Chapter 4

Due to the move, the factory granted me a few days off.

As a result, I hadn't seen Lin Wentao for several days.

On the last day, I prepared a table full of dishes, even braising some meat as a treat for myself.

Just as I was about to start eating, there was a knock at the door from outside the courtyard.

It was Lin Wentao, and he brought his son along.

"Ms. Chen! Open the door!"Little Jun called out, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, while pushing hard against the door.

I carried my bowl to the courtyard and asked through the door, "What's the matter?"

"Ms. Chen, my dad said there's no food at home today, so he brought me here to eat with you."

Through the crack in the door, I could see Lin Wentao standing behind, holding an empty lunchbox.

This scene was all too familiar; in my past life, it happened countless times.

Back then, I yearned to get closer to Little Jun, thinking it was a great honor for them to come to my house for meals.

I was eager to give them all the ration coupons I had saved up.

Who would have thought that I'd end up feeding two ingrates?

I couldn't help but roll my eyes and coughed deliberately.

"I'm not feeling well today. You should go eat at the cafeteria."

"What? Are you feeling unwell? Did you catch a cold?"

Lin Wentao moved closer, feigning concern.

I saw through his act; he was someone who always expected others to wait on him hand and foot. What ginger tea could he possibly make?

I declined directly, "No need. I've taken medicine and need to rest. You should go back."

"Wait! I have good news for you!"

Lin Wentao grew anxious and knocked a few more times.

"The factory approved my transfer request. Next week, I'll be joining your textile department!"

My steps faltered.

I had heard about this a few days ago, assuming it was just a joke. I never imagined it to be true.

"We'll be colleagues in the same department from now on. Being close, we can look out for each other."

There was a hint of flattery in his voice, but I remained unmoved, responding curtly, "There's nothing to look out for, " and turned back inside.

Behind me, Lin Wentao raised his voice, "Chen Lingshuang!

What do you mean by this? I've done all this, and you're still not satisfied?"

I ignored him, went inside, and shut the door.

Outside, there was a brief silence before Little Jun's whiny voice came through, "Dad, I'm hungry!"

"Eat, eat, eat, that's all you know!" Lin Wentao snapped suddenly, "Let's go home!"

Listening to the father and son walk away, I leisurely finished my feast, then sat at the table and filled out my resignation letter.

Early the next morning, I went straight to the director's office.

The director struggled to understand my decision to resign, reluctant to see me go.

He tried to persuade me for nearly an hour, talking about everything from new economic policies bringing change and opportunity to the factory's development prospects, and even revisited the topic of salary and benefits.

Seeing that I was unmoved, he finally sighed, "Think it over.

I'll keep this letter for now."

I got up to leave, and as I opened the office door, I saw Lin Wentao standing outside, his eyes red.

It seemed he had overheard my conversation inside.

"Are you resigning? Leaving? Is it because I'm transferring over?"

"Lingshuang, didn't you once say you hoped we could work together, walking home slowly after work? Why... "

"You said it yourself, " I interrupted him, walking past him with a blank expression, "That was in the past."

"Chen Lingshuang! Is it necessary to go this far? Ever since I agreed to go out with Li Xiangyun, you've been avoiding me as if I had a contagious disease!"

"You... you just want to be with me and are angry because I laughed and chatted with another woman!"

"Isn't it enough that I've agreed? Can't you stop being so cold?"

He finally began to panic, feeling anxious when he realized I truly intended to leave him.

But unfortunately, this wasn't some game of hard-to-get. I genuinely didn't want anything to do with him anymore.

I turned to look at him.

Lin Wentao's eyes were brimming with tears, and he didn't bother hiding it, grabbing my arm to keep me from leaving.

Colleagues in the corridor were already glancing our way. I shook off his hand and lowered my voice, "Lin Wentao, you may want to be with me, but I don't want to be with you anymore. So... have some dignity and stop pulling at me."

It was as if he'd been burned; he recoiled his hand, tears streaming down his face, "Fine, fine!

Go ahead and leave, but don't come back!"

Without looking back, I left him behind, already planning to buy a train ticket heading south.

The winds of change carried by economic changes were blowing across the country. This time, I was determined to live for myself.