"Just consider this my whim. Once they leave, I'll go with you to see a doctor. Otherwise, I won't feel at ease."
"If they actually catch something this time, then everyone here will be living in misery from now on."
"I can't just leave it like this, because there are people inside who I need to protect." That's why she insisted on staying here.
Otherwise, she would definitely choose her own child without hesitation.
But... she can't now.
"Okay," Zhang Qinghua replied in a hoarse voice. In an instant, it felt as if his throat ligaments had been strained, and his voice sounded like glass colliding, which was unpleasant.
"I'm sorry," Song Lili said softly, her eyes moist.
She never wanted this; she was forced into it by circumstances.
"Director, Wang Shan is here." A dozen minutes later, Wang Shan walked over with a boy and a girl.
The boy and girl were sent by Xiao Yue to find Wang Shan. Song Lili stared at the boy with a cold look in her eyes. Was she afraid that Wang Shan would not dare to come?
Ha, Wang Shan is really stupid.
Do you hate her that much? So much that you'd rather offend the whole village than let her get away with it?
Little did Song Lili know that Wang Shan had only revealed the secret because she considered Xiao Yue a good friend and had let it slip.
In Song Lili's eyes, Wang Shan and Xiao Yue had absolutely no connection whatsoever.
"Director, this is Wang Shan, the one I was talking about. She's my friend, and she's the one who told me this news." Xiao Yue quickly introduced Wang Shan to Wu Yi as soon as she saw her.
Then, he walked intimately to Wang Shan's side, took her arm, and said, "Shan Shan, tell me again what you told me a few days ago."
“Xiao Yue, you…” Wang Shan looked at Xiao Yue with resentment, confusion, and sadness in her eyes.
Before meeting Xiao Yue, she always believed that Xiao Yue would not betray her and did not believe what others said.
But reality slapped her hard; the more she trusted Xiao Yue, the harder the slap was.
It was so intense that she felt her blood run cold, as if it were about to freeze, and she felt no vitality or warmth.
She was so ruthless that she couldn't feel herself anymore; her face was numb and wooden.
"I...I don't know what you're talking about." She glanced at Zhang Qinghua, a flicker of fear in her eyes, her pupils covered by a thin mist, obscuring her expression.
"Shanshan, what are you talking about? Didn't you tell me that the people in Hongqi Village were just faking it? That they were just fooling us every time?"
Xiao Yue grew anxious and grabbed Wang Shan, wanting her to give a definite answer.
But would Wang Shan do that?
She recalled Zhang Qinghua saying to her, "If you let Xiao Yue confirm everything you said, do you know what the consequences will be?"
"Your grain rations and household registration are currently in Hongqi Village. Even if you go home, it's impossible. Have you thought about how you want to live your life from now on?"
Zhang Qinghua's words were like a cold hammer, striking her heart unexpectedly and fiercely.
This left her completely unprepared to face a brutal and bloody society, making her realize for the first time that this was not home.
No one is unconditionally kind to her, no one is unconditionally tolerant of her, and no one will forgive her for everything.
In the outside world, mistakes are punished and consequences are borne, but this time, she couldn't bear the consequences.
Those few words terrified her; she feared that, as Zhang Qinghua had said, she would be despised by everyone.
Everything she owns is in Hongqi Village; she can't leave here. She can only endure it.
How could she dare, how could she still be so foolish as to believe Xiao Yue, how could she tell Xiao Yue everything and let her have her way?
This good friend taught her the first lesson of her life that left a deep impression.
"Xiao Yue, how can you talk nonsense? When did I ever say such a thing to you? Don't wrong me."
“Every time it was time for criticism and struggle sessions, the villagers in Hongqi Village took it very seriously, starting early every day and ending in the evening.”
"We've been diligently implementing the instructions from above, determined to be the most proactive people. How can you say that?"
Some of these words were taught to her by Zhang Qinghua, and she memorized them with fear.
At this moment, she spoke in a trembling voice, stumbling over her words, but the effect was surprisingly good.
The trembling voice further indicated Wang Shan's fear, and made everyone feel that Wang Shan was frightened by Xiao Yue's slander.
Song Lili sneered as she watched Xiao Yue stare wide-eyed at Wang Shan in disbelief, her sharpness no longer concealed.
"So that's why you came at this time today. You're here to find something to use against me? I thought Team Leader Xiao was very serious about his work."
"I didn't expect you to come here to catch a thief just because you heard some nonsense somewhere? But did you catch him?"
Song Lili's anger at this moment was genuine and not feigned.
It's all because of this girl, it's all because of her, that's why we have this event today.
If it weren't for Brother Qian's tip, we would have really been caught today.
From then on, life will be tough for everyone here.
Sneaking in to catch a thief red-handed? That's some truly malicious intent.
Zhang Qinghua also said in a deep voice, "Director Wu, what do you mean by this? Are you slandering us for not following the instructions from above?"
"But what evidence do you have? You can't just make us take the blame for this unfounded offense without any proof, can you?"
“If you don’t give us an explanation today, we’re going to take this to the town and demand an explanation from Director Liu.”
“We can’t be wronged by you for no reason. We can’t bear such a crime.”
Song Lili also sneered, "It seems that you people in the Revolutionary Committee only know how to talk nonsense. You never care about evidence, you only follow your own hearts."
"You think anyone you don't like is guilty? Before, it was Luo Juan who accused me of promoting feudal superstition and being a capitalist roader without any evidence."
"Now, here comes another one, saying we're outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, and going against our leaders, is that it?"
"I just want to ask, where is your evidence? Show me the evidence, and I'll admit it."
But is there any evidence?
The only witness, Wang Shan, has also turned against him, denying what she said. Where is the evidence now?
"This..." Wu Yi was stunned by the couple's aggressive manner and was speechless for a moment.
After a long pause, he seemed to realize something and said, "Oh dear, what are you all saying? It's not that serious!"
"Our team leader Xiao just came over to ask someone who was spouting nonsense. He didn't mean to slander you or smear you."
“We all know in our hearts that you are all our good comrades, and you always respond to instructions earnestly and actively.”
"We know all of this, and we won't doubt you at all. This was just a casual question."
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