Chapter 576: She’s Carrying a Disaster

Chapter 576: She's Carrying a Jinx

The office wasn’t just occupied by the two of them, but everyone who witnessed their argument stayed silent, too scared to make a sound.

Though Factory Director Zheng usually appeared mild-tempered, when he lashed out, his words could cut deep.

This was the first time they had seen him leave Jiao Zongyao speechless.

For some reason, they felt a surge of satisfaction—hell yeah, that was satisfying!

After Jiao Zongyao stormed off, Factory Director Zheng, still seething, rapped the desk.

"Send someone to assist Department Head Jiang with the logistics arrangements. Remember this—people over supplies. Saving lives is the top priority. If anything goes wrong, I’ll answer for it!"

What had he gained after enduring humiliation for half his life?

If he didn’t lose his temper, people would take him for a doormat.

With Factory Director Zheng’s support, getting Tie Tou’s crew in the transport team went smoothly.

Before departure, Xiao Qi waved cheerfully.

"Sister-in-law, expect good news!"

Watching the trucks slowly pull away, Jiang Yu’s eyes welled up with tears. She chased after them for a few steps.

"Give it your all—but stay safe! If it’s truly impossible… just protect yourselves. When you return, I’ll cook you a welcome-home feast."

Xiao Qi cracked up. "Better let Brother Yue handle it—he’s the better cook!"

Jiang Yu smiled despite her tears, standing still with a hand over her mouth as the convoy rolled out one after another.

Only when the vehicles disappeared from sight did she finally look away.

He Feiyan held her hand. "Sister-in-law, let’s go back."

It was already dark.

Jiang Yu rubbed her eyes, her voice rough. "Let’s go."

Another sleepless night dragged on.

The next morning, Jiang Yu woke up feeling groggy, lost track of time.

Checking the time, she realized she had slept in.

He Feiyan knocked on the door outside. "Sister-in-law, are you awake?"

"I am."

He Feiyan pushed the door open. "The boss gave you two days off. Rest at home."

Jiang Yu pressed her fingers against her temples, pressing them unevenly.

"No, I’m heading to the paper."

Over the next few days, she was constantly at the newspaper office, either working on the donation drive with Director Liang from the Women’s Federation or burying herself in work to numb her mind.

There’d been no word from the transport team.

The communication facilities there were damaged, making it difficult to contact the outside world, so the lack of news was normal.

But precisely because there was no news, it led to wild speculation.

The earthquake struck Huangcheng, far from here, and for those who hadn’t personally reached the disaster area, the impact wouldn’t be too severe.

But once it happened to oneself or someone close, you truly understand the merciless terror of natural disasters.

Xu Lihua sighed for what felt like the hundredth time.

Beicheng got off lightly, and they had already returned to normal life.

Yet there was still no news of He Tingyue.

"Who knows what’s happened to Little He by now."

Lin Donghua looked worried. "Section Chief He’s tough, he should be fine."

Yuan Jiayin wasn’t as optimistic and murmured, "No matter how strong someone is, they’re still fragile in the face of an earthquake."

For a moment, everyone fell silent.

Lin Hongxia cleared her throat and said with a sneer, "If something really happened to Little He, wouldn’t Jiang Yu become a widow? Hmph, I told you—they never should’ve let Jiang Yu marry him. Little He was always doing fine before, so why did something happen just now?"

Fu Xiangyun tugged at her arm and scolded softly, "Mom, what are you saying!"

Lin Hongxia rolled her eyes. "I’m not wrong! If you ask me, it’s probably that baby in Jiang Yu’s womb cursing them—she’s carrying a curse. Otherwise, think about it—why didn’t she get pregnant earlier or later, but just now? The earthquake came, and Little He got into trouble!"

The more she spoke, the more convinced she became, oblivious to the expressions of those around her.

Xu Lihua, who had softened considerably since her grandson was born, often reminded herself not to argue easily for the sake of building good karma for her grandson.

But this time, she couldn’t hold back.

Xu Lihua rolled up her sleeves. "You girls with me?"

Lin Donghua gulped and followed suit, rolling up her sleeves.

"I’m in!"

Led by Xu Lihua, she grabbed Lin Hongxia’s hair and let loose with a ringing slap.

"What vile crap are you spouting? You been eating garbage?"

The slap left Lin Hongxia dazed and took a while to react.

Before the yelp left her mouth, Lin Donghua’s slap followed.

"I-I-I… I’ve wanted to hit you for a long time! Jiang Yu is out there saving lives—these days, she’s been running around for the disaster victims, big as a house and not stopping to breathe! And here you are, doing nothing but sitting here slandering her—where’s your damn heart?"

Yuan Jiayin looked at her hands—should she jump in too?

Before she could hesitate, Xu Lihua cracked two more across her face.

Fu Xiangyun wanted to intervene but knew Lin Hongxia had dug her own grave and didn’t know what to do.

Soon, Yuan Jiayin joined in, and the three of them had Lin Hongxia flat on the floor, beating her so hard they sent two teeth flying—the bitch had it coming.

It wasn't until Fu Xiangyun went to fetch Old Master Duan that the group was finally separated.

By then, Lin Hongxia's face had swollen like a pig's head, and she was screaming about calling the police.

Aunt Xu stood defiantly, chin raised.

"Call the cops then! Little He and Jiang Yu have been breaking their backs for the disaster victims, while you take advantage of Little He's disappearance to slander Jiang Yu, picking on her when she's got nobody in her corner! Let's see who's in the right when we get to the police station!"

"I'm ready to go all out today—so what if I do time? But don't give me the chance to get out. Once I'm out, I'll beat you again and rip that lying mouth of yours!"

Lin Hongxia cowered behind Fu Xiangyun, too afraid to utter another harsh word.

Jesus Christ, why was Aunt Xu so terrifying today?!

Fu Xiangyun was frantic, desperate to shut her mother up.

"Aunt Xu, we won’t call the police. We know my mom said the wrong things—her mouth runs faster than her brain..."

Jiang Yu glared coldly at her. "Are you sure she speaks without thinking? I think she’s just plain evil!"

Fu Xiangyun was also at her wits' end with her mother, but what could she do? This was her own mother—she had no choice but to protect her.

"Mom, apologize!"

Lin Hongxia looked ready to pop a vein. "You're my daughter! How can you take their side against me?! I got beaten up, and now I have to apologize to them?!"

Aunt Xu scolded sharply, "Not to us—to Jiang Yu!"

Lin Hongxia still refused to back down. These were people she had known for so much longer!

Especially Aunt Xu—they had been friends since she married Fu Aiguo!

Her blood ran cold, disheartened by Aunt Xu's actions.

"What’s your relationship with Jiang Yu, always speaking up for her?! Aunt Xu, whose side are you on?! We’ve known each other for so many years, and you hit me for her?!"

Aunt Xu gritted her teeth. "It’s precisely because I’ve known you for so many years that I find you outrageous! Do you even know what’s happening right now?! Huangcheng was hit by a 7.8 quake—whole blocks flattened!"

"Even a barely-literate old woman like me knows that the priority now is disaster relief! Instead of helping or donating, you sit around running your mouth and spreading nonsense—do you even have a conscience?!"

Lin Hongxia stammered, defending herself, "The earthquake wasn’t my fault—what does it have to do with me?"

Fu Xiangyun stamped her foot, beside herself, scolding, "Mom, can’t you just shut up?! The earthquake may not be your fault, but what about the victims?! They’re our own people, raised under the same red flag—does that mean nothing to you?!"

In the end, Lin Hongxia reluctantly apologized, though it was more because she realized her words had gone too far—she was too proud to eat crow.

Hanging her head, she admitted her mistake, then turned and ran inside.