Director Zhang of the Personnel Department was a strict but relatively fair woman. She looked at Chen Bin with clear disapproval.
“The factory manager is right. Comrade Luo Feifei’s professional knowledge and work abilities have both passed our assessments. You, on the other hand—putting aside your lack of knowledge and experience—kept yawning throughout the interview. Just that attitude alone fails to meet our hiring standards. Now you even dare to question our decision. Get out immediately.”
At first, Director Zhang also doubted that Luo Feifei, a former hairdresser, might not be steady enough. But considering the flexibility required for sales work, she decided to continue the interview anyway.
Soon she realized this young woman had studied a great deal in advance and came fully prepared. It was obvious how seriously she took this opportunity.
Opportunities always go to those who are ready. Just seeing her dedication was enough for Director Zhang to approve her application.
Director Zhang often chaired meetings and evening events, so her voice was loud and clear. People walking past in the hallway stopped to listen and watch.
“Isn’t that Section Chief Gu?”
“That young man called him brother-in-law—could he be Section Chief Gu’s future brother-in-law?”
Gu Shaonan had always been an outstanding employee at the factory and was marked as a key talent for development.
Hearing this, the onlookers shook their heads. “So the position was supposed to go to his brother-in-law?”
“Does he really think he runs this factory?”
Meanwhile, the nephew of a workshop supervisor who held a grudge against Gu Shaonan felt quite pleased. He began sneering, “Some people get a tiny title and let it go straight to their heads—they forget their own place.”
“Ah, having a brother-in-law like that must be such bad luck.”
Chen Bin’s face turned red then pale with embarrassment; he wished he could find a crack in the ground to hide in.
Even Gu Shaonan—who had lived two lifetimes—felt utterly mortified. Why were both the Personnel and Sales Departments gathered here? This was something he had never expected.
“Hmph—of course it was my suggestion,” Gu Shaonan said. He glanced over at Lin Sui, who stood there looking equally confused. He didn’t have time to wonder if this whole mess was somehow her doing. Instead, he quickly pulled Chen Bin aside and snapped, “Apologize to the leaders right now!”
Regret washed over Chen Bin. Faced with so many senior staff, his arrogance crumbled. “I… I’m sorry! I was talking nonsense. I won’t say anything like that again!”
Factory Manager Yang, out of respect for Gu Shaonan, waved his hand dismissively. “Come now—young people make mistakes. Let it go. Everyone, stop gathering around and get back to work.”
He then turned to Luo Feifei with a smile. “Congratulations—you’ve earned the approval of our management. Do well from here on.”
Luo Feifei was overjoyed. She jumped up and down in excitement, almost rushing over to hug Factory Manager Yang.
“Thank you so much, Manager Yang! And thank you both, Directors! From today onward, you are my mentors, and I’ll be your most loyal steed—I’ll give my all and serve this factory until my last breath! As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together!”
Having spent so much time around Lin Sui, Luo Feifei had picked up her easy, talkative manner and could spout these words without hesitation.
Manager Yang laughed. “Great—this factory could use someone who lifts the mood. I heard you also sing quite well. Perfect! When we hold cultural events later, we won’t have to worry about finding performers.”
Lin Sui had actually told Luo Feifei to mention that. In truth, Luo Feifei had sung loudly during school flag-raising ceremonies and was once chosen as the lead singer—but she only really knew that one song. Still, with more practice later, she could learn more. She quickly calmed herself and stopped bouncing around.
“I’ll report for duty next Monday on time! Thank you again—goodbye!”
Once outside the factory gate, Luo Feifei grabbed Lin Sui’s arm. “Let’s go celebrate! Tonight, my boyfriend will treat us to dinner—how about the restaurant at Guanghui Hotel? Their seafood is absolutely fresh!”
Lin Sui was about to tease her for not being able to hide her excitement when she spotted Chen Qinghe walking over.
Chen Qinghe had come to wait for his brother’s good news. Seeing Lin Sui there, that familiar feeling of discomfort rose again. Why is she everywhere? Is she here to pester Gu Shaonan?
Just then, Gu Shaonan and Chen Bin walked out. With a soft, slightly coquettish tone, Chen Qinghe called out, “Shaonan—what took you so long? Did A Bin talk with the manager long enough to secure the job?”
The surrounding chatter died down.
Gu Shaonan looked toward Lin Sui, and doubts began to resurface in his mind.
Seeing his expression, Chen Qinghe felt a sudden sense of unease. When she turned and saw Chen Bin storming out with a flushed face, her smile froze. “What happened? No leaders are around now—you can speak freely.”
Throwing all caution aside, Chen Bin pointed straight at Luo Feifei. “She stole my position! Just because she’s prettier—all bosses are the same! That Manager Yang must be a lecher. For all we know, she’s his mistress!”
His voice wasn’t loud, but both Lin Sui and Luo Feifei heard every word clearly.
Luo Feifei’s eyes widened in shock. “What did you just say? That’s utter nonsense!”
Gu Shaonan also raised his voice sharply. “Haven’t you learned your lesson yet?”
He glanced at Luo Feifei and added, “I’ll talk to him properly later. Even though she and Lin Sui will never become husband and wife in this life, I still don’t want things turning openly hostile between us.”
Chen Qinghe’s heart tightened. Shaonan is taking their side instead of his own brother? Not knowing the full story, she chose not to argue openly—deciding to settle matters later in private.
Lin Sui stepped forward, blocking Luo Feifei. “What apology do you want?”
Chen Bin glared. “I want you to make her apologize to me!”
Lin Sui’s gaze turned cold, and a faint, mocking smile touched her lips.
Gu Shaonan was taken aback. This was exactly how Lin Sui had always been: no matter right or wrong, she would always stand firmly behind the people she cared about. Only now, she was standing on the opposite side from him.
Before he could sort out his own tangled feelings, his voice grew stern. “Are you claiming the manager acted improperly? Everyone knows exactly what your brother’s qualifications are.”
Lin Sui’s eyes narrowed sharply. “Oh? And how exactly do you know what my friend’s capabilities are?”
Chen Qinghe, confused by the exchange, turned to look at Gu Shaonan.
Realizing he had spoken too harshly, Gu Shaonan softened his tone. “Let’s all take a step back today. Let this matter rest.”
Lin Sui stared right into his eyes. Hearing him say such words, she felt nothing but scorn.
She remembered their first meeting in his past life: she had stepped in when she saw him being bullied, called the police to help him out, and even went personally to demand an apology from those who had threatened him.
Another time, when they had just opened their first small factory and rivals came to cause trouble, she had grabbed a steel pipe and rushed forward—injuring three of the attackers’ ribs to protect him.
As the years went by and they settled into married life, he had slowly forgotten all of this. He forgot how fiercely she protected her people, and how she never let an insult go unanswered.
Now, when her friend had been publicly slandered, he expected her to simply let it go.
Lin Sui continued to look at him—her eyes turning red, yet growing colder with every second.
Gu Shaonan fell silent, mouth half open, but she no longer even glanced his way.
At that exact moment, it felt as though something sharp pricked right through his heart.
Seeing him frozen in place, Chen Qinghe felt increasingly frustrated. “There must be some kind of misunderstanding here. A Bin can be proud, but he would never falsely accuse someone.”
“Right—at first, Gu Shaonan seemed confident he’d get the job. Now it’s gone—maybe this woman really used underhanded tricks?”
“Misunderstanding?” Lin Sui laughed coldly. “Are you all hard of hearing? Did you not listen to what he just said? Is that even language fit for a human being?”
Chen Qinghe fell silent, her face flushed. She looked from Lin Sui’s bright yet sharp, challenging expression to Gu Shaonan’s eyes—where she saw emotions she could not understand—and felt her unease grow deeper by the second.