novellhall Chapter 34 Apology!
Chapter 34 Apology!
Countless grievances and thoughts assaulted Zhuang Qingxiang's mind. She didn't understand why Lin Wei would treat her like this when she and Factory Director Lu had a completely innocent relationship and she had no improper thoughts about Factory Director Lu.
"Director Lu, don't listen to her excuses, these pants are the evidence!"
Just then, she heard Lu Congyue coldly say, "The pants are mine!"
"Huh?" Everyone in the courtyard was stunned and turned to look at him.
"Director Lu?" Lin Wei exclaimed, "What are you talking about? These pants are clearly..."
"What do you mean, 'clearly'?" Lu Congyue retorted. "This is my house, so the clothes are naturally mine. Is there a problem?"
Lin Wei looked incredulous and hurt: "Lu Congyue, you actually took her side?!"
Zhuang Qingxiang looked at Lu Congyue in disbelief: Factory Director Lu was actually helping her instead of his girlfriend?
She was certain those pants didn't belong to Lu Congyue; she cleaned and tidied the yard every day and had never seen them before.
Lu Congyue is lying! He's protecting her!
Zhuang Qingxiang's eyes welled up with tears, and she barely managed to hold them back.
Lin Wei was so angry she was about to jump up and down when Niu Jianzhong spoke up: "Director Lu, Technician Lin, our security team didn't see any men coming in or out, and no one jumped over the wall to escape."
Lu Congyue had made arrangements while he was away on business. His security personnel had been keeping an eye on Zhuang Qingxiang. Just now, his colleague had a stomachache and went to the toilet, but she returned quickly and did not see any man climbing over the wall.
"You just arrived and didn't see anything. This is a dereliction of duty on your part!" Lin Wei argued illogically.
Niu Jianzhong couldn't help but try to argue, but Lu Congyue coldly said, "I believe my colleagues in the security department, and I already said these pants are mine. What other questions do you have?!"
"No, that's all..." someone replied quickly, seeing his pale face, and hurried away with their head down.
Someone tugged at Lin Wei, but she didn't move, pouting as if she had been greatly wronged.
Seeing her like this, the others dared not try to persuade her anymore, secretly regretting that they had been dragged here by Lin Wei to catch her in the act tonight. It turned out that the clothes belonged to Director Lu. Wasn't this a huge joke?
The group of men vanished in a flash, and Niu Jianzhong also left with his men.
Only Lu Congyue, Zhuang Qingxiang, and Lin Wei remained in the courtyard.
Zhuang Qingxiang bit her lip and walked into the house, hoping that Lu Congyue could explain things clearly to Lin Wei.
He had only taken two steps when he heard Lu Congyue call out, "Comrade Zhuang, wait a moment."
Zhuang Qingxiang stood still unwillingly, looking at Lin Wei and then at Lu Congyue, as if to say, "Can you please not involve me in your affairs?"
"Technician Lin, apologize!" Lu Congyue ordered.
Lin Wei was furious. Sun Yongxian had made her apologize before, and now Lu Congyue was making her apologize too.
Why should she apologize to a widowed woman from the countryside who works as a nanny?
"Why should I apologize? I did nothing wrong!" Lin Wei said, raising her chin. "I saw a man come out of here with my own eyes, but she's denying it!"
Zhuang Qingxiang couldn't help but defend herself: "I've already explained. Comrade Liang was just being kind by bringing me some vegetables. He left after dropping them off."
"Who knows? There's no one else in this courtyard," Lin Wei scoffed.
Zhuang Qingxiang clenched her fists tightly, otherwise she was afraid she would lose control and slap Lin Wei.
It is said that widows are often the target of gossip. She thought that by hiding in the factory, she could avoid the rumors and scoundrels who came to her door. But she never expected that even a knowledgeable and cultured young woman like Lin Wei would falsely accuse someone.
Did she ever consider that her wild guesses would lead to her being exposed and discredited?
"Apologize!" Lu Congyue commanded again, his tone extremely stern.
Lin Wei's eyes instantly welled up with tears of grievance: "Lu Congyue..."
"You know perfectly well what you've done!" Lu Congyue said coldly. "If you don't apologize, I'll hold a staff meeting tomorrow, announce your dismissal on the spot, and then notify Director Lin to come and take you back!"
"What?!" Lin Wei exclaimed in shock. "How could you do this to me?"
Lu Congyue looked at him silently, the atmosphere around him was terrifyingly low.
Lin Wei had been following him around for three years, so she knew him too well.
If he doesn't apologize, he really can keep his word.
Lin Wei's tears fell in a steady stream, as if she were the one who had been framed and caught cheating that night.
Her tears did not soften Lu Congyue's heart; the atmosphere in the courtyard was so tense it was suffocating.
Zhuang Qingxiang knew that if she wanted to win the favor of these two people, the best thing to do was to step forward and smooth things over, swallowing her own grievances and giving Lin Wei a way out. That way, they would probably both be grateful to her.
But she couldn't do it.
Lin Wei's actions were too much; she couldn't tolerate it.
Finally, unable to withstand the pressure from Lu Congyue, Lin Wei lowered her head and said, "I'm sorry!"
Although the voice was soft, Zhuang Qingxiang heard it clearly.
Even though she received an apology, she felt even more wronged for some reason. A feeling that might be called grief and indignation tore at her heart.
"Louder!" Lu Congyue's voice suddenly rose, startling Lin Wei.
Lin Wei burst into tears, crying out in a choked voice, "I'm sorry, okay?!"
Lu Congyue looked at Zhuang Qingxiang: "Her apology wasn't sincere. You can accept it or not."
Lin Wei's crying paused, then intensified.
Zhuang Qingxiang looked at Lu Congyue with a puzzled expression, not understanding why he would say such a thing.
Shouldn't he be telling her to accept the apology and forgive Lin Wei?
But Lu Congyue didn't say anything. Zhuang Qingxiang hesitated for a moment, and seeing Lin Wei crying like this, she could only say, "I don't want to get involved in your affairs. I just hope that Comrade Lin Wei will not come to bother me again in the future."
After she finished speaking, she didn't care what the two people thought, and went straight back to her room without lingering for even a minute.
Soon, she heard the crying stop, followed by the sound of the door closing and Lu Congyue's footsteps returning to the room.
Zhuang Qingxiang sat on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed) listening. When she heard Lu Congyue enter the room, she couldn't control her emotions and got up to lift the curtain and go out.
Lu Congyue, who was about to put down his bag, paused.
Zhuang Qingxiang: "Director Lu, could you please help me and my child find a place to stay at the factory?"
Lu Congyue: "..."
"I know I've gone a bit too far, but tonight's situation really..."
"I had someone ask before I went on my business trip. I'll ask tomorrow," Lu Congyue said in a deep voice.
Zhuang Qingxiang had prepared a lot of courage and a lot of words, but she didn't need them. She stood there with her mouth slightly open, stunned.
Lu Congyue frowned and said, "I told you the day you came that you weren't suitable."
Zhuang Qingxiang panicked instantly, frantically searching her mind for any excuse she could come up with.
"However, Village Chief Qian is right, you are very good at taking care of children, and it's not wrong for us to keep you here," Lu Congyue added. "I overlooked these issues, I'm sorry."
"Ah? No, it's not your fault, you're so busy..." Zhuang Qingxiang stammered.
She went on a business trip as soon as she arrived in Lu Congyue, and after returning, she worked overtime again, and then went on another business trip. In fact, the two of them did not spend much time living under the same roof.
He's so busy, how can he possibly take care of everything at home?
"Alright, go back to your room and rest. We'll talk about this tomorrow."
Lu Congyue put down his luggage, took his towel and teacup, and went to wash up.
Zhuang Qingxiang couldn't just go back to her room to rest, so she quickly helped open the folded-out wire bed and made the bed for Lu Congyue.