That night, when it was completely dark, the two little ones were not at home. Accustomed to being constantly vigilant and highly focused in the forest, she was a little bored when she got home. Just as she was about to lock the door and go into her space, Liu Jie rushed into her house in a panic and told her about what had happened. She found it unbelievable. She never thought that teaching the villagers to read at night could lead to trouble.

"Mo Xue, what should we do?" Liu Jie was so anxious that he didn't know what to do. The female educated youths put their heads together and sent Liu Jie to find her, hoping that she could have a good solution.

Not daring to delay, An Moxue locked the door, and the two of them ran out the door.

The brigade headquarters was crowded with people. When An Moxue entered the room, she saw her younger sister, Qi Taohua, with red eyes from crying, and her older sister, Qi Taohua, sobbing softly. The two sisters stood together, looking weak and helpless. Several other female educated youths were also gathered around them. A woman was talking eloquently, and the female educated youths couldn't argue with her. They were furious but helpless.

An Moxue didn't pay attention to what she was saying and walked straight up to the two sisters. "Don't be afraid, tell me what happened. I'll help you figure something out. Things will always be resolved."

The woman ignored An Moxue when she came in, and continued An Moxue's words: "What's there to say? You've eaten so much of our food, what else could it be but interest in my son? If you don't agree to our marriage proposal, are you trying to be a scoundrel?"

The whispered arguments between the Qi sisters were drowned out by her loud voice.

An Moxue laughed in anger at her words, turned to face her, and said, "You've finally learned some quotations after a few days, even using them for 'hooliganism' now, quite an improvement! As far as I know, since this happened, you've been the one talking the whole time, and Taohua hasn't said a word. Every time she opens her mouth, you shut her down, and every time she opens her mouth again, you shut her down again. What, you think you can settle things with your words just because she's young and inexperienced? 'Hooliganism,' I'll ask you again seriously, are you sure you're 'hooliganism'?" The onlookers, hearing An Moxue's words, agreed that Qi Taohua hadn't said anything, and every time she was about to speak, she was shut down.

Her eyes darted away, but her words were firm: "I'm sure."

Actually, she was a little scared. Who wouldn't be afraid of this killing machine? She thought that since she had moved out of the educated youth compound not long after she arrived and lived far away, she wouldn't meddle in the affairs of other educated youth. Both sisters were easy to talk to, especially the younger sister who was quiet and easy to manipulate. She had been observing her for a whole autumn. She thought the young girl was shy and easy to get things done, and she would definitely succeed.

"There are so many people here tonight, so don't just tell us all. Let Peach Blossom tell us what happened too. What do you all think?"

As soon as An Moxue finished speaking, someone echoed, "That's right, she can't make all the decisions by herself."

Some people who lived close to the woman and knew her character and way of doing things disliked her and said, "That's just how she is. She always has a loud voice and is very loud. People think that just because she's loud, she's right. Anyone who runs into her is unlucky."

Seeing that not everyone believed her side of the story, An Moxue said, "Since everyone knows what you're saying, why don't we let Qi Taohua tell us what she knows, so everyone can know the whole story and help make a fair judgment? What do you all think of my idea?"

Some onlookers cheered, "Okay, let's listen to An Zhiqing."

The woman continued, "What can she say? She's already done it; she can't deny it."

An Moxue said, "You're being a bit unreasonable. I didn't say who was right or wrong. I just wanted her to tell me what happened. And you reacted like this. Could it be that you have some shady scheme going on?"

Just as An Moxue finished speaking, the village chief arrived. She had arranged for Liu Jie to fetch him.

When everyone saw the village chief arrive, they automatically made way for him to enter.

The village chief said, "Comrade Qi Taohua, please explain the situation clearly. I will support whoever is right. If anyone is spreading rumors without thinking, we will deduct their work points and punish them by making them do the hardest and dirtiest work. This applies to both villagers and educated youth."

When Village Chief Guo heard the news, he was furious. The selection of outstanding villages was just around the corner. If something were to be exposed at this time and the selection of an advanced village was ruined, he would skin that person alive. Being an advanced village is not only an honor, but also related to various subsidies.

The woman wanted to say something, but was silenced by a glare from Village Chief Guo.

Qi Taohua whispered, "Tonight it was my turn to teach the villagers to read at the brigade headquarters. Halfway through, this auntie came in and interrupted me, claiming that I ate a lot of food from her family that her son gave me. As soon as I opened my mouth, she interrupted me and wouldn't let me speak. Village chief, I swear in the name of the chairman, I have never accepted anything from any villager since I came to this village. She's spreading rumors and slandering me. She doesn't want me to live." As she spoke, she couldn't continue and squatted on the ground, wailing loudly.

“Zhang Dazui, what do you have to say? What she said is completely different from what you said,” Village Chief Guo asked Zhang Dazui.

“Village chief, she’s lying. What I’m saying is the truth,” Zhang Dazui shouted.

"You mean the gift your son gave to Peach Blossom?" An Moxue asked, her mouth agape.

“Yes,” Zhang Dazui replied.

"What did you send, and when did you send it? You must remember that too," An Moxue asked again.

"How could I forget?" Zhang Dazui blurted out.

An Moxue walked up to Village Chief Guo and whispered to him, "Uncle Village Chief, this is simple. First, bring her son here, and have the two of them confront each other separately. The truth will then be clear."

The village chief thought about it and realized that it made sense. If they had delivered something, their testimonies would be consistent; if they weren't, they would be lying. He then beckoned three people over and whispered some instructions in their ears before the three left.

Then, the village chief raised his hand, signaling the crowd to quiet down, and said, "We are at a crucial moment in selecting outstanding villages. Today, I don't know who is right and who is wrong, but I'm putting this out there: if this matter blows up, the impact will be very bad. Don't think this is a small matter. If some villages use this as an excuse, it will affect our village's status as an outstanding village. If we lose our status, we lose our honor, and we lose our awards. Do you think this is a small matter?"

The villagers never expected that eating melons in their spare time would affect their own interests, and they all became serious about it.

Seeing that the villagers were satisfied with their attitude, the village chief continued, "After the truth is found, the party at fault will have 100 work points deducted, 50 to the village and 50 to the victim. In addition, the party at fault will have to shovel manure in the livestock shed for a month. Does everyone think this is a good solution?"

The villagers answered in unison, "Okay," their voices particularly loud.