First watch over.
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Listening to Aunt Liu asking how I knew, Li ilan sighed, "I knew for sure you’d suspect I’m behind this ss, so I rushed over to explain to you.
We’ve been colleagues for so many years; you know my character well. I was quite upset about last night’s incident and said so unpleasant things.
But I regretted it afterward, and this morning, I went to my sister’s house to explain. She was pretty mad at first but eventually forgave , although it was clear that the marriage arrangent couldn’t happen.
Leaving her house, I wasn’t in a good state and walked ho. While passing the factory, I happened to run into Yao Youqin who was out shopping.
She pulled over and told about our factory’s personnel changes, saying that you and Kim Liang were moved to roles that are more tiring but pay less. She also asked if I knew whom you both offended.
Walking back ho, the more I thought about it, the more it seed off. Such a coincidence makes anyone think more deeply, so I hurried over here to tell you."
"Didn’t you say you’d ask for leniency for and Kim Liang?" Aunt Liu caught the flaw in Li ilan’s words.
"Yes, I haven’t finished yet..." Li ilan sighed again, "After parting from Yao Youqin, I felt it was odd, so I went to the factory to ask Director Wang what was going on.
She told it truly wasn’t soone retaliating against you and Kim Liang; it was because when the higher-ups ca to inspect, you both didn’t perform well, and were nad by the leader, necessitating job adjustnts.
I told her that Xiang Zhi and Kim Liang were so capable, how could they possibly displease the leaders; maybe the leaders got it mixed up.
She said no and that your performance indeed wasn’t good that day. She, as the workshop director, even got scolded by the factory manager. Then it hit , when the factory manager ca to inspect the workshop, both you and Kim Liang had the flu and were a bit off, leading to the manager’s misunderstanding.
Right now, they’re focusing on exemplary cases, and you both got caught in it. Director Wang said if it were usual tis, she could have let it slide, but this ti, the leaders personally pointed it out, so it truly wouldn’t work.
You know, the deputy factory manager has a good relationship with my sister, so I called her to ask for help, but it was no use.
Oh Xiang Zhi, I’m sorry, it’s my incompetence that couldn’t help a bit. Please don’t form opinions about over this matter. Even if I said harsh things last night, it was just because I lost face in front of my nephew and spoke rashly out of desperation; you know this is my unfortunate habit, right?
But Xiang Zhi, don’t worry too much, my sister said the factory manager is upset for now, and it will be like this for now. After so ti, he’ll more or less forget, and she’ll quietly discuss with the deputy factory manager to move you and Kim Liang back. Trust , I’ll surely keep an eye on this for you."
"I appreciate your concern..." Aunt Liu smiled at her, "ijun’s matter is truly a misunderstanding; you’ve watched that child grow up, you know her temperant, right?"
"Yes, yes..." Li ilan nodded repeatedly, "Yesterday I just got muddled and mistrusted that child. Right, did ijun go to work today? When she gets off work, talk to her; I’ll treat your family to dinner so day, as an apology."
"Alright, I’ll talk to her when she returns."
Unexpectedly, Aunt Liu agreed so readily. Li ilan clearly hesitated, then bid farewell with an awkward smile: "You’ve got guests here, I’ll leave now; I’ll co find you later."
After sending Li ilan off, Chuxia smiled at Aunt Liu: "Aunt, do you believe what she said?"
"I don’t." Aunt Liu shook her head. "We’ve been friends for many years indeed, but that’s because I always yield to her; otherwise, we’d have broken it off long ago.
Besides, I used to think she might be a bit competitive, but had a decent heart. We lived nearby and worked in the sa shift, partnering together made us closer.
Through this incident, I’ve co to see clearly; her willingness to be close to these years is nothing but her thinking I’m easy to handle, alas!"
What she thought was friendship ended up being manipulation. Understandably, Aunt Liu felt hurt, but Zhou Jiping comforted her with a smile: "Aunt, there are all kinds of people in this world, don’t be too upset."
"I know." Aunt Liu nodded, "I just feel sorry for my daughter. For other issues, I’d truly put up with it. If she ever wronged my daughter, I’ll surely not let it go!"
Chuxia looked at Aunt Liu, puzzled: "Aunt, I’m a bit confused; according to your view, she shouldn’t need to curry favor with you, right?"
"She treats like this, do you really think she’s trying to flatter ?" Aunt Liu shook her head with a wry smile, "Li ilan’s mother-in-law beca bedridden three years ago. I go over every day to help her take care of her mother-in-law. Without , she wouldn’t be able to take good care of the Old Madam.
Back when the Old Madam beca bedridden, she said that whichever child takes care of her best will inherit half of her estate. The Old Madam has three sons and two daughters. Initially, she rotated living with each family, but now she only stays at Li ilan’s because I can do massages and I’m there daily to help Li ilan make her feel most comfortable."
"Auntie, you truly are China’s Best Girlfriend."
Aunt Liu was a bit puzzled and didn’t quite understand what "China’s Best Girlfriend" ant.
Chuxia, having blurted it out without much thought earlier, had to explain now: "Anyone who has you as a friend is really lucky. There isn’t a second friend like you who’s so loyal."
"Chuxia, you’re praising a bit too much." Aunt Liu smiled shyly, "I’m just idle at ho, and it’s boring being alone, so I go to her place. Besides, her mother-in-law is quite nice. Her family used to run a tea business, she knows a lot, and it’s interesting listening to her talk."
"Auntie, we really should be going now." Chuxia stood up with a smile, "I’m really happy to have t you today. I’ll definitely drop by when I’m on break. You won’t find botherso, will you?"
"Auntie can’t wait for you to visit often, why would I find it annoying?" Aunt Liu glanced at the ti and tried to persuade them to stay, "Have lunch before you leave. My cooking isn’t great, but my skills in making scallion pancakes are top-notch. I heard from ijun that you love scallion pancakes, so I’ll make you so hot ones today, okay?"
"Auntie, your scallion pancakes are truly amazing, but maybe another ti. The next ti I co, I’ll definitely want to have your freshly made scallion pancakes."
"Auntie knows you’re busy, I won’t insist. Promise you’ll co next ti." Aunt Liu said as she looked over to Zhou Jiping and the others, "You all have to co too."
This ti they left easily, with no one causing a scene. After going downstairs, Zhou Jiping directly got into Yu Mingtao’s car. Chuxia glanced back and smiled at Zhou Mikang: "Look at Second Brother-in-law, he’s grinning ear to ear."
"He made a mistake himself, so of course, he has to be cautious." Zhou Mikang snorted coldly, "If she gets hurt again, even if Second Sister agrees to stay with him, I’ll have to stop it."
"You can just enjoy talking, but when it cos to matters of the heart, no one but the people involved can interfere. Just rember what you said; make sure you don’t make the sa mistake one day."
"Do I look like soone who would make such a low-level mistake?" Zhou Mikang snorted coldly again, "Since you joined the Zhou family, have I allowed you to be rejected by the family at all?"
"Of course." Chuxia looked at him with wide eyes, "Did you forget so things since your promotion to Division Commander? Do you not rember Zhou Aiping’s rejection of ?"
Zhou Mikang glanced at her casually: "Did she benefit from it?"
"No, no..." Chuxia waved her hands repeatedly, "I was wrong, I shouldn’t have compared you with Brother-in-law. Just consider I had a montary lapse of judgnt."
"Mm."
Chuxia: "..." Is it really okay to answer so quickly at a ti like this? How are we supposed to maintain a loving couple image?
...
The next morning, just as Chuxia got up, Little Jing ca to report that soone was looking for her. When she went downstairs to see, it was Liu ijun, sitting in the hall talking with Old Madam Zhou. On the tea table, there was a large bundle.
"Why are you here so early?" Chuxia ran down in a few steps, startling Old Madam Zhou who kept shouting, "Slow down, slow down, dear child, be careful..."
"Grandma, I’m not that fragile, don’t worry..." Chuxia said while sitting next to Liu ijun, "Don’t talk to with politeness. We’re good friends, it wouldn’t be right to speak so formally."
Thinking about it, Aunt Liu and Father Liu must have already adjusted their work schedule, otherwise, Liu ijun wouldn’t have co over at this hour. Hence, Chuxia emphasized this up front.
"I’m not here to speak courteously." Liu ijun laughed and pointed to the bundle on the table, "My mom got up early to make scallion pancakes for you. She asked to bring them over quickly. If it weren’t too early, they both would have co along."
"You couldn’t stop Auntie, as if I’m that greedy." Even while saying this, soone untied the bundle in a few moves, grabbed a piece of scallion pancake, and began eating with satisfaction, leaving Old Madam Zhou looking helpless at the side. If she didn’t know better, she’d think her granddaughter-in-law was being mistreated and wasn’t getting enough to eat.
After finishing a small piece of scallion pancake, Chuxia chuckled at Old Madam Zhou: "Grandma, it’s not that I want to eat, it’s your great-grandchild who does." Then she turned to Liu ijun, "Make sure to tell Auntie about how I looked just now."
"Sure." Liu ijun smiled with her eyes full of emotion. How could she not understand Chuxia’s intention? She was anxious when she ca; a family like the Zhous wouldn’t care much for things like this. It’s just that her mother was busy with it in the middle of the night, so she felt compelled to bring them over. (To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian) to vote for recomndations, monthly votes, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian to read.)
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