Lu Kai considered the matter carefully, but in the end, the thought of protecting Xu Zhenzhu prevailed.
He swallowed his pride and said, "Even if my husband, Xu Zhenzhu, was in the wrong, I'll apologize to you on his behalf, and to Comrade Xu, okay? We're all colleagues, we see each other all the time, there's really no need to make things unpleasant over such a small matter—"
Gu Zhiyuan sneered: "You call this a small matter? If someone outside said that your lover was kidnapped, abused, and could only lie in bed half-dead, and your reputation was ruined, would you still think it's a small matter?"
Lu Kai was speechless.
Those nearby couldn't stand it anymore: "Exactly! This rumor is going too far! Young Gu's girlfriend is so young, and she's already being labeled like this. How is she supposed to live? How is she supposed to face anyone?"
"It's so easy to say something like 'opening and closing your mouth and lips,' but it can ruin someone's reputation. And you call that a small matter? It could even lead to someone's death!"
...
Even if some people wanted to smooth things over for Lu Kai, they couldn't say anything after hearing what he said.
Lu Kai was filled with shame and indignation after being criticized by everyone. He ground his back teeth until they were broken, and his eyes were red with anger before he managed to say, "Then what do you want?"
Gu Zhiyuan said, word by word, "Make your spouse and you apologize to my partner in front of the entire factory and the supply and marketing system, and prove my partner's innocence! Write a thousand-word self-criticism and post it on the bulletin boards of the factory and the department store for a month!"
"No way! This is a rumor spread by Xu Zhenzhu. She can just apologize to Comrade Xu! If she has to apologize to you in front of the entire factory and all the employees of the supply and marketing system, how will she work or live in the future? Don't push your luck!" Lu Kai firmly rejected the idea!
Not to mention the written apology! If it's posted for a month, the whole county will probably know! The Lu family will lose all face! Absolutely not!
Gu Zhiyuan didn't insist: "Alright, I'll go to the factory to find the leaders right now, and then I'll go to the department store to report it! I'll also go to the Public Security Bureau and the Revolutionary Committee. I want to ask them why the case was leaked?"
After saying that, he turned to leave.
Before he could take two steps, Lu Kai became anxious, "Don't go! We can talk this over!"
Gu Zhiyuan stopped in his tracks.
"How about just a small apology? Then we don't need to write a written apology, right? We know Comrade Xu was wronged, so can't we make it up to her?" Lu Kai had no choice but to lower his proud head and speak with a hint of pleading.
Gu Zhiyuan sneered: "My partner and I both have jobs and salaries! We live with integrity, earn and spend money honestly, and we will not accept compensation for insulting our character!"
Lu Kai was about to say something when Gu Zhiyuan looked at him with an indescribable sympathy, pity, and a hint of disdain in his eyes: "Engineer Lu, do not do to others what you would not have them do to you. Do I need to tell you the principle of 'Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you'?"
Lu Kai lowered his head dejectedly, and after a long while, he managed to squeeze out a sentence through gritted teeth: "I agree to your request! But give me some time!"
Gu Zhiyuan smiled slightly: "Two days! I'll only give you two days at most! Otherwise, once your wife spreads the rumors wider and wider, it won't just be a matter of making apologies and explanations within the machinery factory and the supply and marketing system! It might mean making apologies for the entire county!"
Lu Kai's original intention to delay for two more days was immediately abandoned!
He nodded: "Two days it is!"
After saying that, he lost all interest in going to work, pushed through the crowd, and left in a hurry.
The remaining people looked at each other, their faces showing embarrassment and awkwardness.
"Well, Mr. Gu, we only asked a few more questions because we believed the rumors! We never imagined that Mr. Lu's wife would spread rumors! We're really sorry, we'll be going now—"
After saying that, they pushed each other and ran away.
Only those in the office couldn't leave. They reluctantly stayed a little longer before making excuses to slip out as well.
Before long, at least a third of the people in the machinery factory knew that Lu Kai's wife had spread rumors about Gu Zhiyuan's wife in the factory, and that Gu Zhiyuan had exposed her, so she had to make a public apology to the entire factory.
After everyone had mostly left, Lin Feng approached, looking somewhat worried: "Boss, you've really embarrassed Lu Kai like this. I'm afraid if you beat up the younger one, the older one will come after you!"
He tilted his head slightly towards the leader's office building.
Gu Zhiyuan sat down, drawing as he casually replied, "Then we'll wait and see!"
The office building for the leaders of the machinery factory.
Most of those in the know already know, but the top few haven't spoken yet; everyone remains silent.
Mr. Lu went to a meeting at the county government today on behalf of the machinery factory.
When I returned and entered the factory, I sensed that something was wrong.
The factory workers, in particular, were giving him strange looks and whispering amongst themselves from a distance.
He immediately realized what was going on and instructed his secretary to find out what was happening.
He went upstairs while pondering the situation.
He encountered several colleagues and subordinates who all gave him an awkward smile, said hello, and then made a clumsy excuse to leave.
Mr. Lu had a bad feeling.
Upon reaching the top of the stairs, they were met by factory manager Wu Jie.
Lu's father noticed that Wu Jie's usually insincere smile had actually shown a hint of sympathy on his face today.
Before he could figure out what was going on, Wu Jie stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said earnestly, "Old Lu, don't get angry. Young man, you may have misunderstood something and made a mistake. As long as you realize your mistake, admit it, and correct it, you're still a good comrade! Don't get angry with the kids when you get back. Talk to them properly. I believe in your abilities, Old Lu. You can definitely educate them well!"
"They say like father, like son! Little Lu, you're just like me! You're bold and responsible, that's what makes you a good comrade, isn't it? I think we should leave this matter to you! Let's hold a staff meeting in the next couple of days!"
Although Mr. Lu did not understand what had happened, he could hear the sarcasm in Wu Jie's seemingly kind words.
Especially when his son Lu Kai was mentioned, he immediately realized that something was wrong with Lu Kai.
Despite her inner turmoil, she maintained a calm smile: "Holding a staff meeting? Don't we only hold one every six months? Is there something important to announce this time?"
Wu Jie seemed about to say something, but then shook his head and sighed, "Old Lu, you really need to be more careful when it comes to disciplining your child—"
He then went straight downstairs.
Having used all the composure and shrewdness he had cultivated over the decades, Mr. Lu entered his office as if nothing had happened.
He finally broke down when his secretary rushed upstairs, looked panicked, leaned close to his ear, and whispered a few words.
"Crash—" All the teacups and documents on the table were overturned and fell to the ground.
Mr. Lu, panting heavily, slumped into a chair, speechless for a long time.
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