The woman was two years older than him and had a bit of fame at Ancheng Court. She had resolved many complex cases with swift and decisive action, impartial and incorruptible, earning the love and admiration of the common people, who affectionately called her the Iron-faced Female Judge.
Because of this, she had faced difficulties in her love life. Still unmarried at the age of twenty-five or twenty-six, she was considered an old maid by the standards of the times.
Li Jian’s father and the woman’s father were colleagues, and Mr. Li had the inclination, but he was also worried that his son would not be satisfied.
After all, which man does not like a gentle woman with tender regard? Everyone wants to marry a gentle and virtuous wife.
Unexpectedly, when he mentioned it to his son, his son actually agreed. He had not anticipated his son’s taste.
Mr. Li happily discussed it with his colleagues. Since they were the groom’s family, they were naturally more proactive. Once the two families met, they immediately hit it off, and the marriage was quickly set in motion.
“Congratulations to the groom!”
Lin Chuxia sincerely congratulated Li Jian when she saw him and gave him his gift.
“Congratulations to us both.”
Li Jian wore a brand-new Sun Yat-sen suit today, his chest adorned with a big red flower, his face beaming with joy, radiating the spirited look of someone enjoying a happy occasion.
Lin Chuxia also saw his wife, who indeed did not look gentle, but was very beautiful.
With an oval face and prominent features, which probably came from her job, she possessed a sense of righteousness and sharpness in her eyes, and wore her courtroom uniform with a spirited and heroic air.
Lin Chuxia really liked this type of woman.
At the same time, at the wedding, she also encountered some acquaintances.
For example, Vice Director Feng from the Market Supervision Bureau.
Li Jian had been transferred to the Market Supervision Bureau and Vice Director Feng had become his direct superior.
Whether it was due to connections from Mr. Li or relationships on Li Jian’s own side, his attendance at the wedding was expected.
It was at the wedding today that Lin Chuxia learned that Vice Director Feng had been promoted: the former director had been transferred, and Vice Director Feng was set to replace him.
However, with the Spring Festival approaching, the announcement of the transfer would only be made official after the holiday.
When Li Jian mentioned this news, he did not hide that his transfer to the Market Supervision Bureau was orchestrated by Director Feng. He clearly didn’t consider Lin Chuxia an outsider.
“When the Emperor changes, so does his courtiers.” With his transfer, he would certainly become one of Director Feng’s loyal followers.
Director Feng also had a good impression of Lin Chuxia, and during the meal, he made sure Lin Chuxia stayed at their table.
At the table, facing a group of officials from Ancheng County, Director Feng gave Lin Chuxia his affirmation.
“Work hard and set a benchmark for our private enterprises in An City—I have high hopes for you.”
Xiyang Food Company was the first company in Ancheng County to be established in an individual’s name.
Director Feng was deliberately promoting it, both as a way to enhance his own achievements and to pave the way for Lin Chuxia and her company.
The others present were all seasoned veterans of the government scene. News of the food factory competing with an individual vendor had spread long before, and now that they had met her in person, coupled with Director Feng’s affirmation, they all looked at Lin Chuxia with new respect.
………..
The afternoons in winter always seemed exceptionally peaceful.
Today was a weekend, and Kang Yong was able to enjoy this rare leisure time.
With the end-of-year account settlements approaching, although the performance of the cotton mill was slightly better than the garment factory and some other factories, it was merely maintaining appearances.
If this trend continued, it could very well lead to a dead end.
Recently, between big and small meetings, he has been somewhat overwhelmed, and now that he is just over 50, he no longer possesses the energy of the young.
It is only at home that he can feel his whole being come alive.
Seeing his wife tinker with a set of equipment by the window, bathed in sunlight, looking like a picture of peaceful times, Kang Yong also walked over.
“Is this thing really that great? This cup can’t hold more than a few sips of water, and it barely gets to my lips before it’s time to pour again.”
Qiao Lan glanced at him and chided, “What would you know, you brute? This is a coffee pot, it’s for brewing coffee, here, this is a coffee cup.”
She showed him piece by piece, pointing at the patterns, “Look how beautiful these patterns are, and the gold trim looks nice too. I had a set like this back at home, it was brought back by a friend from Hong Kong, but then they all got smashed.”
As Qiao Lan spoke of the past, she seemed a bit disheartened but soon perked up again.
“Wait for me, I still have some coffee beans. I tell you, coffee has to be freshly ground to taste good, I’ll let you taste my handiwork.”
Kang Yong watched his mid-fifties wife, as excited as a young girl, and he became somewhat interested himself.
Waiting as she finely ground the coffee beans and eventually brewed a pot with the coffee maker, and then poured two cups.
Kang Yong grabbed a cup with his large hand, ready to gulp it down, only to be frowned upon by his wife again.
“How can you drink like that? You need to hold it like this, smell it, doesn’t it smell nice?”
Qiao Lan held the delicate coffee cup and took a gentle sip, closing her eyes in enjoyment.
Kang Yong stood there staring at his wife.
Heaven knows, the first time he saw her, she had this same high-class miss attitude.
Delicate, reserved, beautiful!
She seemed to be from a different world than him.
That one glance had deeply imprinted itself in his mind.
In those years of constant upheaval and facing pressures from all sides, the proud princess began to bow her head and shed her beautiful feathers.
Especially when seeing him embroiled and considering taking her own life multiple times.
It had been too long since he had seen her like this.
He mimicked her, taking a small sip, and grimaced at the bitterness.
“How is this any different from herbal medicine soup?”
Qiao Lan burst into laughter immediately, “You brute, you wouldn’t understand.”
Qiao Lan liked to call Kang Yong a brute, and Kang Yong indeed felt he was quite a simpleton compared to Qiao Lan.
A brute can’t appreciate coffee, so he just watched his wife sip by sip, tasting a bitterness of his own, yet seeing her features relax and enjoy immensely.
“No wonder Qin’s shop does good business, Boss Lin is someone who sees through things and thinks big,” Kang Yong looked up, “Just because she sent you a set of cups? I think she’s just good at flattering and sweet-talking, always conniving,” having sent him a set of coffee pots his wife liked, she had him completely figured out.
Qiao Lan didn’t see it that way, “That’s being smart and adaptive, that’s the kind of person who’s cut out for business. People like you, who are opinionated and adhere to old ways, will suffer headaches sooner or later.”
Kang Yong quickly waved his hand, “Let’s not talk about this anymore, I’ve heard enough of it at work, spare me at home.”
Qiao Lan smiled faintly, “You, just don’t worry so much. At our age, let the youngsters make their way. This Miss Lin, if you can take care of her, then offer more care. It’s good to be friends with such people.”
Kang Yong nodded, this time actually agreeing with his wife’s perspective, “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”