Chapter 16

“Director, did you call for me?” Cui Third Son was summoned to the Director’s office, rubbing his hands and feeling a bit at a loss.

His position in the Cui family was awkward; Cui Pingzhou didn’t like him as a brother, and Mei Baoying didn’t like him as a son.

After working at Qinchuan Machinery Factory for over ten years, he remained just a small technician. He was usually a transparent presence in the factory; even the workshop director wouldn’t pay him any attention. So why had the Director called for him personally?

He enjoyed delving into technology and didn’t care much about promotions. As long as he could continue his work, that was enough for him. Could it be that his mother, Mei Baoying, and Cui Pingzhou were fighting too fiercely, and his second brother wanted to take back his job?

“Don’t be nervous; sit down and talk,” Ge Xiang said. He had a good impression of Cui Third Son; his biological father was an honest farmer, and Cui Third Son was also straightforward. In the factory, he spoke little and focused solely on his technical work.

Ge Xiang got straight to the point, “We’ve just completed the construction of a new branch in Hancheng. The factory has decided to transfer you there as the chief engineer of the workshop. Are you willing?”

“Willing… willing?” Cui Third Son’s mind went blank. This was a promotion all at once! Of course, he was willing; his mother didn’t want him to stay in Qincheng, so she wanted to transfer him away?

However, he had mentioned several times before that he wanted to transfer to a branch outside, but both his mother and wife had disagreed.

“Glad to hear you’re willing. The transfer report is ready for you to sign. I’ll handle the other procedures for you. If you’re agreeable, you could leave tomorrow.”

Cui Third Son was at a loss for words. Was this a demotion or a promotion?

But deep down, Cui Third Son felt happy. This time, he wouldn’t care whether his wife was willing or not; he was determined to leave. “Director, can I ask if my mother found someone to help with this transfer?” Had his mother suddenly started to care about him?

“It was Cui Pingzhou who spoke to my mentor, Jiang Dayou. He said your skills are more than enough for the branch’s deputy director. I reviewed your work records over the years, and you meet the requirements for the chief engineer, which is why I agreed to your transfer. However, to avoid any gossip, you’ll start as chief engineer and gradually rise from there.”

Cui Third Son felt a surge of warmth in his heart. This half-brother, who shared no blood relation with him, was still thinking about him.

Director Ge smiled, “In the past, whenever I wanted to transfer you to other branches, your mother would send people to cause a fuss. This time, you can decide for yourself.”

“Ah… thank you, Director. I’ll go back and discuss it with my wife.”

Cui Third Son hurried back to his dormitory. His wife was sitting on the edge of the bed, lost in thought. Cui Third Son showed her the transfer letter he had brought back.

“Darling, I have to go to the Hancheng branch this time. If I miss this opportunity, I’ll never get a promotion again. If you’re not willing, you can stay in Qincheng, and I’ll send you my salary every month.”

He suddenly spoke his mind, “I’m just the son of a farmer who scrapes a living from the black soil. My education isn’t high, and it took me over a decade to solidify my skills under my master’s. I’m destined to work in technology for my whole life. I’m already very satisfied with this job and the life I have today. Let’s not make a fuss; let’s go to Hancheng. Isn’t your family from Hancheng?”

Tan Xueru snatched the transfer letter from him. It indeed confirmed her husband’s job in Hancheng.

Cui Pingzhou was incredibly fast… This man was terrifying. She had just finished speaking, and within half an hour, Ji Laifeng went to the police station to provide evidence. It just so happened that Ji Laifeng that widow was involved. Jiang Hongyu had originally snatched her fiancé from Ji Laifeng.

The officer handling the case happened to be Jiang Hongyu’s man, Sun Changshun. This couldn’t be a coincidence; Cui Pingzhou must have arranged it deliberately. Moreover, he actually secured a job for Cui Third Son.

Tan Xueru felt immensely relieved. She was merely Mei Baoying’s messenger and had not directly participated in the things her mother-in-law had done. Besides, her husband had rescued Cui Pingzhou’s mother’s memorial tablet from the fire, which had allowed her to take a step back unscathed.

“Pack your things; we’ll leave tomorrow,” Tan Xueru said, her face pale. “You go buy the train tickets at the station. Don’t bother going to see your mother; she doesn’t want to see you anyway. I’ll go to the hospital to see her and tell her we’re heading back to Hancheng.”

Cui Third Son noticed that this time, his wife not only didn’t stop him but was even more anxious to leave than he was. Feeling happy, he didn’t think too much about it.

“Sure, every time we meet, she just scolds me for being useless. I won’t go and give her any more trouble.”

—o—o—o—

Jiang Hongyu found Liu Xiaozhu. Over a decade ago, she had approached Liu Xiaozhu’s uncle, Liu Erzhu, about framing someone. This kind of scheming was nothing new, and it didn’t take long to persuade this second-rate thug to do as she said.

After all, that girl was incredibly beautiful, and any man would be tempted by the chance to marry her, even if the method wasn’t honorable. Besides, Liu Xiaozhu was a little hoodlum with no morals, and it was easy to sway him.

Next, she only needed to report it to the committee, but Jiang Hongyu planned to go directly to her man’s house and search for things at Liu Xiaozhu’s place, then report it. Her husband was a police officer, efficient in his work, ensuring that the girl wouldn’t have a chance to turn things around.

Sun Changshun said he would go find Jiang Ci to understand the situation. Based on her understanding of the girl, she was sure to tell Sun Changshun that her aunt pushed her down, as at that time, Jiang Ci had only her behind her.

“Hmph!” Jiang Hongyu was not the least bit afraid as she thought disdainfully: ‘I wouldn’t admit it; I will just say that Jiang Ci had slipped and that she merely tried to pull her back. And it’s just that she wasn’t able to reach her hand.’

“Jiang Ci, open the door for me! Is your uncle at home?”

Jiang Hongyu slammed the courtyard door, making a loud noise.

This small, exquisite courtyard had top-quality black pine wood for its door, while the front and back yards were paved with polished bluestone bricks. The furniture was either rosewood or cedar.

Her father hadn’t been willing to provide such a fine courtyard as her dowry back then, but now it was given to that girl, Jiang Ci.

How could she not feel resentment?

Jiang Ci was tidying up her room and noticed that some items she hadn’t had time to unpack after moving were missing. A few clothes were missing from the bottom of the box, a pen missing from the drawer, and even the movie ticket stubs she had kept for several years had vanished.

She thought for a moment; Grandma Xu and Kang Guixiang had taken the spare key last time, so they must have rummaged through her things again.

She pulled out her diary from a hidden compartment in the wardrobe and flipped through a few pages.

There was a new entry, and as she scanned the content, she couldn’t help but grind her teeth in frustration.

Outside, Jiang Hongyu continued to pound on the door.

Irritated by the noise, Jiang Ci returned the diary to the hidden compartment and dressed before opening the door.

This Jiang Hongyu had disliked her ever since she was a kid.

“My uncle is not here.”

After reading the diary, she felt even more annoyed at Jiang Hongyu, who had come specifically to cause trouble. “My little uncle said he’s going to find Ji Laifeng to gather more information.”

She looked at Jiang Hongyu with pity.

Her marriage had been nothing to be proud of. Grandpa Jiang was deeply disappointed in Jiang Hongyu, and he never treated her well whenever they met.

It was her own misdeeds that had crossed her grandfather’s bottom line. Instead of admitting her mistakes, she blamed him for being biased.

Jiang Ci couldn’t fathom how someone could think like that.

Now, her case was being investigated personally by her little uncle. If Sun Changshun knew that Jiang Hongyu was so twisted because of jealousy, and she even dared to push her own niece down the hill, he would surely reconsider continuing to live with this woman.

Jiang Hongyu had inherited Grandpa Jiang’s pride and stubbornness but lacked his principles and boundaries.

Instead, she had fully adopted Grandma Xu’s jealousy and foolishness.

The combination of these traits had turned her into the vicious and bitter person she was now.

Jiang Hongyu shot her a glare. “Is Sun Changshun looking for that widow again? Jiang Ci, what nonsense are you saying to your uncle? Did you conspire with Ji Laifeng beforehand to frame me for pushing you? Speak up!”

“Did you push me?” Jiang Ci asked with her arms crossed.

Jiang Hongyu denied it: “I didn’t push you. I’m your aunt; why would I push you? I don’t have time to argue with you. I still need to find your uncle.”

The thought of her man alone with Ji Laifeng made her uncomfortable, especially since Ji Laifeng’s husband was dead.

Jiang Ci felt a deep sense of disappointment in her.

She shouted from behind Jiang Hongyu, “Auntie, are you willing to push your niece down the hill for 2000 yuan? Can you really sleep at night?”

Jiang Hongyu stumbled slightly: ‘How did Jiang Ci know she had taken 2000 yuan from Mei Baoying? This girl was quite cunning…’

Sure enough, that little brat must have spoken to Sun Changshun, too.

Daring to disrupt their marriage, she would pay for it later.

Jiang Hongyu hurried off to Ji Laifeng’s house to find her husband.

—o—o—o—

Meanwhile, Jiang Ci locked the door and headed to the urban village near Heishui River, where Liu Xiaozhu lived.

The diary mentioned that the things she had lost were now in the hands of that second-rate thug.

Heh… Jiang Ci flexed her wrists, preparing to retrieve her belongings under the cover of darkness.

Liu Xiaozhu, with a bruised face, returned home to his ramshackle three-room house. Before he could reach the door, he was kicked over, and a delicate hand grabbed his collar, dragging him behind the house for another beating.

“If you dare to scream, I’ll hit you ten more times!”

Liu Xiaozhu swallowed his cries of anguish, fearfully gazing at the fierce and beautiful girl before him. For a brief moment, his pain seemed to vanish. “L…Little Jiang Ci?”

How could this girl be so strong? Her punches were harder than Gu Qingchuan’s. He had really run into bad luck, provoking two people he shouldn’t have.

Jiang Ci glared at him menacingly. “Where are the things Jiang Hongyu gave you?”

“Th…they’re here.” Liu Xiaozhu cursed the star that had caused him to get beaten up twice in one night, thinking about the troublemaker. “This small bag is what she gave me.”

He held the green silk bag over his head. “Here you go.”

Jiang Ci took it with one hand. Inside were several pieces of her personal clothing. This thug… Jiang Ci raised her fist. “Did you look inside?”

What exactly was in there? Liu Xiaozhu was on the verge of tears.

Everyone had that expression as if just seeing what was inside meant he would be dead. “I didn’t look! Jiang Hongyu asked me to put it in the box. She said she would come with her man to check it tonight. That’s all I know; I swear!”