Chapter 406 I Trust Your Character

Chapter 406 I Believe in Your Character

Wu Jingyi came clean about her mistake. According to her account, she hadn’t sowed discord as Auntie Sun had claimed.

It sounded plausible, but Jiang Yu still found it odd—something didn’t add up logically.

Lan Raoping, however, seemed to believe her explanation and even spoke up for Wu Jingyi: "She’s young and didn’t do it on purpose."

Lin Chang’an didn’t say whether he believed her or not, saying evenly, "Auntie Sun told a different story."

Wu Jingyi stiffened. Wasn’t she more trustworthy than that harpy Auntie Sun?

"What did Auntie Sun say?"

Lin Chang’an: "You told her that my sister-in-law was the one who egged Wang Tong on to divorce. That’s why Auntie Sun gave up on confronting Wang Tong and went after my sister-in-law instead."

"That’s a lie!" Wu Jingyi immediately denied it.

Lan Raoping frowned slightly. If it came down to it, she’d definitely believe Wu Jingyi more.

From the moment they met until now, she’d always had a good impression of this girl—competent and ambitious. There was no reason for her to target Jiang Yu.

Even if she did frame Jiang Yu, what could she gain? Could she possibly replace Jiang Yu’s position?

Lin Chang’an kept his professional tone: "I’m simply presenting the facts. Auntie Sun has no reason to lie either. If she had come for my sister-in-law from the start, what would her motive be? Why would she go after my sister-in-law?"

He interrupted again: "If it were just as Wu said—that she wanted my sister-in-law to relay a message—why would Auntie Sun react so aggressively, repeatedly accusing my sister-in-law of egging Wang Tong on to divorce?"

Wu Jingyi bit her lip, shooting him a resentful look.

"So, you’re saying I’m lying?"

"I’m voicing reasonable skepticism."

Wu Jingyi’s voice turned cold: "I only told her that I saw Deputy Chief Jiang talking to Tong-jie. Maybe Auntie Sun misunderstood."

Lin Chang’an gave a slight smirk. "No one else heard your conversation. You could claim anything—we can’t determine the truth."

Wu Jingyi: "Then how can you be so sure I’m the one lying?"

As the tension between them escalated, Jiang Yu spoke up: "Chang’an, let it go."

Lin Chang’an’s expression sharpened as he turned to look at her.

Jiang Yu smiled. "I don’t think Jingyi is that kind of person."

Wu Jingyi looked moved, clutching her arm while simpering, "Sister Jiang Yu, thank you for believing in me."

Jiang Yu patted her hand. "Though we haven’t known each other long, I’ve always felt we clicked. I believe in your character."

Lin Chang’an felt something was off but couldn’t pinpoint why.

Still, if Jiang Yu wasn’t pushing it, he had no reason to press the issue further.

"Alright, I’m heading out."

Wu Jingyi was let off easy, but Jiang Yu received an official reprimand for hitting Auntie Sun.

As a manager at Factory No. 2, Jiang Yu's act of hitting an elderly woman over fifty was totally out of line.

Therefore, the factory's disciplinary action against her was to write a formal apology and apologize at the all-hands meeting.

Jiang Yu chose to refuse, stating that Auntie Sun had insulted He Lilan and had it coming.

Factory Director Zheng, citing her refusal to comply, ordered Jiang Yu to take some time off but did not specify when she could return to work.

Though resentful, Jiang Yu accepted the punishment.

As she was packing up in the office to leave, Wu Jingyi came over to console her: "Sister Jiang Yu, if you leave, what will we do about the display board?"

Jiang Yu smiled. "Isn’t there still you? When it comes to drawing, that's your specialty. With you overseeing it, I’m at ease. If the PR department weren’t fully staffed, I’d even try to transfer you here."

Wu Jingyi’s face fell slightly, her fingers curling and lips pressing together.

"Don't worry. I’ll keep an eye on the PR department. Nothing will go wrong."

Jiang Yu smiled faintly and patted her shoulder.

"You've got this."

She left Factory No. 2 and headed straight home, with almost everyone aware of why she had been put on leave.

"Deputy Section Chief Jiang really got a raw deal."

"If it were my sister being insulted, I’d hit harder than she did."

"But after all, she’s an elderly woman. How could a manager just hit someone like that?"

"It wasn’t random—she had a reason for hitting her."

Jiang Yu rode her bicycle, leaving these remarks behind.

When she got home, Wang Moli was already waiting at the door.

"Jiang Yu, I heard you’ve been suspended again?"

Last time, Shao Jiakang was behind it.

This time was different—Jiang Yu had hit someone, refused to comply, and refused to admit fault. Everyone knew.

If she remained this stubborn, she might never get the chance to return.

Wang Moli was practically gleeful upon hearing the news.

Jiang Yu shot her a look. "Cousin, you look quite happy," she said.

Wang Moli couldn’t keep the smile off her face, though she couldn’t outright admit her taking pleasure in her misfortune.

"I just wanted to hear what mistake you made so I could give you a piece of my mind. You’re too impulsive—how could a manager just hit someone? And then refuse to apologize? No wonder management is upset," Wang added.

Jiang Yu ignored her, parked her bicycle, and prepared to go inside.

Then she heard Wang Moli add, "What if you lose your job this time? After all the effort you put into getting where you are, won’t it be back to where you started?"

Jiang Yu looked up. "Even if I go back to where I started, this job won’t fall into your hands. What are you so happy about?"

Wang Moli said with a smug laugh, "I enjoy seeing you in hot water—is that illegal? When I lost my job before, weren't you gloating too?"

Jiang Yu chuckled but didn’t respond.

She had just reached the doorway when she saw Deng Hongyi stride past her, heading straight for Wang Moli.

"Go get the family bankbook."

Wang Moli froze, clearly hesitant.

"What for?"

Deng Hongyi said urgently, "My mother broke her leg back in the village. She needs money for treatment."

Previously, the old lady had lived under the same roof with him and caused some trouble, which had annoyed him.

Old Lady Qian had only just left, yet he was already thinking about her again.

He had mentioned several times in front of Wang Moli that he wanted to send money back, but she had always made excuses not to.

Now, hearing that the money was for medical treatment, Wang Moli still hesitated.

"Are you sure she really broke her leg? Could it just be an excuse to get you to send money back?"

Deng Hongyi’s gaze immediately turned sharp, scorching her face.

"I told you to get the money, so just do it! Why the third degree? Is my own mother not entitled to my money?"

Wang Moli was startled by his tone, her face paling.

She shot back, "When did I say I wouldn’t get it? It’s not like I’m refusing. I just wanted you to clarify things first. Your brothers back home are all bloodsuckers, waiting to take your salaries. Who knows if they’re trying to scam you?"

"My brothers are bloodsuckers? What about your family? They borrowed two hundred yuan not long ago—when do they plan to pay it back? Will they even return it? The money in this house is what I earned. My own mother broke her leg, and now she can’t even use my money?"

Jiang Yu tutted in disapproval. "Cousin, you're really out of line here. You’re married to Department Head Deng now—how can you still side with outsiders? Hurry up and get the money. This is a life-or-death situation. If it weren’t your own mother, I guess you wouldn’t care."

Listening to this, Deng Hongyi’s eyes grew even colder.

"If you can’t even tolerate my own mother, then I don’t think we need to stay together."

Jiang Yu feigned concern and tried to mediate. "Department Head Deng, don’t be angry. My cousin is just like this—she'll come around. Don’t jump straight to divorce."

"Shut up! This is between me and my husband—none of your business!" Wang Moli shot back angrily.

Deng Hongyi shouted, "You’re the one who should shut up! Give me that passbook now. From now on, I’ll manage it. You don’t need to."

Wang Moli’s heart ached. She had worked so hard to coax him into giving her the passbook, and now, before she'd even had it for long, she had to return it.