The voluptuous and beautiful nanny, Technician Shen fell for her.

Seeing Su Nianhe's blank expression, Li Lianhua nudged her arm with her elbow: "You silly girl, you don't even know what a matchmaking event is? It's a place organized by the union where single men and women get together to dance, chat, and look for potential partners."

Su Nianhe only half understood what she was saying. She clasped her hands together, hesitantly asking, "That's a matter for the factory workers. We're just nannies working for other people's families, not employees. Can we go?"

"Why can't we go?" Li Lianhua said in a low voice, popping a shelled sunflower seed into her mouth. "My aunt said most of them are factory workers, but there are more bachelors than female workers. We have connections in the Li family; Mrs. Li can have someone talk to the union official, and we can go in and join the fun. Think about it, everyone there has a secure job. If you're good-looking, and some ordinary worker takes a liking to you, even a fitter or a lathe operator, once you get married, you'll be a city dweller, right? It's a hundred times better than going back to your Liuhe Village and being sold by your father to that nearly fifty-year-old cripple, isn't it?"

These words struck Su Nianhe's weak spot precisely.

She was afraid to go back to the village, afraid of being beaten, and even more afraid of that cripple who was old enough to be her grandfather.

During this time at the Shen family home, although he had no worries about food and clothing, he was constantly on edge, fearing that one day he would be kicked out by Liu Huizhen because of his strange body.

If I could really marry an honest city worker and live a peaceful life, then I would have hope for the future.

Su Nianhe was moved.

A glimmer of hope appeared in her clear, water-washed eyes as she asked softly, "Then...then should I try asking Aunt Liu for a day off?"

"That's right!" Li Lianhua patted her thigh and stood up. "You should hurry back and think about how to bring it up. My aunt said it's something for tomorrow evening. I have to go back now."

As evening approached, the heat subsided considerably, and large swaths of fiery clouds rolled across the sky.

As usual, dinner at the Shen family's home was served on the large round table in the dining room.

Su Nianhe was busy serving dishes and rice in the kitchen. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at the dining table and saw that the seat Shen Huai usually sat in was empty.

"Why didn't Xiao Huai come back for dinner today?" Liu Huizhen asked casually as she fed Shen Ping'an a spoonful of egg custard.

Shen Tao picked up a piece of green vegetable with his chopsticks: "The factory is rushing to meet the deadline for a batch of new machines. He's working overtime in the workshop, and it'll probably be quite late."

Upon hearing this, Su Nianhe felt a sudden emptiness in her heart.

She retreated to the kitchen, stood by the sink washing dishes, and rinsed the foamy porcelain plates with warm water.

She kept thinking about how to bring it up with Liu Huizhen.

The Shen family pays her a high wage, and usually only takes her out for walks and grocery shopping. They don't let her go out and run around. If she suddenly says she wants to take leave to attend some kind of social dance party, Liu Huizhen might think she's restless.

Just as I was hesitating, the kitchen curtain was lifted.

Wang Liping walked in wearing leather shoes, carrying an empty soup bowl in her hand.

She didn't rush to leave today. Instead, she put the bowl on the stove, crossed her arms, and glanced sideways at Su Nianhe, who was washing the dishes.

Su Nianhe was wearing a loose, old jacket with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, revealing her fair forearms.

A hint of jealousy flashed in Wang Liping's eyes, but she quickly put on a fake smile.

"Nianhe, are you washing the dishes?" Wang Liping softened her tone for the first time ever.

Su Nianhe was startled and quickly put down the rag in her hand, taking half a step back to the side: "Sister-in-law Wang, is there anything else that needs washing?"

"No," Wang Liping leaned closer and lowered her voice, "I have something to tell you. Tomorrow evening, the city's textile factory and several nearby businesses are hosting a social dance party. You're a young woman, and quite pretty too. You can't stay in our house as a maid forever, can you?"

Su Nianhe was stunned, completely unexpected that Wang Liping would bring this up.

Seeing her in a daze, Wang Liping assumed she didn't believe her and continued to embellish the story: "I've already spoken to the people in our hospital's union, and they should be able to get a few tickets. Finish your work tomorrow evening and go with them. They're full of single men with stable jobs; see if there's anyone suitable. If you can find a match, that would be a blessing for you."

Wang Liping was certainly not acting out of kindness.

These past few days, she'd grown increasingly displeased with Su Nianhe. It was one thing for her own husband, Shen Tao, to constantly stare at this country bumpkin, but even Shen Huai, that cold-faced man, protected her. With such a seductive figure, keeping her at home would only bring trouble sooner or later.

Just in time for the social dance party, she couldn't wait for Su Nianhe to be chosen by some naive worker so she could get married and get out of the Shen family.

Su Nianhe had no idea what Wang Liping was planning. She was just worried about how to ask for leave, and this was like a godsend.

"Thank you, Sister-in-law Wang." Su Nianhe nodded repeatedly and agreed, "I will definitely finish all the chores at home before I go tomorrow."

"Okay, it's settled then. Don't waste time tomorrow evening." Wang Liping turned around with satisfaction and swayed her hips as she left the kitchen.

As night deepened, the courtyard quieted down.

Su Nianhe was carrying a large wooden basin and squatting by the water trough in the yard, washing the clothes that the Shen family had changed out of that day.

Footsteps echoed down the stairs on the second floor.

Wang Liping carried a cloth bag and walked downstairs, heading straight to the sink.

She tossed the cloth bag in her hand into Su Nianhe's arms.

"Open it and take a look." Wang Liping stood on high above.

Su Nianhe dried her hands and carefully untied the cloth bundle. Inside was a light yellow polyester dress, fitted tightly at the waist, with fine wrinkles on the hem. The dress wasn't new; the neckline was even a little yellowed, but in Su Nianhe's eyes, it was already excellent material.

"This is an old dress I wore two years ago. Now that I've had a baby, it's too tight around the waist, and I can't wear it anymore." Wang Liping's tone was harsh, making no attempt to hide her contempt. "You'll wear this to the social event tomorrow. Don't go there wearing your tattered clothes and embarrass the Shen family. When you get there, don't look down on people. If even one of those city workers takes a liking to you, it's a miracle your ancestors were even interested. Get to know them, and settle things quickly."

Su Nianhe hugged the dress to her chest; the fabric felt a little rough to the touch.

"Thank you, Sister-in-law Wang. I will wear it carefully." She lowered her head and spoke very softly.

Wang Liping looked at her submissive appearance, snorted coldly, and turned to go back into the house.

She was certain that with Su Nianhe's curvaceous figure, as long as she wore this fitted dress to the ball tomorrow, she would definitely attract a bunch of bachelors.

She'll just sit back and fan the flames. No matter what kind of weirdo she is, as long as she can get rid of this country bumpkin, the Shen family will have peace and quiet.

Su Nianhe stayed by the sink, examining the old dress in her arms by the moonlight.

The dress had a very narrow waist, but the neckline was cut rather tight.

She was somewhat worried, but she still harbored a secret anticipation for tomorrow's ball.