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◎The Twentieth Day of the King of Scrolls◎

Gu Yan suppressed his doubts and put on his gentle expression again: "I see. That's a real pity. But it's alright, you can come to me if you have any missions in the future."

Jun Yanghong simply nodded slightly without replying.

The atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.

Gu Yan was a little unhappy, but he didn't show it. He just said a few more polite words like "Take a good rest" and "Call me if you need anything," then picked up his canvas bag and left.

He left behind the bag of brown sugar that he had left on the table when he left.

As soon as Gu Yan left, Junyue came over and whispered, "Auntie, Gu Zhiqing is such a nice person, he even gave you brown sugar. Why were you so cold to him just now?"

Looking at her niece's innocent face, Jun Yanghong sighed inwardly: "What's so great about brown sugar? Your father's allowance is enough for you to drink it every day."

She didn't explain, but took out the milk powder and gave it to Junyue.

Jun Yanghong's stomach rumbled at an inopportune moment.

—

Soon, the competition organizers also learned of this.

The leaders felt that this matter had a serious impact and must be dealt with seriously.

They consulted Jiang Wanzhou, Zheng Yuan, and Teacher Guo to understand the situation.

Jiang Wanzhou recounted the entire incident in detail, and Teacher Guo also testified that Jiang Wanzhou did not provoke any trouble.

Zheng Yuan insisted that Jiang Wanzhou had attacked first and used despicable means to obtain the fertilizer.

The leaders, seeing that both sides had conflicting accounts, found it difficult to make a judgment.

Jun Yanghong has woken up and is fine.

Jun Yangjian decided to have Jun Yanghong explain the situation on the spot, and they happened to run into each other.

Jun Yanghong was afraid that Zheng Yuan would offend someone by speaking first, so she couldn't wait to come over.

She saw Zheng Yuan give her a wink, and the two of them accused Jiang Wanzhou of using underhanded tricks to obtain the fertilizer.

Jiang Wanzhou trembled with anger: "Jun Yanghong, why did you lie? It was clearly you and Zheng Yuan who started the trouble first, and you even tried to steal my fertilizer."

Jun Yanghong looked at Jiang Wanzhou innocently, and lowered her head after Jun Yangjian glared at her.

The leaders frowned as they looked at the chaotic situation.

At that moment, Li Ke arrived.

She was holding the hand of an unfamiliar girl, with several other people following behind her.

The girl took a deep breath: "Leader, I can testify that Comrade Jiang is telling the truth. It was Zheng Yuan and Jun Yanghong who were being unreasonable. Moreover, I saw with my own eyes that Jun Yanghong tried to push Comrade Jiang down, but she tripped over a stone."

Then, several other witnesses who had seen what happened also came forward to testify for Jiang Wanzhou.

Faced with the testimonies of the crowd, Zheng Yuan and Jun Yanghong finally lowered their heads and admitted that they had started the trouble.

The leaders sternly criticized Zheng Yuan and Jun Yanghong: "Your unreasonable and malicious framing of others is extremely wrong and seriously affects the fairness and impartiality of the competition and the unity of the commune. In view of your behavior, we have decided to issue a public reprimand to you and disqualify you from this competition."

Zheng Yuan and Jun Yanghong's faces turned very ugly upon hearing this, but they dared not refute it.

The truth came out, and Teacher Guo breathed a sigh of relief.

The leaders surrounded Jiang Wanzhou, their faces showing concern: "Comrade Jiang, don't let those unpleasant things affect your mood. You still need to do your best in the competition. You are the hope of our commune; you must bring glory to the commune!"

Jiang Wanzhou nodded vigorously, her fighting spirit rekindled, and said firmly, "Leaders, rest assured, I will definitely adjust my state and go all out!"

The crowd gradually dispersed.

Zhou Qingyu walked to Jiang Wanzhou's side with a gentle smile on her lips: "Comrade Jiang, don't let these upsetting things affect your mood. Just do your best in the upcoming matches. I believe in you."

Jiang Wanzhou looked at him gratefully, tears welling in her eyes: "Comrade Zhou, thanks to you for finding everyone to testify, otherwise I really wouldn't know what to do."

Zhou Qingyu waved his hand: "We're all from the same brigade, so it's only right that we help each other."

At this moment, Li Ke's eyes sparkled with excitement as she grabbed Jiang Wanzhou's arm and said, "You really know how to talk! I would only end up crying!"

Jiang Wanzhou was amused by her words, patted her head and said, "I was forced into this situation. I can't let them wrong me for no reason."

Meanwhile, Jun Yangjian looked at his younger sister Jun Yanghong, whose eyes were brimming with tears, and felt both angry and heartbroken.

He couldn't help but scold, "Why did you have to go and cause this trouble? Now look what's happened, you've been publicly criticized and disqualified from the competition. What are you going to do now?"

Jun Yanghong lowered her head, her voice trembling with tears: "Brother, I was just confused for a moment. I saw that Jiang Wanzhou had fertilizer, how could I compare!"

Jun Yangjian sighed and said earnestly, "Even if it's unfair, you can't use such methods. You need to think more carefully in the future and not be so impulsive."

Zhou Qingyu, Jiang Wanzhou, and Li Ke chatted as they walked.

They overheard these words as they passed by Jun Yangjian and Jun Yanghong.

Jiang Wanzhou stopped and looked at Jun Yanghong: "Comrade Jun, everyone has jealousy, but the important thing is how to control it. I hope this lesson will make you understand that using improper means to get things will only harm yourself in the end."

Jun Yang blushed and whispered, "Comrade Jiang, I know I was wrong, and I won't do it again."

As the exchange continues.

Jiang Wanzhou achieved outstanding results thanks to the educational methods summarized by later generations.

Zhou Qingyu also performed exceptionally well in his project. He possesses strong professional skills, is meticulous in his work, and handles every aspect perfectly, earning him praise from many people.

The two are like two shining stars, radiating their own light on the field.

Beneath the calm surface, new worries are quietly brewing.

Although Zheng Yuan was criticized and disqualified from the competition, his resentment towards Jiang Wanzhou grew deeper and deeper.

He felt that Jiang Wanzhou had made him lose face in front of everyone and deprived him of the opportunity to prove himself.

He must avenge this grudge.

One night, Zheng Yuan secretly found a few thugs with whom he had previously been on good terms.

In a dimly lit alley, Zheng Yuan, his face sinister and his eyes gleaming with madness, said viciously, "Brothers, I've really messed up this time, all because of that bitch Jiang Wanzhou. Help me get revenge. If you can scare her on her way back, I'll reward you handsomely."

The thugs exchanged glances. One of them, a tall, thin man, rubbed his hands together, a greedy smile on his face, and said, "Brother Zheng, leave this to us. Just watch, we'll definitely teach her a lesson."

"She's accompanied by a pretty boy, so she might need to bring a few more people with her," Zheng Yuan reminded her.

"What's there to be afraid of with pretty boys? These few are enough."

—

Following the release of the results, an exchange meeting that lasted for more than a month officially came to an end.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the main road of the commune, bathing everything in a warm orange hue.

Jiang Wanzhou and Zhou Qingyu packed their things and went back. They met after they finished packing.

They shared what they had learned along the way.

Jiang Wanzhou wore a faint smile, her bright eyes sparkling with excitement.

Zhou Qingyu listened attentively, occasionally responding with a gentle voice, like a spring breeze.

They arrived in town at night and were about to get off the bus to go to the guesthouse.

They were drawn by a series of hurried and chaotic footsteps.

Suddenly, five or six people rushed out of the alleyway beside the road. They all had fierce faces and malicious eyes, and they were carrying wooden sticks.

Jiang Wanzhou and Zhou Qingyu exchanged a glance; their bad premonition had come true.

Several people rushed towards them aggressively.

"So you're Zhou Qingyu and Jiang Wanzhou, right? The men can leave, but the women stay. Don't even think about leaving today!" the tall, thin man in the lead shouted menacingly.

Zhou Qingyu was startled and instinctively stepped in front of Jiang Wanzhou.

He shouted, "Who are you? Who sent you? The people who were supposed to pick us up are right here. Do you want to go to the station for a chat?"

"Hmph, enough nonsense! You've offended the wrong people, and today is your retribution!" Another guy with a face full of scars and eyes that were barely slits waved his wooden stick, ready to strike.

Zhou Qingyu's eyes sharpened, and he quickly turned around to Jiang Wanzhou, saying, "Comrade Jiang, run! I'm a man, I won't get hurt much. I'll hold them off."

His voice was steady and had a reassuring quality.

Jiang Wanzhou shook her head firmly: "There are so many of them..."

"Stop dawdling, there's no use in you staying. I need to update my protection, hurry up and find someone to help! Don't worry, I've been training for over ten years." Zhou Qingyu said as he picked up a dry branch and swept it across the ground.

Jiang Wanzhou ran quickly, glancing back at the corner.

Just as those men were about to chase after her, Zhou Qingyu kicked the wooden stick out of the skinny man's hand, and then elbowed the burly man in the chest. The man groaned and staggered back several steps.

The other three hesitated upon seeing this.

Jiang Wanzhou watched Zhou Qingyu's figure fighting bravely in the crowd.

She gritted her teeth, turned around, and ran as fast as she could.

The branches of the trees tore her clothes.

She ignored the pain; she had only one thought in her mind: to find someone quickly to save Zhou Qingyu.

Jiang Wanzhou didn't know how long she had been running. She felt like she couldn't breathe properly, and her legs felt as heavy as lead.

Just when she was almost in despair, she suddenly heard the sound of a car engine.

She looked up and, through her blurry vision, saw a green jeep driving towards her.

Jiang Wanzhou waved her arms frantically and shouted, "Help! Help!"

The jeep screeched to a halt beside Jiang Wanzhou.

The car door opened, and a tall, upright man in military uniform jumped out.

Jiang Wanzhou looked closely and realized it was Jiang Renzhou!

"Brother!" Jiang Wanzhou cried out, her body going limp and she almost collapsed to the ground.

Jiang Renzhou quickly stepped forward to support his sister, anxiously asking, "Didn't you come back with Zhou Zhiqing? What about his feelings for you...?"

Jiang Wanzhou looked annoyed.

She was panting heavily, and pointed behind her, saying, "Brother, we're being watched by five people, and Zhou Zhiqing is fighting them all by himself! You have to go save him!"