Chen Lishu walked two steps closer to her, looking at Zhao Hong and sneering, "What are you, to dare threaten me? Zhao Hong, if you had just shouted it out, I might have admired your courage. What's the point of putting on a show here?"
"If I'm not mistaken, the Lu family forced you to hand over all your wages, didn't they? With no money in hand, you decided to come out and earn some? You haven't even cleaned up your own mess and you want to threaten me? Go somewhere cool and stay there."
To avoid being looked down upon, Zhao Hong had always acted as if nothing had happened. She never expected her carefully maintained facade to be so ruthlessly exposed by Chen Lishu. Zhao Hong was instantly enraged. In a fit of impulse, she shouted loudly, "Someone..."
Zhao Hong intended to shout, "Someone is engaging in speculation and profiteering." However, as soon as she opened her mouth, Chen Lishu, with lightning-fast reflexes, clamped her mouth shut. The intended "Someone" was reduced to a muffled "Mmm" and forced back down her throat.
"Sister Ai Xiang, you ride ahead first. Leave this to me!" Chen Lishu instructed with a grim expression, then slapped Zhao Hong twice with both hands.
These two slaps not only stunned Zhao Hong but also startled Wang Aixiang, who stood with her mouth agape, taking a long moment to react.
Wang Aixiang had never realized that the usually demure Chen Lishu could be so fierce when fighting.
With such capability, Wang Aixiang knew Chen Lishu wouldn't be at a disadvantage. She decided it was best to follow Chen Lishu's instructions and move the fabric first, lest people be attracted and make things difficult.
With this thought, Wang Aixiang kicked the block in front of the bicycle wheel, turned the handlebars, mounted the bike, and rode away.
Seeing Wang Aixiang about to leave, Zhao Hong became desperate. She opened her mouth to bite Chen Lishu's tiger's mouth, but Chen Lishu was already on guard. She swiftly withdrew her hands from Zhao Hong's cheeks and forcefully kicked Zhao Hong's shin bone. In pain, Zhao Hong's legs buckled, and she collapsed onto the ground.
Chen Lishu pressed her advantage, not giving Zhao Hong any time to react. She grabbed Zhao Hong's hair and pulled her down to the ground, then applied pressure with her knee, pinning Zhao Hong beneath her.
"You had a good life, why didn't you live it? What business is it of yours that I'm doing my own business? Think you're so capable, wanting to threaten me? Do you really think I'm easily scared? Huh?"
As Chen Lishu spoke, she raised her hand and slapped Zhao Hong twice more.
Although Zhao Hong wanted to resist, she had never fought anyone before and lacked experience. Moreover, Chen Lishu's reactions were too quick. After just a couple of blows, Zhao Hong began to plead, "I was wrong, Chen Lishu. I won't dare to do it again..."
Chen Lishu, tired from hitting, stopped her actions when she finally heard Zhao Hong concede.
"I'm telling you, Zhao Hong, I know how crucial Lu Chengming is to you. I know his workplace, and I know all the messes he makes at the factory. If you dare to have any more ill intentions, believe me, I'll send a letter of accusation and make him a pariah in the factory?"
Lu Chengming's philandering was well-known. When Chen Lishu was with him, they often fought over this issue. Because of her unwillingness to give up, she was frequently beaten black and blue by that scoundrel Lu Chengming.
Later, when she finally exploded and threatened him with a kitchen knife, Lu Chengming finally curbed his behavior a little.
Upon hearing Chen Lishu mention Lu Chengming, Zhao Hong instantly became like a madwoman, struggling violently and shouting, "You're talking nonsense. Chengming has always been honest and dutiful at work. You don't know anything, so stop slandering him."
Chen Lishu stopped arguing with her and stood up, looking down at her with a sneer. "Zhao Hong, Zhao Hong, I really don't know if you're too foolish or too naive. Someone like Lu Chengming is nothing but scum. He relies on his decent looks to hook up with three or four women at his factory at the same time. You never ask about it, do you? Given how foolish you are, I'll kindly give you a reminder: there's a Mr. Bai in the workshop, a Mr. Liu in the factory office, oh, and it seems like a relative of the factory director. If you're interested, you can go ask around. Instead of wasting time with me here, you might even see him being intimate with another woman if you go now."
Chen Lishu elaborated in such detail precisely because she wanted to give Zhao Hong something to do, and also to send a gift to Lu Chengming.
Seeing Chen Lishu speak so confidently, Zhao Hong became flustered.
Lu Chengming was more important to her than her own life, and she couldn't allow anyone to snatch him away.
Forgetting even to pursue the matter of Chen Lishu beating her, Zhao Hong got up from the ground, not even bothering to dust herself off, and turned to rush directly to Lu Chengming's factory.
Lu Chengming had taken leave from the factory again today, just so he could go to a movie with Lin Xiaohui.
The two had been progressing well recently, their affection steadily growing. During the movie, when no one was paying attention, Lu Chengming even kissed Lin Xiaohui.
Even as they walked out of the cinema, Lin Xiaohui's cheeks were flushed, and she was too shy to meet Lu Chengming's eyes.
"Xiaohui, here are the five chi of cloth coupons and two jin of meat coupons I saved. Girls should dress themselves up beautifully. And with the meat coupons, you should eat more meat, don't be stingy. If you run out, just tell me."
Lin Xiaohui was deeply touched by his words. In her life, no one had ever spoken to her so gently and thoughtfully.
"Chengming, you're so good to me," Lin Xiaohui said shyly, accepting the coupons from his hand.
She felt like she had struck gold. Not only was Lu Chengming handsome, but he was also generous with his money. Most importantly, he had an urban household registration and a formal job, receiving rationed food.
As they walked towards the lumber mill, while still some distance from the factory entrance, Lu Chengming's sharp eyes spotted Zhao Hong pacing back and forth at the factory gate, seemingly waiting for him.
Lu Chengming's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and a flicker of impatience flashed in his eyes.
"Xiaohui, you've had a long day too. You should go back and rest early."
Lin Xiaohui shook her head. "We're almost at your factory entrance. I'll leave after I see you go in."
With the kindergarten about to start work soon, she would have to switch shifts with colleagues to get time off, and they wouldn't be able to meet as often as now.
"Be good. I want to see you leave before I feel at ease going back to the factory," Lu Chengming said, reaching out to stroke Lin Xiaohui's head.
His gentle tone made Lin Xiaohui's heart fill with sweetness. She pursed her lips and nodded.
Only after watching her walk away did Lu Chengming turn and stride quickly towards Zhao Hong.
"What are you doing here?"
Seeing him coming from outside the factory, Zhao Hong asked curiously, "Chengming, you weren't at the factory, where did you go?"
Lu Chengming replied impatiently, "I went out to handle some business. Can't we discuss it when we get home? What are you doing here? And look at what you're wearing, and your appearance. Are you trying to embarrass me?"