The Reborn Sidekick Rejected The Male Lead-Chapter 420 - 409: Husband Graduated

Xia Lin was dealing with factory issues, and now she scarcely had the mind to dwell on her divorce.

Besides, their divorce hadn’t been announced with great fanfare, only the family knew, and very few outsiders were aware.

Lately, Xia Lin had spent a week in the factory, dining with clients and making apologies.

She had finally managed to settle the refunds.

What could have been a profit of thirty thousand was now whittled down to just twenty thousand.

The real problem was the batch of low-quality goods piling up in the warehouse.

Feeling worried, her elder brother suggested, "Why not just sell them cheap and tell the customers upfront about the quality, with no after-sales service?"

After some thought, Xia Lin agreed.

There were indeed quite a few buyers interested.

Big Sister-in-law Xia had also taken some to her store, and, despite the varying quality, some people were drawn by the lower prices and bought them.

Just when she thought the matter had been resolved, news came from the other side.

The price had to be increased, and that person wanted money too.

Give him twenty thousand, and he would sneak off without reporting back to the police.

Xia Lin was determined not to end up in jail. Even with the person found, it would be hard to explain if she denied involvement.

In the end, she decided to pay, giving that person twenty thousand and another five thousand to the others involved.

But it turned out to be a good thing, as that person really did run away.

So Zhuang Yan and the two policemen returned dispiritedly. The man had fled and they had no idea where he had gone.

They had local police help block trains and buses for several days, but he had managed to slip through.

Moreover, being close to the border, they suspected that he might have fled there.

Zhuang Yan also felt quite guilty about it.

Yet Wei Jincheng already had his suspicions; otherwise, he wouldn’t have started targeting Xia Lin.

A woman, huh, it would be disgraceful if he couldn’t handle her.

...

On Xia Lin’s side, though relieved, the factory began causing her anxiety again.

Turns out, Big Sister-in-law’s customers had been complaining that they paid three yuan for clothes only to receive items worth one yuan fifty.

It wasn’t a big deal with just one person, but now there were ten to twenty a day coming to make a fuss.

This development was unexpected for both Wei Jincheng and Jiang Nanzhou, but they couldn’t let such an opportunity pass by.

Especially since they were already frustrated about not having found the person they were after.

Now that they had this issue right in front of them, they definitely wouldn’t let it slip.

Wei Jincheng then had someone intentionally purchase her clothes, from not just one store but the factory as well, wholesale.

Afterward, they made a scene in the factory and the stores, accusing them of not delivering what was paid for.

This commotion left Xia Lin unable to clarify the situation, because they were indeed selling both types, and the key issue was that the factory hadn’t specified clearly on the orders.

Upon investigation, they found someone deliberately trying to skim off the top.

As a result, Xia Lin couldn’t explain to the customers; with internal issues so severe and defence so difficult, the factory’s reputation was instantly ruined.

When Luo Xinyue returned from walking around Fish Tail Street, she said, "Elder Sister Yan’s business at Fish Tail Street Market is booming, but Xia Lin’s store is deserted."

Lu Jingqiu replied, "Their factory is in such a mess because of the quality issues; they have no one else to blame."

"Exactly, that Big Sister-in-law Xia is too greedy and shortsighted," Luo Xinyue said.

Xue Jianian added, "Xia Lin should never have gotten her own people involved. In business, it’s best to avoid using your own people. It’s too hard to divide the interests."

Shen Manman, listening on the side, widened her horizons and nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Zhuang Yan hadn’t brought back the person, but he had helped the police find the real suspect and get a portrait.

He couldn’t stay here forever; having benefited, it was time for him to leave quickly.

However, before she left, Wei Jincheng’s factory had received quite a lot of goods.

She was ready to try to get them to their county town.

...

In the height of summer, it was the perfect time to make money.

But due to a single issue with quality, the factory almost went under.

Because of this batch of goods, Xia Lin should have made twenty thousand, but that money had gone down the drain.

She had to compensate for the damage done to the reputation, paying it all back.

Moreover, no one wanted the new batch of goods that was produced.

There was no way to sell them, not even at low prices.

Employees started idling in the factory at first, but after two, three, or four days, unrest began to spread.

To minimize losses, Xia Lin took the opportunity to lay off those who were involved in the incident.

In no time, the number of employees in the factory had halved.

Angered, Xia Lin even fired her own brother and sister-in-law.

Her brother, knowing he was in the wrong, didn’t dare to say anything.

Her sister-in-law made a fuss, but unfortunately, Xia Lin did not give her any face either.

Seeing things escalate this way, Big Sister-in-law Xia panicked and took her mother-in-law out of the factory.

She was causing a commotion, hoping their mother-in-law would intercede on their behalf with her daughter.

Xia Lin, while listening to her mother’s nagging, dealt with the factory issues. Those days were extraordinarily frustrating.

Before they knew it, it was June, and Jiang Nanzhou had graduated.

The family had been waiting for two or three days, especially Lu Jingqiu and Xiao Cheng.

The mother and son would watch at the doorway during the day, and at night they would sleep together, waiting for the husband and father to return.

On the fifth day around six or seven in the evening, a car appeared at the doorstep.

"Husband."

"Daddy."

"Xiao Cheng, daddy’s back." Jiang Nanzhou got out of the car and hugged his son, then walked over to Lu Jingqiu and said, "Wife, I’ve graduated."

Lu Jingqiu smiled and said, "We’ve been waiting for you for several days. Is everything settled over there?"

"Yes."

Grandpa Jiang, seeing his grandson’s return, quickly asked Aunt Zhang to cook some ribs and make a few more dishes.

"How’s it going, have you gotten your job placement?"

Jiang Nanzhou nodded, glanced at Lu Jingqiu, and didn’t know how to tell his wife.

Lu Jingqiu noticed his expression was off and said, "What’s wrong? You want to keep secrets from me?"

"No, it’s just... people like us, we don’t get placed in big cities."

Grandpa Jiang said, "When you’re just starting out, you need to experience hardships; if they put you in a good position right away, that would be bad. Jingqiu, no matter where we are, as long as the family’s together, that’s better than anything."

Lu Jingqiu nodded, "Yes, we must stay together." Then she looked at Jiang Nanzhou and said, "No matter where you go, I’ll follow you. Unless they don’t allow family members. If they don’t allow it... I’ll take our son and live in a city nearby."

Jiang Nanzhou felt relieved hearing this, "The place I’ve been assigned to is in the north, Qiuqiu, it’s in the county town of Ten-miles Village.

To be exact, it’s at the foot of a mountain, in a military factory some distance from the county town. Naturally, the conditions there won’t be as convenient as they are here."

Lu Jingqiu asked, "Are they allowing family members?"

"How could they not? Your husband’s position isn’t that bad."

Upon hearing this, Grandpa Jiang laughed heartily and said, "That’s good, that’s good, a military factory is better than anywhere else. Nanzhou, you’re the pride of our family."

Lu Jingqiu chuckled, "Husband, are you considered a scientist now, or something like a physicist?"

Jiang Nanzhou laughed, "Not yet, I suppose."

Grandpa Jiang said, "I know my grandson, it’s just a matter of time."