Chapter 83

Xia Qingning had anticipated Liáo Qiáng’s shameless response. With a confident look, she retorted:

“So, Liú Xiǎohóng from our workshop, Lú Xiǎodié, the quality inspector from the fifth workshop, Huáng Xiǎozhēn, the record keeper from the seventh workshop… all of them seduced you to get a better position?”

As soon as she said this, Liáo Qiáng panicked completely, and beads of sweat began to appear on his forehead.

A lecherous man wouldn’t just have his eyes on one woman. He must have been trying to get close to anyone beautiful. It was impossible that he had only harassed the original owner.

Xia Qingning didn’t give him a chance to argue, and continued to press her advantage:

“One person saying you harassed them, you can argue. But a group of people saying it, how will you argue? When I finish writing the letter of accusation, I’ll ask those women who you “seduced” to sign it together. I’ll first hand it over to the factory leaders, making you lose your job and be despised by everyone.”

“Then I’ll hand it over to the police station. You’ll be convicted of hooliganism and then arrested…” She paused here, then uttered two words heavily:

“Shot!”

Hearing the word “shot,” Liáo Qiáng’s legs went weak. In this era, hooliganism was a serious crime, and it was indeed punishable by death.

Liáo Qiáng was truly scared this time. He didn’t expect Xia Qingning, who used to be weak and easy to bully, to suddenly become so shrewd and clear-headed.

After realizing the seriousness of the situation, he raised his hand to grab Xia Qingning, but when he saw her disgusted look, he retracted his hand and immediately started begging for mercy:

“Xia, I was wrong. I was just talking nonsense. Don’t take it to heart. Don’t worry, I won’t say another word.”

Xia Qingning had already planned how to deal with someone like Liáo Qiáng. However, she wouldn’t write a report. She had to keep herself clean and ensure her reputation was not affected at all.

Although she couldn’t make him disgraced immediately, she could still get some interest.

She looked at Liáo Qiáng and said in a calm voice:

“Even children know that if they say the wrong thing, their mouths should be punished. Director Liáo, don’t you understand such a simple principle?”

After hearing Xia Qingning’s words, Liáo Qiáng was stunned for a moment, and quickly understood what she meant. He hesitated for a moment, then suddenly raised his hand and slapped himself several times.

The sound was crisp and loud, incredibly satisfying.

When Xia Qingning returned to the workshop from Liáo Qiáng’s office, she noticed that the atmosphere was a bit off. Everyone seemed to be looking at her with strange looks. She didn’t understand what was going on, but she didn’t dare to ask anything.

When it was almost time to get off work, Xia Qingning went to the water room to get some water. The female worker who usually had a good relationship with her followed her out.

After entering the water room, she looked at Xia Qingning, opened her mouth, and seemed to want to say something but hesitated. Xia Qingning knew she must have something to say, so she directly asked:

“Yuanyuan, do you have something to tell me?”

The female worker named Yuanyuan looked around, then whispered into Xia Qingning’s ear:

“Qingning, they said your husband is a boilerman in the army. Is it true?”

Xia Qingning was just raising her head to drink water when she heard her words and almost choked…

A scene suddenly appeared in her mind: The tall and imposing Lu Jingzhe, with a cold face, rolled up his sleeves, holding a large iron shovel, adding charcoal to the stove, his face covered in black soot.

Thinking about this, she couldn’t help but want to laugh. Without her noticing, the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned upwards.

“What are you laughing at?” The female worker looked at Xia Qingning in confusion and continued to ask: “Is it true?”

Xia Qingning took a sip of water, put down the cup, and softly replied: “Actually, there’s nothing embarrassing about being a boilerman…”

“Ah, it’s true?” The female worker was quick-tongued and interrupted Xia Qingning, saying in surprise:

“Didn’t you say he was an officer before? How come he’s a boilerman now?”

Because of her surprise, the female worker’s voice was raised a lot. Her words were heard by several people passing by. Some people directly covered their mouths and laughed, then quickly walked away.

Xia Qingning didn’t notice the people outside and explained:

“I’m saying there’s nothing wrong with being a boilerman, but it’s really not suitable for him to do it. He has more important things to do.”

She didn’t discriminate against the profession of a boilerman, but it was really a waste of Lu Jingzhe’s talent. His hands were meant to hold a gun, to train soldiers, to defend the country and the people.

Somehow, thinking about this, she felt a little proud. Although they weren’t a real couple, having such an excellent husband in name was something to be proud of.

“Oh, so he’s an officer?” The female worker confirmed again.

“Yes.” Xia Qingning replied, not mentioning Lu Jingzhe’s rank.

“I told you you wouldn’t brag.” The female worker felt reassured, then blamed: “Those people just like to talk nonsense.”

After work, Xia Qingning had just arrived in the courtyard on Wu Xiaodong’s bicycle when she saw Lu Jingzhe pushing his bicycle. Under his supervision, Xia Qingning practiced riding her bicycle on the road again.

She hadn’t ridden for a few days, so she was a little rusty at first, but she gradually got the hang of it.

After practicing, they went to the riverbank to enjoy the breeze as usual and picked a large bouquet of flowers.

Girls seem to have no resistance to flowers. While picking flowers, Xia Qingning picked two purple jasmine flowers, peeled off the long stamens, and then placed the calyx part in her earlobe. The purple flowers instantly became beautiful ear-flower earrings.

The setting sun was endless, and the wind blew Xia Qingning’s ear-flower earrings, swaying gently, making her look lively and cute.

Lu Jingzhe looked at the beautiful little person beside him, and the corners of his lips unconsciously turned upwards.

Back home, Xia Qingning arranged the flowers and put some salt in them. Lu Jingzhe didn’t understand, so Xia Qingning told him that this would make the flowers last longer.

At night, when they turned off the lights, the moonlight outside was bright, and the fragrance of flowers filled the room. There was a cute and delicate little person beside him. For a moment, Lu Jingzhe, who was always solitary, suddenly felt that it wasn’t so bad to have someone like this by his side.

Thinking that Xia Qingning had taken Wu Xiaodong’s car back this afternoon, Lu Jingzhe unconsciously frowned slightly. In the darkness, he suddenly said to the person beside him:

“You can’t ride your bike on the road yet. I’ll take you to work tomorrow.”

Xia Qingning was almost asleep when she suddenly heard Lu Jingzhe’s words. She thought for a moment. Now, there were rumors about her everywhere in the factory. It was a good opportunity for Lu Jingzhe to show his face. On the one hand, it could deter those who were plotting against her, and on the other hand, it could debunk those false rumors.

Thinking about this, Xia Qingning didn’t refuse like she usually did, but directly agreed:

“Okay.”

She usually always refused when he said he would take her, but this time she agreed so readily, which surprised Lu Jingzhe. He was silent for a moment and said:

“From now on, I’ll pick you up and drop you off. Don’t bother outsiders.”