Chapter 449: Can I Refuse?

After a busy day of work, just as she was about to finish for the day, Jiang Linglan came over looking displeased.

“Comrade Li, I came to tell you some bad news. You might not be happy when you hear it,” she said, her face stern as she entered.

Li Yiyi immediately interrupted her, “Director Yao, can I choose not to hear this news? Just pretend I don’t know about it.”

Jiang Linglan shook her head gently. “I can’t do that. It’s something that has been assigned from above, and I can’t change it.”

Upon hearing that it was a decision from above, Li Yiyi stopped in her tracks and looked at her helplessly. “Alright, go ahead, tell me.”

Jiang Linglan continued, “The higher-ups have somehow reached a collaboration with the stock company, and their laboratory has invited you to go work with them for a while.”

Li Yiyi raised an eyebrow immediately. “It’s not what I think, is it? They want me to go work at the R-country’s lab? No way, I’d rather die than go to a place like that.”

Seeing her reaction, Jiang Linglan smiled happily.

Li Yiyi looked at her, confused. “Director Yao, I’m the one who’s being wronged, and you’re actually smiling? You really are a great leader.”

“I was worried that after you saw their advanced equipment, you might want to stay with them. But now, it looks like I don’t need to worry, you’re not that kind of person,” Jiang Linglan said happily.

Li Yiyi, who usually respected Jiang Linglan, frowned upon hearing these words and immediately shot her a displeased look. “Director Yao, you really are something. Do you think I’m the kind of person who would sell out my country for temporary personal gain?”

Jiang Linglan, hearing the coldness in her tone, quickly explained, “No, no, I never thought that. I was just concerned. I still trust you, Comrade Li.”

After hearing her explanation, Li Yiyi didn’t feel any better.

“I should thank you for your trust,” she said, feeling speechless.

Realizing she had upset her capable subordinate, Jiang Linglan quickly switched to a more flattering tone, “It’s all my fault for not choosing my words carefully. I apologize. Please, don’t hold it against me.”

Li Yiyi’s mood eased after hearing the apology. “Fine, I’m not angry. But Director Yao, about the thing you just mentioned… can I refuse?”

The idea of going to work on R-country’s turf made her feel extremely uncomfortable.

Jiang Linglan, looking embarrassed, shook her head lightly. “I’m afraid not. The higher-ups have specifically asked you to go, and it’s also been requested by the stock company. I can tell from the tone that the higher-ups are really serious about this collaboration.”

Li Yiyi still couldn’t understand it and gritted her teeth. “If they really insist, then I’ll quit.”

“Director Yao, don’t misunderstand me. It’s not that I have an issue with you. I just don’t want to work with R-country people. I’ll write my resignation letter when I get home tonight and hand it to you personally. I’ll explain my reasons on the letter. That way, you can pass it up, and they won’t make things difficult for you.”

Jiang Linglan furrowed her brow. “Comrade Li, why go that far? Maybe the higher-ups have their reasons for doing this. Besides, if you resign, it will be a loss for both you and the country. Are you sure you want to do this?”

Li Yiyi scoffed. “I just can’t work with them. It would be more unbearable than killing me.”

She grabbed her backpack. “Director Yao, it’s time for me to leave. I’ll bring the resignation letter tomorrow morning.”

Without waiting for Jiang Linglan to speak, she quickly turned and left the laboratory.

On her way home, she felt like there was a heavy stone blocking her chest, making her feel uncomfortable all over.

Even when she got home and saw her family’s smiling faces, she couldn’t manage to smile with her eyes.

When she went to rest later, just after taking a shower and entering her room, before she could even dry her hair, she was suddenly pulled into a warm embrace.

“Wifey, you look like you’re burdened with something. Did something happen? Tell me about it. Maybe I can help you figure it out,” Jiang Hong said gently, holding her tightly.

Li Yiyi turned her head to look at him. “Did you notice?”

Jiang Hong smiled indulgently and kissed her forehead. “Of course, you’re my wife. How could I not notice? I don’t know what’s bothering you, but it’s definitely not your fault. It’s someone else’s.”

Hearing his words, Li Yiyi couldn’t help but laugh.

Her heart, which had been heavy all evening, lightened.

Jiang Hong smiled when he saw her lips curve into a smile, then lowered his head to kiss her cheek. “My wife should always be happy. Tell me, who upset you? I’ll make them pay.”

Li Yiyi’s eyes glinted mischievously as she replied, “You said it. You’ll help me get back at them. Don’t back out.”

“Yes, yes, I said it. I’ll do what I promised,” Jiang Hong said without thinking, confidently making a promise.

Li Yiyi’s smile widened. “Alright. The people who upset me are the higher-ups. Do you think you can help me get back at them?”

“Of course…” He stopped suddenly.

Li Yiyi, with a teasing smile, asked, “What’s this? You were so confident before. Aren’t you going to go and beat up the people who upset me?”

Jiang Hong cleared his throat lightly. “Wifey, when you say ‘the higher-ups’, you’re talking about the people above, right?” He pointed upwards.

Li Yiyi, still smiling, nodded lightly. “Yes, them. They use their positions to ignore others’ thoughts and force people to do things they don’t want to do.”

Jiang Hong rubbed his chin and nodded in agreement. “Right, that’s too much. How can they not care about others’ feelings? They deserve a good scolding.”

Li Yiyi, pleased with his agreement, knocked on his shoulder. “Didn’t you say you’d help me get back at them? Go ahead, I’ll wait for you to come back victorious.”

Jiang Hong, smiling awkwardly, said, “This requires some careful thought. We can figure out a way to solve it. Physical force isn’t the answer. We’ll need to solve this with our brains,” he said, tapping his head.