Xia Lan nodded, adopting an impartial and law-abiding demeanor, "Don't panic, everyone. We will not wrong any good person, nor will we let any bad person go unpunished."
She then asked, "Who is Chen Yunyun? Step forward."
Chen Yunyun remained calm and walked up the path cleared by the crowd. "That's me."
Xia Lan glanced at her and asked, "Is the information in this whistleblower letter true?"
Everyone's eyes were fixed intently on Chen Yunyun.
She remained remarkably calm, even her tone of voice was detached and indifferent, without any heated argument.
Before answering your question, I would like to ask Comrade Xia Lan a question.
"Huh? She even has questions to ask an official? How dare she!" Auntie San, hiding behind the crowd, spat.
Xia Lan folded the letter of complaint in her hand and said frankly, "Ask away."
"If someone writes a false accusation against me, can I also report them?"
Chen Yunyun's gaze swept over the crowd of villagers watching the spectacle behind her, lingering a little longer on Lin Li's face.
Behind Xia Lan, another tall, thin middle-aged cadre answered Chen Yunyun, "Of course, as I said before, we never let any bad person go unpunished, nor do we wrong any good person."
Having received confirmation, Chen Yunyun slightly curved the corners of her mouth, "Then I won't admit it!"
"The contents of the whistleblower letter are all false."
"Every word, every punctuation mark, is an attempt to frame me!"
These words caused an uproar.
There's no way around it, Chen Yunyun's words were just too domineering.
She speaks with a strong and clear voice, as if each word is striking people's hearts.
The children's eyes were practically sparkling with excitement; their godmother was so powerful and majestic!
A barely perceptible smile flickered in Xia Lan's eyes. She had been worried about Chen Yunyun, but it seemed she had been overthinking it.
Since Comrade Chen Yunyun was prepared in advance, she might as well play along and put on a show.
"Since you say the whistleblower letter is fake, then produce the evidence!"
Xia Lan's words enlightened everyone.
There were indeed rumors in the village that Chen Yunyun beat and abused the children, but no one had actually seen it.
"Yes, we need evidence. You say you haven't hit the child, so why do so many people in the village say you have?"
Chen Yunyun waved to a corner of the crowd, and the three little ones walked over in everyone's sight.
Sanwa reached out to Chen Yunyun for a hug, and Chen Yunyun picked him up.
Da Wa and Niu Niu each leaned against Chen Yunyun's side, very dependent on her.
“My evidence is right here.”
Everyone took a look and was stunned.
These are Xu Zhijun's three children.
The dolls usually wear patched clothes, and no one really noticed.
Looking closely today, I realize how well Chen Yunyun has raised her child.
The eldest child is only eight years old, but he's already almost as tall as Tiger, the son of Team Leader Zhang.
When did Niu Niu grow up to be so beautiful? Her skin is fair and tender, and her hair is black and shiny. You could easily mistake her for a city girl.
And then there was the youngest child, the third child, whose chubby little hands resting on Chen Yunyun's shoulder had four little dimples.
What exactly did Chen Yunyun feed the children? They are all so energetic and beautiful.
Looking at Chen Yunyun herself, her wrists were as thin as hemp rope, and her face was sallow and pale.
Isn't this the kind mother who scrimps and saves to provide her children with the best food and drink?!
There are still people reporting this? It's outrageous!
The villagers, including the comrades from the commune, all had eyes to see how well the children were growing up, and how thin and frail Chen Yunyun herself was.
It becomes clear that the so-called whistleblower letter is nothing but absurdity.
Chen Yunyun rolled up the children's sleeves, "Look, everyone."
"If I really did abort the child, there would be some kind of mark left, right?"
The children's arms were clean and without any injuries, which made everyone believe it a little more.
Once he's presented his "evidence," a tragic turn of events is about to unfold.
Chen Yunyun knew this all too well. She wiped her eyes with her sleeve, but the chili water stung them, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.
“I married into Xujia Village. Zhijun was always in the army, so it was just me, my parents-in-law, and the children who depended on each other for survival.”
“My in-laws treat me better than my own mother, so how could I bear to harm a member of the Xu family?”
"Adults, when they're hungry, they just endure it. If there's something to eat, they prioritize the children. That's how the children were raised."
"The weather was too cold this year for Chinese New Year, and there was no food at home."
“If it weren’t for the help from Team Leader Zhang and the villagers, who would give me some radishes here and some grain there, my mother and I would have starved to death in the freezing cold long ago.”
"Fortunately, the village has undergone reforms, allowing even a woman like me to earn work points to support my family!"
"Life was finally looking up, and I don't know which damned person is messing with me and trying to frame me like this!"
"I've lived an innocent life, and I've never suffered such a great injustice!"
"I don't want to live anymore!"
Chen Yunyun put the three children down and suddenly grabbed Xia Lan's hand. "Comrade, after I leave, please send these children to their father's army unit."
Amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd, Chen Yunyun recited a line of poetry: "I fear not being shattered to pieces, but only wish to leave behind my innocence in the world."
After reciting the poem with great sorrow, Chen Yunyun ran towards the big tree, shouting, "Grandma, I've come to see you!"
What a wonderful saying, "To leave behind a pure reputation!" Well said!
Some of the women were moved to tears, and even Xia Lan's eyes were moist.
Seeing that Chen Yunyun was about to crash into the tree, the villagers rushed forward and stopped her.
"Little Chen, you silly girl, you must never do anything foolish!"
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