Sure, it’s the nurturing of the General Union after all!
Cuifen’s morose face suddenly twisted into a snarl, "Uncle Sheng, weren’t you asking me why Sheng Ning hasn’t come back? I’ll tell you!" Her voice suddenly burst into a sharp and high pitch, as the eastern part of the village was a popular gathering spot for villagers.
They stood not far from the little store, and she shouted at the top of her lungs, drawing the attention of people who were buying soy sauce and vinegar, who curiously poked their heads out to look.
Among them, Xu Lai and Zhang Fang, usually having nothing to do and always finishing their meals early, were among the first to gather around after hearing the noise.
Seeing Cuifen in this state, Sheng An immediately got a bad feeling.
Lao San also wore a serious expression as he looked at her, "Cuifen, what do you mean by this? Clarify your words."
"I’ll tell you, I was indeed dismissed, but all this was the doing of your family’s Sheng Ning," Cuifen held her chest, overwhelmed with grief and nearly fainting.
Her display was genuinely heartfelt with not a trace of performative intent. Being dismissed from the General Union had indeed driven her to utter despair.
The onlookers immediately believed her words.
Xu Lai stepped forward, hands on her hips, "Cuifen, speak clearly, we’ll support you."
Before Cuifen went to the General Union, she had completely fooled Xu Lai, so much so that she’d end up counting money for her after selling her out. And still smugly pleased with herself, Xu Lai thought she had a good relationship with Cuifen, considering herself as her good friend.
Zhang Fang’s eyes roamed up and down Cuifen’s body, focusing on her waist, chest, and even her back.
At last, her gaze turned meaningful as she laughed slyly.
"You’re talking nonsense!" Sheng An’s face turned white with anger.
"I’m not talking nonsense!" Cuifen gave Xu Lai a weak smile, then turned fiercely towards Sheng An and Lao San, accusing them sharply, "It’s all because of your family’s Sheng Ning. She was indecent back home, which was already bad enough. I didn’t expect her to remain undisciplined at the General Union, flirting and stirring up trouble with the workers. I was putting up with her since we are all fellow villagers! But she should have never... never..." (Cuifen broke down, covering her face and sobbing bitterly.)
"I’m not!" Cuifen stepped closer, lifting her chin and glaring at Sheng An. Then she turned and looked pitifully at the villagers. "You all judge, do you know how shameless Sheng Ning is?"
"How shameless, tell us how shameless!" Xu Lai’s eyes reddened with excitement, wishing Sheng Ning were there so she could slap her harshly to satisfy her anger.
"Let us know how shameless she is, so we can scold her every time we see her."
Cuifen felt proud inside, but appeared even more pitiful. "She messed around with various men at the General Union which was bad enough, but then she actually started mingling with disreputable people in society, even going out dancing with them. During a major inspection by the General Union to capture spies, they raided the dance hall and caught her with a random man..."
Cuifen stopped short, looking disgusted.
"Stop it, you are completely spouting nonsense," Lao San’s eyes reddened with anger, and if it weren’t for the fact that Cuifen was a younger relative and a girl, he would’ve likely given her a thrashing.
"You don’t want me to speak, but I will. Why can’t I speak when she has caused me so much misery?" Cuifen snorted coldly and continued, "It was clearly her disgraceful acts that were caught by the leaders of the General Union on the spot. She got punished, and it resulted in me being dismissed too."