Chapter 114

“I’m filing a complaint!” Yao Qixin screamed, his eyes bulging, face twisted with rage, “I’m Wang Ruomei’s husband—I’m reporting her for having an affair with Zhou Andong.”

“Hahahaha…” Yao Qixin burst into wild laughter, his face contorting grotesquely, “Zhou Andong, you slept with my wife and made me a cuckold—I won’t let you live in peace, I’ll make sure you never rest for the rest of your life.”

Wang Ruomei’s mind went blank; tears slipped silently from her eyes. She could ignore any slander directed at her, but Yao Qixin’s shout on stage today shattered the fragile shell she thought she’d built—she felt the sky had lost all light.

You’re who? You’re my husband, the man who was supposed to spend his life with me. Everyone else can misunderstand me, fail to understand me—but not you. Yet it was you, precisely you, who sent me from this world straight into hell.

The crowd below erupted in chaos. Even though rumors about Wang Ruomei and Zhou Andong had circulated, many still refused to believe them. But Yao Qixin’s accusation now confirmed it beyond doubt.

Think about it—how much humiliation must a man endure before he gathers the courage to abandon his dignity and publicly admit, before over a thousand people, that his wife has betrayed him?

Zhou Andong suddenly understood—this was the grand finale arranged by Zhang Deyou and Gao Qingkui. Truly brilliant. But to expel him from the brewery, did they really need to go to such lengths?

So this was your trump card, Jian Qiu thought, staring at Gao Qingkui and Zhang Deyou on stage. She smiled—a beautiful smile, so radiant it drained all color from the world. Yet it carried no warmth, only a chilling coldness.

“Bang!” Zhang Deyou slammed his fist on the table, glaring fiercely, “Unthinkable! Zhou Andong, where are you? Come out here!”

Zhou Andong sneered, stood, and walked toward the stage. Over a thousand pairs of eyes turned to him, following his steps.

Zhou Andong stopped beside Wang Ruomei, then, before the stunned gaze of everyone, pulled her into his arms. Yao Qixin watched, trembling with rage.

“Don’t be afraid—I’m here. No one can hurt you.”

Zhou Andong comforted Wang Ruomei. She was the most innocent here—she’d only been dragged into this because of him. Seeing her like this filled him with guilt.

Jian Qiu walked over. Zhou Andong whispered, “Take care of her.”

Jian Qiu nodded, wrapping an arm around Wang Ruomei’s shoulders, murmuring, “Don’t worry. Justice lives in people’s hearts. No one can defame you.”

What was happening? The most impossible thing had just occurred—it was the greatest miracle on earth.

Who was Jian Qiu? The dream woman of every man in the factory. Yet her icy aloofness—no man dared approach her, not even other women dared get close. But today, she gently comforted Wang Ruomei. No one had ever heard they were connected.

Zhou Andong stepped onto the stage, lit a cigarette, then asked calmly, “Deputy Factory Director Zhang, what do you want?”

“Bang!” Zhang Deyou slammed the table again, “Zhou Andong, what kind of attitude is this? After committing such a grave offense, you still refuse to repent? Do you really think having Deputy Mayor Zuo’s backing means I can’t touch you?”

Zhou Andong frowned. What was this old bastard up to? You did your dirty deed—why drag Zuo Peiming into it? Who gave you the nerve?

Seeing Zhou Andong stay silent, Zhang Deyou sneered, “Confess honestly. Maybe the factory will give you a chance at leniency.”

Zhou Andong laughed bitterly at Zhang Deyou. “What am I supposed to confess to, Zhang Deyou?”

Zhang Deyou exploded, “Zhou Andong, the husband himself has come forward—over a thousand workers heard it all. You’ve been carrying on an illicit affair, with witnesses and clear evidence—what’s left to deny?”

Zhou Andong burst out laughing. “Zhang Deyou, have you forgotten about Warehouse No. 3?”

Zhang Deyou’s face changed, then quickly returned to normal. “Are you trying to imply I’m also having an affair? That’s ridiculous. You openly retaliate against me—do you think the factory’s thousand workers will stand for it?”

“I always had high hopes for your future,” Gao Qingkui sighed mournfully, wearing an expression of profound disappointment, “Everyone makes mistakes. To admit and correct them is the greatest virtue. If you confess honestly, we might still give you a chance to reform.”

Zhou Andong glanced sideways at Gao Qingkui. The old bastard thought he was an idiot. “Gao Qingkui, do I look like a fool? Since we’ve torn off the masks, let’s play it straight—no need for this fake pity. You don’t disgust me? I’m about to throw up.”

Zhang Deyou raised his hand, as if to slam the table again, but pulled it back—probably his palms hurt from the last two slaps.

“Degenerate moral conduct, destroying others’ marriages, engaging in illicit affairs, utterly corrupt—witnesses confirmed, yet you still refuse to confess, showing a vile attitude. I recommend expelling Zhou Andong to uphold factory discipline.”

“I object!” Qian Zhen spoke up.

Zhang Deyou glanced deeply at Qian Zhen, then at Gu Bing. Seeing Gu Bing remain silent, he sneered, “If Deputy Factory Director Qian objects, we’ll follow the old rule—vote by show of hands.”

Most cadres above the deputy section level raised their hands—especially Liu Zhiguang, who raised his highest and grinned widest.

Zhang Deyou smiled. “Minority yields to majority. Zhou Andong, you’re fired.”

“Good! Fire him!” Chen Lao’ai shouted, clapping loudly.

“Zhou Andong, get out of the brewery!”

“Get out!”

“Get out!”

Chen Lao’ai, Meng Xiao, and Ding Liuhex led the chant. Others joined in, hurling insults at Zhou Andong.

Watching it all, Yao Qixin felt an indescribable rush of satisfaction. The hatred and humiliation buried in his heart were finally released—but it wasn’t enough. He wanted Zhou Andong to suffer for the rest of his life.

Besides Yao Qixin, another person was smiling broadly: Tong Huaiyu. He never imagined he’d witness such a spectacular drama at the brewery—and the main target was the man who stole Jian Qiu, the man he’d vowed to destroy.

Tong Huaiyu looked at Jian Qiu. You’re still so kind, comforting that woman. But I should thank you—you’d have remained blind, deceived by that bastard, if not for this.

At that moment, Tong Huaiyu saw Jian Qiu lead Wang Ruomei onto the stage, then pick up the microphone before all eyes.

“Yao Qixin, do you know who I am?”

Yao Qixin sneered. “Why should I care who you are?”

“I’m Jian Qiu, head of the factory union, and also…” Jian Qiu grabbed Zhou Andong’s hand and raised it, “his woman.”

“Boom!”

The entire hall exploded in shock, everyone staring in disbelief at Jian Qiu and Zhou Andong’s clasped hands.