Chapter 267: She Can Lose Face, But Her Child and Man Cannot

Chapter 267: She Can Afford to Lose Face, But Her Child and Husband Can't

Auntie Hao was on the verge of tears: "Auntie Pangpang, what do you mean by that? It was clearly you who told me about it. What do you mean by 'heard it together'? I heard it from you."

Zhang Xia also whispered, "Yes, that day, you were the one talking, and we were all listening."

Auntie Pangpang shook her head calmly: "I don't remember. That day, everyone was talking at once, and I don't remember what I said, let alone who started it."

Zhang Xia said, "There were only three of us. How could it be 'everyone talking at once'? It was just me and Auntie Hao listening to you."

"Stop whispering among yourselves. Auntie Hao, you go in first," Xiao Lian said as she walked over.

Auntie Hao gritted her teeth, glared at Auntie Pangpang, and went to Auntie Zhong's office.

Once in Auntie Zhong's office, Auntie Hao firmly insisted that it was Auntie Pangpang who told them.

"Earlier, she still refused to admit it. It was clearly her who told us about it, and she's still denying it, saying we all heard it together. At that time, it was just me, her, and Sister Li. We were all listening."

Xiao Lu said, "Sister Li just listened and didn't spread it around at all. But you were the first to hear and spread the rumor. If you hadn't spread it, this matter wouldn't have blown up like this."

Auntie Hao was stunned, "Blow up? What does 'blow up' mean?"

Looks like we need to schedule literacy classes soon.

Auntie Zhong said, "If you had just listened to the gossip and kept it to yourself, nothing would have happened. But now that everyone knows, it's called getting out of hand."

Auntie Hao cautiously said, "I only told Su Shaoling. How was I supposed to know she would spread it everywhere? I didn't mean to. I won't say it again, not even if you beat me to death!"

Xiao Lu: "..." Didn't Auntie Pangpang only tell you about it? Yet it still spread like wildfire anyway.

"Alright, you can go out now. Call Auntie Pangpang in."

...

Auntie Pangpang walked in calmly and took a seat.

Xiao Lu directly asked, "Why did you spread such a rumor?"

Auntie Pangpang looked straight ahead and said, "I didn't spread it. I just heard it."

Xiao Lu asked, "Who did you hear it from?"

Auntie Pangpang said, "Auntie Hao and Sister Li were talking, and I just overheard a bit and added a few words. I didn't spread it."

Auntie Zhong and Xiao Lu exchanged glances.

Auntie Zhong asked, "Were there other people present when the three of you were talking?"

Auntie Pangpang shook her head, "Probably not. I didn't notice."

Xiao Lu said, "Auntie Hao said you were the one who started it. What do you think?"

Auntie Pangpang remained calm, "It was clearly the three of us discussing together, each adding their own words. I didn't say Auntie Hao started it, but she's already blaming me. Outside, it's already spread like wildfire. Who knows who heard it from where?"

After Auntie Pangpang finished speaking, Auntie Zhong directly pushed the handwritten dismissal letter toward her.

"You're fired; don’t come to work starting tomorrow."

Pangpang's mother calmly looked at the termination notice and asked Auntie Zhong, "Why?"

Auntie Zhong pushed four other statements in front of her: "When you spread the rumor, there weren’t just three people present, but seven.

These are the statements from the other four, all agreeing that you were the one who started the rumor."

Pangpang's mother glanced at the statements. They were all from her group, but they clearly hadn’t been there at the time.

"Based on the timeline, you were the first to spread the rumor," Xiao Lu added.

Pangpang's mother raised her head: "If you want to fire me, just say so. There’s no need to frame me like this.

When we spoke, these people weren’t even there."

"They were," Xiao Lu said. "During lunch break, they stepped outside to smoke, just a wall away from you, and heard your conversation clearly."

Auntie Zhong continued: "If you had owned up to your mistake and shown remorse, this letter wouldn’t have been presented to you. At most, it would have been a reprimand."

Pangpang's mother sneered: "You don’t actually think the factory is your personal property, do you?

You support Su Taotao, but I’m not afraid of her. Let’s be clear—the factory is public property, not Su Taotao’s.

A little gossip and you want to fire me? Then the whole nation wouldn’t need to work."

"You don’t represent the whole nation, but we can represent the factory to terminate your employment. It was a dismissal before, but now it’s termination.

We gave you a chance at the beginning—to admit your mistake and let bygones be bygones."

Not only did you refuse to admit your mistake, but you also shirked responsibility. We went to great trouble to trace it back to you, and now you're trying to pin unfounded accusations on your fellow workers.

With such a character flaw, our factory cannot employ you. You should seek opportunities elsewhere.

If you still feel wronged, you can appeal to the leadership."

Director Zhong's time in leadership hasn't been for nothing; her conduct and style have taken on a distinctly authoritative air.

Her words were well-grounded, reasonable, and tactful. She has already mastered the dual roles of personnel and administrative duties with ease.

"And what if I just refuse to leave?" said the woman.

"Then don't blame us for resorting to force. I alone can drag you out," said Director Zhong.

The woman stood up, gave a cold glance at Director Zhong and Xiao Lu, and sneered:

"Acting like a big shot with no real authority, really thinking of yourselves as leaders, putting on airs, but in the end, you're just dogs under Su Taotao."

Director Zhong's face hardened: "Why do you have to be so harsh with your words? Even a dog is better than an ingrate like you. Who was it that cried and begged for a job because your child was young and you needed to support the family?

If it weren't for Director Su opening the factory, you wouldn't even know where you'd be crying now. Now you turn around and act like this?

Even a child knows that making a mistake means facing consequences. What are you trying to prove, acting all high and mighty?"

When it comes to arguments, Director Zhong is no stranger to them, but since becoming Director Zhong, she has paid more attention to her image and personal quality, rarely engaging in arguments.

But this mother was really too much to bear.

The mother sneered: "Do you think I care to see you henchmen? What did I say wrong? Isn't she just showing favoritism?"

Isn't it just because you're close to her that you've landed your current positions?"

"And you,"

Fatty's mother pointed at Xiao Lu, "You and your assistant, even the gatekeeper Dong Shengping, aren't you all men? Don't you all follow her around, acting without any sense of decency?"

"What did I say wrong? You're already compromised, yet you're afraid of others talking—how hypocritical!"

Being able to say something like "hypocritical" shows that Fatty's mother’s cultural level isn't actually low.

She probably always felt unrecognized, and jealousy has completely warped her.

Back when she worked at the factory, she had some restraint and wasn't so out of line, but now she's completely given up, throwing all dignity to the wind.

Auntie Zhong couldn't take it anymore. Dealing with such unreasonable people is like a scholar trying to reason with a soldier—utterly futile.

"Alright, go to the finance department to settle your wages and leave. Don't go out and say the factory owes you wages.

You should watch your words. You may not care about your reputation, but your children and husband do.

Are you the only one in the factory who has a problem with us? Look at yourself—so bitter and mean, acting like the whole world owes you. Even if I gave you this position, could you earn respect? Could you keep it?"

Her children and husband are indeed Fatty's mother's weak spots. She may not care about her reputation, but they do.

With a cold face, she ultimately did not rebut.

Xiao Lu had stayed quiet; he’s really not good at arguing with women.

Only now did he couldn't help but say, "You can go out and spread lies, but we can also write up a dismissal notice, detailing your behavior, and post it on the bulletin board.

Justice lies in the hearts of the people. The bigger the fuss, the better. Best if it reaches the leaders and they have your husband rein you in. Let’s see who ends up more embarrassed."

Fatty's mother’s face finally twisted with resentment as she glared at Xiao Lu. "Despicable!"

She had indeed planned to make a scene outside, accusing Su Taotao of forming cliques for personal gain and colluding with the leadership team to suppress the workers.

She hadn’t expected Xiao Lu to be even harsher.

"Me, despicable? Don’t worry, we won’t exaggerate. We’ll report everything truthfully. Yang Liuyue and Wu Lihua are your precedents. If you don’t leave the family area, this isn’t over!"

"You’re heartless!" Fatty's mother coldly stared at Xiao Lu, her eyes like a venomous snake.

After speaking, she turned and left.

"Oh my, that scared me. Why is Fatty’s mother’s gaze so terrifying? It’s like she wants to devour someone. I never realized she was like this before."

Xiao Lu watched her leave, convinced she’d still stir up trouble.

"Distance tests a horse’s stamina; time reveals a person’s true nature," Xiao Lu said.

Auntie Zhong smiled and said, "I like that saying—it’s exactly what I wanted to tell you. Not bad, young man. I misjudged you before.

Director Su really has a sharp eye for talent. You’ve got some skills."

Xiao Lu said, "Director Zhong, don’t tease me. Compared to you, I’m still too inexperienced."

Auntie Zhong shook her head, "No, no, no. If it weren’t for your final words, today’s issue wouldn’t have been resolved."

In truth, Xiao Lu felt that even after saying all that, this matter might not be over.

Auntie Zhong continued, "Xiao Lu, how can people's hearts be so wicked? Taotao has been completely devoted to the factory, even neglecting her meals and sleep. Even little Chenchen eats at the cafeteria almost every day because she doesn't have time to cook.

Yet there are still people who slander and defame her without any evidence. Anyone with a normal mind would know—could just anyone handle Taotao's position?"

Xiao Lu said, "It's alright, my Sis Su is very forgiving and usually doesn't waste time on petty people."

Auntie Zhong nodded, "That's true. Alright, I'll go update Director Su on the situation, and you keep an eye on the workshop."

Xiao Lu returned to his usual playful demeanor, saluting towards Auntie Zhong, "Yes, Director Zhong."