“Mr. Tang, we still need to pick up the goods,” Liu Fen finally managed to come up with this excuse after much thought.

“That’s no problem. Little Wang is waiting outside and can help. Since we have two men to carry packages today, you two might as well collect all the goods at once.”

Tang Hong’en’s planned initiatives had even made the seasoned government officials admit defeat. Liu Fen’s experience was truly insufficient in comparison. Within moments, she was outmaneuvered by Mayor Tang – not only could Little Wang carry packages, but he could also drive to transport the goods.

They stayed busy until past seven in the evening, but Liu Fen and Li Fengmei finally gathered all their intended merchandise. They had already packed and shipped one batch of goods to the capital and Commercial City. With spring clothing for three stores, the total goods were worth over a hundred thousand, and even excluding what had been shipped earlier, the remaining items worth tens of thousands piled up like a small mountain.

Sitting in the small restaurant, Tang Hong’en asked Liu Fen and Li Fengmei when they planned to return to the city: “There are too many clothes. Let Little Wang find a vehicle to help transport them.”

“That’s too much trouble…”

Little Wang, who had been silently eating his rice, immediately put down his bowl to show his loyalty: “It’s no trouble at all. After enjoying your treat to dinner, running errands is the least I can do!”

Why was Little Wang so reluctant to leave Tang Hong’en’s side? Being near the leader allowed him to learn many things, like this technique of inviting female comrades to meals – something Little Wang wouldn’t have thought of himself.

The leader truly planned several moves. Now that Liu Fen had treated them to this meal, the leader would surely say they should reciprocate and not take advantage of a female comrade – wouldn’t he need to treat Liu Fen in return? As single men and women shared more meals, even if there was nothing initially, feelings were bound to develop!

How do couples develop feelings if not from sharing meals at the same table and sleeping in the same bed? Oh damn, how could he think about sleeping in the same bed! Little Wang quickly lowered his head to continue eating after showing his loyalty.

If Secretary Peng asked him again whether there was any hope, Little Wang now had a new answer – while there might have been no hope initially, his leader knew how to create opportunities. This play would surely end as a comedy!

Li Fengmei didn’t follow Little Wang’s example. She tried her best to liven up the atmosphere, hoping to match Liu Fen with Tang Hong’en – how could they deepen their understanding without interaction?

Li Fengmei was still afraid of the high-ranking official, but she racked her brains trying to play matchmaker for her sister-in-law.

“Mayor Tang, I notice you’re always by yourself. Where is your family?”

Having divorced his previous wife, with his son living with her, didn’t Mayor Tang have parents or siblings?

“I’m one of the younger children in my family. My parents have passed away, and since I’ve worked away from home for many years, I’ve grown distant from relatives and don’t interact much with them. That’s why I admire how the Liu siblings support each other – you don’t need many relatives, just genuine care for each other!”

Tang Hong’en’s relationship with his hometown relatives had grown distant, with some unpleasantness in the past. He didn’t think these minor details would be an obstacle if he and Liu Fen were to get together.

Li Fengmei felt the same way! She was secretly overjoyed – it might seem heartless, but without in-laws’ opposition, why couldn’t Liu Fen and Mayor Tang be together?

Liu Fen didn’t want to discuss relationships. Besides being disgusted by Xia Dajun for years, another culprit was Old Mrs. Xia. A difficult mother-in-law like Old Mrs. Xia was impossible to serve – if it had been Li Fengmei, she would have had countless fights with her!

Li Fengmei secretly kicked Liu Fen under the table, urging her to say something – she couldn’t be the only one talking to Mayor Tang.

Tang Hong’en noticed their actions, as Liu Fen buried her face, almost into her rice bowl.

“Comrade Liu Fen.”

Liu Fen looked up nervously.

Tang Hong’en pointed at her hair: “There’s some soup in your hair.”

As he spoke, he offered her a handkerchief.

Liu Fen’s face turned bright red.

Should she accept the handkerchief?

If she didn’t, how would Mayor Tang save face in front of her sister-in-law, Little Wang, and everyone around? Even though Mayor Tang was kind, she couldn’t take advantage of that so recklessly!

But if she accepted – if she took the handkerchief, how could she explain it? Wouldn’t her supposed rejection just seem like playing hard to get?

With Liu Fen’s passive personality, for every step Tang Hong’en took forward, she took one step back. Now she had retreated into a corner with a wall behind her – there was nowhere left to retreat.

Not only was her face burning, but she also felt like crying.

Just because she had cooked for Tang Hong’en for a few days – why would such a good person be so kind to her? Was she worth it? She had been married before, divorced, had a rural household registration, and had no education – how could she be worthy of Tang Hong’en?

Tang Hong’en continued holding out the handkerchief while Little Wang and Li Fengmei held their breath.

Both sensed the unusual atmosphere – the simple act of offering a handkerchief carried a ceremonial weight.

Tang Hong’en saw that Liu Fen was almost crying.

A selfish person under pressure would take it out on those around them – like Ji Ya, who dared to provoke her easily?

An honest and kind woman would always think of others first, and when under pressure, would force herself into a corner.

Liu Fen worried about his misunderstanding while considering his face in front of others, backing herself into a dead end – no wonder she was about to cry. Tang Hong’en sighed and extended the handkerchief further:

“There’s no other meaning – it’s just a handkerchief. Westerners advocate for gentlemanly behavior; when a female comrade is in an awkward situation, this is simply the gentleman’s courtesy that a male comrade should show.”

Liu Fen forced back her tears.

She stood up to accept the handkerchief, her hand trembling.

“Th-thank you!”

Divorce was the bravest thing she had done in her life, and now another major decision lay before Liu Fen.

Hesitation and uncertainty were inevitable parts of the process.

Past ignorance and naivety had created tragedy, and now with a bright new future seemingly within reach, should she bravely grasp it, or push away someone reliable?

Liu Fen’s mind was in chaos.

Her rejections were always wishy-washy – it was just her way of handling things.

Tang Hong’en understood this and didn’t feel disappointed. He had enough patience to wait for Liu Fen to continue growing.

The idea that men should be strong and women weak was a long-standing tradition in China as if this was the only way to build a stable marriage. Tang Hong’en thought this was nonsense – how could a woman stand tall in marriage if she was always submissive?

Judging from Liu Fen’s reactions, she didn’t seem completely uninterested in him. He would wait until she had the confidence to accept these feelings.

…

“How did the surgery go?”

Xia Xiaolan rushed from school to the hospital, where Stone Auntie had already been wheeled out of the operating room.

Zhou Cheng had been waiting at the hospital the whole time. Seeing the sweat on his wife’s face made his heart ache. Breaking a sweat in mid-March showed how anxious Xia Xiaolan had been.

Guan Huie spoke briefly with the doctor at the end of the hallway before striding over:

“The chief surgeon said the operation was very successful. With proper post-operative care, her vision should recover well!”

Today, even Shi Ping waited outside while Stone Auntie had surgery. Wei Juanhong told him his grandmother was getting treatment, and he stayed quietly without making a fuss. Wei Juanhong’s two children were being watched by a relative introduced by Sister Zeng, so they weren’t brought to the hospital today.

Wei Juanhong rarely had a chance to relax and could focus all her attention on her hospitalized mother-in-law.

From hospitalization to surgery, everything had been arranged by Zhou Cheng. Wei Juanhong wrung her hands until they were red. Guan Huie, thinking that the surgery was complete and wanting to prevent any complications, decided to have a word with Wei Juanhong first.

“Little Wei, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you. Would now be a good time?”