Chapter 21: Punishment

Chapter 21: Punishment

Before becoming a female worker at the Second State Cotton Mill, Zhao Qing was also a country girl, and she was quite strong.

She quickly broke free from Jiang Yu’s grip but was then caught by Xie Feifei.

Xie Feifei finally understood her intentions and was furious. She had never encountered anyone like her!

Earlier, when she saw Zhao Qing with Sun Zailiang, she didn’t think to blame Zhao Qing.

Both of us were innocent; it was all Sun Zailiang’s fault. Why was Zhao Qing coming after her?

“I have no grudge against you, yet you suddenly appear to ruin my reputation. The moment I exposed you, you tried to run away. There’s no such thing as getting away scot-free in this world! If you run away today, how will the people at the supply cooperative view me?”

A number of people were watching the scene, and seeing Zhao Qing’s tearful appearance, they instinctively sympathized with her.

Their gazes toward Xie Feifei had also changed.

The moment confrontation was mentioned, Zhao Qing ran away, clearly indicating her guilt.

In contrast, Xie Feifei stood with righteous dignity, unafraid to seek clarification from the leadership, which further highlighted Zhao Qing’s guilt.

Slandering another female comrade’s reputation in broad daylight—wasn’t this akin to killing with a borrowed knife?

Could this be tolerated? Absolutely not!

From that moment on, no matter how much Zhao Qing cried, no one paid her any attention.

Together with Jiang Yu, Xie Feifei forcibly dragged Zhao Qing to the Second Cotton Mill.

He Feiyan quickly caught up, saying, “I’ll help you!”

Xie Feifei was acquainted with He Feiyan but wasn’t close to her.

Because of today’s incident, Xie Feifei felt grateful toward He Feiyan and smiled at her.

When they arrived at the entrance of the Second Cotton Mill, the guards wouldn’t let them in.

He Feiyan stepped up: “My brother is the Head of the Security Department, He Tingyue. This comrade Zhao Qing has caused trouble and it should be handled by the Second Cotton Mill!”

These words made Jiang Yu glance at her a few more times.

Turns out, she was He Tingyue’s younger sister. On closer inspection, they did look quite similar.

Hearing that she was He Tingyue’s sister, the security guard immediately opened the gate.

Turning to Zhao Qing, he sized her up for a moment and recognized her as a female worker from the factory.

"What did she do wrong?"

With the four women standing there, it was hard to tell if this was a big or small issue.

"First, call out the manager of your Second Factory. This matter isn’t over!" Xie Feifei declared loudly.

Without delay, the guard first informed the security department. Then, he notified Zhao Qing’s workshop supervisor, who reported to the Workshop Director.

Someone who knew about Zhao Qing and Sun Zailiang’s close relationship secretly ran to inform him.

Meanwhile, Xie Feifei and the others were escorted to the security department office.

When He Tingyue’s gaze swept over, He Feiyan shrank back.

Jiang Yu felt that He Tingyue looked even more intimidating than usual, his presence particularly oppressive.

Shortly after, the Workshop Director arrived, looking somewhat displeased.

It was now August, and with the new month came assessments and performance evaluations.

Since Zhao Qing caused trouble so early in the month, their workshop team would definitely face criticism in the end-of-month review.

Once everyone was gathered, Xie Feifei, with her sharp tongue, quickly explained the situation in just a few sentences.

Jiang Yu suggested, "Comrade Zhao Qing claims she’s in a relationship with Comrade Sun Zailiang from your factory. Since this matter involves him, I think we should bring him here to clarify things in person, to avoid any further misunderstandings."

He Tingyue glanced behind him. "Tong Fang, go fetch Sun Zailiang."

He lived in the same compound as Sun Zailiang, so he naturally favored him.

If Sun Zailiang were called over, it would definitely affect him.

Seeing his hesitation, Jiang Yu asked, "Female comrades can face everyone. Is he, a male comrade, too shy to show himself?"

Tong Fang then ran out to fetch Sun Zailiang.

By chance, he caught Sun Zailiang trying to sneak away.

"Brother Fang, just pretend you didn't see me, okay? I’ll treat you to a meal later."

Sun Zailiang was really panicking. After all, Xie Feifei was the vice factory director's daughter!

Tong Fang looked hesitant. "I want to help you, but Brother Yue sent me. There’s no way you can avoid this today. You should come out and explain everything."

Sun Zailiang regretted ever getting involved with Zhao Qing!

He had thought it was just a fling, but now he was in too deep!

As soon as he appeared, Zhao Qing lifted her tear-streaked face and called out sorrowfully, "Brother Liang."

Sun Zailiang ignored her. He was furious with Zhao Qing now.

Xie Feifei sneered coldly, "Sun Zailiang, your girlfriend created a scene at my supply and marketing cooperative, accusing me of stealing her partner, disrupting my job, and trying to ruin my reputation! Now, tell everyone: have we ever been in a relationship?"

Sun Zailiang closed his eyes, feeling utterly despair.

Not only had he failed to win her over, but he had also completely offended the Xie family.

Sun Zailiang clenched his teeth, "No, I've only exchanged a few words with Comrade Xie Feifei and never had any improper contact!"

Zhao Qing's face turned pale as a sheet, almost tearing her clothes in her grip.

Her heart was even colder than his.

If she had known it would end like this, she would never have caused a scene at the supply and marketing cooperative.

Xie Feifei smirked coldly, glad he knew how to behave.

She turned her head to stare at Zhao Qing. "Did you hear it?"

Zhao Qing bit her lip and tears fell, as if she had been wronged.

Xie Feifei rolled her eyes. "Why are you crying? You slandered me in front of so many people, damaging my reputation. I'm still an innocent girl who's never been in a relationship, and now people think I'm stealing other people's partners, a comrade with questionable morals. I haven't cried yet! Let me tell you, crying won’t help you evade responsibility. It won’t work!"

The Workshop Director quickly interjected, "Clearly, Comrade Zhao Qing was in the wrong."

Zhao Qing sniffled and said, "I misunderstood and I'm sorry, Comrade Xie Feifei."

Xie Feifei felt even more frustrated seeing Zhao Qing like this, as if asking for more would make her seem unreasonable.

Just as she was about to let it go to show her magnanimity, she heard Jiang Yu speak.

"Without rules, there can be no order. Though I’m not a worker at the Second Factory, I know every factory has its own reward and punishment system. Those who deserve rewards should be rewarded, and those who err should be punished, right?"

The Workshop Director looked at Jiang Yu, annoyed.

Just as Xie Feifei was about to let it slide, hoping the matter would end there, Jiang Yu continued.

"If a simple ‘sorry’ can resolve this, can others just imitate her behavior in the future? If they get caught, they'll just say sorry and be fine."

The Workshop Director's face darkened. "What punishment does Comrade Xie Feifei think is fitting?"

Xie Feifei looked at Jiang Yu, unable to make up her mind.

Jiang Yu said, "How the factory punishes her is the factory’s concern; you have no right to interfere. But the Second Factory needs to demonstrate a firm stance to warn the workers. Comrade Zhao Qing is a bad example, and people shouldn't follow her lead."

She was completely unmoved by Zhao Qing’s tears, feeling no sympathy.

If she wanted to, she could cry even more convincingly than Zhao Qing.

"Comrade Zhao Qing's actions this time have had a serious negative impact. A private apology is not sufficient. She needs to write a letter of self-criticism, acknowledge her mistake, clarify the truth, and apologize to Xie Feifei. Then it should be posted at the entrance of the local supply and marketing cooperative so everyone knows that what she said today was pure slander."