Protection

"D*mn!" Niu Hongxia smiled. "I've thought about it; isn't it just a program? I'll just add it for you! We're supposed to work together and complete it, anyway. We can't ruin the harmony of both departments over this small matter. Let Qiao Shasha know to prepare for this. If the program is good, I'll let her be in the finale, okay?"

That was Qiao Chunhua's motive. She did not expect Niu Hongxia to agree so readily.

However, she was a narrow-minded person. She wanted her pride and did not want others to say that she had relied on her position to oppress the publicity department. If this got out, it would tarnish her reputation—her reputation as a righteous and responsible person.

"I'm not talking about the program! The programs can be negotiated. What's the big deal about her splashing hot water on people? Shasha already said that she hadn't done it on purpose! Maybe she was too anxious and used too much force, but Su Hanyan definitely did it on purpose! What is she implying? Is she bullying us? Our factory has always emphasized on the importance of unity and love. What is she doing then?"

"That lass might've been too impulsive. They're young people, so she might've used too much force, too." People from the same department had to fend for each other, so if one read between the lines, this meant that Niu Hongxia was siding with her subordinate.

Besides, she felt that Su Hanyan was right.

"I don't think so." Qiao Chunhua refused to give up. "That won't do! Chief Niu, my niece is almost out of breath from crying. Su Hanyan should at least apologize, shouldn't she?"

"Sure, sure, sure," Niu Hongxia answered with a smile. "That lass's father is seriously ill, so she's likely not in a good mood. She probably acted impulsively! It's my fault for not keeping her in check. Why don't I apologize to Qiao Shasha? Of course, it takes two hands to clap. No matter what, both of them had a part in it! If this gets out, it won't be good. Don't you think so?"

Qiao Chunhua understood from Niu Hongxia's words that she was evidently trying to cover for that girl.

Niu Hongxia had put it nicely, saying that she was going to apologize to her niece, but who would believe her?

She was obviously just patronizing her.

If she really got Niu Hongxia to apologize to her niece, it would make her seem petty while this woman would look magnanimous, shining her in a good light.

She was not about to do that!

However, someone still splashed water on her niece, and she had nowhere to vent her anger. Besides, she was the union's vice president, but Su Hanyan clearly did not take her seriously.

Although her relationship with Qiao Shasha had never been publicized, everyone in the factory knew that she was the girl's aunt. Hitting her niece was the same as slapping her face.

"Vice President Qiao!" Niu Hongxia could tell that she was not satisfied with her answer, so she smiled and spoke. "As a leader, how can we have the same awareness as that of an employee? Right, the year-end selection is about to begin. If this incident gets big, it'll be detrimental to the union and the publicity departments, won't it?"

After a while, Qiao Chunhua sneered. "You said it yourself. The program has to be added, and it must be in the finale!"

Niu Hongxia knew that this was the vice president's compromise. She smiled and said, "That's decided, then. Go back and let Shasha prepare well!"

...

Lin Qingyu had followed behind Qiao Chunhua. When she saw the two leaders talking in a corner, she hid nearby and eavesdropped on them for a long time.

When she heard Niu Hongxia being so protective of Su Hanyan and even taking the blame for this matter, she instantly felt uncomfortable!

What was this?

The last time she had made a mistake, the chief had lectured her so hard that her face had almost dropped to the ground. Why was Su Hanyan being cared for then?

The more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt. In her heart, she could not help but think about the matter of selection for the outstanding employee. She was afraid that Niu Hongxia would side with the other; it would be over for her if that happened.

She originally followed to watch Su Hanyan make a fool of herself, but after witnessing this scene, she only felt vexed.