Chapter 457 Why Go This Far

Chapter 457: Was This Really Necessary?

Lin Chenghui sent someone to summon Factory Director Zheng from the second factory, while Jiang Chenghuai, resentful, also called for Director Xue to come over.

Everyone knew Factory Director Zheng favored Jiang Yu.

When the two directors arrived and saw the shocking pool of blood on the ground, they were stunned.

Seeing Jiang Yu’s dire condition left them even more horrified.

“What the hell happened here!”

Xu Lihua shrieked, “Factory Director Zheng, if you hadn’t come, Jiang Yu would have been killed!”

After the initial shock, Director Xue quickly composed himself and glanced at Jiang Chenghuai.

He had been aware of Jiang Chenghuai’s actions.

Given the current situation, it seemed Jiang Chenghuai hadn’t gained any advantage.

Then again, someone who caught Section Chief He’s eye wouldn’t be easy to deal with.

Jiang Chenghuai had underestimated her this time.

“Comrade Xu Lihua, now you're exaggerating. Jiang Yu’s injury isn’t that serious.”

Xu Lihua widened her eyes. “Not serious? You’re spouting nonsense! What’s the point of having such big eyes if you can’t see? If you don’t need them, give them to someone who does—put them to better use!”

Director Xue scoffed. “That’s too cruel.”

Old Master Duan tapped his cane on the ground and said sternly, “It’s not her words that are harsh—it’s yours. A concussion isn’t serious?”

“Exactly! Does someone have to die for it to count as serious?”

“Is Deputy Section Chief Jiang working with Director Xue? Why else would Director Xue defend him?”

“Everyone knows the third factory has always been at odds with Factory Director Zheng. Director Xue used to be close with Shao Jiakang—just look at what kind of person Shao Jiakang is. Like attracts like.”

“So us ordinary folks are just pawns in their power games?”

Director Xue never expected his careless comment to provoke such outrage.

He was filled with regret. He had no idea what Jiang Chenghuai had done to leave him without a single ally.

Factory Director Zheng said dryly, “Director Xue, even if you’re biased, don’t overdo it.”

Director Xue gave a strained laugh. “I’m not biased. Deputy Section Chief Jiang had good intentions. Accidentally hurting Jiang Yu isn’t a big deal.”

Jiang Chenghuai secretly sighed in relief—calling Director Xue had been the right decision.

“Director Xue understands. I truly didn’t mean to hurt her. Jiang Yu resisted fiercely, blocking my search. I only acted in the heat of the moment and accidentally injured her.”

Director Xue sighed. “Exactly. If Jiang Yu had been open and let him search, and if nothing was found, he would’ve left. None of this would’ve happened.”

Jiang Chenghuai jumped at the chance to defend himself. “I never intended to harm Jiang Yu! If someone hadn’t reported to me, why would I risk offending Section Chief He by forcing a search? I was just doing my job!”

Director Xue added, “Jiang Yu, you’re too quick to react. Was this really necessary?”

Jiang Yu shot back coldly, “If I report you later and have my husband search your home, framing you for no reason, would you be so understanding then, Director Xue?”

"Only if Director Xue sets the example and lets my husband search his house first, then I'll allow you all to come in and search thoroughly today!"

Director Xue was furious. "I'm upright and above suspicion—what is there to report?"

"Exactly, I'm upright and above suspicion—what is there to report?"

Jiang Yu retorted, throwing his own words back at him.

Enraged, Director Xue swung his sleeve angrily and demanded, "If you were truly blameless, why would anyone report you?"

Jiang Yu's gaze turned sharp. "Then by that same logic, if Director Xue were truly blameless, why would I report you?"

Director Xue: "...You're just playing word games!"

Yao Hongming suddenly burst into laughter. "What a joke! When others are reported, their homes must be searched, but when you're reported, it's slander? Deputy Bureau Chief Yao, why do you hold yourself and others to different standards?"

Only then did Director Xue notice his presence and was startled.

"Deputy... Deputy Bureau Chief Yao, what are you doing here?"

Yao Hongming gave him a sidelong glance. "Your vision really is lacking."

Director Xue froze, then awkwardly shut his mouth.

He glared at Jiang Chenghuai—what was he thinking dragging me into this?

"Fine. Jiang Yu is from Factory Two, so let Old Zheng handle it. I'll stay out of it."

With a wave of his hand, he turned and left.

Once he was gone, Jiang Chenghuai stood isolated and helpless, a wave of despair washing over him.

"Factory Director Zheng, I..."

Factory Director Zheng fixed him with a heavy stare.

"Deputy Section Chief Jiang, the home you wanted to search this time belongs to Department Head He. Shouldn't you have informed me before taking action?"

"Factory Director Zheng is busy with affairs. I originally thought it would just be routine procedure and didn’t want to disturb everyone."

"That's nonsense! You barged in first thing in the morning, shouting and threatening, stopping just short of murder—and you call that routine? Oh wait, no, you did show mercy, since Jiang Yu is still alive. She should thank you for sparing her life!"

Xu Lihua's quick wit fired back without mercy.

Jiang Yu egged it on, putting on a frail look for Jiang Chenghuai. "Thank you, Deputy Section Chief Jiang, for sparing my life. With such grand authority, you outdo even the emperors of old. Good thing I never offended you too badly before, or I might not have survived today."

Jiang Chenghuai closed his eyes, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles popped audibly.

Every word from Jiang Yu seemed designed to send him tumbling into an abyss.

"I think Deputy Section Chief Jiang has been under too much strain. Hand over your duties to Department Head Deng and rest at home for a while."

He had only just managed to grab some power while Deng Hongyi was suspended.

Now, being told to hand his work back to Deng Hongyi—wouldn't that undo everything he'd worked for?

"Factory Director Zheng, I can't accept this! I’ve already explained—I received a report that someone witnessed Jiang Yu stashing illegal goods, which is why I came to search. If I didn’t act, wouldn’t that make me look complicit? To clear Jiang Yu's name, we must search today."

... "What contraband?"

"A jade seal."

Factory Director Zheng turned to Jiang Yu and asked, "Do you actually have this item?"

Jiang Yu pursed her lips and remained silent. Naturally, she wouldn’t drag Granny Ma into this.

However, the next moment, Granny Ma pushed through the crowd.

"Is this the jade seal you're talking about?"

She pulled out a polished, gleaming jade seal from her pocket and handed it to Factory Director Zheng.

Factory Director Zheng was taken aback. "Auntie, this—"

Granny Ma shot back coldly, "This belonged to my late husband!"

Jiang Chenghuai immediately demanded, "Did Jiang Yu give this to you?"

"Yes. She happened to find it, saw the name, and thought to return it to me!" From the very beginning, Granny Ma had no intention of denying anything, standing firm and unashamed.

But Jiang Chenghuai thought he had caught them red-handed and angrily rebuked, "Qin Kangyi was exiled years ago! What sort of criminal was he? How dare you keep his old belongings—you’re equally culpable!"

Granny Ma snapped. "What crime did my husband commit? Yes, we returned from abroad, and yes, our family was once wealthy—but what crime did we commit?"

Not then, not now, had she ever once admitted to any crime.

Tell me—what crime did I, Ma Fuhua, or the Qin family ever commit?" she challenged defiantly.