Chapter 67
Xia Qingtang was preparing to run away, but suddenly she was innocently shot and was unexpectedly named by the drunk Zhao Zhiqiang, and even the true situation of her husband's family was revealed.
She sat there as calmly as possible and looked at everyone present, but the reactions of the people around her varied.
The co-workers at the same table were completely unaware. They just went to work and came home on weekdays, and few of them listened to the news or read newspapers every day. So they were either very unfamiliar or relatively unfamiliar with the name Xie Qiming. They had no idea who this person was, and why there was any need for him to be mentioned like this.
The young worker on Xia Qingtang's right asked, "Who is Xie Qiming?"
The relatives didn't know who Xie Qiming was. Xia Daguang and his wife and Chen Hongxing all looked confused. Some of them might have heard this name in the news before, but when they suddenly heard it at this time when they were full of food and drink, they had no idea who this person was.
But Director Huang's desk is completely different. As middle-level leaders in the factory, even if they don't work properly, they still have to hold meetings in the factory frequently to study some documents issued by their superiors. Therefore, everyone knows the names of the leaders in the province and the city.
But Director Huang and others still had strange expressions on their faces, and the warehouse director even had an expression of disbelief on his face.
It's no wonder that people don't believe it. That's Xie Qiming. How can a porter like Xia Daming become a relative of such a family? What a joke!
Xia Daming himself didn't know who Xie Qiming was. It was hard to see newspapers in their warehouse. After a day's work, they were so tired that they couldn't even stand up straight, let alone stand at the bulletin board to read newspapers. So he frowned and said, "Zhao Zhiqiang, what are you talking about? You two brothers have drunk too much. Go sit over there and rest for a while. Drink some vinegar to sober up. Today is Qinghai's big day. Give Qinghai some face and don't make trouble."
"What's the trouble? How did I cause trouble?" Zhao Zhiqiang waved his hand and said incoherently: "You think you are great because your son and daughter have married into a rich family, but people still look down on you, don't they? I am Qinghai's uncle! People say that the God in heaven is the God, and the mother on earth is the uncle. I am Qinghai's uncle. Even your in-laws look down on me, and you still say I am causing trouble?"
Xia Daming quickly pushed Zhao Meizhen and said, "Why are you still standing there? Don't let your brother go crazy on a day like this."
Zhao Meizhen wiped her mouth and stood up, her eyes still fixed on the dishes on the table. She was obviously reluctant to leave these sumptuous meals.
She cared about her son, but her appetite came first. If she didn't eat such delicious food quickly, who knows when she would have to wait until next time she wanted to eat it?
Of course, Wu's father and mother knew that Xia Qingtang was the daughter-in-law of the Xie family. If it weren't for this, they would not have agreed to Wu Jinfeng and Xia Qinghai's marriage so readily.
Although Wu Jinfeng already had a baby and everyone in the factory knew about it, this was happening out of town. If she really aborted the child and returned home, who would know about it?
After two years when she has recovered and everything is calm, we will find an honest local man for Wu Jinfeng. Under the supervision of the couple, everything will surely go smoothly.
Wu's father and mother had already made such a plan and wanted to take leave to take Wu Jinfeng to have an abortion.
But when he arrived at the place and met Xia Qinghai in person, he found that he was handsome, good at speaking, and caring. Although his family was poor, his sister was Xie Qiming's granddaughter-in-law. Even if he relied on nepotism and his own ability, he would surely make a name for himself in the future.
The couple discussed it and changed their minds. They immediately asked Xia Qinghai to have a long talk. After getting several assurances, they agreed to Wu Jinfeng's marriage to him and were willing to pay for the young couple to decorate their new home, hold the wedding banquet, buy wedding candy, etc.
After hearing what Zhao Zhiqiang said, Wu's mother, who lowered her head, actually felt a little regretful in her heart.
No matter what kind of family the Xia family is, her daughter has already registered her marriage with Xia Qinghai, and today is the wedding banquet, so she should give a good face to the Xia family's relatives.
Mother Wu thought for a moment, raised her head and smiled: "Uncle Qinghai, I absolutely do not mean to look down on you. If I really looked down on people, how could I agree to let Jinfeng marry Qinghai? I am not afraid of you laughing at me. With our family conditions, we can afford to raise Jinfeng's child even if she is born. I can let the two children get married, doesn't that prove the problem? Now that they are married, we are all a family. I drank today and I am a little drunk. It must be a misunderstanding just now. Let me toast you a glass, and we will all be happy. Don't make it difficult for the two children, what do you say?"
This was said politely and respectfully. The drunk Zhao Zhiqiang was delighted when he heard it. He immediately put his arm around Xia Daming's shoulder and walked back. Then he said with a smile, "That's more like it. My dear mother-in-law, we will be a family from now on. Please don't look down on us. We are old and have no future. But think about it. Qingtang married into the Xie family. Xie Qiming's grandson is my nephew-in-law! How bad can Qingtang's future be? How bad can my nephew-in-law's future be?"
"Yes, yes, you are right." Wu's mother was still laughing, but in her heart she despised this man to the core.
She could see that Xia Qinghai's parents were incompetent and his uncles were all useless. It would not work to leave the newlyweds here. Once dragged down by these relatives, a capable person would become incompetent.
At this moment, Wu's mother had another idea. She wanted to find someone to bring her daughter and son-in-law back home to work, away from these messy relatives.
Xie Qiming's name was mentioned again. Zhao Meizhen said in confusion, "What are you talking about? What is Xie Qiming? Who is Xie Qiming? Why are you making such a fuss?"
Father Wu stared at her in surprise: "You don't know who Xie Qiming is? Your daughter has been married for so long, and you don't know who your in-laws are?"
Zhao Meizhen frowned and said, "I know that the damn girl married a clerk who had just returned from the army. But we have long severed our mother-daughter relationship, so who she marries has nothing to do with me. The Xie Qiming you mentioned, is he the elder of that little Xie? What does he do?"
Father Wu immediately exchanged glances with Mother Wu, feeling that they might have made a wrong move. After thinking it over, they never expected that Xia's parents didn't even recognize their in-laws!
At this time, my uncle-in-law Ma Daquan suddenly said, "I have heard of the name Xie Qiming. I remember he was a big leader in the province."
A worker at the table also said, "I think I've heard of it before, on the news, it sounds familiar."
"Yes, it's Xie Qiming!" Zhao Zhiqiang slammed the table, "What's wrong with you? You don't even know Xie Qiming? Don't you usually listen to the news or read the newspaper?"
Director Qi looked at Zhao Zhiqiang and said seriously, "Comrade, there are some things that cannot be said carelessly, and you should not mention Mr. Xie's name casually like this..."
"What are you talking about? When did I talk about it? Director Qi, don't you know? Our Xia Qingtang married into Mr. Xie's family and became the granddaughter-in-law! Her husband, Xie Jinxuan, is Mr. Xie's eldest grandson. She lives in the family compound of the provincial party committee. It's a three-story western-style building. There is also a nanny at home. Everyone in the family compound knows that Mr. Xie's granddaughter-in-law is a great beauty. Don't you know this?" Zhao Zhiqiang laughed and stretched out his hand towards Xia Qingtang. "Then you can see the world today. My niece, Xia Qingtang, is Mr. Xie's granddaughter-in-law! Mr. Xie is Xie Qiming, the one you saw in the newspaper!"
The whole place was silent, everyone was staring at Xia Qingtang. She could only watch with her eyes and nose, and think of herself as meditating and practicing, shutting out all external things.
Although she had prepared herself mentally, she did not expect Zhao Zhiqiang to say it in such a situation, which made her feel a little embarrassed.
In the awkward silence, Zhao Zhiwei was the first to break it. He suddenly slapped his thigh and shouted, "Mom! Mom! Didn't I say that! Didn't I say that Xia Qingtang is pretty and will definitely marry a good family! Didn't I say that? Damn, she really married such a good family! Then don't we have a backer?"
Chen Hongxing was still a little dazed. She quickly grabbed Zhao Meiyan's sleeve and said anxiously, "Meiyan, is this... is this true? Did Xia Qingtang really marry into such a good family? How big of a leader is Xie Qiming?"
Zhao Meiyan said: "I'm not sure, but he must be one of the top leaders in the province."
Chen Hongxing screamed and stood up: "Fuck you, Zhao Meizhen, you damn thing, you didn't tell me that your daughter married such a good family, and you dared to hide it from me!"
Zhao Meizhen was almost unable to sit still after being shocked by the huge news. Countless thoughts flashed through her mind. One moment, Xia Qingtang had found a really high position, and she wondered if she would be able to rise to prominence in the future. The next moment, she was thinking that she had severed her mother-daughter relationship with Xia Qingtang. If they couldn't reconcile, what would she do in the future...
Just when her mind was in a mess, she heard Chen Hongxing's scolding. Zhao Meizhen was so angry that she stood up and scolded back: "I just found out! If I had known that Xiao Xie was the grandson of a big leader, would I have listened to you and severed the mother-daughter relationship with my own daughter? You old woman always do bad things. You even instigated me to kill Xiao Xie and make my daughter a widow, so that I could marry her to an old widower in the military district and your son would benefit! Get out of my way, your son can't take advantage of our family. Only my son can benefit from my son-in-law! My daughter's surname is Xia, and she has nothing to do with you, Zhao!"
Hearing this, Wu's father and mother frowned immediately, and Wu Jinfeng's complexion also turned not so good. She held Xia Qinghai's hand tightly and asked him in a low voice what to do now.
Chen Hongxing was not willing to be outdone, and immediately put her hands on her hips and cursed back. The mother and daughter were birds of a feather, and now they were cursing at each other, with foul language flying everywhere. A wedding banquet was turned into a shrew's scolding. Wu's father, Wu's mother and Director Qi all looked gloomy.
Just as Xia Qinghai was about to go over to mediate the fight, he saw Zhao Meiyan and Ma Daquan hugging Chen Hongxing and walking quickly out. Zhao Meiyan then winked at Xia Daming, signaling him to get Zhao Meizhen out as well, so as not to make the wedding banquet too ugly.
Xia Daming was still able to control Zhao Meizhen at the critical moment. He walked over and covered Zhao Meizhen's mouth, then shouted sternly: "This is your son's wedding banquet. If you don't shut up, are you waiting for your son to sever the mother-son relationship with you?"
Zhao Meizhen was shocked and immediately became obedient.
Chen Hongxing, who was cursing, was also taken out by Zhao Meiyan and the others, and the cafeteria returned to silence.
Xia Qinghai comforted Wu Jinfeng, then walked to the main table holding the wine bottle, and said with a smile: "I'm sorry to have made fun of you all. We all drank a few more glasses today. Drinking and making trouble is also a happy thing. After all, today is a good day. Please continue to eat and drink. If the food is not enough, just let us know. The kitchen can still cook noodles. Just ask if you want to eat."
Who doesn't like the fact that they can have a full meal at a banquet? No matter how shocking the news that Xia Qingtang was marrying into a wealthy family was, people still needed to have enough food at this time.
So many people said, "Let's cook two bowls of noodles and add some pickles."
Xia Qinghai really went to the kitchen and asked the chef to make two more bowls of noodles.
In this way, the atmosphere of the wedding banquet was restored, and everyone continued to eat and drink, clinking glasses. Xia Daming hurried over with a cloth bag and poured a small pile of fried peanuts on each table for the drinkers to eat with their wine.
Zhao Zhiqiang clinked glasses with Wu's mother, returned to his seat happily, and continued to clink glasses with Xia Daguang.
Zhao Zhiwei couldn't sit still anymore, so he grabbed Zhao Zhiqiang and asked him how he knew about this.
Director Qi whispered to Wu's father: "Comrade Wu, is what that man said just now true? Is the lover of our factory's Xiao Xia really Xie Qiming's grandson? That Xie Qiming..."
Father Wu nodded and whispered, "It was him. I went to their house and saw it with my own eyes."
Director Qi took a deep breath and his expression gradually became a little ugly: "This is really..."
Last year, he accepted benefits from Kong Liangchao and put a lot of obstacles in Xia Qingtang's way.
Director Huang was also discussing Xia Qingtang's affairs while eating. The warehouse director said, "Xia Ye is too tight-lipped. She has been married for so long, but I have never heard her mention it. So is she able to become a clerk because of her in-laws' relationship?"
Director Huang shook his head. "It's because she can write articles. Now she writes all the articles for the chairman of the trade union. She also created the Workers' Voice on the propaganda column. She is really capable. Besides, you underestimate the Xie family. If she really relied on her husband's family to do something, she would have joined the government long ago. Why did she stay in our cotton mill?"
The deputy director of the third workshop whispered, "That's it. That's what I want to ask. You said she's the granddaughter-in-law of Mr. Xie. Why is she still staying in our cotton mill? Wouldn't it be better for her to work in the government?"
"Who knows? You have to ask her." Director Huang peeled a fried peanut and casually put it into his mouth while looking at Xia Qingtang and said, "I think she definitely doesn't want to join the government."
"There are still people who don't want to join the agency? How is that possible?"
"Why is it impossible? The government just sounds more impressive than ours. Some government agencies may not get any benefits. Take our factory for example. Every month, we have unqualified cloth to distribute. The flour mill can distribute flour, and the coal yard can distribute coal. What can most government agencies get? Besides, they all sit in offices. Isn't it the same to sit there or in our factory? Xiaoxia is now a clerk. The work is not hard. Besides, the cotton mill is where she grew up. They are all acquaintances. It is so comfortable to stay here." Director Huang said, "It's a pity. Chairman Qin took Xiaoxia away first. It would be great if she worked in our factory. She is really a capable person."
The people at Xia Qingtang's table also wanted to discuss this matter, but since they were sitting at the same table with Xia Qingtang, it seemed inappropriate to discuss it in front of her, so they only dared to glance at her sideways and did not dare to speak.
She took the initiative to speak, saying, "If you want to tell me something, you can just say it."
Rather than letting others make wild guesses, it would be better for her to explain it herself.
"Then I'll tell you!" An old colleague of Zhao Meizhen let out a sigh. She wiped her mouth with an old handkerchief, then asked with wide eyes, "Is what they just said true? Are you really going to marry a big leader in the province?"
"It's true." Xia Qingtang said.
"Then your mother suffered a great loss, didn't she? You married into such a good family and enjoyed a good life, but your mother refused to associate with you. Oh, Qingtang, you are such a smart child. You broke off relations with your mother after marrying into a good family. How can children behave like this?" the aunt said in a sarcastic tone.
Xia Qingtang also said sarcastically: "Aunt Xue is right, I am very smart, and I am a person who holds grudges. If anyone offends me, I will hold a grudge for the rest of my life."
Aunt Xue’s face turned pale and she dared not speak.
The wife of Xia Daming's old coworker asked in a low voice: "Qingtang, are you living well after marrying into a family like that? Are they treating you well?"
Hearing her gentle and caring words, Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "Don't worry, Aunt Zheng, my husband and his family treat me very well. Didn't everyone say that I gained weight and looked better after getting married? This is proof."
Aunt Zheng laughed and said, "That's good. Your father always told us that he was worried that you wouldn't have a good life in your husband's family. Now he can rest assured."
The young worker on the right immediately asked, "Secretary Xia, Secretary Xia, I want to know how you married into such a good family? How did you get to know the grandson of such a big shot? It can't be that someone introduced you, right?"
"My wife is my high school classmate. We met after graduation and then got together through a matchmaker. It's that simple." Xia Qingtang also took a few peanuts and peeled them slowly.
"How can this be easy? As for your family, isn't there anyone in their family who objects?"
"Not that I know of."
"You two brothers and sisters are really amazing." The young worker exclaimed in admiration.
Another young worker from Workshop 3 said, "Manager Xia, your husband's family is so powerful, why do you still stay in the cotton mill?"
"What's wrong with the cotton mill? I think it's pretty good here." Xia Qingtang said, "It's work everywhere, I'd rather stay in a familiar environment."
Aunt Zheng nodded and said, "Yes, Qingtang has been here since he was a child. Everyone here knows everyone. It's so comfortable to work here. If he went to some agency, there might be bad people there."
As he was speaking, Xia Daguang suddenly walked over with his small wine glass and a strange look on his face.
"Qingtang, can you come over here for a moment? Uncle wants to talk to you." Xia Daguang said in a low voice.
This was the first time in two lifetimes that Xia Qingtang saw Xia Daguang speaking to her in a humble manner.
It can be seen that there are some things that she herself doesn't care much about, but her relatives and acquaintances obviously don't think so.
Xia Qingtang pretended to be surprised and said, "Uncle wants to talk to me? Hasn't Uncle always said for so many years that girls are worthless, can't sit at the table for meals, and are not worthy of talking to men? Why is Uncle talking to a worthless person like me now?"
Aunt Zheng at the table frowned immediately: "What is this saying? We women hold up half the sky, how can this comrade look down on women?"
Xia Daguang's face turned red. He was a man who extremely favored boys over girls at home, like a feudal monarch, but he was not like that outside. He cared about his reputation. Now that people knew all this, he subconsciously raised his right hand to slap her, but suddenly remembered that Xia Qingtang's in-laws were from the Xie family, and immediately put down his right hand like lightning.
"When did I say such a thing? Qingtang, you're just a kid and you shouldn't talk nonsense." Xia Daguang smiled awkwardly and tried desperately to explain.
Xia Qingtang said: "Anyway, I don't want to talk to my uncle, and I'm not worthy of talking to him."
"You!" Xia Daguang stopped pretending and immediately frowned and said in a low voice, "Don't think that just because you married into a good family, you can look down on us elders! Things change over time, how many more years can your in-laws stay prosperous?"
"I don't know about that. I don't care about my husband's family. I just don't want to talk to my uncle. But you, uncle, change your face faster than anyone else. Before, you were scolding me for being unruly at the entrance of the cafeteria and didn't want to talk to me. Now that you know I've married a rich man, you immediately come over with a glass of wine to toast me... I can't do such a thing anyway." Xia Qingtang smiled, "I'm not nice to talk to, are you sure you want to continue talking to me?"
The whole table burst into laughter. Xia Daming's old co-worker also knew Xia Daguang, so he quickly said, "Old Xia, forget it. You are the elder, don't argue with a child. If you want to drink, come, I'll drink with you."
"Who wants to drink with you?" Xia Daguang waved his hand, rolled his eyes and walked away.
Aunt Zheng said unhappily, "Why is Xia Daming's brother so rude? No wonder Qingtang doesn't want to talk to him!"
While talking, Zhao Zhiwei also asked Zhao Zhiqiang clearly. Seeing Xia Daguang coming back, he hurriedly held up the wine glass and moved towards Xia Qingtang.
Xia Qingtang clapped his hands with a smile and said loudly, "Everyone, please enjoy your meal. I have something else to do, so I will be leaving soon."
"Are you leaving now? The noodles are still cooking over there. Eat the noodles before leaving." Aunt Zheng said.
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "I'm full. Auntie, please eat more. I'm going back now."
After saying that, she stood up and walked out quickly.
Xia Daming chased after him: "Qingtang! Qingtang, wait a minute!"
Xia Qingtang stopped at the entrance of the cafeteria: "Dad, what's wrong?"
"Is what your uncle said just now true? Who is Xiao Xie's grandfather really?" Xia Daming clutched the corner of his shirt with his hands, looking very nervous.
"Yes, it's all true."
"Why didn't you tell me... I just found out and was shocked."
"There's nothing to say about this. I'm marrying Xie Jinxuan, not his family."
"That's true, but it's not easy to marry into a family like that. Your brother married a young official named Wu, and his in-laws looked down on us. You marrying into a family like that, I feel..." Xia Daming said, "Did you suffer over there? Did his parents bully you or look down on you?"
Xia Qingtang looked at Xia Daming's worried eyes and suddenly thought of her previous life. She had actually experienced all of this in her previous life. She had been bullied and tortured by Kong Liangchao's parents, and even abused in the end. But in her previous life, Xia Daming had never said such words to her.
She said, “Do you care about this?”
"Ah?" Xia Daming widened his eyes, not understanding what Xia Qingtang meant.
"How am I doing in my husband's family? Are you really worried about me?" Xia Qingtang taunted, "Just take care of yourself and worry about your son. I take care of my own business."
"I... of course I'm worried about you... you..." Xia Daming was speechless, not knowing what to say, "Qingtang, what are you saying..."
Xia Qingtang suddenly felt that it was quite boring. What she experienced in this life was completely different. She couldn't go back and ask Xia Daming in her previous life why he didn't care about her. It was all in the past. Why couldn't she let it go?
So, she smiled and said, "What I mean is, I know what kind of place the Xie family is, and I know that I won't be wronged. No matter where I am or who I marry, I can live the life I want, so you don't have to worry about me."
She is no longer the cowardly and useless person in her previous life. She has grown into a brain now, has her own ideals, and things she wants to do in the future. She is also constantly reading and studying, and is still learning foreign languages. No matter what the Xie family will become in the future, and no matter whether Xie Jinxuan will change her mind, she has the confidence to live a good life.
After hearing this, Xia Daming's face looked better, as if he was relieved. He said carefully, "Well...then you be well. If you encounter anything and want to tell me, just tell me. I will definitely rush over to help you the first time. If you don't want to tell me, it doesn't matter. You can always think of a way."
From what he said, it seemed that he was still worried about whether the Xie family would bully people.
Xia Qingtang said, "When Xia Qinghai's work is done, I will invite you to my house for a visit and a simple meal. Since you are worried, go and see for yourself."
Xia Daming's eyes lit up, and he looked incredulous: "Really? You really want me to go?"
"Really? I've told everyone in my family. Grandma said she'll treat you to a meal, and you can just have a cup of tea and chat in Jinxuan's and my little home." Xia Qingtang said.
"Family..." Xia Daming pondered over these three words and showed a complicated smile, "Since you said they are family, they must be good to you. I am a person who has never seen the world. Will my going there affect you?"
"What will it affect? You are a member of the glorious working class. Without your hard work, how can society develop?" Xia Qingtang said, "I think we should set it for half a month later. Next Sunday at 9:30 in the morning, you go to the main gate of our family compound and wait. Jinxuan and I will go out to pick you up."
"The Sunday after next at 9:30 am, okay, then... then shall I really go?" Xia Daming rubbed his palms again and started to get nervous again.
"If you really don't want to go, I won't force you."
"I want to go! I've wanted to see how you're doing for a long time... No matter who you marry, as long as you're doing well, I'll be relieved."
"Then we'll see you then." Xia Qingtang said, "There are guests inside. You go in and entertain them first. I'll be back now."
"Okay, okay, you go back." Xia Daming stood there and waved at her.
Xia Qingtang smiled and just unlocked her bicycle when she saw Director Qi standing by the cafeteria door, looking at her curiously.
She thought it was funny, and she also thought the world was funny, so she asked, "Director Qi, what are you looking at? Are you looking for something?"
Director Qi was startled and quickly walked out and said, "No, no, nothing, nothing."
"Then Director Qi ate and drank, and I went home."
"Wait!" Director Qi hurried down the stairs, "Secretary Xia, I have something...I want to explain something to you."
"Is it about Kong Liangchao bribing you?" Xia Qingtang went straight to the point.
Director Qi was so frightened that his face turned pale: "I didn't actually take anything from him. I was just a little confused at the time. There was something at home that needed help..."
"So I took his stuff anyway."
"I didn't have any more feelings afterwards! He came to me again later, but I ignored him! I was really confused that time. I... I have dedicated my whole life to the Cotton Mill. Director Xia, look at that incident, can... can you just pretend it didn't happen? I'm about to retire, and I just want to retire well. I really..." Director Qi looked like he was about to cry.
Xia Qingtang said: "When we checked Kong Liangchao, we didn't find you, which means you are fine now. Don't worry about this."
"You're not going to mention this matter specifically to Mr. Xie, are you?" Director Qi asked in a trembling voice.
"Anyway, I haven't mentioned it specifically. In the future, as long as Director Qi doesn't do such things again, I probably won't mention it specifically." After Xia Qingtang finished speaking, he got into the car and left.
Director Qi stood there and watched Xia Qingtang riding farther and farther away, his face still pale. He turned around and looked at Xia Daming on the steps. Just as he was about to open his mouth, Xia Daming ran inside.
The next day, the affair between Xia Qingtang and the Xie family slowly spread throughout the factory. At first, it was only spread in a small circle, but by the end of a week, almost everyone in the factory knew about it, and their union office was the last department to know about it.
Because other departments can talk about this matter without restraint, but Xia Qingtang is here, and if she doesn't say anything herself, the union people will have no channel to get the information unless they go out and talk to someone else.
On Saturday morning, Xia Qingtang finished a new copy of the Workers' Voice and was leaning over the table to check word by word to see if there were any mistakes when Li Yue rushed in from outside and shouted, "Xiao Xia! Is your wife Xie Qiming's grandson?"
Everyone in the office looked up at her. Li Yue's expression looked confused, filled with surprise, confusion, doubt and a hint of jealousy.
Xia Qingtang said, "Yes, Director Li, how did you find out just now? Didn't everyone in the factory know about it a long time ago?"
Li Yue gasped: "You, you, you, you! What are you talking about? Everyone in the factory knows about it, why didn't you tell us colleagues? If I hadn't run into Director Wang just now, I would still be kept in the dark!"
"What should I say? Just introduce my wife's grandfather for no reason?" Xia Qingtang said: "I see you often chatting with Secretary Wang, and I thought you knew it a long time ago!"
"When I talked to her on Monday, she didn't know yet! Oh, our department is the last one to know!" Li Yue walked over in surprise.
Wu Feng said, "Xiao Li, what are you talking about?"
"You don't know yet! This Secretary Xia is incredible! You all know her lover, he works in the Secretariat of the Provincial Party Committee, he is a former soldier!"
"Yes, we all know this."
"What you don't know is that her lover's grandfather is Xie Qiming! The Xie Qiming from the province!"
There was another familiar silence for Xia Qingtang. She had become immune to this kind of silence, so she continued to check for mistakes with her head down.
About half a minute later, Zhang Ning was the first to speak: "Good fellow! Xiao Xia, you are a hidden talent! You are too amazing! Isn't it buried for you to sit in the same office with us?"
Xia Qingtang said calmly: "Everyone knows my work ability. Can I become a genius just by becoming someone's wife?"
Everyone laughed at this, and Zhang Ning's tone also relaxed. He said, "I think you are too low-key. If it were someone else, they would have said it earlier. If you had said it earlier, no one would dare to bully you!"
"If I don't say it, no one will dare to bully me. I rely on my husband's family to avoid being bullied, but that's just relying on the power of others. After all, my own ability is real." Xia Qingtang said with a smile.
Li Yue's face turned a little unhappy, and she quickly said, "Hey, Xiao Xia, I have never bullied you. We have always had a good relationship, right?"
Xia Qingtang still smiled: "You can say that."
Zhang Ning was happy: "You feel nervous now. Fortunately, Xiao Xia is not that kind of person. Otherwise, how could you still work here peacefully?"
"Why can't I? I really have never bullied anyone. I am an honest person."
After Li Yue finished speaking, everyone laughed.
She was a little embarrassed, so she said, "What are you laughing at? Did I say something wrong?"
Feng Xinhui said: "Xiao Li is not wrong. Although she likes to be lazy, she has never bullied Xiao Xia. After all, Xiao Xia is good at talking, so she can't get the upper hand."
If this had happened before, Li Yue would have been angry, but now she didn't dare to be angry. Instead, she felt that Feng Xinhui's words made sense.
She immediately said, "Yes, Xiao Xia is much better than me. I definitely can't bully her. You guys should stop talking nonsense. You won't destroy the relationship between Xiao Xia and me as colleagues."
Xia Qingtang said: "Since I came to work here, I have always been grateful for everyone's care for me. No matter what people say outside, no matter who my in-laws are, I am still me. I hope to continue working as usual and getting along with everyone as usual in the future."
Li Yue quickly followed up: "Yes, yes, Xiao Xia is right, we will continue to get along as usual in the future!"
That being said, as soon as she got off work at noon, she immediately ran to Xia Qingtang and said, "Xiao Xia, do you want to come to my house for lunch? The food is better than what we cook in the cafeteria."
"Thank you, Director Li. I'm still used to eating in the cafeteria. Besides, I have something to do at noon, so I will leave after eating in the cafeteria." Xia Qingtang said, picked up his backpack and walked out.
When she arrived at the cafeteria, she was still being looked at in various ways.
Wen Xiaoli waited in line with her and whispered, "Will you feel uncomfortable being watched by so many people like this?"
"It was a little bit at the beginning, but now I'm almost used to it. Just wait a few more days, and by next week, no one will look at me anymore." Xia Qingtang smiled easily.
They quickly lined up at the window, got their food, and found an empty table to sit down and eat.
A lot of loud discussions could be heard, but Xia Qingtang didn't care at all. Wen Xiaoli followed her example and didn't care either. The two of them just focused on eating.
As usual, Xia Qingtang finished eating first, then dropped his lunch box and ran out.
When someone saw her leaving, they quickly ran to the table and said to Wen Xiaoli, "Why did Secretary Xia leave without taking his lunch box?"
"She had to rush out for something at noon, so she didn't have time to wash the lunch box. I'll help her wash it after I finish eating." Wen Xiaoli said.
"Hey, isn't she bullying me? She wants you to wash her own lunch box, tsk tsk."
Wen Xiaoli slammed the table and said, "What are you talking about? What is the relationship between Qingtang and me? Don't you know? Helping friends wash lunch boxes is bullying? You haven't been to school, so you don't know how to write the word bully?"
"I'm just talking, why are you so fierce?" The man was so scared that he stood up and tried to run away.
"I am fierce. If you talk nonsense again next time, I will be even more fierce!" Wen Xiaoli yelled at her fiercely. The man ran even faster, and a burst of laughter came from the cafeteria.
At this time, Xia Qingtang rode onto the main road. She had just finished her meal and didn't dare to ride too fast. She waited for a while before she started to speed up. When she arrived at the provincial university, many students had just walked out of the cafeteria with their lunch boxes.
"Xia Qingtang! Xia Qingtang!"
As soon as I turned the corner from the cafeteria, I heard the voice of my old classmate Gu Xing'an.
Xia Qingtang stopped his bicycle and looked in the direction of the sound on the side of the road.
Gu Xingan was still carrying the patched old bag, and then he ran over excitedly: "I forgot to tell you the last time I saw you, this Sunday, ah, tomorrow, our former class monitor wants to invite the students who have recently returned to the city and the students who have stayed in the city to get together, do you want to join?"
"Let's get together? How do we get together? Is the squad leader going to treat us to a meal?" Xia Qingtang asked.
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