Chapter 3

Regarding the matter of beating one's wife, though it is despised by others, such things happen everywhere. Especially in this era, most middle-aged people have low levels of education; many have only completed primary school. Their minds are filled with feudal remnants, believing that beating their own wife is justified. Such incidents are not surprising when they happen to others, but when they happen to a leader of the Women's Federation, it's a different story. Cao Shufen, who was beaten, is the head of the Organization and Propaganda Department of the county Women's Federation, responsible for publicity and education. Now, with a bruised nose and swollen face, how can she carry out her work? If people find out that the leader of the Women's Federation is beaten by her husband, the Women's Federation will become a laughingstock. No wonder Director Yang is furious; the image of the Women's Federation cannot be ruined like this.

Seeing Director Yang truly angry, the meeting room was filled with anxiety, and no one dared to breathe heavily. Everyone knew that Director Yang was a notorious tigress, even the county magistrate sometimes had to give her some leeway.

None of the people present dared to speak up. Time passed minute by minute, and the wall clock showed it was already 9:30. Lu Dawei, who had to urinate, could hardly hold it any longer. He glanced at the tigress's stern face and cautiously said, "Director, I need to go to the bathroom..."

"Hold it! No one is allowed to leave this room until we come up with a solution! If you can't hold it, solve it here!" Concerned about the honor of the Women's Federation, Yang Shujie was red-eyed and didn't care about anything else.

Lu Dawei was also quite afraid of Yang Shujie. Seeing the tigress speak like this, he didn't dare to say anything more. However, he was uncomfortable holding it in and didn't dare to lash out at Yang Shujie. After a moment's thought, he directed his anger at the meek Cao Shufen.

"Cao Section Chief, your husband is really not a good person. He drinks and beats people every day. How have you managed to live with him for so many years? Always enduring and keeping quiet is not a long-term solution. If you didn't work at the Women's Federation, it might be tolerable, but since you do, and you are the head of the Organization and Propaganda Department, this incident will affect the entire county Women's Federation."

Though his words were subtle, the meaning was clear: he was suggesting that Cao Shufen divorce her husband. In fact, half of the people present wanted to advise Cao Shufen to divorce, but as colleagues, how could they bring it up? As the saying goes, it's better to break a temple than to destroy a marriage; one should only encourage reconciliation, not separation.

"I... ah..." Cao Shufen choked back a sob and then burst into tears, "I, I know I have let everyone down... but... but the child is already so big... I can't let him... otherwise... I, I won't drag everyone down..."

Cao Shufen's child was already ten years old. If she divorced now, what would happen to the child? Cao Shufen had endured her husband to maintain the family for the sake of her son, not wanting the family to fall apart and cast a shadow over the child's childhood. Hearing Lu Dawei's words and seeing Director Yang's anger, her fragile heart could no longer bear it. She decided to resign to avoid dragging everyone down.

"Crying, crying, will you die if you cry less?" Yang Shujie shouted, her roar like a bolt of lightning. Cao Shufen was so frightened that her tears stopped, and the others involuntarily shuddered. Yang Shujie then glared at Lu Dawei and sternly said, "Can you speak like a human being? Advising someone to divorce in such a manner, is this your work attitude? If we advise couples to divorce every time there's a family dispute, what's the point of us being here? We might as well all go home!"

After venting her anger, Yang Shujie's tone softened, and she continued, "Cao Shufen's daily work is active and serious, and I acknowledge that. We still need you at the Women's Federation, and I won't approve your resignation. Now, let's continue to think of a solution."

Despite her fierce temper, the tigress had a protective side. She always did her best to protect the collective.

Hearing this, Cao Shufen was extremely grateful to Yang Shujie, almost crying again but forcing herself to hold back. On the contrary, Lu Dawei, who was scolded by the leadership, felt quite bitter. He thought to himself, "I just said it casually, thinking it was for everyone's benefit, but I got scolded by the tigress in public. Damn, why am I so unlucky today? Early in the morning, I almost got beaten by that new guy, and I was pointed at by everyone on the bus, losing face in front of Yan Bing. Who did I offend?"

Lu Dawei's eyes flickered, and he came up with a plan. He cautiously said, "Director, I have an idea."

"What idea? Tell me," Yang Shujie said.

"Today, we have a new member at the Women's Federation, a graduate of Chunjiang University, which is the most famous university in our Jinhua Province. I think this university graduate must have a broader perspective and more experience. Perhaps he can solve the problem," Lu Dawei said.

In his mind, he was thinking, "You, Gao Jue, just wait. I'll show you how to get even. You made me lose face in front of Yan Bing, and today I'll make you look bad. You think you're strong? I'll show you what real strength is. That bastard works with rebar at the unit, and he beat me black and blue. I'll have him beat you up."

"Are you talking about the new Gao Jue? Has he arrived?" Yang Shujie asked.

"He has, I..." Lu Dawei wanted to say that he met him on the bus in the morning, but if it weren't for him, he wouldn't have lost face. However, he quickly realized that he shouldn't reveal this embarrassing incident and changed his words, "I just saw him reporting in the office, and Director Shang even talked to him for a bit."

"Yes, Gao Jue has arrived and is waiting at the office door," Office Director Shang Jin said.

"He's a fresh graduate and hasn't been involved in our Women's Federation work. We, who have been here for years, can't solve this problem. Can he?" Yang Shujie said, not committing to anything.

"Director, as you said, we've all tried, and I even got a black eye. Since no one can solve it, why not treat it as a last resort? Let him try. If he can solve it, that's great. If not, we'll think of another way," Lu Dawei said, seeing that Yang Shujie didn't outright reject his suggestion and was somewhat indecisive.

Yang Shujie had been troubled by this matter for several nights, and she hadn't slept well. Transferring Cao Shufen from the Women's Federation was a poor solution, and advising her to divorce was even worse. It didn't align with Yang Shujie's principles and would make the Women's Federation look incompetent. Lu Dawei's idea wasn't a good one, but given the current lack of options, it was worth a try. Yang Shujie didn't want everyone to sit in the meeting room all day. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Let's try it this way. Gao Jue is going to be assigned to the Rights Protection Department, which is responsible for this kind of work. Let him familiarize himself and give it a try. Shang Jin, after the meeting, process Gao Jue's paperwork and assign him to the Rights Protection Department. Gao Yanhong, introduce him to the department's work and have him go home with Cao Shufen today to resolve the issue as soon as possible."

After saying this, Yang Shujie stood up, said, "Meeting adjourned," and left the meeting room first. Seeing her leave, the people in the meeting room finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although they thought it was inappropriate for Lu Dawei to recommend the new Gao Jue for this difficult task, they also felt that he had at least solved the immediate problem. If it didn't work out, they could always prepare to spend the whole day in the meeting room the next morning. They doubted that Director Yang would be so cruel as to keep them there until the end of the day.

Shang Jin, who also had to urinate, didn't dare to say anything to the tigress. She was relatively satisfied with Lu Dawei's help in resolving the situation and nodded at him, showing approval. However, while others didn't know Lu Dawei's intentions, little Yan Bing did. She glared at Lu Dawei but said nothing.

Yang Shujie walked out of the meeting room and turned to see Gao Jue standing in the corridor outside the office, looking in her direction. She slowly approached him, not noticing his appearance when she had left the office in a hurry earlier, but now she could see him clearly.

Gao Jue was tall, dressed simply, and had a righteous and spirited look. The world is a strange place; male leaders often treat female subordinates better than male subordinates, and female leaders treat male subordinates more leniently than female subordinates. This is why they say, "Men and women working together makes the work less tiring." It's the attraction between opposites.

In the past, the Women's Federation had only one man, so there was no comparison, and she hadn't noticed anything. Now, seeing Gao Jue and comparing him to the slick and poorly dressed Lu Dawei, she found Gao Jue much more appealing.

Gao Jue, of course, also saw Yang Shujie and knew from Yan Bing that she was the head of the Women's Federation. When Yang Shujie approached, Gao Jue politely said, "Director, good morning."

"Do you know me?" Yang Shujie stopped and smiled. Yang Shujie was forty-three years old, and though she was middle-aged, she had been a beauty in her youth. As the head of the Women's Federation, she maintained herself and wore light makeup, so she still had a certain charm.

"When I came this morning, I heard others call you that, so I remembered it. I am Gao Jue, and this is my first day reporting for duty. Thank you, Director, for selecting me from the rejected candidates and allowing me to join the Women's Federation. I will work hard and not let you down," Gao Jue said.

Yang Shujie was surprised by Gao Jue's eloquence and nodded in satisfaction, even thinking that her decision to choose Gao Jue was very wise. "Gao Jue, I will remember your words. If you don't work hard and let me down, I will be disappointed."

"Please rest assured, Director," Gao Jue said solemnly.

"Good." Yang Shujie smiled again and then said in a gentle tone, "The Women's Federation may seem unimportant to outsiders, but our work is significant and challenging. I like young people; they are energetic, willing to fight, and have sharp minds. With the current reforms, our work has become more diverse, and we need people who can get things done. Gao Jue, remember, as long as you act in the best interest of the Women's Federation, you can move forward boldly. Don't be afraid of making mistakes; just be afraid of not doing anything."

"I understand," Gao Jue nodded seriously.

"Wait a moment, report to Office Director Shang. She will process your paperwork and assign you to your position. Remember, don't be afraid of making mistakes. As long as you act in the best interest of the Women's Federation, I, Yang Shujie, will always be your support." Yang Shujie's last words were very firm, and she patted Gao Jue's shoulder encouragingly before walking past him and returning to her office.

As Yang Shujie and Gao Jue were talking, the people in the meeting room had already come out and saw this scene. Seeing Yang Shujie speaking calmly and smiling, they were quite surprised. The tigress, who had been furious just moments ago, seemed to have transformed. Especially when Yang Shujie patted Gao Jue's shoulder, it was even more shocking. Yan Bing was speechless, almost not believing her eyes. The leader who usually intimidated her was now so friendly and kind. Compared to her, Lu Dawei was filled with jealousy. He had been at the Women's Federation for almost three years, and Director Yang had never encouraged him like this or spoken to him so much. Why did she treat a new guy so differently?

The more Lu Dawei thought about it, the angrier he became, and he cursed in his heart, "Gao Jue, don't think Director Yang likes you now. When you mess up, she will definitely scold you to death! You offended me, and this afternoon, you will suffer. I'll have you beaten up so badly that you won't have the face to come to work tomorrow."

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