She looked at Cheng Rushan curiously and asked tentatively, “Comrade Cheng Rushan, are you really Jiang Lin’s husband?”

Cheng Rushan frowned, his expression serious. “Of course, we have introduction letters and household registration books.”

He immediately took out his own household registration book from the military bag he carried with him.

Because they were staying at a guesthouse with their family, he had brought it along just in case.

Now, Cheng Rushan was the head of the household, with his wife Cheng Lin, parents, and son all listed.

Fan Huiyuan glanced at Cheng Rushan.

Such a handsome and tall man, and then at Jiang Lin, such a beautiful girl, yet they were being spoken of in such a derogatory manner.

She was very angry.

Just to be sure, she asked Cheng Rushan and Jiang Lin several questions.

Jiang Lin felt like she was sweating nervously, but Cheng Rushan remained calm and unaffected.

“You’re with the military transport unit now, young man. It’s really impressive to have such a job,” Fan Huiyuan said, growing more pleased as she looked at him.

Cheng Rushan smiled. “It’s all for serving the people.”

Fan Huiyuan gave him a knowing smile. “You’ve got a bright future ahead.” Then she turned to Jiang Lin. “Your younger brother isn’t doing right, being spoiled by your parents.”

Jiang Dongjian and Xu Aimei always believed in treating all their children equally, not favoring sons over daughters, which Fan Huiyuan found hard to accept.

Jiang Lin felt a stir in her heart. “Director Fan, you’re also a leader at our auto parts factory..”

“Call me Big Sister Fan, don’t be so polite. We’re family,” Fan Huiyuan said warmly.

Jiang Lin replied hesitantly, “Big Sister Fan, when I was young, I was a bit reckless, much like my younger brother.

I made some mistakes, but everyone grows up, right?

I’ve armed myself with Marxism-Leninism, recognized my faults, and made progress. But I don’t understand why there are rumors circulating about me at our factory.”

“Things like selling my son or eloping— I never actually did them. Why should such rumors spread all the way from the countryside to the provincial city?”

Fan Huiyuan understood the situation well.

She had heard gossip before, and had thought Jiang Dongjian’s daughter wasn’t very well-behaved.

Even though she hadn’t been at the auto parts factory in recent years, there were still plenty of people talking about the past.

Especially with young people around, girls might be jealous, and boys might sour grapes.

In the past, the most common rumors were about Jiang Lin and a troublemaker named Lu Hang from the textile factory director’s family, and another male classmate named Bian Haitao.

Now, the most talked-about rumor was Jiang Lin supposedly selling her son and eloping back to the city.

Some young people liked to gossip and had dirty mouths, which disgusted middle-aged women like Fan Huiyuan.

It seemed they were just jealous of her good looks!

Fan Huiyuan said firmly, “I can’t stand baseless slander like this. If I hear it again, I’ll publicly criticize them through the loudspeaker. You can rest assured, as long as you’re upright and honest, Big Sister Fan will always stand by your side.”

Jiang Lin then talked to her about understanding it a bit.

She found out that the rumors about the auto parts factory selling her child and eloping had actually started two months ago.

At that time, Meng Yiyi returned to the city to visit relatives and then returned to the countryside, bringing news about the original owner, Bian Haitao.

After that, the original owner became restless.

So, it must have been Meng Yiyi who wrote a letter to spread rumors.

Xiao Ke also said that Xiao Peng had said before, it must have been them talking at home, and the children heard.

Since you, Meng Yiyi, are unrighteous, then I am naturally not polite.

Originally, Jiang Lin just wanted Meng Yiyi to return the money and return to the city, and everyone would mind their own business.

Who knew that Meng Yiyi would still engage in so many secretive and sinister acts, clearly wanting to harm her.

Rumors kill in invisible ways, and without finding the real culprit, it’s the most cowardly and inexplicable way to die.

Jiang Lin said to Sister Fan, “Sister Fan, you are the director of women, there is something I don’t know whether to go to the police station to report, or to tell you first.”

Sister Fan heard that it was something that could go to the police station, naturally it was a big deal, so that she could show her job’s weight.

“You tell me first?”

Jiang Lin hesitated for a moment, and thought that most of Cheng Rushan already knew, and it wouldn’t matter if he heard, at most it would just be his being too stupid in the past and making use of him.

Cheng Rushan bowed and said to her, “I’ll go see when Jiang Xinglei gets back.” He patted her shoulder, said goodbye to Sister Fan, and went out first.

Jiang Lin was surprised.

She didn’t expect him to be so considerate.

She turned back and told Sister Fan about Meng Yiyi’s matters, focusing on how she fooled her and Lu Hang into a relationship, exchanged her chance to stay in the city to marry Cheng Rushan for a lighter workload, and even cheated money in several aspects.

She had a repentant expression, the kind that leaders who do ideological work loved to see. “Sister Fan, I was so foolish before, I could kick myself when I think about it. Someone as resolute in ideology and excellent in work as you must look down on me.”

If Meng Yiyi can pretend, why can’t I?

Sister Fan was deeply moved by her words.

After all, a prodigal son’s return is more touching than someone who has always been outstanding.

“Jiang Lin, knowing one’s mistakes and correcting them makes a good comrade. Besides, you haven’t committed a major offense.

Reflect well when you go to the countryside and strive for improvement. It’s this Meng Yiyi…” She flipped through the evidence Jiang Lin provided—letters, remittance receipts, documents from several educated youth points with Meng Yiyi’s signature and fingerprints.

The evidence was damning.

She exclaimed, “Her moral character is truly corrupt! She should be severely punished!”

Jiang Lin thanked her.

She had prepared before coming, anticipating Meng Yiyi might try to shift blame.

Actually, such rumors could be clarified easily by Jiang Lin and Cheng Rushan appearing in public.

But many rumors are obviously lies, yet people care more about excitement than truth, spreading them joyfully.

The truth of debunking rumors never spreads as quickly as the rumors themselves.

Sister Fan said sternly, “I’ll investigate this with Meng Kaiping and his wife. If they cooperate well, we’ll resolve it privately. If not, I’ll report to the factory revolutionary committee and criticize them in a meeting!” She signaled for Jiang Lin to keep the evidence safe.

After bidding farewell to Sister Fan, Jiang Lin went to find Cheng Rushan.

He was leaning against a poplar tree.

The avenue trees were all thirty years old poplars, trimmed straight and tall, making him almost blend with the trunk.

Jiang Lin hurried over, and he turned at the sound, giving her a slow smile.

“Do you really not need to go back to the guesthouse first?” Jiang Lin asked.

Cheng Rushan nodded, “No need. My parents aren’t unfamiliar with the world. With money and ration coupons, they know how to take Wensheng and the kids out to eat. They won’t go hungry.”

He wanted to hold her hand but restrained himself, wary of causing a scene here.

Truth be told, he wasn’t very fond of staying here.

This auto parts factory was where she grew up during her teenage years, and now without him, there were two other men entangled with her.

Although he couldn’t be part of her past, she was his woman now.

It irked him to think she might be criticized because of her past.

Since he had decided she was his wife, he naturally had to protect her.

As long as it wasn’t an irreparable mistake, whether in the present or the past, he was willing to let it all go.

He wouldn’t allow anyone to use those things to slander and harm her again.

Jiang Lin: “Then… shall we go to your father-in-law’s house first? We can deal with your damn little brother-in-law when he comes back.”

Cheng Rushan smiled again and couldn’t help but ruffle her hair, then held her hand. “Let’s go.”

After walking a few steps, Jiang Lin withdrew her hand, mindful of appearances to avoid being questioned about their relationship.

Inside the auto parts factory, Cheng Rushan said to Jiang Lin, “You go ahead, I’ll go ask Director Fan about something.”

Jiang Lin figured he didn’t want her to hear and nodded before walking ahead.

Cheng Rushan went to find Director Fan, who greeted him warmly upon entering. “Comrade Rushan, is there something I can help you with?”

Cheng Rushan replied, “Thank you, Director Fan. I’d like to know more about Meng Yiyi’s family situation.”

Director Fan smiled, “You’re attentive. This falls within my scope of work. Let me tell you.”

When Cheng Rushan came out later, the sky had darkened.

Jiang Lin hadn’t gone far; she was waiting nearby.

Cheng Rushan walked briskly over and took her hand. “Let’s go.”

Jiang Lin had planned several ways to deal with Jiang Xinglei earlier, but now she was calm.

She and Cheng Rushan didn’t rush to Jiang’s house; instead, they strolled around the auto parts factory.

They waited until after work to go to the residential area.

People noticed them because Cheng Rushan was tall and Jiang Lin was slender, attracting attention.

Someone finally recognized them, “Hey, isn’t this Jiang Lin from the old Jiang family? And… you’re back?”

Jiang Lin couldn’t be bothered to think about who this was; they were probably neighbors around her dad’s colleague’s house.

She smiled, “Hello, I’m back visiting family.”

The person curiously looked at Cheng Rushan. Could this be the man she eloped with?

Cheng Rushan noticed the excitement and gossip in the person’s eyes and immediately said, “Hello, I’m Cheng Rushan, Jiang Lin’s husband.”

The person quickly understood Cheng Rushan’s insight into their thoughts and felt a bit embarrassed.

They quickly covered up, “Oh, it’s nice to meet you both. Welcome back.”

Cheng Rushan chuckled and teasingly said, “Jiang Lin and I came back to visit without informing our parents beforehand. Looks a bit like eloping, doesn’t it?”

“No, no, how could that be possible? You two make a great couple, a match made in heaven!” The person hurriedly complimented them, feeling pressured under Cheng Rushan’s intense gaze.

She quickly went to inform her sisters who often gossiped with her, making it clear that Cheng Rushan came along with Jiang Lin and it wasn’t some rumored elopement.

She didn’t want them inadvertently saying something wrong and getting slapped for it.

Arriving at their doorstep, Jiang Lin had already dealt with several curious neighbors along the way.

Cheng Rushan patiently introduced himself repeatedly, taking the opportunity to express his disdain for the elopement rumor, which frightened people into quickly clarifying that they never thought that way.

By the time they finished dinner, the residential area was buzzing with a new rumor: Old Jiang’s second daughter, who went to the countryside, had returned with a tall, handsome, fierce-looking rural husband for a family visit.

The aura they exuded was enough to scare people.

Ridiculous talk of elopement.

Of course, no one suspected Cheng Rushan of being the one they eloped with.

Anyone who elopes wouldn’t openly acknowledge their husband like this.

A telegram or phone call could easily confirm their relationship status; if it were proven to be an elopement, they’d face severe consequences.

Intentionally, Cheng Rushan walked slowly with Jiang Lin, taking a couple of detours.

By the time they arrived home, Jiang Xinglei was sneaking back.

After receiving the news, he was so scared he trembled.

If he had enough money and ration coupons, he would have fled north to seek refuge with his elder sister.

In the end, he had to return with the car that brought them to the city.

The military district was looking for him, and he couldn’t afford to be careless.

Unexpectedly, fate brought them face to face at the intersection.

There were no streetlights in the alley, only the dim light from the yard and the streetlamp at the mouth of the alley.

Jiang Xinglei watched a tall figure approach from the darkness across from him.

Each step felt like a hammer on his heart, making it pound in terror.

He didn’t have the courage to run; his heart felt like it would burst!

“Comrade police, spare me! I won’t do it again!” Jiang Xinglei trembled as he quickly pulled out the letter and handed it over with both hands.

It was indeed the letter he took.

Upon hearing from Jiang Dongjian that his second sister had returned, his instinct was to escape!

Cheng Rushan took the letter, placed a hand on Jiang Xinglei’s shoulder, and lightly patted it.

Jiang Xinglei thudded to his knees.

“Comrade police, I confess, I… I took the letter to threaten Meng Kaiping for money. I… I haven’t done anything else wrong, please don’t arrest me!” He thought his extortion scheme had been exposed, and he was about to be arrested.

Cheng Rushan remained silent.

Squatting in front of Jiang Xinglei, he calmly said, “My name is Cheng Rushan, Jiang Lin’s husband, and your brother-in-law.”