After dinner, the sky had already darkened, and the two of them walked towards the dormitory along the dimly lit path.
“Did Manager Xu come looking for you this afternoon?”
He had hurried to the cafeteria upon hearing about it, and seeing that she was all right, he knew that Xu Sijin, that woman, wouldn’t be able to take advantage of his wife.
Lin Chuxia looked up at the starry sky and responded, “Mm, she said I am very beautiful, and I sincerely thanked her for the compliment.”
Qin Yang: “…”
He suddenly felt like laughing.
Seeing that he hadn’t reacted for a while, Lin Chuxia asked him, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, you did the right thing, you are indeed beautiful. After finishing my business, I went to the security department, and the mother and daughter from the Liu Family have already been sent back on the train home. Manager Xu will also be recorded a major demerit, with a deduction of this month’s bonus and half a month’s wages.”
It’s not easy to dismiss someone these days, so a major demerit and fine are already severe punishments.
Especially with the major demerit, even with her father’s support, it wouldn’t be easy for her to get a promotion in the future.
Lin Chuxia understood these things, and she knew that Xu Sijin’s punishment must have had Qin Yang’s involvement.
“You did well this time realizing the truth, keep it up.”
Qin Yang looked at her deeply, “Just verbal praise?”
Meeting his profound gaze, Lin Chuxia guessed what he was thinking.
This guy, really is becoming more and more…
………
Family quarters, the Xu Family
It was already past dinner time, and the dishes on the dining table were still untouched.
Xu Sijin sat on the couch silently wiping away her tears, while Mrs. Xu also sighed with worry.
Until Xu Qiang came back, Mrs. Xu hurried to greet him, “How did it go, is everything clear? Our Sijin has always been sensible and well-behaved since childhood, she couldn’t have done such a thing. It must be that surnamed Liu mother and daughter who are framing our daughter.”
Xu Qiang handed his coat to his wife and glanced at the daughter wiping her tears on the couch, his face gloomy.
“Why didn’t they frame someone else, but framed her instead? The issue was clearly resolved yesterday, and that mother and daughter agreed to return to their hometown, so why didn’t they leave today? You need to ask your good daughter exactly what she has done.”
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xu knew things hadn’t been resolved smoothly, “Then what should we do? We can’t let our daughter be recorded a major demerit, she just started working, and her career is still long ahead.”
Looking back at her daughter, she said, “Sijin, speak up, the mother and daughter are wronging you, right? Tell your father the truth.”
Xu Sijin knew the matter hadn’t been resolved, and her tears fell even harder.
It wasn’t the potential consequences of the demerit that worried her, but the hurt from Qin Yang’s attitude.
Liu Xiaohua hadn’t even touched his clothes, yet she was subjected to such severe punishment, not even giving her father’s face any consideration.
The one who delivered the message had said that Qin Yang was keeping an eye on this matter, and they must provide him with an explanation.
Qin Yang wanted to make her suffer to the extreme.
They had been colleagues, and she was hopelessly devoted to him, only to be met with his cruel treatment. How could Xu Sijin not be heartbroken?
Xu Qiang was angered by the sight of her like this, “What did I tell you yesterday? Is Qin Yang that easy to provoke? I don’t oppose you trying to scheme against others; if one doesn’t fight for oneself, heaven and earth will perish them. But you failed to outwit others and even dragged yourself down, that’s just stupid. Keep being stupid and you’ll drag your father down with you.”
“Yesterday, I went to great lengths to ask Minister Wang for a favor on your behalf. And look at you, not even 24 hours have passed, and you’ve foolishly messed up again. The Liu Family’s situation was already indefensible, and yet you still want to help them? Are the Liu mother and daughter, those rotten people, someone you can afford to provoke? I heard you even gave them US$30?”
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Xu was also confused, “Sijin, why did you give them money? US$30 is your monthly salary.”
“Because she’s foolish, she thinks she can control everything,” Xu Qiang said indignantly.
“Mr. Xu, just say a little less, will you? Look how distressed your daughter is,” Mrs. Xu felt pity as, after all, it was her own daughter.
Xu Qiang was angry but righteous, “Her distress is her own doing. You say you like Qin Yang, but when your family tried to arrange a marriage with him and it didn’t succeed, why didn’t you stand up for yourself then? What kind of influence does Qin Yang have in the office? Wouldn’t your mother and I have helped you if you had spoken just one more word? What could have happened after being rejected? The Liu mother and daughter can manipulate him, so do you think your parents are less capable than the Liu Family? Yet, you didn’t want to say a word to us earlier. Now you’re rushing because he’s getting married. It’s too late to say anything now, I advise you to let go of this thought.”
Hearing this, Mrs. Xu got worried and discussed with Xu Qiang, “I heard that Qin Yang’s wife was also chosen by his family, what kind of affection can they develop over just a few days of marriage leave? Since you and your daughter both have this idea, even if they get married, what’s done can be undone. I think…”
“I think you’re foolish too,” Xu Qiang interrupted Mrs. Xu, “How can you be so grown up and yet so brainless? Do you think Qin Yang is just like an ordinary employee? Do you think you can manipulate him now? If he really starts taking it seriously, even the minister has to give him some face. By that time, not to mention your daughter’s reputation, even my position as Secretary won’t be able to protect you.”
Upon hearing her father’s words, Xu Sijin could no longer hold back and went back to her bedroom crying.
Xu Qiang rose in irritation, “I think she’s just spoiled by you. Her suffering is self-inflicted.”
…
Bai Xiaoming’s home wasn’t far from Qin Yang’s dormitory. Sister-in-law Song had given a heads up for Lin Chuxia to come early, so after an afternoon nap, Lin Chuxia freshened up and left the house.
Carrying a bottle of sorghum liquor, a couple of pounds of pastries, and a bag of fruits, she hadn’t gone far when she bumped into Sister-in-law Feng playing with her child.
Lin Chuxia had intended to pass by unnoticed, but Sister-in-law Feng saw her and came over with her child.
Glancing at the items in Lin Chuxia’s hands, she spoke in a somewhat lowered voice, “Who among the leaders are you visiting? It’s true what they say; you city folks know how to do things right. Bringing gifts for the leaders when you visit, unlike me, I’ve lived here for half a year and still have no idea which way the leaders’ house doors open. Mr. Qin is really capable.”
Lin Chuxia was baffled, “Sister-in-law, you misunderstood, I’m going over to Sister-in-law Song’s place.”
When invited over for dinner by someone, she couldn’t possibly show up empty-handed, could she?
Besides, who would bring this kind of stuff as a gift for a leader?
Upon realizing her misunderstanding, Sister-in-law Feng felt a bit embarrassed.
Once she realized Lin Chuxia was headed to Sister-in-law Song’s place, she looked envious.
“Of course, of course, both Mr. Qin and Mr. Bai are outstanding, and the two of them are long-time partners. It’s only right they should get closer. Not like us. My Da Jun doesn’t have close acquaintances he can turn to. I understand we rural folks are lucky enough to work alongside everyone else; we can’t expect to form personal ties outside of work, we’re just not their equal.”
Lin Chuxia frowned slightly. She couldn’t stand to listen to this self-deprecating talk, “Sister-in-law, actually, we also come from the countryside.”