Secretary Qi has also returned. The brigade leader, the second brigade leader, and Zhao Dajiao are discussing what to do tomorrow.

"Sweetie, take your things with you. With those things, you'll be fine," Secretary Qi said. "Go back and rest. We'll leave at two in the morning and arrive in the county town at dawn, which will be just in time to take care of your business."

"Thank you, Secretary Qi, thank you all, uncles and elders." He Tiantian bowed, expressing her gratitude.

He Tiantian helped Grandma Qi home. He Tiantian wanted to cook, but Grandma Qi stopped her and wouldn't let her do it no matter what, saying, "I'll do it! You rest, poor child. Why can't those heartless bastards let people live in peace?"

He Tiantian couldn't refuse, so she could only let Grandma Qi have her way.

Around 3 p.m., Niu Dajun arrived, bringing good news.

Niu Dajun's uncle, who is also Niu Lili's father, has already seen the official letter from Nanshi in the commune, which also bears the endorsement of Tang Xinhua, the director of Huaishi Revolutionary Commune.

"Great!" Secretary Qi was overjoyed. This was much more useful than He Tiantian's certificate. "Thank you for your hard work! Zhou Sihai came today. If it weren't for the villagers, Zhou Sihai would have arrested Comrade He Tiantian."

"Huh?" Niu Dajun exclaimed in surprise, "So Zhou Sihai really came?"

"Not only did they come, but they also brought letters accusing He Tiantian of having overseas connections, as well as letters accusing you of having an improper relationship with He Tiantian," Secretary Qi said angrily. The matter in Qijia Village had now implicated Niu Dajun, making him feel extremely guilty.

Niu Dajun was taken aback and swallowed hard, saying, "Uncle Qi, I treat He Tiantian as a younger sister, a friend, and a revolutionary comrade. I've never had any of those kinds of thoughts!"

As Niu Dajun said this, he kept glancing at Qi Xiaoyan, who was drinking water on the side.

When Qi Xiaoyan came into contact with Niu Dajun's visit, she quickly looked away, her heart pounding and her face flushed. Why was Brother Dajun looking at me like that?

Secretary Qi was a wise and experienced man. He looked at Niu Dajun and then at his daughter, whose face was flushed with embarrassment. He understood perfectly well that he had also been young once!

Secretary Qi didn't plan to let his daughter date at such a young age, as she was still young. However, if it were Niu Dajun, he could make an exception. Niu Dajun was a good man; he wouldn't stop his daughter if she took a liking to someone.

“Okay, we all believe you. We’ve been there every time you meet. It’s a purely platonic friendship. We’ll be your witnesses tomorrow,” Secretary Qi said, patting Niu Dajun on the shoulder.

Seeing that Secretary Qi and Qi Xiaoyan did not believe the rumors, Niu Dajun felt relieved and asked, "Uncle Qi, it was Qi Jianguo who reported He Tiantian for having connections with customs, so why did he go to the trouble of slandering me and He Tiantian?"

"It was Qi Jianguo who reported your overseas connections, and it was Lin Xiaoru, a young educated youth from the village, who slandered you and He Tiantian," Secretary Qi replied. "Today, Zhou Sihai mentioned Lin Xiaoru, but resolutely refused to name Qi Jianguo. I want to take advantage of this opportunity to make a big scene and get Zhou Sihai out of that position."

Upon hearing this, Niu Dajun frowned deeply. After a long while, his eyes lit up, and he said, "Uncle Qi, this matter has potential. You yourself said that he hit Grandpa Qi today. Grandpa Qi is a well-known veteran of the Red Army in our county, enjoying special government allowances. Zhou Sihai and his men beat up Grandpa Qi; this matter cannot be easily let go. First, we'll use He Tiantian's case to attack Zhou Sihai, proving that he wronged an innocent person without cause, making Director Zheng think that Zhou Sihai is incompetent. Then, we'll report Zhou Sihai for assaulting Grandpa Qi and insulting a revolutionary hero. As for Lin Xiaoru, she should be brought over as well; we'll confront her face-to-face!"

Secretary Qi was even more satisfied with Niu Dajun after listening to his well-organized explanation. He was warm-hearted, upright, steady, meticulous, and had a serious job—a truly rare find!

“Alright, let’s do it that way,” Secretary Qi said. “Don’t leave today, rest here with us, and come to the county town with us tonight.”

Just then, Old Man Qi came over and said directly to Secretary Qi, "This is the letter of complaint I wrote with my real name. Submit it to me tomorrow. By the way, when are you going? I'll go with you. I want to see what kind of trouble that Zhou Sihai kid is up to!"

"Uncle Qi, you go back and get some rest. We'll set off at two o'clock tonight," Secretary Qi said. "There are four cows in the village. We'll put them all on an oxcart, take more than twenty people, village cadres, and strong young men, and go find County Chief Liu, Director Chen, and Director Zheng to explain things to us and get an explanation."

Old Qi nodded and said, "Make sure you're well prepared. I have money and food coupons, enough for everyone to eat in the county town for two days. Don't worry."

After Qi Ergou took Old Man Qi back, Zhao Dajiao whispered, "Cousin, Qi Shuli isn't in the village today. It seems his whole family went to visit relatives."

"It's better if he's not home. I'm worried he'll leak secrets here," Secretary Qi said softly. He didn't believe Qi Shuli knew nothing about what Qi Jianguo had done. The reason he went to visit relatives at such a convenient time was probably to escape some leisure time. In any case, it had nothing to do with Qi Shuli.

"Huh? Qi Shuli knows about this?" Zhao Dajiao was surprised. She didn't know that the instigator of this matter was Qi Jianguo.

"The letter that accused He Tiantian of having overseas connections was reported by Qi Jianguo, and the other one, as you know, was from Lin Xiaoru. Go talk to Lin Xiaoru and tell her to come to the commune tonight for a face-to-face confrontation. If she doesn't go, don't say she wasn't given a chance to defend herself," Secretary Qi said. "That Lin Xiaoru is useless at work; why does she just cause trouble all day long!"

"Sigh!" Zhao Dajiao sighed as well, "One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel. I'll go over there and explain things to her."

When Director Zhao arrived at the educated youth settlement, Sister Wu was pointing her finger at Lin Xiaoru and scolding her: "I didn't realize you were so capable, Lin Xiaoru! You actually reported a comrade. We won't dare offend you in the future, otherwise you'll also accuse us of having illicit relationships. Wang Lei, hurry up and write a report, go to the village to get a certificate, and establish our relationship."

“Okay!” Wang Lei agreed. Lin Xiaoru was a woman, so he couldn’t say anything, but he was also very angry about Lin Xiaoru’s unfounded accusations.

“Qingshan, let’s write it too,” Ye Xiaofan said. “If we write it now, we can go home at the end of the year and get our marriage certificate. Then we won’t have to worry about people reporting us for having illicit relationships.”

Zhang Qingshan gave Lin Xiaoru a disdainful look and said, "Oh, from now on I'll have to stay three meters away from you!"

This kind of woman is nonsensical, like a mad dog barking indiscriminately. If she rides a bicycle, is that considered promiscuity? Then, if she says a few words and laughs, is that considered being a lewd?

Second update, 480+ monthly votes by midnight.

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No-barrier fan group: 5-4-1-1-4-4-7-2-8 (To be continued.)