Chapter 556: Is This Reason Enough?

Chapter 556: Is This Reason Enough?

The issue with He Jingyi was soon pushed to the back of Jiang Yu's mind.

She had mentioned it once to He Tingyue, but he remained indifferent, completely unconcerned.

After Wu Yue was discharged from the hospital, she stayed at Jiang Yu’s place.

Everyone knew she was close to He Feiyan, so it was normal for her to stay there for a few days.

But upon learning that she was actually Jiao Zongyao’s stepdaughter, people’s gazes toward her became more guarded.

Who didn’t know that Jiang Yu and Jiao Zongyao were at odds with each other?

Yet Jiang Yu acted as if there were no grudges, treating Wu Yue as usual.

Jiang Yu didn't dwell on these matters. Meanwhile, the factory held a special meeting to discuss whether Wei Nan should keep his job, which she naturally had to attend.

Upon arriving at the meeting room, she learned that Factory Director Zheng’s proposal to dismiss Wei Nan with compensation had been rejected.

The one who vetoed the proposal was none other than Jiao Zongyao.

Hence, today’s meeting was convened to decide whether the position of Deputy Section Chief of the Propaganda Department should remain vacant.

Jiao Zongyao argued forcefully, "Deputy Section Chief Wei has committed no major mistakes in his work. Dismissing him now would be akin to kicking him to the curb after he's served his purpose."

Jiang Yu responded coolly, "Deputy Section Chief Wei’s work is just average. In the months since he joined the factory, he has made no outstanding contributions. Using the phrase ‘kicking him to the curb after he's served his purpose’ is an overstatement. Moreover, his character issues are plain to see."

Jiao Zongyao gave her an icy look. "So, Department Head Jiang’s stance is to dismiss Deputy Section Chief Wei?"

"Not dismissal—encouraging him to step down. After all, if it were a dismissal, the factory wouldn’t offer him any compensation."

Jiang Yu corrected him, "There’s a fundamental difference in nature."

Jiao Zongyao scanned the room—most attendees were aligned with Factory Director Zheng.

Factory Director Zheng, in turn, was in the same camp as Director Qian. He truly had no way to win this.

"Regardless, I firmly oppose forcing Wei Nan to leave."

Director Qian asked, "What are the others’ opinions?"

Factory Director Zheng spoke in a diplomatic tone, "It’s not about forcing Deputy Section Chief Wei out, but his current physical condition makes him unsuitable to continue serving as Deputy Section Chief."

Jiao Zongyao snorted dismissively, "I think you’re just making excuses to get rid of opposition."

Factory Director Zheng stayed calm and smiled.

"Deputy Director Jiao is overthinking it."

The meeting ended without a resolution, and Jiao Zongyao marched out angrily.

Director Qian didn’t stop him but suggested, "Old Zheng, arrange a visit to the hospital to see Deputy Section Chief Wei."

Jiang Yu arched an eyebrow—Wei Nan probably wouldn't be thrilled to see them now.

But since Director Qian had spoken, she naturally wouldn’t object and just went along.

What she didn’t expect was that Jiao Zongyao had beaten them to the hospital.

He probably didn't expect Wei Nan to be so crazy, pinning him down to kiss him before he could even finish two sentences.

That breathtaking scene fell right into the eyes of the Cotton Mill crew, leaving them more than shocked.

Jiang Yu let out a sigh, "So Deputy Director Jiao and Deputy Section Chief Wei have this kind of relationship—how scandalous!"

For a moment, everyone's expressions twisted, all fighting to keep straight faces.

With Director Qian still present, they couldn't just burst out laughing, forcing themselves to hold it in until their faces turned purple.

Deputy Director Jiao finally managed to push Wei Nan away, his face flushed.

"Wei Nan, are you insane!"

Wei Nan clung to him, pouting.

"Just one kiss! Only one!"

After watching this for a while, Jiang Yu felt her eyes needed bleach.

He Tingyue covered her eyes with his hand. "Don't look."

Mind what the baby's exposed to.

Jiang Yu whispered, "I've seen it before."

Though it was He Tingyue's father getting kissed that time.

"Mind our daughter's prenatal education. Next time you see something like this, no gawking."

He Tingyue lowered his head slightly, speaking by her ear.

Jiang Yu muttered, "The baby wasn't even three months along, yet he was already convinced it was a girl."

God, if it turned out to be a son, they might end up fighting over it someday.

Deputy Director Jiao finally broke free from Wei Nan's grasp and bolted toward the door.

Wei Nan, having finally gotten what he wanted, wasn't letting him get away and chased after him.

He Tingyue shielded Jiang Yu as they stepped back, avoiding the crowd.

Unexpectedly, Jiao Zongyao ran straight toward Jiang Yu, with Wei Nan right behind him.

He Tingyue kicked both of them aside, one after the other.

Jiao Zongyao lay sprawled on the ground, feeling like he'd been gut-punched.

His eyes bulged, bloodshot.

"You! Jesus! He Tingyue, how dare you lay hands on me!"

He Tingyue just said "Oh," indifferent, then added without much sincerity, "Wrong person."

Factory Boss Zheng could only sigh helplessly. What could he do? After all, He Tingyue was one of his people.

"Deputy Director Jiao, Ting Yue was just protecting his wife. It was instinct."

Clutching his stomach, Jiao Zongyao struggled to get up off the ground.

Wei Nan, like a persistent shadow, grabbed Jiao Zongyao's neck from behind again and puckered up, trying to plant a kiss on his face.

Furious, Jiao Zongyao didn’t even turn his head, smashing his fist hard into Wei Nan’s skull.

Consumed by fury, he lost all reason and slammed Wei Nan down, starting to pummel him.

The crowd looked at each other uncertainly, unsure whether to intervene.

Until—

"Wei Nan!"

The moment Wei Xiuru arrived and saw this scene, her heart broke.

He was her only brother—once on top of the world, now reduced to this delirious state. It was like watching him fall from heaven straight into hell.

Anyone who dared to hurt him when he was vulnerable would earn her undying hatred.

Fueled by fury, Wei Xiuru mustered freakish strength and shoved Jiao Zongyao off Wei Nan.

"How dare you hit him! How dare you touch my brother!"

She pounced on Jiao Zongyao, her sharp nails clawing at his face like a wildcat, as if she wanted to tear off a chunk of flesh.

Only after his face was shredded did Jiao Zongyao barely manage to restrain Wei Xiuru.

His face twisted in anger. If not for their past friendship, he would have struck back.

"Your brother is out of his mind. If he hadn’t attacked me, I wouldn’t have hurt him."

Wei Xiuru glared daggers at him, sharp enough to devour a man alive.

Jiao Zongyao had no intention of arguing further. He coldly pushed her away and stood up.

Wei Nan was Wei Xiuru’s everything now—how could she tolerate anyone harming him?

"You know he’s not in his right mind! Can’t you cut him some slack? So what if he smooched you a couple of times? It’s not like you lost a piece of flesh!"

The people behind Director Qian couldn’t hold back snickers.

They usually wouldn’t laugh—unless it was absolutely impossible to resist.

Jiao Zongyao being smooched against his will by Wei Nan was scandalous gossip no matter where it happened.

Wei Xiuru was heaving with rage, her eyes red with fury as she hugged Wei Nan and bawled her eyes out.

Anyone who didn’t know better would think Wei Nan was the one who’d been assaulted.

Director Qian was racking his brain to calm things down—after all, this kind of thing was bizarre, and it was his first time dealing with it.

Putting himself in Jiao Zongyao’s shoes, he’d probably be even more freaked out.

Should he comfort Wei Xiuru and her brother first, or console Jiao Zongyao?

While hesitating, an angry shout suddenly came from behind: "What the hell’s going on here?!"

Jiang Yu covered her mouth, eyes wide. Oh-ho, this just got juicier.

She leaned in and flashed a mischievous wink at He Tingyue.

"Your father's here."

He Tingyue didn't even glance sideways, firmly turned her head back.

He Jingyi's full attention was on Wei Xiuru and her brother, entirely oblivious to He Tingyue's presence.

He strode over to Wei Xiuru, taking up a protective stance beside her.

"What the hell are you doing?!"

Anyone seeing Wei Xiuru like this would think she'd been mistreated.

His first assumption led him to the same conclusion.

Director Qian didn’t recognize him, but judging by his imposing demeanor, he must be someone important.

"Comrade, this is all a misunderstanding."

With someone backing her up, Wei Xiuru let go of Wei Nan and stood, grabbing onto He Jingyi’s arm.

"Wei Nan was beaten."

He Jingyi glanced down—Wei Nan’s face was practically a mess of bruises.

Even though he had little liking for Wei Nan now, he couldn’t stand outsiders bullying him.

His expression darkened as he roared, "Coming to a hospital to assault someone? Have you no shame!"

Director Qian said soothingly, "It really is a misunderstanding. Our Deputy Director Jiao had good reason—"

"No matter the reason, you can’t just hit people!"

As soon as He Jingyi finished speaking, Wei Nan—who had somehow crept forward unnoticed—threw his arms around his neck and kissed him.

"Whoa!" Jiang Yu’s eyes widened.

She clutched He Tingyue excitedly. "Just like last time!"

History was repeating itself eerily. The first time, he could convince himself Wei Nan was out of his mind.

But the second time? No matter how forgiving he was, he couldn’t tolerate it any longer.

On pure reflex, he swung a fist at Wei Nan.

As a former soldier, his punch packed way more power than Jiao Zongyao’s.

Jiao Zongyao smirked coldly. "Reason enough for you?"