Chapter 247: Soft Mud Cannot Be Propped Up

Chapter 247: Chapter 247: Soft Mud Cannot Be Propped Up

Lu Deyao was amused by Jiang Moli’s optimistic tone, and his worries finally subsided.

After hearing the news last night, he’d wanted to find Jiang Moli to offer some guidance, but since it was late and inconvenient, he had to push the thought aside and wait until today.

Noticing Jiang Moli’s pale face, Lu Deyao asked with concern, "Didn’t you sleep well last night? Did you catch a chill?"

Winter had begun to set in, and the days grew colder and colder.

The journey had been exhausting, and catching a chill at night on top of that could easily lead to a cold.

Jiang Moli’s head was indeed a bit groggy, but that was due to a hangover combined with carsickness.

The road conditions in those days weren’t very good. After the long, bumpy ride, Jiang Moli felt like her bones were about to fall apart.

"I’m fine. Your concern is better than any miracle cure, Dad. How are you? You’ve been away for so many days. You must miss everyone at home, right?"

Lu Deyao cleared his throat. "It’s been so overcast these past few days. I wonder if your mom’s chronic back pain is flaring up. When I’m home, I can at least give her a massage."

Jiang Moli beamed. "If you miss Mom, just give her a call. You don’t have to keep it bottled up."

Lu Deyao did want to call home.

But he had just called yesterday. If he called again today, his wife would surely nag him about wasting money on the phone bill.

When he called later, he’d just say his third daughter-in-law had asked him to. His wife wouldn’t nag him then.

Heh heh.

Meanwhile, the members of the art troupe watched Jiang Moli and Lu Deyao chatting and laughing. Seeing how harmoniously they got along, everyone was both surprised and envious.

They had all heard the rumors about Commissar Lu Deyao—that he had a terrible temper and a stubborn, unyielding nature.

They’d assumed that with such a high-ranking official for a father-in-law, Jiang Moli must be living on eggshells.

They never expected Lu Deyao to be so approachable with his daughter-in-law.

This was especially true for the two troupe members who had shared a room with Jiang Moli. Last night, they’d personally witnessed Vice Yang doting on Moli like a little sister, and now today, they were seeing her high-ranking father-in-law treating her with the care one would show their own daughter.

’She’s living the dream!’

The county guesthouse was a far cry from the one in the city. There weren’t enough rooms, so Jiang Moli and four other troupe members were assigned to a triple.

The three beds were pushed together, and all five of them had to squeeze in.

Just as they were busy arranging the bedding, Yang Lijiong entered the room.

"Vice Yang."

The troupe members all stopped what they were doing when they saw Yang Lijiong.

Yang Lijiong surveyed the room. "Isn’t it a bit too crowded for five people on three beds?" she asked.

Without waiting for a reply, she turned to Jiang Moli. "My bed is bigger. Why don’t you stay with me for the next couple of days?"

Jiang Moli couldn’t have been happier. "Okay!"

Seeing that Jiang Moli had a lot of luggage, Yang Lijiong even offered to carry some of it for her.

The remaining four troupe members watched them leave, one after the other, and then exchanged glances.

"Vice Yang is way too nice to Manager Jiang, isn’t she?"

"I wish I could go sleep in Vice Yang’s room."

"Who wouldn’t!"

As a vice-leader, Yang Lijiong was staying in an executive room, which not only had a desk, a wardrobe, and a large bed, but also a private bathroom.

When they got to Yang Lijiong’s room, Jiang Moli put down her luggage and took a look around.

It wasn’t a large space, but it had all the necessary furnishings. Most importantly, the bed was 1.5 meters wide—more than enough for her and Yang Lijiong.

"If I’d known this would happen, I would have insisted on giving you the room back in Menghai."

Yang Lijiong gave a noncommittal response. "Are you feeling unwell? You look a bit pale."

"I’m fine. By the way, how did I get back to my room last night? I can’t remember a thing."

"I brought you back."

Jiang Moli nodded, not thinking much of it.

She just assumed Yang Lijiong had helped her walk back to the room.

After they finished unpacking, it was lunchtime, so the two of them went to the cafeteria together.

The main course was pumpkin rice, with a side of pickled cabbage and vermicelli stewed with tofu.

Yang Lijiong’s executive meal included an extra dish: stir-fried pork with garlic shoots.

There were only five slices of pork in total, and Yang Lijiong moved three of them into Jiang Moli’s bowl.

"Eat up. You’re too skinny."

Jiang Moli blinked. "Are you worried I won’t be able to protect you when we go out?"

Yang Lijiong glanced at her. "Just focus on protecting yourself."

Jiang Moli grinned. "Next time we go out, you walk behind me. I’ll let you experience what it feels like to have the whole world protecting you."

Yang Lijiong couldn’t help but laugh at her words.

The other troupe members watched their interaction; some were envious, while others scoffed in disdain.

’Such a kiss-ass, always sucking up to the leadership!’

[Disdain Value +3. 30,000 Yuan Credited.]

After work, under a flurry of envious stares, Hou Yuzhu got into the car Fang Qihong had parked at the art troupe’s main gate.

"Well, well, Mr. Chen. Long time no see."

Hou Yuzhu smiled and greeted Chen Zhiyuan proactively upon seeing him in the back seat.

Chen Zhiyuan returned the smile with a compliment. "You’re looking radiant, more beautiful every time I see you."

Hou Yuzhu smoothed her hair with a coquettish air. "When you’re in a good mood, you naturally feel good."

Fang Qihong glanced at her as he drove. "Any good news?"

"That obnoxious woman’s program got reported and shut down. It’s so satisfying! Too bad she’s not at the troupe right now, or I’d go rub it in her face a little. We’ll see how high and mighty she acts now!"

Fang Qihong chimed in with a laugh. "See? Even fate is on your side, giving you a chance to get some payback."

Hou Yuzhu cursed, feeling vindicated. "Serves her right!"

Chen Zhiyuan asked curiously, "Who are you talking about?"

"That Jiang Moli," Fang Qihong replied.

"Oh, her."

Chen Zhiyuan’s face showed his understanding.

Hou Yuzhu continued to run her mouth about Jiang Moli. "She’s always been so arrogant and domineering, looking down her nose at everyone. She’s offended plenty of people. Now everyone at the troupe is laughing at her behind her back..."

Partway through the drive, Hou Yuzhu got out and went to a hair salon.

Fang Qihong continued driving Chen Zhiyuan home, planning to turn back afterward to pick up Hou Yuzhu for dinner.

"Brother Hong," Chen Zhiyuan began, "there’s something I want to say, but I’m not sure if I should."

"Go ahead. Since when are you so formal with me?"

Chen Zhiyuan adopted a joking tone. "It’s just... I think Yuzhu is a little out of her depth. Jiang Moli has her husband’s family for backing, plus she’s favored by Vice Yang at the troupe. For an ordinary member like Yuzhu to pick a fight with her... isn’t that just asking for trouble?"

Chen Zhiyuan was still putting it mildly.

The way he saw it, Hou Yuzhu was picking lice off a tiger’s head—courting death.

"I know you’re capable enough to have her back, Brother Hong, but some trouble is best avoided if you can help it, right?"

Fang Qihong was initially a little displeased.

Hou Yuzhu was his girlfriend, so criticizing her was like a slap in his face.

But Chen Zhiyuan’s last couple of sentences had also subtly praised him. Flattered, he started to take his friend’s words to heart.

As the saying goes, good news travels slowly, but bad news has wings.

The news that Jiang Moli’s program had been shut down spread quickly through the Military District Courtyard.

The family members who couldn’t stand Jiang Moli were all secretly gloating over her misfortune.

Wu Miaoyun was especially delighted.

’See, I told you so,’ she thought. ’How could a lazy, good-for-nothing freeloader like Jiang Moli possibly write anything good?’

And now, the truth was out!

"If you ask me, her piece only got selected in the first place because of Lu’s connections. It’s a shame she’s just useless mud that won’t stick to a wall. The higher they prop her up, the harder she’ll fall."