As the midsummer sun rose over the eastern mountain ridge, its golden rays flowed like water across the threshing ground of the Hongqi Production Brigade, illuminating the leaves of the old locust trees at the edge of the ground until they were translucent, their veins so clear they seemed one could count them. The center of the threshing ground was already crowded with villagers, their chatter like the chirping of birds in the morning, carried on the gentle breeze. All eyes were fixed on a makeshift wooden table under the old locust tree, on which lay a small, yellowed notebook. The words "Nian'an's Records" were scrawled crookedly on the cover, standing out starkly in the sunlight.

Lin Wanqiu stood by the table, wearing a clean light blue cloth jacket, the hem of which fluttered gently in the morning breeze. Her hands were slightly clenched, her palms damp with a fine sweat—not from nervousness, but from the complex emotions welling up within her as she thought of the grievances she had suffered these past few days because of the rumors, and the way her fellow villagers had been misled. Shen Tingzhou stood beside her, his posture upright as a pine tree, his deep gaze sweeping over the crowd with an undeniable firmness, providing Lin Wanqiu with immense support.

Village Chief Li sat behind a wooden table, a pipe in his hand, but he didn't light it. His brow furrowed, he tapped the table: "Quiet down! I've called everyone here today to give Wanqiu and Tingzhou justice, and to give the whole village a clear understanding!" His voice was loud and clear, like a bell, instantly silencing the murmurs in the room. "Recently, there have been rumors circulating in the village, saying that Wanqiu used improper means to get orders, saying that Tingzhou made a mistake and ran away. Whether these rumors are true or false, we'll break them down and clarify them today!"

The crowd immediately fell silent, dozens of eyes turning to Zhang Lan, who stood at the front. Zhang Lan wore a faded floral blouse, and although her hair was neatly combed, it couldn't hide the panic on her face. She instinctively took a step back, trying to hide behind her husband, Shen Laoda, but he subtly pushed her away—Shen Laoda was also ashen-faced. He had only learned from the village chief the previous night that Zhang Lan's words were all fabricated, and he was filled with anger and regret; he had no desire to protect her.

Seeing that she couldn't avoid it, Zhang Lan had no choice but to steel herself and raise her head, her voice trembling: "Uncle Li, I...I didn't spread rumors, I only heard those things from others..."

"You heard it from someone else?" The village chief sneered, picked up the small notebook from the table, and handed it to Zhang Lan. "Then take a look at this! This is Nian An's notebook. It says that on the fifth, seventh, and tenth of April, Wan Qiu asked you to help out at the soy sauce shop three times, and each time you made excuses to refuse. One minute you said your child had a fever, the next you said you had to go back to your parents' house, and then you said you had a headache. Tell me, is this something you heard from someone else?"

Zhang Lan's gaze fell on the notebook, and upon seeing the childish handwriting, her face instantly turned deathly pale, as bloodless as paper. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but found her throat as if blocked, unable to utter a single word. Those days, she wasn't really busy; she simply felt that brewing soy sauce was tiring and pointless, so she figured it was better to stay home and rest. She never expected Lin Wanqiu to have Nian'an write all of this down!

Lin Wanqiu took a deep breath, stepped forward, and said in a clear and firm voice, "Zhang Lan, I asked you for help three times, and each time I took Nian'an with me. Neighbors Aunt Zhang and Uncle Wang can testify to that. You said your child had a fever, but when I went there the second time, I clearly saw your son chasing chickens in the yard, not showing any signs of illness. You said you were going back to your parents' house, but I later asked your sister-in-law, and she said you didn't go back that day at all. You said you had a headache, but when I passed by your house, I heard you laughing and talking to someone."

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the crowd. Seeing Aunt Zhang and Uncle Wang nod, she continued, "When the soy sauce workshop first started, everyone knows how difficult it was. We lacked manpower and supplies. Tingzhou and I worked day and night with the villagers, hoping to brew the soy sauce as soon as possible so that everyone could earn some money to supplement their household income. But what did you do? Not only did you not help, but you also spread rumors behind my back, saying that I used shady means to get orders, and that Tingzhou came back after making a mistake. Put your hand on your heart and tell me, how could you face me and the villagers?"

Aunt Zhang Er stepped forward, still holding a freshly washed vegetable basket. Her voice was clear and crisp: "I can testify! On the fifth day of the fourth lunar month, I was picking vegetables at the door when I saw Wanqiu take Nian'an to Zhang Lan's house. They came out a little while later. I asked Wanqiu what was wrong, and she said Zhang Lan said the child had a fever and she couldn't help. But not long after, I saw Zhang Lan's son running around in the yard, even fighting with my daughter for candy. He didn't look sick at all!"

"And on the tenth day of the fourth lunar month, I passed by Zhang Lan's house and heard her laughing and talking with her younger sister inside, saying that making soy sauce was dirty and tiring, and only a fool would do it." Uncle Wang chimed in, his tone full of dissatisfaction. "At the time, I was puzzled. Wanqiu was such a good person, how could anyone not want to help her? Now I know that it was because Zhang Lan was lazy and couldn't stand seeing others do well!"

Upon hearing this, the villagers erupted in uproar. Those who had previously believed the rumors now lowered their heads in shame; those who had never believed it in the first place were now indignantly criticizing Zhang Lan.

"I never expected Zhang Lan to be this kind of person! Not only is she lazy, but she also spreads rumors and slanders others!"

"Wanqiu helped us make money, and instead of being grateful, she stabbed us in the back. That's too much!"

"I was skeptical before, but now that there's evidence and witnesses, what else is there to say! She must apologize to Wanqiu and Tingzhou!"

Zhang Lan was so ashamed by everyone's words that she hung her head low, her hands tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, her nails almost digging into her flesh. She could feel everyone's gaze piercing her like needles—some with contempt, some with anger, some with disappointment—making her wish she could disappear into the ground. Boss Shen stood to the side, his face ashen, not uttering a word, clearly utterly disappointed in her.

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