"Have you heard? The team members suspect that we colluded with the battalion commander to embezzle public funds, and there's a huge uproar about dragging the Red Army down."

Chu Li and Wu Xueliang returned earlier, and they had already gathered most of the news about the village.

When he returned to the educated youth settlement and saw the three women who had come back, he told them the news he had found out.

Ruan Xianxian could hardly believe what she had just heard. "Partnership? Embezzlement? Public funds? If it were 90,000, I might have actually done it."

900 yuan... Can't they see three oil presses?

“It’s precisely because we saw it that we started to have doubts.” Wu Xueliang shrugged. “If the machine were working properly, that would be one thing, but now that it’s sitting there unusable, all sorts of speculations and rumors have emerged.”

Everyone fell silent.

Mu Xia brought back all the parts for repairing the oil press from the provincial capital. It couldn't be repaired on the spot, and if the oil press factory saw it after it was repaired, they wouldn't be able to sell the machine back to them.

Chen Zhaodi then asked, "Didn't the brigade leader explain this to the team members?"

Chu Li said meaningfully, "The reason why some places are poor is not because the government does not provide support, but because people's minds are not enlightened."

"What are your thoughts?" he asked.

“If a green plum can’t fall from the sky, then let’s find another one,” Ruan Xianxian replied.

The crowd stared at her silently.

So, were the green plums a gift from heaven, or were they part of the oil press team?

"Where to switch to?" Chu Li asked. "I inquired about several villages in the commune before going to the countryside. Pingtou Brigade has the best folk customs because of Xiang Hongjun's governance."

"I have some vague ideas, but no rush. We'll talk about it when the brigade leader arrives. Let's start cooking. Uncle Chu, shall we cook today?"

Ruan Xianxian picked up the prickly ash sprouts that Zhao Di had prepared and asked, "How about stir-frying them with meat?"

"Stir-fried meat? Who just said they got a sore throat from eating too much meat?"

Ruan Xianxian immediately changed her mind, "Then let's make scrambled eggs. Stir-fried aralia shoots with eggs are also delicious. We can share half with Aunt Zhong next door and get some soybean paste to dip them in."

Celery leaves are perfect for making steamed buns, but I just got back to work and I'm too lazy to make the filling, so I'll just stir-fry the celery with shredded pork instead.

Everyone: ...

So you're finally going to have to make the most of that little bit of pork the county brought back!

Therefore, it is evident that those who hang the phrase "Heaven rewards diligence" on the wall are all petty leaders who like to boss people around, while those who hang "The highest virtue is like water" are all former slacker contractors...

Those who complain about getting a sore throat from eating meat are the ones with the biggest cravings.

So, when the educated youth finished work, they smelled the aroma of food wafting from the backyard. Taishan, with a simple and honest smile, scratched the back of his head.

"Did Wen, the educated youth, cook meat for us again?"

To be honest, people with partners are different; their standard of living rises dramatically, and we can even afford to eat scraps of meat from time to time.

Jiang Wenming and Jiang Wenli remained silent. Taishan was assigned to clean the pigsty today and was unaware of it. However, those of them who were finishing work in the fields heard some bad news: Ruan Xianxian and the others had returned.

Jiang Wenli clenched his fists; even though he was mentally prepared, cold sweat still seeped from his forehead. "Brother, we didn't earn the full number of work points she promised."

If she finds out later, won't she make an example of us?

"How about... we go up the mountain and gather some firewood first?"

The twins exchanged a glance, then turned and started climbing the mountain.

Taishan looked around and saw Wenrou, who was some distance behind. His eyes flashed and he turned back to say, "Xia Tian, ​​your creditor is back."

Liu Xiatian shivered violently and ran towards the brigade leader's house without saying a word. She wanted to borrow Xiang Nuan's work point book to prove that she was really earning the full amount of work points, and only by proving it would she not be beaten.

So, when Wenrou and Ye Guo returned, they found only Taishan in the front yard.

She asked, "What about the Jiang brothers? Were they beaten?"

Taishan glanced at the two of them. "The Jiang brothers went up the mountain. Comrade Liu went to find the scorekeeper. Oh, by the way, I just said hello to Comrade Ruan. She's looking for you and wants you to go to the backyard."

Wenrou froze completely. "I... I forgot something at the village chief's house. I'll go get it first. I won't be back for dinner tonight."

Watching Ye Guo follow closely behind Wenrou, Taishan smiled and said, "This educated youth settlement is finally lively again."

...

The last dish, celery and shredded pork, was served. The brigade leader arrived with loose liquor, followed by a timid Liu Xiatian.

His smile was more like a grimace: "You're back!"

Seeing that Ruan Xianxian was staring at her with those bright, clear eyes without saying a word, she quickly pulled out her work points book.

"I, I collect all my work points every day and transfer them to your account. You won't believe me, just look."

Ruan Xianxian took the booklet and flipped through it casually: Ye Guo, 7 work points; the Jiang brothers, 6 work points; Wenrou, 4 work points.

Only Liu Xiatian consistently earned 7 full work points every day.

During the busy farming season, men earn 10 full work points and women 8.

During non-farming seasons, men earn 8 full work points and women 6.

Liu Xiatian volunteered to do 7 work points, and the team leader agreed.

"Why didn't you cheat and shirk your duties like them?" Ruan Xianxian asked casually as she flipped through the work points book.

Liu Xiatian's skin tightened. To be honest, when Wenrou had a backer and the five of them decided to band together to resist Ruan Xianxian, she had also been deeply tempted.

But considering the woman's behavior, and the crazy things she might do if pushed to the limit, she decided to wait and see how things went after she returned before making a decision.

It wasn't until she heard Ruan Xianxian drive a large truck back to work that she realized how wise her decision had been.

Coming to his senses, he quickly pledged his loyalty, saying, "Although I really didn't take that money, having the motive and taking action is wrong."

The compensation may not be able to be repaid in a short time, but I want you to see my sincerity.

While demonstrating loyalty, they should not forget to prove themselves.

Seeing Liu Xiatian secretly trying to be clever, Ruan Xianxian smiled.

Being timid has its advantages.

"Go back, and if you see Wenrou, call out to her for me."

"Okay, okay!" Liu Xiatian, who had finally escaped a disaster, hurriedly ran away.

The brigade leader shook his head. Having offended this troublemaker, the young educated youth had fallen into a stinking well, and the more they struggled, the deeper they sank.

Two hot dishes and two cold dishes were served, with generous portions. The six people sat around the table. The team leader poured a small glass of wine for the men and asked Ruan Xianxian if she wanted some, but she shook her head and declined.

I've recently become obsessed with Alex's cocktails, and I enjoy taking a bath and having a small drink afterward when I get back to my room at night.

After downing a mouthful of strong liquor, he grinned at the Red Army soldiers and cut to the chase: "You know about the brigade's affairs, right?"

The group exchanged glances. Ruan Xianxian, who only ate the shredded meat in the celery and pork stir-fry, nodded upon hearing this: "Understood. What are your thoughts, Captain?"

As he rubbed his fingertips against the wine glass, Xiang Hongjun did not answer directly, saying, "I'd like to hear your opinions first."

"Uncle Xiang, now that you've asked, I won't hide anything from you. Setting up a factory is a certainty, but I've never been one to fawn over someone who doesn't appreciate my efforts."

I'm going to take back the three oil presses.

Xiang Hongjun was not surprised at all. It was like feeding someone food to their mouth, but the team member turned their face away and spat.

This troublemaker is truly the kind of person who repays evil with kindness, and wouldn't make the provincial leaders both love and hate him.

Ruan Xianxian curled her lips into a meaningful smile, then slapped the dozing goose under the table, telling it to guard the backyard, and said in a low voice:

"Uncle Xiang, have you ever considered shining in another place? For example... the commune?"