CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: ADDING FUEL AND VINEGAR

Since Gu Junming laid things bare with her, Bai Fanglan hasn’t been in a good mood.

Even though she hasn’t heard any gossip at work, she feels guilty, always thinking they’re mocking her behind her back for throwing herself at a guy and getting dumped. The more she thinks about it, the more upset she gets! She’s a proud woman and can’t tolerate such humiliation. So she’s been in a slump.

Yesterday after work, her grandfather told her that the old chief was sick and asked her to visit him.

Bai Fanglan sat on the sofa, frowning: "There are doctors over there too, I won’t go. Otherwise, people will definitely mock me and say I’m trying to cozy up to them!"

"Don’t talk nonsense! Does your grandfather’s status require you to suck up?"

Bai Fanglan fiddled with her nails: "That’s true. But I still don’t want to go. It’s my day off, and taking a bus is tiring."

Bai Chuan was left speechless by her response, increasingly exasperated with this granddaughter. Although outwardly things seemed fine, the actual power in his hands was gradually slipping away, placing him in a precarious position. This was a sign that the higher-ups no longer wanted him in place and were hoping he would voluntarily step down. How could he be willing to retreat from the stage of power just like that? Yet now his position is so unstable, and his granddaughter can’t help at all! It’s really maddening.

If Gu Junming successfully completes his current task, he’ll definitely get promoted, and Bai Chuan’s position will be even more at risk.

Thinking of Gu Junming made Bai Chuan clench his fists involuntarily.

The old chief has a special status; his several children now hold real power in the military district, forming a connection with their family would be advantageous. But Bai Fanglan just won’t understand!

Looking at Bai Fanglan’s delicate face, Bai Chuan swallowed his anger: "I’ll send a car to take you over. Go see him; the old chief is an older revolutionary, it will do you good to have more contact with him! Plus, you need to seize the opportunity, you know? His eldest son is thirty, yet still single. You could give it a try."

Before he could finish, Bai Fanglan interrupted him: "Grandpa! I already said I’m not considering marriage for now. Why are you bringing it up again!" She was annoyed and turned to stride upstairs.

Bai Chuan could only say: "Alright, if you don’t want to talk about marriage, that’s fine. Just be polite when you see him; you’ve been creating too much fuss lately."

"Got it," Bai Fanglan said softly,

This time she came to X City not only to check the old chief’s health but also to see Gu Junming. She refused to believe it: given her own excellent qualities, why wouldn’t he be interested? She intended to create all sorts of chances to be with him until she won his heart. Then what?

Marry him? No, she’d dump Gu Junming, exact her revenge, and show everyone that he was beneath her!

From childhood until now, has there ever been anything Bai Fanglan wanted and couldn’t get? Of course, she was unwilling to let it go. It wasn’t about liking or disliking anymore; this had wounded her pride—it’s intolerable!

The son of Mr. Yan didn’t interest her either. She always had many admirers and didn’t need to cozy up to someone to secure a relationship.

Now, her head was filled with these thoughts, making her uninterested in conversing with a temporary worker in the cafeteria.

But Liu Qingshuang, oblivious as she was, still followed her around. Bai Fanglan was annoyed and ignored her no matter what she said. Liu Qingshuang eventually realized she wasn’t welcome and forced a smile, intending to leave after saying goodbye.

Just then, Sun Chan walked in from the side, with Yang Liu beside her, both carrying cabbages and radishes towards the cafeteria, chatting and laughing quietly as they went.

Bai Fanglan was stunned. What’s she doing here! The only person in her life who dared to hit her was here!

Liu Qingshuang sneered: "Truly conniving! Whenever she finds someone with connections, she latches on shamelessly!"

Bai Fanglan frowned slightly: "Who are you talking about? Sun Chan?"

"Oh, I just said it casually. I’m off to my work." Startled at the mention of Sun Chan, Liu Qingshuang got scared that her instigation would upset Bai Fanglan.

"Don’t go just yet." Bai Fanglan stopped her: "Don’t worry, I won’t retaliate against you. Just tell me, is that woman up to something disgusting here again?"

Liu Qingshuang was overjoyed at these words, finding a like-minded ally at last!

She began embellishing tales of Sun Chan’s wrongdoings, sucking up to leaders, lazing around, and being slippery.

"The old chief went out to catch a thief; what does that have to do with someone working in the kitchen? Yet she tagged along and was even brought back by him. If it weren’t for her, the old chief wouldn’t have caught a cold! She’s just seeing people with wealth and power and trying to cozy up. These village women, whenever they see someone capable from the city, they cling on right away. Maybe she’s aiming to be the chief’s wife!" She was speaking rather maliciously here.

But her main goal was to get rid of Sun Chan, so she was pouring dirt on her. Bai Fanglan had indeed encountered a similar situation: a nurse at their compound developed feelings while taking care of the chief, and they ended up getting married despite a twenty-year age difference. She became the chief’s wife, strutted around arrogantly, and her family rose along with her.

Bai Fanglan sneered inwardly, so she really does want to climb up the social ladder! This woman is truly shameless, daring to hit me publicly and then play the victim! She truly doesn’t have any decency!

After attending Gu Junming’s grandfather’s birthday, Bai Fanglan took two days off. When she returned to the hospital, she learned about Sun Chan. She didn’t know much, just heard that Sun Chan’s mother and sister wanted her to return to the village to get married, but she refused and ran away.

Bai Fanglan thought Sun Chan was vain and didn’t want to go back to the village to suffer, but since she left, good riddance; seeing her only caused distress. Yet in such a short time, she’d already improved and found a high-end job, even connecting with Mr. Yan, infuriating Bai Fanglan even more.

Liu Qingshuang cautiously said: "Doctor Bai, when you see the old chief, you must remind him that this woman is wicked and should not be used."

"Rest assured." Bai Fanglan sneered coldly: "This place has no room for such a harmful element; I’ll make sure she leaves quickly!"

With that, she marched straight to the ward.

Liu Qingshuang, behind her, was all smiles. At last, she had rid herself of this trouble. No, I have to inform my sister-in-law. Time to get back to work! She quickly rushed outside to call and share the good news!

Bai Fanglan went to the ward, where the old man was reading a newspaper.

"Old Chief, I’m here to see you," she said, smiling as she walked in.

Seeing her arrive, the old chief nodded with a smile: "Ah, it’s the girl from the Bai Family. What brings you here?"