Chapter 74.1

Jiang Nian didn’t expect Sun Yuan to come.

Accompanied by Ge Mei, who had never interacted much with Sun Yuan before, they were both familiar faces. Jiang Nian followed them out of the embroidery shop. Su Na and the others didn’t stay behind either, locking the doors of the shop and heading to the textile factory together.

On the way, Jiang Nian asked softly, “How did you come here?”

Several months had passed since they last met, and Sun Yuan had changed even more. She had shed her previous gentle and submissive demeanor and now exuded the aura of a strong woman. Upon closer inspection, she even bore a resemblance to Ge Mei.

Sun Yuan replied, “Someone called me and informed me about the situation here.” She looked at Jiang Nian. “If not for that call, I wouldn’t have known that Sun Ying had been sent by my father to the textile factory in Yuan City.”

As she said this, Sun Yuan’s eyes filled with strong sarcasm.

Jiang Nian wondered who had made that call to Sun Yuan.

The group entered the textile factory, and by now it was nearly lunchtime. In this era with little entertainment, yesterday’s events at the embroidery shop and textile factory had already spread. Workers were poking their heads out to watch the excitement.

The office of the factory director was on the first floor. Sun Ying, with her pregnant belly, was supported by Wu Youshan. Also present were Secretary Zhu’s secretary Wang Wei, and two police officers. Shortly afterward, Sun Yuan and Jiang Nian arrived too. The originally small office suddenly felt cramped with so many people.

When Sun Ying and Wu Youshan saw Sun Yuan, they both froze. The two exchanged glances, and Sun Ying’s already pale face lost all color.

How could she have come here?

Sun Ying looked at Jiang Nian with hatred, convinced that she had brought Sun Yuan here!

Jiang Nian noticed Sun Ying’s gaze but remained indifferent, not saying a word.

This incident had caused quite a stir and had already involved the public security bureau. The secretary of the municipal party committee had personally come to inquire about the situation here. The factory director was feeling the pressure. Just a few days ago, the Tong family’s matter had just calmed down, and now the issues with Sun Ying and Wu Youshan had arisen.

He knew the backgrounds of these two very well. They had been introduced by Sun Chao, and he had agreed to it only because they were old friends. He hadn’t expected it would cause such a big trouble for himself.

The factory director’s face turned unpleasant, and he frowned at Sun Ying and Wu Youshan. “Your behavior is despicable! Pretending to be sick, deceiving doctors and the organization, deliberately framing Comrade Jiang Nian. What were you two thinking?!”

After finishing, he slammed the table and pointed at Sun Ying. “Especially you! In order to harm Comrade Jiang Nian, you even used the life and death of your child as a smokescreen. Aren’t you afraid that your child might really be lost? Is this how a mother behaves?”

As for how Sun Ying’s feigned illness was discovered, credit went to the director of the municipal hospital. No one else knew about this. Only Lu Yu and Gu Shizhou knew about it.

Secretary Zhu had called the director of the municipal hospital in advance, insisting that they give Comrade Sun Ying a thorough examination. The director was also a shrewd person and could naturally discern the meaning behind Secretary Zhu’s words. 

So, in front of the police officers and a few doctors, they conducted a comprehensive examination of Sun Ying, staying up until the next day to continue the examination.

While at the hospital, Wu Youshan kept insisting that he was also a doctor. He even said they could call his former workplace to verify, but when the call was made, they confirmed there was no doctor surnamed Wu.

Sun Ying was indeed fine. She had only wanted to use this opportunity to send Jiang Nian to prison. If Jiang Nian had a criminal record, the marriage application with Lu Yu would be withdrawn, and she wouldn’t be able to marry Lu Yu. Jiang Nian would be ruined too!

She played her part flawlessly, but who would have known that these doctors would act like they had lost their minds and thoroughly examined her inside and out.

Now seeing Sun Yuan come over, Sun Ying was completely panicked.

A police officer said, “Comrade Wu Youshan, the situation has been thoroughly investigated. There’s nothing wrong with the child in your wife’s belly. As for the incident where Comrade Jiang Nian allegedly hit Comrade Sun Ying, do you want to continue pursuing it or resolve it privately?”

“Why should they pursue it? Sun Ying provoked Jiang Nian first with her insults. She deserved to be hit!” Su Na exclaimed angrily.

Shu Xue also chimed in, “Exactly! If we’re talking about pursuing something, we should pursue how Sun Ying insulted Jiang Nian.”

“But Jiang Nian did hit someone! She injured Yingying’s face!” Wu Youshan insisted firmly, looking at the police officer. 

Wu Youshan insisted on this matter and looked at the police officers: “It is wrong for us to use the matter of our baby as an excuse, but there is irrefutable evidence that Jiang Nian injured Yingying’s face. Look, her face is still swollen. Police officer, I want to hold Jiang Nian responsible!”

The factory director looked at Wu Youshan and Sun Ying as if they were both troublemakers.

“On what grounds do you hold Jiang Nian accountable?” he questioned.

Just as the situation seemed to be at an impasse, Sun Yuan stepped forward and looked at Wu Youshan. “Sun Ying is my younger sister. I have already understood that the cause of this incident was initiated by Sun Ying. She verbally abused Jiang Nian and slandered her. As her relative, I find such behavior lacking in proper upbringing.”

Sun Yuan emphasized the words “lacking in proper upbringing.”

Sun Ying clenched her lips, glaring hatefully at Sun Yuan.

Wu Youshan’s expression also changed. “Sun Yuan, Sun Ying is your sister. How can you say such things about her? I know you don’t like Aunt Ding and Yingying, but regardless of what they say, they are your relatives. Why are you siding against them?”

Sun Yuan remained calm, her tone neutral. “Precisely because she is my sister, I do not want her to continue down the wrong path. And you, why do you insist on holding Jiang Nian accountable? Based on Sun Ying’s husband’s identity? Have you two married?”

Her words caused a stir among everyone in the office.

Jiang Nian’s eyelids twitched as she looked at Sun Yuan. She hadn’t expected Sun Yuan to expose Sun Ying and Wu Youshan’s cover in front of everyone.

Sun Ying grew even paler.

Wu Youshan was speechless for a moment. 

Sun Yuan continued, “And you, Sun Ying. When you married Captain Tang, you were always at odds with Jiang Nian. When your sister-in-law kindly embroidered a mandarin duck curtain for you and Captain Tang, you not only didn’t appreciate it but also cut it up and hung it on Jiang Nian’s courtyard wall to spite her. Tell me, how many troubles did you cause in the half-year you were married to Captain Tang in the army? Hasn’t Jiang Nian been bullied by you every time? How many times have you sought trouble from her?”

“That’s enough!” Sun Ying screamed furiously. “Have you said enough?!”

Wu Youshan exclaimed, “Sun Yuan, she’s your sister!”

Sun Yuan’s expression turned cold. Unexpectedly, she raised her hand and slapped Wu Youshan. 

Angry and under the scrutiny of everyone, she said, “You still know she’s my sister? You still know how to feel sorry for her? If you truly cared for her, you shouldn’t have done what you did to her the day before her wedding. Are you both out of your minds? Look at the two of you now, hiding like rats!”

Her words stunned everyone present.

So, Wu Youshan and Sun Ying weren’t a married couple?

Moreover, the child in Sun Ying’s belly was an illegitimate one of unknown origin?

Suddenly, everyone’s gaze towards Sun Ying and Wu Youshan changed, filled with disdain and mockery.

Sun Ying’s face burned hotter than Jiang Nian’s slap from yesterday.

Her biggest regret now was not agreeing to come to Yuan City after marrying Wu Youshan. Then, she and Wu Youshan would have been a proper married couple, and the child in her belly would have been legitimate. Then, none of this would have happened.

Jia Yuan remarked, “So you two aren’t married?”

Su Na added, “Before, every time Sun Ying saw Jiang Nian, she acted like she didn’t know her. I wondered why she had such hostility towards Jiang Nian. So, they knew each other before?”

Sun Yuan earnestly pleaded, “Yingying, come home with me. Stop making mistakes. Dad is very worried about you.”

Sun Ying stared at Sun Yuan, feeling the pounding in her chest grow stronger. Her belly really hurt now, and she started to cry.

Wu Youshan was momentarily stunned by the slap, and when he came to his senses, he heard Sun Ying’s mournful cry. He quickly hugged her, calling for her to be taken to the hospital. People saw water dripping down Sun Ying’s legs, and an older woman said, “Her water broke prematurely. She’s going into labor.”

Now Wu Youshan was even more anxious. Someone helped support her, and they rushed Sun Ying to the hospital.

Even if these two weren’t doing well, the child in Sun Ying’s belly was innocent. They couldn’t let it die inside a pregnant woman.

Jiang Nian didn’t say a word throughout the entire ordeal, quietly watching the drama unfold.

The drama finally ended with Sun Ying’s premature labor. The two main characters, Sun Ying and Wu Youshan, were no longer there. In front of everyone, Sun Yuan sighed and wiped her eyes.

Jiang Nian: …

If she hadn’t known Sun Yuan was acting, she might have almost believed her.

Sun Yuan told the police officer, “We won’t pursue this matter any further. It was originally my sister’s fault.” Then she turned to Jiang Nian and said, “On behalf of my sister, I apologize to you. She’s young and doesn’t know any better. Please don’t hold it against her.”

Jiang Nian: …

She nodded stiffly, her reply awkward. “It’s okay.”

“Since you’ve chosen to reconcile, we won’t file any records here either.”

The police officer said his piece and then left.

The people from the factory were still gathered outside. After the police officer left, there was still someone important who hadn’t left yet.

— Secretary Zhu’s secretary, Wang Wei.

Wang Wei said, “Director Yao, the matter has been investigated thoroughly. How do you plan to handle the situation with Sun Ying and Wu Youshan? I’m still waiting to report to Secretary Zhu. Look at how this matter has stirred things up. It nearly ruined the reputation of Comrade Jiang Nian from the embroidery shop, not to mention the risk of Comrade Jiang Nian ending up in jail. Such behavior is the worst kind for our state-run factory and embroidery shop!”

This matter was indeed serious. Every year-end, all the factories in the city had to submit a comprehensive report to the city government. The better a factory performed in all aspects, not only would the director receive a bonus, but those below would also receive extra food and oil coupons at year-end. 

These were highly sought after. Director Yao had hoped to organize the factory well this year, aiming to be ranked first in the city by the year’s end. However, just as spring began, such a troublesome incident occurred in the factory.

Director Yao was more frustrated than anyone else, wishing he could turn back time to last year and tear up the introduction letter Sun Chao had sent.

He said, “I will dismiss Sun Ying and Wu Youshan, and I will write a clear report on their cases and send it to their hometowns. Let the local Revolutionary Committee conduct ideological work and hold a meeting to criticize these two individuals!”

Once Sun Ying and Wu Youshan lost their jobs at the textile factory here, they would have to return to their original place.

Others might not know, but Sun Yuan was well aware. Sun Ying and Wu Youshan’s reputation there had already been tarnished. Once they returned, they might be looked down upon for the rest of their lives, especially in the compound. Her father, Ding Hua, and Wu Youshan’s parents in the compound could hardly lift their heads anymore.

This matter was considered resolved.