Chapter 473: Chapter 466: Rumors
Just like that, Li Yuzhi became a Business Manager in the sales department, stunning her colleagues, who only then realized that she had actually managed to recover the over 800,000 yuan in debt – and she had even moved to the sales department?
Everyone was filled with both envy and jealousy, coveting the 17,000 yuan commission and Li Yuzhi’s new job.
A few days later, a rumor started circulating in the distillery:
"Do you know how Li Yuzhi managed to recover the debt? I heard she got it back by sleeping with the leaders."
"No wonder! Those five big guys, including Zhuzi, couldn’t get the money back, but she, a mere slip of a girl, managed it with ease. Turns out she relied on her good looks!"
"Good looks, of course. She earned 17,000 in a month!"
"Psh, even if it were 27,000, I wouldn’t covet it. Dirty!"
"Dirty or not, the money’s not dirty. I heard that Li Yuzhi is a widow too. You bachelors sure have the opportunity to give it a shot and gain both the lady and the wealth!"
"Psh, who’d fancy her after she’s been slept with by who knows how many men - no one wants that kind of goods!"
....
The rumor spread rapidly through the factory, and by the time Yuan Jin found out, the whole factory was already abuzz. Fortunately, Li Yuzhi was out chasing business and hadn’t heard any of it.
It was Assistant Li who told Yuan Jin, who verified it by conducting an inquiry. The things he uncovered were even uglier than what Assistant Li had relayed. He immediately scowled.
Zhong Meiying had just returned to the office when Assistant Li called her over, saying that Mr. Yuan wanted to see her. Zhong Meiying happily raised her eyebrows and hurriedly walked towards the General Manager’s office.
"Director Zhong, Mr. Yuan is summoning you because of the rumors about Li Yuzhi spreading in the workshop." Assistant Li, seeing Zhong Meiying’s high spirits and thinking of Mr. Yuan’s coal-black face, kindly reminded her.
Zhong Meiying’s pace faltered, her heart suddenly sinking. She went around the workshop every day and was well aware of the rumors about Li Yuzhi. The packaging workshop, in particular, was rife with gossip.
She knew exactly how vile those rumors were. Logically, as the director of the workshop, she should have curbed the spread of such gossip at the first instance and purified the atmosphere.
But, like she was possessed, she did not do so. Instead, she let the rumors spread rapidly and become increasingly vile.
Why? Even she couldn’t say why she had acted like this. Could it simply be because Yuan Jin had spoken to Li Yuzhi a few times?
No, it wasn’t only Li Yuzhi whom Yuan Jin had spoken to, but it was only towards Li Yuzhi that she felt guarded. Although there was nothing special between Yuan Jin and Li Yuzhi, she had an instinct, a woman’s intuition.
Yuan Jin treated Li Yuzhi differently!
And so, when the employees spoke ill of Li Yuzhi, she actually felt pleased. The nastier the words, the happier she was. She even wished for Yuan Jin to hear these filthy words, so he’d learn the kind of woman Li Yuzhi really was.
Zhong Meiying chuckled bitterly. When had she become such a person? Hadn’t she always despised those who resorted to underhanded tactics?
Yet one day, she, Zhong Meiying, had herself become one of them. How she detested this side of herself!
Yuan Jin looked at Zhong Meiying before him, trying to calm his emotions, and spoke indifferently, "Please, take a seat."
"Do you know about the rumors circulating in the workshop?" Yuan Jin asked again.
"Yes." Zhong Meiying didn’t conceal it.
"When did you find out?"
"Half a month ago."
"Slap!"
Yuan Jin’s anger flared, slamming the desk heavily, causing Assistant Li outside the door to tremble.
"Knowing it half a month ago, why didn’t you stop it immediately? Why didn’t you report it to me?" Yuan Jin asked furiously.
Zhong Meiying did feel somewhat guilty, but seeing Yuan Jin’s raging demeanor, she couldn’t help feeling wronged and retorted with her neck stiffened: "How should I stop it? Mouths are on other people’s faces; should I sew their mouths shut? Besides, flies don’t target uncracked eggs, if Li Yuzhi herself behaved properly and sat upright, why would others only talk about her?"
"What... What kind of talk is that? As a workshop director, how can you say such irresponsible things?" Yuan Jin cursed angrily upon seeing her unrepentant attitude.
"How am I being irresponsible? What those people said isn’t wrong. Who knows how Li Yuzhi got the money back? Others couldn’t get it back, but she could. Who knows if there are any tricks involved?"
Zhong Meiying didn’t know what had gotten into her, but whenever she saw Yuan Jin scolding her because of Li Yuzhi, her anger surged up uncontrollably, and the words just spewed out without care.
Assistant Li outside the door couldn’t help but cry ’Granny’, carefully eyeing Li Yuzhi standing at the door, squeezing out a smile uglier than crying.
"Manager Li, Director Zhong just speaks her mind, please don’t take her words to heart."
Li Yuzhi’s face darkened as she said coldly, "Can one slander people just by being outspoken? I think I need to have a good talk with Mr. Yuan."
The current Li Yuzhi was no longer the same as before. The former Li Yuzhi always appeared timid and easily evoked men’s pity. Yet, the current Li Yuzhi had grown more assertive and confident.
Li Yuzhi had just landed a big order and upon returning, she heard these rumors around the factory. Even though she was prepared for rumors, she was still furious. Without thinking, she went to see Yuan Jin, only to overhear Zhong Meiying’s words.
Well done, Zhong Meiying, when have I ever offended you? To set traps for me behind my back?
Li Yuzhi sneered inwardly, resolved to teach Zhong Meiying a good lesson. She, Li Yuzhi, had grown up in a family that ’ate’ people before being sold into another ’eating’ family—what hasn’t she experienced? How would she fear such petty schemes?
So you just like Mr. Yuan?
I will snatch him away just to spite you!
To say that Li Yuzhi was indeed a person without much moral sense, according to old sayings, both wicked and righteous. Thus, while she disliked Yuan Jin, to get back at Zhong Meiying, seducing Yuan Jin was something quite normal for her.
Li Yuzhi took a deep breath, her expression changing, and reverted to the previous timid demeanor, tears streaming down her face. The speed of her transformation dumbfounded Assistant Li.
Li Yuzhi gently pushed open the door, her face stained with tears, silent, just sobbing and looking at Yuan Jin, who instantly felt full of guilt.
Having achieved her goal, Li Yuzhi shifted her target, speaking plaintively to Zhong Meiying: "Director Zhong, I, Li Yuzhi, have always acted honorably and obtained every owed amount in due manner. What gives you the right to say such unpleasant things? You’re driving me to death!"
Zhong Meiying hadn’t expected to be caught red-handed talking behind someone’s back and felt considerably unnerved. Hearing Li Yuzhi’s crying accusations, she was left speechless, without the moral high ground or the energy to vehemently argue, and in less than a few minutes, she fled in panic.
Li Yuzhi watched Zhong Meiying’s hasty retreat with an inward sneer, but her face remained full of sorrow. Yuan Jin comforted her on the side, ensuring that he would give her justice for the incident and that he would not let those who have contributed to the factory be disheartened.