Chapter 172: Husband and wife are birds of the same forest; when disaster strikes, each flies off on their own

The daughter was taken away by her son-in-law, and Zhang Xuemei also sneaked back to the family quarters, wanting to have a proper talk with Lu Mingyuan.

But when she arrived, she was dumbfounded.

"Who are you? Why are you in my house?"

A plump middle-aged woman glared back impatiently and retorted impatiently:

"Who are you? This apartment was allocated to our family by the unit—what do you think you are?"

An old woman came out from behind, and upon seeing who was arguing with her eldest daughter-in-law, she said with a fake smile:

"Oh, it's Mrs. Lu—how come you're back alone?"

"Oh, you probably don't know, Director Lu has applied for a personnel transfer and has vacated this apartment, returning it to the unit."

"Our family has many members—we just got approval, and now this apartment is where our family of seven lives."

After hearing this, Zhang Xuemei's face grew uglier and uglier—a personnel transfer?

Lu Mingyuan has gone crazy!

He worked twenty years to attain his current position!

The rank of this unit in the capital is far superior to that of other cities!

He just gave it up like that!

Fine, let him give it up—but why, out of the blue, not consult her and just vacate the apartment and return it to the unit!

They haven't even divorced yet—this household is half hers!

And her clothes and belongings!

"Oh, by the way, your luggage—Director Lu had it packed and sent to your unit's factory; you can go to the factory's Security Section to pick it up."

The old woman tapped the floor tile with her cane and suddenly reminded her:

Although she didn't look at them with contempt, the indifference and neglect made Zhang Xuemei feel as if she had fallen into an ice cave!

Her face was stepped on by Lu Mingyuan, ground into mud, and she couldn't grasp anything at all!

Zhang Xuemei endured the humiliating gaze and hurriedly left the family quarters, leaving the place where she had lived for fifteen years.....

"Mom, you're so good-tempered, still talking to her so much—I can't stand it, a little home‑wrecker who crawled into bed, cheating and stealing people, yet she has the nerve to come back."

The middle‑aged woman, facing her mother‑in‑law, remained good‑tempered, reached out to support the elder, sat on a chair in the courtyard, and then chattered on.

"Cui Fen, your temper is almost grandmother‑like—you really ought to rein it in; a dog that bites doesn't bark."

The old lady patiently explained to her daughter‑in‑law, teaching her how to judge people.

That Zhang Xuemei could tolerate all this for so many years shows she is no pushover.

They had just secured this big, nice apartment, yet many people were eyeing it behind the scenes.

Arguing with the other side and causing a big scene might bring trouble upon themselves.

So it would be better to just give them a favor.

Anyway, Director Lu has already been transferred; there's an eighty percent chance he won't come back.

What standing could Zhang Xuemei possibly have to return?

Don't get into conflict with someone not worth it—because they have no limits, low morals, and if they hurt you, you shouldn't have to pay for your own impulsive actions, right?

Zhang Xuemei hurried back to the factory.

The factory's Security Section——

Many workers, upon seeing her, burst out with sarcastic ridicule:

"Hey, isn't this our future Mrs. Zhou?"

"Hey, don't talk nonsense—Director Zhou has been on blind dates lately, and the choice of Mrs. Zhou hasn't been decided yet."

"No, that's not right—isn't she Mrs. Lu? How did she become Mrs. Zhou?"

"Well, you'll have to ask her about that."

Where there are many people, gossip abounds.

Moreover, the affair between Zhang Xuemei and Director Zhou had long been rumbling through the factory gossip mill, spreading far and wide.

Especially during this period, Zhang Xuemei had taken sick leave.

A worker from her family quarters blew the whistle, saying she had been caught cheating and her husband had beaten her into the hospital!

A few days later, Zhang Xuemei's luggage was sent to the Security Section for safekeeping.

At the same time, there was also a complaint letter and a divorce notice.

All of this was done by Lu Mingyuan!

Before leaving, he exposed to the factory leadership office how his wife had cheated with Director Zhou in the factory!

Director Zhou had already been logged a major demerit and was being criticized in a bulletin!

Husband and wife are birds of the same forest; when disaster strikes, each flies off on their own.

Moreover, Director Zhou and Zhang Xuemei have no marital relationship at all—it's merely an affair.

Therefore, in Director Zhou's confession and self‑criticism letters, it is explicitly stated that Comrade Zhang Xuemei deliberately seduced him; he had been lonely for too long, couldn't resist the temptation, and thus committed a grave mistake!

But now he has fully realized his mistake, resolved to mend his ways, and must......

Draw clear boundaries, never to err again!

Thus Zhang Xuemei's infamous reputation is now known to every factory worker!

As for the divorce notice, it reflects Lu Mingyuan's attitude—he doesn't want such a tainted woman!

If Zhang Xuemei refuses to sign, he will sue for divorce!

As the offending party, if she insists on entangling, then they'll go to court!

After Zhang Xuemei figured out the whole story, she felt completely unwell.

Lu Mingyuan, Lu Mingyuan, you have such a ruthless heart!

Pulling the firewood from under the pot, they gave her no retreat at all!

"Comrade Zhang Xuemei, it's just that you've come to the factory; now I, on behalf of the Labor Relations Section, notify you that your current actions have caused a negative impact on the factory, and therefore you are fired from the factory!"

This is your wages for this month, the notice of termination of labor relations; please acknowledge receipt.

By the way, take your luggage today as well; it's taking up space and obstructing others' work.

The head of the Labor Relations Section appeared, full of righteousness, but his words struck straight at the soul, leaving no leeway.

As his words fell, two burly workers stepped forward and moved Zhang Xuemei's luggage to the factory gate.

Another man then lifted the limp Zhang Xuemei from the ground, dragged her to the factory gate, and gave her a shove.

"Team Leader Wang, from today on, this worker has been fired by the factory; she is not allowed to enter anymore!"

"Received! I guarantee to accomplish the task!"

Thus, the dazed Zhang Xuemei stood at the factory gate, clutching the divorce notice and the compensation envelope from the factory, blank-eyed.

Her job is gone!

Lu Mingyuan and Director Zhou are nothing good!

Where can she go now?

No, she won't admit defeat!

Lu Mingyuan has no more use value; then she signs the divorce notice!

Director Zhou, he wants to go on a blind date and marry someone else?

No way!

She has a Zhou Family flesh and blood in her belly!

Even if she dies, she wants to die in the Zhou Family, so that Director Zhou will be infamous for eternity!

Having figured out her backup plan, Zhang Xuemei's eyes once again flashed with a faint glow.

Losing face?

A dead pig isn't afraid of boiling water; she has nothing left to lose!

Leave?

She refuses, she'll just wait at the factory gate for Director Zhou to get off work; she wants to see whether he cares about face or not.....