The next day, Tian Xiang looked in the mirror when she got up.
It was awful; the words "fool" were still there.
But she thought the label could be changed.
Tian Chuying became the heroine by being reborn; if she did things out of character, maybe she could change, too.
Of course, these were just her guesses; only after experimenting would she know for sure.
After breakfast, Tian Weijun and his wife were about to go to work.
Before leaving, Hu Honglian repeatedly instructed her daughter, "Rest well and rejuvenate; mom will come back at noon to take you on a big mission."
Tian Xiang obediently nodded.
Hu Honglian lovingly touched her daughter's braid, "Xiangxiang, do you want braised pork or fried fish chunks? Mom will bring it back from the restaurant for you at noon."
The daughter had been so wronged, she needed some good nutrition.
"Mom, I'll cook for myself at noon."
Those things are so expensive.
Her daughter was sensible, and Hu Honglian felt a pang in her heart, "Then it's settled, I'll bring you braised pork."
Tian Xiang: "…"
After seeing Hu Honglian off, Tian Xiang picked up her floral bag and prepared to head out.
If she really let her mother accompany her to solve the issue between Lu Feng and Tian Chuying, she didn't know what she would become; her mother might go further down the path of a top villain.
This was something she decided to deal with on her own.
After locking the door, Tian Xiang headed straight for the street office.
The two onlookers at the Women's Friend Office received her.
Seeing the words on their foreheads, Tian Xiang was a bit puzzled; after all, they had plots and lines, and ought to be minor characters, so how did they become mere onlookers?
A bit hard to understand, but it didn't matter.
The issue of the younger Tian sister stealing her sister's blind date through Director Wu of the neighborhood committee was already very clear to everyone.
Tian Xiang did not elaborate more, coming today chiefly to ask the two to accompany her to the mechanical factory to find Lu Feng.
"My cousin is not very bright and is simple-minded. Yesterday she went on the blind date in my place, saying she's long been fond of and in love with Lu Feng!
I feel there's something off about this."
Tian Xiang frowned deeply, "If they're in love, then why did Lu Feng have a blind date with me? Isn't this strange?"
"Indeed, it's strange; keep analyzing," said the two women, their eyes alight with gossip, as one instinctively took some seeds from her pocket but put them back when realizing the occasion wasn't right.
Tian Xiang paused and continued, "Of course, this is just my sister's side of things; the actual situation still needs asking Lu Feng. If he truly has feelings for my sister but came to see me, isn't that messing around with relationships? I think this is serious, to prevent my sister from being deceived, it must be clarified."
The two women exchanged glances and quickly gathered their things.
"Comrade Tian Xiang, what you say makes a lot of sense, we should go."
"Such a rare good girl, even after having your engagement taken by your sister, you're still concerned whether she's being deceived…"
Tian Xiang hadn't expected things to go so smoothly and gratefully shook their hands, "Thank you, Mr. Zhang, Mr. Guo; both of you are good comrades, thank you."
The three happily rode their bicycles to the Lixin Machinery Factory on Red Fifth Street.
Turning from the alley into the main road, the street was filled with indistinguishable passers-by, making Tian Xiang's eyes glaze over.
From Sanli Lane to Red Fifth Street, passing a canal lined with willow trees, and then cycling westward for about ten minutes, crossing a small arched bridge with stone lions, they reached Red Fifth Street.
Unlike the dark alleys and dilapidated courtyards of Sanli Lane, Red Fifth Street, home to the city's five largest factories, had everything from buildings, shopping malls, hospitals, schools, to eating, drinking, and entertainment.
It's no wonder Sanli Lane's young women all wanted to marry into Red Fifth Street; everyone seeks higher ground, as water flows downward—who wouldn't envy it?
The Lixin Machinery Factory is at the very edge of Red Fifth Street.
With two onlookers leading, Tian Xiang easily entered the big iron gate and met Lu Feng's supervisor, Director Liu of the factory union, with the label of Supporting Role 56 on his forehead.
Unfortunately, Lu Feng wasn't around, having gone to the workshop.
Director Liu led them to the reception room.
"Do the three of you have some business with Xiao Lu? He's an outstanding staff member of the union, normally quite busy."
Listen to that tone; without understanding the situation, he was already defending.
It seems Lu Feng has quite the rapport here, socializing effectively.
The two civil service ladies from the Women's Friend Office quickly explained the situation.
Hearing of Lu Feng's alleged involvement in a relationship scandal, Director Liu laughed, "Lu Feng is an advanced worker in our mechanical factory; this must be a misunderstanding."
Tian Xiang: "I trust Lixin Machinery Factory's conduct education, but my sister said they liked each other long ago, so this mustn't be ignored. Please have Mr. Lu come over and clarify this in front of everyone."
Director Liu confidently said, "Alright, just sit tight for a moment."
Director Liu left, and the two accompanying clerks began noting down today's work and visit details.
Despite munching on gossip, work had to continue.
Tian Xiang attentively poured them hot water and then turned and went outside.
Since she was here to make a fuss, it'd be better to do it in the square outside the office; the reception room was cramped, and voices wouldn't carry well.
The conditions at the mechanical factory were truly great—just look at this square, so clean and neat.
It had flower beds, red flags, a bulletin board, and announcements.
Tian Xiang was silently admiring the scene when she caught sight of someone, and paused in astonishment.
"Hmm?"
Not far away, who was the man pasting a poster on the announcement board, and why was there no label above his head?
Tian Xiang was somewhat puzzled, turning her head to find another figure.
Background Character A, Background Character B, Scumbag 3, Lovesick 1, Lovesick 2…
Her eyes were fine!
So, it must be that guy who's unusual!!
Tian Xiang was shocked; how did an unexpected person get mixed among the world of utility people?
Who on earth was he???
Tian Xiang's gaze, earnest and puzzled, caught the attention of the man pasting the poster under the bulletin board, who turned his head to look at her.
Their eyes met, and the man paused, his eyes also showing emotion.
But too far to see the details clearly, Tian Xiang could only make out the general situation.
White shirt, green army pants, white sneakers, neat and refreshing, handsome features, a distinguished and elegant demeanor.
Quite surprising in appearance, having the bearing of a protagonist, yet he's an unknown nobody—not even a Background Character A. Could he be just a part of this world's background?
Tian Xiang frowned and shook her head, soon moving her gaze away. Though a bit baffled, it was irrelevant to her.
After about ten minutes, Director Liu brought Lu Feng over.
Lu Feng, in his early twenties, dressed in a gray checkered shirt with black dress pants, holding a notebook and pen, smiled radiantly and charmingly, surrounded by three colleagues, looking every bit elegant.
If she ignored the label on his forehead, Tian Xiang thought this should be her preferred type.
But now...
Tian Xiang rushed forward and slapped him hard.