Before he could finish speaking, the old professor noticed Xu Ningyan's expression change and inwardly cried out in alarm. He had specifically instructed him beforehand not to mention the matter of exoneration. "Don't mention exoneration," he thought, "there will be plenty of time in the future. Why ask about this on our first meeting?"
She agreed so readily when she came out, why did she go back on her word halfway through? Both anxious and angry, he quickly interrupted, "Alright, Lao Xing, whether or not the case is overturned is a matter for the higher-ups. What could a young girl like Comrade Xu possibly know? Why are you making things difficult for her?"
He then apologized to Xu Ningyan, saying, "Comrade Xu, we're so sorry! We were so presumptuous! Please don't hold it against us, we'll leave right away, we definitely won't cause you any trouble—"
As he spoke, he winked at the man and woman next to him, signaling them to quickly drag the person away.
Old Xing's face flushed red. "Why can't we just ask? Her husband was exonerated, so why can't we just ask—"
Xu Ningyan sneered: "If you say one more word, there will be absolutely no hope for cotton and cloth. Do you believe me?"
Old Xing swallowed the rest of his words with a gulp, along with his saliva and resentment, and didn't dare to make a sound.
He was also looking at Xu Ningyan, a young girl, and since she was all alone, and everyone had just begged her, and she seemed easy to talk to, he felt that they could take things a step further.
Unexpectedly, this seemingly gentle and thin-skinned girl turned out to be a tough nut to crack, capable of turning on anyone at any moment.
He dared not say another word, knowing that he was one of the few people without a quilt or winter clothes.
If you really offend Xu Ningyan and she stops helping you, you probably won't even make it through autumn, let alone winter.
This cannot be overturned. Compared to not surviving the winter, life is definitely more important.
Naturally, they dared not utter a sound.
The old professor apologized several more times.
Looking at the old professor, whose hair was already gray, bowing so humbly to apologize to her, Xu Ningyan felt an indescribable sadness and heartache.
Avoiding the old professor's bow, he said calmly, "You can leave now. If you linger any longer, I might really change my mind—"
The old professor and his companions dared not linger any longer and quickly took their leave.
As for what happened after we got back, when everyone held a meeting and gave Lao Xing a serious scolding, and told everyone to be more careful in the future, that's another story.
After closing the door, Xu Ningyan let out a long sigh of relief.
When you read about these big shots in other people's books, they are either aloof and proud, cautious and wary, or crazy and suicidal.
But I've never seen anyone like that old Xing, who's so arrogant and overbearing.
I'm also glad that I didn't agree to their demands right away, but instead planned to resolve the issue through the brigade headquarters.
Otherwise, I'm afraid that if I agree to this, I might be entangled with them the very next day.
Even if they become extraordinary after being exonerated, it will still be several years before they are exonerated, so she should stay as far away from them as possible.
After all, she is such a selfish person, and the purpose of her actions is to protect herself and make her life better.
I'd be happy to lend a hand if I could, without putting myself in a difficult position, but I would never go to such lengths for a big shot, putting myself in danger!
Even a big shot like Gu Zhiyuan, who possesses both beauty and wisdom, couldn't let her get involved in this mess, let alone this group of old and weak people?
The next day, Xu Ningyan strolled over to the brigade headquarters.
The brigade leader and the party secretary were smoking and worrying. A few days ago it rained, the cowshed leaked, and those people were short of quilts. They were not as strong as the villagers, and several of them actually fell ill from the cold.
Although I heard that there was an old doctor among them who went up the mountain to collect herbs and cured them almost completely.
But what if autumn and winter come?
Although the Tuanjie Brigade grows cotton, even when it's cotton-picking season, the cotton must first be delivered to meet the quota. Each household also has its own needs, so where would they find room to give to those black five categories elements who have been sent down to the countryside?
Upon seeing Xu Ningyan arrive, both of them brightened up.
Everyone knows Xu Ningyan's character, so they skipped the formalities and directly asked if he could find a way to get some cotton or something.
Xu Ningyan looked troubled and thought for a while before finally speaking: "I need to go back and find out before I can give you any news! But let me make this clear first, it might not be new cotton, could you accept the second-hand kind?"
The brigade leader waved his hand: "It's good enough if we can even get one. Do they dare to be picky? Which family has extras right now? It's already a miracle if we can get a second-hand one!"
The Party Secretary thought a little further: "Siya, if you can get some cotton, even secondhand cotton will do. We can get it ourselves, fluff it again, and it will be clean! Many families in the brigade are short of cotton. If you can get more, bring some to our brigade too?"
Xu Ningyan nodded: "Okay, if I can get some, I'll get as much as I can! Uncle, just name a number, and I'll try my best."
The Party Secretary and the brigade leader discussed it for half a day and finally came up with a number: "Over at the cowshed, there are at least four quilts weighing seven jin each, plus the ones used to make cotton-padded coats, so it'll be at least seven or eight jin. In our brigade, I estimate it'll be twenty or thirty jin. Just keep that in mind. Get what you can, and if you can't, don't get yourself into trouble—"
The Party Secretary and the Brigade Leader had also heard that there was a black market in the county town where you could get good things that you couldn't buy at the supply and marketing cooperatives or department stores outside.
They have no connections and don't know the area, so Xu Ningyan is probably taking a risk.
Naturally, Xu Ningyan's safety is the top priority.
Xu Ningyan agreed and then explained his purpose: "I will keep this in mind. If I find anything, I will ask someone to send a message to you. Then you can take the money to the county town! But I came to see you two uncles today for something important."
When asked if they had important business to discuss, the Party Secretary and the Brigade Leader patted their chests and said, "Just tell us what it is. We'll do whatever it takes to get it done."
Just because Xu Ningyan promised to help them solve this big problem, they were willing to agree as long as it wasn't too outrageous.
Xu Ningyan smiled and said, "I'm going back to work in a couple of days, right? Before I leave, I'd like to ask Brother Dahu and the others to help me collect the things on my private plot. I want to take back that plot."
The brigade leader and the village secretary were taken aback. After exchanging glances, the village secretary cautiously asked, "Siya, your private plot was taken care of by Aunt Xie, and she's been managing it quite well! Why are you suddenly taking it back?"
Xu Ningyan smiled wryly: "Captain, Party Secretary, please don't ask anymore—"
He looked troubled.
The brigade leader wanted to say something, but the Party Secretary grabbed his sleeve, and he changed his words: "So, will the private plots just be left empty from now on?"
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