"Where on earth do I have that?" Xiao Xue's face turned red.

Although she was a top student, her experience in relationships was still a blank slate. Being teased by Tang Yumeng like this, she was so shy that she didn't know how to respond. The delicate Xiao Xue, with her rosy cheeks, looked so innocent to Tang Yumeng.

"Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing you," Tang Yumeng said with a laugh. "Song Ming must be fuming by now. Who knows how he'll deal with Lin Chuan."

"I guess so," Xiao Xue nodded.

Both couldn't help but worry for Lin Chuan; after all, the situation was far from simple. What good could come from offending Song Ming?

In the break room.

The Song brothers were summoned by Song Ming to his office for a scolding, so everyone else was cheering wildly, celebrating without restraint.

"Brother, well done. We take pride in you."

"Lin Chuan, you are our pride."

A group of people couldn't help but feel triumphant.

"We've been holding back this frustration for so many years. It's been unbearable. Seeing the Song brothers finally get the punishment they deserved today has been so satisfying."

"That's right, it's damn exhilarating. The Song brothers are worse than pigs and dogs!"

The group vented freely, cursing Song Wen and Song Wu to their faces.

Surrounded by everyone, praises for Lin Chuan were endless, while Luo Guoqing stood aside silently smoking. A blessing in disguise, they say. Although Lin Chuan suddenly became a hero in everyone's eyes, Luo Guoqing knew that Song Ming would not let things lie easily. He definitely would not let Lin Chuan off the hook.

Lin Chuan waved his hand and said, "We are all grassroots workers. It's only right that our pay should be improved. The Song brothers do less work and are less tired than us, so why should they earn more than we do?"

"Exactly!" everyone echoed in agreement.

"We should have equal pay for equal work," the crowd shouted.

Lin Chuan spoke up, "Okay, everyone go back to your positions. I just did what you didn't dare to do. As for being a hero, that's not something I dare to claim."

"Haha..." Everyone burst into laughter.

Gradually, everybody went back to their own workstations.

The break room soon became quiet.

"Lin Chuan, you really let loose this time," Luo Guoqing said with a smile. "But Song Ming probably won't let you off easily."

"What's there to be afraid of," Lin Chuan scoffed with a smile. "I've offended Song Ming before, another offense doesn't matter."

"But Song Ming, this old fox..." Luo Guoqing looked at Lin Chuan worriedly.

"Don't worry," Lin Chuan shook his head and said. "I'll face the music when it comes. What new tricks can Song Ming play?"

......

Meanwhile, in Song Ming's office.

A deathly and angry silence filled the office; it was extremely oppressive. The Song brothers stood obediently before Song Ming's desk, heads hung low, looking tense and fearful.

Song Ming sat rigidly in his chair, squinting his eyes, coldly observing his two disappointing nephews.

The tense atmosphere lasted a full five minutes.

Bang...

Suddenly, Song Ming slapped the desk.

"Ah!" The Song brothers were so startled they almost jumped.

"You two good-for-nothings!" Song Ming's face darkened. The incident in the office was a heavy blow to Song Ming's authority and prestige. Hence, he was extremely angry. If it weren't for these two worthless nephews who were incompetent and only knew how to show off, today's incident would not have happened.

Although the salary adjustment was common knowledge, the exact amount each person received was only known to themselves. If Song Wen and Song Wu hadn't boasted, how would others know?

"Uncle, we... we..." Song Wen said awkwardly.

"Speak, give me an explanation," Song Ming's face was dark, making the two Song brothers somewhat uneasy.

"We also don't know why they found out," Song Wen said awkwardly, "Maybe... maybe someone leaked the information."

"Shut up," Song Ming cursed loudly, "Do you think I'm blind, do you think I'm deaf? There are only so many people in the City Committee, I'm well aware of what kind of people you are. I've told you before, be discreet as a person, but be high-profile in your actions. And you? Good for nothing and always causing problems. Only people on the inside know about the salary adjustment, if you hadn't boasted in the lounge, who would know how much you earn a month?!"

Facing Song Ming's fury, the brothers were even more terrified, let alone speaking up.

"Uncle, this... most of the blame falls on Lin Chuan," Song Wu hurriedly interjected.

"Hmph," Song Ming huffed heavily.

"Actually, everyone has known about our salaries for a long time," Song Wu swallowed nervously and continued awkwardly, "Everyone is clear about it, but this time Lin Chuan is making a big fuss about it. I think he has ulterior motives."

Song Wu hurriedly tried to divert Song Ming's attention, intentionally shifting all the blame onto Lin Chuan.

Upon hearing this, Song Ming said, "Then tell me, how does Lin Chuan have ulterior motives?"

"Uncle, listen to me," Song Wu stepped forward and said calmly, "Everybody knows about this and nobody dared to say anything before. Lin Chuan has been in the City Committee for more than half a year, and he has never mentioned it. But, this time he made a big scene, I suspect he's trying to use this opportunity to smear you, uncle, purposefully framing you and shaming you in front of so many people. In my opinion..."

"Speak!" Song Ming glared at Song Wu.

"In my opinion, it must be Tang Yumeng making Lin Chuan do this," Song Wu quickly voiced his inner conjecture.

"Do you think Tang Yumeng is a fool?" Song Ming said irritably, "What kind of person Tang Yumeng is, do you think I don't know? Stop talking nonsense."

"Yes, yes!" The brothers quickly nodded, "Uncle, what should we do next?"

"First, lower your salaries," Song Ming glared at them, "Let you settle down for now, return half of what you earned before honestly."

"Ah?!" The two exclaimed.

"What? Not willing?" Song Ming glared at them again.

"No, no," they shook their heads hastily, "We are willing, willing to return it."

"Then do it quickly," Song Ming replied and then said, "Go back, behave yourselves from now on, and don't provoke Lin Chuan."

The two brothers could only walk out of Song Ming's office honestly, looking like wilted eggplants, completely drained of energy, their heads hanging low. Suddenly having to return several years' worth of excessive salary was an astronomical figure for them.

When they received it, they felt nothing, but now, having to return it felt like ripping their hearts out.

"Second brother, do we really have to return the money?" Song Wen asked.

"What else?" Song Wu sighed, "I've always told you to be calm, not to show off too much, and now look, you've made a big mess, haven't you?"

"Didn't you say that this was Tang Yumeng's conspiracy?" Song Wen questioned, "What does this have to do with us?"

"Conspiracy?" Song Wu scoffed, "That was just an excuse I gave to uncle; do you really think there's a conspiracy? Knowing Lin Chuan's character, do you think he couldn't do something like this?"

"Uh..." Song Wen was stunned, then whispered softly, "Second brother, you actually... you actually lied to uncle?"

"How else do we extricate ourselves?" Song Wu glared at Song Wen.

Hisss...

Song Wen took a deep breath and dared not speak anymore. If their uncle found out, he would certainly skin both brothers alive. Fortunately, the uncle was also unaware, which was a great relief, and Song Wu sighed helplessly, "Now uncle must have his own plans, so let's not trouble him. Let's return the money."

"It seems that's the only option," agreed Song Wen.

In fact, aside from their salaries, the brothers had received an additional income over the years, which was a gratuity given by the Siberian Tiger annually. Although it was called a gratuity, each time it amounted to two or three hundred thousand; in total, they had a decent savings. But for the two of them to suddenly take out one or two hundred thousand to return to the government, it was as painful as cutting their own flesh.

After the issue had boiled over at high temperatures, it quickly settled down.

Behind the scenes, some were smoothing out the side effects of the incident, Lin Chuan felt all this was normal; given Song Ming's network, resolving the impact of this issue was a piece of cake. If he couldn't resolve it, Lin Chuan would actually find it surprising.

The day after the incident, no one in the City Committee dared to discuss the matter openly anymore, which shows how swift and fierce Song Ming's methods were.

After work, go home.

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