Chapter 436 What Did You Go Backstage For?

Chapter 436: What Did You Go Backstage For?

Jiang Ningning found her words utterly unreasonable. Her approach to Ding Jianan had been completely open—why would she need to hide it?

"Sister Moli, I wasn’t hiding anything. Everyone at this social event is trying to secure a role for themselves—it’s not something only you can do."

Wu Jingyi squinted at Wang Moli.

"So, you’ve been backstage? What were you doing there?"

Everyone's eyes turned to Wang Moli’s face.

Though she wasn’t an employee of the factory, people had always treated her with respect because of her husband Deng Hongyi. But her actions today had made them see her differently.

Whether she was the one who tampered with Wu Jingyi’s shoes was questionable enough, but Jiang Yu was her cousin—yet she had tried hard to set her up.

"Wang Moli, I’m asking you—what were you doing backstage?" Wu Jingyi repeated.

Wang Moli panicked, kicking herself for slipping up.

"I was performing too. So what if I went backstage…?"

Wu Jingyi snorted. "Your group’s act is one of the last—you weren't up yet, were you?"

The backstage area was tight, and costume changes were done in order. Unless notified by the logistics department, no one else was supposed to go backstage.

None of the other members of Wang Moli’s group had gone, so why was she the only one? It looked really suspicious.

"Did you mess with my shoes?"

"Of course not! I have no grudge against you—why would I do that?" Wang Moli denied immediately.

But at this critical moment, Jiang Ningning threw her under the bus.

Jiang Ningning spoke up hesitantly. "Sister Moli seemed upset when she heard Sister-in-law was also going for the role of Lu Xiaoqin."

Wang Moli couldn’t believe it. How dare she slander her!

Jiang Ningning put on an innocent pout. "I’m not. I’m just telling the truth. I know Sister Moli wanted the role too, but I think you're not right for it—my sister-in-law suits it better."

Wang Moli full of regret. That wasn’t what Jiang Ningning had said before!

"What’s going on? So it was Wang Moli?"

"That's really low. Did she think the role would be hers if it wasn’t Wu Jingyi’s?"

"Do you believe Jiang Ningning? She was lying earlier."

Jiang Ningning couldn’t keep her story straight, leaving everyone unsure whether to trust her.

Wang Moli ground her teeth, full of regret. Now she understood why Jiang Yu had called Jiang Ningning a snake that bites.

Not just a snake—a straight-up viper!

"You keep changing your story—first saying you saw Jiang Yu go backstage, then accusing me. Seems like lying through your teeth has become a habit for you, shooting off your mouth without hesitation."

Jiang Ningning's face paled slightly as she bit her lip and looked at Wu Jingyi.

"I didn’t lie."

Wu Jingyi didn’t say whether she believed her or not, only coldly replied, "Since we can’t get to the bottom of this, tonight’s mixer doesn’t need to continue."

Many faces fell, but none dared to openly oppose her.

After a tense standoff, someone finally stepped forward to testify: "I saw Wang Moli messing with Deputy Section Chief Wu’s shoe. Not just me—others in our group saw it too."

They hadn’t spoken up earlier only because they didn’t want to offend Wang Moli.

They’d have rather kept their mouths shut if they could.

Wu Jingyi scoffed. "Well, well. Looks like we’ve got witnesses. If you don’t even have the courage to come forward, what good are you to the factory?"

A few of them looked resentful but didn’t dare argue.

No matter what, they’d end up screwed.

"Wang Moli, got anything to say now?"

Wang Moli turned her face away. "How do you know they’re not setting me up? I could just as easily say they’re out to get me!"

Just then, someone from the logistics department came running over.

"The security team said Comrade Wang Moli borrowed a saw from them tonight."

With both witnesses and evidence, Wang Moli had no leg to stand on and reluctantly admitted.

"So what if I did it? It’s just a pair of shoes. I’ll pay you back—why blow it out of proportion?"

Wu Jingyi was so pissed at her nerve she let out a bitter laugh. Ignoring the pain in her ankle, she jumped off the stage, rushed forward, and slapped Wang Moli hard across the face.

"Bitch! You ruined my performance and screwed up the whole thing, yet you don’t feel the slightest bit of guilt!"

The fact that Wang Moli could say such a thing meant she felt no remorse.

No way she’d take that lying down.

Without hesitation, she struck back.

Wu Jingyi, already balancing on one leg, went sprawling after Wang Moli’s blow.

The mixer coordinator had just stepped forward to intervene when Wu Jingyi moved swiftly—her uninjured leg snapped straight, sweeping Wang Moli’s legs.

It didn’t seem like much force was used, but with a loud *thud*, Wang Moli slammed flat on her back.

Jiang Yu’s eyes widened slightly. Wu Jingyi’s move looked straight out of a kung fu movie.

Wang Moli’s head hit the floor, knocking her senseless, leaving her unable to get up.

Wu Jingyi’s face twisted in fury. Being struck by someone like Wang Moli was nothing short of a total slap in the face.

Pushing herself up from the floor, she wasn’t done and lunged at Wang Moli, landing two more smacks.

"You’re all trash! Absolute trash!"

Jiang Yu shot the supervisor a look, "Why are you just standing there? Go break it up!"

That snapped the supervisor out of it, ordering others to hold Wu Jingyi back while checking on Wang Moli's injuries.

Upon closer inspection, blood was trickling from Wang Moli's ear, and she had already passed out—her injuries looked serious.

The place erupted into chaos, and Ding Jianan's face darkened.

Ye Zhu walked up to Jiang Yu, her face serious as she asked, "What's Deputy Chief Wu's deal?"

Jiang Yu glanced at her, "Why do you ask?"

"About twenty years ago, I knew a martial arts instructor and picked up some techniques from him. Deputy Chief Wu's movements just now looked a lot like his techniques."

You can always tell at a glance.

Ye Zhu narrowed her eyes slightly, "That instructor... was Japanese."

Jiang Yu frowned but didn't seem too surprised.

They'd had their suspicions about Wu Jingyi before but lacked a breakthrough.

Now they had something to go on.

"Comrade Ye..."

Ye Zhu chuckled, giving her cheek a playful pinch.

"Don't worry, I know nothing."

Jiang Yu: "..."

Wang Moli was carried away, Wu Jingyi stormed off, and the remaining people looked at each other uncertainly, unsure whether to continue.

The supervisor turned to Ding Jianan for guidance.

Though Ding Jianan wasn't feeling it anymore, she felt it would be wrong to waste everyone's hard work.

So she said, "We worked hard to organize this mixer—don't let this drama ruin it. Let's continue."

The crowd cheered, and the mood lightened right up.

Despite the setbacks, Ding Jianan still managed to lock in good fits for several roles.

When the list was announced, some cheered while others groaned.

Then, someone spoke up, "Why isn't the role of Lu Xiaoqin on the list?"

Wasn't Lu Xiaoqin what Wang and Wu were fighting about?

Ding Jianan smiled, "All in good time."

She glanced at Ye Zhu, then bid Jiang Yu farewell. The two walked away side by side, setting tongues wagging.

"No way they picked Deputy Chief Wu?"

"Director Ding didn't say, but that's the word."

"Deputy Chief Wu isn't here, so even if Director Ding announced it, she'd miss it. Maybe she's keeping it under wraps as a surprise."