After Yi Zhonghai and Qin Huairu returned, they were not satisfied and spread rumors in private that Ma Hua was a treacherous and ungrateful person. The rumors gradually spread throughout the steel mill.

Ma Hua, who was in the kitchen of the steel rolling mill, was sitting comfortably in a chair, drinking tea. Actually, the work in the kitchen was not too busy. As long as there were no guests in the evening, after lunch and cleaning up, a group of people would chat and play cards to pass the time.

Suddenly, Liu Lan stormed into the kitchen and saw Ma Hua still leisurely drinking tea in a chair. She immediately walked up to him and scolded him, "Ma Hua, you still have the heart to drink tea!"

Ma Hua looked at Liu Lan with some surprise. "Sister Lan, why shouldn't I have tea at this hour? The director said there's no overtime tonight, so there's no entertainment."

"Do you know what people outside are saying about you? They say you're a traitor, a born bad seed, and you even steal from the cafeteria," Liu Lan said, sounding exasperated. Then, after a moment's thought, she added, "It must be Qin Huairu and her gang. I bet they came to our cafeteria at lunchtime and got what they deserved. Those lowlifes, they're infuriating!"

After Liu Lan finished speaking angrily, she turned to look at Ma Hua, who was still tasting his tea as if nothing had happened. She immediately lost her temper, snatched Ma Hua's teacup, and slammed it heavily on the table with a loud bang, startling the people in the kitchen.

"It's alright, Sister Lan, don't worry, this is all expected," Ma Hua said without showing it on her face, but she felt warm inside. Liu Lan is a good person. She had actually heard these rumors from several older women earlier, but only Liu Lan came over to tell her.

Liu Lan, annoyed, glared at Ma Hua and, unable to contain her anger, smacked him on the head. "I know you're still here drinking tea. Do you know that Qin Huairu and the others are ruining your reputation? You silly boy!"

"Sister Lan, have you ever heard the saying, 'Let the bullets fly for a while'? Don't rush," Ma Hua said, rubbing the spot where Liu Lan had tapped him.

Seeing Ma Hua's expression, Liu Lan was speechless and said with exasperation, "You still want to be young? Don't you know that rumors can ruin a person? Sigh..."

Seeing that Ma Hua remained unmoved, Liu Lan was anxious and helpless. Suddenly, she noticed the fat man smirking to the side and immediately scolded him, "Fatty, what are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen anything like this before? Get back to work!"

The fat man, who had been eavesdropping, instantly turned pale, a flash of viciousness crossing his eyes. He then said obsequiously, "Yes, yes, right away, right away," but in his heart, he hated Liu Lan to death. Just wait, when my master returns, I'll tell on you and get my revenge!

Just as the group was chatting, Director Wang suddenly walked up to Ma Hua and said, "I'll ask you one more time, are you sure you want to do this?"

Director Wang saw Ma Hua nod, sighed, and turned to leave. Liu Lan, who was standing to the side, was a little confused. What was going on? She couldn't understand their conversation.

Liu Lan pretended to look fierce and stared at Ma Hua. Ma Hua felt a little embarrassed by Liu Lan's gaze and hurriedly touched his face, saying, "What's wrong, Sister Lan? Is there something on my face? Sigh, I wake up every morning thinking I'm handsome. Sister Lan, I know I'm handsome, but you shouldn't look at me like that. It makes me feel embarrassed."

"Pah!" Liu Lan spat at Ma Hua and turned to leave. To be honest, Ma Hua was just average-looking, with a thin and weak body. Unlike Sha Zhu, who looked particularly old, but had broad shoulders and was very strong, he was clearly a heavy-duty sucker.

Time passed quickly. As usual, Ma Hua finished his work and headed home. But on his way out of the steel rolling mill, he noticed many people pointing and whispering about him. Ma Hua shook his head. "Don't worry," he thought, "just wait and see. The truth will come out tomorrow."

When Ma Hua arrived home, he saw that his mother had already prepared the meal: "Xiao Hua is back? Go wash your hands quickly, dinner is ready."

"Okay," Ma Hua obediently replied upon hearing his mother's words. When Ma Hua returned after washing his hands, the whole family was already seated at the dining table, waiting for him.

Seeing Ma Hua's hesitant expression, Chen Hongmei knew he had something to say, but she still tapped the table and said, "Hurry up and eat."

Seeing this, Ma Hua could only keep what he wanted to say to himself. Just as Ma Hua returned to the house with his thoughts in mind, he saw his mother push open the door and leave.

Chen Hongyan looked at Ma Hua, who seemed a little unhappy and throwing a tantrum, and asked, "Xiao Hua, are you still complaining that I wouldn't let you say it during dinner?"

"Ah," Ma Hua exclaimed in surprise, scratching his head somewhat embarrassedly. "Mom, you knew all along!"

"Silly child, I've watched you grow up since you were a child. Do you think I don't know your two boys?" The mother smiled, looking at her embarrassed son.

"Is it true that Qin Huairu and her gang are causing you trouble again, spreading rumors in the factory?" the mother said slowly.

Ma Hua nodded excitedly: "Yes, Mom, I did as you said and gave that article to the director. We're just waiting for the newspaper to publish it and then hold a big meeting to criticize it." His mother was truly amazing; how could she have foreseen so much?

Unexpectedly, Chen Hongmei's expression changed, and she said sternly, "Xiaohua, Mom has something else to tell you. Remember, don't hold back. Remember, if you've offended someone, you have to finish them off. Don't hold back, understand?"