Chapter 492 I’m Timid

**Chapter 492: I’m Not Brave**

"You! Young people these days have no manners at all!" Director Xue snapped.

Xu Lihua happened to walk out just then and, hearing his words, splashed the water from her basin.

"Director Xue, who are you calling ill-mannered? How funny—who in this world has worse manners than you?"

Director Xue’s eyes bulged, breathing heavily in anger.

Factory Director Zheng smirked. "Old Xue, just shut up."

At the front, Director Qian spoke sternly, "I don’t want to see this kind of behavior in front of Jiang Yu later."

Jiao Zongyao fell silent, slightly lowering his head, his gaze sharp with resentment.

Director Xue couldn’t control himself well—his fury remained plainly visible on his face.

The group entered the southern wing, where Jiang Yu was digging in the yard.

Director Xue stiffened again, Li Nian’s words still faintly echoing in his ears.

Noticing their arrival, Jiang Yu didn’t rise, speaking coldly instead, "My husband isn’t home, so I won’t invite you all inside. It wouldn’t be appropriate."

Director Xue immediately scolded, "What kind of attitude is this? This is Director Qian from the Textile Industry Revolutionary Committee!"

Jiang Yu exaggeratedly dropped what she was holding and exclaimed sarcastically, "Wow, a director from the Revolutionary Committee! How careless of me not to greet you properly. Should this humble servant kneel to welcome you?"

Director Xue panicked, pointing at her furiously. "What kind of talk is that!"

Jiang Yu’s eyes flashed as she smirked coldly, then suddenly shouted at him, "Director Xue!"

"I beg you, just leave me alone! Didn’t you already search everything two days ago? You’ve turned my yard upside down—what more do you want? Do you have to destroy my whole family before you’re satisfied?"

"What did I ever do to you? First, you framed me, then ransacked my home, then ordered Xue Ying to bully my sister at school. What else are you planning now?"

"They say this is a new society, but you seem even worse than Huang Shiren! Why don’t you just take a knife and kill me? Why torment my family over and over like this?"

Director Xue was both shocked and enraged. Though her words sounded like a plea of injustice, Jiang Yu delivered them with a smile.

She was doing it on purpose. Everyone in the outer yard knew she was doing it on purpose—and they were all willing to stand up for her.

"No wonder Jiang Yu stormed into Fei Yan’s school yesterday—so Fei Yan was being bullied."

"With both Jiang Yu and Little He dismissed, those fair-weather friends naturally know who to cozy up to now."

"Just Jiang Yu’s tough luck, getting in someone’s way."

"Look at her—she’s already been forced to resign, and they still won’t let her be!"

"What has the world come to! The heavens must be blind, or they would’ve struck down this Xue Shiren by now!"

Director Qian’s expression was grave, but he remained composed.

Factory Director Zheng, meanwhile, kept his eyes lowered, feigning detachment.

Director Xue was fuming, ready to explode.

But more than anger, what he felt most was fear.

He never ignored the power of the people—if each spat once, they could drown you.

Even more flustered was Jiao Zongyao, who hadn’t said a word.

Had it not been for Director Xue egging him on, claiming he could take Jiang Yu’s private stash for himself, he wouldn’t have issued such an order while Director Qian was away on business.

Stubborn—he’d never dealt with anyone as difficult as Jiang Yu!

He glared at Jiao Zongyao and growled, "—This is what you called 'handled?'"

Jiao Zongyao probably thought Jiang Yu’s voluntary resignation was the best outcome.

What a joke.

If Jiang Yu were a pushover, she wouldn’t have risen to the rank of section chief so young.

But this wasn’t the moment to discipline underlings.

"—Comrade Jiang Yu, I’m the director of the Textile Industry Revolutionary Committee. Name’s Qian."

Jiang Yu crouched down, keeping digging in the dirt.

"—Director Xue already introduced you earlier."

Director Qian leaned down slightly. "I brought them here to apologize for what happened the other day."

Jiang Yu scoffed. "Director Qian, you flatter me. I wouldn’t dare."

She lifted an eyebrow, her gaze deliberately provocative as she looked at Director Xue.

"—See? Director Xue is glaring at me."

Director Qian took a deep breath. Here he was trying to smooth things over, while two useless teammates undermined him. Even now, they weren’t acting the least bit sorry—there wasn’t a shred of remorse in their posture.

"Director Xue, if you don’t want to apologize, leave now."

Jiao Zongyao lowered his eyes, steeling himself before speaking. "Comrade Jiang Yu, I issued the wrong order before. I apologize to you."

Making a Deputy Director eat humble pie was already a huge concession.

But Jiang Yu knew they didn’t really think they were wrong.

This Jiao Zongyao wasn’t some bold, upright guy—he was a snake that strikes when cornered.

The Qin family incident years ago? He’d been neck-deep in it.

Only after his old partner fell from power and Director Qian rose up did he pull in his claws a little.

Back then, who hadn’t seen his dirty tricks?

Jiang Yu said carelessly, "Message received. If there’s nothing else, you can go. You all looming over me is creepy. I scare easy, y’know."

Factory Director Zheng almost choked on his disbelief—if she’s “easily frightened,” then courage doesn’t exist.

Anyone else in her place today wouldn’t have kept their cool like Jiang Yu.

Director Qian’s face fell, and he threw a look at Factory Director Zheng.

Did I invite you here to watch a performance?

Factory Director Zheng finally rubbed his nose and spoke up to persuade, "Jiang Yu, Director Qian came today with complete sincerity. Can we sit down and have a proper talk?"

Jiang Yu tilted her head to look at him. "Factory Director Zheng, I don't question your sincerity. I'm just scared. I'm the only one in my household—how could I possibly let you in?"

Factory Director Zheng asked patiently, "Then let's talk here. Is that alright?"

"You came to apologize, didn’t you? I’ve already heard it. What else is there to say?"

Director Qian smiled gently. "I heard Comrade Jiang has submitted her resignation. That seems rather impulsive. Your skills are undeniable—no one is more suited for this position than you."

Jiang Yu scoffed. "Director Qian overestimates me. I’m just a regular person who wants a quiet life. I’m genuinely afraid. Better jobless than lifeless, don’t you think?"

"That’s too harsh. What happened the other day was just Director Xue going too far, leading to some excessive measures. It will absolutely not happen again," Jiao Zongyao explained.

His tone was gentle, almost like coaxing.

Being so adaptable—no wonder the Qin family let their guard down around him, only to be bitten in the end.

"Say whatever you want. I’ve already resigned anyway."

Director Xue snorted. "Director Qian, look at her attitude. She obviously doesn’t want to come back. The factory won’t stop running without her. Let’s just go."

It would be even better if Jiang Yu didn’t return—it would mean cutting off Factory Director Zheng’s right arm.

A few reprimands in exchange for this outcome? Director Xue thought it was worth it.

Director Qian turned around, his demeanor darkening. His suppressed fury looked like a gathering storm, instantly silencing Director Xue.

"Director Xue, I think your judgment is clouded. Take some time off. The affairs of Plant No. 3 will be temporarily handed over to Deputy Factory Manager Lan."