Chapter 51

But Zhou Xingxue never dared to meet Zhou Jianguo’s gaze.

The onlookers also began to have doubts.

“What’s there to argue about? Just check the accounts, and everything will be clear.”

“That’s right. If there’s really any favoritism, then she can’t be the record keeper anymore.”

“The year-end grain distribution is coming soon. We can’t have any mistakes in the work points.”

“Yes, yes, yes. I agree with checking the accounts.”

“I agree too.”

Everyone chimed in, and more and more people suggested checking the accounts.

Zhou Jianguo looked down at Zhou Xingxue and asked softly, “Tell me the truth. Did you abuse your power and show favoritism?”

Zhou Xingxue frowned and said with a grievance, “I didn’t, Dad. How can you believe their nonsense?”

After that, she looked at the others and said loudly, “I’ve been the record keeper for more than a day or two. You all know what I’m like. If someone comes to question me and ask to check the accounts every now and then, how can I continue working?”

“What Zhou family girl said is also right. If everyone comes to question us, we won’t be able to do our work. Look, how much work have we lost today because of this?”

Seeing that some people were about to be persuaded by Zhou Xingxue’s words, Widow Wang’s eyebrows shot up, and she roared, “Don’t talk nonsense! Don’t try to fool me. I’ve eaten more salt than you’ve eaten rice. Don’t show off your tricks in front of me.”

Shen Hongying stood outside the crowd, looking up and meeting Song Shishi’s gaze, who was standing on the other side of the crowd.

The two exchanged smiles.

Widow Wang’s appearance was unexpected.

But it was good this way. No one would suspect them.

Widow Wang stood up from the ground, patted the dust off her clothes, and threatened, “Captain Zhou, if you protect your youngest daughter today, don’t blame me for reporting this to the commune. I don’t believe no one can manage this.”

Zhou Jianguo was indeed a little embarrassed.

But as the captain of the Huaiqing Brigade, his status didn’t allow him to condone his daughter’s actions.

He looked at Zhou Xingxue again, wanting to confirm the credibility of this matter from her expression.

Zhou Xingxue was becoming increasingly flustered. She met Zhou Jianguo’s gaze and subconsciously avoided it.

Zhou Jianguo didn’t know what to think. Just when Widow Wang was about to urge him, he finally stated his attitude, “This matter needs to be investigated. Don’t jump to conclusions.”

After that, his gaze swept across everyone’s faces in the threshing ground. His expression was serious, and his voice had a hint of officialdom, “Since everyone has doubts about the accounts, it’s almost the end of the year. Let’s check the accounts before the year-end grain distribution.”

“Then who is Captain Zhou going to let check the accounts?” Someone asked loudly in the crowd.

Widow Wang, who had been a little proud when she heard Zhou Jianguo say he agreed to check the accounts, changed her expression when she heard this and echoed, “That’s right. You can’t just agree to check the accounts and then have your own family members check them. In the end, nothing will be found.”

This was clearly saying that Zhou Jianguo would protect his daughter.

Zhou Jianguo’s face was ugly. He shouted angrily, “What are you talking about? As the captain of our brigade, how could I do such a thing?”

Saying these things at this time was actually not very convincing.

Everyone was just afraid of his authority as captain and didn’t say anything in rebuttal.

“As Zhou Xingxue’s father, I should indeed avoid suspicion.” Zhou Jianguo sighed helplessly. “How about this, I’ll go talk to the village head later and see who would be suitable to arrange.”

The village head and Zhou Jianguo had always been in a state of mutual supervision because of their power issues.

Seeing that he had brought up the village head, Widow Wang didn’t say anything more.

“Alright, go to work.”

Since the matter had been settled, Zhou Jianguo waved his hand, dispersed the crowd, turned around, and left with his hands behind his back.

Widow Wang didn’t forget to spit at Zhou Xingxue as she left.

The onlookers all dispersed. Jiang Cuihua came up to Zhou Xingxue and whispered, “Xiao Xue, what should we do now?”

Speaking of which, this was all caused by Jiang Cuihua. Zhou Xingxue even wanted to kill Jiang Cuihua now.

“You dare ask me what to do?” Zhou Xingxue glared fiercely at Jiang Cuihua, her voice lowered a few decibels, “I tell you, if I lose my job as the record keeper because of you, you won’t have a good time anymore.”

After saying that, Zhou Xingxue turned and went to chase after Zhou Jianguo.

Jiang Cuihua’s legs went weak, but she was afraid of being noticed. She gritted her teeth and chased after her.

“Xiao Xue, wait for me.”

Looking at the backs of Zhou Xingxue and Jiang Cuihua as they walked away, Song Shishi smiled triumphantly.

Zhou Xingxue’s greatest pride was her position as the record keeper.

Because of this, she always put on an arrogant air and often used her position to do whatever she wanted.

In her previous life, Song Shishi had been bullied by Zhou Xingxue many times.

Zhou Xingxue cared about this position, so she would make her lose it. Let’s see how she can still jump around.

The village head was still quite efficient in handling things. Zhou Jianguo had just explained the situation to him, and that night, he arranged for the village accountant and Zhang Qingmei from the educated youth’s courtyard, along with several young people, to check the accounts.

They naturally had to check the accounts for the whole year.

Four or five people worked together, and it took them four or five days to complete the audit.

It was said that on the night when Zhang Qingmei and the others were checking the accounts, Jiang Cuihua sneaked into the room where they were checking the accounts, trying to steal the accounts. She was caught red-handed and sent directly to the police station.

During the audit, Zhou Xingxue’s job as the record keeper was suspended, and her job was temporarily taken over by a female educated youth surnamed Yang who had married a villager.

Zhou Xingxue was angry, but she couldn’t say anything.

Old Mrs. Zhou didn’t come out to make a fuss this time, but no one knew if she was making a fuss at home.

The village head announced that there would be a meeting in the threshing ground before work started this morning to announce the results of the audit.

Song Shishi was pulled to the threshing ground by Xu Li early in the morning.

Everyone was very concerned about the results of the audit, as it was related to their survival for the next year.

In this era, nothing was more important than food.

Before the village head arrived, everyone gathered in groups of three or five, discussing this matter.

Song Shishi was only there to watch Zhou Xingxue’s misfortune today, so she found an inconspicuous place to stand with Yang Huifang and the others.

“What do you think the results of the audit will be? I’ve been asking Vice Captain Zhang, but she hasn’t revealed a word. Her mouth is really tight.”

Yang Huifang loved to hear gossip. Song Shishi usually learned about anything that happened in the village from Yang Huifang.

Xu Li whispered, “What’s there to guess? This matter is definitely confirmed. Didn’t you see that Zhou Xingxue has been much quieter these days? If she wasn’t guilty, how could she let people talk about her like that?”

Song Shishi really wanted to applaud Xu Li.

She hadn’t noticed before, but this little girl was quite insightful.

“The village head is here.” Su Yu reminded them.