"But hasn't Tang Yu only just arrived at the factory?"
Jiang Siyan nodded, his mind occupied with two things at once.
"He just reported for duty last month."
Nan Yue felt it was a bit strange. "There's no overlap in their personal lives. Even though their work intersects, Zhao Mingming is always there, surely looking for any excuse to pick on Li Hui."
If Li Hui really had an improper relationship with Tang Yu during work hours, given the friction between Zhao Mingming and Li Hui, it would definitely be common knowledge.
When not at work, Li Hui was usually with Huang Ya Nan. Even if Xiang Guang traveled often, there was still the gossipy and opportunistic neighbor, Yang Hua. The two couldn't possibly have had a chance for intimate contact.
There was only one possibility.
"It's a one-sided crush on Tang Yu's part."
Li Hui was the prettiest woman in the factory, gentle and well-liked. It was only natural for a young man like Tang Yu, a recent graduate, to like her.
Jiang Siyan nodded with a calm expression.
Nan Yue didn't notice that he was feeling even more self-conscious.
"It's just that the things the three of us encountered at night were all auditory."
Nan Yue couldn't help but think deeper. "If this continues to develop..."
Jiang Siyan finally spoke up, cutting off his own chaotic thoughts. "Other senses will likely manifest until we actually see something."
Nan Yue and Jiang Siyan exchanged a look. "It could be a hint, or it could be a countdown to death."
Nan Yue then asked Jiang Siyan about Tang Yu's background.
Tang Yu was indeed the university student the factory had gone to great lengths to recruit. His workload wasn't heavy, consisting mostly of clerical tasks. Writing reports and materials was no challenge for Jiang Siyan.
"His social circle is also quite simple. Given Tang Yu's status, many people try to get close to him."
"His closest friend is his roommate, Sun Zhi, since they also share an office."
They could be considered good friends.
"It's just that there aren't many opportunities to interact with Gu Xiang Kai."
Jiang Siyan sighed. "His character seems to be famously hot-tempered in the factory. He's very serious about his work and truly skilled."
"But he has an explosive temper and resorts to violence at the drop of a hat. The factory has disciplined him many times to no avail. No one interacts with him except for his two followers."
Nan Yue was speechless.
"We'll take it one step at a time. I'll go find Wenwen in a bit."
Since Yang Hua had already gone to Granny Zhao to ask for a fertility prescription, it wouldn't look suspicious for Li Hui to go and ask as well.
Regardless of whether she actually wanted it or not.
After finishing work, Nan Yue couldn't have any close contact with Zhu Xi Ning. The two went their separate ways, one heading south and the other north. Nan Yue didn't go to the canteen but followed the direction Jiang Siyan had mentioned toward where Granny Zhao lived.
The place was backed by the abandoned factory, with bamboo forests on the other three sides. Only a single small path led to it.
Nan Yue smelled the scent of medicine before she even arrived.
Someone was brewing medicine.
She emerged from the bamboo forest and saw a familiar figure squatting on the ground, fanning the fire under a medicine pot.
"...Zhao Yao."
Nan Yue called out softly. The squatting person turned their head and immediately ran over happily upon seeing her.
"Boss!"
"I was worried sick. My identity doesn't allow me to wander around the factory, and Granny Zhao keeps me busy with so many tasks. I was worried about how to get in touch with you all."
Furthermore, Zhao Yao had no one else around her except for Granny Zhao. She had no clues, didn't recognize everyone, and didn't dare to go out wandering.
"Granny Zhao isn't here. She went to the factory office to collect some oil. She left me here to brew the medicine."
Nan Yue made the most of every second to explain everyone's personas and social relationships to Wen Xiang Yuan. Wen Xiang Yuan was clever and memorized them quickly.
"People often come to me for medical consultations, so I can only learn about the health conditions of the factory workers."
"There is one man, though, named Zhou An. He comes by every day. I suspect he has feelings for Zhao Yao."
Wen Xiang Yuan shook her head. "But Zhou An should be a scavenger. He's too green. He didn't even pick up on my hints. He probably hasn't even figured out why he needs to show up at Granny Zhao's place every single day."
"Fortunately, someone must have warned him because he's quite sharp and hasn't violated any rules."
It just required some time to figure out the logical connections behind it all.
"In short, everything is still unclear. Granny Zhao is always around, so it's hard for me to tip him off."
Wen Xiang Yuan had also heard something last night. With the abandoned factory right behind them, it was normal for there to be some noise.
Summer was approaching, and snakes, insects, and rats were all out. Any of them bumping into equipment would make a sound.
Granny Zhao's house was surrounded by realgar and insect-repellent powder.
"But what I heard was a very loud commotion."
"Like someone was smashing things."
Nan Yue couldn't stay for long. "I'll come again tomorrow. Write me a prescription for nourishing yin and replenishing qi."
Wen Xiang Yuan nodded. Zhao Yao was a diligent child who kept thorough notes. After studying them for two days, Wen Xiang Yuan had managed to memorize the basics.
Nan Yue rushed back to eat and then went home for a noon nap.
She used the break to search the room thoroughly.
Something was a bit strange.
It was the money in the room.
A smart and meticulous person like Li Hui should have kept records of everyone's coupons and cash.
But there were none. The money in the biscuit box looked like a lot, but it was only enough for a week. Aside from the voucher for the electric fan, the grain and vegetable coupons were all fixed amounts.
It was as if...
Someone was counting the days and leaving just enough money for Li Hui to last for a few days.
Xiang Guang? That seemed like the only possibility.
Would a model husband, who appeared to everyone else to be incredibly caring toward his wife, calculate the days of his business trip and prepare exactly enough food coupons for her?
Furthermore, Li Hui had a job. She had her own salary from the factory, which must be more than what was here.
Where was Li Hui's money?
Nan Yue's ability to find things was unquestionable. The fact that she couldn't find it meant it truly wasn't in the house.
There was nothing.
No extra grain coupons, let alone cloth coupons or anything else.
Even the clothes in the wardrobe were far too plain.
They were all shades of black, white, gray, and brown, looking drab and old-fashioned.
Forget Huang Ya Nan's clothes from yesterday; even Yang Hua had a red dress.
Nan Yue's gaze shifted to the wedding photo on the headboard. At that time, Li Hui was wearing a red dress in the picture.
Analyzing the wedding photo, Xiang Guang was wearing his factory work uniform even when they got married.
It was possible he loved the factory like his own home.
Or perhaps he didn't care much about his appearance.
It was also possible that he didn't care what he wore for the wedding; he didn't think it was a day that required dressing up.
But Li Hui had worn a red dress. She must have been full of hope and expectation, having dressed up carefully.
She must have liked bright clothes.
But now, that red dress wasn't in the wardrobe. There weren't even any clothes with a bit of color.
In a way, she was different from the woman in the photo, and even different from the woman who specifically bought a vase to display fresh flowers in the house.
Did something happen after she married Xiang Guang?
Or was there something happening at home that the factory didn't know about, creating an urgent need for money?
All of this remained incomplete due to Xiang Guang's absence.
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