Chapter 578: You Dare Hit a Pregnant Woman?

Chapter 578: You’d Even Hit a Pregnant Woman?

Jiang Yu had no involvement in dumping foul water on Wei Xiuru.

It was entirely Xu Lihua's spur-of-the-moment idea.

If she weren’t worried about the He family’s reaction, she would have preferred to give Wei Xiuru a beating.

"Don't worry, Little He’s tough—he’ll pull through!"

Jiang Yu smiled. "Thank you, Aunt Xu. Unless I see him with my own eyes or hear his voice, I won’t believe anyone’s words."

Xu Lihua patted her hand. "That’s the spirit!"

Several more days passed, and some of the factory’s transport crew trickled back.

As for news about He Tingyue, there was still no word—not even a whisper.

Even Xiaoqi and the others had no updates.

Rumors outside claimed that He Tingyue must have been killed in action.

Maybe they couldn’t even recover his body, and poor Jiang Yu was left waiting like a fool.

But Jiang Yu remained unfazed. By now, she had a gut feeling something was off.

They didn’t seem uninformed—rather, they were deliberately avoiding the topic of He Tingyue, clamming up.

"Factory Director Zheng, do you really know nothing?"

Jiang Yu suddenly blurted out this question, making Factory Director Zheng’s stomach drop.

"What?"

Jiang Yu repeated, "Where is He Tingyue?"

Factory Director Zheng scratched his nose. "I don’t know."

"Is it that you don’t know, or that you can’t say?"

Factory Director Zheng wanted to groan inwardly—Jiang Yu was too sharp.

If it were anyone else, they would have already been a sobbing mess.

But Jiang Yu remained cool as a cucumber, even analyzing the situation logically.

He felt like yelling, "She’s scary sharp!"

"Jiang Yu, I really don’t know. Just sit tight for news."

Jiang Yu set her jaw. "You owe us double bonuses!"

After all the worry she’d endured these days.

"Alright, alright, you’ll get your double. Now go home—I really can’t say anything."

Factory Director Zheng couldn’t believe her. Was this really the time to talk about bonuses?

Jiang Yu sulked. "I don’t feel so hot. I’ll take a few days off."

"Approved! You have my approval! Go home and rest now!"

It was better for Jiang Yu to go home and rest, so she wouldn't accidentally reveal anything at the factory.

Satisfied, she stood up and left the office.

As soon as she took leave, the factory erupted with gossip and rumors.

"Has Section Chief He really had an accident?"

"He must have! Otherwise, why would Department Head Jiang take leave?"

"I just saw Department Head Jiang—she looked really pale."

"Poor Department Head Jiang. What will she and her child do now?"

"..."

Hearing their discussion, Cai Xiaole couldn't help thinking to herself.

She had just seen Jiang Yu, who looked perfectly fine.

No, she had to get Lai Liuzi over there to check on her.

Meanwhile, Jiang Yu returned home.

Some people with quick ears already knew about her leave.

Xu Lihua studied her with worried eyes. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Jiang Yu paused. "Just tired. I’ll rest for a few days."

"That’s good. Stay home and take it easy."

Most women put on weight during pregnancy, but Jiang Yu had actually lost some.

Jiang Yu didn’t really need to rest at home, but if she wandered around the factory like everything was fine, it would only raise suspicion.

It was better to stay home.

Not long after she returned, someone else showed up.

Hearing Xu Lihua’s voice, she went out to see an unfamiliar face.

He was about the same height and build as He Tingyue—tall and well-built.

But his face bore a smug, sinister grin, making it clear he was up to no good.

"So this is Jiang Yu?"

Jiang Yu didn’t answer but instead asked, "Who are you?"

The man raised an eyebrow and let out a derisive snort.

"He Tingyue’s taste is really unimpressive."

That raised eyebrow struck Jiang Yu as familiar.

Given his appearance and age, and that hostility toward He Tingyue—there was only one person it could be.

"He Dongqi?"

"Oh, aren't you sharp?"

Jiang Yu mimicked his raised eyebrow, giving him a once-over from head to toe.

"You’re exactly as I pictured—utterly... mediocre."

He Dongqi’s expression darkened, the scar by his eye contorting angrily.

"You really have a talent for provoking people."

Jiang Yu crossed her arms, tilting her head to look up at him.

"Did you trek here just to bow and offer tea to your sister-in-law? Save it—Ting Yue and I never intended to recognize a bastard as kin."

His birth was always He Dongqi’s weak point, and Jiang Yu had a knack for striking where it hurt.

He Dongqi clenched his fists and stepped forward, making Xu Lihua’s pulse spike.

Was he really about to strike?

Jiang Yu remained unruffled, a smirk tugging at her lips.

"So mad—yet you wouldn’t dare touch me. Not unless you’re ready to ditch that military uniform! Your father’s already retired, and the He family won’t back you up."

Veins pulsed at He Dongqi’s temples, bulging under the strain.

He clung to enough sense not to lash out.

With a bitter laugh, he sneered, "Seems like He Tingyue’s death didn’t hit you too hard. He was a fool, letting some backwater nobody like you use him. You probably just saw him as a stepping stone—now that he’s served his purpose, his death barely registers."

Jiang Yu’s expression didn’t waver as she chuckled lightly.

"You know me so well. I’m still young, pretty, and rich—remarrying’s a cinch, right? I know when to fold ’em. That’s something you could learn from me."

He Dongqi frowned, as if struggling to grasp her meaning.

Jiang Yu feigned earnestness, advising him, "Still stuck as a deputy commander at your age—not even a battalion leader? Clearly, you’re out of your depth. If I were you, I’d step aside and let someone competent take over."

He Dongqi’s fury burned hotter—this was no different from a slap to the face!

Jiang Yu clicked her tongue. "Why glare at me? Can’t handle the truth? You know, at your age, your brother was already a battalion leader! And he earned it through merit—not like you, leaning on your daddy’s name."

Not even his father’s—his grandfather’s.

His father was no better.

He Dongqi roared, "What did his ‘talent’ get him? He’s dead! Gone for good!"

Jiang Yu blinked. "Whether he’s dead or not doesn’t change the fact that you’re incompetent. You don’t actually blame your own shortcomings on He Tingyue, do you? Tsk tsk—that’s pure delusion."

Rage swelled in He Dongqi’s chest, his fist shaking with barely checked rage.

Jiang Yu was right—he didn’t dare strike.

"Now you’re just running your mouth. Without He Tingyue propping you up, what are you? Count on it—you’ll hand back everything you stole from my mother!"

Jiang Yu couldn’t help but sneer; mother and son—both rotten to the core.

"Take what? What in the He family is yours or your mother’s? Oh, you must be talking about my mother-in-law’s dowry. You’re right, I did take it back. If you’re so tough, go ahead—try taking it back!"

By then, he’d realize whether her arrogance stemmed from herself or He Tingyue.

He gave a cold snort, "Just wait—I’ll make you pay for this!"

He’d take back those things—and make Wei Xiuru’s suffering worth double.

As Jiang Yu watched him turn to leave, she suddenly scoffed.

"That’s it? You’re just leaving?"

He Dongqi paused mid-step. The moment he turned back, Jiang Yu seized his hand.

Before he could react, she had already fallen backward, hitting the ground.

The abruptness shocked He Dongqi into silence.

His mouth opened, but before any sound came out, Xu Lihua’s furious shout cut through: "How dare you push her! You monster! Hitting a pregnant woman—have you no shame?"