Chapter Twenty: Starting a Family

"Are you and Sun Xing together now...?"
Zhou Lina nodded, glancing off into the distance as if deliberately shifting her gaze away.
Xu Fei felt as though he owed the girl beside him a great favor.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about? Just say it—there’s no need for formality between us."
Zhou Lina smiled again, looking at him.
Xu Fei hesitated for a moment. "Actually, I—"
"Lina."
Zhao Quan had caught up from behind.
Xu Fei shot Zhao Quan a glare; this kid really was irritating.
"Is he still bothering you?"
Zhou Lina shook her head. "Now that I’m with Sun Xing, he knows there’s no chance, so..."
Zhao Quan pushed his bike over to her side, casting a sidelong look at Xu Fei. "How’s it been in Workshop One lately?"
"It’s alright."
"I’m curious, how long can you stick it out?"
"That? If I want to, I’ll keep at it as long as needed."
"I heard Zhang Dajun gives you all the jobs that earn the least in your workshop, and the work is the hardest?"
Zhou Lina looked at Xu Fei in surprise.
"Is that true?"
Xu Fei smiled and shook his head.
"Come on, Xu Fei, don’t pretend in front of Lina. Zhang Dajun told me himself when we were drinking together."
Xu Fei glared at Zhao Quan.
"You sure talk a lot."
"Xu Fei, I’m friends with Zhang Dajun. If you buy me a drink, I can put in a good word for you."
"Sorry, Xu Fei wouldn’t beg anything from you."
Zhao Quan sneered and shook his head. "Just keep pretending, you know how hard it is."
"I earn my money by my own effort, so I have peace of mind. Whether it’s tiring or not is none of your concern."
"Fine, fine, if you’re willing, it’s not my business."
Zhou Lina glared at Zhao Quan. "We’re all neighbors, Zhao Quan—if you won’t help, that’s one thing, but why ask Xu Fei to treat you? You know how tough things are for him now."
Zhao Quan, chastised, glanced sideways at Xu Fei. "I can’t be the only one to do you a favor."
Zhou Lina looked at Xu Fei. "If what he says is true, why not treat Zhang Dajun to a meal? If you’re short on money, I can lend you some."
Zhao Quan snorted coldly.
"Xu Fei, Lina wants to help you. Just agree—after all, you don’t care about saving face. If it were me, I’d be embarrassed to spend a woman’s money."
"Zhao Quan, will you ever stop?"
Zhou Lina glared at him.
Xu Fei waved his hand. "Lina, let’s talk about it later. What time does your movie end tonight?"
"Seven thirty."
"Alright, I’ll wait for you at the entrance to the alley."

Xu Fei finished speaking and turned to Zhao Quan. "Listen, even if I had money, I’d never spend it on people like you."
"Damn, don’t mistake my intentions. If Lina hadn’t said anything, I wouldn’t even care."
With that, Zhao Quan hopped onto his bicycle and rode off without looking back.
"Should I ask Sun Xing to speak for you?"
"No need."
"Alright then, I have a meeting in the morning, so I’ll head off."
Xu Fei nodded.
He knew Zhou Lina was avoiding suspicion.
Now the whole factory knew she was dating Sun Xing.
She was nearing the sugar factory, and was afraid others might see them together.
Zhou Lina got on her bike and rode away.
...
Seven thirty.
Xu Fei glanced down the street.
He saw Sun Xing pedaling slowly, with Zhou Lina on the back.
Xu Fei instinctively hid behind a nearby pillar.
Sun Xing stopped at the entrance to the alley, exchanged a few words with Zhou Lina, then rode off alone.
Zhou Lina, watching him go, turned to look into the alley.
"Is that you, Xu Fei?"
Xu Fei stepped out from behind the pillar.
"Looks like Sun Xing treats you well."
"Him? He’s alright."
Over the past few days, Zhou Lina had grown rather satisfied with Sun Xing.
He was handsome, cultured, and spoke far better than most men. Besides, he was a manager at the sugar factory.
He had plenty of admirers.
Zhou Lina knew her own situation well. She was considered one of the prettiest at the factory, but she wasn’t young anymore.
Besides, Xu Fei was already married. Even if she wanted something to happen, there’d be no result.
Thinking about this, a hint of sadness naturally appeared in her gaze.
Xu Fei hurried to change the subject. "Shall we take a walk over there?"
"Sure."
There was a small park not far from her house.
They walked together in silence, neither saying a word.
When they entered the park, they found a long bench and sat down.
"What did you want to talk to me about?"
Xu Fei hesitated. "I’d like to ask you for a favor."
"A favor from me?"

"Yes. Actually, I wanted to ask Sun Xing, but you know he doesn’t think highly of me."
"What do you need from him?"
Xu Fei explained the matter of buying sugar.
"I’ve never heard of your relatives—since when did you have family in Taiyang?"
"My distant cousin."
"A thousand pounds, that’s not a small amount."
"Exactly. Only Sun Xing can approve it. Without the factory office manager’s signature, nobody can move the sugar."
Zhou Lina considered this. "I’m not sure he’ll agree."
"Lina, I know it’s a big ask, but with your relationship, he should be willing."
"Alright, I’ll try talking to him."
Xu Fei looked at her gratefully.
"Lina, I know you’ve done so much for me. I really don’t know how to thank you, I..."
"Xu Fei, don’t say that. Honestly, I… I’m doing it because I want to."
Xu Fei was taken aback.
Because I want to?
Those four words unsettled him.
Although he hadn’t experienced the earlier chapter with Zhou Lina, after these few encounters, he truly felt this girl was exceptional.
Perhaps Xu Fei—no, perhaps the previous Xu Fei—had really misjudged her.
For some reason,
He wanted to do something for her.
"Lina, I’m sorry."
"Hm?!"
Zhou Lina was startled by his sudden apology, looking at him in surprise.
Their eyes met.
The intensity in Xu Fei’s gaze made Zhou Lina’s body tremble slightly.
She quickly looked down in embarrassment.
"What are you apologizing for?"
"For my entry into the factory. I know you spoke to Sun Xing about it. I don’t know how you managed it, but I can’t imagine Sun Xing agreeing for no reason."
Zhou Lina remained silent, but inside she felt a grievance only she herself could understand.
"What I mean by ‘sorry’ is for the past..."
"The past?"
Zhou Lina slowly raised her head, looking at Xu Fei. What was with him tonight?
He’d never felt there was anything wrong about their history together.
But Zhou Lina, in her heart, felt he had let her down—at the very least, he’d gotten married first.