novellhall Chapter 191 The Vanity Woman
Chapter 191 The Vanity Woman
Zhuang Qingxiang was held softly in Lu Congyue's arms. She had just recovered and was sure he wouldn't do anything.
Just as she expected, Lu Congyue simply held her, kissed her a few times at most, and showed no intention of continuing, but he was also reluctant to let her go.
The two of them then snuggled together and talked.
Zhuang Qingxiang relayed Meng Shuisheng and Ma Ting's instructions to Lu Congyue. Lu Congyue listened and nodded, but he was also indignant that they had entrusted such a dangerous task to Zhuang Qingxiang and hadn't even bought her a new set of clothes.
"I'll take you to the department store to buy a couple of outfits when I have some free time in a couple of days. You won't need to borrow from anyone else."
Zhuang Qingxiang gently patted him: "There's no need, it's just acting. I'm actually not used to wearing it."
Wearing this outfit, I can't do any work; I feel so awkward.
"It looks great!" Lu Congyue insisted. "You look best in it."
Besides clothes, Lu Congyue also insisted that Zhuang Qingxiang learn a couple of moves from him first thing tomorrow morning, so that she might be able to protect herself in case of any situation.
Zhuang Qingxiang immediately agreed. She also wanted to learn some martial arts, even if there wasn't enough time and she could only learn some fancy moves. What if...
The two chatted quietly until late at night before Zhuang Qingxiang went back to her room to sleep.
The next morning, when she woke up, Lu Congyue began to teach her self-defense techniques.
It's not really a trick; there's no set pattern. It's just about being ruthless and hitting the mark in one strike—that's the best way to protect yourself.
Temples, throat, genitals... the most vulnerable spots are the best places to strike.
"Don't be soft-hearted, don't overthink it," Lu Congyue said seriously. "Give it your all, as long as you have the chance! Even if you kill or maim the other person, it doesn't matter. The most important thing is your own safety, understand?"
Zhuang Qingxiang nodded.
Of course she wouldn't be soft-hearted. If she had learned these things in her previous life, she could have at least taken one or two of them down with her before those people killed her. Even if she couldn't kill them, she could have crippled their manhood, which would have been doing a service to the people.
For several days in a row, Zhuang Qingxiang practiced at home for an hour every morning and evening. The rest of the time, she either took care of her child or wandered around the factory area and the residential area.
Her stylish outfit caused a sensation in the family quarters on the very first day.
People praised her for being beautiful and stylish to her face, but privately they were all discussing where she got the money to buy such nice clothes.
Even those salaried workers wouldn't buy that wool coat.
Only a few female cadres had those leather shoes.
Some people were indignant: "A nanny dresses like a capitalist's daughter, and Director Lu doesn't do anything about it? He's always in meetings demanding frugality and hard work, but when it comes to her, he doesn't ask for anything?"
"She's finally showing her true colors! She acted so well before, I thought she was a good person, but look at her now... She dresses up like a vixen, and all she does is show off. The other day she even mocked my family for not being able to afford it."
"Exactly! My family has two working parents, and we earn about 60 or 70 yuan a month combined. She actually said that this is all we have to do with it. Who does she think she is? She's just a nanny and she only earns 5 yuan a month."
With so many people talking about it, Sun Yongxian felt very uncomfortable.
In her heart, Zhuang Qingxiang wasn't that kind of person.
However, she also had to admit that Zhuang Qingxiang had been the kind of vain woman who loved to show off these past few days.
"No, I have to go find Sister Zhuang and ask her what's going on!" Sun Yongxian said to Shi Peiran, her voice filled with anger.
Shi Peiran pulled her back, preventing her from going: "Sister Zhuang isn't that kind of person. She must have her reasons for doing this. Even Director Lu doesn't care, so don't meddle."
The two were tugging at each other when Sun Yongxian turned her head and saw Zhuang Qingxiang walking towards them.
She shoved Shi Peiran aside and hurried to greet her: "Sister Zhuang!"
Zhuang Qingxiang smiled and asked, "Are you off work? Have you had lunch?"
"Sister Zhuang, I have something to ask you."
As Sun Yongxian spoke, she grabbed Zhuang Qingxiang's sleeve, but Zhuang Qingxiang shook her off.
"Don't ruin the clothes, they're a light color." Zhuang Qingxiang glanced at the sleeves and added, "They're expensive, not easy to buy."
Sun Yongxian stared in disbelief: "Sister Zhuang, you...how did you become like this?"
"What's wrong with me? Is this not good?"
Zhuang Qingxiang twirled in front of her. "Doesn't it look good?"
Sun Yongxian: "It looks good, but..."
Zhuang Qingxiang smiled and waved her hand: "As long as it looks good, you guys go ahead with your work. I need to go to the county town to see if the department stores have any new items."
"Sister Zhuang?!"
Sun Yongxian watched in disbelief as Zhuang Qingxiang walked out the door triumphantly.
"Peiran, look, Sister Zhuang is completely a different person." Sun Yongxian stomped her foot in anger.
"Alright, don't be upset!" Shi Peiran quickly comforted his wife. "Sister Zhuang looks really good dressed up. How about we buy you an outfit like that and make you look beautiful too?"
Sun Yongxian: "..." Is that what she meant? We're talking past each other!
After Zhuang Qingxiang left through the gate, she couldn't help but turn back and glance at Sun Yongxian.
She knew that her behavior just now must have puzzled and made Sun Yongxian uncomfortable, but there was nothing she could do about it.
Who knows if there are eyes watching me around here?
Several days have passed, and Zhuang Qingxiang has not received any contact from anyone. Not wanting to wait any longer, she decided to try her luck in the county town and also meet with Ma Ting to discuss a plan.
Just then, an oxcart from Dongya Village entered the town, and Zhuang Qingxiang hitched a ride straight to the county seat.
Upon arriving in the county town, he pretended to browse through the department store, complaining about everything, and then went to Xiliu Hutong in a huff.
Upon knocking on the door, Ma Ting was somewhat surprised to see her: "Qingxiang? What brings you here today?"
"Don't even mention it." Zhuang Qingxiang entered the room full of complaints. "I haven't bought anything for days, and I'm so annoyed. I just went to the department store and it made me even more annoyed. I'm broke, and I don't know when I'll get any money..."
"You're out of money so soon? Don't even think about it, I'm short of money too. Didn't you say a while ago that someone would send money over soon? You weren't lying to me, were you?" Ma Ting said as she closed the door.
Once inside, Ma Ting lowered her voice and asked, "What happened to you? Why did you come to the city? Didn't you say someone was coming to find you?"
"No, it's been quiet these past few days, no one has contacted me." Zhuang Qingxiang frowned. "I felt something was off, so I came in to take a look around and also to ask you what your next step is."
Ma Ting didn't know what to do either. They didn't know who the other party was, how many people were there, or when they would arrive. All they could do was wait.
"Wait two more days, and I'll try to contact Meng Shuisheng and have him interrogate that person again."
Zhuang Qingxiang sighed, "I've wandered around here today, I wonder if I'll attract someone's attention."