Smoke curled from the chimneys in the production team's kitchen as a large iron pot was set up to steam white rice for the day.
Most of the rice in the paddy fields has been harvested.
The villagers were drooling as they worked, drawn by the delicious aroma.
Ling Huanwu was absentmindedly cutting rice, her right eyelid twitching, and she had a feeling that something big was about to happen.
Several women who usually work at the breeding farm came to work at the production team because there was no work at the breeding farm.
Several people gathered together, cutting rice while expressing their indignation on Ling Huanwu's behalf. "Comrade Ling, your own parents and that adopted sister spread rumors about you and even poisoned the rice. How could they just let you go like this? It's outrageous!"
"I heard they hired a lawyer from the city. That lawyer is really capable; he can turn black into white. That woman surnamed Song is ruthless; she even accused her own husband of being a spy. I wonder if it's true?"
"Don't be sad, Ling-mei. Your aunties support you. They'll definitely get their comeuppance..."
Just as the aunties were trying to comfort Ling Huanwu, they heard the production team leader standing on the edge of the field with a loudspeaker announcing, "Today, higher-level leaders are coming down for an inspection. I heard they'll be arriving at the dock soon. Everyone, be on your best and make sure the leaders see the hardworking and resilient spirit of the people of Stone Village..."
Before he could finish speaking, a villager who had gone to the army to inquire rushed back, interrupting him.
Ling Huanwu watched as the newcomer and the production team leader whispered to each other.
The captain's expression grew increasingly grim as he listened, and when he turned to meet Ling Huanwu's gaze, the worry on his face was almost palpable.
Ling Huanwu's heart skipped a beat, and she instantly realized that something had happened again. She put down her sickle and rushed to the dock.
Not far away, Qin Jinshen, who was pretending to harvest rice, wiped the sweat from his forehead, tossed the sickle in his hand to the guard, and followed after Ling Huanwu as she ran away.
The sea breeze howled on the dock.
The seawater, carrying a salty, fishy vapor, rushed in, and the banner hanging on the mast fluttered in the wind.
When Ling Huanwu arrived, she heard Song Yaoyao demanding that Zhou Jiuzhen divorce her.
She paused, looking at the man standing like a pine tree by the sea, anxiously awaiting his answer.
The sea breeze tousled his black hair, making it sway wildly and glisten with tiny bits of sea salt.
He raised his hand and pressed down on the bulging hem of his clothes, the movement causing the fabric to flutter.
Finally, Zhou Jiuzhen opened his mouth and calmly and clearly uttered a single word: "Good."
This word felt like countless needles piercing her chest, causing her heart to ache with a dense, persistent pain.
Just as she turned away dejectedly, preparing to leave quietly, a voice behind her shouted "You good-for-nothing!" like a slap in the back, making her choke on her morning peanut soup and nearly spit it out. She even stumbled and fell into a mud puddle.
"Just because you want me to get a divorce, does that mean I have to? Military marriages are sacred and inviolable, don't you understand?"
"Since I was able to get a marriage certificate with my wife, she must have passed the political vetting and be clean. But you three, I heard you're still on bail. Aren't you afraid of being arrested again for making baseless accusations?"
Ling Huanwu got up from the mud pit in a disheveled state and turned around excitedly. She saw Zhou Jiuzhen, a big, burly man, standing there, pointing to the sky and the ground like a jumping tiger, and unleashing a barrage of fire at Song Yaoyao.
He's practically the male version of a mother-in-law, and his sharp retorts are truly earth-shattering.
"Furthermore, you're using these tactics to threaten public officials into divorce? Do you think I'm afraid of you? Do you think our commander is a pushover who would be fooled by you rumor-mongers..."
The three people standing opposite were dumbfounded, stunned by Zhou Jiuzhen's scolding.
Commander Huo, who had been leading a group of men to charge off the escort boat with great momentum, instantly calmed down considerably upon hearing Zhou Jiuzhen's flattery.
"Commander Zhou, what's going on? Explain this to me!"
Commander Huo slowly strolled over, his hawk-like eyes sweeping over the three men holding banners and megaphones as if they could see through everything.
"We...we..."
Ling's parents were frightened by Zhou Jiuzhen's words and stammered, not daring to say anything more.
It was Song Yaoyao who stepped forward, supporting her pregnant belly, looking completely unfazed. "Commander, Regiment Commander Zhou's wife is using small favors like farming techniques to bewitch the entire village. They're falsely accusing us of poisoning the rice. Please, Commander, do us justice!"
Ling's parents stared wide-eyed at Song Yaoyao, clearly not expecting her to turn the tables.
Everyone present knew about the previous poisoning incident, in which Ling's parents were arrested on the spot, and Song Yaoyao confessed on the spot.
With such irrefutable evidence, how could she possibly lie through her teeth and pin the poisoning charge on Ling Huanwu?
Commander Huo, of course, would not listen to just one side of the story; he would only help her seek justice if she produced evidence.
He also stated that if Zhou Jiuzhen was at fault, he would be severely punished.
Song Yaoyao looked in the direction of the Stone Village production team, a confident smile playing on her lips. "Of course I have evidence. The evidence is in the rice paddies. Come with me and you'll see!"
Zhou Jiuzhen and Political Commissar Hao exchanged a glance, feeling that something was amiss, but they had no choice but to accompany them to the Stone Village production team.
Hiding behind the stone tablet, Ling Huanwu's heart skipped a beat, and she vaguely guessed that something had happened in Stone Village as well.
Without thinking twice, she took a shortcut and ran back.
Along the way, she thought of many ways Song Yaoyao would frame her, but she never expected that she would do something so heinous.
Fortunately, she returned to the production team before Commander Huo and the others.
When she saw the terrible state of her team, she almost lost her balance.
Only then did she realize that Song Yaoyao's method of framing her was to drag the entire village down with her!
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