Chapter 167: Why Can’t I Recommend Her?

Chapter 167: Why Can't I Recommend Her?

The moment Duan Yuzhen was slapped, the Duan family members rushed out.

Hearing Aunt Xu's words, everyone froze, choosing to watch.

Only the Duan family members looked shocked, with Lin Donghua sharply questioning, "Yuzhen, is what Aunt Xu said true? Did you write a letter to report on Jiang Yu?"

Lin Hongxia was delighted to watch the commotion, not knowing what Aunt Xu had experienced, but she also spoke up for Jiang Yu.

Mother Sun clasped her hands in front of her, frowning slightly.

"Yuzhen, is there a misunderstanding here? Can you explain it to everyone?"

Duan Yuzhen covered her face, flustered and in denial, "I don't understand what Aunt Xu is talking about at all."

Aunt Xu, furious, slapped her repeatedly.

"Your parents didn't teach you, but I will definitely teach you a lesson today! Factory Director Zheng has already produced the report letter and called your brother to confirm it. It was you who wrote it, and you still want to deny it?"

Wen Yan, heartbroken at the sight of Duan Yuzhen's swollen cheeks, stepped in.

"Old Xu, even if Yuzhen messed up, it's still a Duan family matter. It's not your place to discipline her, is it?"

Aunt Xu spat back, "Do you think I like disciplining her? If it weren't for her malicious intent, egging me on to stir up trouble at the Second State Cotton Mill, I wouldn't bother with her! She saw Jiang Yu pass the interview and told me someone had written a report letter against Jiang Yu, but the factory leaders favored her and suppressed the letter. When I went to the leaders' office to ask, I found out it was Duan Yuzhen who wrote the letter!"

Lin Hongxia, not minding the chaos, added, "Wen Yan, your Yuzhen needs to learn her lesson. How can a married daughter stay at her parents' home all the time?"

Wen Yan's face darkened.

Now, even without Aunt Xu's prompting, she wanted to slap Duan Yuzhen.

Before she could scold her, Duan Jianren came back from the factory on leave.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, he coldly said, "Pack her stuff and send her back to the Yan family!"

Duan Yuzhen's expression changed dramatically, "I won't go back to the Yan family!"

If she had to go back, Yan Wenxuan should be the one to pick her up.

Going back like this would be a total loss of face!

Seeing Duan Jianren's stance, Wen Yan steeled herself and said, "If you don't go back, then divorce Yan Wenxuan."

If she divorced Yan Wenxuan, she could straighten this daughter out.

But Duan Yuzhen still wouldn't budge.

"Mom, I've only been married for a short time. What grounds are there for divorce? If I really get divorced, what will people say about me in the future?"

Frustrated, Wen Yan glared at her, raised her hand, and slapped her hard.

"Have you thought about what people will say about you for what you're doing now? If you're not straight, what gives you the right to report others? Is this how your father and I taught you?"

Duan Jianren's mind was filled with the fact that he had been noted by Factory Director Zheng, and he felt no sympathy for Duan Yuzhen.

He was too tired to argue further and had already arranged a path for Duan Yuzhen.

"Pack your things and go back to the Yan family. Before you go, go to the factory to apologize, withdraw the report letter, and write a letter of apology."

"I refuse!" Duan Yuzhen screamed.

Duan Jianren looked at her coldly, "You refuse? What gives you the right to refuse? Even now, you still refuse to admit your mistake!"

Duan Yuzhen’s face contorted with rage, her neck rigid, and her eyes brimming with hatred.

"What did I say that was wrong? Everyone knows Jiang Yu is close to Xie Feifei, and Xie Feifei had her father recommend Jiang Yu. Isn’t that blatant favoritism? The only thing I’m missing is Jiang Yu’s knack for sucking up to people!"

Jiang Yu finally stepped out into the yard. She had initially wanted to stay out of this drama, but now she had no choice.

If this continued, Xie Jinchang might be affected.

"You claim I went to Feifei and got her father to recommend me. Do you have any evidence? Without proof, your accusation is nothing but slander!"

Wen Yan, looking guilty, apologized to Jiang Yu, "Yuzhen was completely out of line this time. I’m truly sorry on her behalf."

Jiang Yu gave her a cold look but remained silent, refusing to accept the apology.

Duan Yuzhen wasn’t a kid anymore; she couldn’t keep running to her parents every time she messed up.

At that moment, He Tingyue walked in from outside.

He positioned himself behind Jiang Yu, a silent shield.

"I’ve already spoken to Factory Director Zheng. This issue affects the factory leadership’s reputation and needs to be resolved. Duan Yuzhen, if your accusation turns out to be false, what are you prepared to do?"

As the situation spiraled out of control, Duan Yuzhen started to panic.

She averted her eyes and bit her lip.

"If it’s not true, then it’s not. What more do you want from me?"

Jiang Yu coldly questioned, "Do you think you can just smear someone’s name and walk away scot-free? You were so sure of yourself earlier. What happened to that confidence?"

Stung by Jiang Yu’s words, Duan Yuzhen doubled down on her defiance.

"Of course I’m sure! I stand by what I said!"

If it wasn’t He Tingyue, then besides Xie Jinchang, no one else would help Jiang Yu.

Jiang Yu stared at her firmly, "If you’re wrong, what are you going to do about it?"

Duan Yuzhen wasn’t a member of the Second State Cotton Mill, so the mill had no authority to punish her.

But Jiang Yu couldn’t just let it go; she wasn’t willing to.

Duan Yuzhen lifted her chin defiantly, "If I’m wrong, I’ll apologize to you in front of the entire mill!"

"Yuzhen!" Duan Jianren barked, but it was too late to stop the train wreck.

If Duan Yuzhen made a public apology, where would his face as her brother be?

Old Master Duan had stayed quiet the whole time, finally breaking his silence with a quiet remark.

"Let’s hope you don’t back out and make a fool of yourself."

The group made their way to the Second State Cotton Mill, determined to get Factory Director Zheng to settle the matter.

Factory Director Zheng was taken aback by Duan Yuzhen’s stubbornness—she still wouldn’t own up to her mistake.

He chuckled, looking at Duan Yuzhen, who, despite acting out of self-interest, put on the guise of a righteous person.

"Since you asked, I’ll cut to the chase. The one who recommended Jiang Yu was not Deputy Director Xie Jinchan, but myself. I’d like to hear what advice Comrade Duan Yuzhen has to offer."

Except for He Tingyue and Jiang Yu, everyone else was taken aback.

They had considered that perhaps He Tingyue had used his connections for Jiang Yu, but they never imagined it would be Factory Director Zheng himself.

Factory Director Zheng was famously upright and uncompromising. Before Xie Jinchan took office, the previous deputy director was a shifty individual, and Factory Director Zheng had frequent arguments with him.

"After careful consideration, I believe Comrade Jiang Yu excels in both character and ability, meeting our hiring criteria. Why wouldn’t I recommend her?"

Duan Yuzhen went as white as a sheet, staggered, and almost collapsed to the ground.

Factory Director Zheng remained calm and added, "You just said you would make a public apology at the Second State Cotton Mill’s employee meeting. This isn’t standard practice, but since you’ve shown this level of awareness, I’ll grant you the opportunity."

The Duan family members all looked uneasy, only the old man nodded.

"Acknowledge your mistake and face the consequences. Yuzhen, prepare yourself to make a public apology at the employee meeting and remember to apologize to Jiang Yu."

Factory Director Zheng had the final say: "Next Monday, we’ll hold the employee meeting, which happens to be Jiang Yu’s first day. Comrade Duan Yuzhen, make sure you’re there. I do not wish to involve the factory's security team."