Refusing to marry a widower, I went on a crazy spree of sending my children to the army.

Lu Yuan, who was far away in the provincial capital, suddenly sneezed. The female employee next to him hurriedly asked with concern, "Engineer Lu, are you alright? Should we call a doctor to come and take a look?"

Lu Yuan took two steps back and waved his hand: "It's okay, you go ahead and do your work, Xiao Zhang can help here!"

"Engineer Lu, I..."

"Get out!" Lu Yuan frowned and scolded, scaring the man so much that he trembled and ran away with red eyes.

Lu Yuan sat down behind his desk, took off his glasses, and rubbed his throbbing temples.

I wonder what Qiao Manman is doing, and if she's thinking about him.

Look up and glance out the window.

The warm sunlight fell on the trees, casting dappled patterns of light that looked absolutely beautiful.

Lu Yuan sketched Qiao Manman's outline in his mind, and after a moment buried himself in the pile of books, studying those complex drawings.

***

At Yangxian Machinery Factory, Qiao Manman had just arrived at the office when she saw Miao Shoujun pacing back and forth, wringing his hands nervously.

Upon seeing her, a forced smile appeared on his face: "Um, Comrade Xiao Qiao..."

Qiao Manman's heart skipped a beat. She wondered what Director Miao meant. Could it be that he wanted to go back on his word and not let her go to Suzhou?

"What's wrong, factory manager? Tell me!"

Qiao Manman smiled, but her words carried a hint of gritted teeth, sending chills down one's spine.

Miao Shoujun coughed, thinking to himself that he was the factory director and what was he afraid of? Some grievances were something young people had to endure. At worst, he would compensate her in other ways.

"Comrade Xiao Qiao, the training session you led earlier was a great success!"

Qiao Manman nodded: "It's all thanks to the support of the leaders and the cooperation of my colleagues. The medal belongs to me half and the machinery factory half!"

Miao Shoujun was pleased by the flattery, and his unease subsided a bit. He smiled and said, "That's why the commune below invited our factory to perform."

"That's great. It will not only increase our factory's visibility, but also let them experience the spirit of our factory's employees."

But what does this have to do with her going to Suzhou?

Seeing that she wasn't angry, Miao Shoujun continued, "But you have to go on a business trip, and this training needs to be carried out as soon as possible. There's a vacancy for the host, and someone wants to try out for it!"

Qiao Manman: "......"

That's it? She thought it was something big!

The sharpness in his eyes vanished instantly, and his aura softened: "Factory Manager, do you have a recommended candidate, or has it already been decided?"

I think this is a rare opportunity, and interested individuals should be allowed to register.

You and other leaders should conduct an evaluation and ultimately select one to three hosts to run the program smoothly.

If someone from outside the factory signs up, you may give them one or two opportunities to appear.

The initiative is in our hands; you decide what to do!

"Oh, haha, really! As long as you don't mind!"

Miao Shoujun hadn't expected Qiao Manman to be so magnanimous. He had prepared a lot to say, but he kept it stuck in his throat.

Qiao Manman said with a sweet smile, "Our machinery factory prospers together, and suffers together. When everyone is doing well, that's truly good!"

Miao Shoujun was relieved and praised, "Comrade Xiao Qiao, how come you are so conscientious? If only everyone else were as humble as you, that would be great!"

Qiao Manman said awkwardly, "Although selfless dedication is what every employee should do, if the leaders can see our efforts and give us certain rewards, it is also a necessary measure to enhance employees' initiative and increase their sense of happiness and belonging!"

Miao Shoujun raised his hand and pointed: "You, you're quite the smooth talker, not bad!"

Qiao Manman smiled and handed the summary to the other party, asking, "Director Miao, is there anything you want? I'll bring it back for you!"

Miao Shoujun had only read two lines when he looked up and said, "Oh, no, be careful when you go out. Also, try to negotiate some Mid-Autumn Festival benefits for us!"

Qiao Manman nodded, put away her train ticket and letter of introduction, and went to the business department to find the two colleagues who were traveling with her.

After they finished arranging their work, they went to the cafeteria together to get dinner, and then went to the station to catch their train.

On the way, Fang Jianzhou, an older male comrade, asked, "Xiao Qiao, can you manage to go to Suzhou to make purchases by yourself?"

"How about we go with you after we finish our business?"

Wei Xueping, a slightly younger woman, also said, "Yes, Manman, this is your first time traveling, and you don't know anyone here. Don't let the kidnappers abduct you!"

Qiao Manman laughed: "It's alright, Comrade Fang and Comrade Wei. I'm strong, and most petty thieves can't beat me!"

The factory manager entrusted me with such an important task, so naturally I had to do my best to give it a try.

If that really doesn't work, I'll ask my two seniors for help!

Seeing this, Fang Jianzhou and Wei Xueping did not try to persuade them further.

He instructed Qiao Manman to keep the money, tickets, and letter of introduction safe, and then asked her what she had brought.

Only after confirming there were no mistakes or omissions did they feel at ease sitting in the waiting room chatting about gossip.

Although Qiao Manman didn't know many of the people, she listened with great interest.

The sun quickly set, and the station became dim.

Their train tickets were for 9:30 pm. At 8 pm, Fang Jianzhou suggested, "Let's eat something to fill our stomachs while there are fewer people around."

So that once I get on the bus, I won't be caught staring at me, unsure whether to eat or not!

Qiao Manman joked, "Comrade Fang is very experienced!"

Wei Xueping said with a smile, "He goes on seven or eight business trips a year, and he knows the ins and outs of train travel very well!"

Comrade Fang is a key member of our business department!

Qiao Manman gave a thumbs up to express her admiration. Then the three of them sat down in a row and opened their lunchboxes.

Qiao Manman made Mapo Tofu, Bok Choy, and a large steamed bun.

Wei Xueping served braised pork with white rice.

Fang Jianzhou had a big appetite and bought two scallion pancakes and a serving of pork and scallion dumplings.

Wei Xueping glanced at Qiao Manman and thought, "She's really plain."

Thinking the young girl was afraid to spend money, I picked up my chopsticks and put several pieces of braised pork on her plate.

Fang Jianzhou did the same, directly shoveling five or six dumplings into her bowl, ignoring Qiao Manman's explanations.

Qiao Manman felt a warmth in her heart and took out two eggs, stuffing them into their hands: "Don't refuse, these are double-yolk eggs! They were laid by my little Hua, and they're especially delicious!"

Wei Xueping smiled, put the eggs in her pocket, and planned to have them for breakfast tomorrow.

Fang Jianzhou, however, simply cracked open the egg and peeled off the shell. He took a bite and found it tasted even better than any egg he had ever eaten.

"Wow, this egg tastes amazing!" The egg white is tender, the yolk is sandy, there's no fishy smell at all, and it even has a wheat aroma.

Wei Xueping was so aroused by him that she couldn't resist taking out an egg from her pocket and cracking it open.

The moment she tasted it, her eyes lit up. She kept asking Qiao Manman what she had fed her, how could this egg be so delicious!

Qiao Manman smiled and replied casually, "It's nothing, just small bugs, empty grains, and vegetable leaves, whatever we have to feed them!"

Wei Xueping dipped the egg into the braised pork with some sauce, and mmm, it tasted even better now. I almost swallowed my tongue.

After she finished eating, her eyes lit up: "Little Qiao, does your production team still have eggs of such good quality?"

Qiao Manman laughed and said, "Well, I don't know either! My family only raises one hen, and this hen only lays one egg a day!"