Chapter 73 Conspiracy and Calculation

The afternoon sun shone obliquely on the mottled brick walls of the textile factory, and Jiang Haitang tried hard to make her voice sound steady.

"Director Zhou, regarding those rumors, I can show you my employment files and records..."

"Stop pretending here!"

Zhou Zhiyuan sneered.

"Why is a divorced country woman getting an 18th-grade salary? I think you've just climbed up the social ladder!"

The jealousy in his eyes almost overflowed - he was the head of the R&D department.

The factory actually gave Jiang Haitang such high treatment. Isn't this a slap in his face?

Moreover, when this woman arrived at the R&D department, she was actually able to come up with precise data and innovative ideas.

This made him both jealous and frightened.

Jiang Haitang clenched the corner of her clothes, her nails almost digging into her palms.

"My salary is determined through consultation with the leaders and is verifiable. If you have any objections, feel free to check!"

She suddenly realized that Zhou Zhiyuan had no intention of listening to any explanation.

Perhaps this person has had deep-rooted prejudices since the day she started working, and is now simply venting her resentment through rumors.

"Hmph, don't think you can walk around the factory with impunity just because you have someone to back you up!"

Zhou Zhiyuan approached with a sneer, and the strong smell of cigarettes and sweat on his body hit his face.

"I want to see how long this painted skin of yours can last!"

Jiang Haitang took a step back suddenly, anger burning in her eyes.

"Director Zhou, please respect yourself! I, Jiang Haitang, am a man of integrity and have nothing to do with the Li family. If anyone spreads malicious rumors again, I will pursue them to the end!"

After saying that, she turned around and slammed the door, shaking off a thin layer of dust on the door frame.

Zhou Zhiyuan behind the door was so angry that his face turned purple. He kicked the door panel, but grimaced in pain.

He staggered back into his chair, his eyes falling on the half-copied document in the drawer - that was Jiang Haitang's research result, and he wanted to take it for himself.

When this data was first given to him, he just wanted to keep it in the bottom of the box and never let it see the light of day.

Later, he suddenly felt that this information could help him, so he began to copy it.

However, this material is a bit difficult to copy. He has been copying it for two days and still hasn't finished it.

Fortunately, there is only this page left. After I finish copying it, I can sign my name and go to Director Hu to ask for credit.

Haven't people always been blaming him for not producing any results in recent years?

This time, let them see that he, Zhou Zhiyuan, can also produce results.

"Just wait and see, I'll let you know what happens if you offend me!"

He muttered to himself through gritted teeth, the tip of his pen leaving a twisted trail of ink on the paper.

Since she couldn’t get leave, Jiang Haitang could only wait until the end of get off work.

As soon as it was time to get off work at noon, Jiang Haitang immediately locked the office door and hurried to find Kang Xiaoxia.

The two met halfway.

"Sister Haitang, have you heard those rumors? I've already explained everything to Aunt Zhao, so why are there still so many rumors?"

Kang Xiaoxia was so anxious that she almost cried.

The rumors are getting more and more serious, and Sister Haitang’s reputation is about to be ruined.

Jiang Haitang comforted her: "This may be premeditated. Let's go find Aunt Zhao and ask about the situation."

"good."

The two girls hurried to Aunt Zhao's house, where Aunt Zhao was cooking.

When he saw Jiang Haitang, he was so enthusiastic.

"Hey, Comrade Jiang, you're here? Director Li just came to tell us this morning that he'll come to you to propose marriage tonight."

"Aunt Zhao, I remember clearly saying I didn't agree to this marriage. I didn't even plan to meet you. Why are there so many bad news out there?"

Jiang Haitang asked seriously.

Aunt Zhao was stunned for a moment, her expression changed, and she snorted coldly.

"Comrade Jiang, this is where you're being unkind."

Jiang Haitang didn't understand why she was considered unkind.

"When I replied to the Li family, they said that you and the kid from the Li family have been together for several years. You two started dating back in the countryside, and that's why they went to great lengths to get you to work in our factory."

"You went to work, got paid, and now you turn your back on me. Isn't that unkind? Girl, you have to have a conscience. You're a country girl who got to where you are today thanks to someone's family. You can't turn your back on them."

The more Aunt Zhao looked at Jiang Haitang, the more she disliked her.

She had never seen such a shameless girl before. She was given such benefits but refused to marry him?

Isn't this a marriage fraud?

What sin did the young man commit to deserve such a thing?

"Aunt Zhao, you must have misunderstood something. Haitang doesn't know the Li family at all. Haitang got her job by herself. She took the exam with me." Kang Xiaoxia hurriedly explained.

"The Li family said it was their family that helped. They are such high-ranking leaders, how could they lie?"

After listening to Kang Xiaoxia's explanation, Aunt Zhao was suspicious, but still believed the Li family more.

"Aunt Zhao, everything I said is true. My exam papers, written in black and white, are still posted on the factory bulletin board. I used to be in the Qingshuigou Brigade. There were four educated youth in our brigade, none of whom I knew well. But I'm sure none of them had the surname Li, not even the female educated youth."

"Did the Li family recognize the wrong person?" Aunt Zhao asked suspiciously.

"Aunt Zhao, is it because the Li family heard that Haitang is promising that they spread these rumors and pressured Haitang to agree to this marriage?"

Aunt Zhao was dumbfounded. Is this really true?

Such a big leader, it shouldn’t be like that.

"Think about it, the son of the Li family came back from the countryside, and I heard he still has no job. If their family is really capable, why don't they find a job for their son first?" Jiang Haitang said again.

Of course, she was just making this up. She didn't know whether Director Li's son had a job or not, but if he hadn't been back in the city for long, he probably didn't have a job.

"real?"

"You'll know if you ask around, ma'am. I just want to know who told you to spread this information."

"Comrade Jiang, those rumors outside have nothing to do with me. I have many faults, but they are limited in severity. I wouldn't say such things to ruin someone's reputation."

Aunt Zhao now realized that she might have gotten into trouble, and she hurried to explain.

Jiang Haitang frowned. What Aunt Zhao said didn't sound like a lie, but if the news didn't come from Aunt Zhao, then where did the rumor come from?

That afternoon, rumors about Jiang Haitang had spread throughout the factory. Whenever Jiang Haitang walked on the street, people would point and talk about her.

"Haitang, don't worry. The factory is already investigating this matter." Liu Hongmei found Jiang Haitang and comforted her.

"Sister Hongmei, I'm fine. I just feel that this matter is definitely not as simple as it seems."

If the Li family intended to use rumors to force me to marry him, it didn't seem right.

After all, Zhou Zhiyuan was right in saying that the street director’s power does not allow him to do whatever he wants in the factory.

The textile factory is a provincial enterprise and its status is obvious.

The Li family couldn't let the rumors spread so quickly in the factory.

This matter must be related to the people in the factory.

Then the only possibilities are Li Shengli and the Liang family. Apart from them, she has no enemies in the factory.

"Director Liu, I need your help." Jiang Haitang felt that if she didn't speak up, the rumors would only spread faster and faster.

"What are you going to do?"

Jiang Haitang told her plan.

"Isn't this a bad idea? Haitang, will it backfire?"