Zhou Xiaolan was also very anxious. She had been running around these past few days, but these people seemed to have made a pact and refused to admit it no matter what.

Some families said that since they had given so many things, it was impossible for them to return the documents.

Zhou Xiaolan knew what they were thinking; they were just waiting to go back on their word because they saw she didn't dare to speak up.

The only honest one returned the documents, but this was only a tiny fraction of the total, far from enough to satisfy anyone.

“Don’t play dumb with me,” He Ping’an shoved her. “If you don’t get your things back, we’ll both be in trouble.”

As I was leaving, I overheard them saying that if we didn't resolve this, they would come after both of our families.

Even though they've separated, He Ping'an still cares about his reputation. He doesn't want to have the face to return to the main compound in the future.

When Zhou Xiaolan heard that others might come to her door, she didn't seem to care and said, "Let them go if they want. We'll just stay out of their sight and mind."

The bride's family and the groom's family kicked them out of the house, so it was a good opportunity for these people to surround and block them. If they could pay back the money, wouldn't that be a happy ending for everyone?

However, she didn't intend to tell He Ping'an about this plan. Instead, she looked at He Ping'an with a sorrowful expression and said, "If we hadn't been driven here by them, why would we have to rack our brains to find ways to make money?"

If they could offer even a little help, why would we be suffering here?

He Ping'an fell silent. "..." Zhou Xiaolan was telling the truth.

“Let me tell you, once the money is in my pocket, no one can touch it.” Zhou Xiaolan felt she should give He Ping’an a heads-up. “If they come to ask for it back, just tell them we’ve lost all the documents. Since the stuff is gone, let them do whatever they want.”

Some documents are just a few sheets of paper; do you think they can eat people?

He Ping'an said, "I'm afraid the factory will have a problem with me. You know how much effort I put into this last time. If it gets suppressed because of this, then all the money we spent before will have gone down the drain."

Zhou Xiaolan then looked at He Ping'an seriously, "When you delivered those things, did you keep a record of them?"

He Ping'an immediately understood what she meant, "I get some things from the black market, how can I keep a record of them?"

I delivered it there in the dead of night, and there wasn't even a witness.

No one will believe you just by looking at your lips.

If those leaders turn around and deny it, there's nothing they can do.

Zhou Xiaolan then became anxious. She had given so much money, and it turned out she was just helping someone else.

"Why didn't you find someone to exchange some coupons and buy them at the supply and marketing cooperative?" I've never seen such a stupid person. They don't even know how to keep a backup plan.

"What's the point of saying all this now? It's just hindsight." He Ping'an was also very impatient. "Why didn't you mention this before? Why are you only bringing it up now?"

The two shifted blame to each other, and eventually started arguing, without reaching a solution.

When Hua Xiangyun and the others received the news, it was brought by Wu's father.

"These two people are too greedy. They borrowed almost half of the students in the county who were taking the exam. Anyway, after this was exposed, many people said that, when combined, it amounted to several sets of review materials."

Back then, review materials were highly sought after, and they just took them for free.

These people were resentful, so they went to He Ping'an's factory and caused a scene, losing his temporary job as well.

When Wu Yanxin heard her father mention this, and then thought about the materials that had been borrowed from her, she pouted and said, "What does it matter? Anyway, they are both taking the college entrance examination, so it doesn't matter whether they have this job or not."

Then, when they turn around, they'll be soon-to-be college students again, with just as bright a future.

Hua Xiangyun wholeheartedly agreed; it seemed these two had even planned their escape routes.

Mr. Wu's expression was a little strange. After hesitating for a long time, he finally said, "Neither of them took the college entrance examination."

Everyone was stunned when he said that. What was that? He didn't even take the college entrance exam? Has his brain been filled with mud?

Hua Xiangyun's mind was in a complete mess. In the original text, Zhou Xiaolan did take the college entrance examination, and she got into a pretty good school.

It seems that He Ping'an also went to a vocational college and got a good job after graduation. He is considered one of the more successful people in the county.

Isn't this a ridiculous deviation? Has the female lead lost her brilliance? Or has the world in this book been reassembled and rewritten?

"No way?" Xiao Shaoyao was a little incredulous. "Is Zhou Xiaolan out of her mind? If I remember correctly, her grades were pretty good. Even without study materials, she could beat most people if she took the exam."

She didn't seize such a good opportunity; instead, she went around scamming people.

To them, Zhou Xiaolan's actions were truly incomprehensible; anyone with a sound mind would know what choice to make.

Mr. Wu said, "When we received this news, everyone felt it was unbelievable."

Those two are so greedy for a little money that they don't even care about their future.

With so many review materials borrowed, as long as I study hard, why should I worry about not getting into university?

They ruined a perfectly good game of chess.

As Mr. Wu spoke, he felt extremely regretful. The child in the opposite yard was someone he had watched grow up, yet he was so idle and irresponsible.

Everyone put a lot of enthusiasm into this exam, making it even harder to understand their thoughts.

Hua Xiangyun: "Now that He Ping'an doesn't even have any temporary workers, how will the two of them live in the future?"

Although it's now possible to secretly do some small business, and the crackdowns aren't as strict as they were a few years ago, it's still not widely accepted, so developing it is quite difficult.

"Who can argue with that? The other side of the courtyard was still making a scene today. Before, everyone was just suspicious, but now it's pretty much certain that Zhou Xiaolan and her group are using everyone's things to make money for themselves. Nobody wants to suffer that loss."

Some people are demanding that Zhou Xiaolan and her team either compensate for the documents or pay money.

The Zhou and He families were not about to swallow this loss. They shouted at everyone, "Whoever caused the trouble, go find them!"

He Ping'an, who is unemployed, is even harder to find. Even if someone finds their rented house, it is empty and they don't know where they have gone. Everyone is mobilized to search for them.

The couple, He Ping'an and his wife, were huddled behind a rock by the riverbank, trembling with fear.

"It's all your fault. Now I've lost my job too, and we'll both starve."

As soon as He Ping'an opened his mouth, the wind rushed in, causing him to cough a few times.

"Then what do you suggest? How about we distribute all the money we have?" Zhou Xiaolan didn't think He Ping'an would be willing to part with it. She quietly shifted her feet, looking for a more sheltered corner.

"Forget it, these people are only making a fuss for a few days. Once the results come out in a few days, they won't be targeting us anymore."

Now I've lost my job, what are we going to do?