But unexpectedly, his attempt to steal a chicken backfired, and he ended up getting himself into trouble.
However, Xu Youcai was still relieved. He was relieved that Luo Juan had intervened in the end, and that he hadn't shown up.
Therefore, even if Song Lili harbors resentment, she won't hold it against him.
Xu Youcai was unaware that Song Lili had known about his collaboration with Luo Juan for a long time, and now that one plan had failed, she had come up with another.
Of course, it wasn't his own idea; Luo Juan told him to carry it out.
He sat on his kang (a heated brick bed) and thought about it for a long time before going out.
A few days later, around the time of the first snowfall, rumors began to circulate in Hongqi Village that the elderly people who had been sent there after the New Year were "stinking intellectuals" and capitalists.
At first, only one or two people were talking about it, but eventually more and more people started talking about it, and they were saying it in a very detailed and convincing way.
However, farmers are used to being honest and simple, so even if they say such things behind people's backs, no one thought of reporting them and causing the elderly people to be criticized and denounced.
By the time Song Lili heard about it, almost the entire village knew.
This news was casually mentioned by Song Fang during a meal.
"Sister, everyone says that the grandpas and grandmas living in our brigade are 'stinking intellectuals' and capitalists. Sister, what does 'stinking intellectual' mean?"
Although Song Fang heard people calling her "stinking intellectual" every day, she didn't know what it meant.
But Song Lili didn't answer her. Instead, she stared at her nervously and asked, "Fangfang, who told you all this?"
Song Lili's heart was in turmoil, and her mind went blank for a moment. She couldn't figure out where these rumors came from.
The elderly people have been very low-key since they came to Hongqi Village; no one should be paying attention to them.
At this point, Song Lili couldn't help but wonder if she had dragged them down with her.
She didn't even bother eating anymore. She put down her chopsticks and stared at Song Fang, "Fangfang, where did you hear that from? Tell your sister every single word."
Song Lili was on high alert, knowing that this matter was probably not so simple. Otherwise, why would rumors only start circulating now, after the elderly had been there for so long?
It's obvious that someone deliberately stirred things up and released it, but the final target is unknown—whether it was the elderly people or Song Lili herself.
Song Lili couldn't help but overthink, because Luo Juan had targeted her not long ago, and hadn't made any moves recently.
This is the calm before the storm; what is brewing is the biggest storm, so she has reason to be suspicious.
Song Fang was startled by Song Lili's serious expression, then relaxed and said, "It was Yang Tao who said it."
"She said she heard it from someone when she went to the Third Brigade yesterday, and everyone knows about it and is talking about it."
"The Third Brigade?" And they all know about it? Song Lili's heart grew heavier and heavier. This time, things probably wouldn't end well.
"Lili, how...how could such a rumor have spread? Who is spreading this nonsense?"
Song Yongren knew about the situation of the elderly people, so he was genuinely surprised to hear Song Fang say this, and then he became anxious.
He remembered that Comrade Qian from the town had entrusted them to his daughter. Now that this had happened, what could he do?
Song Jianshe was also anxious. "Lili, why don't we go out and tell everyone that they're not like that?" Otherwise, if they talked too much, the Red Guards would come knocking on their door.
"No, do you think anyone will believe you? Besides, do you even know those elderly people? You have no relation to them whatsoever, so who would believe you?"
"Moreover, if you stand up, you won't help them, and you'll get yourself involved too. You'll be labeled a capitalist, a stinking intellectual. Have you thought about that?"
Song Lili looked at Song Jianshe, who was agitated. She immediately rejected his unreliable suggestion, and was also thinking about how to resolve the issue discreetly.
Of course, there was another person who also opposed Song Jianshe running out. Upon hearing that Song Jianshe would be implicated, he immediately shouted, "No, you can't stand out!"
Xia Niu was terrified by what happened last time. When she heard Song Lili say that Song Jianshe would be implicated, she stopped her without thinking.
She gripped Song Jianshe's arm tightly. "Jianshe, don't go out. Don't worry about them. Lili is right. We have nothing to do with them."
"Besides, they are 'stinking intellectuals' and capitalists, they should be criticized and denounced, let's not get involved, okay?"
As she spoke, she suddenly burst into tears. "You don't want me, Dada, and the sisters to suffer along with you, right?"
Xia Niu was worried that she wasn't important enough, so she also dragged Song Yongren and Song Lili into it, fearing that Song Jianshe might impulsively stand up and argue with others.
Song Jianshe glanced at Xia Niu with a livid face, then secretly stole a look at his younger sister, panting with anger.
Song Yongren's expression was also not good, but he did not show any reaction and just sat silently.
Compared to these two, Song Lili was much more direct, scoffing, "If you're afraid of death, just admit it. What makes you think about us?"
"If you really cared about us, you wouldn't have done so many heartless things after marrying into the family, so please stop trying to make yourself look good, okay?"
"If you openly admit that you are afraid of being implicated, I will admire you and think you are an upright person."
The elderly people treated Song Lili very well, and Song Lili had long regarded them as her own grandparents.
Now that Song Lili heard Xia Niu say that she didn't care whether they lived or died, and even hinted that she would run out and kick them if necessary, how could she not be furious?
Therefore, she simply couldn't help it, nor did she want to.
“Xia Niu, I always thought you were just a little timid, didn’t know what was important, and were a bit petty because your mother had been nagging you.”
"I never expected you to be so cruel. So many people, and you..."
Finally, Song Lili didn't want to say anything more and said directly to Song Jianshe, "Brother, take your wife and leave quickly. I don't want to see her or you right now."
"Otherwise, I'm afraid I won't be able to control myself and will hit her, and that won't look good."
Hmph, what kind of thing is that, to say such a thing? If we really have to compare, ten Xia Niu cannot compare to any of these old men.
After Song Jianshe and the other man left, Song Lili took a few deep breaths before saying to the worried Song Yongren, "Uncle, I'm going to town tomorrow."
"Go to the First Brigade tomorrow, talk to Uncle Weimin and the secretary and a few others about the situation. I'm afraid this matter will be difficult to resolve."
“I’ll also discuss with Brother Qian how to resolve this matter so that the elderly people can be safe and sound.”
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