Chapter 106: Shen Yiyi’s Retaliation

Chen Yulan cautiously asked: “Sister Ling, are you just going to watch Jiang Wanrou take up a position at the factory without doing anything?”

Yang Pengshan is so powerful now that even our Old Xu has to carefully curry favor with him. What can I do if I don’t agree?” Qian Xiaoling sneered.

“…” Chen Yulan did not dare to respond.

Shen Yiyi raised an eyebrow, roughly guessing that Yang Pengshan was Yang Xiong’s father, which meant he was the Deputy Factory Director of the textile factory.

Meanwhile, Qian Xiaoling’s husband was the Factory Director. Although these two held a superior-subordinate relationship, their statuses were only one step apart, creating a competitive dynamic between them. As a result, they did not get along.

This situation worked to Shen Yiyi’s advantage.

Seizing the moment, Shen Yiyi carried her tray and walked over.

Seeing her approach, Qian Xiaoling and Chen Yulan stopped their conversation.

Shen Yiyi placed a bowl of soup in front of Qian Xiaoling. “Sister, I used your soup earlier, so I brought you another bowl. And here’s some meat—I’m treating you both. Consider this my apology. I’m really sorry about earlier.”

“Oh dear, how could I accept this?” Qian Xiaoling said as she attempted to push the plate of meat back. “It was just a bowl of cabbage soup. How could it warrant a dish of braised pork as an apology? Besides, you had no choice at the time. We completely understand.”

“Then let’s eat together.” Shen Yiyi said with a smile. “Don’t refuse. I can’t finish it all on my own.”

Upon hearing this, Qian Xiaoling studied her carefully, then exchanged a glance with Chen Yulan.

From Jiang Wanrou’s words earlier, they had learned that Shen Yiyi was a “sent-down youth.” but she was already married, and her family was from the countryside. However, her elegant demeanor and generous actions suggested that her background was anything but simple.

Qian Xiaoling immediately beamed and no longer declined. “Alright then, let’s eat together!”

As she ate, Qian Xiaoling subtly inquired about Shen Yiyi’s background.

Without changing her expression, Shen Yiyi relayed the same well-known story from Qing Shui Village, the one that everyone there believed.

The more Qian Xiaoling listened, the more warmly she smiled at Shen Yiyi, addressing her as “sister” at every turn. At the same time, she also shared details about her own background with Shen Yiyi.

Shen Yiyi also laughed. For two people who had only met by chance, nothing brought them closer than discovering potential mutual benefits.  

Sensing that the timing was right, Shen Yiyi glanced around. They were seated relatively far from others, and the nearby tables had already emptied out after their meals. She leaned in slightly and asked with a soft chuckle: “Sister Ling, I just heard you say that even your Old Xu has to be cautious around Yang Pengshan. But isn’t Yang Pengshan just a Deputy Factory Director? How is he more powerful than your Old Xu?”  

“Sigh.” Qian Xiaoling sighed, her frustration surfacing as she began to complain.  

From Qian Xiaoling’s words, Shen Yiyi learned that Yang Pengshan had been promoted just two years ago. He was full of underhanded tricks—outwardly flattering Director Xu while secretly bypassing him to curry favor with higher-ups.  

This naturally displeased Director Xu. He had warned Yang Pengshan multiple times, but Yang Pengshan refused to change his ways and repeatedly stole credit for Director Xu’s achievements.  

Angered by the situation, Director Xu reported Yang Pengshan to their superiors, almost costing him his job. From that moment on, the two had become bitter enemies.  

That alone wasn’t too much of a problem—after all, Yang Pengshan was only a Deputy Factory Director, and Director Xu had no reason to fear him.  

But the real trouble came a year ago when Yang Pengshan secretly orchestrated a scheme. He manipulated Director Xu into signing a one-year contract with a cotton and hemp base in Xinjiang, purchasing high-quality cotton and hemp at a premium price. However, at that time, most regions had weak purchasing power.  

Originally, they had expected that turning the raw materials into fabric would generate considerable profits for the factory. But when they tried selling the finished goods to the supply and marketing cooperative, the cooperative deemed the price too high and refused to buy them.  

Selling at a lower price would mean a huge financial loss for the factory, leaving the goods unsold and piling up as stagnant inventory.  

Director Xu was scolded harshly by the higher-ups and was on the verge of taking the blame for the disaster. But at that moment, Yang Pengshan somehow managed to establish connections with several supply and marketing cooperatives in Haishi. He arranged for them to purchase the unsold products at a favorable price.  

As a result, Yang Pengshan earned recognition in front of the leadership, who then shifted the factory’s main responsibilities into his hands.  

Now, Director Xu found himself in an awkward position, living under constant frustration.  

The more Qian Xiaoling spoke, the angrier she became. “…Now, Yang Pengshan is trying to sideline our Old Xu, gradually removing his trusted subordinates and replacing them with his own people. Just yesterday, he even fired my niece—probably to make room for Jiang Wanrou. Hah! That cunning, despicable man.”

“Sister Ling, I have a way to help Director Xu regain his authority.” Shen Yiyi said bluntly, getting straight to the point.  

Qian Xiaoling’s eyes widened in disbelief. “W-What did you just say?”  

Chen Yulan also looked unconvinced. They had been racking their brains for a solution without success—how could a sent-down youth possibly have one?  

Even if she had connections back home, there was no way they extended all the way here.  

“I said I have a way to bring down Yang Pengshan.” Shen Yiyi stated even more directly, then laid out her condition. “However, when the time comes, I want a job position.”  

Attaching a condition actually made her offer more credible. After all, an offer with no apparent benefit was more likely to be a trap.  

“Both positions, if you want!” Qian Xiaoling clapped her hands excitedly and leaned in closer. “Sister, tell me!”  

Shen Yiyi glanced at Chen Yulan.  

Qian Xiaoling waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t worry, she’s my trusted confidante.”  

Shen Yiyi nodded but then said: “Sister Ling, shouldn’t we establish some trust between us first?”  

Qian Xiaoling was a shrewd person and immediately understood Shen Yiyi’s implication—she was worried that after revealing her method, Qian Xiaoling might discard her once she got what she wanted.  

This made Qian Xiaoling view Shen Yiyi with newfound respect. She suddenly suspected that even the incident with the bowl of soup earlier had been intentional.  

Her wariness toward Shen Yiyi deepened, but at the same time, so did her trust. Without hesitation, she brought Shen Yiyi home and, after gritting her teeth, handed over 1,000 yuan as a pledge.  

Shen Yiyi accepted it without the slightest hesitation. Even if Qian Xiaoling failed to keep her promise later, she wouldn’t be at a loss—after all, it was just a matter of a few words on her part.  

As for how she planned to bring down Yang Pengshan?  

She actually didn’t need to do anything.  

Because that batch of fabric was never sold to the supply and marketing cooperative at all—it had been sold on the Black Market.  

In other words, Yang Pengshan had used his authority to exploit loopholes, secretly selling the textile factory’s goods at twice the intended price, making a personal profit in the process.  

And how did she know this?  

Because she had read the novel.  

In the story, Jiang Wanrou eventually became fed up with Yang Xiong’s harassment and reported them to Qian Xiaoling. As a result, Jiang Wanrou was promoted to a permanent worker.  

Shen Yiyi originally had no plans to interfere. But she never forgot a grudge.  

After revealing the truth to Qian Xiaoling, what happened next was no longer her concern.  

The moment Qian Xiaoling finished listening, she hastily acknowledged Shen Yiyi before rushing off to the factory.  

Shen Yiyi casually stashed the 1,000 yuan into her hidden space, hopped onto her bicycle, and rode home in high spirits.