Xu Ying led her Third Uncle straight to the textile factory director’s office—a space usually reserved for serious discussions and long-standing policies. The atmosphere shifted the moment they entered.
Factory Director Niu greeted her with warmth. “Xiao Xu, what brings you here at this hour? We’re still rushing to produce the hairpins you designed. I have no doubt they’ll be a hit.”
Xu Ying smiled and gestured to the man beside her. “Director Niu, this is a salesperson I’m recommending to the factory. He’s also with the food factory. In just half a month, he secured over 200,000 yuan in orders for them.”
Before she could finish, Third Uncle Xu stepped forward, his chest puffed out proudly. “Hello, Factory Manager Niu, I’m Xu Jianshe. I believe a competent salesperson must not only possess professional knowledge, but also excellent communication and coordination skills, along with a natural rapport with people. We must actively introduce products to our customers and instill confidence in our goods—only then can we truly spark their desire to purchase…”
Director Niu nodded along, visibly impressed—but it was the number “200,000” that truly captured his attention.
Third Uncle Xu’s tone became more impassioned as he speak . “Rest assured, Director. If I join your textile factory in future , I’ll devote myself wholeheartedly to both the food and textile factories to make them more prosper .”
Director Niu, trusting Director Sun’s eye for talent, didn’t hesitate. He made the decision on the spot—Xu Jianshe would be hired as a salesperson. As if that wasn’t enough, the factory’s sales director had recently been suspended, and a new department head would be chosen based on who could secure the most orders in the next month.
Uncle Xu’s eyes lit up like fireworks upon hearing this news. He could barely stand still.
“Director Niu,” he blurted, “do I get a work permit today? Can you issue it now?”
Xu Ying raised an eyebrow. “Third Uncle, what do you need it for so urgently?”
A sly grin slowly spread across Third Uncle Xu’s face, gleaming with anticipation and just a touch of vengeance. “You’ll see later,” he said, eyes glinting with mischief.
Factory Director Niu laughed lightly. “A work permit can’t be prepared that quickly. It’ll take two or three days.”
Though visibly disappointed, Thrid Uncle Xu didn’t lose his spirit. His excitement reignited almost instantly. He turned to the director again, a spark still burning in his eyes. “Director, would it be alright if I toured the workshop? I want to better understand the factory’s operations and products—so I can more effectively promote them to clients later on.”
“Of course,” Director Niu agreed with a smile.
Soon after, the secretary led them through the facility. Once inside the factory floor, Thrid Uncle Xu waved the secretary off, his demeanor shifting as he squared his shoulders and marched toward the workshop with the flair of a man on a mission. Xu Ying followed behind, sensing the storm brewing in him.
He approached the workshop leader directly. “Hello, I’m a new sales employee. The director’s secretary just gave me a tour. I’m looking for someone—two people, actually.”
“Who are you looking for?” the leader asked, already aware of the earlier visit and not suspecting anything unusual.
“Fan Qingqing and Qian Baokun,” Third Uncle Xu said firmly.
Xu Ying’s expression tightened. “Third Uncle, why do you want to see them?”
Third Uncle Xu’s jaw clenched. “For Revenge,” he said quietly but with palpable intensity.
Images flashed through his mind—humiliating, and unforgettable memories. He had once given Fan Qingqing everything, even going hungry just to save money for her. And how did she repay him?
She threw him away like garbage, then wrapped herself around Qian Baokun and spat out cruel words that still echoed in his ears:
“Xu Jianshe, you’re nothing. If I didn’t have some use for you, do you think I’d stay with you? Bao Kun is far better than you. His cousin’s uncle is the HR director at the textile factory. We’ll have jobs waiting the moment we graduate. And you? Just a pathetic bumpkin with no connections. You think you’re worthy of me?”
That humiliation had carved itself into his bones.
“Third Uncle!” Xu Ying touched his arm gently, pulling him back from the memory. “It’s okay. You don’t have to—”
“I’m fine,”Third Uncle Xu cut in, smiling, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. He turned back to the workshop leader. “Could you takethem to me ?”
The leader gave him a questioning look but said nothing. “Alright. Wait here.”
Not long after, Fan Qingqing and Qian Baokun were called out from their respective areas—she from production, he from repairs.
“Someone’s here to see you,” the workshop director said. “He says his surname is Xu.”
Qian Baokun frowned. Xu? He didn’t know anyone named Xu. Fan Qingqing, however, froze. Her face drained of color.
Could it be… him?
Moments later, they reached the rest area. There, standing with his back to them, was the figure of a man.
“Who are you?” Qian Baokun called out.
The man slowly turned.
Fan Qingqing gasped, stumbling back a step. “Xu… Xu Jianshe?! What are you doing here?”
Qian Baokun’s eyes narrowed. “Why did you come here?”
Xu Jianshe’s lips curved into a cold, confident smile. “Qian Baokun, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten what you once said to me. You said, if I could ever get into the textile factory, you’d kneel and kowtow in apology.”
Baokun snorted. “What, you’re here to tell me you actually got hired?”
Fan Qingqing laughed derisively. “Xu Jianshe, are you still dreaming? If you could work in a place like this, the sun would rise in the west! Bao Kun already spoke to his cousin’s uncle—he’s the HR director. Even if you begged on your knees, you wouldn’t get a job here.”
Qian Baokun leaned in, lowering his voice. “If I say the word, you won’t even make it past the gates. What, are you here to embarrass yourself?”
Fan Qingqing’s face twisted with scorn. “Xu Jianshe, take a good look at yourself. Are you still clinging to me? I’ve moved on. Bao Kun and I have children now. A divorce? Don’t be ridiculous.”
The smugness in Baokun’s eyes intensified. He took a step closer. “Tell you what. If you really get into the textile factory, I’ll kneel right here and apologize. I’ll even accept you as my grandfather and kowtow to you. But if you don’t—then you kneel, call me ‘grandpa,’ and admit you’re not worthy of Fan Qingqing. You’re not even fit to carry her shoes.”
The tension crackled between them like a taut wire, stretched to its limit.
Xu Jianshe stood silently for a moment, then took one slow step forward, eyes locked on them both.