Chapter 42 Humiliation

Hearing these words, Wang Zhifang was nearly stunned. Lu Yan, whose relationship with his wife had warmed over the past few days, even carried a softer demeanor in his actions.

This woman was clearly here to stir up trouble. “You can eat carelessly, but you can’t speak carelessly. You came to apologize, so do it honestly, don’t make a scene. Otherwise, even your husband’s job might be affected.”

Wang Xuemei glared at him, “Don’t you know how to protect your own people? Someone under your command suffers and you still want to smooth things over?”

She slapped a document onto the table. “Look at this!”

Afraid it was some kind of bombshell, Wang Zhifang snatched it up. It was a postal withdrawal record.

Three hundred, five hundred, eight hundred a month, sometimes as much as twelve hundred. In just three and a half years, the total funds received amounted to eight thousand six hundred yuan. The most recent payment was over nine hundred.

Well then, Wang Zhifang was dumbstruck on the spot. That much? Even at the research institute, Lu Yan’s salary was the highest, but three and a half years without eating or drinking wouldn’t add up to that sum.

Seeing Wang Zhifang in a stupor, Lu Yan took the document from his hand and was equally shocked.

The sender was none other than Xia Xiyue, and every withdrawal, without exception, had been made by his own wife, Shen Qingyi.

His hand holding the statement trembled, but he quickly calmed himself, fixing his gaze on Wang Xuemei, his tone cold as ice. “So not only did you cut off her phone, you also sent people to investigate everything about her? Did you have authorization to investigate this remittance record? You didn’t. The staff member who gave you this information has unlawfully leaked the personal information of a public official’s family member.”

He turned to Wang Zhifang, “I demand an investigation into this person.”

If he wasn’t here, these people would treat Shen Qingyi like a fish on a chopping board, thinking they could move her with a casual connection.

Until the truth was clear, he didn’t want Shen Qingyi to suffer any more injustice. As long as she could give a reasonable explanation when they returned, he would forgive her. It was what he owed her.

Wang Xuemei hadn’t expected this outcome. Usually, when a man gets evidence like this, wouldn’t he be enraged?

“Engineer Lu, you can’t do this. I took a risk to deliver this information to you, considering your contributions to the country. I didn’t want you to become a laughingstock, and I haven’t told anyone.”

“From start to finish, I have never harbored any ill will toward you.”

Lu Yan’s expression remained unchanged. “How did she offend you?”

“It’s Professor Shen. He favors some and neglects others. My son spent an enormous effort to get into your university, just to study under Professor Shen and develop his skills. Yet he was refused, with no room for negotiation, forced to choose another mentor. Do you know how much effort and energy my son invested? Why was he rejected? He’s always been in the top five, why? Just because of one disagreement, he was refused, and now he’s on a leave of absence at home, his entire future ruined.”

“That Professor Shen, with his sanctimonious attitude, seemed so just, but secretly does such disgraceful things. Serves him right! Even his daughter is just as bad. With people like them, what rules are there to follow, what apologies to make?”

Lu Yan finally couldn’t help but explode. “Outstanding? He can’t accept a single normal rejection and you call that outstanding? That kind of psychological makeup and family upbringing proves the professor’s refusal was correct. If he ever embarks on the road of research, failure will be a daily occurrence. Would he drop everything and walk away then, abandoning the whole project? Who would be responsible for such losses?”

Lu Yan believed that academic rankings meant little. He had never been anything but first, yet in the laboratory he had suffered countless failures.

So, what’s so special about the top five? Besides, he hadn’t even made the top ten at university—how was that outstanding?

Seeing Wang Xuemei silent, Lu Yan warned her again, “If I ever hear you insult my wife again, I’ll personally have a word with your husband. Do you understand?”

Wang Zhifang also found this reasoning utterly absurd. He rejected countless people and projects every day, and if everyone reacted like Wang Chunxia, how could he keep his seat?

He glared at Wang Xuemei and spoke sternly, “Clearly you haven’t realized your mistake, nor truly come to apologize. I’ll have the neighborhood committee speak to you again.”

No job, but the neighborhood committee would still oversee her. She shouldn’t think that losing her position meant no one could manage her.

Wang Xuemei panicked. If the matter reached the neighborhood committee, it would spill over to the neighbors, and her son, who cared so much about his reputation, would never leave the house again. He was her precious child, cherished from birth.

She quickly softened her attitude, “Engineer Lu, I’m sorry, truly sorry. Please don’t investigate the postal remittance. I am willing to accept any disciplinary action. I’ll write two self-criticism letters, and personally apologize to Comrade Shen Qingyi.”

Lu Yan wouldn’t relent. “Each matter must be dealt with separately. This was a dereliction of duty.”

He turned and sat at his desk, telling Wang Zhifang, “Let her go.”

Seeing Lu Yan’s mood was truly sour, Wang Zhifang said coldly to Wang Xuemei, “Go home.”

Wang Xuemei had been proud all her life. Her daughter taught at school, her son-in-law was the school’s director of discipline, her son had been a renowned prodigy since childhood, and her husband sat securely as director at the tax bureau. Even if her own position wasn’t high, everyone treated her with respect—only Lu Yan was so brazen, so ungrateful.

Young people needed a few setbacks, or they’d think too highly of themselves.

Back home, she threw her bag onto the sofa with a fierce air.

Her husband had just returned from work, leisurely drinking tea and reading the newspaper. Seeing her attitude, he frowned. “What’s wrong? The apology didn’t go well?”

The research institute responded promptly to their application.

“That Lu Yan is truly ungrateful.”

Her husband soothed her, “People like him always have a bit of a temper. Bear with it, once the matter is settled, let it go. Knowing Lu Yan’s attitude, don’t bother Shen Qingyi with petty tricks again. Go cook dinner.”

“I’ve lost my job, why should I endure? You’re so afraid of them, it’s pathetic.” Wang Xuemei suddenly erupted.

“We’re hardly starving. They’re a national key research unit—even if you don’t have a position, they’re still well protected. That’s not weakness, use your brain for once,” Hu Tianguo said, putting down the newspaper with a stern face.

Wang Xuemei fell silent, then spoke after a moment, “Shen Song might lose his job.”

“What?” Hu Tianguo could hardly believe his ears, his voice rising. “How did Shen Song get involved?”

Shen Song was Hu Tianguo’s nephew, from the countryside, who had struggled for years to enter the capital and landed a spot at the post office. Now he might lose his job?

Wang Xuemei was frightened by her husband’s reaction and didn’t dare speak.

Hu Tianguo, seeing her expression, knew it was likely true, and felt dizzy with anger. “You really are... you’re good for nothing but making trouble. Tell me, what exactly did you do?”