The Team Captain, however, wasn't letting these people off. "Since you're late for work, everyone present will have work points deducted."
Upon hearing this, the crowd immediately erupted in protest.
The Team Captain, however, directly ordered the scorekeeper to deduct two work points from each person, using the opportunity to reprimand the crowd. "If you're not happy about it, go report me to the higher-ups. Now, get to work. Otherwise, I'll dock you for half a day."
That was too steep a price. No one dared to linger any longer, and the crowd scattered in a hurry.
The educated youth had also been docked work points, and their gazes toward Li Hongmei turned unfriendly.
It had been Li Hongmei, crying and claiming Gu Jiaojiao was being bullied, who had convinced them to come. But now it turned out the couple was legally married. That meant that even if something *had* happened, it was a private domestic issue. Their interference was nothing but meddling.
Li Hongmei still hadn't recovered from the shock of Gu Jiaojiao and Leng Yuan's marriage.
'They're married, just like that?'
Li Hongmei's expression stiffened. She knew for a fact that Gu Jiaojiao was hopelessly in love with Yun Hao—she had even done so many stupid things for him. 'How could she possibly marry Leng Yuan?'p>
She was quick to recover, though, and immediately apologized to the crowd.
"Team Captain, I... I was just so worried about Jiaojiao. She didn't come back all night, and I got anxious."
Gu Jiaojiao immediately feigned a look of gratitude. "Hong Mei, what are you talking about? Didn't I tell you specifically when I left that I was going to find Leng Yuan and confess my feelings?"
Without waiting for Li Hongmei to speak, she finished and turned to Li Fenggu and the other educated youth. "Brother Li, I'm sorry for making you worry. Leng Yuan and I will treat everyone to wedding candy later."
Leng Yuan walked over, pushing a bicycle, just in time to hear Gu Jiaojiao's words. His deep-set eyes swept over Li Hongmei, and that single glance made her scalp prickle with fear.p>
She had arrived at the Qingshan Team two years before Gu Jiaojiao and knew Leng Yuan had good prospects, was handsome, and had high standards. Yet, she was confident that she, a city girl, was more than a worthy match for a country bumpkin.
But when she had confessed her feelings to Leng Yuan, he had rejected her outright.
It was because Leng Yuan had rejected her that she grew resentful. After Gu Jiaojiao came to the Qingshan Team, she had maneuvered behind the scenes, getting Gu Jiaojiao to seduce him.
Her goal was to utterly ruin his reputation.
But she had never expected them to actually get married.
Now that she was on Leng Yuan's radar, Li Hongmei couldn't help but feel a twinge of fear.
Gu Jiaojiao, in contrast, had a sweet smile on her face, glowing with newlywed bliss. She even made a point of thanking Li Hongmei.
"Hong Mei, I have you to thank for your reminder last night. Otherwise, I never would have had the courage to say those things!"
Gu Jiaojiao's voice was soft and sweet, laced with unmistakable happiness.
Li Hongmei's gaze fell upon Gu Jiaojiao's face, then shifted to Leng Yuan behind her. The two of them standing together—one tall, the other small and charming—looked like a perfect match. But to Li Hongmei's eyes, the lovely picture was incredibly jarring.
Consumed by jealousy, Li Hongmei didn't notice that the gazes of the other educated youth had soured.
Just then, the Team Captain started hurrying them along. Afraid of being docked half a day's work points, no one dared to linger, and they all quickly left.
Li Fenggu, seeing that Gu Jiaojiao was fine, was relieved. He exchanged a nod with Leng Yuan and departed.
Once everyone had gone, Leng Yuan unlocked the door to his house, and he and Gu Jiaojiao stepped inside.
He didn't go all the way in, instead handing the house key to Gu Jiaojiao. "You head inside and rest for a bit. I'm going to return this bicycle and then head to work."
Gu Jiaojiao took the key, a warmth spreading through her heart. 'In this world, I finally have a place of my own.' At that, she offered a gentle reminder to the man before her.
"Then come back early tonight."