Yunyi’s blunt words were a direct slap in the face to everyone at the Zhiqing Point and put Deng Xiaojie on the hot seat.
Fortunately, the Zhiqing Point and the villagers lived on opposite sides of the river. At that time, everyone was at home eating, so no one heard the commotion and came over to watch.
Yunyi didn’t want the matter to become known throughout the village. She worried people might use it to make snide remarks, especially since she was now working at the village health clinic and had already drawn the envy of many.
Wang Jianhui’s face burned with shame. He had previously sworn that they, being highly educated, would never stoop to petty theft like stealing chickens or snatching dogs.
True, they hadn’t stolen chickens or snatched dogs. However, Deng Xiaojie had indeed stolen someone’s vegetables and damaged the young plants.
This matter could be minor or major. If Chu Zhiqing and Liu Zhiqing didn’t relent, Deng Xiaojie would be in serious trouble.
Then the Branch Secretary spoke up, "Chu Zhiqing, Liu Zhiqing, how do you wish to deal with this matter?"
Liu Chenglin didn’t speak, merely turning his head to look at Yunyi.
Yunyi, being a clever person, naturally wouldn’t create trouble for herself. "Branch Secretary," she said, "you are always fair and just. We’ll follow your lead."
Whether her words were sincere or not, they were pleasing to hear. The Branch Secretary then turned to the people from the Zhiqing Point. "Do you have anything to say?"
Deng Xiaojie truly loathed Chuyunyi. She bowed her head to hide the hatred in her eyes. "Branch Secretary," she said, "I did indeed lose my head today. I won’t dare to do it again."
The Branch Secretary gave her a cold look, then turned to the other educated youths who had followed. "You came from the city to support rural construction, not to cause trouble. Stop doing things that harm others without benefiting yourselves."
"If you’ve done wrong, you must bear the consequences. The vegetable vines have been torn up , so you will compensate Chu Zhiqing and Liu Zhiqing three yuan. Deng Zhiqing, do you have any objections?"
When Deng Xiaojie heard she had to pay three yuan, she protested, "Branch Secretary, three yuan can buy several baskets of vegetables! And I only picked half a basket from them?"
The Branch Secretary’s eyes blazed with anger. He pointed to the vegetables that had been snapped and torn apart, roaring at her, "Was it just about picking half a basket of vegetables?"
He was a local, born and raised in the countryside, and couldn’t stand seeing crops wasted. "Starting tomorrow, you will clean the pigsties for half a month," he declared. "If there’s a next time, I’ll report it directly to the Educated Youth Office."
Though Deng Xiaojie felt aggrieved, she dared not argue any further. "Understood," she mumbled.
In front of everyone, Deng Xiaojie paid the three yuan compensation with an embarrassed expression, and only then did the crowd disperse.
Liu Chenglin handed the Branch Secretary a filtered cigarette. "Have a smoke to unwind. You were busy all morning, and then we made you come all this way."
The Branch Secretary accepted the cigarette, a smile appearing on his face. "You’re too kind. I never expected Deng Zhiqing, who usually seems decent, to be capable of something ."
Liu Chenglin chuckled. "She has no ability herself yet resents others for being more outstanding. It’s normal for her to lose her composure."
The Branch Secretary sighed softly. "Not much ability, but plenty of flaws." For more chapters visit novel⚑fire.net
After seeing off the Branch Secretary, Liu Chenglin had just finished trimming the broken vines when Yunyi handed him one yuan and fifty cents. "This is your share."
Liu Chenglin didn’t take it. "No need. You’re the one who mostly takes care of this private plot. You should keep it."
Yunyi placed the money directly on the bean trellis. "This private plot is partly yours, so the compensation is partly yours too. Take it."
After all the commotion, Yunyi lost her desire to cook. She closed and locked the doors and windows, then entered her space.
Huo Shanhe looked at his youngest child standing before him. "Have you figured out how you’re going to tell your mother about this?"