Volume One, Chapter 20: Official Promotion Quota

“Don’t meddle in my business!” Fu Zhilin gritted his teeth, but in the next instant, someone struck him on the nose, making his face blanch with pain.

“Bullying women—have you grown arrogant from too many years in the army?” Qin Zhaochuan’s voice was cold and heavy.

Just then, Su’s mother came running over in a hurry with Third Su in tow.

“Xiaxia, we’ve found the three children. Hurry, come with me to the police station and speak on behalf of your sister!”

In truth, Su Ningxia had once been on good terms with the family of the township head. Third Su had a classmate who was a relative of the township head, and back then, for the sake of building connections, he’d introduced Su Ningxia to the family to help look after their children for a while. She’d been diligent and responsible, so much so that when she left to work at the broadcasting station, the township head’s wife was reluctant to let her go and still hoped she could continue helping with the children.

This time, because Su Tingxue was Su Ningxia’s younger sister, and thinking the sisters would be equally reliable, they’d brought her in. No one expected such a thing to happen.

Su’s mother was full of regret.

Su Ningxia pressed her lips together. Judging by the situation, she had no choice but to go.

On the way, Su’s mother spoke anxiously, “One of the kids drowned. They just pulled him out, and he’s in the hospital fighting for his life.”

“Looks like the township head is determined to sue our family. If it’s just a fine, so be it, but your sister absolutely must not go to jail!”

Third Su chimed in, “Xiaxia, you’re the elder sister. Xiaoxue has suffered so much in the past—you can’t just stand by and do nothing, can you?”

Su Ningxia remained silent.

When they arrived, the sound of slaps echoed sharply in the room.

Su Tingxue’s face was swollen from the blows, yet Mrs. Chen Meilin, the township head’s wife, would not let up.

“You ungrateful wretch! Our family kindly gave you a job and entrusted our child to you, and now my son nearly drowned because of you. I want you in prison!”

Seeing her family arrive, Su Tingxue darted straight into Fu Zhilin’s arms—the very same Fu Zhilin who was Su Ningxia’s fiancé.

She sobbed uncontrollably.

“Brother Lin, save me! It was all because my sister encouraged me!”

“My sister said there was no need to be so serious about looking after children, that it didn’t matter if I was a bit careless. She said if you work too hard for money, it’s not really making money at all!”

“You all know I always do what my sister says. I never imagined she’d treat me like this!”

Tears rolled down her cheeks one after another. Fu Zhilin wiped them away, his voice hoarse with sympathy. “You’ve suffered enough, Xiaoxue.”

Watching her younger daughter nestle into her eldest daughter’s fiancé’s arms, Su’s mother felt a mix of emotions. But for the sake of Su Tingxue, she still went through the motions, stepping in front of Su Ningxia and demanding, “Is that really what you told Xiaoxue?”

“Mrs. Chen, you really can’t blame our Xiaoxue. She just listens to her elder sister too much. Why not have Xiaxia kneel and apologize to you? Let’s put this behind us, shall we?”

“Our Xiaxia used to help with your children, too. If nothing else, she’s put in the effort!”

Her words were as good as forcing Su Ningxia to take the blame.

Su Ningxia gave a short laugh. “Sister, if you want to know how well my sister looked after the children, shouldn’t you ask the township head’s nanny? Even the children would know best. Why ask me? Ask the nanny and the kids.”

“Besides, I have my own affairs to attend to. Why would I go out of my way to make trouble for the township head’s family?”

Su’s mother’s expression froze. She turned and glared at Su Ningxia.

“Xiaxia, how can you shirk responsibility like this?”

“Mom, if you don’t believe me, ask Su Tingxue yourself. Did I ever say such things? If I so much as once told her to slack off or neglect the children, may I be struck by lightning and die a miserable death!”

“Su Tingxue, do you dare swear the same?”

Su Tingxue shivered. “Why are you being so serious about this?”

“I’m afraid I’ll end up in prison and be wrongly accused!”

Su Tingxue pouted. “So now you’re accusing me of not doing my job? I put my whole heart into looking after the child! Besides, the kid was running around—why not consider if the parents have any responsibility? If you and the township head don’t keep an eye on your own child and he’s naughty, how is that my fault? As a teacher, I’ve already worked myself to the bone. And with the little money you pay, you’re still so stingy.”

She truly acted as if she were someone to be revered—did she not realize who she was facing? This was the township head’s family, responsible for several villages.

Su Ningxia stepped aside, amused, to watch the show.

Chen Meilin’s eyes were practically blazing with fury.

“You Su family are really something—always finding new ways to play me for a fool. I see you’re intent on harboring a criminal!”

“I will definitely sue her to the end and get justice for my son!”

Su Tingxue shrank back. “Mrs. Chen, when did I become a criminal? I didn’t abuse the child. If he ran off on his own, how can you blame me? He’s just mischievous—how is that my responsibility?”

“If you sue me, I’m the one who’s been wronged!”

Su’s mother’s face turned bright red with anxiety.

“Meilin, please don’t be angry. It’s all Xiaoxue’s fault!” Su’s mother forced herself to swallow her pride. “About the permanent position at the steel factory—let me give that to your brother. When the time comes, please, for the sake of that job, don’t make things hard for my daughter. She really can’t go to jail!”

Third Su’s face changed instantly. That position was something their father had worked half his life for, intending it for him. Now, it was being handed over to someone else—how could he accept that? Especially when it was his own sister’s mess causing him to make the sacrifice.

He sighed. “Mom, I’m still a temporary worker. I want to be made permanent too!”

Su’s mother glared at him. “When could you ever be as important as your sister?”

Su Tingxue pouted. “Third Brother, I’m your own sister. How can a permanent job at the steel factory compare to my future?”

But that was Third Su’s future, too. After all, such positions at the steel factory came up only once in several years, and only when a senior worker retired could someone be promoted. It used to be Third Su’s turn, and that was only because Su Ningxia had gifted plenty of liquor to the senior worker out of her own pocket.

Now, the position was gone. Their father had hoped his son would follow in his footsteps—now he’d have to remain a temp for years more. Whether he’d ever be made permanent depended on luck!

Chen Meilin’s expression finally softened. “At least your family knows what’s good for you.”

Her child was actually fine; she’d come looking for trouble on purpose, especially displeased with Su Tingxue’s attitude.

Su’s mother left with her son, dejected. Su Tingxue, on the other hand, clung to Fu Zhilin, her voice plaintive: “Brother Lin, my face really hurts. That woman was so fierce, always picking on me.”

“I don’t want to work for other people anymore. I want to work under you. Please, Brother Lin, let me join the army—just give me a desk job of some sort!”

“I can’t do hard labor, only clerical work. I can serve tea and water to Brother Lin—I’m sure I’d be good at that.”

How was this any different from being a layabout?