Reborn in the 1980s: I became a stepmother in the 1980s Ⅱ

Part 248 Which woman can bear it?

Everyone watched in surprise as Zhou Yuanshen walked toward the door. Most of the onlookers were new employees who didn't know who was looking for him, but curiosity bubbled up.

"Who is it? The boss looks so anxious," someone wondered.

"I think it's a woman?" they murmured among themselves, hesitating to approach.

"You guys don't know? It must be our sister-in-law!" an older employee chimed in with a smug tone.

"Sister-in-law? Seriously? The boss seems so cold and imposing—he doesn't look like someone who could attract a wife," another replied, picturing the towering, muscular Zhou Yuanshen, always handling the pigs with a knife in one hand and a cigarette in the other, evoking an almost intimidating chill.

"Of course, who else would make the boss come out to greet them?" the first employee laughed, pointing at Zhou Yuanshen's retreating figure. "Look, he even changed his clothes! He used to change twice a day!"

Everyone strained to get a better look, their eyes wide with disbelief.

Indeed, Zhou Yuanshen was no longer wearing the gray tank top from the morning. Instead, he had on a brand new sweater. Even though the weather was still a bit chilly, who among these big men would wear a sweater while working? They'd rather strip down entirely!

The thought sparked murmurs of astonishment among the onlookers. So this was how the boss acted in front of a woman?

Meanwhile, a military-green SUV pulled up not far from the factory. Yang Yujie surveyed the desolate surroundings and the pig farm before her, her brows furrowing tightly.

She couldn't understand it—there were clearly better paths for success in politics, yet Zhou Yuanshen had chosen to be a pig farm owner. Sure, business was booming in the post-reform era and could be lucrative, but could it really compare to a government position?

Suppressing her feelings of frustration, Yang Yujie took a deep breath and looked toward the distance. The tall figure approached quickly, his cold yet sharp features softened by an inexplicable warmth.

Yang Yujie was momentarily stunned. Did he know she was coming, which was why he was in such a hurry? Her earlier complex feelings evaporated in an instant, replaced by a different expression.

Once known as the unreachable flower in the military, she now revealed a rare mix of emotions. Dressed in a fitted long dress instead of her usual uniform, holding an umbrella, she exuded elegance.

As Zhou Yuanshen suddenly halted, she took a few steps forward and spoke, "Zhou Yuanshen, it's me."

Zhou Yuanshen stopped and frowned as he assessed her. In the face of Yang Yujie's hopeful gaze, he knitted his brows tighter and asked, "Who are you?"

Yang Yujie felt a jolt of confusion.

The guard beside them was equally surprised: "Team Leader Zhou, have you lost your memory? You don't recognize Team Leader Yang?"

"Yang Yujie?" Zhou Yuanshen's frown deepened, a hint of displeasure flickering across his features. This unexpected reaction left both Yang Yujie and the guard bewildered. Shouldn't a reunion after so many years bring joy?

Guard Xiao Li was puzzled by the situation. He had always heard Yang Yujie mention Zhou Yuanshen countless times, and based on the rumors, he assumed they had a close relationship. In the military district, there were even tales of their tragic love story—how they loved each other but couldn't be together due to their different statuses.

According to the stories, Team Leader Zhou had to leave to protect Team Leader Yang, who in turn vowed to remain single for him. How touching, at least that's how Xiao Li saw it.

But why was it that Zhou Yuanshen couldn't even recognize Yang Yujie? Was it possible that the cliché of amnesia had become part of their melodramatic love story? How tragic!

Zhou Yuanshen's lips twitched slightly. His tone remained cold as he asked, "Are you here for something?"

His interactions with Yang Yujie had been minimal. Though they had shared the stage during many performances, there were so many women involved that he barely remembered who she was. They had seen each other a few times afterward, but back then, everyone was in uniform—men with shaved heads, and women with short hair—each looking plain and unremarkable.

Years had passed, and with Zhou Yuanshen's face blindness and lack of effort to remember, it was no surprise he couldn't recognize her.

Yang Yujie's smile froze on her face. She had imagined countless scenarios for their reunion but never anticipated this kind of encounter. The warmth that Zhou had shown moments ago felt like a figment of her imagination; his current demeanor mirrored their first meeting—cold and distant, impossible to approach.

"Team Leader..." The guard glanced at Yang Yujie, noticing her disappointment surpassed his own. He felt at a loss for what to do.

Yang Yujie clenched her fists, trying to reassure herself that time had simply dulled their connection. Perhaps her makeup and new outfit made her appear more mature, causing him not to recognize her right away. It was okay.

She stepped closer, tilting her chin up defiantly. "Is this how Team Leader Zhou treats guests?"

Zhou Yuanshen's gaze swept over her with indifference. "Uninvited guests?"

Yang Yujie's expression shifted from green to pale.

"You... how can you be like this?" Yang Yujie stammered, her face flushed with anger.

Zhou Yuanshen was already growing impatient. "If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving." He turned to walk away.

"Stop right there!" Yang Yujie shouted, her face turning red.

Just then, another female voice rang out. "Are you busy?"

Zhou Yuanshen halted abruptly, turning to see a familiar face standing at the door, beaming with a smile. She was holding a familiar thermos, looking vibrant and lively.

Without a moment's thought, he strode over. "Nian Nian?" He pushed the door open and breezed past the stunned Yang Yujie. "What brings you here?"

Si Nian glanced at the person behind him, then lifted the thermos in her hand. "I brought you some food."

"It's so far." Zhou Yuanshen's expression softened, the coldness from before melting away as if he had transformed. "You don't have to bring it next time; there are people cooking at the factory."

Si Nian shot him a playful glare. "You think I'll bring you food every day? Dream on."

Zhou Yuanshen chuckled helplessly. "Let's head inside first."