Wen Dongrong, clutching the “prescription” for his troubles given by his daughter Wen Ying, was driven away by his wife, Chen Ru.
Summer hadn’t yet ended, but Wen Dongrong felt a chill.
Good medicine is bitter but heals; the “medicine” for his predicament was bound to be tough to swallow. Yet, the remedy in his pocket was far more bitter than he’d imagined.
Did he really have to return to his workplace and tell his story?
His superiors would pity him.
His subordinates would snicker behind his back.
His rival, Old Li, would offer fake condolences while secretly mocking him.
In a small workplace, every personality was predictable, and Wen Dongrong could already foresee their reactions.
The thought of baring his soul, possibly with tears, to his entire office made him feel utterly wretched. Worse, this idea came from Wen Ying. His own daughter, directing her father on how to save himself—would he ever hold his paternal dignity in front of her again?
Unconsciously, Wen Dongrong found himself at the neighborhood where the Shu family rented their apartment.
Wen Ying had provided their address.
Why should he obediently follow his wife’s orders to confront Shu Lu?
Shu Lu was just a young girl, incapable of making Shu Guobing comply.
Shu Guobing, that scoundrel, had dared to report him.
Wen Dongrong wanted to curse, to hit, to kill!
An Audi approached, slowing as it neared the neighborhood entrance.
The driver eagerly opened the door, and Shu Guobing stepped out in shiny new leather shoes, followed by Wen Hongyan and Shu Lu from the back seat. The family of three looked polished and prosperous.
Spotting Wen Dongrong by the roadside, his shirt soaked with sweat, far less dignified than himself, Shu Guobing laughed heartily, “Well, well, well! What brings a big shot like you to visit small fry like us?”
“Second Brother, why are you here?” Wen Hongyan’s eyes darted away, evasive.
Shu Lu softly called, “Second Uncle,” standing obediently beside her mother.
Having navigated the bureaucracy for years, Wen Dongrong could spot a subordinate’s half-hearted report from a mile away. Wen Hongyan’s obvious guilt was impossible to miss.
His heart sank.
His own sister knew!
She knew Shu Guobing was filing a real-name report against him. Even if she couldn’t stop it, she could’ve at least tipped him off.
The entire Wen family, including distant relatives, had only one member in public service—him. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say he brought honor to the family. Knocking him out of his position benefited the Shu family how?
Business dealings often required connections with various departments. Shu Guobing, that shortsighted fool, acted out of petty spite, blind to long-term consequences.
Wen Hongyan, his own sister, was equally foolish. She thought her husband’s newfound wealth meant she no longer needed her family’s support. If the Wen family lacked influence, who would keep Shu Guobing in check when his wealth led to wandering eyes?
Furious, Wen Dongrong thought of how these two idiots nearly derailed his career. His anger turned to a bitter laugh, “You’ve moved to the provincial capital, and as your second brother, I haven’t congratulated you yet. I was passing by and thought I’d drop in.”
Shu Guobing smirked, smugly tilting his head.
Passing by? Shu Guobing knew exactly why Wen Dongrong was here.
The report!
Did he want the report withdrawn?
No chance!
Shu Guobing was fed up with Wen Dongrong’s bureaucratic airs and authority. Though Wen Dongrong had financially supported the Shu family, Shu Guobing knew he was looked down upon.
Now, the tables had turned, and Wen Dongrong was groveling before him. Shu Guobing reveled in it.
“No need to pretend anymore. Does the big shot need me to handle something? Depends on my mood!”
Wen Hongyan’s initial guilt quickly gave way to self-righteousness.
It was all Chen Ru and that brat Wen Ying’s fault for pushing too far. Otherwise, why would Guobing file the report?
A woman follows her husband, and Guobing was the head of the household. Of course, she’d side with him.
Convincing herself, Wen Hongyan’s guilt faded, and she began to complain, “Second Brother, I don’t mean to nag, but you should rein in Sister-in-Law and Wen Ying. Sister-in-Law’s actions are thoughtless, and Wen Ying’s worse—she has no respect for elders. Their behavior is practically forcing the family to turn against each other!”
Wen Dongrong said nothing, his face darkening as he stared at Wen Hongyan, making her uneasy.
“Second Uncle—” Shu Lu’s voice trembled. Her instincts told her this quiet Wen Dongrong was terrifying.
He glanced at her, “This is adult business. Stay out of it—unless you’re involved too?”
Shu Lu looked confused, “Second Uncle, what are you talking about?”
Wen Dongrong felt a slight relief.
It seemed Shu Lu didn’t know about the report.
Of course, Shu Guobing wouldn’t discuss filing a report with Shu Lu, so her ignorance was expected.
As for Chen Ru’s suggestion that Shu Lu “denounce her kin for justice,” Wen Dongrong hadn’t even considered it—he wasn’t that incompetent!
His rush to Rongcheng was driven by anger. A single report wouldn’t bring his world crashing down. As Wen Ying said, he had a clear conscience and feared no investigation.
If handled well, this crisis could turn into an opportunity.
Initially, Wen Dongrong thought “telling his story” at work would be humiliating. But seeing Shu Guobing and Wen Hongyan’s reactions, he no longer hesitated.
Without substance, face was meaningless.
He wasn’t even down yet, and Shu Guobing was already this smug. If he truly fell, everyone around him might turn into “Shu Guobings”!
“I have nothing to ask of you. Just take care of yourself. A word of advice—don’t burn your bridges.”
Shu Guobing had been waiting for Wen Dongrong to beg, but instead, Wen Dongrong turned and left.
Huh?
“Xiao Cai, what’s he mean?” Shu Guobing asked.
Xiao Cai pondered, “The report was sent, and he already knows you filed it. That’s not standard procedure… His workplace might be protecting him.”
Shu Guobing sneered, “One report doesn’t work? I’ll send two. City doesn’t work? I’ll go to the province. I don’t believe his connections are that strong!”
Filing the real-name report was Xiao Cai’s idea, but Shu Guobing’s venomous determination to destroy Wen Dongrong shocked even him.
As the ancients said, a small favor breeds gratitude; a large one breeds resentment. How true!
Luckily, Boss Cai had no real intention of promoting Shu Guobing. Someone this vengeful would make anyone wary.
Xiao Cai kept these thoughts to himself, outwardly supporting Shu Guobing. Within half an hour, the incident reached Cai Youlun’s ears.
Cai Youlun shook his head, “If he’d argued or fought with Shu Guobing, his situation might be serious. Not even begging Shu Guobing? He’s likely in the clear.”
Still, Cai Youlun didn’t miss the chance to report to Zhao Dong, who seemed distracted.
“Keep watching the Wen family. Strike the moment they slip!” Zhao Dong ordered.
Zhao Dong was irritated, mainly due to issues in the capital.
With school starting soon, none of the high schools he’d targeted had a “Xie Qian” enrolled. His sister, Zhao Qian, was already in the capital, waiting. Without Xie Qian’s information, where should she enroll?
