Jiang Cheng immediately spoke about the idea of inviting Director Sun to attend the drama performance.
Director Sun immediately understood and said, "You’re aiming for me to set an example for you."
"I knew you’d see through it at a glance, so we’re being honest with you."
"Our night school takes this drama very seriously. We’re thinking if it gains more influence, we might just get to perform in the provincial capital or Beijing."
"I know such performances are quite ordinary, and typically, a director wouldn’t attend, so... we’re offering something in exchange for the opportunity."
Jiang Cheng spoke sincerely and took out something from her backpack.
"Director Sun, this is a template I organized. If you don’t mind, please feel free to use it."
Director Sun took a proper look at Jiang Cheng for the first time.
The first time he heard of this girl was from his younger son, Sun Jiandong.
At that time, he didn’t think much of it.
A few days ago, his wife came back from night school and praised Jiang Cheng profusely. He only remembered one sentence: their son doesn’t deserve Jiang Cheng.
Today was the first time he met Jiang Cheng.
From the moment she came in, she was smart, confident, composed, poised, knew when to advance and retreat, and understood human nature.
Director Sun took the template, looked at it, and the more he looked, the more he appreciated it, realizing it was exactly what they needed.
Jiang Cheng stood there earnestly, eyes downcast, looking at her nose.
For an upright director, tricks wouldn’t work; honesty was a shortcut.
The office fell silent again, but this time the tense atmosphere was gone.
Director Sun kept nodding as he looked through it.
After reading the document, Director Sun said, "What you’ve provided is quite tempting to me."
Jiang Cheng gave a sincere smile and said, "The template along with my translation, I offer in exchange for a chance for our night school."
Director Sun laughed heartily, having not seen such straightforward "scheming" for a long time.
"Alright! I agree."
After the matter was settled, Jiang Cheng immediately turned into an enthusiastic butterfly, explaining the use of the template to several clerks at the machinery factory.
An hour later, these clerks collectively went to see Director Sun.
"Director, why don’t we keep Xiao Jiang with us?"
Director Sun really couldn’t understand what sort of spell Jiang Cheng had cast over these people in just an hour.
As time ticked by and the end of the workday approached, Director Sun invited Jiang Cheng and Principal Wang to eat at the machinery factory’s cafeteria.
At that moment, it was the shift change between the day and night shifts, so there were quite a few people coming and going.
Lin Chengyuan had just finished his day shift and was walking out when he happened to see Jiang Cheng walking beside Director Sun, chatting animatedly.
"Hey? Who’s the young lady walking beside our director?"
"I don’t know, but she’s really pretty."
"I wonder if she has someone."
"Oh—"
There were comments, and some coaxing, as Lin Chengyuan’s face grew darker and he blurted out, "She has someone she likes!"
The curious and coaxing colleagues looked at Lin Chengyuan.
"Lin Zi, do you know her?"
"Where’s she from?"
After saying it, Lin Chengyuan felt inexplicably guilty, but he forced himself to stay calm as he thought that he wasn’t wrong—Jiang Cheng did like him once.
"A girl from the countryside, don’t think about it, your family won’t approve."
Lin Chengyuan said this to the colleague who was just beginning to feel interested, and this coworker also dropped the idea.
His mother had given him strict orders; it had to be someone from the city.
"Never mind, never mind, she’s so pretty, I probably wouldn’t have had a chance anyway!"
This male colleague joked about it to himself, and those around him offered a few genuine and fake words of comfort, ending a romance that hadn’t even started.
Lin Chengyuan secretly felt a bit happy, yet there was also an indescribable feeling of regret.
*
Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng was completely unaware of Lin Chengyuan’s antics; she was politely declining Director Sun’s job offer.
"Director Sun, once you see my translation skills, you won’t want to invite me to work here."
"Oh? What does it matter? Our machinery factory often needs translators, and after today, I am actually considering hiring a resident translator."
Jiang Cheng smiled mysteriously.
"Your open-mindedness won’t allow you to do that."
Director Sun: "?"
"Talent like mine needs to be put out there to serve the public and contribute to society; otherwise, wouldn’t it be a waste to keep such excellent abilities to myself?"
After Jiang Cheng finished, everyone at the table stared blankly at her.
The man with glasses stiffly turned his head to ask Principal Wang, "Is she always like this?"
Principal Wang nodded calmly.
"It’s routine, routine."
The man with glasses admired, "You really have good composure!"
Principal Wang shrugged and said indifferently, "You’ll get used to it."
The group carried on with their meal.


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