Xie Changning nodded and walked with Fang Heng.

On the way, Fang Heng probed, "I heard Mr. Xie’s research and development was a success?"

"Why? Is Secretary Fang interested in ordering a custom printer from our factory?" Xie Changning countered with a smile.

’The fact that the Anong County Machinery Factory developed a printer that could operate independently and print very quickly is probably no secret in Lin Province,’ she thought.

Fang Heng was likely just snooping around because he was curious if it was true.

They had developed it, and that was that. She certainly wasn’t going to hide it, so Xie Changning’s counter-question to Fang Heng was perfectly candid.

She wouldn’t miss a single opportunity to make money.

Fang Heng was taken aback by Xie Changning’s frankness, then burst out laughing. "That would be great! Our director has been keeping an eye on your factory’s printer. If possible, you’ll have to put us at the front of the line for a custom order."

"As long as the money’s there, anything is possible."

Xie Changning gave Fang Heng a slight smile and rubbed her fingers together, a gesture indicating that it wasn’t a matter of capability, but of funding.

Fang Heng was speechless. ’This is the first time I’ve ever seen a factory director who’s such a money-grubber!’

’And not only a money-grubber, but so open about it!’

’The most important thing is, it’s not even off-putting! How bizarre!’

They arrived at the cafeteria. This time, Xie Changning insisted on paying instead of letting Fang Heng treat her. "It’s a matter of courtesy."

"Alright."

Xie Changning’s words put Fang Heng at ease, and he didn’t argue with her.

During their meal, they discussed the technical school, giving Xie Changning a general understanding of what the students’ education entailed.

Compared to other technical schools, the program at the First Automobile Works’ school was longer.

But it also provided students with a guarantee: upon graduation, they would be certified as at least a Level 2 Technician. A few exceptional students could even reach the skill level of a Level 3 Technician.

Don’t underestimate that one-level difference; the compensation was worlds apart.

The base salary was different, not to mention the benefits for completing tasks independently. The difference in treatment between levels was significant.

After getting a general idea of the situation, Xie Changning thanked Fang Heng and then left First Automobile Works.

The truck driver was waiting for her at the gate.

As Xie Changning walked out, she saw a woman she didn’t recognize sitting in the passenger seat of the truck, chatting happily with the driver.

Noticing Xie Changning’s return, the truck driver quickly said something to the woman, who then opened the car door.

"Hello."

The woman’s tone was flippant, her expression casual.

Sitting in the passenger seat, she looked down at Xie Changning, as if she were the one in a position of power.

Her behavior made Xie Changning frown.

"Sir, is this woman a relative of yours?" She took a step back, putting some distance between herself and the woman.

Xie Changning’s actions and words made the driver freeze. He stammered, "This... you don’t know her?"

Xie Changning frowned, understanding now. This woman had used her identity to get close to the driver.

’Using my name to sit here and chat, and she has the nerve to put on airs with me?’

"Get out," Xie Changning said, her face cold as she looked at the woman in the passenger seat.

The woman crossed her arms. "And what if I don’t?"

"I don’t know you. You’re here using my name to pump my driver for information. I have reasonable suspicion that you’re an enemy agent." Xie Changning retreated to a safe distance and turned to look at the security guard at the First Automobile Works gate.

"Sir, help me call the police!"

The woman in the passenger seat hadn’t expected Xie Changning to be so decisive, giving her no chance to speak.

"Hey—wait, wait, I was just joking with you, look at you." As she spoke, she reluctantly climbed down from the truck, looking at Xie Changning with a reproachful expression. "You really can’t take a joke."

"Are we close? Besides, a joke is only a joke if everyone finds it funny. I don’t find it funny. You’re just offending me."

As a military spouse, Xie Changning was extremely cautious about the current situation.

Seeing that Xie Changning was much more difficult to deal with than she had anticipated—not at all the delicate, naive young lady she had imagined...

...the woman finally introduced herself. "Hello, my name is Yu Huo. I’m... Yue Yihan’s sister."

When Yu Huo introduced herself, she paused deliberately, her tone calculated to make Xie Changning misunderstand.

But Xie Changning wasn’t some love-struck fool with nothing but men on her brain.

Besides, she wasn’t about to fall for such a trick.

Even though the woman claimed to be Yue Yihan’s sister, her act was like a mistress trying to force a confrontation, but Xie Changning’s expression didn’t change at all. "Is that so? Yue Yihan never told me he had a sister. What kind of sister are you?"

"If you can’t explain yourself clearly, we can take this to the police station."

Xie Changning’s readiness to call the police at the slightest disagreement infuriated Yu Huo. She gritted her teeth and said, "I’m his mentor’s wife’s goddaughter!"

Hearing this, Xie Changning finally gave a slight nod.

"I don’t know you. You know me? I don’t recall you attending my wedding to Yue Yihan." She was certain she didn’t know this woman.

Besides, Xie Changning’s sixth sense was usually very accurate.

’This woman’s motives for finding me aren’t pure. She’s not here out of jealousy. She might... actually be connected to the person who was following me before.’

At this thought, Xie Changning’s gaze toward Yu Huo grew even colder and more distant.

"I just recently returned from Shanghai. I’ve seen your picture."

"You wanted to see me, yet you climbed into the truck I rented? Miss Yu, I’m not some three-year-old child."

Xie Changning’s words made the smile on Yu Huo’s face vanish completely.

She snapped impatiently, "Yue Yihan said you were easy to get along with. Didn’t I just chat with your driver for a little while?"

Xie Changning smiled faintly.

"Should I verify the time you showed up and the time I entered Chuncheng First Auto?"

How could she have been so sure that this was the truck Xie Changning had rented if she hadn’t even seen her?

Yu Huo truly hadn’t expected Xie Changning’s logic to be so sharp.

She bit her lower lip and, finally, put on a pitiful expression, about to step forward and grab Xie Changning’s hand.

The security guard, who had been keeping an eye on the situation, quickly stepped forward to block Yu Huo. "Ma’am, just talk. No need to get physical. Mr. Xie doesn’t know you. It’s best if you maintain a safe distance from Mr. Xie."

"...Sister-in-law, I know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have secretly followed you here. Please don’t be angry."

Her words were ambiguous.

Anyone who didn’t know the truth would hear that and think Xie Changning was pretending not to know Yu Huo simply because she had been followed.

Xie Changning’s eyes darkened. "Officer, she just admitted to secretly following me. I think it would be best to let the police handle this."

Xie Changning didn’t back down an inch.

In the end, the security guard called the police as Xie Changning requested.

"You were secretly following me, and I don’t even know you. You can’t blame me for being so cautious, right?"