If Song Yan hadn't constantly reminded herself not to kill, she wouldn't have been able to hold back. In truth, she had long harbored the intention to kill Widow Wang.

Duan Decai is a leader, not someone Song Yan can beat up at will. Reports against him based on hearsay or rumors don't count. Even if he says something himself, if he later denies it, Song Yan can't do anything about it.

The county magistrate has power, so why doesn't Song Yan use it?

"Arrest her! Arrest her!" Duan Decai was furious; Song Yan dared to make such a scene outside. Since she had such audacity, he'd teach her a lesson. "Lock her up first."

Two men walked up to Song Yan.

"Where are you going to lock me up? I'll find my way myself, just lead the way."

"Let's see how long you can keep up this tough act!" Duan Decai roared. "You really don't know what's what, causing trouble in the commune is enough to get you imprisoned."

As a subordinate of a leader, one naturally acts according to the leader's wishes. Although Song Yan cooperated, he was still pushed and shoved.

The commune secretary disapproved of the director's actions. "There's no objection to Cheng Yi's indecent assault case. Why obstruct it? Let the procuratorate try him! The trial will give the educated youth some closure. Why are you taking your anger out on one of the female educated youths?"

"This female educated youth is too ungrateful; she even dared to slam her fist on the table at me. If I let her off, where will I put my face in the future?" Duan Decai's face was still flushed with anger.

Cheng Youfu had come by cart today. He'd wandered around for a while and gotten bored, so he came to the commune to find Song Yan. He learned that Song Yan had been imprisoned. He immediately drove the cart back, ignoring the other passengers, to find the brigade leader and his older brother to try and get help…

The commune secretary was having a headache. He found his partner increasingly unreliable. The problems in Qingshan Brigade were originally his doing, and now he'd even imprisoned the educated youth. The secretary had no choice but to patiently and earnestly try to persuade Duan Decai…

"A car has arrived. Is that the county magistrate?" someone said, looking outside.

Everyone looked outside and saw that it really was the county magistrate's car.

The commune secretary and director rushed to greet them.

Commune Party Secretary: "Welcome the County Head to inspect our work. Welcome all leaders to inspect our work."

Duan Decai: "Welcome, County Head, to inspect our work. Welcome, leaders, to inspect our work."

"Hello, comrades. I'm not here to inspect your work. I'm here to deliver good news to you. I want to commend you." The county head was in a particularly good mood.

Behind the county magistrate was the head of the county's armed forces department; everyone shook hands with each other.

When the head of the county's armed forces department shook hands with the commune secretary, he was in high spirits. "I want to thank you comrades in this area for sending such outstanding young people to the army. And the female educated youth in your commune are also very outstanding."

I've never encountered a situation like this with a commune secretary, but I've heard of them. Whenever a comrade performs meritorious service in the army, the army always sends the commendation certificate back to their hometown. But why is female educated youth being mentioned here?

The commune secretary said, "It seems our youths are exceptionally outstanding! I wonder which brigade in our commune they belong to?"

Duan Decai: "Our commune is a place where beautiful mountains and clear waters produce talented people. Everyone who can work, please come and contribute. Our comrades will certainly make a great contribution. What level of merit is it?"

The Minister of Armed Forces said he was from the military, so he must have made military contributions.

"It's a second-class merit. And both husband and wife have performed outstandingly." The armed forces minister felt particularly proud; it was an honor for soldiers and their families.

The county head answered the commune secretary's question. "Comrade Wei Aiguo of Qingshan Brigade was awarded a second-class merit. His wife, Comrade Song Yan, received an award. Furthermore, the province's opinion is that she should participate in this year's selection of outstanding youths..."