Chapter 376 - 375: A Mouthful of Slander

"Isn’t this pretty normal? It’s always been like this," He Lang said dismissively.

Xue Yue shook her head. "The ration coupons suppress consumption to a certain extent, but they also affect the market."

He Lang looked at her. "What do you want to do about it?"

Xue Yue shook her head. "It’s not about what I want to do. I have to report this to our superiors."

He Lang thought for a few seconds before saying, "In the past, supply couldn’t meet demand, so the coupons helped distribute goods fairly. It’s only because of the rapid development in recent years that this situation has occurred."

Xue Yue, of course, knew that. "Market supervision is our responsibility. I think a change needs to be made."

But Xue Yue knew she didn’t have that kind of authority. Perhaps even their minister didn’t. Still, if a real problem existed, it had to be reported.

"An overstock of bicycles?"

Zheng Guofeng said, looking at the report Xue Yue had submitted.

Xue Yue nodded. "It’s not just that. There’s also cotton. In recent years, many places have had bumper cotton harvests, but it’s still extremely difficult for the public to buy any. This has led to an overstock of cotton in some areas and a shortage in others."

"I made a special trip to the department stores in our own Beijing City to ask about the situation, and this is what I found in most cases."

Zheng Guofeng nodded. "Alright, I understand. You can go back for now. I’ll talk to Old Jin and figure out how to report this to the higher-ups."

"Okay."

Half a month later, Zheng Guofeng finally brought the matter up with Xue Yue. "It’s been submitted. The leadership considered the current situation and decided it’s not yet suitable to cancel the coupons all at once for fear of causing market turmoil. However, they did say they will distribute coupons more reasonably to the lower-level workers."

Xue Yue nodded. That was one way to handle it.

Zheng Guofeng said with a smile, "The leadership also praised us for the timeliness of our report. You did a good job on this. I made sure to mention your name specifically."

Xue Yue’s eyes lit up, and the corners of her mouth curved into a small smile.

Then, Zheng Guofeng handed Xue Yue a stack of documents. "There’s a trade fair next week. Buyers and suppliers from several countries will be attending. This is the information on their companies. Your team needs to evaluate their investment objectives, scale, methods, and risks."

Xue Yue took them. "Understood."

Back in the office, Guo Zhaoyang ran over, looking at Xue Yue with curiosity. "Team Leader, did we get a result on that thing from last time?"

Xue Yue nodded.

Guo Zhaoyang looked at Xue Yue. "So what did the leadership say?"

Xue Yue glanced at him. ’The young man is sharp, just a bit of a chatterbox.’ "The leadership said we did a good job."

Guo Zhaoyang clapped his hands happily. "I knew it! I knew there was a problem."

"Alright."

Xue Yue addressed everyone, "There’s a trade fair next week. This is the information on the international companies attending. Pass these around and compile a risk assessment."

"Okay."

Guo Zhaoyang took the documents from Xue Yue and began distributing them.

Seeing Xue Yue go into the inner office and close the door, Deng Weiwei tapped the documents she had just received and said to Guo Zhaoyang, "Are you free after work? Want to go see a movie?"

Guo Zhaoyang shook his head. "No."

Deng Weiwei was a little embarrassed by the rejection. She reached out, grabbed the sleeve of Guo Zhaoyang’s arm, and shook it. "Come on, my treat. It’s the new romance movie. I hear it’s really touching."

Ding Ruzhi pursed her lips and shivered, trying to shake off the goosebumps. ’That voice is even more affected than my own. I don’t even know how she produces that sound.’

Zhao Li said with a laugh, "Xiao Guo, I didn’t realize you were so popular with the ladies. Little Deng, if he won’t go, I’ll go with you. What time are the tickets for?"

Deng Weiwei’s expression stiffened. "Um, Sister Zhao, I haven’t bought the tickets yet."

Hearing this, Zhao Li pursed her lips and didn’t say anything more.

After work, Deng Weiwei blocked Guo Zhaoyang’s path on his way out. "Do you have a problem with me?"

Guo Zhaoyang was stunned for a moment, then he chuckled. "What problem could I have with you? Did you do something to wrong me?"

Deng Weiwei shook her head, pouting. "Then why wouldn’t you go to the movies with me?"

Guo Zhaoyang patted the documents in his bag. "I’m busy. I don’t have time."

Deng Weiwei glanced at it. "The Team Leader isn’t in a rush for it. We don’t need it until next week. Why are you in such a hurry?"

Guo Zhaoyang gave a short laugh. "It’s a case of the slow bird having to start flying early. I’ll feel better once I get it done sooner. I’ve gotta go, or I’ll miss my bus home."

Deng Weiwei watched Guo Zhaoyang run off and stomped her foot in frustration.

Zhao Li had been watching them from behind. After Guo Zhaoyang left, she walked over.

"Little Deng."

Deng Weiwei turned to see Zhao Li and called out awkwardly, "Sister Zhao."

Zhao Li caught a glimpse of Deng Weiwei’s expression out of the corner of her eye and sighed theatrically. "Ah, you young people. You like beautiful things. I can understand that."

Deng Weiwei looked at Zhao Li, confused. "Sister Zhao, what do you mean by that?"

Zhao Li looked at Deng Weiwei in feigned surprise. "You haven’t noticed? Xiao Guo likes Xue Yue."

Deng Weiwei paused. "You mean our team leader?"

Zhao Li sneered. "The deputy one."

Deng Weiwei blinked, hesitating. "You’re saying Guo Zhaoyang likes the deputy team leader?"

Zhao Li nodded and patted Deng Weiwei’s shoulder. "Silly girl, how could you not see something so obvious?"

Deng Weiwei mumbled, "But we all know the deputy team leader is married. She has a family."

Zhao Li scoffed. "So what if she’s married? With a face like Xue Yue’s, people will still be after her in ten years, believe it or not. Men all love that vixen type."

Deng Weiwei clearly didn’t believe her. Xue Yue always acted openly and honorably at work and never showed any favoritism toward Guo Zhaoyang.

"You don’t get it. I’ve been around the block; I’ve seen plenty of people like her. They look all proper on the surface, but who knows what they’re really like in private? Otherwise, how do you think she got to her current position at such a young age?"

"Huh?" Deng Weiwei’s eyes widened in surprise. "But the team leader is really capable."

Zhao Li shot her a sidelong glance. "Capable of what? Seducing men? You kids just haven’t seen the really shameless stuff. What can you do? The woman is pretty and has connections."

"The team leader has connections? How come I’ve never heard that?" Deng Weiwei asked, astonished.

Zhao Li snorted. "Our very own Vice Minister Zheng."

"Vice—Vice Minister Zheng?" Deng Weiwei was so shocked she covered her mouth.

"Sister Zhao, Vice Minister Zheng’s age—"

Zhao Li casually told Deng Weiwei, "Heh, people at the department used to say Vice Minister Zheng and Xue Yue were father and daughter. But I asked Xue Yue, and she said no, he’s just a family elder. Do you believe that? What kind of ’elder’? It’s definitely some kind of shady relationship. You see how they exchange looks in private."

Deng Weiwei felt like her entire worldview was being shattered today. "That happened too?"

Zhao Li huffed. "What else could it be? I’ve been at this department for eight or nine years, and she’s been here less than two. You tell me. Sigh. I guess we can only blame ourselves for not having a pretty face and not having her... methods."

And just like that, Zhao Li’s words changed Deng Weiwei’s opinion of Xue Yue.