The village road is only wide enough for a truck to pass through.

The car was moving very slowly, but even the slowest car has an end.

The moment the first military truck stopped, the twenty armed soldiers in the back of the truck leaped up, bracing themselves against the side of the truck with one hand. Their powerful burst of energy allowed them to stabilize themselves in mid-air, landing steadily on their toes.

He raised the gun, aimed, and completed the action in one fluid motion.

The bolder villagers who stayed to watch the spectacle instinctively squatted down and raised their hands.

The soldiers in the second and third trucks took their positions one after another, and in an instant, the entire threshing ground was surrounded by soldiers.

With a bang, the car door slammed shut, and a man in a crisp military uniform, his waist bound tightly by a black leather belt, led the group out.

His expressionless face swept around, and when he saw Ruan Xianxian, who was protected behind the crowd, raise an eyebrow at him, his heart, which had been hanging in mid-air, finally settled down.

God knows how bewildered and helpless he was when his grandfather found him and told him that his aunt was about to be beaten to death and that he needed to rush there with the documents.

Kill...my aunt.

When he found out that these two words were combined in one person, he wasn't surprised at all, even though it seemed absurd.

Seeing that the person was being protected safely in the center, yet still able to bar his teeth and lash out at him, he finally felt relieved.

The military boots stomped across the ground, and Feng Bai's voice was icy cold and devoid of any emotion.

Who is Ruan Xianxian?

Team member: ???

What terrible thing has this child done that deserves everyone's wrath?

One batch after another, they all come looking for Ruan Xianxian.

Moreover, each wave of people who came was more terrifying than the last.

My initial regret turned into relief. Thank goodness the oil press was taken back; who could stand that!

Is this an attempt to appear as if you don't know them?

Ruan Xianxian raised an eyebrow, and Xiang Hongjun, as a retired soldier and battalion commander, stepped forward to salute and reply: "Report, Ruan Xianxian is behind me. What are your instructions, leader?"

Feng Bai glanced around and, without beating around the bush, took out a document from his bag and read it aloud.

"Ruan Xianxian was an outstanding educated youth who went to the countryside. While on a mission to receive foreign guests in the provincial capital, she was caught in a terrorist attack."

Just as the explosives were about to detonate and destroy the venue, he disregarded his own safety and immediately captured and subdued the enemy agent, stepping forward to prevent an explosion crisis.

They made tremendous contributions to the country and the people.

The production of winter clothing, lantern candy, and other foreign exchange-generating projects during the exhibition played a decisive role in the success of the event.

For his numerous merits and awards, the organization hereby awards Comrade Ruan Xianxian a First-Class Merit.

His expression remained unchanged, but his gaze softened. "Come up and receive your honor. Let's give them a round of applause."

The retreat was halted, and the soldiers who had been aiming their guns just moments before put away their weapons and led the applause.

The team members who were still squatting on the ground looked completely bewildered and joined in the applause.

Han Li and Shi Dafu were also stunned.

Suddenly, Feng Bai's sharp gaze fell on the two of them. "Not clapping, is it because you're dissatisfied with the organization's decision?"

As soon as Han Li relaxed, he grinned and started clapping his hands.

Shi Dafu looked grim. Ge Weihui was not afraid of the military. He asked persistently, "Such a young female comrade has been awarded a first-class merit. This officer must be mistaken."

Hu Bin was also furious. He hadn't expected that Ruan Xianxian would return with a first-class merit after going to the provincial capital.

What does that mean? Not to mention the Pingtou Brigade, even the county will probably have to bring up this ancestor to save face when holding meetings with higher authorities from now on.

As long as she doesn't commit any crimes, the leaders have to protect her; she's like a mascot for the county.

Undeterred, he gave Li Chunfen a vicious glare.

Li Chunfen gritted her teeth. Rural women are illiterate and don't understand what a first-class merit is, so she thought it would be similar to the previous letter of commendation.

She took a step forward. "Hey boss, I have something to say."

Feng Bai glanced at him coldly, "Don't you know you should report before you speak?"

His voice was like a drawn sword, startling Li Chunfen so much that her face turned pale. But then she thought that if she didn't do as Hu Bin said, she would have to leave the house with nothing in less than three days...

"Better to die than to die myself," she gritted her teeth and, under the murderous glares of the Red Army soldiers, shouted, "Report!"

"Reporting to the leader, I want to report my husband for conspiring with Hongjun and educated youth Ruan Xianxian to embezzle public funds."

I overheard them discussing how they would embezzle public funds if possible, and if it didn't work this time, they'd try again next time. They spoke with such conviction, it's true.

The villagers' eyes lit up instantly.

Xiang Hongjun closed his eyes, his face ashen.

The old man often said that marrying a wife who is not virtuous will ruin three generations, and today he learned his lesson.

He really wanted to slap her so hard he'd be sent flying to the South Heaven Gate, but Xiang Hongjun knew military discipline—he couldn't interrupt without being asked by his superiors—and he nearly suffered internal injuries from holding it in.

Upon hearing the report, Shi Dafu reacted like a dog smelling a bone.

He smiled at Feng Bai.

“Comrade, if the public has reported something, the Revolutionary Committee has the right to investigate. It’s possible that she has done something good, but she may also have made mistakes. You’re in a position, you won’t stop her, will you?”

The Revolutionary Party does indeed have this right at present.

Feng Bai remained expressionless, only asking, "Are you sure?"

Shi Dafu chuckled inwardly. What was a first-class merit? A senior colonel had been arrested for it a couple of years ago.

"Wait a moment," Feng Bai said. "Where's the phone? I need to borrow it."

"Reporting to the leader, this way please."

Xiang Hongjun left with Feng Bai, and Hu Bin and Li Chunfen's hearts were in their throats. Could something else have happened?

Even Shi Dafu frowned, his gaze filled with suspicion and uncertainty.

No, this is strange. Anyone else would be terrified, but this woman is too calm, as if she is certain that nothing will happen to her. This is very wrong!

Surrounded by soldiers, Shi Dafu couldn't even take the person away first and then talk to the troops later; he could only remain silent.

The three sides were locked in a standoff, creating a bizarre scene.

The cold wind of early spring could not dampen the villagers' enthusiasm for discussion. As soon as the person in charge left, and seeing that the soldiers did not stop them, a buzzing sound of discussion slowly rose among the team members.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!