Chapter 618: She

Hearing Liu Jiandong just wanted to grab hold of her, but he gripped too hard and nearly pulled the bike over: "I didn't mean to—I really need to talk to you."

Liu Chuxue got off the bike and said coldly: "Speak."

But her expression made it clear she was furious.

Hearing Liu Jiandong didn't beat around the bush: "I heard your steel rolling mill is hiring—is that true?"

When Liu Chuxue heard this, her brows slightly furrowed. The factory had only just decided this recently; even she had only learned about it during a recent business trip, from others' lips. How did Hearing Liu Jiandong know?

But whether he truly knew, or was just bluffing her with rumors, she couldn't tell.

Either way, she wouldn't help him: "Where did you hear that? I didn't even know."

Hearing Liu Jiandong grew anxious—this was Ding Surong's last chance for him. If he couldn't get into the steel rolling mill, he wouldn't be able to go on like this: "You really don't know?"

"I'm just a newcomer. How could I possibly know about hiring?"

"Chuxue, I'm truly sorry for what I did to you before. Your family turned misfortune into fortune—you're living well now, and no one in the village isn't envious. For the sake of our shared clan, can you help me?"

"You overestimate me. I really don't have that kind of power."

"Chuxue, are you really this heartless?"

Liu Chuxue laughed outright at this: "Heartless? Refusing to help you makes me heartless? Besides, if I didn't even know about it, how could you?"

A flicker of panic crossed Hearing Liu Jiandong's face.

When Ding Surong told him, she'd made it clear this news hadn't leaked yet—he mustn't slip up, or risk drawing unwanted attention that might bring trouble to her classmate.

He didn't need to say it—Liu Chuxue could guess: Ding Surong, seeing no hope of returning to the city, had inquired and gotten wind of the mill's internal hiring plan.

After all, during her recent business trip, she'd heard the factory leadership intended to fill positions internally, meaning each leader, model worker, and senior technician would get a slot.

Clearly, Ding Surong had paid a price for this information. She'd soon see some drama: "Rather than begging me, why not go find the person who leaked the news? They must have connections—otherwise, why would they reveal it? They must have their own motives."

Hearing Liu Jiandong didn't immediately understand.

Liu Chuxue made a gesture of counting money. This time, Hearing Liu Jiandong finally got it—he didn't know what to do.

Liu Chuxue had no time to wait: "Think it over. I've got things to do."

Hearing Liu Jiandong carefully recalled Ding Surong's expression when she spoke, and his heart grew uneasy.

By the time he realized he should confirm with Liu Chuxue, she was already cycling away—he stomped his foot in frustration: "So sneaky—you almost tricked me."

What he didn't know was that Ding Surong, who had truly paid a price to get this information, was now brooding: She'd have to endure another disgusting act with Hearing Liu Jiandong—if she'd gotten pregnant a few days ago, she could cover it up; if not, she'd just let Liu Jianjun, that idiot, benefit.

Her family was too busy with their own troubles. If she wanted a decent future, she'd have to take a risky path—whether or not she was pregnant, she had to find a way to tie herself to that man. Don't think she's fallen from grace and can be taken advantage of.

The more she thought about it, the more feasible it seemed: if she was pregnant, she'd pin it on him no matter whose child it was; if not, she'd create an opportunity to make him believe he'd lost a life, burdening his conscience—ideally, forcing him to offer generous compensation.

In any case, Ding Surong couldn't go on like this anymore.

(End of Chapter)