Wang Dazhu received word from the Bureau of Industry and Commerce that the fabric could be collected, and to ease Chen Lishu's worries, he went to her house immediately.
"Regimental Commander?"
Seeing Gu Xingdong open the door, Wang Dazhu was first stunned, then grinned with delight. "Why are you home? Where's my sister-in-law?"
Gu Xingdong's face darkened slightly. "She's in class. Is something wrong?"
"Something's definitely wrong."
Thinking of the humiliation he had endured these past few days, Wang Dazhu recounted everything to Gu Xingdong.
"...They were simply going too far. I originally wanted to tell you about it, but sister-in-law wouldn't allow it. She said you were already working hard enough and couldn't be bothered with more trouble. Most importantly, she mentioned organizational discipline, stating that she could handle it herself and didn't want to implicate you."
Wang Dazhu had only realized after retiring that many things were completely different from the army. Brute force wasn't always the solution.
"But Regimental Commander, you don't have to worry. Sister-in-law is amazing. With just a few words, that Giangrandson backed down. Not only did they return the fabric, but they also gave us an extra thousand yuan as compensation."
Wang Dazhu didn't quite understand all the intricacies, but as long as the outcome was good, that was all that mattered.
Gu Xingdong, however, lowered his eyes and remained silent.
He knew his wife best. Although Chen Lishu appeared delicate on the outside, she was incredibly strong-willed. She would never rely on others for things she could handle herself.
For years they had been married, she had always silently supported him, allowing him to pursue his ambitions without any reservations.
However, this time, it was because he had made prior arrangements that the problem was solved at a crucial moment. But what about next time?
Everyone had their own dreams and convictions. He couldn't bring himself to ask Chen Lishu to give up her career and become a housewife, just as she had never considered asking him to retire.
"Alright, I understand. I'll tell her when she gets back."
After seeing Wang Dazhu off, Gu Xingdong glanced at his watch and got up to pick up Chen Lishu from school.
"I thought you weren't coming to pick me up. I was just about to go get Rui Rui myself."
Chen Lishu, cradling her swollen belly, walked towards him. She noticed Gu Xingdong staring at her intently and instinctively touched her cheek. "What's wrong? Have I become ugly?"
Since becoming pregnant, her skin had worsened, and as the months progressed, her figure had become plump. She felt she was no longer attractive.
"You've lost your confidence?" Gu Xingdong returned to his senses, smiling as he took her shoulder bag. "Not only have you not become ugly, but in my eyes, you've become even more beautiful."
Chen Lishu handed him the bag, giving him a playful glare. "When did you learn to be so glib?"
"Glib? We're naturally good-looking, and now you're radiating maternal charm. You're simply dazzling."
Chen Lishu couldn't help but laugh. "I'm only dazzling to you, though."
Gu Xingdong deliberately put on a stern face. "It's enough that I think you're beautiful. If others discover your beauty, I'll have a headache."
The couple walked towards Rui Rui's school as they talked.
"Dazhu came by earlier and said the Bureau of Industry and Commerce returned the fabric."
Chen Lishu nodded, acknowledging that Mr. Jiang had been wise. If he had insisted on a confrontation, she would have shown no mercy.
Just the matter with Sun Ling, if it were to be published in the newspapers, what face would the Jiang family have left to show in the provincial capital?
However, she wouldn't resort to that unless absolutely necessary. Given the Jiang family's influence, a wounded tiger was still stronger than a horse. A fight to the death would only result in her own disadvantage.
"From now on, if there's anything you can't handle, you must remember to tell me. You're pregnant, and it's crucial to avoid worry and anxiety."
"Don't worry. The Jiang family matter is almost resolved. But honestly, you're like Zhuge Liang, predicting everything. If it weren't for the information you gave me beforehand, this wouldn't have been so easily resolved."
Seeing that Gu Xingdong's brow remained furrowed, Chen Lishu playfully added, "You say pregnancy is prone to worry and anxiety. Are you really not concerned about me, but about the child in my belly?"
"If I don't care about them, what can I do?" Hearing her words, Gu Xingdong's gaze fell on her bulging stomach, and he sighed. "I'm trapped now, like a rat in a beckoning cat's trap. I just hope these two little ancestors remain quiet and don't cause any trouble to distress my wife."
Chen Lishu finally gave him a look that said, "You know what's good for you."
...
"What?" Before Jiang Huai'an could finish speaking, the elder Mr. Jiang was so enraged that he smashed the teacup in his hand.
"Imbecile! Weren't things already handled? How did the higher-ups suddenly take notice of the Jiangpan Garden project?"
"They said that the Provincial Construction and the Municipal First Construction reported that I used my position to force them to hand over the Jiangpan Garden project to Chengyi, using two other projects. There's also the tax evasion issue. This matter can't withstand close scrutiny."
Jiang Huai'an was also at his wit's end. This had to happen precisely when he was being considered for a promotion.
This was Chen Guoping's brilliance. Sometimes, defeating an opponent didn't require the involvement of officials. Finding the right leverage, as the saying goes, a single loose thread can unravel the whole tapestry.
After the initial anger subsided, Mr. Jiang managed to compose himself. After a long pause, he said, "Don't even think about the promotion for now. With this incident surfacing, even if you clear your name, it's uncertain whether you can even remain in this department. But we must do our best to preserve your position, even if it means transferring to another department first."
"Damn it!" Jiang Huai'an angrily slammed the table. He hadn't even recovered from the joy of his impending promotion before receiving news of a potential demotion. Anyone would be furious.
Mr. Jiang continued, "There's only one way to smoothly get past this situation."
Jiang Chengyi and Jiang Huai'an anxiously asked, "Grandpa/Dad, what way?"
"Chengyi has to take a loss and give up all the profits from Jiangpan Garden to the government."
"What?!" Jiang Chengyi jumped up from his chair, agitated. "Grandpa, all my money is tied up in this project. If I don't make a single cent, do you know how much money I'll lose?"
The amount owed to the He family alone was not insignificant.
"Is money more important than your uncle's future? As long as he's here, will you ever worry about not being able to make a comeback?"
Jiang Chengyi fell silent.
"The tax situation has been tight lately. If you voluntarily offer to help the higher-ups, no matter what, this matter won't be investigated further."
As Mr. Jiang had predicted, the moment Jiang Chengyi handed over the money he had almost secured, the matter of the construction project was treated with a raised hand and a gentle put-down.
However, Jiang Huai'an's promotion was certainly canceled. Not only was it canceled, but he was also demoted and transferred to another department. Everyone knew it was a position with little opportunity, and achieving success there was out of the question. It was quite suitable for retirement.
Seeing the only hope for the Jiang family dashed, Mr. Jiang was consumed by anger and suffered a stroke, leading to his hospitalization.