Awaken: I See Tags, I Rewrite My Life
Chapter 51: Stubborn as Always!

Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Stubborn as Always!

No wonder Meng Cheng’an was able to save me last time, it turns out his place is really close.

This kind of corner location is usually where people who are unwelcome or have identity issues live, just like his background.

However, because it’s off the beaten path, no one chooses it, and there are fewer neighbors around the yard, so they can privately expand it into an independent small courtyard, which is much more comfortable than living in a big communal yard.

Upon arriving at the location, Tian Xiang pulled out a flashlight to confirm the house number, and then knocked on the door.

Just as she made a move, a dog started barking from inside the yard.

Alright, confirmed, this is the place.

Soon, someone inside scolded the dog, and then asked her, "Who’s there?"

The voice sounded elderly, like someone in their sixties or seventies.

Tian Xiang: "Hello, sir. Is this Meng Cheng’an’s home? I’m looking for Meng Cheng’an."

Looking for Cheng’an!

Under the eaves, Mr. Meng, dressed in a patched-up old military uniform with graying hair, turned his head to look at his grandson in the kitchen. Just as he was about to speak, Meng Cheng’an said softly, "Just tell her I’m not here."

Mr. Meng frowned, "The young lady came specifically to find you, and you’re pretending not to be here? Show some manners, please."

Meng Cheng’an didn’t listen and started to roll out the dough.

The steamy vapor blurred his features, adding an otherworldly aura to his handsome face.

Though he was good-looking, his temper was as stubborn as ever.

Since his grandson didn’t nod, Mr. Meng didn’t dare to invite anyone in, so he said to the outside, "Looking for Cheng’an, huh? He’s gone to a friend’s place and hasn’t come back yet."

Gone to a friend’s place?

Does he even have friends?

Tian Xiang frowned, pressed her ear against the door to listen, didn’t hear anything, and knocked on the door again, saying, "Sir, I’m also from the factory’s union. I just wanted to come check on him. Since he’s not here, then forget it. You tell him, today’s matter will pass, it’s not a big problem."

Tian Xiang knew Meng Cheng’an was home; he just didn’t want to see her.

"Sir, I’m leaving now."

Tian Xiang rode off on her bike.

Inside the yard, Mr. Meng looked disapprovingly at his grandson, "Look, she’s worried about you, but you won’t even see her. It’s just a job, if it’s gone, Grandpa will find you another one. What’s to be ashamed of? Show some manly spirit."

Meng Cheng’an didn’t say a word and added some cold water to the pot.

Mr. Meng continued, "Is she the one who had dinner with you last night? See how loyal she is, not afraid of the dark, coming over so late. This area is not that safe."

Mr. Meng shook his head and pursed his lips as he spoke, while Meng Cheng’an tightened his grip on the water scoop, then rushed outside, grabbed the flashlight from the windowsill, and chased after her with Heizi.

Mr. Meng chuckled, "This stubborn kid, clearly wants to see her, but insists on pretending. What a repressed personality, I don’t know who he learned it from..."

Outside, Tian Xiang was riding fast, a bit afraid of this area, not afraid of those few hooligans, but afraid of rats.

At home, in order to avoid seeing rats, she seldom went out after dark.

She was riding so fast that when Meng Cheng’an reached the main road outside, he only saw a distant figure disappearing.

Well, still didn’t meet her.

Blame him, who told him to pretend.

...

Tian Xiang returned home quite late.

Hu Honglian, upon hearing that her daughter hadn’t eaten, quickly prepared some noodles for her.

"What’s going on, work that busy?"

Tian Xiang didn’t respond, really not in the mood to talk.

Hu Honglian made egg noodles for her daughter, and after she finished eating, quietly asked a few questions, wondering if she was having trouble at work, as her daughter didn’t seem very happy.

Tian Xiang shook her head, "It’s nothing, just a trial period, the pressure is a bit much, that’s all. Mom, it’s okay."

As for the matter with Meng Cheng’an, Tian Xiang didn’t feel comfortable discussing it with her family.

Hu Honglian smiled, comforted her daughter with a few words, it’s just work, no big deal, if it doesn’t work out, find another.

The next day.

Tian Xiang rode her bike to work, and upon reaching the factory gate, glanced around instinctively, disappointed not to see any sign of Meng Cheng’an.

Sigh, forget it, don’t think about it.

Since Zeng Qingwen promised, he wouldn’t go back on his word.

That matter, even if Vice Factory Director Zeng wants to help, will have to wait for the investigation results, probably will take a few more days.

On the fourth day of the trial period, no one was taking Chen Yong and Tian Xiang out anymore.

The two divided the tasks, Chen Yong went to the family compound to deal with an elderly couple’s divorce, and Tian Xiang continued working on her household industry group.

She planned to inquire with all the factories in the district, cast a wide net, build good relations, and believed she would find work eventually.

Tian Xiang didn’t return to the factory for lunch, just grabbed a bite outside, and worked for a whole day, visiting more than ten factories, without gaining anything.

Tian Xiang returned in a foul mood, her face visibly darkened.

Chen Yong was the only one in the office, and he advised Tian Xiang not to run around aimlessly; this matter relies on connections, not effort.

Speaking of connections, Tian Xiang was puzzled, "We are the largest factory in the city, don’t we have any work allocated?"

The community family compound’s four small industry groups were for packing matchboxes, sewing clothes and repairs, basket weaving, and optional construction crews, none of which were related to their Mechanical Factory.

Chen Yong: "There is something."

"What is it?"

"Repairing labor protection gloves."

Labor protection gloves!

This is a great thing, there’s a monthly supply, the volume is big enough, and the unusable ones can be kept for personal use, collected to knit scarves and sweaters later.

Sanli Lane also used to have a group for repairing labor protection gloves, those women loved it.

Unfortunately, the work was taken by people from the neighboring Liu Street neighborhood.

Tian Xiang: "Why don’t we allocate our factory’s things to the family compound here, instead of giving them to others?"

This is a bit complicated to explain.

Chen Yong explained in detail, and there were roughly two reasons.

Firstly, their family compound isn’t near the riverside, so they can’t use river water for washing, and using tap water is costly; the factory lowered the price.

Secondly, the work itself was a bit grueling, and there were few willing to do it around here.

The Mechanical Factory’s benefits are good, and the employees’ wages are higher than other factories, so not everyone is willing to do all kinds of work.

Considering all aspects, it was left for others to do.

Chen Yong: "Our factory uses a lot of labor protection gloves, and every month tens of thousands need mending or repairing."

Tens of thousands, if taken on entirely, it would probably be the largest household industry group in the district.

Tian Xiang couldn’t wait any longer and immediately went to the second floor to find Chairman Jiang.

Jiang Qin, upon hearing she wanted to take on the labor protection gloves work, shook her head with a smile, "This has been attempted several times before, but never succeeded."

If possible, it’s best to keep the factory’s things for their own people.

Tian Xiang: "Chairman Jiang, I’ll take on this work, not planning to organize the family compound people to do it. I just want to hold it as a bargaining chip to exchange with other communities for clean and light work to bring back for everyone."