It turned out that not only she saw Qi Shuli that day, but Qi Xiaoyan also saw him.
He Tiantian nodded and said, "This is the source of the conflict between me and Qi Jianguo and Qi Shuli when I came to Qijia Village. Also, my grandfather studied in the United States, but after returning to China, he severed ties with foreign countries. Moreover, my parents actively cooperated with the organization in writing self-criticisms and have already received the organization's understanding. My parents only wrote about this once in a letter, and I have never told anyone else. So the person who knows about this, the one who reported me, is either Qi Shuli or Qi Jianguo. Just now, Brother Dajun said that a man around twenty years old informed on me to Zhou Sihai of the commune, so it must be Qi Jianguo."
He Tiantian's analysis was very logical and reasonable.
Secretary Qi, Niu Dajun, and Qi Xiaoyan listened and thought it made a lot of sense!
He Tiantian became increasingly angry as she spoke, her body trembling uncontrollably. Qi Jianguo had gone too far!
"Sister Tian, don't worry, we'll think of a solution slowly." Qi Xiaoyan quickly comforted He Tiantian when she saw her trembling with anger, and looked at her father, hoping that he could help He Tiantian.
Secretary Qi was powerless to help He Tiantian with her family's affairs. However, if Qi Jianguo tried to act like a thug, Secretary Qi would not tolerate it.
“Sweet girl, be careful when you’re alone in the future. I don’t know how to help you with your family’s overseas connections, but within Qijia Village, if Qi Jianguo tries to bully you or act like a hooligan, I’ll be the first to not let him off the hook,” Secretary Qi assured him.
He Tiantian knew that even if she were furious, it wouldn't do any good. She needed to prepare before Zhou Sihai came to Qijia Village. Secretary Qi might be able to protect her in Qijia Village, but outside of Qijia Village's jurisdiction, that wouldn't be the case.
He Tiantian took a few deep breaths to calm her excited emotions, and then asked, "Thank you, Secretary Qi, I would like to ask for leave to go back to Nanshi!"
Secretary Qi and Niu Dajun were both taken aback and said, "Isn't it inappropriate for you to go back to Nanshi now? What if Zhou Sihai comes and says you're fleeing to avoid punishment?"
“I’m not fleeing to avoid punishment. I will return to Qijia Village. My parents have already received the organization’s forgiveness, so I want to go back to Nanshi to get some certificates to prove that our family is innocent. With these documents, even if Zhou Sihai comes, he can’t ignore the official documents from Nanshi.” He Tiantian didn’t want to sit idly by and let Qi Jianguo and Zhou Sihai succeed.
Secretary Qi's eyes lit up, and he said, "You're right, we should find a solution from the root. Since your parents are all settled, then you, as a good comrade who responded to Chairman Mao's call to go to the countryside for construction, are even more settled. Okay, go back and write a leave request, I'll stamp it with the official seal, and you should quickly pack some things and go back to Nanshi. Also, a local official is more powerful than a distant one, so you must find the Revolutionary Committee in Nanshi to stamp it. If the director of the Revolutionary Committee there can write an official letter in person, that would be even better."
He Tiantian bent down to greet Secretary Qi and Niu Dajun, saying, "Thank you, Secretary Qi, Brother Dajun, and Sister Xiaoyan."
"Go quickly. If you don't have enough money, I have some here. Here you go," Secretary Qi said. This time, he wanted to use He Tiantian's matter to teach Qi Shuli and Qi Jianguo, this arrogant uncle and nephew, a lesson.
"No need, I have money." He Tiantian said. "Brother Niu, the bus to Nanshi is at 8 pm. Brother Dajun, could you take me to the train station by bicycle? That way I can catch the train tonight. I know it's far and tiring, but I will repay you."
Niu Dajia was speechless and scolded, "What are you saying? You're Xiaoyan's friend, so you're my friend. Giving you a ride is nothing!"
Qi Xiaoyan was very grateful for Niu Dajun's generosity!
"Thank you, thank you." He Tiantian thanked her repeatedly. After saying that, she hurriedly went home to get her things, money, and several dried wild rabbits and pheasants from her space. She put them all in her bag, took out a change of clothes, wrote a leave note, told Grandma Qi that something had happened at home, and then rushed back to Secretary Qi's house.
Qi Xiaoyan made two bowls of noodles, a large bowl for Niu Dajun and a small bowl for He Tiantian, each with a poached egg inside.
Niu Dajun and He Tiantian didn't stand on ceremony and ate heartily.
Secretary Qi had already taken He Tiantian's leave application form, had it stamped at the village branch, and made two copies—one for He Tiantian to take with her, and one for Secretary Qi at the village committee. There was also a letter of introduction stamped with the village branch's official seal. Without this paper, one couldn't buy a train ticket, couldn't stay in a guesthouse, and faced all sorts of inconveniences while traveling.
After finishing their meal, He Tiantian sat on the back of Qi Dajun's bicycle and headed to the county's train station.
Niu Dajun pulled some strings to buy He Tiantian a ticket, and it was even a sleeper ticket.
This shows the importance of interpersonal relationships. Although it's a bit expensive, it's very comfortable!
"Thank you so much, Brother Niu," He Tiantian said gratefully. "If it weren't for you and Secretary Qi, I wouldn't have made it through this ordeal."
“You’re Xiaoyan’s friend, so you’re my friend too. Don’t say that again. Don’t feel bad about it. My cousin works there. If you need to buy a train ticket, just tell me.” Niu Dajun said smugly. “It’s already seven o’clock. Come on, I’ll buy you some food to take on the way.”
Previously, He Tiantian was too anxious to pay attention, but now that she was relaxed, she understood the deeper meaning in Niu Dajun's words. It seemed that every time Niu Dajun helped her, he was very enthusiastic, but each time he said it was because she was Qi Xiaoyan's friend. This... this seems to go beyond the scope of concern for the leader's sister, doesn't it?
But considering Qi Xiaoyan's kindness and Niu Dajun's honesty, and the fact that they are four years apart in age, they seem quite suitable!
“Brother Niu, you don’t need to buy it. I brought money, I’ll buy it myself.” He Tiantian refused and followed Niu Dajun to a nearby place where they bought fried dough sticks and eggs, filled a kettle with boiling water, and spent a total of ninety cents.
He Tiantian refused Niu Dajun's offer to pay, and Niu Dajun didn't insist on paying either. Remembering how Niu Dajun always insisted on paying whenever Qi Xiaoyan was around? He probably wanted to impress Qi Xiaoyan!
Thinking of this, He Tiantian chuckled.
Haha, that's good. As long as Qi Xiaoyan doesn't stay with Li Mingkai, being with any other man will change her fate. She won't commit suicide by jumping into the river again, right?
Niu Dajun saw He Tiantian off onto the train, and as the train was about to depart, He Tiantian called out to Niu Dajun outside the window, "Brother Dajun, there's a package on your bicycle. The contents are for you. Thank you and Sister Lili for your kindness in helping me."
"You're too kind," Niu Dajun said politely. He was about to say something more when he saw the train speeding up and pulling away from the train station.
He Tiantian reached out from the train and waved goodbye. (To be continued.)
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