Chapter 3

After that day, Lin Wentao and I found ourselves giving each other the silent treatment.

I was more than happy to enjoy the peace, as I had been wanting to distance myself from him for a while; the sooner, the better.

However, he would occasionally wander over to where a few of us colleagues were gathered, seemingly trying to get my attention, only to storm off in frustration when I ignored him.

It happened so many times that even people around us started noticing something was off.

On the day we were assigned housing, the meeting room was packed.

I sat in a corner, listening to some of the long-time colleagues stir up a ruckus.

"Lingshuang, I heard Lin Wentao chose the apartment on the west side of town. You're a lucky girl!"

"I was surprised, given you two seemed to be arguing a few days ago! You better seize this opportunity."

Ms. Zhang nudged me with her elbow, her smile full of teasing.

Seeing this, Xiao Wang joined in the fun:

"Exactly, exactly, you have the inside track! Once it all works out, remember to invite us to the wedding banquet!"

I smiled but didn't respond, fiddling with the pen in my hand.

If this were my previous life, hearing them say such things would have made me bubble over with joy.

Now? Hah.

"Quiet! Quiet! We're announcing the housing assignments now."

The director knocked on the table, bringing silence to the room.

I glanced up to see Lin Wentao in the front row, nervously gripping his pen, occasionally looking back at me.

"Apartment 302, Unit 2, Building 3 on the west side, assigned to Comrade Lin Wentao."

The room erupted in cheers.

Ms. Zhang patted my shoulder vigorously:

"Lingshuang, did you hear? It's right next door to you!"

People around us chattered endlessly, but the topic never strayed from the two of us.

Lin Wentao stood up, his face flushed: "Everyone, please don't say that..."

His voice lacked conviction, yet his eyes kept darting in my direction.

The director coughed again:

"Quiet! Additionally, considering that Comrade Chen Lingshuang has moved to the single-house on the east side of town, which is farther from the factory, we have decided to adjust her work shifts. Yang Li, you'll switch with her."

As soon as these words were spoken, the room buzzed with excitement.

Everyone turned to look at me, and Ms. Zhang's jaw nearly hit the floor:

"Lingshuang, you moved to the east side..."

I nodded, catching a glimpse out of the corner of my eye of Lin Wentao's face turning ashen, his notebook dropping to the floor.

As the meeting ended, before the room had completely cleared, Lin Wentao stood in the doorway blocking my path.

He grabbed my sleeve: "Chen Lingshuang, why didn't you tell me you were moving?"

I slowly pulled my sleeve free: "Why should I tell you? Didn't you say we have nothing to do with each other?"

His face flushed and paled, his lips trembling: "You...

You're lying, aren't you? You just want to see me worried about you!"

I glanced at him, ignoring him, and walked straight out.

Behind me, his anxious voice called out:

"Chen Lingshuang! Stop!"

I didn't turn back, nor did I slow my pace.

When I got home, I started packing my things.

There wasn't much, really; in my past life, most of my belongings had gone into the bottomless pit that was Lin Wentao.

As I was packing, I heard the gate swing open with a bang.

Lin Wentao's son, Xiao Jun, stood at the door, looking displeased: "Aunt Chen, are you moving away?"

Without lifting my head, I continued tying up a box: "Yes."

"Then who's going to cook for us? Who's going to give us money?"

This little brat spoke with the same entitlement as his father.

I straightened up, looking at the ungrateful brat whom I once treated like my own son: "Find someone else willing to be a pushover."

Xiao Jun paused, then shouted at the top of his lungs: "Dad! Aunt Chen is being mean!"

Lin Wentao rushed in from outside upon hearing this: "Chen Lingshuang, what do you mean? What did the kid do to you?"

I picked up the last box and headed out: "Nothing, just tired of being a pushover."

The moving company's truck was already waiting at the alley's entrance.

I tossed the box onto the truck and turned back to look at the small courtyard I had lived in for ten years.

In my past life, I stubbornly refused to move, wanting to stay close to Lin Wentao; thinking back now, it was foolish.

As the truck started moving, Lin Wentao chased after it, his voice filled with panic: "Chen Lingshuang!

Are you really moving away?"

I didn't answer directly, just opened the car door and motioned to the driver: "Driver, let's go."

In the rearview mirror, Lin Wentao stood there, his face pale.

Xiao Jun was still yelling: "Dad! She's gone, who's going to buy us new backpacks?"

I rolled up the car window, glancing away.

Whoever wants to buy them can, but I'm done serving those two.