After hearing Li Shengmei’s words, Xia Xiao’s mouth twitched, but she said nothing.
Li Zhenchuan said, "Educated Youth Xia, can you explain what’s happening?"
Li Shengmei quickly said, "Is there any need to ask? The evidence is right here. Educated Youth Xia, relying on her skills, is bullying Feng Ying. Feng Ying has always been honest and compliant in the production team, unlike some people who are always restless..."
"Mom." He Xuebing heard this and felt uneasy, pulling at Li Shengmei to stop her from speaking further.
"It really is so, some people just can’t remain tranquil, always coveting what’s not theirs, and everybody in the production team knows it. They almost disgraced their own man, which is why he had to take care of her," Zheng Xianghong spoke up at this moment.
Angered, Li Shengmei, and Gao Guoqiang lightly coughed twice, giving Zheng Xianghong a reproachful look, as if he had an issue with his morals, then clarified immediately, "Director Li, since this is a matter between Educated Youth Feng and Educated Youth Xia, let the two of them face off. You just sit aside and listen."
After finishing, Gao Guoqiang said to He Xuebing, "Bingzi, help your mom sit down properly."
"Captain Gao, why don’t you ask about this matter? It seems you’re familiar with it," Li Zhenchuan said.
"No, it’s better for Secretary Li to handle it, I just happened to hear about it and came to check," Gao Guoqiang shook his head, having been called over by his son.
Li Zhenchuan didn’t insist further, looking at Xia Xiao and said, "Educated Youth Xia, Educated Youth Feng said you hit her, what do you have to say?"
At that moment, Xia Xiao poked at her eye, and tears flowed before she spoke. Everyone just watched her tears fall, a perfect picture of a pear blossom bathed in tears.
Who can’t cry? Xia Xiao wept softly, "I couldn’t bear her words, this slandering of me. If I weren’t a bit stronger, I’d be the one hanging from a noose now. You ask her, see what pleasant words she said that made me hit her. I, a frail woman, have always been good-natured. Usually, I don’t mind some idle gossip, always believing that ’rumors stop with the wise.’ But we share the same dormitory, and we were always friendly before. When she said those things about me, I was disappointed and angry. If I hadn’t reacted, I wouldn’t be human."
Yang Xuehua handed Xia Xiao a handkerchief, thinking about Xia Xiao’s usual resilience and seeing her cry made her feel awful too.
"Educated Youth Feng, what did you say about Educated Youth Xia?" Secretary Li asked.
Feng Ying said at the moment, "I didn’t say much, just that she’s been staying at the Captain’s house a bit too long."
Yang Xuehua said, "Feng Ying’s words indeed went too far." Saying this, Yang Xuehua relayed Feng Ying’s words.
"Yo, Xia Xiao hasn’t returned from the Gao family yet, huh? I don’t know what she’s doing there, being so chummy with Zheng Xianghong, staying at the Gao’s place for so long. Those who don’t know might think otherwise."
Yang Xuehua’s imitation was spot on, causing Xia Xiao’s mouth to twitch again, feeling that it really didn’t match Yang Xuehua’s persona, and Shitou reminded her by her ear, "Just act properly, don’t slip up, or you’ll lose face."
Xia Xiao nodded; she hadn’t acted before, but seeing Feng Ying’s tearful face just triggered this response.
The tears in her eyes weren’t real, they were just space spring water she used to rinse her eyes.
As soon as Yang Xuehua finished speaking, Gao Jiaxing’s face turned stern and he said directly, "Xia Xiao is close with my mom, what’s wrong with her visiting our house? You and Dong Meihua also often visit Director Li’s house. Women should especially avoid making such major verbal faux pas. Feng Ying was disciplined by Xia Xiao and still hasn’t learned her lesson, and even comes here to complain, totally unaware of her wrong. And she even feels that speaking ill of others and getting hit for it is a grievance. If you ask me, some people just deserve a beating, otherwise they don’t know how much more filth they’ll spew."
Gao Jiaxing said this, and then turned to Xia Xiao, "Xia Xiao, if something happens again, you don’t have to lift a finger; hitting her would just hurt your hand. Just tell me, and I’ll handle it for you."
The crowd’s faces twitched, Gao Jiaxing’s words were blatantly unbridled, seeming completely like a local tyrant.
Gao Guoqiang coughed lightly twice and said to Li Zhenchuan, "This boy has always been hot-tempered, please pardon us, Secretary Li."
Li Zhenchuan smiled slightly and said, "Jiaxing is truly candid."
Turning to Feng Ying, Li Zhenchuan said, "Educated Youth Feng, what Educated Youth Xia did was wrong, but you were also wrong initially. A woman’s reputation is of utmost importance, and as a woman, you should know that once it’s tainted, it’s difficult to exist in this world. Your malice led you to presume the worst about others, and for that, you should be reprimanded."
"It wasn’t just me who said it," Feng Ying retorted unwillingly.
Li Shengmei cut in, hurriedly saying, "Feng Ying, that’s where you’re mistaken. How could you talk about Educated Youth Xia without any evidence?"
Feng Ying stiffened, with disbelief in her eyes, not expecting Li Shengmei not to support her but to hold her accountable. She looked at Li Shengmei and saw a righteous indignation in her eyes, a stern rebuke that befitted her role as a women’s director.
Feng Ying’s entire demeanor slumped, and Gao Jiaxing said, "An apology is a must, and strict punishment is needed to prevent others from following your example. We can’t let such bad influences grow in the production team."
Gao Jiaxing directly returned Li Shengmei’s earlier words, a flash of irritation passing in Li Shengmei’s eyes, but she quickly suppressed it.
In front of everyone, Feng Ying clenched her fists tightly. She didn’t want to apologize, but with everyone watching her and having also offended the Captain’s family this time.
What could she do if she didn’t apologize?
Leave the production team? But where could she go after leaving?
Feng Ying rapidly pondered in her mind, then bowed to Xia Xiao, "I’m sorry, Xia Xiao. I shouldn’t have spoken about you. Please forgive me."
Xia Xiao watched her quickly judge the situation and become clear-headed; she paused and then became wary of Feng Ying.
It’s not scary when someone is foolish; what’s terrifying is when they become lucid and are capable of bending and enduring: that’s truly frightening.
"I forgive you. I hope you recognize your mistake this time and correct it. Fortunately, I am strong. If it was another girl, one more vulnerable, your careless words could have caused her to despair, perhaps even end her life. Then you would have carried the burden of a life on your conscience. So, Educated Youth Feng, please think thrice before you speak from now on, and remember this lesson. Don’t be impulsive anymore."
"Xia Xiao, I’m sorry, really sorry," Feng Ying cried.
Xia Xiao said, "Stop crying, or it’s going to get ugly." Turning to Dong Meihua, she said, "Meihua, you and Sister Feng Ying have always been close; help her back. Knowing a mistake can be corrected, and wanting to mend it is commendable. I won’t fuss about today’s events. But if it happens again, I won’t be as forgiving as today. I abhor evil and can be impulsive too. I hope you don’t take it to heart."