Xiao Guoqiang spoke of Xia Lan with immense pride.
Of all the younger generation in the Xiao family, there wasn't one he could keep in mind and call by their full name.
Others may not know Xia Lan, but Xiao Guoqiang is certain he's right.
Besides, he had vaguely heard Xiao Yuqin mention Du Wenqing's matter.
As for how Du Wenqing returned to the capital, everyone knows the answer.
The capital city is only so big, and only these people can be officially recognized.
Those who were exonerated after that era were all people who had made contributions to the country.
Even Xiao Guoqiang had heard some of the messy things that happened in Du Wenqing's family.
Xiao Guoqiang admired those who could endure until dawn after experiencing such darkness.
Xia Lan was able to lend a helping hand to Du Wenqing when he was at his most vulnerable, unafraid of the infamy. Xiao Guoqiang had to give her a thumbs up for that courage alone.
So what if she's his own daughter? She still stabbed Du Wenqing in the back.
Who says that only one's own biological daughter can inherit something?
When Xiao Guoqiang heard about this, he scoffed at it.
"Now let's watch the show!"
Xiao Guoqiang chuckled and winked at the two of them.
"Come on, come on, I heard you recently got some good tea, hurry up and bring it out to brew a couple of cups for us."
"That's right, they don't even know how to share good things with us."
“It’s my fault. Come on, everyone, try my new tea.”
"Those were brought to me by Xia Lan; they're tea from Shenzhen."
"Then we must try it!"
The three of them walked towards the office with smiles, leisurely sipping their tea.
The others were completely baffled and didn't know what to do.
Everyone wanted to shirk their responsibility, but Xia Lan's dismissal was their doing.
Now that something has happened, none of them can escape.
Sure enough, just as they were getting worried after the newspaper was published, the phone on the table rang.
The men, their faces ashen, answered the phone with trembling hands.
"..."
Xia Lan, who was sitting at home watching TV, blinked when she saw the leaders who suddenly came to her door.
"Is there anything I can help you with?"
Xia Lan invited them in and poured them tea with a smile.
The group waved their hands, adopting a respectful attitude and preparing to send Xia Lan back to work.
They were ostensibly there to apologize, but their attitude made it seem more like they were there to collect a debt.
"Comrade Xia Lan, about this matter..."
"cough."
"Comrade Xia Lan, it's like this, we've come here to inform you..."
"Cough cough."
Annoying coughs kept interrupting their conversation. The group frowned and turned to look, only to see the protagonist of the story sitting by the window reading a book, smiling and waving at them.
"Mr. Du... Mr. Du."
Upon recognizing Du Wenqing, the four quickly stood up.
"Please continue. I'm sorry, my mouth is a little dry. I didn't mean to interrupt you."
Du Wenqing chuckled and coughed twice, then waved to them.
Xia Lan smiled and served him tea.
"Grandpa, drink more hot water."
"Eh."
A hint of a smile flashed in Du Wenqing's eyes.
He lowered his head and continued reading.
The four looked at each other, their original attitudes completely gone.
"Comrade Xia Lan, we were too rash this time. It was wrong of us to dismiss you before we even found out the truth..."
One of them lowered his stance towards Xia Lan, who smiled calmly.
"It's not the leaders' fault. After all, it was my fault that this happened."
"Your handling of the situation was not wrong. I understand that you wanted to protect your reputation."
Xia Lan smiled faintly.
The four paused, listening to Xia Lan's words, which didn't seem like she agreed to go back.
"Now that the facts have been clarified, it's a good thing."
Xia Lan chuckled softly.
"We are also representing our organization to extend this invitation to Comrade Xia Lan. Congratulations on your reinstatement! You can go back to work tomorrow..."
One of them took out his identification and pushed it in front of Xia Lan.
Xia Lan did not reach out to take it.
"Thank you for your kind words, but I am unworthy of them. I have deeply reflected on this matter and feel that I am indeed not suitable to be the store manager. Please choose someone else!"
Xia Lan smiled and pushed the things back, refusing to accept their apology.
The four returned disappointed, and Xia Lan refused to come back.
They were too proud to apologize to Xia Lan, and they also didn't want her to go back.
Returning to his workplace empty-handed, Xiao Guoqiang looked at them and a smirk appeared on his lips.
Without saying anything, he went back to his office.
The group exchanged glances, realizing something was wrong.
When Xiao Guoqiang returned to his office, a single phone call resulted in the four men, who were unwilling to back down, being thoroughly berated.
After Xia Lan chased the four people out, Du Wenqing put down his book with a cold smile.
Is this how you apologize?
Du Wenqing just interrupted them on purpose.
Is it an apology to come down to Xia Lan with such a condescending attitude?
"Grandpa, don't be angry."
Xia Lan coaxed her with a smile.
"How can you stay so calm and not get angry? It makes me angry just watching you."
"What kind of people are these! They can't even recognize their own mistakes! They misunderstood you and fired you directly. What a huge impact that has on you."
"They didn't even say sorry, and their attitude was condescending."
Du Wenqing grew angrier the more he spoke, and finally slumped down in defeat.
"It's all my fault."
"Grandpa, you're here again?"
Xia Lan glanced at Du Wenqing with amusement.
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