Chapter 235: Suspicion

Chapter 235: Chapter 235: Suspicion

Jiang Dahai was honest, but he wasn’t stupid.

If his research findings were worthless, the factory wouldn’t have made him the deputy head of the technical team.

He had slighted Yang Zhigang in public out of spite.

He was furious that Yang Zhigang was so underhanded—giving all the credit and prestige to his own nephew while leaving all the grunt work for him. ’Does he really think I’m an idiot!’

Furthermore, he was skeptical about Yang Dong’s supposed research breakthrough.

He was in the same department as Yang Dong; he knew exactly what kind of person he was.

His technical skills were mediocre, but his social network was vast. He spent his days wining and dining with people; Jiang Dahai had never once seen him put any real effort into his job.

’A guy like that, developing new technology?’

The more he thought about it, the more his anger simmered. Jiang Dahai lost all motivation to work. He requested leave from his supervisor and got ready to head home.

Before he left, he went to find Yang Zhigang and retrieved his research materials.

Yang Zhigang handed them over without any fuss.

He had already instructed Yang Dong to secretly make a copy of all of Jiang Dahai’s research materials.

"Mr. Jiang, the factory is still holding the deputy head position in the technical team for you. If you have any concerns, just bring them up. The factory will do its best to consider them and make adjustments."

Jiang Dahai brushed him off with a noncommittal response, "Factory Director Yang, I’ll think about it carefully."

...

After leaving the factory, Jiang Dahai didn’t go home. Instead, he pushed his bicycle while wandering aimlessly through the streets all morning. As lunchtime approached, he finally got on his bike and rode to the cultural troupe.

Jiang Moli was walking out of the cultural troupe’s main gate when she saw Jiang Dahai with his bicycle and couldn’t help but grin.

"Dad, what brings you here for lunch today? Come on, I’ll take you out for something good."

Looking at his daughter’s radiant smile, Jiang Dahai felt his mood lift considerably without him even realizing it.

...

The father-daughter duo went to the same halal restaurant they had visited with Yang Lijiong.

"We’ll have the steamed mutton with rice flour, the red-braised beef brisket, the roasted lamb ribs..."

"Whoa, that’s enough! That’s way too much."

Hearing Jiang Moli rattle off several rich, heavy dishes, Jiang Dahai quickly tried to stop her.

Jiang Moli said, "It’s not much. We’re not one of those stingy families that pinches every penny when they eat out. Ordering just one or two dishes looks so pathetic."

The moment she spoke, angry glares shot toward their table from all around.

It was the lunch rush, and the restaurant was packed. Quite a few of the patrons had ordered only one or two dishes.

You’re out enjoying a nice meal, only to be called stingy and pathetic by some stranger. Who wouldn’t be furious?

Even the waitress glared at Jiang Moli. ’Is she here to start trouble?’

[Disdain Value +9. 90,000 yuan credited.]

Forget the strangers; even Jiang Dahai thought his daughter was being incredibly obnoxious. He quickly said to the waitress,

"We’ll just have the steamed mutton with rice flour and a stir-fried cabbage, that will be plenty."

Jiang Moli chimed in, "Add the roasted lamb ribs. Theirs are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and so juicy. One bite just fills your mouth with savory flavor. They’re delicious."

Her description made Jiang Dahai’s mouth water.

"Alright, add the roasted lamb ribs."

"Anything to drink? We have Wuliangye, Maotai, and Fenjiu."

Perhaps annoyed by Jiang Moli’s pretentious act, the waitress deliberately recommended the most expensive liquors, hoping to put her in her place.

’Go ahead, order one if you’re so rich,’ she thought. ’A single bottle costs tens of yuan!’

Jiang Moli rested her chin on her hand. "Say, do you have Golden Wind Jade Dew Wine here?"

"No."

"What about Huangliang Wine?"

"No."

Jiang Moli waved her hand dismissively. "Forget it. You don’t have this, and you don’t have that... This place really isn’t up to snuff. I won’t be coming back again."

The waitress stormed off, her face dark.

After putting in the order, she immediately huddled in a corner with her coworkers to thoroughly bad-mouth Jiang Moli.

’If she thinks our restaurant is so bad, then why did she even come here to eat!’

[Disdain Value +3. 30,000 yuan credited.]

Even Jiang Dahai couldn’t resist chiding her. "When you’re out and about, you can’t be as picky as you are at home. You’re just going to annoy everyone."

"I love it when people hate me but can’t do a thing about it."

Jiang Dahai: "..."

’You’re really asking for a beating.’

With so many people having lunch, the service was slow.

Sipping his tea, Jiang Dahai told Jiang Moli about Yang Dong being promoted to director, and about the factory wanting him to be the deputy head of the technical team.

"Moli, do you think this has anything to do with Xiao Qing?"

Jiang Dahai had spent the entire morning wandering the streets, mulling this very question over.

Besides Li Hongying, the only other person who could have accessed his notes was his stepdaughter.

Li Hongying had no motive to sell him out. His stepdaughter, on the other hand, had always harbored resentment toward him and the family.

He’d wondered before why Yang Dong would go out of his way to arrange a job for his stepdaughter, and even find her housing.

Thinking about it now, he feared his stepdaughter had premeditated the whole thing.

Jiang Moli propped her chin on her interlaced fingers, a playful smile on her face. "See, Dad? You’re not so stupid after all."

Jiang Dahai retorted grumpily, "And who do you think you got your brains from?"

’He’s got a point,’ she thought. ’Can’t argue with that.’

After they finished eating, Jiang Moli took the research materials from her father, gave him a couple of instructions, and then headed back to the cultural troupe.

...

KNOCK KNOCK.

"Come in."

"Vice Yang, busy?"

When she looked up and saw it was Jiang Moli, Yang Lijiong’s brow relaxed slightly. "Do you need something?"

Jiang Moli leaned against the desk, tilting her head as her almond eyes sparkled.

"I’ve figured out what I want. A meal with you, just so I can see your face. And a drink... to spending forever with you."

Yang Lijiong stared at her, a strained smile on her face. "Your mouth is so sweet. Did you coat it in honey?"

"My mouth is sweet because my heart is sweet. And my heart is sweet because you’re in it."

As she spoke, she even formed a heart with her hands over her own.

Yang Lijiong stared at the heart shape for a long moment before finally saying, "Be serious. If you have something to say, just say it."

This was exactly what Jiang Moli was waiting for. "I’d like to have a meal with Chen Lan. Could you help me set it up?"

...

"Director Yang, congratulations!"

Seeing Jiang Qing blocking his way, Yang Dong glanced around guiltily. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw no one he knew.

"Didn’t we agree you wouldn’t come looking for me unless it was important? It’s not good for us to be seen together."

Jiang Qing’s lips curled. "We’re in the same boat. I wouldn’t do something that harms you without benefiting myself. However, Director Yang, when will you make good on the promise you made me?"

Yang Dong replied hastily, "Be patient. The factory might have approved my research findings, but this new technology is still just a castle in the air. It won’t count until it’s actually implemented. Your stepfather is refusing to join the technical team, and I’m at my wits’ end over it."

’What an idiot,’ Jiang Qing cursed inwardly. ’He can’t even handle something this simple.’

But she said aloud, "What Jiang Dahai wants most is a housing allocation. Just promise him that, and he’ll naturally agree to do the work."

Yang Dong was ecstatic. "You’re the one with the good ideas! Don’t worry. Once my position is secure, I’ll definitely find an opportunity to make you a permanent employee."

"Good. I’ll be waiting."

Watching Yang Dong’s retreating figure, Jiang Qing felt an indescribable sense of vindication.

’Jiang Dahai, it’s your turn to know the bitter taste of sewing a wedding dress for someone else to wear!’

If she hadn’t stolen Zhang Jia Ming from her, Jiang Moli never would have gotten so damn lucky and caught Lu Cheng’s eye.

Every time she thought of it, it felt like a fishbone lodged in her throat!