Chapter 166: Chapter 76: The ’60s Art Troupe’s Top Star (15)

Huo Tianhao pressed his lips into a thin line and gave a cold grunt.

They rode in silence all the way to the main bus station, where Xia Zhaoyun had him stop right at the entrance. Sliding off the seat, she handed him the helmet and gazed up at the man, whose handsome, chilly features couldn’t be fully concealed even by the navy-blue helmet.

She couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. "Brother Hao, it was a pleasure meeting you. I’ve caused you quite a bit of trouble, and I hope you won’t take it to heart."

"We probably won’t run into each other much in the future, so I won’t bother saying we should pretend we don’t know each other. But you kept mentioning that you’re a long-haul truck driver, always traveling all over the country."

"In that case, please take good care of yourself. Never drink before driving, and don’t drive when you’re tired. Even if someone else is at the wheel and you’re in the passenger seat, don’t sleep too soundly. Entrusting your safety to someone else is the most foolish thing you can do!"

"You have to remember, you’re not alone. Even if you don’t plan on getting married and having kids, there are people in the Capital City who worry about you. For the sake of your friends and family, you need to cherish this world and your life in it..."

With that said, Xia Zhaoyun saw the driver of her bus climbing aboard. She quickly waved at Huo Tianhao and, like a rabbit, scurried away.

Huo Tianhao watched her go, a heaviness settling in his chest. It felt like a gloomy May sky, overcast and tinged with a persistent sense of unease.

’He really shouldn’t be looking for a woman. Anyone who ended up with a girlfriend like her would never have a moment’s peace. Pouring her heart out giving advice to a man she barely knew... If it had been anyone else, wouldn’t they have just thrown her over their shoulder and carried her home right then and there?’

He stood there, fuming for reasons he couldn’t quite pinpoint, and glared as the bus pulled away from the station. The little woman, a smile on her face, had already started chatting with the person beside her. Even though she was right by the window, she didn’t spare him another glance.

Her eagerness to cut ties made him click his tongue in annoyance. With a sharp turn, he spun the motorcycle around and sped off.

On the bus, Xia Zhaoyun was on high alert, keeping her eyes and ears peeled. Her hand rested on her bag, but not wanting anyone to notice her anxiety, she struck up a lighthearted conversation with the auntie sitting next to her.

She didn’t let out a long sigh of relief until she reached the factory complex. But as she felt the thick wad of cash, a new worry began to gnaw at her.

She was living in a dormitory with five other people. She had a wooden trunk with a lock, but things still went missing sometimes. More importantly, she couldn’t reveal where this money came from. If it was stolen and she reported the amount, who would believe her?

After all, she had carefully cultivated the image of a pitiful wretch: kicked out by the Song Family, emotionally battered, grievously wronged, and thoroughly exploited. A person like that couldn’t possibly have money!

Besides, she didn’t like having her life constantly under a microscope. Even the slightest improvement in her living situation would subject her to a baptism of envious, jealous, and hateful stares.

Xia Zhaoyun frowned in thought for a moment before turning on her heel and heading toward the Women’s Federation.

If you had to name the departments in the factory that held no official power but commanded wide networks and considerable influence, it would have to be the Women’s Federation and the Labor Union. One handled internal affairs, the other external; they were the true "managers" of the factory.

The Women’s Federation occupied a fairly large office on the first floor of the main administration building. Six desks and chairs were arranged neatly in two rows of three. A line of filing cabinets stood against the wall, and various supplies for cleaning, washing up, and making tea were all stored in a tidy, organized fashion.

Having just finished cleaning up, the women poured themselves tea and busied their hands with various crafts—sewing soles onto shoes, knitting sweaters, crocheting cup cozies. They never let themselves be idle.

"Comrade Xia?" An older woman spotted the smiling figure at the doorway and quickly gestured her in with a warm welcome. "Come in, come in, have a seat. We’ve all been so concerned about you ever since you left the Song Family."

"Are you in some kind of trouble? You can tell me and the other aunties here. If it’s something we can solve, we’ll certainly do our best for you..."

The other women all gathered around, doing their best to seem warm and approachable. They offered her a cup of their best tea, along with some candies and pastries.

Xia Zhaoyun pressed her lips into a smile and thanked them. Cradling the large mug, she hesitated. Finally, bolstered by their encouraging gazes, she took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice. "Aunties, Big Sister, I’d like to apply for a single dormitory."

"I’ve decided I’m not getting married, so I’ll never be in the queue for housing allocation. But I can’t just wait until I’m old and still be scrambling for a spot in a dorm with all the young girls, can I?"

"I know I’ve only been on the job for two years, so my seniority is too low to qualify. But I was wondering if I could rent a room with my own money? I can save up slowly to furnish it. Once I have things mostly set up and a little extra money, I’ll be able to adopt a child or two by next year at the latest."

As she spoke, a faint blush colored her cheeks. "I don’t have Brother Hao’s talents, and I can’t make huge contributions to the factory and the Party like he does. But I can do my small part. For instance, by adopting a child or two, I can save them from an unhappy childhood, help them grow up healthy and successful, and they in turn can contribute to the growth and development of our factory and the Party..."

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