However, the smile didn’t reach her eyes; her charming face carried a hint of cold arrogance.
“It’s me. What do you want?”
“Give the announcer job back to Zhenzhen, or we won’t let you off,” several people blocked Wen Wan’s path and said fiercely.
It was almost time for the broadcast. If Wen Wan was delayed, she would definitely be punished.
“Why should I give it up?”
“Shameless! That job was originally Zhenzhen’s—you used tricks to steal it!”
“So Lin Zhenzhen told you I stole her job? Is she your mother or something? You believe everything she says?” Wen Wan smiled sweetly, but her words were sharp.
Looking for trouble, huh? Then let’s make it bigger.
Perfect chance to let everyone know the truth.
Rumors would clear themselves.
The group clearly didn’t expect Wen Wan to be so bold. Furious, they snapped, “If you dare to steal someone’s job, why don’t you dare admit it? Coward!”
“Don’t think singing a song makes you an announcer. Showing off and seducing the male workers in the factory—disgusting!”
“Exactly! Someone with your bad character doesn’t deserve to stay in our textile factory.”
“A thief who steals from others—who knows how your mother raised you.”
The moment Wen Wan heard someone insult her mother, she rushed forward and slapped her hard.
That girl had been the most arrogant.
If you’re going to fight, take down the leader first.
The girl tried to fight back, but Wen Wan had already grabbed her collar and pinned her to the ground, pressing her thigh onto her stomach so she couldn’t move. She beat her while scolding, “Let’s see if you dare run your mouth again. Who do you think you are to mention my mother, you brainless idiot!”
The others were about to rush forward, but Wen Wan pointed at them, eyes red with anger: “Try it. You bunch of fools—provoked by a few words from Lin Zhenzhen and you rush out to cause trouble at the factory gate. Aren’t you afraid of being fired?”
At the mention of being fired, their faces turned pale. Their jobs had been hard for their families to secure—if they lost them, they’d be beaten at home.
In those days, being fired was a serious matter. Once dismissed, it was almost impossible to find work locally.
Wen Wan released the girl. Terrified, she shrank back and didn’t even dare get up immediately. None of her friends dared step forward either.
Who would have thought such a delicate, pretty girl could fight so fiercely? Even the fiercest women in their neighborhood weren’t this brutal.
Wen Wan kindly pulled her up, her face full of disdain. A bunch of cowards.
And they dared act like leaders.
With her arms crossed, Wen Wan glanced around and sneered, “Lin Zhenzhen, I know you’re nearby and can hear me. Just because you shamelessly filled in at the broadcasting station for a few days doesn’t make the position yours. Where did you get such nerve? Stop hiding like a rat in the gutter—come out and confront me in front of the whole factory if you’ve got the guts.”
“I’m giving you one day. Before the end of today, I want to see your apology posted on the factory bulletin board. Otherwise, I’ll broadcast all the dirty business between your mother and Wen Qingfeng. Everyone will definitely love to hear it. If one day isn’t enough, I’ll keep talking for a week, a month—unless you’re not afraid of losing face.”
“And you lot—causing trouble for me without knowing the truth. You deserved that beating. If you block my way again, I’ll hit you again. Also, it was Lin Zhenzhen’s mother Zhao Yan who stole my father and the job my mother left me. My heartless father tried to drug me and has already been arrested by the police. Want to try prison food yourselves?”
Wen Wan’s voice wasn’t loud, but every word was filled with threat.
They were all young women in their twenties, already frightened by her earlier outburst. One by one, they shook their heads.
The girl who had been beaten still had a bit of courage. Covering her face, she muttered, “How do we know if what you’re saying is true?”
Wen Wan sneered and raised an eyebrow. “That beating wasn’t for nothing—you’ve finally grown a brain. Go ask around the steel factory residential compound after work. You’ll know everything.”
After speaking, Wen Wan brushed off her spotless clothes in disdain and walked away.
She wasn’t wearing a dress today. To match the era, she wore a white shirt with black wide-leg pants—beautiful, sharp, and full of presence.
It was peak work hours. Though not right at the factory gate, plenty of people passed by and witnessed the whole scene.
At first, people had felt sorry for Lin Zhenzhen after hearing yesterday’s rumors. But now, thinking about it, something didn’t add up.
“She was originally a workshop worker. After Gao Shanshan was transferred, she only filled in for a few days. The factory had already said a new announcer would be assigned—how did the job suddenly become Lin Zhenzhen’s?”
“Hiding in the shadows and letting these naive girls stand up for her—she’s quite scheming.”
“And her mother Zhao Yan—I heard she married as a stepmother. Could it be Wen Wan?”
“Most likely. Just ask someone from the steel factory—they’ll know.”
…
Lin Zhenzhen hid in a corner, hearing everything.
She hadn’t expected Wen Wan to turn public opinion around so quickly.
Wen Wan had become bolder—she even dared to fight in public.
The character she had created for her was supposed to be timid, weak, and easily bullied.
But now… she was acting like Wen Wan.
Lin Zhenzhen’s eyes turned cold. Could it really be her?
Wen Wan’s voice came through the broadcast—clear, standard, and pleasant, like a professional announcer.
She had always been talented and loved to be the center of attention.
She had hosted every school event; Lin Zhenzhen knew that voice all too well.
It really was her.
Lin Zhenzhen clenched her fists.
She couldn’t lose. This was the world she created—she was the true heroine.
She had to find a way to resolve this situation first.
Lin Zhenzhen, who always presented herself as fragile and pitiful, forced out a few tears, making herself look like she had been crying.
“I heard everything on the way. I’m sorry, Nana. It’s all my fault for dragging you into this,” Lin Zhenzhen cried delicately, as if she were the one who had been beaten.
Zhang Na looked into her eyes. “Zhenzhen, did Wen Wan really steal your job?”
Lin Zhenzhen lowered her gaze and sniffled. “All factory jobs are decided by Director Liu. If he let her take the position, then it’s hers. What happened before doesn’t count.”
This beating had made Zhang Na a bit wiser. “My cousin is the factory director’s secretary—he’ll definitely know. I’ll go ask him later. If Wen Wan really stole your job, I’ll get justice for you. But if not, Zhenzhen, you’ll have to apologize to Wen Wan.”
Lin Zhenzhen hadn’t expected Zhang Na to get smarter. She usually loved standing up for others but often offended people due to her lack of judgment.
People only tolerated her because of her cousin.
“Nana, it’s not worth bothering your cousin over such a small matter,” Lin Zhenzhen tried to persuade.
“This concerns all of us workers. It’s not a small matter. I’ll find out the truth.”
Lin Zhenzhen cursed her for meddling. Her face was swollen like a pig’s head, yet she still wanted to see the director.
But she showed none of it on her face. “Nana, you’re so kind. You’re the only one willing to help me at a time like this. But with your face like that, if your cousin asks, what will you say? I’m fine. She’s still my sister, after all. I’ll just apologize to her first,” Lin Zhenzhen bit her lip, “I’m used to it after all these years.”
Zhang Na touched her face and winced in pain—Wen Wan had hit really hard.
She really didn’t look presentable enough to see her cousin now.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get to the bottom of this.”
Just after the lunch break, Lin Zhenzhen took a written apology and went to find Wen Wan. In front of everyone, she knelt down before her.