In the following days, Tian Xiang left early and returned late.
In the morning, she went to the drama troupe to do odd jobs, helping people move things, and practiced stretching and kicking her legs.
In the afternoons, she went to Red Fifth Street after work, wearing a green military cap and a red scarf to hide herself as much as possible.
After a few busy days, she blended in seamlessly at the troupe and even took on a mentor.
But there was no progress on Red Fifth Street; Lu Feng hadn't gone to find Widow Jiang, spending every day either at the family compound or at work in the factory.
Of course, she did gain something: she identified two female extras.
One was an announcer at the Mechanical Factory's broadcasting station whom Tian Xiang saw on her first day there; others called her Qingwen, though her last name was still unknown.
The other was a girl who smiled with dimples, quite young, about seventeen or eighteen, and was a temporary worker at the Red Fifth Street community office, not yet confirmed in her position.
Currently, it is known that Lu Feng's harem consists of four female extras.
Female extras number 2, 4, 5, and 8.
Number 4, Tian Chuying, is currently infatuated with Lu Feng; since they just started interacting, nothing has happened yet, so she can be temporarily set aside.
Number 5, the young girl, appears a bit silly; her attitude towards Lu Feng seems like she admires and secretly likes him.
In this situation, Lu Feng probably hasn't made a move on her yet.
Currently, the only ones worth focusing on are numbers 2 and 8.
Number 8 needs no explanation; she's Tian Xiang's main focus.
Lu Feng is already twenty-two, not young anymore. It seems Widow Jiang has fulfilled her duty, guiding Lu Feng.
Some things are hard to sever once touched; they will definitely continue contacting each other in private.
Then there's number 2, the broadcaster at the Mechanical Factory.
To become a broadcaster, one must excel not only in education and appearance but also in voice and relationships within the factory, all indispensable qualities.
Number 2's figure and looks are stunning, even impressing Tian Xiang.
Moreover, from her dashing persona, it indicates her family background is not simple.
Number 2 and Lu Feng both work at the Mechanical Factory and are about the same age.
Second only to the protagonist, female extra number 2 will surely share many scenes with the male lead in the book.
These two must have known each other for a long time, with plenty of emotional entanglements between them; perhaps they've already developed feelings of love and hate.
Therefore, she and Lu Feng must have dated, and this matchmaking with her may involve female extra number 2.
Lu Feng is somewhat famous on Red Fifth Street; he's good-looking and has a decent job, so why wouldn't someone like him find a girl from Red Fifth Street instead of wandering over to Sanli Lane?
Even before the matchmaking, Tian Xiang was puzzled; it seems there really is a hidden story here.
She jotted down and drew on a notepad to clarify the relationships.
The following day, Tian Xiang cycled to Red Fifth Street again.
Today she didn't wear the hat or scarf, and went straightforwardly to the neighborhood committee.
Upon hearing that the little girl wanted to be a volunteer, the community committee aunt with the supporting character 99+ label was rather uncooperative.
She wondered why a recent graduate, rather than looking for job opportunities, was wasting time here!
Next to her, the community committee director, Yang Qunying, who had the bystander's label, said, "Hey, the young lady has a high level of awareness and good intentions, why are you still nitpicking? Comrade Tian Xiang, there's no problem if you want to help out, come over and I'll register you.
By the way, did you bring your lunchbox? We don't have wages here, but a meal is necessary; we'll provide lunch.
Let me tell you, if you don't want to work at the factory and want to work at the community office, you need to do a lot of volunteer work; people look at that..."
Tian Xiang discovered that anyone with the bystander word over their head would be very enthusiastic and especially enjoy helping others.
She happily handed over the application form.
After Yang Qunying finished writing down the relevant information, she quietly asked Tian Xiang, "Comrade Tian Xiang, are you the Tian Family sister from Sanli Lane who had her fiancé snatched by her sister?"
Tian Xiang: "..."
Apparently, the enthusiasm of bystanders was built on gossip.
Tian Xiang smirked and nodded, "Director, how did you know?"
Yang Qunying, looking smug and wise, said, "Your name is easy to remember, Tian Xiang, Sweet Fragrance, you won't forget it once you hear it."
Well, her notorious slap had spread; recently, both Sanli Lane and Red Fifth Street have been talking about it.
Yang Qunying even teased Tian Xiang, "You came over to do volunteer work to follow Lu Feng, right?"
Tian Xiang was stunned. What does following Lu Feng mean?
Yes, she was following him, to rid society of a menace!
But the expressions on their faces didn't match that at all; it seemed as if she was chasing after Lu Feng.
After working on promotional activities all morning with the community committee aunts, Tian Xiang finally understood what was going on.
Apparently, her recent loitering around the Mechanical Factory had been noticed and spread. Especially almost bumping into Lu Feng on the first day, people loved drama and were secretly spreading rumors that she liked Lu Feng but was too shy to admit it, so she went to the Mechanical Factory to secretly pursue him, fabricating opportunities.
What kind of brains do these bystanders have!
If she really liked a scumbag, would she have slapped him?
It's true, her sneaky behavior these past few days probably caused misunderstandings.
Tian Xiang immediately corrected, "Director Yang, don't say such things. Even if I liked the cats and dogs at the roadside, there's no way I would like him."
Yang Qunying laughed, "Alright, alright, it's normal for a young girl to be embarrassed. I won't say anymore."
Tian Xiang frowned.
As long as the female protagonist label hovered over her, it seemed like nobody was willing to listen to her explanations!
Tian Xiang packed up the glue bucket and brush, preparing to leave with the group, but she turned and saw the background character.
Today again, the background character was impeccably dressed in a white shirt, green military pants, and liberation shoes, his cool eyebrows and melancholic aura striking Tian Xiang with admiration.
Yang Qunying introduced to Tian Xiang, "This is a staff member from the Mechanical Factory's Union Propaganda Department. Xiangxiang, give him two sets of the promotional materials we posted today."
"Oh."
Tian Xiang went to the office to fetch the materials, but Yang Qunying was nowhere to be found; only the background character stood at the steps outside.
Tian Xiang walked out, and he looked over, the sunlight softly illuminating his gentle face, like a piece of fine jade.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk!"
She handed over the materials, and he took them and left.
Tian Xiang paused and then pursued him.
"Hey, comrade, wait."
The background character halted and turned, his eyes questioning.
Tian Xiang: "I want to ask you something."
The other blinked in confusion, neither nodding nor speaking.
What was this person's temperament, was he mute?
They had met three times, and he hadn't uttered a word.
But Tian Xiang was curious about him; he was the only one without a label above his head.
Tian Xiang: "What do you think of that guy, Lu Feng?"
The background character smirked slightly and uttered two words, "Trash."
Tian Xiang was surprised, her eyes brightened.
Finally, someone who could see the true nature of the scumbag appeared, and as he spoke, Tian Xiang noticed a white mist forming on his forehead, slowly condensing into "Passerby A"...