Self-Criticism  

According to the rules, work is for six days, and Sunday is a rest day. 

That morning, the Houtouwan Brigade was particularly lively because the two individuals at the center of a recent commotion were set to hold a self-criticism meeting. 

Neither of them had a good reputation within the team. 

Zhang Hui had always been arrogant. She came from a family with strong connections and had relatives all over the county, which was likely why she had managed to secure a position as a primary school teacher so easily. She looked down on this impoverished rural area and remained indifferent toward the other educated youths, except for Meng Yuanzheng. 

Perhaps it’s because Meng Yuanzheng also came from a big city. He’s good-looking, knows how to dress, and speaks like an educated person. 

But there was another reason—Zhang Hui had a past grudge with Meng Yuanzheng’s wife, Lin Miaoyin. 

At that time, she had just arrived in Houtouwan. With the goal of entering university in the future, she knew she had to get along well with the locals. Although she felt some disdain, she still handed out some fruit candies she had brought with her to a group of children and young women. 

Lin Miaoyin, being the captain’s daughter, naturally received a few as well. While the others carefully placed them in their pockets, either to share with their families or to enjoy later in the evening, Lin Miaoyin was different. She immediately unwrapped one and put it into her mouth. Unfortunately, it was a mint candy. 

For those who didn’t like it, mint could be quite unpleasant. She immediately frowned and said without hesitation, “What kind of candy is this? It’s so awful!” 

She swallowed it with a look of disgust. 

Zhang Hui was irritated. A poor village girl like her had probably never even tasted fruit candy in her life, yet she dared to complain? If she didn’t like it, she shouldn’t eat it! Why did she swallow it? 

From then on, she began to dislike Lin Miaoyin. 

Back then, Zhang Hui had no close friends in the village and found life difficult. The other educated youths she arrived with were scattered across different brigades, and many had already found partners. 

With a partner, she could ask her partner to help with daily tasks, and they could take care of and support each other. It seemed like a good arrangement, so she started considering it for herself. 

After searching for a while, she set her sights on Meng Yuanzheng. He was the only one in the team who caught her eye. But who would have known that Meng Yuanzheng would turn around and marry Lin Miaoyin! 

Why marry this village girl when there are so many other options? Zhang Hui was furious, especially when she saw the two of them walking on the road, with Lin Miaoyin hanging on his arm and him looking impatient. She felt even more disgusted, and at the same time, she wondered if he was forced. 

When rumors spread across the brigade about the couple constantly arguing and even fighting, her suspicions only deepened. 

After both of them became elementary school teachers, her feelings for him grew even stronger. On top of that, Meng Yuanzheng’s subtle teasing made her feel like she had completely fallen for him. 

But she never expected that before she could truly have him, Lin Miaoyin, that shrew, would come storming in. Not only did she embarrass her in public, but she also forced her into a situation where she had no choice but to push her into the pond. 

She was slapped a few times but didn’t get any compensation. Instead, she was given a serious warning. Now, she even had to deliver a public self-criticism. 

She couldn’t swallow the humiliation. Clenching her fists tightly, she forced herself to act as if nothing had happened. 

In contrast, Lin Miaoyin and Meng Yuanzheng were both very relaxed. One of them had completely forgotten what she had done, and the other thought it was no big deal. After all, it was just a self-criticism. With his father present, who would dare throw rotten vegetables at him? 

On Sunday morning, at the usual gathering place for large meetings, a stage was set up at the front with several chairs placed below. Sitting there were the team leader, vice-team leader, secretary, militia leader, and the women’s director. Surrounding the stage were hundreds of villagers. 

These people all had expressions of gloating. After all, that’s human nature. Among so many educated youths at the time, Meng Yuanzheng and Zhang Hui were the ones who stood out the most. Now that they had been caught in an improper relationship and had to publicly self-criticize, people were excited to see how they would react. 

Lin Miaoyin glanced around, knowing exactly what the crowd was thinking. She simply patted Meng Yuanzheng on the shoulder and straightened his collar for him. “Don’t be afraid when you go up there. Just say what needs to be said and reflect sincerely. Everyone will forgive you.” 

“Mm.” Meng Yuanzheng lowered his head, looking at the woman tidying his collar. He asked softly, “Then will you forgive me?” 

Lin Miaoyin paused and looked up at him. His gaze was sincere and unwavering, with his dark eyes fixed on hers. “I’ll forgive you if you reflect well on your mistakes.” She smiled. “Go up, they’re ready.” 

Meng Yuanzheng walked up calmly, standing straight with his back straight, with an air of being as calm as a mountain and unmoved by any storm. 

With his good looks and righteous expression, he almost resembled a heroic figure on the verge of execution. 

Lin Miaoyin looked up at him with a smile in her eyes. She moved over and stood behind Father Lin. If anyone threw vegetable leaves behind her, she would stop them. 

Zhu Wanqin was also in the crowd. Beside her, Jin Chengren chuckled, “With that demeanor, Meng Yuanzheng doesn’t look like someone here for self-criticism at all.” 

How did this person appear next to her? Zhu Wanqin quietly moved away and frowned. “Then what does he look like?” 

“Like… like an officer who came to inspect the countryside last time.” Jin Chengren’s eyes held a trace of admiration. He felt that this whole thing might be a misunderstanding. From what he had seen, Meng Yuanzheng and Lin Miaoyin seemed to have a good relationship, and he didn’t think he was the type to be involved in anything improper. 

Zhu Wanqin just stared at the person on stage, looking really curious. 

Zhang Hui and Meng Yuanzheng stepped onto the stage and stood a few steps apart. She clasped her hands, bit her lip slightly, and couldn’t help but glance at him. Meng Yuanzheng met her gaze but ignored it. Instead, he focused his attention on Lin Miaoyin in the audience. 

Lin Miaoyin naturally also saw Zhang Hui’s actions. She curled her lips slightly and mouthed to Meng Yuanzheng, “Don’t be afraid.” 

“Let’s start. Zhang Hui, you go first,” Secretary Li announced. 

Zhang Hui lowered her head slightly and spoke in a flat tone. “Respected leaders, members of the brigade party committee, and fellow comrades, I am Zhang Hui, an educated youth assigned to Houtouwan Brigade. During my time as a teacher at the commune elementary school, I developed an improper relationship with Comrade Meng Yuanzheng. Additionally, I pushed Comrade Lin Miaoyin into the pond. I have let down the Party and the organization, which have nurtured and educated me for so many years. I am deeply remorseful and will now conduct a thorough self-criticism of my actions…” 

She then spent a few minutes briefly explaining how she met Meng Yuanzheng, what had happened between them, how Lin Miaoyin discovered it, and how their conflict led to her pushing Lin Miaoyin into the pond. 

“Please accept my self-criticism and give me a chance to reform. I will…” 

As she finished speaking, a few middle-aged women threw rotten vegetable leaves at her head, some of which struck her face and head. She covered her face with her hands, unable to bear it any longer, and began crying. 

This habit has been passed down through the years, so everyone sees it as completely normal. If you make a mistake, being hit with some rotten vegetable leaves is considered a light punishment. 

A newly arrived female educated youth commented, “If Lin Miaoyin hit her, shouldn’t she also have to do a self-criticism?” 

“That’s right, hitting someone shouldn’t just be ignored.” 

Lin Miaoyin turned around and saw the three female educated youths from a few days ago looking at her. Cui Fen whispered beside her, “Ignore them.” 

Lin Miaoyin smiled at them, making the three of them look uncomfortable and afraid to speak anymore. 

At this time, Meng Yuanzheng stepped forward, stood up straight, ignored the rotten vegetable that hit his leg, and said in a clear, loud voice, “Respected leaders, members of the brigade party committee…” 

The beginning is similar to Zhang Hui’s, but when he talked about Lin Miaoyin discovering their affair and the conflict, it was not like what Zhang Hui said—that Lin Miaoyin beat her. 

Rather, he said that he beat Zhang Hui to avoid responsibility and to get Lin Miaoyin’s forgiveness. 

The entire crowd was stunned. Zhang Hui stared at him in disbelief. “What did you say? So many people saw it. It was clearly Lin Miaoyin who hit me, so I pushed her! They can all testify to it!” 

The people in the audience kept their heads down, pretending not to hear. Only a fool would come out to testify for her. If they offended Captain Lin, they would be courting death. 

Meng Yuanzheng looked at her calmly and said, “I hit you. I apologize. I have deeply reflected on my mistake and ask the organization for another chance to correct it. I will also compensate you for your recovery and willingly accept any disciplinary actions. I only ask that you stop dragging Miaoyin into this.” 

“You… you… you’re crazy! Completely crazy!” Zhang Hui’s voice trembled. The contrast between the Meng Yuanzheng who once complained to her about how crude and unreasonable Lin Miaoyin was and the one now standing here defending her so fiercely was too much for her to process. Her eyes turned red as she glared at him, but his expression remained as calm as still water, reflecting nothing but the distorted anger on her own face. 

Lin Miaoyin was also a little stunned. When she had just woken up, Cui Fen had asked her what she would do if Zhang Hui accused her of hitting her. She had casually said that it was Meng Yuanzheng who beat her. But now, Meng Yuanzheng didn’t even need to be told what to do; he just stepped forward on his own. 

He could have just denied it; after all, no one would testify for Zhang Hui. Why was he so stupid as to take the blame on himself? 

She looked at the indifferent man above and felt a little distressed. 

She knew he would take responsibility for what he did, but deep inside, she always thought that it was the old Meng Yuanzheng who had done it, not the one after losing his memory. 

The crowd around them looked at each other, even those who had been throwing rotten vegetable leaves stopped. 

“Please accept my self-criticism and give me a chance to reform myself. I will actively engage in labor and be a useful person to the construction of socialism,” Meng Yuanzheng finished his words. 

Secretary Li saw that the situation was turning unfavorable and quickly spoke up, saying, “Alright, recognizing one’s mistakes is the first step toward improvement. I hope both of you will remember today’s self-criticism, honor your promises, and not betray the trust of the Party and the people.” 

Meng Yuanzheng nodded. “I’ll remember, Secretary.” 

Zhang Hui’s eyes were red. With her head lowered and looking worn out, she quietly said, “I remember.” 

Secretary Li nodded with satisfaction. “Go back, work hard in the future, and don’t do useless things. As for the compensation you just mentioned, give it to me later, and I’ll pass it on to Comrade Zhang Hui.” 

The crowd slowly started to leave, and Lin Miaoyin stood there, waiting for Meng Yuanzheng to give the compensation to Secretary Li. 

“Meng Yuanzheng…” she called him. 

“What’s wrong?” He stopped in front of her and looked at her gently. 

“You did great just now.” She smiled, noticing that Zhang Hui, not far away, was staring at them with hatred in her eyes. 

Zhang Hui’s clothes were filthy, with dirt and rotting vegetable leaves all over her face and head. 

Thinking about Zhang Hui’s fate, Lin Miaoyin sighed inwardly. In the end, she’s a pitiful person. 

“Here, wipe your face.” She stepped forward and handed him a handkerchief. 

Zhang Hui froze for a moment, took the handkerchief, looked at it, then raised her head, only to see that Lin Miaoyin had already left with Meng Yuanzheng. 

“Comrade Zhang Hui, come here,” Secretary Li called out. 

She snapped back to her senses, and it felt like she had misunderstood something from the very beginning. 

Author’s note: This chapter follows a plot flow, but I believe you can still find some sweetness in it! 

And as for the punishment of Meng and Zhang, as mentioned earlier, Zhang Hui received a serious reprimand, a self-criticism, and was sent to feed pigs, while Meng Yuanzheng only had to do a self-criticism. After all, they were only mentally ambiguous and hadn’t taken actual actions yet. Moreover, Meng Yuanzheng had his father-in-law as a backer. 

Lastly, thank you all for your support! 😘 ~