Chapter 23: You Are Looking Down on Me

With a sharp turn, she whipped the long braid resting on her shoulder behind her back and stormed directly into the director’s office. The director, startled by the "bang" of the door slamming open, nearly dropped his teacup. Hot tea splashed all over his hand, making him gasp and hiss in pain. Before he could even begin to reprimand her, she was already standing right in front of his desk.

"Director, why is my name missing from the bulletin board for the bureau chief’s secretary exam?"

The director looked up to see Song Liping, his face flushing a deep, liver-like purple.

"What do you think you’re doing? What kind of behavior is this, barging in here shouting? Is this my office, or just some place you can wander into whenever you please?"

Song Liping looked unimpressed. In her eyes, the director was merely making excuses. She had always entered his office this way before, and he had never complained. His current attitude felt like nothing more than a deliberate slight.

"Director, you haven't answered my question. I’ve worked at the post office for six years. I have the seniority, I have the capability, and I’m not bad-looking either. I put my absolute best effort into that exam. Why isn’t my name on the list?"

The director frowned. Instead of answering, he walked straight to the office door and swung it wide open.

Good heavens, was this woman completely unaware that her reputation was already rotting in the streets? She had closed the door when she entered, and he knew exactly what she was trying to do—she was trying to drag him into the mud with her. He was a man with a wife and children; he could not afford to be associated with such a scandal.

Seeing his actions, Song Liping’s face darkened. What was the meaning of this? With his head balder than a polished mirror, did he really think she would have any interest in him?

How could he be so narcissistic?

"Do you really not know why your name isn't there? I told you subtly before to skip this exam, but you wouldn't listen. A bureau chief’s secretary handles delicate matters and spends most of their time by the chief's side. Talent and seniority aren't what matters most—character is. Do you really think you have that?"

Song Liping’s expression shifted. She balled her hands into fists, her eyes reddening as she glared at him.

"If you are blocking my promotion because of some baseless rumors, that is pure prejudice!"

"What, you have a problem with it? Never mind that you didn't pass—even if you had, do you think the bureau chief would dare hire you?"

Song Liping endured the silence for a long moment, tears finally spilling down her cheeks, though her gaze remained defiantly fixed on the director.

Exasperated by her presence, the director grabbed a transfer notice from his desk and tossed it at her feet.

"Comrade Song Liping, given your reputation and the public opinion surrounding you, the organization has determined you are no longer suitable for your current position. This is your new transfer order. Henceforth, you are assigned to logistics, where you will assist Sister Wu with the cleaning duties."

Song Liping felt as if she had been struck by lightning. A chill raced up her spine. With trembling hands, she picked up the document from the floor. It was already stamped with the official seal, and the transfer was effective tomorrow.

"Director, why? I’ve been doing my job perfectly well. By what right are you sending me off to sweep the streets? Are you trying to humiliate me?"

"What kind of talk is that? What do you mean by humiliation? There is no noble or lowly work—your mindset is deeply flawed. Return to your station and clear out your desk immediately. The new employee starts tomorrow."

After speaking, the director sat back down and took a sip from his teacup.

Ah, the temperature was just right.

When Song Liping got home, she rushed into her room and began to wail. Chang Yongqin, who was cooking in the kitchen, heard her daughter's cries and felt her heart ache. She quickly set aside her work and hurried over.

"Daughter, what’s wrong? Who bullied you?"

"Mother, oh Mother... I—I did so well on that exam! But not only is my name missing from the bulletin board, they’ve transferred me! Tomorrow, I’m being sent to work as a cleaner, and I’ll be under that dead woman Wu Ping. Isn't this just a deliberate attempt to torture me?"

Chang Yongqin froze. How... how could this happen?

"What about your salary? Has your pay been cut?"

"Mother! How can you say that? I’m being treated so unfairly, and the first thing you care about is the money? Mother, do you not care about me at all anymore?"

Chang Yongqin slapped her own thigh in frustration, wishing she could knock some sense into her daughter.

"Oh, heavens! Just tell me, you little ancestor! Our family is still buried in so much debt. If your salary is cut, how are we supposed to live on just your father's income alone?"

Song Liping pursed her lips and said nothing. She didn't even know if her salary had changed; when she received the transfer order, she hadn't been able to think about anything else.

She had often given Wu Ping a hard time back at the office. Now that she would be under her command, could she really expect any mercy? No, it was impossible.

A while later, Song Dagui returned from work. The moment he entered, he kicked the door shut with a loud "bang," causing both mother and daughter to jump.

"Father, what's wrong? Why are you so angry?"

Song Dagui glared at Song Liping behind Chang Yongqin, his jaw clenched so tightly it looked painful. He barely managed to suppress his fury.

"I’ve been transferred. My new position is warehouse inventory clerk. My monthly salary has been cut by fifteen yuan."

Chang Yongqin clutched her head and stumbled back a few steps. Song Liping hurriedly steadied her. With only two breadwinners in the house, their expenses were heavy. With the loss of income from Song Mingrui and Wei Yao, the three of them had already begun to feel the sting of poverty.

Now, with both father and daughter being transferred, their total household income would be even lower. How were they supposed to survive?

"Father, you... why were you transferred too? This is unfair! Why didn't you talk to the leadership? You’re a veteran employee at the factory—how can they just transfer you for no reason?"

*Smack!*

Song Dagui slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly.

"Why else? It’s because of your ruined reputation! The scandal became so big that even if it wasn't your fault, the damage is done. I never expected that your mess would end up dragging me down with it."

"Father, are you... are you blaming me?"

Song Dagui’s lips trembled. If he had still had the patience to comfort his daughter before, now that he himself was affected, he couldn't find a single word of comfort to offer.

Watching her father, Song Liping felt a pain so sharp it was almost suffocating.

It wasn't her fault—none of it was her fault!

Seeing that it was already dark outside, she didn't dare go out. She glanced at her father with a heart full of sorrow, turned, and retreated to her room, sobbing.

Song Dagui closed his eyes, wondering for the first time if he had been wrong to spoil his daughter so much.

The elderly couple sat in silence for a long time before Li Ying, Li Hua, and Li Chun entered the room, looking disheveled and covered in bruises. Seeing their grandchildren hurt, they hurried over to ask what happened.

"What happened, my darlings? Who hit you in the face?"

"Who bullied you? Tell Grandma, and I’ll go complain to your teacher!"

Li Hua and Li Chun kept their heads down, silent, but Li Ying burst into loud wails.

"The other kids kept calling my mom a tramp... *sob*... they bully me and my brother and sister every day. My mom isn't a tramp, I don't want a mom like that... *sob*..."