Chapter 022: Work Has Arrived—A Cause for Universal Celebration

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When Tian Xiang saw Chairwoman Jiang on the second floor, the latter had just finished reading the written self-criticism Lu Feng had submitted first thing that morning.

The statement gave a detailed account of what had happened the previous night.

Because of the dance, he had left the factory late. When he later went to his girlfriend Jiang Peiqin’s home to change a lightbulb, it was already past nine. The late hour and the quiet of the night had caused the misunderstanding. He had failed to think things through and was willing to accept the organization’s criticism and disciplinary review.

The statement was quite well written.

It was just that...

Jiang Qin sighed and said to Tian Xiang, “Have a seat.” She then rose, intending to pour her a cup of tea.

“Chairwoman Jiang, don’t trouble yourself. I can’t drink anything.”

Jiang Qin laughed softly. “Is this all because of Lu Feng?”

What did she mean, all because of him?

Tian Xiang stared at her in surprise. “Chairwoman Jiang, you were the one who said that as long as you were here, no one would dare shield anyone else! So what is this now? Do you really believe that Lu Feng was at Widow Jiang’s house last night merely to change a lightbulb and date her?”

Jiang Qin returned to her desk, her back perfectly straight. “Comrade Tian Xiang, I know what you’re thinking. To be honest, I don’t believe the two of them are dating either. But he is unmarried, and she is unmarried. If they insist that’s all there is to it, what can we do?

“Never mind that it was pitch-dark and no one could see anything. Even if the two of them had embraced and kissed in front of everyone, as long as they are in a relationship, the worst that could happen is that people spit a couple of times in their direction. What else could we do to them?

“This is a new society. Love and marriage are matters of personal freedom.”

So dating had become a get-out-of-jail-free card.

Tian Xiang let out a cold laugh. “So you’re saying I came here for nothing? Whatever Lu Feng says goes, and none of you have any intention of investigating?”

This girl was young, but certainly quick-tempered.

Jiang Qin said, “There’s no need to get so worked up. A mistake is still a mistake. The factory has already decided to revoke his title of Model Worker. He has also written a self-criticism about last night’s incident. At the departmental meeting, I’ll have him make a public examination.”

A departmental meeting?

That was merely a small gathering in the union office. What good would it do?

Tian Xiang sprang to her feet. “If this isn’t shielding him, then what is?”

Jiang Qin asked with an exasperated smile, “Comrade Tian Xiang, why are you so concerned about Lu Feng?”

Last time, she had struck him across the face, and afterward she had refused to let the matter go. Jiang Qin was beginning to grow curious.

Tian Xiang laughed angrily. “Do I need a reason? I’m doing the people a service by ridding them of a menace! I made it perfectly clear to you at the police station last time: Lu Feng toys with the feelings of multiple women and carries on improper relations with them.

“Chairwoman Jiang, you have no idea how cunning Lu Feng is. It isn’t easy to catch him in the act. Now that such an opportunity has finally presented itself, you’re handling it so casually. You’re helping a villain do evil, do you understand?”

Jiang Qin tapped her fingers lightly against the desk. After a few taps, she was about to speak when Tian Xiang cut her off.

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“Chairwoman Jiang, don’t talk to me about evidence. I’m only asking you this: isn’t what happened last night evidence? Before last night, Lu Feng was a Model Worker. You’re his superior, so you certainly know better than I do what kind of reputation he has on Red Five Street and what people think of him.

“And yet a man like that sneaked into a widow’s home in the middle of the night! Afterward, he even lied to and deceived the organization. What kind of decent person could he possibly be?”

Tian Xiang spoke with complete seriousness.

Jiang Qin fell silent.

After a long while, she said, “This incident has cost Lu Feng his dignity and ruined his reputation. He has also been forced into a relationship with Jiang Peiqin. He has already received the punishment he deserves.”

After all that talking, not one of her words had gotten through.

Tian Xiang gave a hollow laugh. “Fine. I came to the wrong person.”

With that, she turned and left.

Since she could get nowhere with Chairwoman Jiang, she decided to look for Zeng Qingwen and see what she had to say.

Jiang Qin called after her. “If you’re thinking of going to see Announcer Zeng Qingwen, I advise you not to waste your time.”

Tian Xiang stopped mid-step and turned to stare fixedly at Jiang Qin.

Jiang Qin continued, “Deputy Director Zeng would never allow a scandal like this to become entangled with his daughter. Announcer Zeng has already been chosen in advance for our factory’s university recommendation next year. Even she herself wouldn’t want to get mixed up in this sort of affair.”

Tian Xiang was somewhat bewildered. How did Chairwoman Jiang know everything?

Jiang Qin answered her unspoken question. “Lu Feng is a member of the factory union. I went to the police station to ask about the situation last night.”

The young boy who had gone over to notify Wu Jinzhu had shouted the news from the courtyard. Everyone, whether asleep or awake, had heard him. Quite a few people had run to the resettlement area to see what was happening. As the highest-ranking leader of the factory union, Jiang Qin naturally had to go as well.

And Tian Xiang, determined to shed the label of heroine, had made no attempt to hide herself. She had even taken the lead in the commotion. After making a few inquiries into the case, Chairwoman Jiang had easily figured everything out.

Chairwoman Jiang was an intelligent woman. With a little serious thought and a bold guess, she could understand the truth in no time.

Tian Xiang nodded. “All right, then I’m leaving.”

She had oversimplified matters this time, but it didn’t matter. She would keep trying.

Jiang Qin sighed. “You child, why are you always in such a rush? I haven’t finished speaking!”

Fine.

Tian Xiang turned around. “Go ahead.”

“Sit down for a moment first.”

Tian Xiang sat, frowning impatiently.

Jiang Qin paid her no further attention. She took out a notebook and prepared to write something, asking Tian Xiang for her family’s exact address and whether she had graduated from high school.

“What for?”

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Could this woman be planning to go to her house?

Jiang Qin said, “Just tell me. It’s a good thing.”

Half skeptical, Tian Xiang gave her the information.

She had official identification, and her address was no secret. Even if she didn’t tell Jiang Qin, all the latter had to do was ask someone and she would find out.

A short while later, Jiang Qin tore out what she had written and handed it to Tian Xiang.

“Nine o’clock the morning after tomorrow. Don’t be late.”

Tian Xiang stepped forward to take it and discovered that it was a letter of recommendation for employment. Jiang Qin had actually recommended her for a position with the machinery factory’s union.

What?

Tian Xiang’s expression turned cold. “You’re bribing me for Lu Feng’s sake?”

Was the protagonist’s charisma really that powerful?

Was the whole world helping him?

Jiang Qin stared blankly for a moment, then burst into laughter.

Tian Xiang knitted her brows tightly.

Jiang Qin rubbed her face and finally managed to stop laughing. “Comrade Tian Xiang, don’t misunderstand. I’m giving you an opportunity.”

“An opportunity?”

Jiang Qin nodded. “Didn’t you say Lu Feng is a hypocrite who carries on improper relations with women? I’m giving you the chance to come here, keep an eye on him, and find evidence of his misdeeds.”

A thought flashed through Tian Xiang’s mind.

This really was an opportunity—and it solved her employment problem as well.

“Chairwoman Jiang, are you serious?”

“I am. This is an opportunity for you, and an opportunity for Lu Feng. From now on, you’ll work in the same factory compound. Every move he makes will be right under your nose. If he really has done those things, you’ll be able to catch him with the evidence. If he’s actually a good man, then after spending more time with him, you’ll be able to see his character clearly and wash away the negative impression you have of him.”

Tian Xiang thought to herself, I could never be mistaken. Whether someone is good or bad is written plainly above their head.

But she could see it while other people could not. Some matters truly did require evidence.

Tian Xiang carefully put away the letter of recommendation.

“Chairwoman Jiang, you can rest assured. I definitely won’t disappoint you.”