Reborn in a small village in the 1990s

Zhao Chunqin gritted her teeth and said, word by word, "I...I lied. I borrowed 40,000 yuan from my second brother and sister-in-law, but they ended up falsely accusing me of borrowing money from them."

As she spoke, Zhao Chunqin's eyes reddened. She could feel pairs of eyes staring at her from outside, making her feel very uncomfortable.

She wanted to disappear into the ground, but she could only grit her teeth and say, "I was wrong, I was wrong to buy tea in the name of my work unit without authorization."

As she spoke, Zhao Chunqin's voice trembled.

She naturally overheard the whispers of those around her: "Tsk tsk tsk, I never expected that this Xiao Zhao, who looks so glamorous on the surface, is actually so vicious."

"She just swore that her second brother borrowed the money, and I believed her at first, trying to understand her perspective. But the truth came out so quickly that I couldn't bear to watch."

"That Xiao Zhao is really ruthless to her second brother. If it weren't for Old Li coming out and catching Xiao Zhao red-handed, her scheme might have succeeded. She wouldn't have had to pay back the money to her second brother, nor would her workplace have discovered that she had bought tea without permission."

Each word and phrase was like a sharp blade piercing Zhao Chunqin's heart, making her feel miserable. When had she ever been in such a sorry state?

Zhao Chunqin knelt on the ground, head down, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, refusing to let go.

Li Yong stepped forward and said, "Everyone, please disperse. The matter is over. There's no need to keep harping on Xiao Zhao. Please give me, Li Yong, some face."

Li Yong stepped forward to disperse the crowd, intending to help Zhao Chunqin and prevent her from attracting so much attention.

Someone stood up and said, "Old Li, you're just too soft-hearted. People like Xiao Zhao should be fired from our unit to save us from tarnishing our reputation."

Li Yong smiled helplessly, "Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. As long as you don't make any major mistakes, it's fine as long as you correct them in time."

There's no need to be too extreme in your actions. After all, no one is perfect. You might see Zhao Chunqin as too vicious now, but she might change her mind later.

The crowd dispersed out of respect for Li Yong, as they had seen the excitement and understood the situation. However, some people still whispered among themselves, as such a big scandal was enough to become fodder for gossip.

Li Yong walked over to Zhao Chunqin, looked at her disheveled appearance, sighed, and said, "If you had known this would happen, why did you do it, little Zhao?"

Zhao Chunqin trembled slightly, her eyes filled with resentment, but she had lost and was helpless. Her eyes were red as she whispered, "Old Li, you would never understand how many scornful looks I suffered when I came from the countryside. That's why I longed to become rich, which is why I risked buying tea at a low price in the name of my work unit."

Seeing Zhao Chunqin's persistence, Li Yong shook his head helplessly and sighed, "That's true, but Xiao Zhao, you shouldn't have treated your second brother and sister-in-law like that. I can understand your desire to become rich, but your second brother and sister-in-law have been so good to you, and this is how you repay them. Not only do you not return the money, but you also slander them. Your actions are disheartening!"

Zhao Tiesheng stood to the side, watching her coldly, without a trace of sympathy in his eyes. He dared not forget how Zhao Chunqin had treated his family just now, and he feared that their kinship would not be able to be maintained in the future.

Old Li told Zhao Chunqin to get up and go back to his office to discuss the solution. Zhao Chunqin was eager to get up, but she didn't dare to glance at Zhao Tiesheng, feeling very guilty.

Cheng Jinxiang hugged Zhao Xiaojuan, who had just cried a lot but had calmed down a bit now.

Li Yong led the way, explaining as he walked, “I’ve worked in this unit for decades, and I know every place here very well. After I retired, my son took my place and became the leader here. You’ll find out soon enough. At the same time, my son is also Xiao Zhao’s leader.”

After hearing this, Zhao Da'e asked curiously, "Grandpa Li, is the leader you're talking about a tall, square-faced uncle wearing a suit?"

Li Yong stopped and looked at Zhao Da'e with some surprise. "What's wrong, Da'e? Have you met my son?"

Zhao Da'e pouted and said sourly, "Yeah, Grandpa Li, that uncle even helped my aunt and told the security guard to kick us out."

Zhao Da'e hadn't forgotten that the leader deserved credit for the reason so many people believed Zhao Chunqin's lies.

Seeing Zhao Da'e's complaining expression, Li Yong smiled and pretended to be angry, saying, "Good heavens, how dare you treat our geese like this! Grandpa will get revenge for you later!"

Zhao Da'e was delighted to hear this and sweetly said, "Grandpa Li is so kind!"

Zhao Chunqin stood by, not daring to utter a sound, trying her best to minimize her presence.

As Zhao Chunqin approached the door of Li Qingfeng's office, she heard a familiar voice.

The office door wasn't locked, and you could see Li Qingmin and Li Qingfeng chatting inside.

Li Qingmin anxiously explained to Li Qingfeng, "Leader Li, I knew nothing about what my wife was doing. She borrowed money from her second brother and sister-in-law without my knowledge. She told me the same thing today, using the excuse that her second brother and sister-in-law borrowed money from her. I was completely kept in the dark and knew nothing about it! Also, I was unaware that Chunqin had been buying tea in the name of the company without my knowledge. I was wondering why Chunqin had been so busy lately, and now I know she was busy with these things!"

As he said this, Li Qingmin patted his head and then secretly glanced at Li Qingfeng.

But Li Qingfeng looked completely unconvinced. "Qingmin, you're telling me you know nothing about this? You're Xiao Zhao's husband, how could you know nothing?"

Li Qingmin pursed his lips, feeling a little guilty, but thinking about his candidacy for deputy section chief, he hardened his heart. He couldn't let Chunqin delay his campaign.

When Chunqin was exposed, Li Qingmin knew that Chunqin would never be able to recover this time. Not only would she be held accountable by her unit, but she might also lose her job. He and Chunqin were husband and wife, and he was the most likely to be affected. This was absolutely unacceptable. He would not let Chunqin affect him!

Thinking of this, Li Qingmin quickly explained, "Leader Li, I'm telling the truth. Chunqin keeps everything from me. I really have no idea what she's doing. If I had known, I would have been the first to stop her. It's not something to be proud of. I didn't participate in anything Chunqin did."

After saying so much, the last sentence is what Li Qingmin really wanted to say.

Li Qingfeng couldn't help but feel disappointed in Li Qingmin. "Qingmin, Qingmin, I don't believe you know nothing about what Chunqin did. Do you know that when your second brother came downstairs to make a scene, her first thought was your future, whether it would interfere with your election as deputy section chief? She went down there for your sake. Part of the reason she's gone this far is for your future. But here you are, not thinking of sharing the hardships with her, but instead blaming her for everything. You've disappointed me so much."

Li Qingmin's mind went blank. Oh no, would this affect his work?

Li Qingmin smiled awkwardly, "Leader Li, look at what you're saying. I really didn't know about this. If I had known, I would have definitely stopped Chunqin from doing something foolish."

As soon as she finished speaking, a noise came from the doorway. Zhao Chunqin, with her fiery temper, walked to the front, kicked the door, and glared at Li Qingmin through gritted teeth. A surge of anger rose in her chest. How dare Li Qingmin say that he knew nothing about it!

They even swore that if they had known, they would have stopped me. Pshaw! What are you pretending for? They just don't want to be implicated and want to distance themselves from me.

She spent the whole day thinking about Li Qingmin, wondering if this would affect his election as deputy section chief, and then she went to deal with her second brother and sister-in-law. In the end, Li Qingmin just stood there like a coward, and afterwards he pushed all the blame onto her! Does he really think she's easy to bully?

When Li Qingmin saw Zhao Chunqin arrive, his heart sank. Oh no! Had Chunqin overheard everything he just said?

Without saying a word, Zhao Chunqin rushed over and slapped Li Qingmin across the face, and then slapped him again!

Zhao Chunqin said fiercely, word by word, "Li Qingmin, you dare to say it again that you knew nothing about it!"

Zhao Da'e's eyes lit up; there was some juicy gossip to see!

Li Qingmin was slapped in the face in front of everyone, with so many people watching outside. He felt utterly humiliated, especially in front of his superiors. After a moment of stunned silence, he snapped, "Are you crazy, Zhao Chunqin! Go outside and do your thing, I won't stop you!"

Zhao Chunqin, her eyes red, stared intently at Li Qingmin and sneered, "Completely unaware, truly completely unaware! When I proposed using tea for business, you were the first to agree and even encouraged me to buy tea in the name of the company. I could do it, and so could you, but you insisted that I do it, just because you were afraid that the company would find out and it would affect your election for deputy section chief, right? Fine, I was stupid back then and did it without thinking."

“I don’t have money to buy tea, and you’re telling me to borrow money from my family. You know perfectly well that my family is from the countryside, while your family is from the city and is much richer than my parents’ family. But you refuse to ask your family for money and make me ask my family instead. And yet you’re telling me you know nothing about it? Ha, I do all the bad things, while you do nothing and let me pretend to be virtuous.”

"Li Qingmin, let me tell you, I, Zhao Chunqin, am finished today. I'll accept whatever the outcome, but you can forget about being the deputy section chief. You don't deserve it!"

Zhao Chunqin was truly enraged. She had been thinking of Li Qingmin and her husband all the time, and yet this man turned around and tried to dump her. Zhao Chunqin was furious. Betrayal! This was blatant betrayal! She, Zhao Chunqin, would never tolerate betrayal!

If things hadn't been exposed, she would have made money selling tea. She believed that Li Qingmin would have eagerly come over to flatter her again. Zhao Chunqin felt disgusted and heartbroken by such a person. She couldn't understand why she still cared so much about Li Qingmin, when he was just eager to sever ties with her.

Li Qingmin gritted his teeth, "What a crazy woman! I think you should go to the hospital and get a proper checkup!"

Li Qingmin made no attempt to hide his disdain for Zhao Chunqin. He had wanted to say something more, but he was powerless to refute what Zhao Chunqin said. He could only curse her as a crazy woman again. His chances of running for deputy section chief were still in the works, but now all hope was gone!

Li Yong led Zhao Tiesheng and his family into the office. He locked the door to prevent outsiders from eavesdropping. Some things shouldn't be taken too far; you have to leave room for maneuver in everything you do.

Li Yong coughed a few times and sneered, "Haven't you made enough of a scene yet!"

As soon as Li Yong spoke, everyone's eyes fell on him. Li Qingfeng also noticed Li Yong and stood up in surprise, saying, "Dad, what brings you here?"

Li Yong slowly walked forward, and Li Yong immediately came over to help him sit down, saying, "Dad, you're getting old. You shouldn't come out in the middle of winter. Just stay home and rest with the heating on. Why are you making such a fuss?"

Li Yong looked displeased and smacked Li Qingfeng hard on the head. Li Qingfeng clutched his head and cried out in pain. Li Yong sneered, "It's good that it hurts! I'm not trying to be mean, but what kind of leader are you!"

"Over the years I've been in this unit, I can't say I've achieved anything remarkable, but at least I've kept everyone in line. Look at the mess you've made! If I hadn't come, this matter wouldn't have been resolved, and Tiesheng's family would have suffered. Meanwhile, you, as their leader, are comfortably sitting in your office, enjoying the warmth of the heater and drinking ginger tea, watching others make a fool of themselves. I'd be lucky if I didn't beat you to death today!"

Li Yong was extremely disappointed in Li Qingfeng, believing that such a manager was bound to cause trouble.

Li Qingfeng lowered his head and argued, "Dad, I just felt that this was someone else's family matter, and it wasn't appropriate for me to get involved."

Li Yong's eyes widened as he retorted, "You still dare to argue!"

If Li Qingfeng is silent, then he should just stay quiet.

When Li Qingmin saw Li Yong arrive, he wanted to step forward to explain, but Li Yong immediately guessed his intentions upon seeing Li Qingmin's behavior and said unhurriedly, "Don't try to explain to me. Your trick won't work on me. And don't even think about the deputy section chief position. You're not suitable. Even if this hadn't happened, you wouldn't have been chosen for the deputy section chief position."

Li Yong looked down on a man who only blamed his wife for his mistakes. Besides, Li Qingmin's abilities were not outstanding, and he was not qualified to be the deputy section chief.

Li Yong's words made Li Qingmin swallow all the explanation he wanted to give. Zhao Chunqin felt relieved after hearing this, and she crossed her arms and mocked from the side, "Did you hear that? Old Li said that even without my involvement, you wouldn't have gotten the deputy section chief position."

Li Qingmin glared at Zhao Chunqin and said, "You'd better shut up!"

I really don't know what's wrong with Zhao Chunqin today; she's got a terrible temper with everyone.

Li Yong sighed and looked at Zhao Tiesheng's family. Cheng Jinxiang was standing there with Zhao Da'e on her leash, while Zhao Tiesheng was helping to hold Zhao Xiaojuan. Zhao Xiaojuan was now two months old and weighed more than ten pounds. Holding her all day was quite tiring, so Zhao Tiesheng thought he could help Cheng Jinxiang share the burden.

Li Yong sighed. They're all family, so why are these two siblings so different?