Chapter 74 : Soft and Hard

Yun Pingbo was stunned. He hadn’t expected this young man to confront him so directly. The boldness was astonishing.  

If it wasn’t just empty talk, it meant Han Zhenyu might indeed have a powerful backing.  

Yun Pingbo stared at him for a while, then asked with a fake smile, “Are you threatening me?”  

Han Zhenyu sneered and replied without hesitation, “Yes, I am. Because your family’s actions disgust me. Trying to ruin someone just because they don’t date your daughter? This is the first time I’ve encountered such a family, it’s truly eye-opening.”  

His gaze turned disdainful. “As a deputy director of a state-owned factory, you stoop to such shameless behavior? If this gets out, how will you even stay in the factory?”  

Yun Pingbo frowned. To him, this young man was twisting the truth.  

Han Zhenyu was already married, yet he was playing ambiguous games with Chen Hong. Now, he had the audacity to shift the blame onto their family.  

Yun Pingbo couldn’t let this go. Sujuan had said Chen Hong was distressed and miserable at home because of Han Zhenyu’s refusal. Sujuan claimed her brother had no choice but to intervene to prevent further awkwardness or worse outcomes at the factory.  

But now Han Zhenyu was accusing them of forcing a marriage?  

Yun Pingbo sized him up and said coldly, “You’re a married man carrying on with an unmarried girl, and now you’re twisting things to blame our family? You’re quite something.”  

Han Zhenyu noted Yun Pingbo’s incredulous tone. He couldn’t tell if Yun Pingbo genuinely didn’t understand the situation or was embarrassed at being exposed and feigning ignorance.  

There was also a chance he had been kept in the dark.  

Regardless, Han Zhenyu decided to clarify things one last time.  

He recounted everything that had happened, including his interactions with Chen Hong and their conversation in Director Chen’s office the previous morning. He spared no details, even mimicking Chen Hong’s nods and smiles to emphasize the absurdity of the situation.  

“Deputy Director Yun, this matter was made clear in Director Chen’s office yesterday morning. I thought it was resolved. Out of respect for the girl’s reputation and your family’s dignity, the director and I agreed to keep this matter private. But instead of being grateful, your family repaid me with hostility and tried to destroy me. If I don’t stand up to such despicable actions, I wouldn’t be worthy of being called a man.”  

Hearing the full story, Yun Pingbo’s expression darkened. He asked doubtfully, “Is what you said true?”  

Han Zhenyu smirked faintly. “Your niece admitted in front of Director Chen yesterday that she was just being sentimental. If you still don’t believe me, you can call everyone involved and confront them publicly. If Director Chen and I had truly behaved inappropriately, wouldn’t someone in the factory have noticed by now?”  

Yun Pingbo stared at him, trying to read him, but Han Zhenyu’s calm and open demeanor left no room for doubt.  

“Comrade Han, I’ll investigate this tonight. If it turns out to be as you said, I will apologize,” Yun Pingbo said, his tone softer, though it was unclear what he truly thought.  

Han Zhenyu smiled lightly and shook his head. “Deputy Director Yun, there’s no need to apologize. When this situation arose, I refrained from holding Director Chen and her daughter accountable because I didn’t want to escalate things and cause embarrassment for both sides. Though I’m a man, I still value my dignity.”  

The remark hit hard, and Yun Pingbo looked visibly embarrassed.  

Having made his point, Han Zhenyu prepared to leave.  

But as he reached the door, he turned back, his tone calm yet firm.  

“Deputy Director Yun, there’s no need to waste time investigating who might be backing me. I, Han Zhenyu, got into this factory on my own merits. And I won’t let anyone force me out, unless I decide to leave myself.”  

With that, he walked out, leaving Yun Pingbo stunned and speechless.  

“Otherwise, I will definitely drag a few people down with me. After all, every worker in this factory got in through connections.” With that parting shot, Han Zhenyu opened the door and walked out.  

He didn’t care to make further threats, instead, he chose to respond tactfully to the situation.  

However, he was truly fed up with this family and worried they might stir up trouble again. He had no choice but to make his stance clear.  

More importantly, the woman at home had decided to stand by him. As a man, it was his responsibility to provide her with a peaceful and stable life, free from unnecessary disturbances.  

Han Zhenyu returned to the transport team, informed Li Chong about the incident, and then rode his bicycle to Li Shaohua’s dormitory.  

Li Shaohua was sitting in the corridor washing clothes. Seeing Han Zhenyu, he quickly asked, “How did it go?”  

“It was a misunderstanding. Everything has been explained clearly,” Han Zhenyu replied. Not wanting the neighbors to overhear, he kept his explanation brief and gave her a reassuring look.  

Li Shaohua sighed in relief and fetched a stool for him to sit on.  

“Do you have any industrial coupons? Lend me a few,” Han Zhenyu asked.  

“Yes, hold on, I’ll grab them for you.” Li Shaohua wiped his wet hands on his clothes, went inside, and rummaged through the drawers. “How many do you need?”  

“How many do you have?”  

After counting, Li Shaohua said, “I have seven. If that’s not enough, I’ll ask my parents tonight. My sister’s family should have some, too.”  

Han Zhenyu counted the tickets and said, “This should be enough. I have a few as well. If I need more, I’ll let you know, and you can ask Auntie for me.”  

Li Shaohua handed over the coupons and asked curiously, “What do you need so many industrial coupons for?”  

“Bicycles, sewing machines, watches.”  

Han Zhenyu tucked the coupons into his pocket. “I got married in a rush and didn’t buy anything for my wife. Now that the house is ready, I want to get her the ‘three major items.'”  

Li Shaohua excitedly threw his half-washed clothes into the basin. “I’ll go with you! My classmate works at the South City Supply and Marketing Cooperative. He told me yesterday that four bicycles just arrived, they might still be in stock!”  

Han Zhenyu glanced at the unfinished laundry and joked, “Leaving the clothes like this, won’t your wife scold you when she gets back?”  

“It’s fine. I’ll finish them when I get back,” Li Shaohua said, kicking the basin into the room and locking the door.  

Han Zhenyu, amused by his excitement, commented, “Why are you so thrilled about me buying a bicycle?”  

“We’re good brothers! Of course, I’m happy for you.” Li Shaohua grinned mischievously. “And besides, once you get your own bike, you won’t need to borrow mine anymore.”  

Han Zhenyu shot his a look and said, “How petty can you be? I wouldn’t ride yours even if you asked me to.”  

“Get lost,” Li Shaohua retorted with mock outrage. “I barely ride it myself, why would I ask you to? What nonsense are you thinking?”  

Laughing and teasing each other, the two friends set off for the supply and marketing cooperative, with Han Zhenyu pedaling and Li Shaohua riding on the back.  

—

Meanwhile, in the Sanhua Brigade, Su Xiaqiu had just seen off Grandpa Du and his men.  

A man who looked like a postman passed her on a bicycle, heading toward the brigade headquarters. Judging by his direction, he seemed to be delivering mail.  

Su Xiaqiu paid him no mind, assuming no one would send her a letter.  

But when she returned to the brigade headquarters, Hongbing, the brigade leader, handed her an envelope.  

“Zhenyu’s wife, there’s a letter for you. It’s from Haishi.”