The next morning, Gu Zhiyuan had already returned from his morning run, bringing back some smooth tofu pudding, fried dough sticks, and steamed buns.
While eating breakfast, Xu Ningyan reminded Gu Zhiyuan that there were leftover braised dishes from yesterday. He could heat them up and use them to mix with rice or noodles, so that he could take care of himself for lunch.
Gu Zhiyuan nodded, indicating that Xu Ningyan should finish her breakfast and go to work.
Once everyone in the neighborhood went to work or school, the alleyway suddenly became quiet.
After tidying up the house and yard, Gu Zhiyuan rode his bicycle and quickly disappeared at the end of the road.
When Xu Ningyan arrived at the department store, before she could even sit down, Lin Hong barged in, grinned at Sister Yang, and dragged Xu Ningyan outside.
Once they reached a secluded corner, Lin Hong asked anxiously, "I only found out yesterday when I got home from get off work that your boyfriend was suspended for alleged plagiarism? Is it true?"
Xu Ningyan nodded.
Lin Hong stamped her foot: "I knew it! This morning, Lu Kai's mother was showing off in our compound, saying that Gu Zhiyuan was just all show and no substance, that he seemed capable before but it was just a fluke, all talk and no action! Or that someone was working for him behind the scenes! It was practically saying outright that my dad was working for your boyfriend!"
"They also said that once the task from the provincial heavy industry came down, those who were supposed to be honest showed their true colors! They said that Gu Zhiyuan had no ability at all, his intentions were wrong, he didn't know how to do it himself, and he even copied her son's work! They said that her son had been wronged by the boss before, and everyone talked about him behind his back! Now he can finally clear his name!"
"In this machinery factory, besides his son, where else among the younger generation has this ability? If the factory leaders don't value someone as talented as his son, then they're being selfish and retaliating!"
"A lot of people have been fooled by Lu Kai's mother. They really think your boyfriend plagiarized Lu Kai! They used to praise your boyfriend with smiles, but now they turn on you faster than flipping through a book! They just agree with Lu Kai's mother behind your back, saying that Gu Zhiyuan is a bad person by nature, a black element, and that someone must have pulled strings behind his back to get him into the machinery factory! He's undermining socialism!"
"I asked my dad to speak up for your boyfriend, but he said there's no rush! The truth will out, and the lie will become the truth! Even if you can hide it for a while, you can't hide it forever! He even told me not to get involved! It makes me so angry! How can I not get involved? You're my best friend, and your boyfriend is my brother, no, he's my older brother. How can I not be worried?"
...
Lin Hong launched into a tirade, and Xu Ningyan almost burst out laughing at Lin Hong's slip of the tongue. However, seeing Lin Hong's anxious expression, he quickly coughed lightly, covered his mouth, and nodded.
Lin Hong saw that Xu Ningyan only nodded and didn't say anything.
She immediately panicked: "Why aren't you worried at all? The whole factory is talking about it! If the Lu family really succeeds, your boyfriend will be stigmatized for plagiarism for the rest of his life! He might even lose his job! Don't you realize how serious this is? You should know that Lu Kai's father is a notorious smiling tiger in our factory! He probably already holds a grudge against you because of what happened with Lu Kai's wife!"
"Now that you've finally found this method, you've probably already figured out how to kill you all! Aren't you going to pay attention? You're driving me crazy!"
Xu Ningyan, both amused and exasperated, grabbed Lin Hong and said, "You know the Lu family is not easy to deal with. They dared to pin this mess on my boyfriend, so they must have been prepared! Now we can only take it one step at a time!"
"But thank you anyway, thank you for believing in my brother Gu! Now we just have to wait and see what the factory leaders' investigation results are!"
Xu Ningyan didn't know what Gu Zhiyuan was planning, so she could only try to appease Lin Hong first.
Lin Hong thought for a moment, then sighed, "You're right! The Lu family dared to say that, they must have made thorough preparations! So what can we do? Just wait to die?"
Xu Ningyan sighed, "Let's see what the factory's investigation results are first! Okay, I understand. Don't worry about it anymore. Go back to work now, and don't let your boss see you!"
Lin Hong had no choice but to stomp her foot and say, "Fine, I'll go back now!"
He muttered to himself as he walked, "None of you are in a hurry. My dad isn't in a hurry, none of you are in a hurry, only I, the eunuch, am anxious—"
Xu Ningyan couldn't help but feel a stirring in her heart, and an idea formed in her mind.
If that's true, no wonder Gu Zhiyuan and Lin's father aren't worried!
Since they're not in a hurry, I don't need to be either.
As usual, she slowly strolled back to her office and noticed that Sister Yang would stare at her every now and then throughout the morning.
When Xu Ningyan looked over, Sister Yang avoided her gaze again.
Xu Ningyan simply stopped caring and took out a book to read.
At lunchtime, Xu Ningyan still got her food from the cafeteria. After eating, she went back to her office. She would handle things when she had something to do, and read books when she didn't. She was more composed than anyone else.
As it was nearing the end of the workday, Sister Yang, seeing that the office was empty, finally couldn't help but sigh and say with a smile, "You young people these days are really something! Each one of you is so composed!"
Seeing Xu Ningyan look up, Sister Yang leaned closer: "The news about your boyfriend has reached the county! The county is taking it very seriously and says they will investigate it thoroughly! They absolutely will not allow such a thing to happen! They say the county received a notice that experts from the provincial heavy industry will come to the county to follow up on the plagiarism!"
"I heard that the experts will be coming to the county in a couple of days!"
Xu Ningyan glanced at Sister Yang with a complicated expression. This was a tip-off to her and Gu Zhiyuan, probably because she knew about Lu Kai's abilities in the factory and had pointed them in another direction.
"Thank you, Sister Yang!" Xu Ningyan expressed her gratitude sincerely.
Sister Yang waved her hand, "Why thank me? I just chatted with you for a bit! Alright, I'm off work now—"
He waved and went out first.
Not long after Sister Yang left, Li Jianguo came in. Seeing Xu Ningyan sitting alone, lost in thought, he said with a stern face, "I know everything about Xiao Gu! I believe Xiao Gu isn't that kind of person! If you really can't explain it, don't be afraid. You're in the supply and marketing system; as long as you haven't made any mistakes, no one can touch you!"
Upon closer inspection, Xu Ningyan immediately realized that the Lu family was likely putting pressure on the department store as well.
It seems Li Jianguo withstood the pressure. "Uncle Jianguo, I'm sorry to have put you in such a difficult position—"
Li Jianguo scoffed, "No matter how far the Lu family's reach is, they can't extend it to our department store! Don't worry! Tell Xiao Gu not to rush things; the more anxious he is, the more likely he is to make a mistake and give others something to hold against him!"
"Alright, you should go home early too!"
After saying that, he patted Xu Ningyan on the shoulder and walked away.
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