who isn’t unpleasant to look at is often chased by them.

“Your man’s friend might not be handsome, but he seems sincere and probably knows some fighting skills. Men like that easily attract female admirers.”

Jiang Fan moved his face closer to Xiao Yuxin and said, “If he’s popular, then with my good looks, shouldn’t I have a harem of thousands?”

Wang Wenyu, still a bit jealous, tugged at his ear and asked, “What was that thing with Amy just now?”

Jiang Fan winced in pain, quickly waving his hand to deny, “She’s just a colleague. Nothing more.”

Wang Wenyu didn’t let go but pulled harder. “You want thousands of beauties, right? She looked at you with shining eyes. She must like you a bit. She counts as one. I’ll buy some gifts tomorrow and help you play matchmaker!”

Xiao Yuxin, noticing Wang Wenyu’s reluctance to admit her feelings, joked, “One of you likes stirring up trouble with words, the other pretends to be generous. You two are quite the pair.”

Seeing Wang Wenyu still holding on, Jiang Fan quickly changed the subject: “That Arlene you saw earlier is the girl I told you about — the one used by Gou Biao, that bastard.”

Wang Wenyu released his ear in surprise. “I didn’t expect it to be her.”

Mentioning Gou Biao reminded Jiang Fan that there was still no news of him, and his thoughts turned to Liu Xingyu.

Jiang Fan knew that in this materialistic city of Dongguan, ability alone didn’t guarantee opportunity.

After Liu Xingyu confessed the whole story, Jiang Fan no longer harbored resentment toward her and even hoped she would stay at Dafeng.

He remembered Liu Xingyu had said yesterday she planned to resign today and hoped to persuade her to stay. Early the next morning, around seven, Jiang Fan woke up and prepared to return to the factory.

Half asleep, Wang Wenyu saw him getting dressed and hurriedly got up. “I’ll go with you.”

Knowing Wang Wenyu was worried about him, Jiang Fan reassured, “I’m going back to the factory. I won’t run off.”

He told her about venting his anger yesterday without considering Liu Xingyu’s feelings and his desire now to make amends and keep her.

Wang Wenyu dressed as she replied, “I’ll drive you to the factory and then come back to sleep.”

When Xiao Yuxin mentioned the phrase “a cornered dog will jump over the wall,” Wang Wenyu grew especially concerned for Jiang Fan’s safety.

Jiang Fan returned to the factory and went straight to the HR department.

As soon as he arrived, Shen Tingting looked at him and said, “Manager Liu quit on his own. Just now, Li Zhilan from finance came by for a look. It seems she might be taking over his position.”

“What? He really left? Li Zhilan is just a cashier. How could she replace Liu Xingyu?”

Jiang Fan exclaimed, already stepping out of HR and rushing to the third floor.

Even if a manager resigns, it requires Chen Anlong’s approval before the deputy general manager can sign off to let them take their belongings out.

Tang Jun was still in Zhongshan and Jiang Fan wasn’t familiar with the other deputy general managers, so he went to find Chen Anlong for information.

Shen Tingting hadn’t finished speaking and had called out a few times, but Jiang Fan, already on the third floor, didn’t hear her.

He arrived at the outer room of Chen Anlong’s office, where A’Ping smirked and said casually, “The boss hasn’t come in yet. Deputy General Manager Huang arrived early to wait for him. He’s probably trying to secure the HR manager position for his lover.”

The deputy general manager Huang A’Ping mentioned was Huang Xiaodong. Hearing that name made Jiang Fan uneasy.

Hui Ge had introduced Huang Xiaodong to him — Chen Anlong’s brother-in-law, nominal deputy general manager, with no fixed job, essentially a high-paid idler in the factory.

Jiang Fan’s discomfort stemmed from Hui Ge’s firm conviction that Huang Xiaodong was the lecherous deputy general manager Gou Biao had mentioned.

Just now, hearing Shen Tingting say Li Zhilan might replace Liu Xingyu, Jiang Fan asked, “Is Li Zhilan Huang Xiaodong’s lover?”

A’Ping rolled her eyes at him. “Isn’t that common knowledge? You’re such an important person, and you’re only finding this out now? No wonder you don’t pay attention to the news.”

Seeing the sarcasm and hidden complaints in A’Ping’s words, Jiang Fan asked in confusion, “Hey, beautiful, have I offended you?”

A’Ping pouted. “You say you haven’t offended me? Who promised to wait for me at the dumpling restaurant last night? Made me run all the way for nothing.”