Back To The 80s-Chapter 514 - 506: Exposure_1

Ou Ruoshui nodded, "Yes, I’ll be careful. Besides, if Ou Tiannan refuses to back down, you will have to change your business."

Feeling upset, Gu Xiaobei forced a smile, "Don’t worry, Sister Xuerong. If it comes to that, I’ll just start from scratch. I’ll treat these two years as wasted."

"If you truly do lose your factory, half of the money you gave me, I’ll return to you. After all, I opened this factory and got us into this mess. I wanted to repay your entire money, but some of it has already been spent." Ou Ruoshui consoled.

Gu Xiaobei shook her head, "I can’t take that money. Besides, you can’t be blamed for this. I’ll just chalk it down as misfortune."

Ou Ruoshui bit her tongue and didn’t mention the complicated situation between her and Ou Tiannan. Anyway, it was a bit difficult to say.

After leaving the Jin Family, Gu Xiaobei aimlessly wandered through the streets. She felt frustrated and while she watched the Yang flowers dancing in the air, her irritation grew worse.

While passing by the city government building, she coincidentally ran into Zhan Hezhi once again.

Zhan Hezhi, while out on his bicycle, had taken the initiative to stop and come over to Gu Xiaobei upon seeing her, smiling, he said, "Boss Gu, where are you off to? How’s business lately?" His face showed an overtly entertained expression.

Gu Xiaobei sneered, "Not bad."

Zhan Hezhi nodded, "Soon, it won’t be just ’not bad’. It’s going to soar, I heard that a large investor is aiming to invest in your factory. That’s something most people can only covet." He even pretended to be envious.

Listening to the derision in his words, Gu Xiaobei suddenly got agitated. Laughing, she said, "Thanks for your concern, Director Zhan. If all goes well, I’ll definitely send you a big gift!" The words ’big gift’ were emphasized.

Zhan Hezhi chuckled, "I won’t accept any gifts. As long as your business is thriving, it’ll bring honor to our province, right?" He was proud of himself, appreciative of Ji Xiangdong and Gu Xiaobei’s efficiency. Ou Tiannan was certainly reliable.

Gu Xiaobei grinned, "As for this big gift, you must accept it. Otherwise, it wouldn’t do justice to your fondness for my business."

Zhan Hezhi laughed triumphantly, "Of course, you are one of our province’s outstanding businesswomen. How could we forget your benefits?"

"In that case, I thank you, Director Zhan. I won’t disturb you further. I’ll take my leave now," Gu Xiaobei took her leave, smiling genially.

Zhan Hezhi departed happily on his bicycle, feeling as if he had vented some pent-up anger.

Watching Zhan Hezhi’s distanced figure, a calculating gleam flashed in Gu Xiaobei’s eyes. If Zhan Hezhi was unjust, then no one could blame her for being righteous.

...

Instead of going straight home, Gu Xiaobei first decided to visit Chen Qiumei.

Chen Qiumei and Gu Weimin had rented two rooms separated from the main house, sharing the yard with the landlord.

When Gu Xiaobei arrived, Gu Weimin had just ventured out for a stroll along the Yellow River, leaving only Chen Qiumei and Xiao Zhe at home.

This situation benefitted Gu Xiaobei greatly. To Chen Qiumei she said, "Are you busy this morning? I want to take you somewhere."

Chen Qiumei, noticing Gu Xiaobei’s empty hands, appeared less pleased. Wiping her soapy fingers, she asked, "Where to? I’ve got to cook soon. There’s no food here, you should have brought some."

Gu Xiaobei ignored this, continuing on, "Are you going or not? There’s money in it."

"What money? You’re giving it? How much?" Chen Qiumei’s eyes lit up at the mention of money.

Gu Xiaobei frowned, "Not me. Someone else is giving it. Hurry and get ready, and bring Xiao Zhe. We will all go together."

Chen Qiumei didn’t ask further, as long as there was money, it was all good. Wiping her hands on her shirt, she called for Xiao Zhe, who was playing in the house.

Xiao Zhe was messing around with a slingshot in the house, and when Chen Qiumei called him, he came out unwillingly, complaining, "Why so much trouble today?"

Chen Qiumei slapped him on the head, "You debtee! Come on, your aunt is taking us out for a meal."

Gu Xiaobei ignored Chen Qiumei’s prattling and moved towards the door first.

She planned to take Chen Qiumei and her grandson to Liao Qing. Earlier, she didn’t want to take things to the extreme. But after seeing Zhan Hezhi’s smug face today, it appeared that she hadn’t left any stone unturned in messing things up for her factory. Chen Qiumei, always asking for Xiao Zhe’s living expenses, seemed like a good solution to deal with them all.

Reaching the alley where she remembered the last time, and unsure of exactly which house it was, Gu Xiaobei observed each house one by one. According to her memory of last encounter with Liao Qing, the child she held should be nearly a year old by now.

The house should be one where children’s clothes were hung out to dry.

Chen Qiumei impatiently asked, "Where on earth are you taking us? Peeping into people’s houses, do you even know the way?"

Gu Xiaobei noticed several articles of baby clothes on the clothesline inside the second house. For the sake of certainty, she checked the last house too, but couldn’t find any signs of a child there. More likely than not, it was indeed the second house.

For such houses in a row, knocking was rare. Gu Xiaobei pushed open the door and walked in, asking, "Is anyone home?"

Liao Qing was inside the house, preparing to put the baby to sleep for his afternoon nap. Hearing someone call, she rushed out while carrying the baby. However, she froze when she saw Gu Xiaobei standing in the doorway.

Chen Qiumei, leading Xiao Zhe, saw Liao Qing and her eyes flared in anger.

Immediately, she rushed forward, ignoring the fact that Liao Qing was holding a baby, and began to hit her.

Liao Qing drew back, still holding the baby.

Fearing injury to the innocent child, Gu Xiaobei forcefully pulled Chen Qiumei back. "Talk things out, don’t forget what you came here for."

Short of breath, Chen Qiumei stood panting, and after calming herself, she said, "You filthy woman, another child? Not another shameful illegitimate child, right?"

Retreating to the wall with her crying baby, Liao Qing stood, pressed against the wall, too frightened to make a sound.

"Finally found you, you shameless thing. I thought you might lead a good life after running away. But turns out, you were just looking for a man to have another child. Where’s the man? Call him out, let him see what kind of woman you are. Abandoning your child and running off, why did you even have him if you didn’t want to raise him?" Chen Qiumei pointed at Liao Qing and cursed.

Gu Xiaobei stood aside, watching coldly. Now, Zhan Hezhi’s affair would be impossible to hide.

Chen Qiumei in her fury was about to physically attack her again, Gu Xiaobei grabbed her arm and reminded her again, "Don’t forget what you planned to do."

Facing the silent Liao Qing, Chen Qiumei pulled Xiao Zhe, who was standing still, and pointed at him, "See? This is your son too. You decide."