After leaving the Ministry of Metallurgy, Sun Zhengguo looked back one last time before resolutely driving home.
As for retaliating against Section Chief Huang?
Sun Zhengguo did consider it, but ultimately gave up.
That kind of scum should be left to Vice Minister Bai to deal with personally when he returns. I'm sure he'll learn a lesson he'll never forget, so I won't have to dirty my hands.
Back home, Sun Zhengguo didn't go anywhere. He took out the blueprints for the steel rolling mill modification from his spatial storage and studied them, hoping to thoroughly understand them before Vice Minister Bai returned.
Because he believed that as long as Vice Minister Bai returned, he would definitely give him an explanation.
When he returns to the Ministry of Metallurgy, he can immediately begin modifying the rolling mill.
Before he knew it, it was evening, and Sun Zhengguo had prepared dinner, waiting for his family to return.
At this time, Sun Zhengguo was unaware that a rumor about him had already spread in the neighborhood.
However, yesterday's incident was so sensational that no one dared to spread it outside; they just treated it as a joke.
A little while later, Ning Xiaowei got off work and went home. She saw the strange look in her neighbor's eyes, but she didn't take it seriously, assuming it was still because of what happened last night.
When Lin Wencui got off work and returned home, she was pulled aside by Aunt Chen from the backyard as soon as she entered the yard.
The two whispered for a few minutes before Lin Wencui hurriedly returned home.
As soon as she got home, Lin Wencui didn't even have time to eat; she quickly grabbed her son and asked him questions.
"Zhengguo, what mistake did you make? Why were you fired from your job?"
"Mom, where did you hear this rumor? I didn't do anything wrong, I just resigned."
Why?!
At this moment, even Ning Xiaowei lost her composure and hurriedly asked.
"Mom, wife, please sit down. I'd like to explain the situation to you. I'm only temporarily leaving my job, so don't panic."
Sun Zhengguo gave the two of them a reassuring look, and after they were seated, he began to talk about what had happened during the day.
After hearing Sun Zhengguo's story, both the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law were furious.
Lin Wencui was so angry that she immediately started cursing: "I don't know how such scum managed to get into the ranks of cadres?"
Ning Xiaowei said angrily, "Zhengguo, are you really willing to leave like this?"
"You don't need to worry. As soon as Vice Minister Bai returns, people will come to me for help. You know, I have the blueprints for the steel rolling mill modification. They are the ones who should be worried."
After Sun Zhengguo's analysis, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law agreed that it made sense, so they simply ignored it and started eating as a family.
That evening, after a brief fight, Sun Zhengguo, having released his pent-up anger, embraced his wife contentedly, and the two whispered sweet nothings to each other.
"Zhengguo, are you so sure that Vice Minister Bai will deal with that scoundrel Section Chief Huang once he gets back?"
Ning Xiaowei asked as she drew small circles.
"Wife, do you know who spread this rumor today?" Sun Zhengguo didn't answer the question, but asked in return.
"Don't know? Do you know?" Ning Xiaowei answered truthfully.
Sun Zhengguo didn't keep them in suspense and spoke directly.
"Who else could know about my resignation besides Section Chief Huang? I'm sure he's the one who spread the news."
"But why is he doing this?" Ning Xiaowei asked, puzzled.
"That means he's scared! He wants to strike first and shift the blame onto me so that when Vice Minister Bai comes back, he'll have something to say."
"I understand. This means that Section Chief Huang himself guessed that Vice Minister Bai would definitely deal with him when he returned, so he spared no effort to smear you. Am I right?"
"My wife is so smart, go to sleep."
Nothing was said that night.
The next morning, while his family went to work, Sun Zhengguo remained in his room studying blueprints until his brain started to throb. Only then did he put the blueprints away and prepare to go out for a walk, as he knew that work and rest were essential.
Since the middle-aged women were arrested, there haven't been many people chatting at the door. Aunt Yi, Aunt Er, Aunt San, and a few young wives are chatting at the door right now.
When they saw Sun Zhengguo walking over, the group couldn't help but exchange glances.
"Oh! All the aunties are here!"
Sun Zhengguo didn't stand on ceremony. He greeted people at the door, found an empty stool, and sat down.
"Hey! Zhengguo, why aren't you at work today?"
Despite hearing the rumors circulating outside, the third aunt still found it hard to believe. How could someone be fired from a perfectly good job just like that? That's why she asked that question.
"Auntie, I've already quit my job and don't have to work anymore, so I'm very free now."
"What? Are all those rumors outside true? That you were disobeyed and have been fired?"
The three women weren't afraid of offending anyone, since they hadn't spread any rumors themselves and had only heard it from others, which was why they dared to ask so boldly.
"Heh! Auntie, do you really believe that?"
The three women shook their heads, indicating their disbelief.
"Let me tell you, these are indeed rumors. It is true that I resigned, but it was a voluntary resignation, not a dismissal as rumored. There is a big difference between the two, so you can't spread rumors."
Although the accounts differed, everyone present was shocked. What kind of family was this? They were only making eighty or ninety yuan a month, and they just quit like that.
If you don't want to do it, it would be great if you gave this spot to our family!
However, Sun Zhengguo's resignation was his own business, and the women didn't ask why.
Sun Zhengguo was happy to have some free time, so he chatted with the others.
Only after Sun Zhengguo left did the second aunt ask with ill intent.
"Is what the eldest son of the Sun family said just now true? It doesn't seem very realistic to me."
"Second Aunt, don't pry into these things. Have you forgotten what happened the night before last? My husband said that the people from the neighborhood committee were just helpers hired by the Sun family. Be careful what you say."
The third aunt's words startled the second aunt, who immediately covered her mouth and dared not ask another question.
However, the chat today wasn't entirely fruitless. At least the eldest son of the Sun family admitted that he had indeed resigned. Surely this couldn't just be another rumor, right?
As evening fell and the workers in the compound went home, news of Sun Zhengguo's resignation quickly spread throughout the compound. After all, this time he had personally admitted it, so no one was afraid it was just a rumor.
Those who were once jealous are now indulging in self-pity again, but fearing they might follow in Jia Zhangshi's footsteps, they only dare to make sarcastic remarks at home and not spread rumors outside.
"You silly child, why do you tell everyone everything? Who knows what these people in the neighborhood are saying about you!"
Lin Wencui, who had returned home, must have heard the news and was probably blaming Sun Zhengguo.
"Mom, I've already quit my job and I'm home every day. They're not blind, how could they not see? It's okay to tell them so they won't spread rumors outside."
"Why!"
Lin Wencui sighed, then thought of things at the factory.
"Son, Director Yang came to ask me again today, and I don't know how to answer him."
"Just tell the truth! It's not like it's anything shameful. Director Yang should be able to understand."
"Alright! Next time Director Yang asks, I'll tell you the truth: such an excellent technician would rather be assigned to Hongqi Steel Plant than go to our steel rolling mill. Let Director Yang find a solution from Vice Minister Bai himself."
"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!"
Sun Zhengguo couldn't help but give his mother a thumbs up!
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