"Lin Chengyuan has been arrested!"

This single sentence sparked a frenzy of gossip in the communal yard.

"What did Lin Chengyuan do?"

"Could it be related to the fire incident yesterday?"

The informant looked at the last person in the group nodding.

"It truly is! The specifics are unclear, but Lin Chengyuan has indeed been taken away."

When the Lin Family heard this news, they really had to support each other as they walked out.

Their family only had Lin Chengyuan with a stable job; if even this job was lost, how could they possibly survive!

Upon hearing this, Grandma Shen raised her shoehorn again.

The Lao Lin Family didn’t have a single decent person.

Jiang Cheng, hearing the commotion, stopped Grandma Shen; at the moment, the situation was unclear.

Though Lin Chengyuan has various faults, he shouldn’t commit arson.

Arson offers him no benefit, and with his only job at stake, he wouldn’t dare lose it.

Grandma Shen, a shrewd person herself, seeing Jiang Cheng pull at her, lowered the shoehorn once more.

"Pah! Trouble-maker!"

Jiang Cheng supported the complaining Grandma Shen back to the Shen Family; the courtyard remained in uproar.

The gossip about Jiang Cheng was quickly overtaken by the one concerning Lin Chengyuan.

That day, the Shen Family awaited news, while the Lin Family awaited it even more.

Far at the factory’s security department, Shen Que was nearing the end of the investigation into the fire.

In the security department’s interrogation room, a bearded Lin Chengyuan called out to Shen Que who was about to leave.

"Shen Que... if I didn’t..."

"Life doesn’t have ifs, Jiang Cheng isn’t a commodity for you to manipulate; she’s independent and autonomous, someone like you..." Shen Que scoffed and said, "She didn’t fancy you before, and even less so in the future."

Lin Chengyuan wanted to erupt, but the tiny, barely visible flame inside him was snuffed out by Shen Que’s icy gaze.

Shen Que, disdainful, didn’t bother to spare Lin Chengyuan a look, and with a bang, he walked out the door.

Around eight in the evening, Shen Que returned to the communal yard.

On seeing Shen Que’s return, Grandma Shen hurried forward.

"Quickly sit down and rest, I’ll boil some dumplings for you, made today, they’ll be ready soon."

Shen Que didn’t refuse; he was indeed hungry.

Seeing Shen Que return, Shen Xing and Shen Yue started helping out; Shen Yue ran next door to report the news, while Shen Xing poured water.

Soon, Jiang Cheng followed Shen Yue over.

"You’re back."

Shen Que responded with a nod, smiling tiredly, "I’ve taken care of it, don’t worry, everything’s fine."

"That’s good, as long as everything’s alright."

Jiang Cheng sat across from Shen Que, not rushing to talk, letting him first drink some water, eat some food.

Shen Que soon finished a plate of dumplings and a bowl of dumpling soup.

The feeling of being full made one feel comfortable; Shen Que looked at the four people opposite him, eight pairs of eyes, and smiled.

"We’ve figured out the matter. It was Lin Chengyuan smoking on duty, accidentally igniting the blanket. That thing burned too fast, and he didn’t respond in time, causing the flames to spread swiftly."

"Luckily, there were no casualties; the ignition point was the security room, not the factory floor, so the losses weren’t severe."

Shen Que paused and said, "Lin Chengyuan admitted it, and the factory decided to dismiss him."

Upon hearing this, the four opposite felt relieved.

It’s misfortune within fortune, in a way.

After Shen Que spoke, the room fell quiet for a moment.

Grandma Shen, aware Jiang Cheng was going out the next day, simply took Shen Xing and Shen Yue back inside, leaving the young couple to chat.

Jiang Cheng, without a hint of shyness, whispered to Grandma Shen, "Thank you."

Grandma Shen rolled her eyes at Jiang Cheng, indicating her feelings with a gesture.

Unconcerned, Jiang Cheng smiled at Grandma Shen, watched them head inside, then moved her chair next to Shen Que.

"Tired?"

"Shall I give you a massage?"

Shen Que raised his eyebrows and teased, "Didn’t know madam had such skills?"

"Of course, I know many things."

Jiang Cheng laughed arrogantly, as she genuinely massaged Shen Que, relaxing him a bit.

But maybe due to the different strength or tactile sensation, the more Jiang Cheng pressed, the harder Shen Que became.

Eventually, Jiang Cheng’s hand grew sore from squeezing.

"Is your body made of steel?"

"It’s too hard."

Shen Que simply took Jiang Cheng’s hand, making her sit down.

"Just sit with me for a while, that’s enough."

Shen Que dared not let Jiang Cheng continue; her pressing had stirred certain thoughts.

But best to keep this from Jiang Cheng, lest he seem too flirtatious.

If Jiang Cheng found out, she’d likely quip: I had even more inappropriate thoughts.

The two quietly spoke.

"Tomorrow, I can’t see you off."

"It’s okay, knowing you want to is enough."

Jiang Cheng leaned into Shen Que’s arms, with Shen Que half-hugging her.

"Would it be okay to let Gao Zhonghua accompany you?"

Instead of immediately agreeing, Jiang Cheng thought for a moment and said, "I’m going for training this time, most of the time I’ll be in the classroom, I can go by myself."

Shen Que was a bit worried but wanted to respect Jiang Cheng’s decision.

"Alright then, be careful on your way."

Jiang Cheng promised, "Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of myself."

Shen Que responded affirmatively, finally taking out his savings book and salary book, handing them to Jiang Cheng.

"My comrade told me, all good men should hand over their salary. We’ve registered, so we’re officially married, hence I’m handing it over."

Jiang Cheng didn’t hesitate in accepting it, but returned the savings book, keeping the salary book, saying, "Keep it with you for expenses, if you can’t spend it, contribute it to Grandma Shen or buy gifts for me, Shen Xing, and Shen Yue."

"I’ve set aside money for household expenses."

Jiang Cheng sighed, holding Shen Que’s face, "You say you’re usually smart, how come at this moment, you don’t get it."

"Household expenses can vary; give a little more, let Grandma Shen live comfortably without budgeting, the mood feels different."

"You’ve never managed a home, don’t know the frustration of counting every penny."

"So, give more for household expenses, the leftover can be filial duty to Grandma Shen, understand?"

Shen Que whispered, admitting his mistake, "I got it, and I’ve remembered."

"Good boy!"

Another affirmation, made Shen Que wrap his arms around Jiang Cheng’s waist, pulling her into his arms.

"I’m so obedient... is there a reward?"

Jiang Cheng thought this big man wouldn’t like being called obedient, and yet, just this?

Comrade Shen Que, did you accept it too well?

Though, a reward isn’t out of the question.

The following ten minutes were indescribable, only understandable.

The two "flirted" for a while longer, until Shen Que urged Jiang Cheng to rest.

He took a deep breath, another countdown day, longing for Jiang Cheng’s return, to hold the wedding!!

Early the next morning, Shen Que hurried back to the factory to continue handling the fire case, having seen Jiang Cheng briefly before leaving.

Jiang Cheng, carrying her packed luggage, hugged Grandma Shen, Shen Xing, and Shen Yue, then set off for the train station.

It was her first outing by herself since coming here, somewhat exciting.

Taking the bus to the train station, Jiang Cheng waited quietly, following the crowd as they boarded.

Still in the sleeper carriage, she was on the upper bunk, quite nice, and peaceful.

Along the way, Jiang Cheng didn’t chat much with other passengers; after extensive publicity, passengers now had strong anti-abduction and anti-fraud awareness.

However, to ensure her safety, supplemented by a heap of credentials, she got along well with the attendant and a passenger police officer.

So much so that she was invited to their rest area for a game of poker.

Jiang Cheng thought to herself: If something happened to her, surely her card mates would be anxious.