Chapter 163: Stealing the Spotlight
Nie Wenjie was stunned.
Su He pulled out the note that Teacher Yuan had written for her and handed it over. “This is from Teacher Yuan.”
Nie Wenjie took it and looked at the familiar handwriting. Her voice trembled, “Is he… doing well?”
Su He rolled her eyes. “More than well! In our small county, his food, lodging, and living conditions are all first-class. But he keeps complaining about being lonely, saying he misses an old friend from afar.”
“I used to wonder what kind of person could leave such a lasting impression on him. But now that I’ve met you, Teacher’s wife, I finally get it. Teacher Yuan really married up!”
Nie Wenjie’s pale face flushed with embarrassment—after all, people of their generation were very reserved.
“Don’t talk nonsense. Xingzhi and I are just ordinary friends.”
Su He: “…”
Who would believe that?
The fact that Teacher Yuan gave Su He her address showed that, in his heart, Nie Wenjie was the person he trusted the most. As for Nie Wenjie, her sister-in-law’s words and her own reactions clearly showed she still had feelings for him.
What a pair of unfortunate old lovebirds.
But soon, they’d be reunited.
That was also why Su He had stirred up trouble under the name of “S-City No.1 Textile Factory” — since Yang Chunhua kept bringing up Teacher Yuan, she needed a more attention-grabbing event to draw people’s eyes away. Otherwise, even if Yang Chunhua were punished, Nie Wenjie’s reputation would still be tarnished.
Now that everyone was focused on the destroyed research data, no one cared about a few torn letters from that “Tiger brat.”
Nie Wenjie asked Su He for her name and the reason she came to S City.
Su He gave her a brief explanation, then added, “Teacher’s wife, when we get to the institute, let’s not mention S-City No.1 Textile Factory. Let’s focus on the destruction of the research data.”
Only then did Nie Wenjie recall Su He’s “tiger banner” stunt, and her expression turned complicated.
She saw traces of Yuan Xingzhi in Su He—bold and reckless. Otherwise, how could he have continued doing research under such dire circumstances…
Su He continued, “I bet your brother will show up at the institute later to plead with you…”
Nie Wenjie interrupted, “How do you know my brother is here too?”
Su He grinned. “Because that tiger brat isn’t here! It’s obvious he’s spoiled and someone has to be watching him. And I’m familiar with their tactics—three of them play the bad cop, then when things get tense, your brother comes in and plays the emotional card, forcing you to give in.”
Nie Wenjie couldn’t help nodding. This girl really was sharp as a tack!
Su He added, “When we get there, your brother will definitely try to guilt-trip you. Just don’t say anything. Let me be the villain! I guarantee they’ll never dare bother you again! But we need to agree—you can’t blame me later.”
Nie Wenjie gave a bitter smile. “Su He, I’m not someone who can’t tell right from wrong. The emotional ties between us were long worn down. I just didn’t have the ability to cut them off.”
Su He smiled warmly. “You do have the ability. You just have a stronger moral compass than they do—that’s why you couldn’t deal with them. People like them need someone like me, who doesn’t care about playing dirty.”
Nie Wenjie laughed, tempted to continue chatting, but they were already arriving at the institute and had to stop.
The staff at the institute were shocked when a large crowd suddenly showed up.
Especially the few elderly ladies who rushed to report Yang Chunhua and her crew.
Once the atmosphere had built up, Su He squeezed to the front and said, “Comrades, these three deliberately destroyed important research data—this is a serious offense. They also occupied Professor Nie’s residence and personally attacked her, indirectly delaying her research progress.”
“Moreover, a university campus is a place of learning and nurturing talent. Yet these three spouted foul language on campus, negatively affecting students’ well-being. In short, their crimes are heinous and they must be severely punished!”
The bystanders joined in:
“That’s right! Who knows, maybe they’re enemy agents sent to sabotage us!”
“I’ve never seen such vile people—like the landlords from the old days!”
“They must be properly punished. We need a full confession!”
Yang Chunhua and her two accomplices were dumbfounded.
Their legs went weak, faces pale, collapsing to the ground.
“It was just a few pieces of paper—how did we suddenly become villains of the highest order?”
Just then, an old man carrying a four- or five-year-old boy pushed his way through the crowd.
Yang Chunhua lit up like she’d seen a savior. “Old man! Quick! Talk to Wenjie! We didn’t mean any harm—we weren’t trying to destroy important data…”
Before she could finish, the old man slapped her.
“You wretched woman! I told you not to touch Wenjie’s things, but you didn’t listen. Now you see the consequences? Just wait till we get home—I’ll deal with you then!”
Then he turned to Nie Wenjie and said, “Wenjie, your sister-in-law is just being foolish. For my sake, can you let it go this once? I promise they’ll never do it again. We’re siblings—can you really bear to see your big brother’s family fall apart?”
Su He clicked her tongue. “Old man, you’re neither deaf nor blind—why didn’t you rein in your wife and kid before? Now you want to play the nice guy? You didn’t stay in Professor Nie’s house? Didn’t spend her salary? You took all the benefits and now you want to pin the blame on your wife and child? Nice calculation!”
“Besides, Professor Nie doesn’t have the final say here. Because what they destroyed wasn’t personal property—it was state property. They broke the law.”
The old man exploded, “This is a family matter! What does it have to do with you?!”
Su He sneered, “You harmed the interests of the nation—every citizen of China has the right to interfere! Not just me—everyone here has the right! Right, everyone?”
“Yes! Exactly!”
“We all have the right!”
“Even my three-year-old dog has the right!”
…
Su He: “…”
These onlookers were really stealing her spotlight now.
The old man, now both furious and terrified, fell to his knees.
“Wenjie, I’m begging you! Don’t you remember when we were little and you fell into a ditch? I pulled you out. When we were poor, I always gave you the best food…”
Nie Wenjie clenched her fists tightly. It was always like this—they’d bring up these memories again and again to melt her heart.
And then what?
Her home was taken over, her salary used by others, and her reputation smeared.
The gratitude of a bowl of rice turned into resentment for a sack.
They were no longer family—they were enemies.
