Chapter 9.1

Her words made not only the team leader but also the villagers realize that this matter was serious.

Fighting among villagers was common, but it was the first time someone like Ruan Mingfu demanded to report to the police.

Villagers thought this young woman didn’t know how to handle things.

“Ruan Mingfu, I will give you justice,” the team leader quickly responded, afraid she wouldn’t relent, “I believe both of you are good people, it’s just that the villagers don’t understand and take rumors seriously. Don’t worry, I’ll make them stop talking.”

So, is it possible not to report to the police?

Reporting to the police might feel satisfying for now, but it could ruin the village’s chances for the year-end advanced team evaluation.

“Report to the police then!” Xu Pandi sat on the ground, looking at the glamorous Ruan Mingfu and feeling even more furious inside, “Ruan Mingfu’s actions should not be overlooked.”

The team leader was almost driven mad by Xu Pandi, wishing he could slap her to silence her.

“Shut up, did Ruan Mingfu provoke you or something? All you do is cause trouble.”

The villagers began to murmur.

“Team leader, don’t report to the police.”

“If anyone reports to the police, they should be kicked out of the village!”

“These educated youth are nothing but troublemakers, better to send them back to the G committee…”

The educated youth in the courtyard turned pale.

Those sent back to the village would be sent to even more difficult places. Now, the educated youth at the educated youth camp looked at Xu Pandi with disdain.

“No, it must be reported to the police!” Ruan Mingfu was very clear that if the issue wasn’t resolved today, it would be even harder to investigate later.

The team leader sighed, “Ruan Mingfu, please understand our situation. Having the police in the village will have a bad impact, and it could affect our village’s evaluation at the end of the year.”

Though the rewards for being advanced weren’t much, the prestige was significant, and it was easier for villagers to find good matches.

“Exactly, no need to report to the police!”

“It’s just a few idle words, no harm done. What’s the big deal?”

“If she weren’t involved with people inappropriately, how would such rumors even come about?”

“Exactly…”

Hearing the villagers’ comments, Ruan Mingfu felt even more determined to report to the police.

Rumors are like knives, they can drive someone to death, and there are plenty of examples of that. These people are ignorant and foolish, thinking they can say whatever they want just because there are many of them. If she doesn’t clear this up, she’ll end up with that tarnished label on her head.

If she remains unclear about this and has to stay here for another two years, she’ll be drowned in these accusations.

Ruan Mingfu was adamant, “No, this involves my personal reputation and that of the military comrades. This matter must be dealt with seriously.”

Seeing her firm stance, the team leader looked over at Xie Yanzhao.

“Look…”

Ruan Mingfu turned to Xie Yanzhao, her eyes carrying a threatening undertone.

Xie Yanzhao: “Team leader, I agree with Comrade Ruan.”

It’s over, the year-end evaluation is a lost cause.

The team leader shot a fierce glare at the troublemaker, Xu Pandi, and, constrained by Xie Yanzhao’s authority, had to agree.

The villagers watching were getting anxious.

“Team leader, you can’t agree to this.”

“That’s right, why should we bear the consequences of the educated youth’s problems?”

“If you ask me, those old women in the village need to be dealt with too, always gossiping about everyone…”

“This is not the time to discuss that…”

Xie Yanzhao looked at Xu Zhu, who immediately went to report to the police.

“Xu Pandi, you’ll be assigned to pick manure at the pigsty tomorrow!” The team leader was displeased and found Xu Pandi even more annoying.

Xu Pandi was furious.

She had been beaten, and now she was being sent to muck out the pigsty!

“Team leader, this is unfair!”

The team leader scolded, “When the educated youth fight, they get punished by picking up manure at the pigsty, is that not fair?”

Xu Pandi protested, “But what about Ruan Mingfu? She fought too. Why should I pick up manure at the pigsty and she doesn’t have to?”

“You both will…”

“Team leader, you can’t say that,” Ruan Mingfu’s face was taut, her eyes filled with hostility as she looked at Xu Pandi.

If Xu Pandi had brought this upon herself, she had only herself to blame.

“If Xu Pandi hadn’t caused trouble, I wouldn’t have fought with her, and I wouldn’t be reporting to the police. All this is Xu Pandi’s fault. Not asking for compensation from her was my kindness. I won’t let anyone bully me just because I’m a straightforward person.”

The team leader: “……”

Xie Yanzhao: “……”

Straightforward person, are you sure?

Ruan Mingfu continued, “I believe that after this incident, Xu Pandi will definitely understand her mistake. It wouldn’t be right to keep punishing her. Team leader, I’ll intercede for Xu Pandi, suggesting a three-month punishment. We’re all part of the same community, minor quarrels are normal.”

The team leader: “……”

He had only wanted to punish Xu Pandi for three days, but you’re the one being harsh.

Hu Lihong was shocked by these words.

So ruthless, too ruthless!

She should not have offended her.

“You, you…” Xu Pandi was genuinely enraged this time, pointing at Ruan Mingfu, unable to find words. Her face was red with anger, though her dark skin made it less noticeable.

Picking out manure from the pigsty was a rotation job in the village. Although it earned a lot of work points, it was dirty and tiring.

For villagers, any job that didn’t earn full work points was less desirable.

Xie Yanzhao found it amusing.

What a vengeful little fox.

“Alright, we’ll do it as Ruan Mingfu suggested,” the team leader, not wanting to let Xu Pandi off the hook, agreed, “You also have to go to work tomorrow!”

Ruan Mingfu: “…… I understand.”

What a pity, her pleasant leisure days were over.

Xu Pandi wanted to keep causing trouble but knew she was out of favor. Sullenly closing her mouth, she didn’t forget to glare at Ruan Mingfu.

When Xu Zhu arrived with the police, the villagers hadn’t left.

The police officer, a man in his thirties, walked up to Xie Yanzhao as soon as he saw him, “Old Xie, long time no see.”

Xie Yanzhao showed a slight smile, indicating a good relationship with this person.

“…… Old Xu filled me in on the way. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely find out who’s spreading the rumors.”

The man glanced at Ruan Mingfu as he spoke.

Ruan Mingfu was puzzled, sensing something significant in the look.

Xie Yanzhao’s voice was low, “I’ll leave this matter to you.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it!”

Ruan Mingfu didn’t pay further attention.

Professional matters should be handled by professionals. She just wanted to know the outcome.

**