Wen Dongrong’s competitors were sharp, and in the brief moment he was caught off guard, they spotted something amiss.
“Old Wen, what’s wrong? Didn’t you know about your wife’s job transfer?”
The rival’s round, genial face was full of feigned concern, as if worried about Wen Dongrong’s marriage, but in reality, he was probing.
At Wen Dongrong and Chen Ru’s age, a crumbling marriage and a wife abruptly transferring to the provincial capital could easily lead to speculation about a third party.
If Wen Dongrong had made a misstep and his rival seized the opportunity, it could spell trouble. But Wen Dongrong was quick to recover from his momentary shock.
“Of course I knew. We discussed her transfer together. Nowadays, which parent doesn’t sacrifice for their kids? You know my daughter got into the provincial key school and will study in Rongcheng for three years. One of us had to go to Rongcheng to look after her. I’m grateful for her sacrifice for our family. If she didn’t go, it would’ve been me.”
Accompanying a child’s studies was an irrefutable excuse. The rival was skeptical, his gaze still tinged with doubt, but lacking any solid leverage, he let it slide for now.
Wen Dongrong stood rooted, his chest heaving with anger.
How could he go on like this?
His wife’s job transfer was something he learned from someone else’s mouth!
If not for the gossip-prone workplace, he would’ve called Chen Ru right then to demand answers.
Holding it in until noon, Wen Dongrong skipped the cafeteria and called from his office. Despite his fury, he kept his voice low to avoid being overheard.
When confronted, Chen Ru admitted it readily.
“Yes, I transferred, but what’s it to you? All these years, haven’t I sacrificed enough as your dutiful wife? This move to Rongcheng is an opportunity for me.”
Though most of her connections and clients would be useless in Rongcheng, starting her career anew, even her sister Chen Li, a former housewife, had reentered the workforce to prop up Deng Shangwei’s faltering seafood business. Chen Ru refused to be outdone by her sister.
Rongcheng was a bigger stage. Working in a bank, who wouldn’t want to climb higher and deal with clients of a different caliber?
Her words left Wen Dongrong speechless.
Arguing in the office would only make him a laughingstock among colleagues. His tone softened slightly. “I know you’ve given a lot to this family, and I’m not saying you can’t go to Rongcheng. We discussed this before. But you left without a word, and today Old Li cornered me at work—”
Chen Ru cut him off impatiently. “That’s your problem to deal with. Whether I tell you or not makes no difference, so why waste my breath?”
Women love dredging up old grievances. Wen Dongrong realized she was bringing up the past—when she asked him to make a list, he didn’t, and now she was holding it against him.
Frowning, he asked, “You went to Rongcheng and demanded the debt from Hongyan?”
“Of course I did. Her family’s business is thriving now—they’re not short of cash, but I am! You only care about me chasing Hongyan’s family for the debt. Why not ask about your daughter? The provincial key school announced the entrance exam results today… Forget it, why am I even telling you?”
Beep, beep, beep.
Chen Ru hung up unilaterally.
The entrance exam results were out today?
Wen Dongrong wanted to call back, but a knock at his office door stopped him.
Learning of his wife’s transfer last and getting scolded by her wasn’t even Comrade Wen Dongrong’s worst moment today.
The worst came in the afternoon.
The unit’s top leader summoned him to the office, suggesting he take some time off at home to “give himself a break.”
Wen Dongrong was baffled.
Why a sudden leave? It didn’t sound good.
Had Old Li been badmouthing him to the leadership? His recent fatigue and today’s “marital separation” were sensitive topics, but not enough to warrant a forced leave!
The leader trusted Wen Dongrong and spoke earnestly, urging him to mend his family ties.
“We’re family—can’t you resolve any conflicts? In principle, I absolutely trust you, but with a real-name report against you, we must follow procedure. Once the investigation’s over, you’ll return to work as usual.”
A real-name report!
Shu Guobing had reported Wen Dongrong.
After repaying 30,000 yuan grudgingly, with Little Cai fanning the flames, Shu Guobing aimed to ruin Wen Dongrong’s iron rice bowl.
The report was written overnight.
The evidence, gathered by Little Cai, was that Wen Dongrong and Chen Ru had bought two apartments in Rongcheng in one go!
How could a public servant with an iron rice bowl afford two apartments? It had to be corruption and bribery.
The report was submitted to Wen Dongrong’s workplace that morning.
The top leader valued and trusted Wen Dongrong, but a real-name report demanded careful handling. Procedure had to be followed, and giving Wen Dongrong a break also allowed him to address his family issues.
Even if the investigation found nothing, with relatives like Shu Guobing causing trouble every few days, how could Wen Dongrong continue his work?
Gossip would forever shadow him.
The impact was terrible.
Wen Dongrong left the office, his head spinning, his steps unsteady.
That dog Shu Guobing dared to report him!
Even if the investigation cleared him of financial misconduct, Old Li, always watching, wouldn’t let him off easily.
Wen Dongrong had guarded his reputation diligently since starting work, toiling conscientiously for nearly twenty years, only for Shu Guobing to ruin it!
He was furious enough to kill.
Rage clouded his reason. He blamed Shu Guobing and turned his anger on Chen Ru.
If Chen Ru hadn’t aggressively demanded repayment from the Shu family, Shu Guobing wouldn’t have been provoked into filing a report.
Wen Dongrong forced himself to stay calm. He endured until the end of the workday, packed his things, delegated his tasks, and announced he was taking a few days off.
His excuse was ready: he had to handle his daughter Wen Ying’s enrollment in Rongcheng. As a father, it was his duty.
Unaware of the full story, colleagues privately praised him.
A child’s success truly depended on dedicated parenting. With Wen Dongrong’s commitment, no wonder his daughter got into the provincial key school.
Leaving the unit, Wen Dongrong didn’t go home. He took a taxi straight to Rongcheng.
…
Rongcheng.
Wen Ying suddenly felt the urge to sneeze.
She rubbed her nose and continued editing her text: I passed the school’s entrance exam!
She hit send, the recipient being Xie Qian.
