Chapter 16: Snow Cream

“Yaoyao, do you know something?” Jiang Yan asked in a deep voice.

Shen Qingyao trusted Shen Qingye implicitly, and Jiang Yan’s heart naturally leaned toward Shen Qingye as well.

Hearing Jiang Yan’s question, Shen Qingyao felt a sudden pang in her heart.

She couldn’t say anything.

How could she explain that she had gotten up around four or five in the morning to wait near the factory?

Or that she had secretly overheard a crucial conversation inside the factory?

None of these explanations made sense.

Even if Jiang Yan was easy to fool, others might not be.

Shen Qingyao shook her head. “I just believe in my brother.”

“My brother is the best brother in the world; he wouldn’t do such a thing.”

Her resolute tone made Shen Qingye somewhat uneasy.

He knew he had done wrong, which only made him feel more guilty toward Shen Qingyao.

Jiang Feng said sternly, “Let’s investigate this privately. If this blows up any further, it’ll be harder to settle.”

The factory director immediately dispersed the crowd and invited Jiang Feng and his group into the office.

Wang Tieshuan and Daniu huddled together, whispering about something. Shen Qingye looked at Daniu with a complicated expression.

The factory director opened the door and beckoned to Shen Qingye. “Shen Qingye, come here.”

“I’m coming.”

Shen Qingyao followed closely behind him and entered as well.

Seeing Shen Qingyao standing there, the factory director caught in his throat, hesitating to speak.

“Shen Qingye, your sister really doesn’t need to be here, right?”

Shen Qingyao was at a loss when Jiang Yan took a step forward.

“This is my wife. It’s nothing to worry about.”

The factory director was left speechless, managing an awkward smile instead.

Suddenly, Shen Qingyao thought Jiang Yan looked incredibly handsome.

Indeed, this was a society built on personal relationships.

She couldn’t help but give Jiang Yan a thumbs-up.

A flicker of amusement appeared in Jiang Yan’s eyes before he quickly masked it.

Jiang Feng observed everything with satisfaction, nodding approvingly.

Yes, this is what a man should do.

Outside, one cannot stand by if his loved one is wronged.

Having a mouth is just for speaking.

The factory director poured water for Jiang Feng and Jiang Yan, while Xu Kaifeng came in carrying two cups.

“This factory hasn’t improved much, has it?” Xu Kaifeng clicked his tongue, and the factory director could only reply with a smile.

Although the crowd had been sent away, the matter still needed resolving.

Jiang Yan knew too little for now, and Shen Qingyao seemed only half-informed.

Jiang Yan looked at the factory director. “Could you give us some time to talk privately?”

“Of course. Feel free to talk as much as you like.”

Just as the door closed and Jiang Yan was about to speak, it was pushed open again.

“Shen Qingye, be sharp. If there’s no water, just refill it.”

The factory director’s reminder made Shen Qingyao realize the gap between them and Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan was here in a leadership role to investigate; they were the ones being investigated.

In principle, Jiang Yan shouldn’t take sides.

But obviously, he had sent the factory director away, leaving only his own people here.

If that’s not taking sides, what is?

“Yes, sir,” Shen Qingye responded, bowing slightly as he poured tea for Jiang Feng and Xu Kaifeng.

“No, no, if you keep doing this, we won’t be able to handle it,” Xu Kaifeng said with a laugh.

“Chairman Mao said, ‘Serve the people!’” Xu Kaifeng was the most enthusiastic speaker, but no one paid him much attention.

Shen Qingye focused all his attention on Jiang Yan.

“You’re the one Yaoyao’s…”

Shen Qingyao glanced between Jiang Yan and Shen Qingye.

Neither man reacted, but Shen Qingyao was terrified.

They had just met unexpectedly, leaving her no time to prepare.

Jiang Yan extended his hand. “Jiang Yan.”

“Shen Qingye.”

Their eyes locked in a silent standoff without a word.

Shen Qingyao stepped forward, standing between them.

“Um, brother, why did Wang Tieshuan say you borrowed the warehouse?”

“We’ll talk about it at home.”

Shen Qingye’s evasive tone made Jiang Yan helpless, but he understood.

“Brother, as long as you say you didn’t steal from the factory, I’ll believe you.”

Some matters are major if made public but trivial in private.

Shen Qingyao guessed this was why and didn’t press Shen Qingye further.

“Yaoyao, I would never do such a thing in my life.”

“Brother, I believe you.”

Determination shone in Shen Qingyao’s eyes.

Since arriving, Jiang Feng hadn’t understood the situation.

If not for Shen Qingyao, he would have had someone deal with this long ago.

“Brother, you can tell us anything. Yaoyao and Jiang Yan are family, and by extension, so are we. There’s no need to hide anything.”

Xu Kaifeng rarely spoke so formally; it felt strange even to himself.

He shivered, feeling awkward.

Shen Qingye could tell from Jiang Yan’s demeanor that this man was not ordinary, especially from his clothing.

Jiang Feng was someone he knew; he had been transferred back two years before Jiang Yan.

Outside, Jiang Feng was known for his decisiveness.

He tolerated no disobedience and demanded strict standards of himself.

Shen Qingye didn’t want his mistakes to make Jiang Feng look down on Shen Qingyao.

He pursed his lips and said nothing.

“Well, that’s it for today. We still have to visit the next factory.”

Jiang Feng stood, brushing dust off his clothes.

Jiang Yan knew they couldn’t afford to waste time, but he hated to part with Shen Qingyao so soon.

He stood still, unmoving.

Before Shen Qingyao could wonder why he wasn’t leaving, Jiang Feng commanded, “Ten minutes.”

“Yes, sir.”

Jiang Yan saluted, and Shen Qingyao, who had been carefree, suddenly became more composed.

Jiang Yan stood beside Shen Qingyao and led her outside.

“What’s wrong?”

She rolled her eyes and tilted her head slightly.

Jiang Yan looked a little aggrieved. “Your brother doesn’t like me.”

Shen Qingyao wasn’t buying it.

What was this man suddenly acting so spoiled for?

Though inwardly annoyed, her heart nearly soared.

She softened her voice. “Oh, I think my brother just needs time to accept you.”

So this was the trap?

Such a strange feeling, but perhaps the snare was well set.

Before Shen Qingyao could ponder further, Jiang Yan slipped something into her pocket.

“My friend just returned from Shanghai. This is a gift he brought me.”

Shen Qingyao felt a small, round box.

No packaging, just a delicate painting of a Shanghai woman. The box smelled wonderfully fragrant.

Was this the famous snow cream?

Her eyes lit up.

Her skin had suffered greatly since arriving here.

No proper meals or drinks, plus wind and sun exposure—it was a miracle her skin was still okay.

Clutching the snow cream, she laughed softly.

She was eager to apply it but held back.

Jiang Yan explained seriously, “I won’t harm your brother, but if he’s wary of me, there’s nothing I can do.”