Chapter 509 Sneaky

**Chapter 509: Underhanded**

After that day, Jiang Yu heard nothing more about Jiang Hao. He’d likely been reprimanded and finally straightened up.

Things settled into a quiet routine, and time flew by.

Jiang Yu fell back into her monotonous routine—no surprises, no drama.

The only difference was that she hadn’t received any letters from Qin Yun’an for quite some time.

“Wonder if he’s run into trouble,” she thought with concern.

Old Lady Ma just shrugged it off. “Worry about *yourself* first.”

Jiang Yu shot her a look. “Teacher, have you heard something?”

“Jiao Zongyao has been reinstated. That snake’s as sly as they come—and he *never* forgets a grudge. Watch your back.”

Memories flickered behind her eyelids.

Back then, Jiao Zongyao had been close to their family. Who knew *he’d* be the one to knife them?

“Teacher, did he take most of the Qin family’s things?”

Old Lady Ma opened her eyes and snapped, “What’s gone is gone—I’ve got no use for it now. I’m not asking you to get anything back. At my age, I’ve long since let go.”

“You can’t take it with you to the grave,” she added.

If she wanted money, asking Qin Yun’an directly would’ve been easier.

Jiang Yu didn’t respond. Jiao Zongyao stirred the pot—she hadn’t even *touched* the ladle.

Sure enough, right after this conversation, he started stirring up trouble.

Citing the vacant deputy manager spot at Plant No. 3, Jiao Zongyao tried to push Wei Nan into the position.

Those two were cut from the same rotten cloth—always finding each other.

Director Zheng stalled the move for now, but word got out fast.

Soon enough, the rumor spread through the factory like wildfire.

Wei Nan was practically bouncing in his seat, acting like he’d already climbed the ladder.

“Department Head Jiang, everyone’s climbing the ladder—why *wouldn’t* I?” Wei Nan smirked, palms up like a cat with cream on its lips.

He’d barely hooked up with Jiao Zongyao’s camp and already scored a win—talk about a payoff.

Jiang Yu set down her cup. “Someone’s eager. The appointment notice hasn’t even dropped yet.”

Wei Nan sneered. “You think Zheng’s dumb enough to buck the Committee? Face it—*you’re* the one sweating bullets.”

She shrugged. “Deputy Director Jiao only made a suggestion—the order hasn’t come down yet.”

Baring his teeth, Wei Nan growled, “Won’t quit ’til the coffin’s nailed shut, huh?”

“If you love crying *that* much—” Jiang Yu pointed at the door. “Knock yourself out on the way out.”

Wei Nan turned and walked out, fuming with pent-up anger.

Every run-in with Jiang Yu left him coming out the loser.

After he left, Cai Xiaole came in.

Ever since hearing the news, she'd been dying to ask Jiang Yu about it.

"Is it really true?"

The spot that was supposed to be Jiang Yu's had gone to Wei Nan—what a direct insult.

Jiang Yu smiled. "The plant hasn’t made it official yet. Why are you in such a hurry? Go grab lunch first, or you’ll miss the good dishes."

Seeing how calm Jiang Yu was, Cai Xiaole felt her worries were unnecessary.

By the time she came out, Wei Nan was already gone.

"Wu, where’s Deputy Section Chief Wei?"

"He left, probably went to eat," Wu Jinshun said indifferently.

"Wu, everyone’s saying Deputy Section Chief Wei is getting promoted. What do you think?"

Wu Jinshun glanced at her. "What can I think? It’s got nothing to do with us."

Cai Xiaole banged the table. "But it has everything to do with Jiang Yu!"

"Isn’t it better if Deputy Section Chief Wei leaves? Saves you the trouble of trash-talking him all the time."

Cai Xiaole shot him a look. "I’m not talking to you anymore."

She grabbed her wallet and headed downstairs to the cafeteria.

Soon, her figure merged with the lunch crowd.

However, she noticed a standout figure moving against the flow of people.

At this time, everyone was either heading to eat or going home—all in the same direction.

But Wei Nan was going the opposite way, sticking out.

"Coming through! Coming through!"

"Hey, watch it! Cai Xiaole, where are you going if not to eat?"

Ignoring her, Cai Xiaole worked her way through the crowd and followed Wei Nan.

Wei Nan was acting suspicious—he was definitely up to something.

What she didn't know was that as soon as she left, a small group had also started following her.

"You think she's meeting someone? Could be a secret rendezvous?"

"I thought she was seeing someone."

"Rumor says they broke up. Maybe she's hooking up with someone new?"

The group following her grew larger.

Cai Xiaole knew nothing about what was going on when she followed Wei Nan all the way to the warehouse.

Everyone had gone for lunch, and the warehouse was deserted.

She stood on tiptoe and peered through the window.

It was actually Wei Nan and Qian Wei!

"Oh!"

Cai Xiaole quickly covered her mouth, afraid she might have made a sound.

Qian Wei moved fast—she had already gotten involved with Wei Nan.

She watched for a long while, and the two inside were still locked in an embrace, kissing passionately.

After what seemed like an eternity, Cai Xiaole’s eyes began to strain before they finally separated.

Qian Wei’s face was flushed crimson, looking at him with admiration.

“I heard you’re about to get promoted. Congratulations.”

Wei Nan held her hand; his gaze was gentle and warm.

“If you want to congratulate me, why not come to my place tonight?”

Qian Wei gave him a playful scolding look. “How could I? If I don’t go home, my parents will scold me.”

Wei Nan didn’t let go of her hand. “Really not possible? You know I’ve always wanted to deepen our relationship.”

Qian Wei’s face turned bright red, naturally understanding exactly what he meant.

Being with the man she loved filled her with joy, no matter what they did.

But they had only ever kissed and hugged, never daring to cross the line—deep in her heart, she was still afraid.

“Then let’s get married?” Her eyes shone with hope.

Wei Nan shook his head, watching the light in her eyes dim.

“My current position isn’t enough to make your father feel comfortable letting you marry me.”

Qian Wei bit her lip. “You're already the assistant plant manager—that should be enough. My parents aren’t that demanding.”

Wei Nan spoke gently, “Let’s wait until the factory’s formal promotion is announced. It’s not confirmed yet, after all.”

“Alright then.”

Qian Wei failed to mask her disappointment, wondering if it was because she refused to be intimate with him that he didn’t want to marry.

She was too shy to say it aloud.

After hesitating for a long time, she finally asked softly, “Do you want me to come to your place tonight?”

Wei Nan was thrilled but torn.

“Didn’t you just say your parents would worry?”

“I’ll tell them I’m staying at a friend’s place for the night. It’ll be okay.”

Wei Nan leaned down and kissed her. "I'll wait for you, then?"

Qian Wei thought it was about time, so she stole another kiss before saying she had to leave.

Cai Xiaole, seeing her about to come out, jerked upright in alarm—but didn’t notice someone behind her. Their heads bonked together.

She ignored the pain and hurriedly looked for a place to hide. The others who had followed her to peek weren't faring any better, scattering like startled birds.

Only after making sure Qian Wei had left without noticing her did Cai Xiaole finally relax, her eyes bugging out.

"When did you all get here?"

She had been too engrossed to notice the crowd behind her.

"I saw you lurking like a creep, so I came to check."

Who knew they’d catch Wei Nan with his pants down!

Cai Xiaole snapped back—since when was she “sneaking around”? She had only followed because Wei Nan looked suspicious.

But—

"Is Wei Nan still inside?"

"Seems like it. Only Qian Wei came out."

Cai Xiaole blurted, "Is he expecting someone else?"

Could there be another visitor?

"You’re kidding..."

Sure enough, Zou Yan showed up.

"Isn’t that Lao Gui’s wife—the mechanic?" someone recognized her.

Cai Xiaole shushed them.

As soon as Zou Yan walked in, she threw herself into Wei Nan’s arms, making Cai Xiaole and the others blush.

Their actions were way steamier than before.

After all, Qian Wei was single—demure and bashful, unlike Zou Yan, who held nothing back.

"Zou Yan is awful to Lao Gui. Who knew she had it in her?"

Cai Xiaole asked, "Does she have kids?"

"Yeah, in middle school already."

Cai Xiaole tch’ed but said nothing.

"I’ve heard the gossip about Zou Yan before, but seeing is believing."

"Shh—listen in."

Zou Yan's face flushed red as she suddenly grabbed his slipping hand and chided, "Not here. Don’t you see where we are?"

Wei Nan pinched her arm and grinned slyly, "Isn’t it more exciting here?"

Zou Yan gave him a sidelong look. "Shameless. If you really want to, come here tonight?"

"Can’t tonight."

Wei Nan rarely refused her, so Zou Yan quickly caught on and offered a suggestive smile.

"Or... do you have a date tonight?"

Wei Nan was a womanizer, never hiding his flirtations from her.

Zou Yan didn’t bat an eye.

"In that case, some other time then."

After Zou Yan and Wei Nan left one after another, Cai Xiaole couldn’t help but snap, "Shameless!"

She was completely revolted, even losing her appetite.

She picked at her food half-heartedly before hurrying back to the office and blurted out what she’d seen to Jiang Yu.

Yet Jiang Yu didn’t react at all.

Big deal—she’d seen worse.

"Just them? No one else?" Jiang Yu asked.

Cai Xiaole paused. "There’s more?"

Jiang Yu shook her head. "No. You said Wei Nan and Qian Wei are meeting tonight?"

"Exactly! Look, I can’t stand her, but seeing her get played by Wei Nan makes me sick. But who told her to be blind? The men she fancies are trash."

Qian Wei idolized Wei Nan blindly, viewing him through a biased lens and seeing only his good side.

But that didn’t mean she could accept his infidelity and betrayal.

Jiang Yu tapped her pen, lost in thought.

...

When work ended in the afternoon, everyone rushed home, pouring out of the factory in a crowd.

Zou Yan walked among them, pushed and shoved in the mass of bodies, when someone bumped into her. Suddenly, she found herself holding a note.

She paused in surprise, unfolded it—only to find Wei Nan’s name signed at the bottom.

Zou Yan smirked. "Bastard."

Guess his 'plans' were a lie—he must’ve been teasing her.

Tucking the note into her pocket, she kept a straight face and turned to the man beside her.

"I’m going out tonight."

The man was her husband, Lao Gui—stout and squat, a head shorter than Zou Yan.

He lowered his gaze, his eyes flickering with anguished conflict.

"Zou Yan, stay away from them, okay?"

Zou Yan ignored him and quickened her pace.

By evening, she had taken a shower, changed into a pretty dress, and left without even telling Lao Gui.

Lao Gui hesitated for a moment. Seeing their child still doing homework, he told him briefly before following her out.

He knew Zou Yan was seeing someone else, but didn’t know who.

Today, he didn’t know what got into him—a reckless urge made him want to go see for himself.

Zou Yan rushed through the darkness to Wei Nan’s place and knocked on the door.

Hearing the knock, Wei Nan checked the time—it wasn’t yet time for his meeting with Qian Wei.

Qian Wei was stuck dealing with her parents and couldn’t come out too early.

As soon as he opened the door, Zou Yan threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.

With her warm, fragrant body pressed against him, Wei Nan’s nerves sparked—barely managing to summon a sliver of self-control.

"What are you doing here?"

Zou Yan pouted. "You know exactly why. Because I missed you, silly. Quit stalling—hurry up."

She tugged at Wei Nan’s clothes and pushed him inside.

Wei Nan: "The door isn’t locked..."

"Forget locking it! Don’t waste time—no one’s coming in at this hour."

Zou Yan was too impatient to even let him speak, yanking him inside.

Lao Gui stood outside the door, listening to the commotion, his fists clenched until they shook.

He fought with everything he had to suppress the urge to kill Wei Nan.

After standing there forever, Lao Gui finally trudged away, exhausted.

Before he had walked two steps, he spotted Qian Wei.

She barely glanced at him and went straight to Wei Nan’s door.

Seeing it unlocked, she even smiled.

Wei Nan must have left it open for her on purpose.

Qian Wei fussed with her hair and pushed the door open.

She was about to call out when she heard the noise inside—her face fell.

Because besides Wei Nan, she also heard a woman’s voice...

Qian Wei dug her teeth into her lip, her breath coming faster as she found herself stepping closer.

*This couldn’t be Wei Nan’s place… It just couldn’t be.*

She walked to the door, the light from inside spilling onto her pale face through the crack.

Wei Nan and Zou Yan made no attempt to hide, right there in the living room.

Taking advantage of the secluded courtyard, they indulged in shameless acts.

Qian Wei’s legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground, her face frozen in disbelief.

She looked at the man who was always so gentle and respectable—now entangled with a married woman—his twisted expression sending chills down her spine.

Tear stains covered Qian Wei’s face as hatred erupted within her, consuming her sanity.

You disgusting pair!

She pushed herself up from the ground, grabbed a nearby flowerpot, and—before the pair inside could react—brought it down on Wei Nan’s head.

With a loud crash, the flowerpot shattered into pieces upon impact.

Before Zou Yan could react, she saw blood pouring from Wei Nan’s forehead as he collapsed onto her.

"Ahhh—!"

As Wei Nan’s body fell, it revealed Qian Wei’s face, contorted with hate.