Chapter 340: Who Is It?

Yang Chen saw Lin Ruoxi suddenly fall silent, turning away without a word, and felt inexplicably indifferent. He didn't bother thinking too much about it, and started unpacking the dried tofu, dumping it all into the instant noodles. As he soaked and ate the noodles, Lin Ruoxi watched him eat voraciously, feeling that his rough eating habits weren't as unbearable as before.

After their delayed lunch ended, the tow truck called earlier had arrived. Lin Ruoxi didn't understand these matters well, so Yang Chen timely went out and handled the procedures.

When Lin Ruoxi sat in Yang Chen's car again and they set off once more, she finally realized how accurate Wang Ma's words were—there had to be a man in the house after all.

It was still a considerable distance to Yuping Town, and reaching there by dusk would be good enough, considering it was rush hour with many villagers heading home, causing significant traffic congestion.

Looking at the densely packed pedestrians, bicycles, and electric scooters on the road, Lin Ruoxi felt her scalp tingle. She thought to herself, if she were driving, wouldn't it be impossible to move forward?

Watching Yang Chen calmly honking his way through the traffic, Lin Ruoxi couldn't help but admire his exceptional driving skills despite not having a driver's license.

Of course, Yang Chen also noticed Lin Ruoxi sneak glances at him from time to time. Seeing her cute appearance as she carefully avoided his gaze, Yang Chen couldn't help but smile and say, "Ruoxi, let's make up."

Lin Ruoxi's body trembled. Although she had felt that Yang Chen had been deliberately trying to reconcile with her since the call in Yingnan, constantly calling her afterward, and rushing to find her at noon today, she now sensed even more strongly that Yang Chen seemed to have changed his mind and didn't want to be separated from her.

However, hearing it so directly, Lin Ruoxi found herself at a loss for words due to her confused thoughts.

"I've said some things before that may have hurt you. I know you must hate me, and I feel useless myself, always being influenced by other things. This time in Yingben, after experiencing some things, I feel we should reconcile. Let's forget about divorce; it hurts too much, right?" Yang Chen looked hopefully at Lin Ruoxi, waiting for her response.

Lin Ruoxi felt her heart leap into her throat, silent for a long while. She cleared her throat and turned to look out the window, saying, "You say divorce, we divorce. You say make up, we make up. Am I a doll who listens to your words? I have my own thoughts. Besides, who's living well with you? Is it necessary to reconcile?"

Yang Chen's words were stuck in his throat as he sighed helplessly, realizing he couldn't rush things. He could only wait for another opportunity to talk to her.

Little did Lin Ruoxi know, after saying those words, she regretted them in her heart. It was her feminine reserve and pride that made her say that. After all, if Yang Chen said he wanted to reconcile, she would immediately comply, obediently becoming his wife. It felt like she was eager to please him, which was truly undervaluing herself.

3.5

Lin Ruoxi was hoping Yang Chen would plead with her again, persuade her, or at least show a hint of sadness. But this clueless guy! He just continued driving as if nothing happened, not saying a word!

Lin Ruoxi was on the verge of reaching over and slapping Yang Chen a few times. In the past, when she didn't need his cheesy endearments like "darling", "good wife", or "Ruoxi darling", he would say them non-stop. Now, at such a critical moment, this blockhead! He didn't say a single extra word!

Thinking of this, Lin Ruoxi was furious to the point of grinding her teeth, seething with deep hatred. Make up? You can just make up with yourself!

Yang Chen was driving, feeling the icy cold atmosphere radiating from Lin Ruoxi beside him, as if she had merged into darkness. His heart sank, thinking to himself, did my words just anger the president again? Surely not...

Yang Chen was deeply troubled and dared not mention "making up" again. They drove the rest of the way in silence.

When they arrived at Yuping Town's Jade Ping Garment Factory, the sun had set, and a cold wind swept through the streets, where few people could be seen.

Although Yuping Town was close to the Central Sea, due to the influx of migrants, social security and per capita living standards were not very good. Most people here were temporary residents or migrant workers. The local government collected substantial taxes from the numerous factories, ensuring a decent income.

Such a place generally lacked the vibrancy Lin Ruoxi was accustomed to in the city, making her feel uneasy upon entering.

When the car stopped across from the gate of Jade Ping Garment Factory, they saw several tents set up along the walls. Many men and women in shabby clothes were eating from bowls, cooking meals like a roadside picnic.

Various banners were erected, boldly stating grievances such as "Heartless Factory Owes Wages", "Unscrupulous Acts", and "Jade Group is a Fraud". Some even used dirty words that insulted Lin Ruoxi herself, clearly left by workers protesting outside the factory, demanding their overdue wages.

Seeing this scene, Lin Ruoxi's face turned pale with anger.

Yang Chen knew she must be feeling terrible. Jade Ping was passed down to her by her grandmother and she had painstakingly built it into a business empire. Now, seeing it slandered like this was akin to having insults plastered across her face.

"As long as the matter is properly resolved, they will retract these accusations. They are just expressing their anger straightforwardly and didn't mean to intentionally harm anyone. Don't get too upset," Yang Chen comforted.

Lin Ruoxi didn't respond, took a deep breath, closed her eyes briefly, then took out her phone and dialed a number.

A man's voice answered on the other end, sounding somewhat puzzled. "Who is this?"

"I'm Lin Ruoxi."

There was silence for a while on the phone, then the voice on the other end smiled flatteringly. "Oh, it's President Lin! What a surprise. Is there something I can assist you with?"

"Wu Liangzhu, as the manager of Jade Ping, do you mean to tell me that there's nothing going on right now?" Lin Ruoxi's tone was chilling.

The man known as Wu Liangzhu sighed heavily. "President Lin, I really have no way out of this situation. No matter how much the workers protest, I'm just a person, not a god of wealth. If we had the money, I would have paid them already. But the truth is, the factory really has no money."

"Whether there's money or not is not for you to decide. Immediately bring the key personnel from the factory to meet me. I'm waiting outside the factory," Lin Ruoxi demanded.

"Lin... President Lin, you're outside the factory?" Wu Liangzhu seemed surprised for a moment, then said, "I thought a government minister might come down to help us solve this issue. I didn't expect President Lin to come personally. How can I bear this responsibility? But President Lin, if those workers see me, they might attack me with bricks. My car was smashed yesterday. President Lin, why don't you go to 'Yuping Grand Hotel' in town? I'll wait for you there, and I'll call the other executives to join us. We can discuss over dinner and I'll host you."

Lin Ruoxi coldly chuckled, "You can't pay the wages but you have money to treat me to dinner? Wu Liangzhu, I don't need you to treat me to dinner. Have your accountant send all this year's accounts to my headquarters by email. Skip the dinner."

"Oh, come on, President Lin. It's rare for us small local workers to meet someone like you. Please give me some face. It'll give us a chance to discuss this matter in detail. I'll cover the dinner personally, it won't be from the factory's funds. Please, President Lin, grant me this favor," Wu Liangzhu pleaded, sounding quite aggrieved.

Realizing she might come off as too ruthless, considering they were employees under her group, Lin Ruoxi reluctantly agreed, "Fine. But make sure the accountant sends the accounts immediately."

"Okay, okay, I'll go right away. See you at the Grand Hotel," Wu Liangzhu finally breathed a sigh of relief, happily agreeing.