Xia Xingguo challenged him, "Does 'normal work interaction' require bringing cigarettes and alcohol as gifts?"
Section Chief Wei shot back, "Deputy Director Jiang gave me money and ration coupons and asked me to run an errand. If I help a friend buy some cigarettes and alcohol, do I need to report it to you?"
His slick argument made Xia Xingguo snort coldly. "In any case, you got the 'model worker' title and took all the benefits. Of course you can say whatever you like now."
Seeing the situation growing increasingly tense, Qin Aiguo finally snapped, "Enough! All of you, be quiet!"
After speaking, Qin Aiguo turned to Su Wenshan and Chen Xiue, his expression serious as he said carefully, "Director Su, this is a serious matter. I can't rely on just your side of the story."
"How about this—I'll have someone call Deputy Director Jiang over. You can confront each other face to face."
Just as Qin Aiguo was about to call someone, a respectful and humble voice came from outside the door—
"Director, I have something I'd like to report to you…"
Deputy Director Jiang walked in, wearing his work uniform and holding a document.
When he saw Su Wenshan, he looked surprised, then immediately showed concern. "Oh, Director Su, you've recovered? Didn't I tell you to rest a few more days? Why are you back at work so soon?"
Su Wenshan frowned and didn't want to respond.
But Chen Xiue couldn't hold back. She let out a cold snort. "Deputy Director Jiang, you're really something—acting like a decent man in front of others while being completely different behind their backs! You were the one who told my husband not to come to work anymore. What are you pretending for now?"
Deputy Director Jiang looked confused and innocent. "Sister, what are you talking about? I don't understand."
Seeing this, Section Chief Wei quickly spoke up, "Deputy Director Jiang, Director Su and his wife came here to accuse you. They say you're trying to restore capitalism, abusing your power, and that your moral character is corrupt! They even claim you're forcing Director Su to marry his daughter to your son, saying your son wants multiple wives!"
Upon hearing this, Deputy Director Jiang was stunned, his face full of disbelief.
He first looked at Su Wenshan in shock, then turned to Qin Aiguo with a wronged expression. "Director, I've been wronged! Director Su must have misunderstood. He took sick leave a few days ago, so I asked him to come over and showed concern for him. I was worried that working while sick would harm his health, so I specifically told him to go home and rest more, not to rush back to work, and to wait until he had fully recovered."
"I meant well—how did that become abusing power?"
"And besides, my son Guangzong is getting married in three days. Even if I'd lost my mind, I wouldn't have him marry Director Su's daughter as well!"
As he spoke, Deputy Director Jiang looked at Su Wenshan with suspicion. "Director Su, we have no past grudges or recent conflicts. Why would you fabricate such accusations against me? And to go so far as to label me as someone attempting to restore capitalism—that's a crime punishable by execution! What have I done to offend you?"
His performance of being unjustly accused made even the usually mild-mannered Su Wenshan clench his fists.
Chen Xiue was even more furious. "Deputy Director Jiang, you're quite the smooth talker! Are you saying we're slandering you? Don't forget—when you came to our courtyard to propose a marriage alliance, everyone there knew you wanted to form a connection with our family!"
Deputy Director Jiang frowned deeply, speaking righteously, "Sister, you've truly misunderstood. At that time, I did consider forming a marriage alliance with your family. But later, I found the He family's daughter to be quite suitable, so I made the decision for my son Guangzong to marry He Hua. We've already paid the bride price and set the wedding date—how could that be false?"
"Besides, I'm the deputy director of this steel factory. If you insist that I abused my power to force a marriage with your family—what would I even gain from that?"
After he said this, many people present began to hesitate.
It was true—Su Wenshan was only a warehouse director, with no powerful background and fairly ordinary circumstances. Meanwhile, Deputy Director Jiang was a factory leader with a promising future.
What could he possibly gain from Su Wenshan?
Seeing that she couldn't argue against him, Chen Xiue grew increasingly agitated and said firmly, "How would we know what you're after? In any case, we're not lying! But you—who would've thought? You act so proper every day, yet you're quite skilled at twisting black and white!"
Deputy Director Jiang didn't respond to her accusation. Instead, he gave her a helpless look and then, in a self-reproachful tone, said to Qin Aiguo:
"Director, this whole situation is my fault. I shouldn't have gone to speak with Director Su in the first place—it only led to this misunderstanding… sigh!"
Section Chief Wei immediately chimed in, "Deputy Director Jiang, how can this be your fault? We all know the real reason Director Su made such a scene—he was upset about not being selected as the model worker last time. If anything, this is my fault. If I hadn't accepted the title, perhaps none of this would have happened!"
With just a few words, he framed the entire incident as jealousy.
And indeed, when Su Wenshan failed to receive the "model worker" title previously, he had shown dissatisfaction and even left work without formally taking leave.
As a result, the others in the office began to look at him differently.
Su Wenshan's expression tightened, and he was about to explain himself when Qin Aiguo spoke sternly, "Enough. I've heard everything clearly. Director Su, I believe Deputy Director Jiang's intentions were good, but perhaps he didn't express himself clearly, which led to your misunderstanding. Now that everything has been clarified, the misunderstanding is resolved."
"Right now, the factory has a surge in orders, and everyone is working overtime. I don't want you wasting time on such trivial matters."
"That's all—everyone return to your duties."
After speaking, Qin Aiguo specifically addressed Su Wenshan. "Director Su, since you're not in good health, go home and rest for a couple more days."
Then he turned to Deputy Director Jiang. "What did you want to report just now?"
Deputy Director Jiang immediately handed over the document. "Director, I discovered yesterday that one of our production lines has an issue. I've arranged for maintenance personnel to come…"
Qin Aiguo's instruction for Su Wenshan to rest was, in effect, a judgment against him—he had already concluded that Su Wenshan was at fault.
Su Wenshan wanted to defend himself, but Qin Aiguo gave him no chance. With a dismissive wave and a cold look, he signaled for him to leave.
---
In the hallway outside the office.
Xia Xingguo patted Su Wenshan on the shoulder, offering comfort. "Old Su, it's alright. They may not believe you, but I do. We've known each other for so many years—I understand your character. You would never falsely accuse someone out of jealousy."
Su Wenshan forced a bitter smile. "I was telling the truth, yet everyone thinks I'm acting out of resentment. The factory is busy, and the director still told me to go home and rest. That means he's already decided I'm the one causing trouble."
Chen Xiue couldn't accept it. Gritting her teeth, she said, "I refuse to believe that such a big factory has no place for reason. I'm going back to argue this out with the director!"