Chapter 72 Ridiculous
Zhang Aihong flung open the door to Li Mei's office, her voice booming down the corridor: "Section Chief Li! I'm reporting Nan Zhiyi! She comes from a capitalist family! How can such a bad element be allowed to stay in our propaganda section? This is against policy! It's a stain on the purity of the revolutionary ranks!"
The office was deathly silent, both inside and out.
Li Mei walked out with a sullen face, her gaze sweeping over the expressionless Nan Zhiyi, then over Zhang Aihong who was filled with righteous indignation and secretly smug, and finally landing on the crowd of onlookers.
A few seconds of silence.
"Comrade Nan Zhiyi, hand over the manuscript you have to Comrade Wu Jianguo."
Nan Zhiyi silently walked back to her seat, picked up the manuscript she had just finished writing, and gently placed it on Wu Jianguo's desk.
Li Mei tapped on the table.
"The organization will conduct another review of you. You will be temporarily suspended from work until the review results are available."
"Yes, Section Chief."
Nan Zhiyi responded and packed her bag and water bottle.
She ignored the various gazes around her, straightened her back, and strode quickly through the corridor, exiting the political department building.
The afternoon sun was still hot, but she felt cold all over.
When Gu Xiao pushed open the courtyard gate, it was already dark. He saw Nan Zhiyi sitting on a small stool at the door, her eyes vacant.
He walked a few steps to her, knelt down, and took her hand. "You look so pale? What happened?"
Nan Zhiyi felt a lump in her throat as the fear she had been suppressing surged up instantly.
She recounted the events of the afternoon in detail, emphasizing that Zhang Aihong might spread rumors and slander him.
Gu Xiao's expression relaxed considerably, and he tightened his grip on her hand.
"Don't be afraid, everything will be alright."
Nan Zhiyi was terrified, tears falling onto Gu Xiao's hand. "I'm not afraid of losing my job, I'm terrified... afraid she'll spread it everywhere... afraid someone... will use this to attack you... say you abused your power for personal gain, and drag you down with them..."
This was her deepest fear.
She could endure gossip and gossip, and she could even stop working, but she absolutely could not implicate Gu Xiao.
Gu Xiao felt an overwhelming pang of heartache as he watched her tears fall silently.
He gently wiped away her tears with his fingertips, then pulled her onto his lap and into his arms.
"Don't worry, I'll handle the rumors; they won't have any impact."
Nan Zhiyi pressed against his chest, her tense nerves finally relaxing.
The loud reveille woke her up, and Gu Xiao patted her back reassuringly: "I'm going to work, you can continue sleeping."
Nan Zhiyi didn't even open her eyes; work had stopped, and she could finally sleep in.
She turned over and fell into a deep sleep.
When the sun was high in the sky, Nan Zhiyi woke up and saw a bulging canvas travel bag in the corner.
She hadn't looked at the things Zhou Anping had brought.
As soon as she unzipped the zipper, the contents spilled out.
Homemade chili sauce, fountain pens and notebooks, books, handmade insoles, floral cotton fabric, malted milk powder, soap, fruit hard candies, canned luncheon meat...
Why are there so many things?
However, Anping was always generous, so Nan Zhiyi didn't dwell on it too much and simply returned the favor later.
She sorted and organized her belongings, then went to the duty room at the battalion headquarters and dialed the number of the cultural troupe.
Who are you looking for?
"Hello, could you please look for Comrade Zhou Anping?"
"Anping! Phone call!" someone shouted on the other end.
A moment later, Zhou Anping's familiar voice came through: "Hello? Who is this?"
"Anping, it's me."
"Zhiyi! Why are you calling me? I asked my brother to give you the package. Did you receive it?"
"Got it, Anping. There was so much stuff, that's why I called to let you know. Don't do that again..."
"Hey, we're practically family, why are you being so polite with me?"
"When the weather cools down, I'll send you something too. Didn't you say the salted duck eggs were delicious last time? I'll send you a jar once I've pickled another one!"
"Really? That's great!" Zhou Anping exclaimed.
On the phone, Nan Zhiyi didn't ask her about the blind date, afraid that someone might overhear.
The two chatted for a while longer, reminding each other to take care of their health. Zhou Anping promised to write to her often before Nan Zhiyi finally hung up the phone.
On the other end of the regimental communications section, Gu Xiao had just hung up the phone.
A hint of coldness flashed across his brow.
The source of the rumors was indeed Lu Linlang, who had privately contacted Zhang Aihong a few days ago.
When they got married, Nan Zhiyi passed the political review smoothly. He personally supervised the process, and even when someone tried to look through her file last time, they couldn't find anything wrong with it.
Now that we're bringing this up again, besides Lu Linlang pulling the strings behind the scenes, there's no one else involved.
She was determined to smear Zhiyi and make things difficult for him.
He neither had the time nor the inclination to argue with Lu Linlang himself.
There's no need for me to deal with her myself.
Gu Xiao picked up the phone again and dialed a number.
After a few rings, a strong, resonant voice came from the other end.
Who is it?
"Uncle Xu, it's me, Gu Xiao."
"Xiao Wu?" Old Xu's voice on the other end of the phone was tinged with laughter. "What a rare guest! You've finally decided to call this old man?"
"There's something I need to trouble you with," Gu Xiao said bluntly. "Could you please pass on a message to Vice Dean Lu for me?"
"Oh? That girl from the Lu family is causing trouble again?" Old Xu was as perceptive as could be.
"Hmm. Spreading rumors and attacking military families. If her father can't manage his children, I don't mind helping him. Tell him he must clarify and apologize in person. If it happens again, his son's promotion and those messy accounts he has will be brought up again."
Old Xu understood: "Alright, I get it. You want to protect your wife, right? Don't worry, I'll pass on the message to you. I'll make sure Old Lu keeps his daughter completely under control."
Just before lunch break, Nurse Zhang called Lu Linlang to the nurses' station to answer the phone, "It's your father calling."
Lu Linlang didn't take it seriously, tidying up the medical records with one hand and casually answered the phone: "Dad, it's me."
"Lu Linlang!"
A low growl, barely containing his rage, came from the receiver from Vice President Lu.
Lu Linlang's heart skipped a beat. She subconsciously glanced at her busy colleagues around her and tightly covered the receiver.
"Dad? What's wrong?"
"Are you out of your mind?! You dare to mess with Gu Xiao? Who gave you the guts?!"
Lu Linlang's heart sank, but she forced herself to remain calm: "I...I didn't provoke him. Dad, who told you this nonsense?"
"Nonsense? Old Xu came to my door in person to warn me! He told me to keep my daughter in check! He said you were spreading rumors and attacking his wife, Nan Zhiyi! You were causing trouble in the military region!"
Lu Linlang, do you think everyone else is a fool? Who is Gu Xiao? If he wants to investigate, do you think your little tricks can hide from him?! How well do you think you're hiding your true intentions?!
A chill ran up from the soles of Lu Linlang's feet.
Gu Xiao understood.
Not only did he find out, but he also used his connection with Old Xu to put pressure on her father!
Her supposedly secret schemes were probably as laughable as children playing house in Gu Xiao's eyes.
“I…I didn’t…” she still tried to explain.
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