Chapter 214: The Ideal Husband

Chapter 214: The Ideal Husband

Zhou Xue was really reported by someone!

When Jiang Yu went to work in the afternoon, she heard everyone gossiping about it.

It was said that someone had sent a letter to the factory director's mailbox, directly criticizing Zhou Xue for having ill intentions, stirring up trouble and gossiping.

Zhou Xue had caused several incidents recently, and not only was she reprimanded by Department Head Jin, but she was also punished with cleaning the toilets.

Zhou Xue stormed up to Jiang Yu and demanded, "Did you report me?"

Jiang Yu coolly replied, "Zhou Xue, without evidence, you can't just accuse others."

"How is this accusing without evidence? Who else in the factory would report me? You're so malicious!"

Before Jiang Yu could respond further, Lan Raoping stood up.

She sternly rebuked, "Zhou Xue, if you keep causing trouble like this, I will report it to the factory and increase your punishment."

Seeing Lan Raoping wasn't on her side, Zhou Xue's eyes reddened, and she turned and ran out.

Lan Raoping felt deeply disappointed in her. She used to think Zhou Xue was difficult but had a good character.

Now she realized she had misjudged her.

"Jiang Yu, don’t let her words bother you. This matter has nothing to do with you."

She had seen the report letter too. It was a signed report, and she had even gone to verify it with Old Wang, confirming Zhou Xue had stirred up trouble in front of Sister Yang.

If someone isn’t influenced by your provocations, what’s wrong with reporting you?

Jiang Yu didn’t care. "I'm not taking it to heart."

After Zhou Xue ran out of the propaganda department, she headed straight to Factory One.

She easily entered the factory director’s office, sobbing.

"Why are you here? I told you not to come during work hours."

The speaker was none other than Lan Raoping's husband, Shao Jiakang, the director of Factory One.

Zhou Xue pouted, "You say that, but you don’t care when I’m treated unfairly. I came to you to vent, and you want to chase me away. If it weren't for you, I would have married a young and outstanding man. I might not live a great life, but at least I’d have someone to rely on, so I wouldn't be bullied with no one to stand up for me."

Shao Jiakang quickly pulled her to sit down and locked the office door.

"What are you talking about? I'm not trying to chase you away. I'm just worried about the bad impression. Tell me, what happened?"

Zhou Xue cried again, "I was punished by the factory to clean the toilets! The toilets are so dirty. I don't want to clean them."

Shao Jiakang frowned, "Clean the toilets? Why were you punished to clean the toilets out of the blue?"

Zhou Xue leaned into his arms and complained about the recent events.

"I don't know what's wrong with your wife, but she's started siding with outsiders recently and doesn't care about me anymore. I can't stay in the propaganda department. Can you transfer me to another job?"

Shao Jiakang shook his head, "Jobs aren’t so easy to transfer."

Even as the factory director, he couldn't just interfere with Factory Two's affairs.

He got this position by sheer luck.

There were many seniors with more experience than him, and none of them respected him.

"I’ll ask your godmother to put in a good word for you. As for that Jiang Yu... her husband’s not someone to mess with, so steer clear of her."

Zhou Xue was stunned, "Even you’re scared of He Tingyue?"

Shao Jiakang waved his hand, "Not scared, but it’s better not to step on his toes. Just lay low, and when I’ve got some cash to spare, I’ll get you a place outside so you can move out of the dorm."

Zhou Xue pouted, "How many times have I heard that? When will you have extra money? Maybe I should quit my job and give you a son?"

She’d been with Shao Jiakang for years and never thought marriage was an option.

But now she was starting to think about it.

He had no kids, and Lan Raoping wasn’t having any more. Couldn’t someone else give him a child?

However, Shao Jiakang refused.

"It’s not the right time for a kid. Just go back for now."

Zhou Xue pouted until Shao Jiakang slipped her thirty yuan, and then she perked up.

"So when are you actually going to buy me a house?"

Shao Jiakang said, "I’m broke right now. I’d need to dip into Lan Raoping’s dowry."

Her family gave her a stash of gold bars as a dowry, but she’s kept them under wraps.

With that money, he could really move up in the world.

So divorce wasn’t on the table yet. Even if Zhou Xue got pregnant, the kid couldn’t be registered, so it was better to hold off.

"Just play along, and I’ll take care of you."

Zhou Xue finally let it go. She’d just have to bide her time.

When she left the office, she ran into Secretary Xie.

Secretary Xie’s eyes flickered, "Zhou Xue, here to see Director Shao?"

"Yeah, just here to chat with my godfather."

Zhou Xue wasn’t visiting for the first time, so she naturally said this.

Secretary Xie nodded with a smile, "Alright, take it easy. I’ll head in."

...

Zhou Xue’s punishment was announced, then suddenly canceled.

Jiang Yu didn’t understand what was going on until Wu Jinshun explained.

"She’s related to Director Shao of the first factory, so she has that kind of influence."

Jiang Yu suddenly realized, "But Deputy Department Head Lan didn’t plan to speak up for her. If Director Shao gets involved, won’t that piss off the deputy department head?"

Wu Jinshun shook his head, "I doubt it. Director Shao treats Deputy Department Head Lan Raoping very well; he's a model husband here at the Second State Cotton Mill."

After losing two children in a row, Lan Raoping was heartbroken. At that time, Shao Jiakang was only focused on jockeying for power, which left her completely disillusioned, and she decided she would never have children again.

Shao Jiakang not only did not oppose but got down on his knees in front of Lan Raoping to apologize and supported her decision.

Jiang Yu asked, surprised, "So they still don't have any children to this day?"

"No, they don't."

Zhou Xue is an adopted daughter, but she's not quite the same as a biological child.

Wu Jinshun remarked, "There are probably few men in the world who can do what Director Shao has done."

He was able to stand out among many competitors and secure the director's position, which is also related to his good reputation.

Jiang Yu listened briefly, gathered her belongings, and left work in a hurry.

Upon returning home, she saw Jiang Ye had come over, saying Master Yang was preparing to retire and wanted him to negotiate the job's terms.

Of course, he wasn't the only one negotiating, but also with his son.

Jiang Yu put her things down and was about to pull him out the door.

"You're not being serious about this job, we need to settle this quickly."

Jiang Ye hesitated, "They mentioned it would cost at least a thousand yuan."

That was too much; he didn't have a thousand yuan to his name.

Jiang Yu patted his shoulder, "If it's not enough, I'll help you out, and you can pay me back once you get your salary."

Jiang Ye was actually a bit hesitant; he wasn't sure if he really wanted this job.

Once bought, he would have to leave school and take over as the auto repair master at the bus station, succeeding Master Yang.

That kind of life would be boring and repetitive.

"What are you waiting for?" Jiang Yu asked.

Jiang Ye said, "Maybe I won't buy it. I previously repaired a radio for my classmate, and he said I could go work as an apprentice at a repair shop. I could finish my apprenticeship in a year and earn quite a bit."

That job didn't require buying in and was more free.

But Jiang Yu thought of another aspect, "Does the repair shop provide housing? Is there a canteen?"

How could a small repair shop compare to the bus station.

Jiang Ye relented and went with Jiang Yu to negotiate the terms.