country bumpkin

Chapter 54 Emotional Entanglements

Inside the garment factory, the workers were busy at work. It was already summer, but the workers were making cotton-padded clothes.

These are new orders, going on sale this winter. All the employees are working overtime to meet the deadline.

Kong Xiufang is making handmade Chinese knot buttons with another group leader, Qian Ningning. This is a work requirement for a new sample.

Kong Xiufang's hands kept moving, but her eyes couldn't help but look at the pile of fabric next to her, and she said softly, "So many clothes, I wonder if the styles will be popular."

Qian Ningning smiled and replied, "The designers in our factory have always had a good eye. I heard there's a new sample this time that incorporates some special traditional elements."

As they were talking, the workshop director walked over, holding a cotton coat that had just been partially finished, with exquisite and unique frog buttons on it.

"Look, this is the style of Chinese knot buttons that will be used on the new cotton-padded coat. It was specially designed and is different from the previous ones."

Kong Xiufang and Qian Ningning curiously leaned over to take a look, their eyes filled with amazement.

"These frog buttons are not only beautiful, but also very sturdy. This is a major selling point of this batch of cotton-padded coats," the workshop director said with pride.

At this moment, the factory director also walked into the workshop for inspection. Seeing that everyone was working with great enthusiasm, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Everyone, keep up the good work! If this batch of goods sells well, the year-end bonus will definitely be generous."

Upon hearing this, the workers cheered and worked even faster, filling the entire workshop with a positive and uplifting atmosphere.

When it was lunchtime, Kong Xiufang put her left arm around Tian Yanyan and her right arm around Qian Ningning as they went to the cafeteria for lunch.

After getting their food, they found an empty seat and began to eat. The three girls chatted and laughed as they ate.

The tables nowadays are all arranged with seats facing each other. A set has four seats, with three people sitting together and one seat left empty.

Just then, a tall and handsome figure walked over with a lunchbox and sat down in an empty seat.

The three girls simultaneously looked up at the handsome man in front of them.

Qian Ningning had seen him before; he was a new security guard. She remembered that he had helped Kong Xiufang out of a predicament last time.

Kong Xiufang greeted him warmly, "Hello Su Ze! You're here for dinner too?"

Su Ze smiled slightly, revealing a row of white teeth. There was a shallow dimple on each cheek.

Tian Yanyan was stunned. "Wow! What a handsome young man!" she blurted out as if possessed.

Kong Xiufang, Qian Ningning, and the others all looked at her. Tian Yanyan realized what was happening, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head shyly to eat her rice.

Su Ze looked at them and said, "Hello, if you need any help in the future, just let me know. We are all colleagues."

Su Ze smiled again and then lowered his head to eat, creating a slightly awkward atmosphere.

Tian Yanyan secretly glanced at Su Ze, her heart pounding involuntarily. After the meal, everyone dispersed to continue their work.

But Tian Yanyan's mind had already wandered, and she slowed down her work.

Qian Ningning, who was standing next to her, teased, "Yanyan, has your soul been bewitched by that handsome guy?" Tian Yanyan blushed and glared at her reproachfully.

Qian Ningning then told her about the first time she met Su Ze and how he helped Kong Xiufang.

When Tian Yanyan finished get off work in the afternoon, she went to the factory garden to relax. Unexpectedly, Su Ze was standing under a tree smoking. After seeing Tian Yanyan, he put out his cigarette and walked over.

"Did my arrival make you feel a little awkward today?" Su Ze asked sincerely.

Tian Yanyan quickly shook her head, "No...no."

Seeing her shy expression, Su Ze's heart stirred, and he couldn't help but reach out and gently lift a strand of hair that had fallen beside her ear.

Tian Yanyan's face flushed red instantly. Just then, her coworker's voice called out to her from afar. The two separated like startled deer. Tian Yanyan hurriedly ran away, leaving Su Ze watching her departing figure thoughtfully.

Back in the dormitory, Tian Yanyan asked Kong Xiufang, "Xiufang, you...and Su Ze..."

Kong Xiufang rolled her eyes at her. "Don't overthink it. I have nothing to do with him. I've only met him once."

Tian Yanyan then asked, "Xiufang, do you like Lin Junhui or Su Ze?" She was very scared and didn't want to hear the answer she was worried about.

Kong Xiufang blushed and said, "I think Lin Junhui is a good person, and we have a lot in common."

Tian Yanyan breathed a sigh of relief. "You scared me. I thought you also had feelings for Su Ze..."

Kong Xiufang looked at her with a smile and said, "Oh, so you've taken a liking to Su Ze. Hahaha."

Tian Yanyan blushed and admitted, "I... when I first saw him, my heart was pounding like a drum."

Kong Xiufang made a shy face at her and said, "Hahaha... Aren't you ashamed? You've fallen in love with someone at first sight."

Tian Yanyan retorted without holding back, "Your eyes are sparkling when you look at Lin Junhui, don't you even realize it?"

Kong Xiufang looked at her with a smile, "Really? Hehe! I really didn't notice! Hahaha."

Tian Yanyan added, "When Lin Junhui looked at you, his eyes were practically glued to you, haha... hahaha. You two like each other."

Kong Xiufang was delighted to hear Tian Yanyan's analysis. It turned out they admired each other, and she felt a sweet warmth in her heart.

That night, Kong Xiufang lay in bed, Lin Junhui's gentle gaze constantly appearing in her mind.

She tossed and turned, unable to sleep, her mind filled with thoughts of what to say next time they met.

The next day, the factory organized a group clothing display. Kong Xiufang dressed up specially before going out.

She quickly spotted Lin Junhui's tall figure in the crowd. Lin Junhui also saw her, his eyes lit up, and he walked towards her.

"Xiufang, you look especially beautiful today," Lin Junhui said with a smile.

Kong Xiufang's face flushed slightly. "Thank you. Today's event sounds quite interesting."

During the event, Lin Junhui always took care of Kong Xiufang, intentionally or unintentionally, handing her water and helping her move things and carry exhibits.

Kong Xiufang's heart was as sweet as if it were immersed in a honey pot.

During the break, Lin Junhui mustered up his courage, took Kong Xiufang's hand, and whispered, "Xiufang, it's been so long... I've missed you."

Kong Xiufang raised her head, her eyes filled with shyness and joy, "Me too."

Seeing this, their familiar coworkers started to tease them, and the two smiled at each other, happiness spreading between them.

Su Ze watched their hands clasped together from afar, his face expressionless, but his heart was in turmoil.

He clenched his fists tightly and glared fiercely at Lin Junhui.

Tian Yanyan noticed Su Ze, ran over, and handed him a water bottle. "Su Ze, do you remember me? I... I'll treat you to some water."

Su Ze looked away from Tian Yanyan, thinking to himself, "I'll start with you. I refuse to believe that a country girl can escape my grasp."

He smiled as Tian Yanyan took the water bottle. "Thank you. If I remember correctly, your name is Tian Yanyan!"

Tian Yanyan's face was beaming with joy, her smile as bright as a sunflower. The strong sunlight made her appear even more lively and cheerful.

Tian Yanyan was overjoyed that Su Ze actually remembered her name.

She blushed and said, "Brother Su Ze, you're such a nice person."

Su Ze's lips curled into a barely perceptible sneer as he plotted how to use this naive girl to sabotage Kong Xiufang and Lin Junhui's relationship.

In the days that followed, Su Ze often visited Tian Yanyan, giving her small gifts and inviting her for walks.

Tian Yanyan was so immersed in this sudden happiness that she was completely unaware of anything unusual.

Meanwhile, Kong Xiufang and Lin Junhui's relationship is getting better and better, and they often read books together and dream about the future when they have free time.

One day, Su Ze deliberately brought Tian Yanyan to appear in front of Kong Xiufang and Lin Junhui, and even pretended to hold Tian Yanyan's hand intimately.

Lin Junhui looked puzzled, while Kong Xiufang felt a vague unease. Tian Yanyan, however, greeted them excitedly, completely unaware that she was being used as a pawn in a complex emotional entanglement.

Looking at the various expressions on everyone's faces, Su Ze felt secretly pleased, thinking that his plan was progressing smoothly.