"Now that you’ve explained it, I understand," Xie Changning said with a gentle smile, thanking Liu Changyou. "Thank you for clearing up my confusion today. I’ll come by for a proper visit another day."

Liu Changyou didn’t ask Xie Changning to stay.

She was afraid that if Yu Huo came out and saw her with Xie Changning, she would grow suspicious.

Xie Changning and Liu Changyou stepped out from the shade of the trees. Xie Changning smiled at He Jiao. "When your mother has time, she should bring you to visit me in Anong County."

"Okay."

He Jiao’s eyes instantly lit up. "I’ll definitely come, Sister-in-law!"

Xie Changning nodded, gave her driver a look, and the two of them left.

After Xie Changning had gone, He Jiao muttered to herself, "What did my brother do to deserve her?"

"Why didn’t you say that when your sister-in-law was here?" Liu Changyou teased He Jiao with a smile.

He Jiao pouted. "Sigh, even if he doesn’t deserve her, I still have to help him save some face in front of her, right? Otherwise, what if she looks down on my brother even more?"

’A sister-in-law this beautiful and capable... you’d never find another one like her.’

Liu Changyou patted her head. "Come on, let’s go get Yu Huo."

He Jiao’s face scrunched up for a moment before she turned and followed her mother into the police station.

After they bailed out Yu Huo, she followed meekly behind Liu Changyou, a guilty expression on her face. "Godmother, I shouldn’t have come to see my sister-in-law on my own. If I had known... no, that’s not it. I won’t act on my own like this again."

Her words were full of self-blame.

But her tone was meant to guide Liu Changyou into disliking Xie Changning, and even He Jiao, standing beside her, could tell.

She had wanted to retort, but on second thought, she held her tongue. She just grumbled in dissatisfaction, "Our sister-in-law didn’t even know us to begin with. When you follow her like that, people will think the He Family has no manners."

’It’s a good thing my beautiful sister-in-law didn’t get a bad impression of me.’

Being blamed was not what Yu Huo had expected. In her mind, after she had been so terribly wronged, her godmother and younger sister would surely take her side and lose their favorable impression of Xie Changning.

But she never imagined—

The moment she stepped out of the police station, her own sister was blaming her.

"Jiaojiao, you..." Yu Huo stared at He Jiao in shock, deeply hurt. "I just wanted to see her. I didn’t expect her to be so..."

"Sister Huo, our sister-in-law is from a military family. Don’t you think it’s strange that you were able to find your way here without anyone telling you where to go?"

’Isn’t she being a little too impatient?’

Faced with He Jiao’s displeasure, Yu Huo just looked wronged and turned to Liu Changyou. As the elder, Liu Changyou naturally couldn’t say anything to Yu Huo, so she just scolded He Jiao, "He Jiao!"

He Jiao swallowed her anger and replied sullenly, "Sister Huo, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that to you."

But even though Yu Huo had received He Jiao’s apology, she still felt a stifling weight in her chest.

It was very uncomfortable.

It was like something was stuck in her throat, unable to go up or down.

On the way back to Anong County, the driver kept cautiously glancing at Xie Changning’s expression in the rearview mirror. He was terrified that his foolishness would cost his son the opportunity for an interview.

"Don’t worry, your son’s interview is still on. However... we won’t be working together anymore."

Xie Changning had been silent and calm the entire way.

It was only after they arrived at the factory, as she was getting out of the car, that she spoke to the driver and informed him of her decision.

Xie Changning truly didn’t blame the driver or his son.

However, she could no longer trust him enough to work with him.

He had no situational awareness.

The driver had no complaints. "Yes, yes, of course. As long as you still agree to my son’s interview, that’s all that matters."

Xie Changning nodded and turned to walk into the factory.

She left the truck driver behind, hanging his head in regret.

「The next day」

The truck driver’s son arrived as scheduled. He was wearing clean work clothes and went to the director’s office at the Anong County Machinery Factory.

"KNOCK KNOCK—"

Hearing the knock, Xie Changning, who was in the middle of calculating some data, took a moment to call out, "Come in."

The office door was pushed open after she spoke.

"Hello, I’m Li Qiangguo. I’m here for the interview."

"Hello."

Xie Changning put down the papers in her hand, gave a slight nod, and smiled at his surprised expression. "Please, have a seat."

Before he came, Li Qiangguo’s father had warned him over and over not to lose his composure in front of Director Xie. But upon seeing such a young and beautiful factory director, he couldn’t help but stare blankly for a couple of seconds.

’His dad never said the director was this young!’

"Don’t be nervous. Start by telling me a bit about yourself. For example... what are your skills, what can you do."

Xie Changning’s words snapped Li Qiangguo back to his senses.

The previous day’s lesson had made Li Qiangguo understand that this job opening at the Anong County Machinery Factory was an incredibly rare opportunity for him. If he didn’t seize it, he wouldn’t get a second chance.

So, Li Qiangguo began to introduce himself.

Although he stumbled over his words, he was honest, telling Xie Changning everything he knew, including which models of vehicles he could drive, which ones he could repair, and so on.

When Li Qiangguo’s father had talked about him the day before, Xie Changning already had a feeling that he was a talented individual.

"You’re hired." Now that she had heard him for herself, it was clear he was indeed worth cultivating.

"Wha—"

On his way over, Li Qiangguo’s father had told him what he’d done the day before.

When his dad got home, his mom had even given him a harsh scolding.

She thought he was too stupid, that he had nearly sold out Director Xie!

To have had such a pleasant chat with a stranger when he knew full well how sensitive the situation was!

So, when he first arrived, Li Qiangguo had been feeling rather pessimistic. He thought his chances of being hired were low...

He never expected—

"Surprised?"

"Yes, because of what my dad did yesterday..."

Li Qiangguo didn’t hide it from Xie Changning. If their roles were reversed, he wouldn’t have even granted an interview to his father’s son.

Xie Changning nodded. "Your father does indeed lack situational awareness. For a truck driver who meets so many people year-round, he still isn’t perceptive enough. He isn’t quite cut out for the job."

"But his shortcomings don’t affect you. You’re a talented person, and I’m happy to hire you."

With that, Xie Changning smiled faintly. "What, are you going to hold a grudge because I’m no longer renting your father’s truck and decide not to do a good job here at the factory?"

"How could I!?" Li Qiangguo’s eyes widened in surprise.

’He couldn’t imagine doing such a thing. That would be repaying her kindness with ingratitude!’

"You see? You yourself wouldn’t do that, so why should I miss out on a talented person?"

It had to be said, Xie Changning’s words were extremely gratifying to Li Qiangguo. He looked at her gratefully. "Director, where do I report for duty?"

Xie Changning pondered for a moment before speaking to Li Qiangguo.

"You’ll be the factory’s driver. Once Vice Factory Director Wang arranges for a rental vehicle, you will be the factory’s dedicated driver, responsible for chauffeuring the factory leadership."

"Yes!" Li Qiangguo replied with a resounding voice.