Chapter 30

Demanding an Explanation

Xu Jiajia wasn’t one to be bullied easily. She fired back decisively, “Show me the rule that says I can’t take the exam!

“If others lost confidence, it only proves they didn’t work hard enough.

“I got the materials just a few days before the test, and I passed. Why couldn’t they? If they don’t reflect on their shortcomings and only blame others, what skills do they even have?”

The supervisor, assuming a rural girl like Xu Jiajia would be easy to intimidate, came specifically to trouble her. To his surprise, she was no pushover. “Watch your tone! The questions were so difficult, yet you scored so high. Everyone says you had access to the answers. This job appointment doesn’t count!”

Xu Xiaoyao, encountering authority figures for the first time, initially felt fear. But hearing this, her fear turned into anger. She immediately stepped up to support Xu Jiajia. “Jiajia worked hard to earn that position! You can’t just nullify it. That’s cheating!”

Xu Jiajia laughed coldly, her voice devoid of warmth. “How amusing.

“Scoring high means I must have cheated?

“Why don’t you just admit they’re incompetent?

“I worked hard for this job, and you think you can just take it away? On what grounds?”

Xu Jiajia’s gaze fixed on the supervisor’s name badge as a smirk curled on her lips. “Han Jian, huh? I’ll remember that.”

A flicker of fear passed through Han Jian, but he quickly dismissed it. “I don’t hide my name or my actions.”

Suddenly, Gua Gua, her system assistant, chirped in.

[Host! Big scoop! Han Jian’s mother was a traitor, and he’s a spy. He’s even Song Hanyong’s superior!]

Xu Jiajia hadn’t expected such a revelation. Liu Kui had been investigating the big fish behind Song Hanyong, and here he was.

[Gua Gua, you’re more useful than I thought.]

Gua Gua puffed up with pride.

[Of course! Host, you’re a genius. I have to be of some use to be worthy of you.]

Xu Jiajia looked at Han Jian with a sly smile. “If you’re not afraid of a report being filed, then fine—this job can be nullified.”

Han Jian, confident his secrets were safe, scoffed. “Go ahead.”

Meanwhile, the manager responsible for onboarding Xu Jiajia sensed trouble brewing and hurriedly left to find help. Along the way, they bumped into the deputy factory director.

“Deputy Director, Supervisor Han is giving one of the new hires a hard time.”

The deputy director frowned, visibly displeased. “A new hire? There are three. Which one?”

“Xu Jiajia.”

Hearing the name, the deputy director quickened his pace. “She scored so high, and he’s still giving her trouble?”

The manager, having heard bits of the story, explained, “Supervisor Han’s nephew also took the exam but came in fourth. Xu Jiajia plans to follow the army and transfer the job to her sister. Supervisor Han is furious, claiming Xu Jiajia cheated and insisting her appointment doesn’t count.”

The deputy director cursed under his breath. “What nonsense! The exam papers were in my possession the whole time. I’d know if she cheated!”

When the deputy director arrived, Xu Jiajia and Han Jian were locked in a standoff. The deputy director stepped in, shielding Xu Jiajia, and glared at Han Jian.

“Supervisor Han, are you questioning the factory’s decisions? Or are you implying that Xu Jiajia and I conspired together?”

Han Jian was momentarily speechless, finally stammering, “Deputy Director, I’m not questioning the factory’s decisions or accusing you of collusion. It’s just that her score is… highly suspicious.”

A retired soldier, the deputy director spoke bluntly. “Nonsense! Just because you’re slow, others can’t be smart?

“The exam papers stayed with me, and I didn’t even share them with my family. There’s no possibility of leaks.

“This matter is closed. If you keep babbling, I’ll take it to the factory head.”

Han Jian suffered a crushing defeat.

As he turned to leave, Xu Jiajia stopped him. “Supervisor Han, aren’t you going to apologize for falsely accusing me?”

Han Jian scowled at Xu Jiajia. “I’m already overlooking your performance. What more do you want?”

Xu Jiajia had never seen such behavior before. “You falsely accused me, and now I’m not even allowed to demand an explanation? Is this how you city folks handle things?”

The deputy factory director, also a city resident, quickly raised his hand. “Not me! I have no such conduct. Everyone is treated equally here. If someone makes a mistake, even a leader must face consequences.”

The leader who had initially dealt with Xu Jiajia also raised his hand. “I didn’t either.”

Han Jian glared at Xu Jiajia through gritted teeth. “What exactly do you want?”

Xu Jiajia enunciated each word clearly: “I want an apology.”

Xu Xiaoyao chimed in from the side, “Yes, an apology! Who told you to wrong someone!”

Han Jian looked at Xu Jiajia in disbelief. “You want me to apologize to you?”

Having been in a leadership position for years, both at home and at work, his words carried weight. How could he possibly apologize to a young girl?

Xu Jiajia remained calm. “Yes—”

Han Jian laughed in anger. “Who do you think you are? Just a brat, and you dare demand an apology from me?”

The deputy factory director took Xu Jiajia’s side. “If you make a mistake, you should apologize. If everyone acted like you, we might as well all go around falsely accusing others.”

With a cold snort, Han Jian stormed out of the office.

The deputy factory director, now embarrassed, realized his subordinate had quite the temper. He turned to Xu Jiajia awkwardly. “Comrade Xu Jiajia, uh, I’ll go and bring him back!”

Leaving that remark, he hurriedly chased after Han Jian.

The two had a heated argument in the hallway, nearly coming to blows.

Despite the disruption, the rest of the procedures went surprisingly smoothly.

As they left the office, Xu Xiaoyao looked a little worried. “Jiajia, do you think that director will make things difficult for me in the future?”

Xu Jiajia smiled mischievously. “No, he’s finished.”

Xu Xiaoyao didn’t understand. “What do you mean?”

Xu Jiajia patted her shoulder. “No need to understand. Just focus on your work.”

Xu Xiaoyao was set to officially start her job the next day.

Since their home was far from the town, commuting daily wasn’t practical. Xu Jiajia suggested renting a place in town, or even sharing an apartment with someone if nothing suitable could be found.

After searching for a while without success, they decided to ask Liao Mei for help.

When Liao Mei heard that Xu Jiajia had given her position to Xu Xiaoyao, she was stunned for a moment. After thinking it over calmly, she realized it was a great arrangement—after all, Xu Jiajia was about to accompany her husband on his deployment.

“Why rent? Just stay with me.”

Liao Mei’s parents were both working professionals, and their allocated housing was fairly spacious. She even had her own room.

Xu Xiaoyao felt a little uneasy. “Wouldn’t that be inconvenient?”

Liao Mei playfully bumped her shoulder. “What’s inconvenient about it? Jiajia’s friends are my friends.”

Since this wasn’t just for a day or two, staying for free didn’t feel right. Xu Jiajia considered it and suggested, “How about this: Xiaoyao stays with you and pays two yuan a month as rent. Does that sound fair?”

Liao Mei immediately frowned. “What do you take me for?”

Xu Jiajia explained, “She’ll be staying long-term. Paying a little rent will make her feel more comfortable.”

Xu Xiaoyao agreed but didn’t know how to put it into words. “Yes, yes! Not paying rent would make me feel pressured.”

Liao Mei relented. “Fine, one yuan a month then.”

At noon, under the bright sunshine, Li Chengye headed home for lunch.

On the way, he spotted Song Ran and Xu Xin arguing and pulling at each other on the street.

He walked over with a smirk, his tone full of schadenfreude. “Oh, having a falling-out?”