She won't clear her name; she'll throw away all the scum.

Xiang Qiaoqian's face froze, and she angrily lashed out at Director Yuan, "So you had already told everyone about this. I never thought you were this kind of person. You pretended to be considerate of me in front of me, but behind my back you didn't give me any face at all."

Director Yuan said sternly, "Xiao Xiang, whether in the past or now, I have never wronged you. On the contrary, it's you who, after my divorce from your uncle, spoke ill of me a lot in the factory, didn't you? And everyone else in the factory, as long as they're divorced, you've been gossiping about them behind their backs, haven't you?"

I've been busy with other things lately, so I haven't been able to talk to you. However, it seems you haven't reflected on the IPO situation, so I've essentially taken responsibility for you for nothing.

I've always felt that you're still young, and so are you all. Time shouldn't be wasted on things like this. What kind of skill is it to talk about people behind their backs? If you're so capable, go and build your own future, work for the benefit of everyone, instead of always having your mouth open and talking about this and that. Isn't that just wasting your time?

Grandma Xia then said, "Yes, if I could go back to your age, I would definitely seize every opportunity to study and work hard. But... it's not too late for me now."

She held up the book in her hand, which she had borrowed from the reading room during her lunch break; she had recently become a regular at the reading room.

Several women blushed and apologized in hushed tones before hurriedly running away. Only Xiang Qiaoqian glared maliciously at the two women. Just as Old Lady Xia was about to open her mouth to curse, she said, "It's not even certain whether Comrade Xia can become the women's director. Director Yuan, you don't need to be so eager to please people now, do you?"

After saying that, without waiting for Director Yuan's reply, she pushed Old Lady Xia aside and left.

Grandma Xia's book fell to the ground. She sighed, picked it up, and dusted it off. "Your former niece..."

Director Yuan chimed in, "He's arrogant and likes to use his cleverness, just like my ex-husband. He can't listen to other people's good advice. But he's smart; he knows how to use some tricks to win people over, he just won't use his intelligence for good."

Grandma Xia: "Hey, just like my second son."

The two immediately found common ground and comforted each other on their way back to the office.

The election polling meeting arrived quickly. On this day, Grandma Xia wore a new dress she had specially bought, her hair was neatly combed, and she looked very energetic. "Sister, just watch, I'm sure I can win the position of Women's Director in one fell swoop!"

Xia Yu'e started clapping, "I've known since I was little that my sister is the most capable person!"

Grandma Xia straightened her chest, took several deep breaths, and then went out.

As soon as she opened the door, she saw Jiang Wenhua standing outside her house, staring straight in the direction of her house with a hesitant look in her eyes, as if she was struggling with something.

Remembering that Jiang Wenhua had said he wouldn't help her, Grandma Xia was a little disappointed but didn't insist on his help. However, she didn't expect that he hadn't even wanted to say a few words to her lately.

Seeing Jiang Wenhua's attitude, Old Mrs. Xia, who considered herself a woman about to become the head of the women's department, felt she shouldn't be so petty. So she took the initiative to greet him, "Little Jiang, shall we go to work together?"

Jiang Wenhua seemed to have finally made up his mind. He strode towards Old Lady Xia and then said, "Old Lady Xia, are you confused?"

Grandma Xia: "...What nonsense are you spouting? On such a big day, do you really want to be the first person to offend me?"

Jiang Wenhua: "Your youngest son is so good at gathering information, why don't you ask him to help you find out? Do you know that they are planning to expose your shortcomings at today's meeting, and they have already united quite a few people to prevent you from becoming the women's director?"

Grandma Xia: "What do you mean? Why are you teaming up against me?"

Jiang Wenhua: "Are you really unaware or pretending not to know? Our factory is divided into three factions. One faction is the factory director's side, and he supports you. Another faction is the deputy factory director's side, and he was planning to promote his own people. Originally, he had chosen a relative, but that person was hospitalized and ended up recommending himself to Qiaoqian and siding with him. The third faction is the factory union, and they recommended their own people."

Among them, the factory's labor union and deputy factory director are the ones who will cause trouble. They've collected a lot of information about what you did in the past, and if it's really exposed, many people will switch sides to their side. What chance will you have then?

Jiang Wenhua has been struggling with whether or not to help these past few days. He feels that if Old Lady Xia really becomes the women's director, there will definitely be a major change in their factory, and it will inevitably affect the interests of the male comrades, so he doesn't want to help.

But recently, Xiao Fang has stopped talking to him.

The main reason was that he and Xiao Fang disagreed. He felt that as long as he was doing well, he didn't need to care about other people's opinions or concerns. Xiao Fang, however, believed that if she had the means, she would like to help other women like herself who were burdened by their families.

The two argued many times. The last time, Jiang Wenhua angrily said that she herself could not break free from her family and still had to rely on others, but she still had the audacity to want to help others. Wasn't that wishful thinking?

Xiao Fang bit her lip and stared at him stubbornly. She explained a lot, including her recent changes in mindset and how she was slowly improving while helping others. But Jiang Wenhua still looked at her with the same eyes. He not only thought she was still the same person, but also selfishly believed that all her efforts were in vain.

So, Xiao Fang seemed very disappointed in him and directly said she didn't want to date anymore.

Jiang Wenhua felt angry when he thought about it.

A fight shouldn't lead to ending the relationship, right? Before he could even look for someone, his sister and mother caused trouble. His mother started crying, making a scene, and even threatening suicide, saying he was unfilial and would drive her to her death. His sister was even beaten by her in-laws for refusing to do any housework.

If he hadn't passed by their house, his sister probably wouldn't have said it herself.

At that moment, Jiang Wenhua suddenly realized that if the overall atmosphere remained the same, his mother and sister would never change. Just as Xiao Fang said, if no one tries to change things, the pain will always exist.

While Lao Xia's appointment as the women's director did have some impact on the male comrades, it wouldn't affect Jiang Wenhua. He himself was a man who pursued fairness, so helping Lao Xia was equivalent to helping his mother and sister, and also equivalent to reconciling with Xiao Fang.

What does the life or death of the other men have to do with Jiang Wenhua? They've enjoyed so many benefits for years; it's time to be fair to the women.

Jiang Wenhua thought about it all night and finally convinced himself, which led to the current situation.

Grandma Xia chuckled, "Xiao Jiang, you still care about me quite a bit, thank you. I'm not completely unprepared. As you said, the factory director supports me, and I'm not unaware of the undercurrents between the factory director and the deputy director. If they make trouble for me, I won't just sit idly by."