Chapter 19: Going to the County Town (Part 5)

“Heh, if you’re so capable, then don’t eat the grains grown by us country folks! Eating our grains but looking down on us? Discriminating against farmers?” Zhao Xiulan retorted, leaving Liu Xiaohong speechless. However, she couldn’t help but feel resentful towards Zhao Xiulan, this country bumpkin who seemed uneducated but could argue so fiercely. She didn’t know how to defend herself against Zhao Xiulan’s words.

Feeling like she hadn’t scolded enough, Zhao Xiulan continued, “The People’s Republic of China has been established. We are no longer a feudal or capitalist country, but a socialist one. Whether you’re a worker or a farmer, you’re a master of the country! What’s wrong with that? The law stipulates this way. Are you still engaging in class discrimination? Do you look down on farmers? In your eyes, do you not need to abide by the country’s regulations? If I find out which unit you belong to, or who your parents work for, I’ll go ask your leaders whether discriminating against country folks and engaging in class discrimination is justified!”

With Zhao Xiulan’s words, Liu Xiaohong started to feel afraid. She might despise them, but if Zhao Xiulan labelled her with class discrimination, if any trouble arose from it, she would definitely be in trouble. Her family might never recover.

If Zhao Xiulan really found out where her parents worked and went to complain to their leaders, wouldn’t her parents lose their jobs?

She was able to afford commercial grains because of her parents’ jobs in the city. Otherwise, wouldn’t she be just like a country bumpkin?

She didn’t want to cause such big trouble over such a small matter!

With a red face, Liu Xiaohong reluctantly said, “Forget it… I… I won’t argue with you anymore!”

But Zhao Xiulan wasn’t going to let it go so easily.

“You must apologize for what you just said!” Zhao Xiulan said solemnly.

Liu Xiaohong stared at Zhao Xiulan incredulously and asked, “Apologize? You want me to apologize to you?”

A country bumpkin like her, a peasant, was she worthy of her apology?

She had already let it go, which was the biggest concession, but now Zhao Xiulan was demanding an apology from her?

“You’re going too far!” Liu Xiaohong gritted her teeth.

“If you said something wrong, shouldn’t you apologize? If you don’t apologize, then I’ll go find someone to settle this!”

Remembering what Zhao Xiulan had said earlier, Liu Xiaohong was still very wary.

Although she was extremely unwilling, Liu Xiaohong finally restrained herself and apologized to Zhao Xiulan!

“I’m sorry!”

Regardless of whether Liu Xiaohong apologized sincerely or not, Zhao Xiulan had already achieved her desired outcome. She snorted and ignored Liu Xiaohong, leaving the supply and marketing cooperative!

The salesperson at the supply and marketing cooperative wiped the sweat from her forehead as she watched Zhao Xiulan leave.

She had heard what Zhao Xiulan had said just now. Like Liu Xiaohong, she had also mocked Zhao Xiulan as a country bumpkin. Despite her previous attitude, although customers who came to buy things were dissatisfied, no one had ever been able to put such a big label on her!

If Zhao Xiulan had pursued the matter and caused trouble with the leaders, she would most likely lose her job!

This was a secure job with good benefits. If she lost it, she would be devastated!

Fortunately, Zhao Xiulan didn’t pursue it with her.

But if Zhao Xiulan came again next time, she wouldn’t dare to be negligent!

(End of Chapter 19)