Wen Zhuqing’s gaze, cold as an arrow, landed on Gu Jianing. “Today, Comrade Gu Jianing asked me to come here.”

Everyone widened their eyes and looked at Gu Jianing, who, however, remained calm, pursing her lips.

Just then…

Her peripheral vision caught a man standing beside her at some point, and she was slightly surprised. How did Sheng Zexi get here? When did he arrive?

Wen Zhuqing naturally saw Sheng Zexi too. When he mentioned Gu Jianing, the man’s eyes darkened, and he coldly glanced at him. At that moment, Wen Zhuqing felt as if he were being stared at by a beast, sending a shiver down his spine.

He was certain that this man had blood on his hands.

Knowing that this man was an officer, Wen Zhuqing understood that it would be best not to confront him directly if possible.

But now, it was unavoidable.

Even though he had indeed been intimate with Bao Shanyan, he did not want to marry her.

If he really had to marry someone in Huaihua Village, he wanted it to be Gu Jianing.

Under Sheng Zexi’s murderous gaze, he continued, “Everyone knows that Comrade Gu Jianing used to like me.”

“Yesterday, she handed me a piece of paper, on which she wrote that she still likes me, and that the reason she was seeing and getting engaged to someone else was because her family forced her.”

“So, she asked me to come here to discuss with her, because she still wants to be with me.”

“But when I arrived, I saw Comrade Bao Shanyan, who directly used a drugged handkerchief to cover my mouth and nose.”

“By the time she let go, I had already lost my senses.”

“That’s why… that’s why I did what I did.”

Being schemed against by two women and losing his innocence was a disgrace to Wen Zhuqing, who prided himself on being clever, always scheming against others and never being schemed against.

But now, he had to expose this disgrace himself.

“Everyone knows Bao Shanyan’s strength. Not to mention me, even a wild boar couldn’t resist her.”

“But she didn’t stop me, so this was their scheme against me.”

“Accusing me of being a hooligan? Hmph, then let’s call the police. I also want the police and the commune leaders to see that we educated youths came here to support the construction, but you are scheming against and persecuting us. Are you openly opposing national policies?”

Wen Zhuqing almost directly accused the villagers of Huaihua Village of rebelling.

Even though he didn’t say it, the latter part of his speech had already placed a big hat on them.

Coupled with his imposing and confident demeanor, his momentum surged, making the villagers panic.

“Yes, we all saw Gu Jianing chasing after Wen Zhiqing before.”

“How could Wen Zhiqing possibly be interested in Bao Shanyan? Anyone with a brain would think it’s impossible.”

“So it’s you people from Huaihua Village who are persecuting us educated youths. Wen Zhiqing is the victim, and you are turning the tables on him.”

“No, we must report this to the commune and call the police. We educated youths cannot be bullied like this. Are you giving us any way to survive?”

The educated youths, both male and female, were all indignant, speaking up for Wen Zhuqing.

Most of the female educated youths liked Wen Zhuqing and naturally did not want him to be with Bao Shanyan or be arrested.

As for the male educated youths, many were jealous of Wen Zhuqing. They thought it was a good thing for Wen Zhuqing to be with Bao Shanyan, even if it was a scheme.

But they also considered Wen Zhuqing’s words, which made sense.

They, the educated youths, were already in a disadvantaged position here. If Wen Zhuqing could be schemed against and succeed, wouldn’t they also be schemed against in the future?

So, even though they were jealous and disliked Wen Zhuqing, for their own interests, they had to stand by his side.

This was Wen Zhuqing’s shrewdness. He knew that emotions and relationships were fake; only interests were real.

At this moment, the villagers were somewhat panicked. Old Man Gu and the village secretary, frowned. This was about to stir up conflict between the educated youths and the villagers. Such a big hat could not be placed on their heads.

Sheng Zexi frowned, his expression serious, and took a step forward as if he wanted to say something.

But Gu Jianing tugged at his sleeve.

Gu Jianing gave him a look that said “trust me,” then stepped forward to confront Wen Zhuqing.

“Wen Zhiqing, you said I used to chase after you. It wasn’t because I liked you, but because my father told me to take care of you educated youths, which is why I visited the educated youth point more often. I didn’t expect it to cause such a misunderstanding.”

“But, Wen Zhiqing, I really don’t like you. Not only am I engaged, but I have also registered my marriage with Brother Sheng. We like each other. I, Gu Jianing, am not a promiscuous person and would never do what you just said.”

“You said that Bao Shanyan and I schemed against you, but you can’t just decide that based on your words alone.”

“Even the police need evidence and witnesses to handle a case.”

“You said I came to you yesterday. Did anyone see me? And the note, if it really exists, then you should be able to show it to everyone.”

“You also said Bao Shanyan drugged you. Where is the handkerchief? Is there still drug residue on it? We can have Uncle Zhang check it.”

“Then everything will be clear.”

“If it really is as you said, then it is indeed Bao Shanyan and my fault. But if it’s not, then your act of being a hooligan towards Bao Shanyan is a fact. We people of Huaihua Village may not have as much education as you educated youths, but we are reasonable and can seek justice.”

“Good!”

Gu Jianing’s words were reasonable and well-founded. As soon as she finished speaking, the villagers nodded and applauded.

Sheng Zexi’s gaze fell on his little girl. The sunlight shone on her, as if casting a halo around her, making her shine so brightly that he couldn’t look away.

He saw the confidence and composure in her eyes.

Originally planning to speak, he chose to hold back for now.

Perhaps, he could choose to believe in her ability to handle this matter.

“Right, Wen Zhiqing, show us the evidence.”

“Yes, witnesses and evidence will tell everything.”

Just as Zhao Weihong and Li Juan were about to say something, Gu Jianing timely glanced at them. “If anyone wants to give false testimony, they should think about the consequences.”

Hearing this, Zhao Weihong and Li Juan hesitated, then retracted their feet that were about to step forward.

Wen Zhuqing stared blankly at Gu Jianing. He had never seen Gu Jianing so articulate before, and it made him certain that her previous affection for him was just an act.

He couldn’t understand why Gu Jianing was so confident and without a hint of guilt. Did she think he couldn’t produce the evidence?

Although there were no witnesses, he had physical evidence.

And that evidence was in his pocket; it couldn’t possibly be taken away.

Feeling the paper in his pocket, Wen Zhuqing breathed a sigh of relief.

“Of course, I have evidence.” With that, Wen Zhuqing took out the folded paper from his pocket.