Chapter 108: A New Lead

Apart from wanting to settle scores with the likes of Gou Biao, Jiang Fan paid no attention to anything else happening in the factory. He was unaware that since his return to Dafeng, his significance in the eyes of many had grown substantially.

Among these people, the first to take action was Chen Anlong, a man who felt both love and hate toward him. Chen had gone to great lengths to bring Jiang Fan back to the factory, only for Jiang to refuse his overtures and head straight to Tang Jun’s office instead. Chen felt deeply slighted; he harbored resentment toward Tang Jun and became desperate to mend his relationship with Jiang Fan. After learning from Zheng Xiaolin that Lu Zai was so terrified of offending Wang Wenyu that he dared not even show his face in public, Chen began to view Jiang Fan as a treasure.

Unwilling to risk another cold shoulder, Chen Anlong set his sights on his secretary, A-Ping. He ordered her to find an opportunity before the New Year to invite Jiang Fan to dinner, and to do her best to include Wang Wenyu as well.

As soon as Chen gave the order, A-Ping relayed the news to Tang Jun. After weighing the situation, Tang Jun advised A-Ping to first build a good rapport with Jiang Fan herself. He reasoned that even if she failed to complete Chen’s mission, she wouldn't be fired, and it would help build her own connections for the future.

Following Tang Jun’s advice, A-Ping went to find Jiang Fan yesterday to treat him to a meal and establish some private rapport, only to learn that after taking Zhao Sixi out of the factory, he hadn't returned, and that Zhao was currently hiding in his dormitory, too ashamed to be seen. Seeing Jiang Fan now, A-Ping saw an opportunity and decided to use her charms to her advantage.

Already feeling cowed and stifled by his own wife, Jiang Fan didn't bother restraining his lecherous gaze. "I can't go to the dorm," he replied. "It’s too easy to get castrated by the wife if I do. Admiring the view from here, like quenching one’s thirst by looking at plums, is good enough."

Seeing that Jiang Fan wasn't acting distant, A-Ping teased, "Quenching your thirst with plums? You talk like you haven't seen a woman in eight lifetimes. You have such a beautiful woman at home; is she just there for decoration?"

Unwilling to share the details of his own submissive plight, Jiang Fan changed the subject. "She’s like a grandmother to me; I wouldn't dare provoke her. I came to see Deputy General Manager Tang today, but he’s out. Do you know if there are any familial or close ties between the deputy general managers here?"

A-Ping asked, "Why do you want to know that?"

Because A-Ping had repeatedly acted behind Chen Anlong’s back to help Tang Jun, Jiang Fan was certain she was not a person who blindly followed Chen’s orders. Since he knew few people in the factory, he decided to trust her. He shared what he had learned from Zhao Sixi, hoping she might offer some advice, as a boss’s secretary would surely know many inside secrets.

"You want to investigate this, so why ask about the other deputy managers? Are you suggesting Captain Gou is in league with all of them?"

Jiang Fan shook his head. "Zhao Sixi was just a runner; he might not know the full story. I suspect they have other unspeakable dealings, and understanding the interpersonal relationships in the factory is part of that consideration."

A-Ping hesitated. "I need to print these documents this morning for use this afternoon; I don't have much time. If you're free tonight, find a place, and I’ll tell you everything slowly."

"That works. After work, I’ll wait for you at the dumpling shop." Sensing that A-Ping held significant secrets, Jiang Fan agreed to meet that evening.

Leaving the third floor, Jiang Fan decided to use A-Miao’s cousin as a pretext to test Liu Xingyus attitude.

Liu Xingyu was writing a recruitment notice when she saw Jiang Fan enter the HR department. She set down her brush and watched him, but she did not greet him, fearing that those around her might be Gou Biao’s informants.

After Jiang Fan greeted the busy Shen Tingting, he walked over to Liu Xingyu’s desk. "Xingyu, I have a friend who wants to join the factory. Can you help?"

Seeing that Jiang Fan wasn't avoiding others, Liu Xingyu felt a pang of worry. She glanced around, signaled him with her eyes, and said in a professional tone, "We are only looking for skilled workers right now. There are no other vacancies."

Noticing her cautious expression, Jiang Fan realized he had made a mistake by asking so openly. He pointed toward the door, feigned anger, and left the HR department, heading for his favorite patch of grass.

A short while later, Liu Xingyu followed him out. She patted her chest and explained, "Gou Biao has been watching me very strictly these past two days. I’m afraid some of my colleagues are his eyes and ears. I hope you don't mind. Who is this person you want to introduce?"

Jiang Fan waved her concerns aside. "We’ll talk about my friend’s job later. First, I want to ask: has he been keeping such a close watch on you because he found out about our meeting the other day? Also, did he react at all after I beat up his lackey yesterday?"

Liu Xingyu nodded. "After I met with you, he kept questioning me about what we talked about. I told him what you instructed me to say, but he didn't believe me at all. For the last two days, he’s been waiting outside my office building as soon as work ends, and he insists on eating with me. Regarding yesterday, I heard you beat Zhao Sixi up pretty badly—they say he lost two front teeth and his face is completely swollen. He’s hiding in his dorm, too ashamed to see anyone. When I asked Gou Biao about it, he didn't tell me anything; he’s clearly on guard against me."

Jiang Fan weighed his options and decided to share some of his findings to help Liu Xingyu open up and provide more information. He told her how Gou Biao had been concealing a share of the profits from her.

Liu Xingyu sneered upon hearing this. "What he’s hiding from me is far more than just these small gains. I’ve been thinking about many things these past two days. If you want to know anything, I can tell you now. As for things you think I must step forward for, I will not refuse. I’ve had enough of being monitored like a prisoner."

Seeing that Liu Xingyu was truly ready to break away from Gou Biao, even at the risk of mutual destruction, Jiang Fan shared everything he had learned from Zhao Sixi.

After listening, Liu Xingyu stared blankly at the sky for a long time. Then, looking at Jiang Fan with tears in her eyes, she said, "Thank you for your trust. When I think back on it, I really wasn't a human being. The things Zhao Sixi told you aren't even the most wicked of their deeds. The most heartless thing they do... and I was an accomplice. I don't even have the face to say it."

Seeing her hesitation, Jiang Fan urged her, "Many things have already happened and cannot be changed. If you truly feel guilt, making amends now is the only way to find peace of mind."

Liu Xingyu remained silent for a long time before she finally spoke: "The most heartless thing they do is to target girls who are attractive but lack the money to pay the recruitment fees, forcing them to pay off those fees through prostitution. And I... I was the one who selected the girls based on their looks."