Chapter 353: The Indignant Mother-in-Law

Just now, while speaking on the stage, Lu Cheng was already observing.

When he mentioned Tan Kaiping's name, a few leaders frowned, but the workers were instead very uplifted.

And the workers' power is immense and boundless.

Lu Cheng's today's compelling speech wasn't empty; he deliberately set the workers' emotions ablaze.

"Director Pan, don't be nervous; let me ask first, did the revolutionary committee chair say anything just now?"

Pan Jihai shook his head: "What could he say? You already brought it up, but I can see that although he said nothing aloud, he's certainly resenting you in his heart."

Lu Cheng was unbothered: "That's fine; we can take advantage of today's opportunity and simply bring up Tan Zonggong's matter to him, letting him find a way to rehabilitate Tan Zonggong."

Lu Cheng had been thinking since early morning how to rehabilitate Tan Kaiping and even tried contacting Senior Sister, but it was different from Lin Zhenfeng.

Lin Zhenfeng's father was a soldier; although he's passed away, Lu Cheng, through contacts, reached the Military District, and the people, recalling they were old comrades, were willing to take a risk and help once.

But Tan Kaiping was different; his background isn't from Capital City, and he has no ties to the military, so seeking rehabilitation is still quite difficult.

The only way is to approach the local relevant authorities; seeing the revolutionary committee chair today, Lu Cheng felt this was an opportunity, indeed a rare one.

Seeing Lu Cheng didn't look like he was joking, Pan Jihai tentatively asked, "So are you planning to go find Director Liu yourself, or have Secretary Song step forward?"

Lu Cheng waved his hand: "I definitely can't go; I'm new here, who would know who I am! As for you Secretary Song… it's not really appropriate for you to step forward, so the only option is …"

When Lu Cheng stared straight at him, Pan Jihai couldn't help but step back a beat.

"What do you mean, you want me to go?"

Lu Cheng smiled: "Director Pan, I know you're about to promote a deputy factory director; you should be clearer than anyone about the reason you can promote a deputy factory director?"

Pan Jihai opened his mouth: he could promote the deputy factory director precisely because the Snow Removal Machine Project was completed successfully, and that success couldn't have been achieved without Tan Kaiping's silent assistance.

Moreover, the two are old comrades; if, as Lu Cheng says, there's a chance to rehabilitate Tan Kaiping, he'd have to give it a try.

Thinking that, he straightened his resolve and said, "Alright, Lu Jingzhang, I'll go find Director Liu right away; if it works, everyone will be delighted; if it fails, I'll just bear the consequences, and I only hope Lu Jingzhang won't blame me too much."

Pan Jihai, being straightforward, was about to go find the revolutionary committee chair, but Lu Cheng hurriedly stopped him.

Since this must be done, it has to succeed in one go; otherwise the longer it drags, the messier it becomes, and someone reckless like Pan Jihai going alone would likely be brushed off and sent back.

"What's up, Lu Jingzhang, I'm already fired up; don't stop me."

In today's climate, although the torrent has passed, its impact remains, so rehabilitating Tan Kaiping requires great courage.

"Director Pan, don't rush; I never said you could go straight to Director Liu—this matter still needs the workers' strength…"

Seeing Pan Jihai more bewildered, Lu Cheng led him to an empty spot.

From a distance, Pan Jihai was seen alternating between frowning and nodding.

After Pan Jihai heard Lu Cheng's plan, he immediately gathered a few trusted old coworkers, explained the plan, and those old coworkers instantly ran off.

Lu Cheng looked at the jeeps parked by the roadside; one of them was the revolutionary committee chair's official car, and several leaders were now touring the snow removal machine.

Once these leaders finish their tour, a dramatic scene will follow.

At that moment, Lu Cheng suddenly felt an uneasy sensation on his back.

The feeling… was as if someone was staring at him.

Turning around, he indeed saw a familiar figure: his former mother-in-law Yu Wanrong, standing at the door of a jeep, looking at him.

Their eyes met, and Lu Cheng didn't know what to say, so he pretended not to see and turned his head back.

But somehow, after a moment, Yu Wanrong suddenly stood right in front of his face; pretending not to see was no longer possible.

"Aunt Yu, why did you also come?"

Yu Wanrong, irritated, said, "What are you pretending? You clearly saw me."

Hearing her hostile tone, Lu Cheng was completely baffled.

Everything has already been divorced according to your instructions; even if the two families can't become friends, there's no need to become enemies.

Not knowing where Yu Wanrong's anger came from, Lu Cheng acted indifferent; he truly had no mood to chat with her, focusing solely on whether today he could resolve Tan Kaiping's rehabilitation.

Then this trip wasn't in vain.

Lu Cheng stayed silent, yet Yu Wanrong insisted on speaking.

"Come with me for a moment."

Lu Cheng didn't want to go: "Aunt Yu, if you have something, just say it here."

Standing there, with a wide view, he could see the few old workers who had just dispersed, and gradually more workers gathered.

"Having you come with me is to save face for you."

After saying that, Yu Wanrong stepped ahead first, leaving Lu Cheng momentarily stunned.

What does 'saving face for me' even mean? It's utterly baffling!

What exactly does she want to say? Yu Wanrong's demeanor today is off; the look she gave him seemed as if she could devour him.

Glancing over, several leaders were still circling the snow removal machine, praising it in discussion; they'd probably finish the tour soon, so Lu Cheng had to follow.

Reaching the back of the vehicle, Yu Wanrong crossed her arms and launched a question.

"During this period, have you been in contact with my daughter Yan Yan?"

Sure enough, it was about Lin Qingyan, and only involving the daughter could make today's Yu Wanrong act out of composure, losing her previous elegance.

Lu Cheng answered honestly: "Aunt Yu, since you left Capital City, Qing Yan and I haven't been in touch."

"When was the last time you two were in contact?"

"The last time?" Lu Cheng didn't understand why Yu Wanrong was fixated on this, but after a moment he replied truthfully, "The twenty‑sixth day of the twelfth lunar month."

That night Lin Qingyan came to deliver the keys; though he was half‑asleep, it counted as their final meeting.

Yu Wanrong inhaled deeply, gritted her teeth and said, "You remember it clearly enough!"

Lu Cheng was puzzled; of course he remembered clearly—it was the day his good friend Zhao Bin got married.

"Aunt Yu, why do you keep asking me these questions? Did something happen to Qing Yan?"

Although it was a sham marriage, they had shared a bed, and because of the life‑saving debt from the previous life, even though they no longer keep in touch, Lu Cheng would do his utmost to help Lin Qingyan if she needed anything.

However this time, Yu Wanrong outright refused his kindness, even seeming to want to tear him apart on the spot.