"Second Aunt..." Wei Aiguo's face was very unpleasant; it was clear he disliked this relative. But he didn't need to get involved in this matter.

Song Yan pulled Wei Aiguo aside, interrupting him. "Second Aunt, you're absolutely right. I really did sit by the river all afternoon. I caught a fish not long after I got there. But those naughty kids wouldn't leave no matter how hard I tried to chase them away. The river was so deep, it was terrifying! Because of those kids, I didn't dare leave the spot all afternoon. I was worried about everyone at home, young and old. You have no idea how anxious I was."

When Aunt Wei started causing trouble, Cheng Yousuo's wife and several other women surrounded them. These families' children had also been by the river that afternoon. Although their children hadn't fallen in, they were still terrified. They definitely had a very good impression of Song Yan. Hearing that Song Yan hadn't dared to leave all afternoon for the children's sake, they felt even more favorably towards her. Among them, Cheng Yousuo's wife was the most grateful. Look at that educated youth Song, how kind her heart is! She didn't accidentally stumble upon and save the child. She stayed for the child's safety; if it weren't for a good person like Song, the child would definitely be dead.

"Second Aunt, you can't talk nonsense. Song, the educated youth, took very good care of Aunt Wei. Wei An and Wei Ping are also very clean. What capitalist's daughter serves others like that? You can't just make things up. Today she was cutting grass, did someone see her?" Cheng Yousuo's wife said, while giving Second Aunt Wei a hard shove.

Then several voices chimed in, saying, "That's right."

"She's talking nonsense."

“My child said that Song, the educated youth, chased them away several times! But the brats wouldn’t leave, and Song, the educated youth, just stayed by the river!”

Even Aunt Wei dared not offend Cheng Yousuo's wife, who was alone. The militia captain still wielded considerable power. With the other women around, she was even less likely to dare. Aunt Wei slunk away.

The women chattered on about the river. Once upon a time, there was a family where two brothers, being good swimmers, were playing with their child there. The child fell in, and his father and uncle both went in to rescue him, but none of the three made it back up. Three men lost their lives in an instant—it was tragic… all the strong, able-bodied men were swept away. Song Yan, so thin and small, managed to save both children; it was truly remarkable! Everyone was genuinely grateful to Song Yan.

Song Yan was also terrified; she wouldn't have survived without the space.

"Everyone, please be quiet. Before the meeting today, we need to commend Comrade Song Yan." Captain Wu Changsheng began his speech, and then praised Song Yan.

The whole village already knew about Song Yan's rescue, so it wasn't surprising. When Wu Changsheng announced the reward of five jin of flour, everyone was incredibly envious. You might not even get five jin of flour when the year-end grain distribution came! The villagers were envious, but not jealous; after all, she had saved two lives. Aunt Wei was even more envious—five jin was five jin!