The woman, addressed as Director Song, saw Cheng You and was visibly surprised.
A factory university wouldn't produce such a beautiful young face.
"And who is this?"
Li Meiqi, clearly familiar with Director Song, whispered a few words into her ear.
Director Song looked up again, her eyes filled with astonishment, "Cheng You?"
Li Meiqi had briefly mentioned that Cheng You was at the agricultural research institute on business.
It was the name that surprised her.
"You're not perhaps Chen Yan's country wife, are you?"
Cheng You raised an eyebrow, "You know me?"
Director Song let out a hearty laugh, not an unkind one.
"You can call me Auntie. I'm a distant cousin of Chen Yan's mother."
Cheng You hadn't expected such a coincidence, running into Qi's mother's sister here.
She offered a demure smile and called out, "Auntie."
Director Song nodded, feeling that Cheng You wasn't as bad as Qi's mother had described.
Her looks and bearing alone were a far cry from the "rude" and "uncultured" description.
"Have you found a job yet? I'll be transferring to the Agricultural University soon. How about you come and help me out later?"
She and Qi's mother had never gotten along. The more Qi's mother disliked someone, the more she wanted to support them.
Cheng You politely declined, "Thank you, Auntie, but no need. I'm mainly in Yancheng to study."
Director Song blinked, "Study?"
Li Meiqi beamed with pride, "Cheng You is a student at the Traditional Chinese Medicine University, she got in on her own merit!"
Director Song was even more astonished. She suddenly recalled Qi's mother's haughty words.
Qi's mother had planned a family dinner primarily to put Cheng You in her place, to show her the vast gap between herself and the Qi family.
To make her recognize her position and know that in Yancheng, she should be humble and subservient.
At the time, Director Song had scoffed. She was marrying your son, not you, what right did you have to put her in her place?
If it weren't for marrying Qi Shengwen, would she, Song Qinglan, be in a position to dictate other people's lives?
"You actually got into the Traditional Chinese Medicine University? Keeping it so quiet! This is wonderful news, we absolutely must celebrate."
She then mused that Song Qinglan surely didn't know about this, otherwise, she wouldn't look down on Cheng You so much.
A university student, even in Yancheng, was still a rarity.
Zhou Qi had also taken the college entrance examination, but he hadn't gotten in. He insisted it was because he had a fever on the exam day and hadn't performed well.
"I'll go and tell Chen Yan. Let's have a meal at Auntie's house another day, you both come together."
Whether sincere or feigned, Director Song was one of the few relatives who showed them kindness.
Cheng You naturally wouldn't refuse.
After bidding farewell, Cheng You continued to browse with Li Meiqi for another two rounds.
"We have a cafeteria here. Would you like to try something? Though the taste isn't particularly outstanding."
Cheng You glanced at the time, "No, thank you. I'll eat when I get back."
Qi Chen Yan was waiting for her at home.
As she left the school, Cheng You spotted a figure in the distance and found it somewhat familiar.
She walked towards him unconsciously.
Upon closer inspection, it was indeed Yuan He.
"Yuan He!"
The man who was called froze, then turned around.
It was Cheng You.
"What are you doing here!" he asked in surprise.
He dared not meet Cheng You's gaze, feeling guilty.
Cheng You said, "You shouldn't be asking me that. You should be asking Jiang Wanrou, shouldn't you? You came back to study and forgot about your wife in the countryside?"
Yuan He's eyes darted around as he paced, appearing anxious.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm studying here, of course, I can't bring her over. It's not that I've forgotten her."
Cheng You asked, "Do you know she came looking for you?"
Yuan He was stunned, his eyes widening, "What did you say!"
Jiang Wanrou actually came all this way?
He panicked and quickly asked, "Where is she now?"
Cheng You shook her head, "I don't know. But you'd best find her soon, lest something happens to her in Yancheng."
Yuan He forced a smile, "I know. You should go."
Cheng You looked at him strangely. He seemed very anxious, eager to conceal something.
A moment later, a girl rushed towards Yuan He and threw herself into his arms.
"Have you been waiting long?"
Yuan He's body stiffened, numbly enduring Cheng You's scrutiny.
The girl sensed his strangeness and looked up at him, "What's wrong?"
Yuan He found it difficult to speak, not knowing how to answer.
Cheng You, however, chuckled, "I asked why you didn't bring Jiang Wanrou over. Turns out you found someone new and forgot your old flame."
The girl stared, dumbfounded, at Cheng You.
"What do you mean?"
Yuan He quickly explained, "Don't listen to her nonsense. She was trying to hit on me just now, and I rejected her, so she's deliberately slandering me!"
The girl seemed to understand. She didn't have a clear perception of Yuan He.
In her eyes, Yuan He was perfect in every way. It was normal for women to chase after him.
"He's my boyfriend. I absolutely believe him. You can give up hope."
Cheng You thought the girl was quite pretty, but perhaps not very bright.
"As you wish. I'm only saying this once. Whether you believe me or not is up to you. Yuan He is a 'sent-down youth' from our village. He's already married to my cousin. My cousin is alone and has now come to Yancheng to find him. Your current behavior constitutes being a third party and breaking up a marriage. I advise you to withdraw as soon as possible."
The girl looked at her, and she spoke with such sincerity, it didn't seem like a lie.
Just then, Yuan He scoffed and said, "To slander me, you've even woven quite a tale."
Cheng You looked at him coldly, not bothering to argue, and turned to leave.
Whether to believe it or not was entirely up to the girl's judgment.
If she was determined, she could easily find out by asking around.
But she clearly underestimated the girl's intelligence.
Her mind was currently filled with Yuan He, blinded by love, and she trusted him unconditionally.
Yuan He said, "If you don't believe me, we can break up. There's no need to force it."
The girl said, "I would never believe that woman. I'm not stupid. We're having a family gathering this weekend, do you want to come?"
Yuan He hesitated, "We've only just confirmed our relationship. Wouldn't it be a bit awkward?"
The girl chided him, "What's awkward about it? I only plan to date once in my life, and I'm aiming for marriage. The sooner we meet my parents, the sooner we can get married. Besides, don't you want my uncle to arrange a job for you? This is a good opportunity."
Upon hearing this, Yuan He's thoughts stirred.
After the college entrance examination was reinstated, he regretted coming to the factory university every moment.
But he lacked ability. Even if he took the exam, he wouldn't be able to get into other universities.
Qi Ning's family seemed well-off, and someone in the system was an official. He began to scheme and woo her.
This girl was a blank slate when it came to relationships. A little coaxing and she was hooked.
"Okay, then I'll get ready and bring a gift for your uncle."