Chapter 50: Isn't this bullying?

Lu Qiaoge had once thought about dealing with Duan Xiaoxiang and Shen Yun, who were preparing to spread rumors and anonymous reports.

This was partly because she had been very busy, and partly because she had already given Qin Hengzhi a heads-up.

Most importantly, the report was invalid.

As for the gossip, ever since Qin Hengzhi had pulled her out of the water, there had been no shortage of people talking behind her back.

Even though Qin Hengzhi was simply doing a good deed, Lu Qiaoge had broken off her engagement that very day. Consequently, the matter involving her, Liang Aishu, and Shen Yun had spread throughout the military factory's residential compound.

Some said Shen Yun was shameless and had snatched away someone else's love.

Some said Liang Aishu was morally bankrupt for playing both sides.

Others said Lu Qiaoge was vain and had broken off her engagement with Liang Aishu immediately because she had her eyes on the powerful Representative Qin.

It wasn't just Meng Xia who told her; her sister-in-law, Su Hui, had also mentioned it.

Although they weren't particularly important figures, entertainment was scarce in this era—especially with a scandal involving Representative Qin, two men, and two women, which was exactly the kind of gossip many people loved to listen to and speculate about.

Usually, things would blow over after a few days.

As long as Qin Hengzhi understood, it didn't matter.

Therefore, Lu Qiaoge didn't take it to heart.

However, she hadn't expected that someone would actually try to talk to her grandmother.

Wasn't this just bullying?

Old Lady Lu was no ordinary woman. Her husband had died fighting guerrillas years ago; it was said they couldn't even recover his body, so they had only erected a cenotaph in his hometown.

The old lady had raised three children on her own as a frail woman.

Her second daughter had died in the military on the battlefield, while Lu Da and Lu Cheng had entered the military factory.

Although the Lu family held no power or influence, they were not people to be bullied.

Qin Hengzhi glanced at Lu Qiaoge, whose face was set in a small, tense pout. It was the first time he had seen such an expression on the girl's face.

They remained silent all the way until they arrived near the Lu residence.

The roads here were narrow; once the jeep drove in, there was basically no room left for bicycles or pedestrians.

Qin Hengzhi slowly brought the jeep to a stop.

Lu Qiaoge got out of the car and gave a look of disdain toward the tabby cat, whose four paws were covered in mud.

Then, seeing Qin Hengzhi open the trunk to lift out a bucket, she stood quietly by the car, simply watching him.

After a moment's thought, Lu Qiaoge asked, "Will you be eating at my house today?"

Qin Hengzhi replied, "If nothing else comes up, I need to return to the Military Representative's Office."

Lu Qiaoge added, "But you should think carefully. Once you step through my door today, there might be two possible outcomes."

A hint of a smile appeared in Qin Hengzhi's eyes as he said calmly, "I am eager to hear them."

"The first outcome is that everyone will realize the rumors are nonsense—that my grandmother wouldn't say such things and the Lu family wouldn't do such things to pressure you."

"And the second outcome?" Qin Hengzhi asked leisurely.

"It will certainly involve dragging you and me back together again."

If you're afraid, put down the bucket and leave immediately.

If you don't care, then come in.

In any case, she didn't care about any of it.

Qin Hengzhi understood instantly.

He glanced at the tabby cat circling the bucket, let out a light chuckle, and said, "Your cat is certainly being raised well."

Then, he set off with long strides, walking unhurriedly toward the Lu house.

Naturally, they encountered acquaintances on the way. Those who recognized Representative Qin also knew who Lu Qiaoge's family was, and for a moment, they didn't know how to react.

They could only stare blankly at their retreating backs.

The gate to the Lu courtyard was open. Standing at the entrance, one could hear Old Lady Lu's voice: "...I wonder how you people even managed to get into your positions? Without investigating or verifying anything, you just believe every rumor you hear. Won't this cause problems in your work? Won't it cause losses for the factory? Even an uneducated old woman like me understands this logic; do you two not?"

Then, a woman's slightly displeased voice came in explanation: "Auntie, that's not what we meant. We didn't come here to interrogate you."

"Then what did you come for?"

"Someone said you want Representative Qin to take responsibility for your second granddaughter. We can't let Representative Qin, who is just doing a good deed, feel disheartened, so we came to have a talk with you."

Old Lady Lu immediately asked, "And who is this 'someone'?"

The other party was speechless.

Old Lady Lu let out a cold snort. "Should I go ask Factory Director Hao who this 'someone' is?"

Standing at the door, Lu Qiaoge acted as if she hadn't heard the conversation and called out loudly, "Grandmother, Sister-in-law, we have guests!"

The two women in the courtyard, both holding notebooks and pens, had been sitting in front of Old Lady Lu. Hearing Lu Qiaoge's voice, they turned around and were instantly stunned.

Because standing beside Lu Qiaoge was the most handsome man in the military factory, Representative Qin, carrying a bucket.

Xia Juan from the Women's Federation blinked in disbelief, thinking she was seeing a hallucination.

How was that possible?

How could Representative Qin from the Military Representative's Office be standing at the Lu family's front gate carrying a bucket?

Even more impossible—how could he be appearing alongside Lu Qiaoge?

Both women scrambled to their feet.

Old Lady Lu squinted at the entrance. She didn't personally know Representative Qin, but judging by the young man's appearance, temperament, uniform, and insignia, she knew he was definitely the Representative from the Military Office.

But she pretended not to know him.

In truth, she didn't actually know him.

Old Lady Lu asked with a beaming smile, "Qiaoge, who is this guest?"

Qin Hengzhi walked leisurely into the courtyard. He gave a brief, indifferent scan of the area before withdrawing his gaze and setting the bucket down. With a smile in his eyes and a very gentle voice, he said, "Grandmother Lu, I am Qin Hengzhi from the Military Representative's Office. I was passing by and suddenly remembered Master Lu saying your tabby cat especially loves the wheat-ear fish from Hongxing Lake. I happened to have some in my trunk."

Xia Juan looked at Qin Hengzhi with suspicion and uncertainty.

The other Women's Federation cadre tugged at her sleeve and whispered, "What on earth is going on? I'm completely confused."

Xia Juan thought to herself: *It's not just you; I'm confused too.*

Qin Hengzhi said, "I have other matters to attend to. Grandmother Lu, I will come visit you again when I have time."

Old Lady Lu, naturally, warmly tried to persuade him to stay. "If you aren't busy, why not stay for a meal? My eldest granddaughter-in-law is an excellent cook."

At that moment, Lu Xiao Si also greeted Qin Hengzhi shyly, "Brother Qin."

Qin Hengzhi smiled at Lu Xiao Si, then said to Old Lady Lu, "I have some urgent matters to handle. I won't disturb you further."

As he turned, he seemed to notice the two female comrades in the courtyard.

Although they were from the Women's Federation, he didn't know them, but he nodded to them politely.

Then, he strode out of the Lu courtyard.

Old Lady Lu scurried over and gave her second granddaughter's hand a squeeze.

Lu Qiaoge understood naturally. She raised her voice and said, "Grandmother, Representative Qin is a good person. I just thanked him."

Then, looking at the two cadres from the Women's Federation, she asked in feigned surprise, "Grandmother, these two comrades just said we shouldn't let Representative Qin, who is doing a good deed, feel disheartened. What does that mean? I don't quite understand."

Just as Xia Juan was about to speak, the other woman grabbed her.

*You idiot, don't say a word.*

*How could you not see how simple this is?*

Old Lady Lu didn't know Qin Hengzhi, and the Lu family had no intention of clinging to him.

Someone was deliberately spreading rumors.

And the relationship between Qin Hengzhi and the Lu family seemed to be quite good.

Whether he takes responsibility or not, it has nothing to do with us!