Chapter 57: Qin Huairu Harbors Malicious Intentions, Seeking to Ruin Another’s Reputation

Qin Huairu’s plan was ruthless to the extreme.

She understood all too well how crucial a woman’s reputation was in this era. Once the words “moral misconduct” were linked to a woman, her life would be utterly ruined.

Even a drop of saliva could drown a person.

Chen Mo, on the other hand, was the factory’s shining star, the apple of the leadership’s eye, and revered by countless workers as a “miracle doctor.”

A man like him would undoubtedly cherish his reputation and guard his honor carefully.

What if this radiant Dr. Chen, together with a young and beautiful nurse, were entangled in a murky and indecent scandal?

That would cause a huge uproar!

Even if he possessed remarkable skills and had General Li as his backing, he wouldn’t be able to silence the relentless gossip.

No one would care about the truth; they would only delight in the salacious and filthy rumors.

“Have you heard? That miracle doctor Chen is having an affair with his nurse!”

“A man and a woman alone every day in the infirmary—who knows what they’re up to?”

“He even got a new apartment, and that nurse rushes over as soon as her shift ends!”

Once such rumors spread, the halo around Chen Mo as a “miracle doctor” would be tainted beyond repair.

As for Shazhu, that simple-minded fool who only had one track in his head, what would he think upon hearing these words?

He would surely see Chen Mo as a hypocritical villain!

While lecturing himself to stay away from Qin Huairu, he himself was entangled in unclear relations with the nurse.

This stark contrast would ignite Shazhu’s anger all over again.

If Qin Huairu added some embellishments and whispered into his ear, she would have no trouble manipulating Shazhu to confront Chen Mo once more.

The more Qin Huairu thought about it, the more flawless her plan seemed.

She even began to fantasize about a fierce conflict erupting between Shazhu and Chen Mo, preferably leaving both wounded, while she reaped the benefits.

Without hesitation, the next morning at work, Qin Huairu set her plan into motion.

She had recently been transferred to the logistics team, responsible for cleaning the factory grounds—a dirty and exhausting job, but one that put her in contact with a wide range of people from all walks of life.

This provided her with the perfect opportunity to spread rumors.

She sought out the factory’s notorious gossips and big mouths.

During breaks, she would feign casual conversation, sighing dramatically.

“Big Sister Wang, you know, you really can’t compare. Look at Dr. Chen—so young, and already living in the new apartment building.”

“That’s right! He’s got skill!” said the plump woman known as Sister Wang, her face full of admiration.

“Skill, yes, but… sigh, young men are full of vigor. Living alone in such a big place must be lonely,” Qin Huairu shifted her tone, speaking with a suggestive meaning.

“Lonely?!” another woman joined in with a knowing look. “I heard that nurse Lin Wanqing, the one who looks like a flower, runs over to Dr. Chen every day!”

“Really?”

“Of course! My relative lives near the engineers’ building and has seen it several times! Sometimes she only comes out after dark.”

This was exactly the reaction Qin Huairu wanted. She was thrilled inside but wore a mask of surprise and concern.

“Oh, that won’t do! A man and a woman alone—imagine how that looks if it gets out! And Lin Wanqing is still unmarried! Dr. Chen should be more careful about his reputation!”

Her “advice” only cemented the gossips’ suspicions.

“Exactly! Young people nowadays are so careless!”

“They look respectable, but who knows what they do behind closed doors!”

Rumors took flight like they had wings.

In just one morning, whispers that “Miracle Doctor Chen and Nurse Lin share a special relationship” quietly spread across every workshop in the steel rolling mill.

Qin Huairu was immensely satisfied with her handiwork.

But that was not enough.

Rumors alone, without “concrete evidence,” had limited impact.

She had to create a scene of “caught in the act”!

She spent a day studying Lin Wanqing’s work schedule. Twice a week, Lin worked the night shift and finished at nine o’clock.

The shortcut from the infirmary to Lin’s home passed behind the engineers’ building, along a seldom-used small iron gate.

This iron gate was the centerpiece of Qin Huairu’s scheme.

On the night Lin worked late, Qin Huairu planned to lock that small iron gate with a heavy padlock ahead of time.

This would block Lin’s route home.

It would be dark and far; a single woman like Lin would surely be afraid.

Taking a detour would add more than twenty minutes, and that path was even more isolated.

What would be her most likely choice then?

To seek help from Dr. Chen, the man she trusted most who lived in the engineers’ building!

Once Lin entered Dr. Chen’s building, even his room, Qin Huairu would immediately bring along her “witnesses” and storm downstairs, shouting:

“Someone help! Dr. Chen just brought the nurse home and did something shameless!”

She wanted to make the scandal as big as possible—so the entire factory would know.

At that point, an unmarried young woman leaving a single man’s room late at night would be irreparably stained.

Chen Mo would be nailed to the pillar of disgrace as a hypocrite.

What a vicious plan!

Qin Huairu felt a shiver of both thrill and pride at her own cunning.

She sensed she was about to turn the tide.

Yet, the plan she believed to be foolproof was like a transparent puppet show before Chen Mo.

[Alert! Target ‘Qin Huairu’ detected exhibiting extreme malice, with intent directed at the host and those close to the host. Beastly acts imminent!]

[Special mission triggered: Use the enemy’s scheme against them!]

[Mission description: Exploit Qin Huairu’s conspiracy, set a trap, expose her crimes publicly, deliver a devastating blow, and completely sever her ability to do harm again!]

[Mission reward: Punishment points +1000! Special item: Truth serum formula!]

Chen Mo sat calmly in the infirmary, methodically polishing a silver needle.

His face was as calm as a still pond.

Yet his eyes were as cold as the harshest midwinter frost.

Qin Huairu.

Time and time again, you redefine my understanding of the depths of human wickedness.

You think you’re calculating me?

You don’t realize you’re only pushing yourself, step by step, into an abyss of no return.

Chen Mo picked up the phone on his desk and called the factory director’s office.

“Hello, Director Yang? This is Chen Mo.”

“Oh! Doctor Chen! What can I do for you?” Yang Weiguo’s voice was brimming with warmth and respect.

“Director Yang, I heard some rumors going around about me and Comrade Lin Wanqing. Have you heard anything about this?”

There was a brief silence on the other end.

Yang Weiguo’s heart skipped a beat. Of course, he’d heard! He was just fretting over how to handle it. Unexpectedly, Chen Mo reached out himself.

“Doctor Chen, rest assured! This is pure nonsense! I’ve already ordered the security department to investigate! We’ll catch those bastards spreading lies and deal with them severely!”

“That they will be caught,” Chen Mo said, “but I have a better idea to get them red-handed, so they can no longer deny it.”

“Oh? Please do tell, Doctor Chen!” Yang Weiguo perked up.

“This is what I suspect…” Chen Mo slowly explained a plan he had adapted.

He didn’t reveal it was Qin Huairu’s scheme, only that he suspected the rumor-mongers might take more drastic measures on the night Lin worked late, to escalate the matter.

“Therefore, I hope on that night, Director Yang, you can personally lead a team and have the security personnel lie in wait near the engineers’ building.”

“So when they make their move, we can catch them red-handed.”

Yang Weiguo slapped his thigh in excitement.

“Brilliant! Doctor Chen, this tactic is genius!”

He had been worried about gathering evidence; Chen Mo’s plan was like a gift delivered right to his doorstep.

“Doctor Chen, leave this to me! I guarantee that not a single fly will escape!” Yang Weiguo vowed confidently.

After hanging up, Chen Mo called Lin Wanqing into his office.

Looking at the young woman before him—her eyes red from tears and her face full of grievance—he felt a rare pang of guilt.

After all, she was caught up in his predicament.

“Wanqing, I’m sorry you’ve been wronged,” Chen Mo said softly.

Lin Wanqing shook her head, tears threatening to fall. “Dr. Chen, I’m fine. It’s just… those words hurt so much.”

“They won’t be able to say a word soon,” Chen Mo assured her. “I need you to help me perform a little play.”

He briefly explained his plan to her.

Lin Wanqing’s eyes widened.

“Dr. Chen, won’t this be too dangerous?”

“Don’t worry. With me and Director Yang there, nothing will happen,” Chen Mo looked into her eyes. “Are you brave enough to stand with me and catch all those rats hiding in the shadows?”

Looking into Chen Mo’s deep, confident eyes, her fear and grievance vanished instantly.

In their place rose an unprecedented courage.

She nodded firmly.

“I’m brave enough!”

A deadly net was quietly closing in on Qin Huairu.

Yet, the scheming woman still reveled in her anticipated “victory,” having already purchased the largest general’s lock, waiting for that fateful night to arrive.