Zheng Guofeng arrived quickly. Walking in, he saw Xue Yue and the others all standing and was a little surprised.
"Vice Group Leader Xue, what’s all this?"
Xue Yue straightened up and said to Zheng Guofeng, "Uncle Zheng, I had no other choice but to ask you to co."
Zheng Guofeng asked, perplexed, "Just tell what’s wrong."
Xue Yue pointed at Zhao Li.
"She claims that you and I are in an improper relationship. I could talk until I’m blue in the face and it wouldn’t be enough to clear my na, so I figured you should co and explain it to her yourself. If you can’t get through to her either, then we can decide whether to call the police or hire a private investigator to look into it properly. I will cooperate fully with any investigation."
Zhao Li frantically waved her hands at Zheng Guofeng. "No, I didn’t say that! It wasn’t , Vice Minister Zheng!"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Guofeng froze for a second. His brow furrowed, and his expression darkened as he glanced at Zhao Li before sweeping his gaze over the others to gauge their reactions.
"It seems you all have far too much ti on your hands. What do you take this place for? You’re all supposed to be educated people. Look at yourselves. Do you even look the part anymore? Spouting baseless lies... Have you ever considered the consequences?"
"As for Yue’er and , I can tell you all this: we are not father and daughter, but our bond is as strong as if we were."
Then he pointed at Zhao Li and asked, "What’s your na?"
Zhao Li’s face flushed crimson, and she didn’t dare to speak.
Ding Ruzhi answered for her. "Her na is Zhao Li."
Zheng Guofeng nodded. "Good. I’ll rember you."
With that, he left.
’He seed absolutely furious.’
Zhao Li collapsed into her chair, overco with anxiety.
Xue Yue walked over to her and said in a cold voice, "Zhao Li, do I look like an easy target? Or did you think I was just a pushover?"
Zhao Li pressed her lips together, silent.
Xue Yue continued, "I let the past slide. I didn’t bother with it because I felt those things weren’t worth getting worked up over. I care more about my own peace of mind than letting soone else ruin my day. It’s not that I don’t understand your petty sches. Arguing with soone like you is less productive than having a single word with an intelligent person. Do you think you’re exceptionally clever? Hah. Anyone can see right through your pathetic little tricks."
"I don’t want to hear about this from anyone, ever again. Otherwise, don’t bla for not showing you any respect. You’ve all had it too good for too long, always looking for trouble. And you, Deng Weiwei—don’t bring your personal drama into the office anymore. If you want to chat about your ho life, do it at ho."
Deng Weiwei was startled by Xue Yue. She imdiately nodded in agreent.
Xue Yue turned, stord into the inner office, and slamd the door shut.
Never mind the others; even Ding Ruzhi was a little frightened.
She clutched her chest. ’I guess I don’t know Xue Yue as well as I thought,’ she mused. ’She’s incredible.’
Zhao Li’s anxiety was soon validated. That very afternoon, the notice ca down: Zhao Li was being transferred.
When she saw the notice, Zhao Li was so angry she could have died.
"Logistics? How could it be logistics?"
Ding Ruzhi glanced over, nearly bursting out laughing. She then watched Zhao Li’s reaction, ready for the drama to unfold.
Zhao Li couldn’t believe it. She had been transferred to logistics just for saying a few things she shouldn’t have.
Furious, she went to find Xue Yue.
She barged in without even knocking.
Her voice was laced with fury. "Xue Yue, did you really have to go this far? I’ve worked my tail off in this departnt for eight or nine years, and you transfer just like that? To logistics, of all places! Aren’t you taking this too far? The Ministry of Comrce isn’t your personal fiefdom!"
Xue Yue leaned back in her chair, watching her with cold eyes.
Zhao Li continued, "So what if I said sothing? I’ll apologize, okay? Do you have to be so relentless? Can’t you be the bigger person?"
Xue Yue looked at her and asked, "Are you finished?"
Zhao Li heaved, glaring at Xue Yue furiously.
Outside the door, the others stopped working, their ears peeled for any sound from within.
Xue Yue laughed mockingly. "If apologies were enough, what would we need the police for? Zhao Li, I gave you plenty of chances, but you thought I was a pushover and you took advantage. Today, I’m just giving you a taste of what it ans to ss with soone who has connections. What are you going to do about it?"
"You’d better be more respectful when you speak to from now on. I’ve already gone easy on you. Otherwise, I would have sued you for slander and defamation. In that case, you wouldn’t just be out of this departnt—you’d have trouble finding any other job. Zhao Li, do not mistake my tolerance for a license to be shaless."
"Get out."
Zhao Li wasn’t just shocked by Xue Yue’s words; she couldn’t believe her ears. She had never imagined Xue Yue was the type to retaliate for every offense. She had clearly underestimated her.
But she didn’t dare provoke Xue Yue any further. She knew she couldn’t win a head-on confrontation; she simply didn’t have the resources.
Zhao Li had no choice but to retreat obediently, even closing the door behind her on the way out.
Seeing this, Ding Ruzhi clucked her tongue. "Well, Zhao Li, look what you’ve accomplished. You finally managed to piss off soone who’s usually as gentle as a lamb. I’m telling you, you really need to learn your lesson. Xue Yue was right—she definitely went easy on you. The leadership has the power to fire any one of us, especially soone like you with so many mistakes on your record that could be dug up in an instant. From now on, think before you speak. Don’t just go spouting any old nonsense. You’re old enough to know better. Be careful or you’ll trip over your own tongue."
Zhao Li didn’t dare provoke Ding Ruzhi either. Humiliated, she hastily packed her belongings and left.
’Who would have thought that after so long in one position, she’d be demoted instead of promoted? Never mind her competence; her character was clearly the problem.’
’The workplace is its own kind of battlefield, one that runs on connections and social grace.’
Zhao Li had been gone for a while before Deng Weiwei suddenly rembered she hadn’t gotten her watch back.
But she didn’t dare bring it up now, terrified of upsetting Xue Yue again.
’But it was over three hundred yuan! The thought of losing that much money was agonizing.’
Deng Weiwei shot Guo Zhaoyang an annoyed glare. Guo Zhaoyang had been in a daze all day. ’He was probably scared stiff by Xue Yue too,’ Deng Weiwei guessed.
When it was ti to get off work, Xue Yue ca downstairs to find Zheng Guofeng waiting for her at the entrance.
"Uncle Zheng, you haven’t left yet?"
Zheng Guofeng studied her face for a mont before letting out a sigh of relief.
"I was worried about you. I’m relieved to see you’re not upset."
Xue Yue smiled. "I was pretty angry, but you already took care of it for , Uncle Zheng. You don’t bla , do you?"
Zheng Guofeng shook his head. "Why would I bla you? I’ve told you before, you can co to with any problem you can’t solve, as long as it’s within my power to help."
Xue Yue smiled and nodded.
"Alright, since you’re okay, I’ll be on my way."
"Okay. Take care, Uncle Zheng."
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