Chapter 400 I Didn’t Say Anything

Chapter 400: I Said Nothing

Frost falls; the wind sweeps in, bitter and cold.

The last solar term of autumn arrived as scheduled, and Beicheng was blanketed in the chilly winds and sudden rains of late autumn.

Jiang Yu walked briskly, wearing a raincoat, yet still feeling the rain seeping under her collar.

By the time she reached the second factory, her hair was a little wet.

After parking her bicycle, she squinted through the downpour, catching sight of a familiar figure.

Not long after, He Qianqian said goodbye to the person she’d been talking to and rushed over to Jiang Yu.

Jiang Yu wiped her face with her sleeve, squinting as she asked,

"Who was that?"

He Qianqian replied, "Wang Pandi."

"Wait, isn’t she married? What did she want with you?"

Wang Pandi had pushed for a quick wedding with Lai Zhijie, afraid he’d back out.

"She was beaten by Lai Zhijie. I happened to see it and asked her about it."

Just now, Wang Pandi had pleaded with her to act like she’d seen nothing and not to spread the word.

Looking like that? Who wouldn’t notice she’d been hit?

Jiang Yu shrugged. "I’ll head off first."

The Double Ninth Festival (Chongyang) had passed, and the factory announcement board needed updating. She had been busy these past few days.

He Qianqian jogged to her side and brought up Wang Tong’s situation.

"I heard Sister Tong wants a divorce, but it hasn’t gone through yet."

Wang Tong had asked for a divorce on her own, but Sun Yuan said no—then started dodging her.

With the couple unable to meet face-to-face, talking about divorce was meaningless.

Jiang Yu didn’t respond, muttering calmly, "Someone’s been taking care of his elderly mother and children for him, sparing him the responsibility. Now that person wants to walk away, meaning those duties fall back on him. Of course he wouldn’t agree."

Her words were sharp and harsh but true.

Wang Tong, who happened to overhear, turned pale, her smile thin and shaky.

"Jiang Yu, must you always see things so clearly?"

It made her feel like she’d thrown her life away.

Jiang Yu pressed her lips together. "Truth hurts."

Wang Tong sighed, looking up at the sky. "But everyone won’t stop lecturing me not to get divorced."

From the moment she mentioned divorce, everyone who knew about it badgered her to stay.

Sometimes, exhausted, she wondered if she should just give up and keep drifting along.

Yet she couldn’t resign herself, recalling all the cold treatment she had endured over the years. She often wondered if she could have had a happy and fulfilling family if it weren’t for Sun Yuan.

Jiang Yu opened her mouth but hesitated. Talking someone into divorce felt like courting lightning—she didn’t know what to say.

"It was his fault to begin with, Sister Tong. Sometimes you don’t need to overthink things."

Worst case, they’d just air the dirty laundry, and then they’d understand why Wang Tong wanted a divorce.

Wang Tong’s fence-sitting was what kept putting her in such a difficult position.

Jiang Yu thought about it and realized she was indeed more ruthless than her.

She gave Wang Tong’s shoulder a squeeze. "Think it over carefully."

Just as she was about to leave, she noticed a girl walking past her. They locked eyes.

The girl smiled at her and quickly walked away.

Jiang Yu paused for a moment, glancing at her a few more times before heading back to the office.

As soon as Jiang Yu arrived at the office, Department Head Lan introduced someone to her.

"This is Jingyi. She used to work on the factory floor, but I noticed she’s good at drawing, so I loaned her to us temporarily."

Multiple factory notice boards needed revamping, and Jiang Yu and her team couldn’t handle it alone.

Wu Jingyi stepped forward, dimples peeking when she grinned, making her look adorable.

She was the girl Jiang Yu had just seen.

"Deputy Chief Jiang, I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Wu Jingyi."

Jiang Yu nodded with a smile. "Alright, follow Wu-ge for now and nail down the notice board’s look—"

"I’ve already decided on it. Here’s what I’ve sketched out. Please take a look, Deputy Chief Jiang. Also, I heard you designed the factory’s promotional booklet. There are a few areas I think could use some minor adjustments."

She handed her sketchbook to Jiang Yu, filled with her creative ideas.

The lines were confident, and the style mature—no amateur hour here.

Jiang Yu’s eyes lit up. "Jingyi, did you study art professionally?"

Wu Jingyi curled her lips, her smirk brimming with pride.

"I’ve been learning to draw since I was a child."

Jiang Yu turned to Department Head Lan. "She’s got serious chops. She’s rotting away on the factory floor. Why not transfer her to our publicity department?"

Wu Jingyi looked at Department Head Lan hopefully—she clearly didn’t want to stay there either.

But ambition wasn’t a bad thing. Jiang Yu didn’t dislike her for showcasing her skills or her desire to climb higher.

Department Head Lan shook her head. "I don’t have sole hiring authority. It’s not that easy. For now, consider this a temporary transfer. You’ll pull overtime pay for these few days—just knock this assignment out of the park."

Wu Jingyi’s face fell. She’d pegged Jiang Yu as the naysayer, never expecting that Department Head Lan, who had initially appreciated her, would be the one to reject her.

She forced a smile. "Guess I didn’t measure up."

Jiang Yu comforted her. "If Department Head Lan really didn’t see potential in you, she wouldn’t have loaned you to us. Show your stuff for now, and once you’ve done that, I’ll find a way to get you transferred to the publicity department."

Wu Jingyi linked arms with Jiang Yu, smiling sweetly.

"Thank you, Sister Jiang Yu."

With her joining, the bulletin board project progressed smoothly.

If nothing else, in terms of drawing, Jiang Yu hadn't seen anyone who could rival Wu Jingyi.

"Have you ever tried drawing comic books? I see you have plenty of creative ideas—you could give it a try."

Comic books weren’t cheap, and if they sold well, she could make good money by collaborating with a publisher.

However, Wu Jingyi frowned. "Comic books are limited to the same old themes—mostly about the War of Resistance. I don’t like drawing them, nor do I enjoy reading them."

Same goes for movies—those spy movies were all cookie-cutter, and she never watched them.

Jiang Yu thought it was strange.

These days, few people disliked movies and comic books.

"We're getting low on paint. Sister Jiang Yu, I’ll go back to the office to get some more."

Jiang Yu nodded. "Go ahead. This paint is yours, right? You can get reimbursed later. There’s no reason to foot the bill yourself for work done for the factory."

Wu Jingyi turned and left, her lips quirking in a faint sneer where Jiang Yu couldn’t see.

As she passed the main gate, she noticed someone having words with the guard and faintly heard the name "Jiang Yu."

Wu Jingyi paused and walked over.

"Auntie, are you looking for Jiang Yu?"

Auntie Sun looked frantic. "He won’t let me in! I told him my daughter-in-law works here, but he wouldn’t listen. I said I know Jiang Yu, and he still wouldn’t budge. Dear, could you help me—I have urgent business!"

Old Wang stood firm. "I asked what the urgent matter was, but you wouldn’t explain."

"That’s my family’s private business—why should I tell you!" Auntie Sun retorted angrily.

Old Wang, by-the-book, refused to compromise. "Then you can’t enter."

Wu Jingyi smiled and spoke up. "If I take responsibility for her, can she come in?"

Old Wang hesitated, looking at her.

Pretty and pale-skinned, she stood out in any crowd. Naturally, Old Wang remembered her.

"Comrade Wu, why trouble yourself with this?"

Wu Jingyi smiled innocently, her voice gentle. "Old folks have it tough. It’s just a small favor—no trouble at all for me."

Only then did Old Wang let Auntie Sun pass. "Let's be clear—if there's trouble, it's your responsibility."

Wu Jingyi gave him a radiant smile. "Don’t worry."

She led Auntie Sun inside but didn’t immediately take her to find Wang Tong.

"Auntie, what do you want with Sister Tong?" she asked.

Auntie Sun looked startled. "You know Wang Tong?"

"I’m also a workshop worker, of course I know her."

Auntie Sun grabbed her arm, her eyes darting.

"That's perfect—take me to her now. No need to call her out; I'll go straight to the workshop to find her."

But Wu Jingyi didn’t agree and instead asked, "You should at least tell me why you’re looking for her."

Auntie Sun thought she was a kind person—otherwise, she wouldn’t have helped her get in.

After a brief hesitation, she laid out the whole story about Wang Tong wanting to divorce Sun Yuan.

Naturally, she dramatized the story, emphasizing Wang Tong’s faults.

Wu Jingyi frowned as she listened, "With a child that old, how could she still want a divorce? Sister Tong is really being unreasonable."

Auntie Sun felt she had finally found someone who understood her struggles!

"Jingyi, you're young but wise beyond your years."

Wu Jingyi skillfully changed the subject, "This morning, I saw Sister Jiang Yu talking to Sister Tong, and it seemed to be about this matter too. Sister Jiang Yu appeared to be encouraging Sister Tong’s decision to divorce. Thinking about it now, her approach was rather inappropriate."

Auntie Sun was furious, "What? I knew it! Wang Tong wouldn't just up and want a divorce for no reason—Jiang Yu must've put her up to it!"

Wu Jingyi feigned alarm, covering her mouth, "Auntie, I didn’t say anything! Don’t go blaming me for this!"