Zhao Xiaocui immediately thought of her own husband, who was also “busy with matters,” and felt a sense of shared hardship.
Seeing Ji Shuyu alone, she felt an urge to look after her.
“Hey, in this sweltering heat, why don’t you come to my place to sit for a while? Have some water and rest your feet? It’s not far, just ahead,” Zhao Xiaocui found herself inviting, almost as if guided by a whim.
She herself was momentarily startled, but looking at Ji Shuyu’s gentle demeanor, she felt the invitation wasn’t wrong.
Ji Shuyu seemed slightly surprised. She looked at Zhao Xiaocui’s honest face, hesitated for a moment, then smiled and nodded. “Then… I’ll trouble you, elder sister.”
Arriving home, Zhao Xiaocui poured Ji Shuyu a glass of cooled boiled water and brought out some pickled sour plums she had made to help beat the heat.
The two women sat in the courtyard, chatting idly.
They talked about the hardships of pregnancy, the difficulties of raising children, and the trivialities of daily life.
Zhao Xiaocui was surprised to discover that this young wife named Ji Shuyu, while seeming quiet and gentle, was quite knowledgeable and spoke sensibly.
Most importantly, Zhao Xiaocui felt she got along very well with Ji Shuyu—a rare connection.
If Ji Shuyu hadn’t mentioned needing to get back home, Zhao Xiaocui would have insisted she stay for dinner.
And so, after that chance meeting at the supply and marketing cooperative entrance, Ji Shuyu became a frequent visitor to Director Wang’s home.
She always came when Director Wang wasn’t home, sometimes in the afternoon, sometimes in the evening.
She always brought small, inexpensive tokens of thoughtfulness.
A packet of newly dried jujubes, saying they calmed the nerves and enriched the blood, for Sister Cui to try.
Two bars of fancy, novel-patterned soap from out of town, saying they worked better than the local ones.
She never came empty-handed, but she also never gave lavish gifts, maintaining perfect propriety that put Zhao Xiaocui at ease, making her feel only that this younger sister was very considerate.
The items were exchanged from the points mall—all things Zhao Xiaocui rarely saw, yet indispensable in daily life.
Ji Shuyu’s words were even more masterful.
She never proactively inquired about Director Wang’s affairs. Instead, she just chatted with Zhao Xiaocui about everyday things, sharing trivial matters.
“Sister Cui, you know, my He… I don’t even know what he’s busy with all day. He just tells me to rest assured and focus on the pregnancy… But my heart is always uneasy.”
“In this unfamiliar place, I just hope we can settle down peacefully.”
These words immediately struck a strong chord with Zhao Xiaocui.
“Exactly! Mine is the same! Always talking about ‘social engagements,’ coming home dead drunk. If I ask too much, he gets impatient, says things like ‘women should meddle less in men’s outside affairs!’”
“My heart is constantly on edge too, afraid he’ll stir up trouble one of these days!”
The feeling of shared hardship quickly brought the two women closer.
Ji Shuyu would then offer timely comfort, her words laced with subtle guidance.
“Sister Cui, you and Director Wang have been married for many years. You know each other well; there’s affection there, after all.”
“Not like me… Sigh. Sometimes I really wish I could have something solid in my hands, then my heart wouldn’t feel so panicked.”
“Women, in the end, have to plan a little escape route for themselves.”
Zhao Xiaocui looked at Ji Shuyu’s profile, feeling as if she had found a kindred spirit.
Her way of thinking was so similar to her own.
Ji Shuyu would also demonstrate her household management skills, talking about things like how to save money effectively, what items hold their value.
She even mentioned how some women back in her hometown would secretly stash away private savings as a precaution.
These seemingly casual remarks subtly reinforced Zhao Xiaocui’s idea of finding a way out for herself.
Sometimes, when Zhao Xiaocui was emotionally charged, she couldn’t help but complain about Director Wang, even revealing some vague information about him accepting gifts or helping people with matters.
Ji Shuyu would always listen quietly, occasionally sighing, patting the back of Zhao Xiaocui’s hand, and saying,
“Sister Cui, you have it hard. You need to take better care of yourself.”
She never asked too many questions, let alone passed judgment. This kind of listening made Zhao Xiaocui increasingly drop her guard around her, and her desire to confide grew stronger and stronger.
Ji Shuyu was slowly eroding Zhao Xiaocui’s psychological defenses, making her unconsciously view Ji Shuyu as a sister she could trust.
Meanwhile, He Yuan’s performance in front of Director Wang was becoming even more masterful.
After their first meeting at the restaurant, He Yuan wasn’t in a hurry to make any demands.
He remembered Brother Zhao’s advice clearly, and every so often, he would find legitimate reasons to appear before Director Wang, always bringing gifts that were neither too light nor too heavy.
Sometimes it was two cartons of good cigarettes, saying a friend brought them from out of town, that he wasn’t used to that brand, but remembered Director Wang favored it. Other times, it was a few hard-to-find tins of malted milk powder or high-end infant formula.
Once, he even managed to get a semi-new electric fan and delivered it to Director Wang’s home just before summer hit, solving an urgent need.
He gave these gifts naturally, with solid reasons, never making excessive requests.
It seemed purely out of respect and gratitude for Director Wang.
This made Director Wang feel perfectly at ease accepting them, and his impression of He Yuan improved more and more; he truly felt this young man knew how to handle things.
More importantly, He Yuan began to demonstrate his capabilities.
Director Wang had mentioned offhandedly during a drink that one of the warehouses under the supply and marketing cooperative was somewhat disorganized, with unclear accounts.
Not long after, He Yuan used his own connections to obtain something.
“Director Wang, I was just thinking idly, felt there might be some issues here, but I don’t really understand the business. I just thought if this matter could be investigated and cleared up, it might even highlight your effective management in rooting out long-standing problems.”
As he spoke, he handed Director Wang a document outlining discrepancies.
Director Wang was both shocked and delighted.
Shocked that He Yuan actually had such connections and attentiveness; delighted that this was indeed something he could use to control his subordinates.
The way he looked at He Yuan instantly changed.
One thing after another made Director Wang feel that He Yuan was not only savvy but also well-connected and capable.
He grew increasingly accustomed to handing matters over to He Yuan to handle and increasingly treated He Yuan as one of his own.
He Yuan, for his part, always maintained respect and humility. After handling each matter, he credited all the success to Director Wang.
This posture greatly flattered Director Wang, satisfying both his vanity and his practical interests.
Gradually, Director Wang started bringing He Yuan along to some less formal private dinners as well.
At the table, He Yuan knew just how to make Director Wang feel comfortable—shielding him from drinks, smoothing over awkward moments, livening up the atmosphere—he was proficient in all of it.
Even Zhao Dezhu now had to take a back seat.
However, He Yuan didn’t neglect Zhao Dezhu either; he flattered him too.
This Zhao Dezhu still had significant uses later; he couldn’t be cast aside just yet.
And so, He Yuan moved skillfully between the two men, navigating the situation with ease.
Watching these two men becoming complacent, He Yuan’s lips curved into a smile.
The timing was almost ripe. Once Director Wang trusted him completely, he could make his move.
He was determined to find out exactly what—or who—was behind Lin Fang.
“Still thinking things over?”
Ji Shuyu pushed the door open and saw He Yuan deep in thought.
He Yuan looked up at his wife and nodded gently. “I feel like I’m getting closer to uncovering the person behind all this.”
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