◎ Third update ◎ 

Xu Shengjie had just put the wooden foot basin on the ground when he heard his wife’s request. He paused and looked up, only to see Liang Baozhen shaking her head repeatedly with a look of panic on her face. 

She even started stammering, “I was just joking, you should go lie down on the bed.” 

Her cheeks reddened as her eyes flickered, and her lashes trembled slightly to hide the emotions in them. 

Liang Baozhen pursed her lips and felt regretful. Why did she suddenly think of the foot-washing incident in her dream and blurt it out? 

After she turned about two or three years old, no one washed her feet for her. Song Chunhua had always encouraged her children to handle their own matters early on, and Liang Baozhen naturally went along with it. 

However, what was that sensation on her feet? 

Looking down, she saw Xu Shengjie’s big hand caressing the back of her foot. He was about to put it into the basin. The hot water was mixed with some cold water. Xu Shengjie tested the temperature before bringing it in. The moment it touched the hot water, Liang Baozhen felt warmth and the coldness gradually subsided. She felt very comfortable. If it weren’t for his hand, she would have felt even more comfortable. 

“I don’t want you to wash my feet.” Liang Baozhen’s fair feet were only slightly tanned on the edges from wearing plastic sandals during the summer. After the winter, they had mostly recovered. As she struggled in the water, small splashes appeared, and she tried her best to escape. “Hurry up and lie on the bed.” 

Xu Shengjie chuckled deeply, “Weren’t you the one who said you wanted your feet washed? How about I give you a massage?” 

“No!” Liang Baozhen’s voice suddenly became louder. It felt too strange to have someone else wash her feet! She firmly refused!  

The originally cold winter night became steaming hot. Liang Baozhen’s face flushed, her toes clenched, and she shook her head vigorously, with firm refusal written all over her face. 

“Alright, you soak them well yourself.” Xu Shengjie got up and sat on the bed. He originally thought that his wife was tired from work and her legs and feet were sore, so she wanted him to rub them. However, seeing that she was so reluctant at the moment, he did not force her. 

With her feet soaked in the warm water, Liang Baozhen finally found the long-lost warmth. Not only her feet were warm, but her face also turned red. 

*** 

Three days later 

The State Cotton Factory held an investigative meeting regarding the case of Purchasing Office Director Chen Siming accepting bribes and purchasing inferior cotton. The participants included eight people from the leadership team of the State Cotton Factory, three people from the Revolutionary Committee, two people from the Municipal Public Security Bureau, and the three workshop directors who reported Chen Siming. 

They sat at a long table. The State Cotton Factory was a key state-owned factory in the city, and the occurrence of a major criminal case such as bribery was taken seriously. 

The three men reiterated the case they were reporting, provided samples of inferior cotton and proof of the equipment shutdown. All three were veteran employees of the factory, and they reported the factory director’s son because they could no longer tolerate it. This factory was the result of the hard work of so many people, and they couldn’t just watch it being destroyed. 

Chen Yong had already reviewed the evidence provided by the three men. After they finished speaking, he signaled Secretary Fang to begin. 

“Leaders, the factory has launched an investigation into the three workshop directors report that the purchasing office accepted bribes to purchase inferior cotton, and the results show that it is true.” 

Everyone looked at each other and said nothing. After all, the person involved was the factory director’s son. Did Chen Yong really want to sacrifice his own son for the sake of justice? 

“This was done by Nie Changqi, a purchaser in the purchasing office. He came from a poor family with a heavy financial burden. He was so depressed that he accepted bribes, tampered with purchase documents, deceived other purchasers, and ultimately accepted a bribe of five hundred yuan. He is suspected of violating regulations and signing a two-year cotton purchase contract.” 

Secretary Fang presented the investigation materials to the leaders for review and called the buyer into the conference room. 

Purchaser Nie Changqi had a blank expression on his face as he repeated Secretary Fang’s words and actively admitted his mistake. There was no hesitation or quibbling during the whole process. After he finished speaking, he glanced at the factory director Chen Yong who was sitting opposite him and lowered his head. 

Everyone present was a smart person. Seeing that there was complete evidence and the purchaser had admitted his mistake, they understood Chen Yong’s attitude and naturally removed the man regardless of whether Chen Siming was involved or not. 

“Then hand him over to the Revolutionary Committee and the Municipal Public Security Bureau for handling,” the factory party secretary said. 

“Ah.” Chen Yong waved his hand, showing a compassionate expression, and said with a heavy heart, “Nie Changqi made a mistake, but he did it for his family. His mother used to work in our factory but had to retire due to injury and has been bedridden for years. His younger sister is still a child, and his wife is unemployed, so the whole family’s burden falls on him. In the end, it was our leadership team that did not pay attention to the difficulties of the workers, which forced people to take such a dark path. To be honest, I am also responsible.” 

“Old Chen, you shouldn’t say that; you can’t blame yourself.” 

“Factory Director, it’s natural that you can’t keep track of every detail with your busy schedule.” 

Chen Yong waved his hands, forced a bitter smile, and sighed, “Since Comrade Nie Changqi has a good attitude in admitting his mistakes and the amount of bribes he received was not large, I would like to take the initiative to plead for him on behalf of the factory. Considering his family’s actual situation, the punishment can be reduced as appropriate.” 

Chen Yong was very satisfied watching the recorder write down the words, and then said, “As for Comrade Chen Siming, the director of the Purchasing Office, as the director, he did not find out the truth immediately, but trusted his subordinates, which led to the entry of inferior cotton into the factory. I propose to remove Chen Siming from the position of director of the Purchasing Office.” 

The factory party secretary Tang Tiansheng was the first to object, “Old Chen, you are going too far. Comrade Chen Siming was at most guilty of poor supervision, but he should not be dismissed from his post.” 

“That’s right. Comrade Chen Siming should write a self-criticism report and strengthen the management in the future. There’s no need for dismissal.” 

Seeing everyone jumping out to oppose, Chen Yong had made up his mind and stood firm, “I think it is very necessary to dismiss Comrade Chen Siming. As the director, he did not promptly discover that his subordinates accepted bribes and purchased inferior cotton, which is a serious dereliction of duty. Don’t worry about our relationship. It’s better to handle official business impartially and prioritize the interests of our State Cotton Factory.” 

The meeting recorder wrote down Chen Yong’s words and recorded the final result. Nie Changqi was handed over to the Revolutionary Committee and the Public Security Bureau for handling. However, considering his personal circumstances, the State Cotton Factory hoped to give him lenient treatment. In addition, Chen Siming, director of the Purchasing Office, was dismissed for his negligence in supervision. 

There is no wall that is impenetrable. Not long after the investigation meeting, the news spread throughout the State Cotton Factory, and everyone was shocked by the result. 

Everyone applauded the factory director. After all, he had fired his own son! 

“The factory director is so selfless. I thought he was going to protect Chen Siming.”

“Shhh, you’re making up stories about the factory manager in private. What if someone reports you?” 

“Chen Siming wasn’t the one accepting bribes? That’s really unfair to him. I don’t think dismissal is necessary; he should be given a chance to reform.” 

“Why not? I think the factory director’s handling is fair. Chen Siming didn’t do his job well as director and should be replaced. We’re fortunate to have such a wise factory director!” 

Liang Baozhen was walking and heard almost everyone discussing this matter. She felt frustrated. How could Chen Siming get away with this? Chen Yong had connections not only in the State Cotton Factory, but also in the Revolutionary Committee and the Public Security Bureau. He really worked hard to protect his son from criminal investigation. He found someone to take the blame in just three days. 

As for dismissing Chen Siming, it was a smart idea. Chen Yong might have been tired of cleaning up his son’s mess, so he might as well let him leave the State Cotton Factory. 

Liang Baozhen took a pen and paper and prepared to go to the radio station. The meeting recorder had just given her a copy of the meeting. Together with the factory’s handling results, she had to prepare a manuscript and report it during the broadcast tomorrow at noon. 

It was the broadcaster’s duty to draft and announce major factory events. 

At the radio station, Liang Baozhen paused while writing about the dismissal of Chen Siming as the director of the Purchasing Office. She felt a surge of injustice and thought it was too lenient on him. 

“Baozhen!” 

A familiar voice came from behind, and Liang Baozhen turned to see Chen Siming, who was supposed to be processed today. 

This man actually sneaked upstairs. 

“Why are you here?” Liang Baozhen stood up alertly and immediately drove the man away, “The radio station is not for unauthorized people to come.” 

The words “unauthorized people ” struck Chen Siming deeply. From tomorrow on, he would no longer be the director of the Purchasing Office of the State Cotton Factory. But he had no choice. If Chen Yong hadn’t arranged someone to take the blame, he would be the one handed over to the Revolutionary Committee and the Public Security Bureau. By then, he would be disgraced and might even have to spend time in jail. 

“Baozhen, did you misunderstand me? I’m not the one who accepted the bribes.” No matter what, he needed to clear himself and couldn’t let the person he cared about misunderstand. 

“Hmph.” Liang Baozhen sneered, ” Whether you did it or not, you should know best.” 

“Baozhen, you really misunderstood me!” Chen Siming had a diamond necklace in his trouser pocket, which was sparkling and dazzling. “Please don’t misunderstand me. I really didn’t do it. This is a gift from me to you. Look how beautiful it is!” 

Liang Baozhen had fair skin and beautiful looks, especially her long and fair neck, which would definitely look good with the necklace. 

Looking at the luxurious necklace, Liang Baozhen knew it must be worth a lot of money. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she came up with an idea. She slowly stepped back two steps and leaned against the radio station, with her left hand on the table, close to the microphone switch button. “This necklace is very beautiful; it must be very expensive, right?” 

Hearing Liang Baozhen praising the beautiful necklace he gave her, Chen Siming was delighted. “Not really. I used to think it was expensive, but now I can afford it! Baozhen, what do you like? I can buy anything for you, as long as… as long as you give me another chance.” 

Chen Siming was confident that Xu Shengjie, who looked so poor, would never buy such an expensive necklace for Baozhen. 

“Can you really buy everything?” Liang Baozhen coaxed. “Where did you get the money? It wouldn’t be from stealing or robbing, would it?” 

“Of course not, I’m the one who collects the money…” Chen Siming almost blurted out everything, but after saying a few words, he realized what was happening and immediately changed the subject. “Anyway, I’ll buy you whatever you like!” 

Seeing that this person was quite alert, Liang Baozhen changed her tone, “You buy things for me? What qualifications do you have to buy things for me? You’re no longer the head of the purchasing office at the State Cotton Factory, and you don’t even have a decent job. Who would take you seriously?” 

Thinking of Chen Siming’s jealousy towards his brother, she continued to add fuel to the fire, “I think the factory director is also very disappointed in you. In his heart, your eldest brother must be a thousand times better.” 

Chen Siming couldn’t stand hearing praise for his elder brother and criticism of himself, especially coming from his own love interest. His heart was torn, and his eyes were red. 

Liang Baozhen sneered, “So, who do you think you are? You think you’re someone important? With no job and no money in the future, even Dong Jiayan might leave you.” 

Chen Siming’s face gradually became ferocious. He was confused by Liang Baozhen’s words. He did not see Liang Baozhen’s left hand covering the switch button of the radio station. “Who am I? I am Chen Siming, the son of the director of the State Cotton Factory!” 

*** 

Having resolved a major issue, Chen Yong was in a good mood and went to the canteen with the factory leadership team and the Revolutionary Committee’s investigation team. Now that his hard work was advocated, it was natural for him to go to the canteen to eat with the workers. 

There was a lot of discussion around, most of them are praising the factory director for being fair that he even punished his own son severely for his mistakes. Chen Yong had sharp ears and his smile widened. He invited everyone to taste the food cooked by the canteen chef. 

“Director, you’ve been quite harsh this time. Won’t Comrade Chen Siming have any objections?” 

“Well, as a father I should definitely prioritize my child, but I am the factory director, so I must handle this impartially. As for Siming…” 

Everyone in the canteen suddenly heard a burst of electric sound coming from the large speaker outside. This was the opening to a broadcast in the past, but there shouldn’t be a broadcast at this time. 

A few seconds later, all the factory workers heard a furious shout, “Who am I? I am Chen Siming, the son of the director of the State Cotton Factory!” 

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Liang Baozhen: Brought to you by my precious loudspeaker. 😏