The timid Huang Jingli dared not speak in front of Lin Xiaoru, remaining extremely submissive. However, the anger and humiliation within Huang Jingli were enough to spur her to take revenge on this venomous beauty before her!

Lin Xiaoru was very satisfied with Huang Jingli's obedience and said, "Go and cook. After we've eaten, I'm going to the commune to argue with them!"

Lin Xiaoru is so smart that she can solve all difficulties, and this time is no exception.

"Okay, I'll go cook right away," Huang Jingli agreed. As for what Lin Xiaoru would do, she didn't want to admit her mistake!

"Hmph!" Lin Xiaoru turned her head away, refusing to look at Huang Jingli's cowardly appearance.

After finishing their meal, Lin Xiaoru said, "You're coming with me."

"Me?" Huang Jingli, who was clearing the dishes, almost dropped them. "What am I supposed to do? You know I'm bad with words!"

“I know you’re the dumbest, so I don’t need you to say nice things for me. Just say that we have a custom where we live: if two unmarried young men and women are on the same bicycle, they’re considered to be dating,” Lin Xiaoru said. “Just do as I say, that’s all. You don’t need to say anything else.”

Huang Jingli said blankly, "There are also older brothers with their younger sisters!"

"Are you out of your mind?! Of course I'm not talking about siblings!" Lin Xiaoru said. "When the time comes, don't say anything more. Just say what I say. If you say anything out of line, I'll expose your background and have you dragged out and tortured."

"Oh, oh!" Huang Jingli nodded in agreement and took the bowl and chopsticks out.

Although Huang Jingli was still very angry, she was also secretly pleased. Even if Lin Xiaoru escaped punishment this time, her reputation in Qijia Village was ruined. If Lin Xiaoru wanted to change the situation, she would definitely do something unexpected! That might be her chance!

She wanted to repay the humiliation she suffered at Lin Xiaoru's hands tenfold, to let her know what it felt like to be threatened.

He Tiantian then compiled all the valid evidence, as well as the letters she received from home, all of which were evidence.

Lin Xiaoru, you shouldn't have messed with me, He Tiantian!

Even if I can't punish you this time, I'll make sure you're infamous in Qijia Village and can't find a place to live!

In the middle of the night, Grandma Qi boiled more than twenty eggs for He Tiantian and made a basket of pancakes. She put them in the basket and said, "Everyone must be very tired from traveling at night. Take these with you and let everyone have some to eat."

He Tiantian's eyes welled up with tears. She usually couldn't bear to eat eggs herself, and would take them to the supply and marketing cooperative to sell in exchange for things like oil and salt. This time, Grandma Qi boiled all the eggs in the house for her sake.

"Grandma Qi..." He Tiantian finally couldn't hold back anymore and burst into tears.

Grandma Qi reached out and took a handkerchief to wipe He Tiantian's tears, saying, "Don't cry, Tiantian! Grandma Qi can't help with anything else, but this is all I can do for you. There's no hurdle you can't overcome, and everyone knows what's going on; they'll speak up for you. Besides, you came home last time specifically to prepare for this. The fact that things happened sooner might not be a bad thing. Relax, it will pass."

He Tiantian sniffed and said, "Thank you, Grandma Qi. You're right. The sooner things come to fruition, the sooner I can feel at ease."

"That's right, it's good that you think that way." Grandma Qi said with a smile. "Cheer up! By the way, even the emperor doesn't starve his soldiers. I have some money here to take with me. When we get to the county town, I'll treat everyone to a meal. I can't let everyone work for you on an empty stomach."

"No need, Grandma Qi, I have money. My parents gave me a lot when I went home this time," He Tiantian said. She not only had the money she earned as a sent-down youth, but also the money given to her by her parents, Huo Yingjie, and even Huo Yingjie's parents. She had more than a hundred yuan and dozens of kilograms of grain coupons!

Grandma Qi lovingly patted He Tiantian's head and said with a smile, "Your parents have both said they agree to let you recognize me as your godmother. If my granddaughter has something to do and I can't help, can't I at least contribute some money? If you take it, it means you don't consider me your godmother."

He Tiantian knew that if she refused again after hearing what Grandma Qi said, Grandma Qi would be very disappointed.

Keep it! We'll return the money to Grandma Qi after this is resolved.

I have already recognized Grandma Qi as my mother, and I will take good care of her and repay her kindness in the future.

“Okay, then I’ll accept it,” He Tiantian said. “If I don’t use it all, I’ll return it to you.”

Seeing that He Tiantian accepted it, Grandma Qi was happy and said with relief, "That's right. The world is vast, and reason prevails everywhere. There's nothing to be afraid of."

He Tiantian nodded and said, "I'm not afraid!"

Around 1 p.m., everyone arrived at Secretary Qi's house. There were four oxcarts, which could squeeze in more than twenty people.

Lin Xiaoru arrived quite early and climbed directly onto an oxcart, sitting on it. She was worried that if she got on late, others wouldn't let her on and she would have to walk to the county town.

Given Lin Xiaoru's ability to distort the truth, He Tiantian gave the cakes and basket to Qi Xiaoyan, asking her to help distribute them to everyone.

After eating the pancakes and eggs, everyone felt full and no longer sleepy.

Qi Xiaoyan is usually very generous, but she was unusually stingy today, not giving any to Lin Xiaoru or Huang Jingli.

"I'm not going to eat that disgusting stuff!" Lin Xiaoru muttered. "I have money. We'll go out to eat when we get to the county town."

It was very dark, so a dozen torches were lit, illuminating the road.

The oxcart was only a little slower than during the day, but it could still reach the county town before dawn.

Niu Dajun followed behind the oxcart, not daring to ride fast, and followed slowly.

"Little Swallow, are you cold?" Niu Dajun took out his military water bottle, which he usually used. "There's hot water in it, take it and warm your hands."

Qi Xiaoyan took the water bottle that Niu Dajun handed her. Her hands were warm, and she felt a surge of joy. She said, "Thank you, Brother Dajun!"

"You girls need to be careful to keep warm," Niu Dajun chuckled. "Cover yourself with a blanket, don't get cold!"

He Tiantian looked at Niu Dajun and Qi Xiaoyan with a half-smile.

Niu Dajun chuckled awkwardly, avoiding He Tiantian's probing gaze.

Qi Xiaoyan kept her head down and didn't say anything, her heart pounding, afraid that He Tiantian would ask something.

Qi Xiaoyan herself wasn't quite sure, and didn't know how to explain it. She prayed in her heart that He Tiantian wouldn't ask, at least not under these circumstances.

He Tiantian knew that there were many things to do today, and this was not the time to ask about this!

Furthermore, as long as Qi Xiaoyan doesn't get together with that heartless Li Mingkai, He Tiantian won't interfere with Qi Xiaoyan's opportunities to spend time with others.

The oxcart swayed and rattled for several hours before finally arriving in the county town around 7 a.m.

He Tiantian secretly gave Secretary Qi twenty yuan and six jin of grain coupons, asking him to treat everyone to a meal.

Secretary Qi didn't refuse. With so many people, if they didn't eat well, it would affect his prestige as the village party secretary. Even if no one paid, he would still treat everyone to a meal. (To be continued.)