"Hey, isn't that Section Chief Xu, Director Zhou's son-in-law? He's from the factory's security department, right? Why isn't he at work at the factory at this hour? Why is he here instead?"
"Oh dear, you didn't know? He was forced to take a break by the factory manager. On the surface, it was said that he made a mistake at work and was made to reflect on it at home."
Oh, actually, Yali brought the child home the day before yesterday. I saw her when I was hanging up the laundry this morning; Yali had her face covered with a scarf, and there was a huge handprint on her face!
Two women who were hanging clothes out to dry and chatting at the door immediately began to whisper among themselves.
"Really? You must be kidding me. This Section Chief Xu looks so amiable, how could he hit a woman?"
Besides, wasn't the rule about covering your face with a scarf? How could you possibly see a handprint through someone's scarf?
"Oh my, you didn't see it, the handprint was huge, the scarf couldn't even cover it. I greeted Yali, but she ignored me and ran off with the child!"
"Tsk tsk, I never would have guessed. This Section Chief Xu looks tall and strong, and he always seems to be at the beck and call of the Zhou family, but he's actually quite audacious behind the scenes, even hitting people!"
The two men's voices reached Xu Zhiqiang's ears. He couldn't even show his anger, because he knew the men talking; their sons were both key employees at the steel plant.
So Xu Zhiqiang could only pretend he hadn't heard and force a smile to greet him.
"Auntie, I'm busy!"
"Hey... it's Xiao Xu. With all these bags and packages, are you going to your father-in-law's house?"
Xu Zhiqiang nodded, feeling his embarrassment was undeniable under the watchful eyes of the two gossipy middle-aged women.
"Auntie, I have to go now. You two continue chatting!"
After saying that, he pushed his bicycle forward quickly as if he were fleeing. The two women looked at each other, their eyes full of gossip.
Tsk tsk, see that Wuliangye liquor? You can tell at a glance that he's trying to curry favor with his father-in-law.
Oh dear, this Xu guy is quite the opportunist; he doesn't seem like a good person at all. Zhou Yali had so many suitors back then, how could she have been so foolish as to choose a poor man like him?
Tsk, looks like the Zhou family is in for a good show!
The two women showed no sympathy for the Zhou family whatsoever; they were only interested in watching the spectacle.
Zhou Jianqun has been lording it over people for too long. If he could be removed from his position, his son might be able to get promoted.
Moreover, their family is usually domineering, and many people in the residential compound have long disliked them, but since their family members work at the steel factory, they can't afford to offend them.
Now that there's something to watch, everyone's hoping for a bigger commotion, to see how Zhou Jianqun will face the consequences.
When Xu Zhiqiang arrived at the Zhou family home, Zhou Yali was playing with her child in the living room, while her mother, Wang Ying, sat on the sofa knitting and occasionally muttering to herself.
"Yali, it's been two days already, why hasn't Xiao Xu come to pick you and your daughter up yet?"
I told you not to sell your job, but you wouldn't listen. A woman needs a job, otherwise, how can a man possibly look at her?
Wang Ying couldn't help but feel sad when she talked about this. She had retired early because her eldest son was getting married, leaving the garment factory job to her daughter.
As a result, the daughter hadn't worked there for more than a few years when she got married and became pregnant. Without discussing it with her family, she turned around and sold her job.
Because of this, her son and daughter-in-law made a fuss for a long time, complaining that Zhou Yali sold the job without informing her family. It was an administrative position in a clothing factory, and many people wanted to get in.
At that time, Zhou Yali said that Xu Zhiqiang would support her and that she could stay at home and take care of the children with peace of mind.
If her sister-in-law wants a job in a garment factory, she can just go out and buy it herself!
These words infuriated her daughter-in-law so much that she almost fainted. If she hadn't been held back, the two women would have started fighting right then and there.
There's nothing we can do about selling the job. Since Xu Zhiqiang is considerate of his daughter's hard work, it's a good thing.
As it turned out, not long after, the daughter came home crying with a slap mark on her face and holding her child. Only she stopped him, otherwise her father would have rushed into the factory that day to teach Xu Zhiqiang a lesson.
No matter how big a mistake someone makes, you can't hit them. She wouldn't even hit her own daughter. Xu Zhiqiang must have had a death wish to lay a hand on her daughter.
Zhou Yali didn't even look up when she heard this, and said calmly, "Divorce is impossible, Mother. Let's wait and see. He should come to apologize in less than two days."
She'll have to keep a close eye on Xu Zhiqiang then; if he dares to hit her, he'll have to pay the price.
Zhou Yali indeed had no intention of getting a divorce. She admitted that she was a bit impulsive in writing the whistleblower letter, but Xu Zhiqiang's attitude showed that he had indeed been interested in that woman surnamed Qin.
So what if she's attracted to him? That woman is now married to a fisherman with no formal job. Even if Xu Zhiqiang is worse off, at least he has a decent job.
Besides, she did fight back, but she was too angry at the time, so she went home and asked Zhou Jianqun to vent her anger for her.
Now that her anger has subsided, she's just waiting for Xu Zhiqiang to come and apologize.
Just as she finished speaking, there was a knock on the door. Zhou Yali's eyes lit up instantly. At this hour, it must be Xu Zhiqiang who has arrived!
"Mom, hurry and open the door!"
Zhou Yali quickly tidied her clothes and hair. Wang Ying shook her head, sighed, and stood up.
Well, what couple doesn't have conflicts? Since our daughter still wants to continue the marriage, let them be. With them watching over things, Xu Zhiqiang probably won't dare to do anything to Zhou Yali after this!
"Zhiqiang, you're here."
Wang Ying flung open the door and, seeing the deliberate smile on her mother-in-law's face, Xu Zhiqiang quickly said ingratiatingly, "Yes, Mom, I've come to pick up Yali and take her home."
"Don't just stand at the door, come in and talk!"
Wang Ying didn't say much, but when she caught a glimpse of the fine wine and cigarettes Xu Zhiqiang was carrying, her already unpleasant expression immediately softened.
The fact that she brought cigarettes and alcohol to apologize shows that she still wants to continue living with her daughter.
Xu Zhiqiang followed Wang Ying into the house, and as soon as he entered, he saw Zhou Yali sitting on the sofa holding a child.
Zhou Yali didn't give him a second glance, pretending to be adjusting the child's bib.
In reality, she smiled slightly, quite satisfied with Xu Zhiqiang's act of yielding to her.
She didn't speak, but Wang Ying couldn't help but speak.
"Zhiqiang, I'm not trying to be mean, but you really went too far in this matter."
Putting everything else aside, my daughter has been spoiled by her father and me since she was little. She's over 20 years old now, and we've never laid a hand on her.
She's only been married to you for a short time, and she's already crying home with a slap mark on her face.
Do you know how angry her dad was back then? Sending you home to reflect on your actions was the least he could do. If I hadn't stopped him, not only would he have suspended your job, but he would have also taken your life!
"Yali is our beloved daughter. Even if she's done something wrong, you could talk to her nicely. How could you hit her?"
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