Chapter 66: Expose Him

"I'm getting married."
She dropped a bombshell the moment she opened her mouth, startling Lin Jingyue.
The last time they met, Xu Qingqing was still yearning for a chance to return to the city, and even advised her not to marry hastily here.
"What happened?" Lin Jingyue pressed her hand.
Could it be…
"There's a man in the brigade, he, he…"
Only after Xu Qingqing's halting account did Lin Jingyue understand what had happened.
The son of the accountant from Kaoshan Brigade was a notorious idler, never doing any honest work, often sneaking into a widow's bed or peeping into the homes of young wives.
His reputation was a complete mess. At twenty-six, he still hadn't married, leaving his parents so anxious they’d broken out in blisters.
For some reason, this man set his sights on Xu Qingqing and began relentlessly pursuing her, sending her snacks or little gifts every now and then. In the brigade, when a man gave a woman food, what did that mean?
It meant they were courting.
And so, rumors of their relationship spread inexplicably, growing ever more distorted.
Some even said they'd gone into the woods together—when enough people repeat a lie, it becomes truth, and Xu Qingqing simply couldn't clear her name.
A woman's reputation was of utmost importance.
And when the accountant's family actually came to propose, she fell into utter despair.
"Heaven knows, I've never accepted anything from him!" Xu Qingqing's eyes reddened with fury.
"Even if I'm forced to marry into that family, I'll turn their house upside down!"
"Silly girl." Lin Jingyue sighed. "You're far too naive. Once you're married, it'll be too late."
What else could you do? A lone woman facing an entire family.
In an era when domestic violence went unpunished, if they broke your leg, the brigade would probably just think you deserved it.
And besides, an educated youth was an outsider here, with no family or backing.
Xu Qingqing bit her lip. "My reputation is ruined, my chance to return to the city is gone. I’ll fight them to the end—if I’m pushed too far, I'll burn the place down; no one will walk away!"
She stood up, looking like a martyr ready for death.
Lin Jingyue couldn't help but laugh and cry. "If you really think like this, why fear what they might do?"
"But you need to be careful, don't let him actually…"
Xu Qingqing's face changed, fear flickering in her eyes. But thinking of being forced to marry such scum, she suddenly steeled herself. "If it comes to that, we'll both go down together. I won't let him have his way!"

"So why marry him at all? Why not report it to the Public Security Bureau? Someone's practicing those old feudal customs—arranged marriage, coercing a woman—what a perfect headline."
Anyway, Kaoshan Brigade would definitely pay for this.
Xu Qingqing's eyes brightened. Of course, why hadn't she thought of that?
"But think carefully. Once you go to the police, there's no turning back. You'll surely be ostracized in the brigade, and they might retaliate against you in secret. You must be prepared…" Lin Jingyue laid it all out for her.
Don't make a decision just because of one word from me—I can't bear that responsibility.
This was only advice; the choice was Xu Qingqing's to make.
Xu Qingqing, her impulsiveness waning, bowed her head in contemplation. Lin Jingyue didn't rush her.
"Think it over. I'll go make lunch; you can stay and eat." She stood up.
"No need to think! I've decided—I'm reporting it to the police!" Xu Qingqing grabbed Lin Jingyue's hand.
So long as there's a choice, she'd never marry that scum.
"If I report it, my personal safety will be protected. As long as I stick to my guns, his family won't dare touch me! With a record at the police, I doubt anyone would risk it."
"Jingyue, thank you. I'm going to the police now. When I have time, I'll treat you to a meal!"
Now that she had a plan, there was light in Xu Qingqing's eyes. She rushed out like a whirlwind and was gone in a flash.
Lin Jingyue…
She hadn't even managed to say a word.
"What’s wrong?" Jiang Xun, seeing her standing at the door in amused exasperation, came over to ask.
Xu Qingqing hadn't looked well when she arrived—clearly something had happened.
Since everyone else was busy cooking, Lin Jingyue asked him inside but left the door open.
She recounted the matter in a lowered voice.
Jiang Xun arched an eyebrow. "That third one who got caught—he's the accountant’s nephew from next door."
"Hmm?" Lin Jingyue came to her senses. Lin Xinrou had sent someone to deal with her?
"Sun Tiezhu and the accountant’s son from next door used to run together," Jiang Xun added.
Lin Jingyue's eyes lit up.
So all those past dirty deeds were tied to Sun Tiezhu and the accountant’s son.
Xu Qingqing’s report would send them straight to the local police station; getting out again… not likely until college entrance exams were reinstated.
"I’ve spoken to Sun Tiezhu—let’s wait until Sun Zhiyuan returns." There was a fleeting glimmer of intent in Jiang Xun's eyes.

The matter between Lin Xinrou and Sun Tiezhu needed to be exposed.
Jingyue must have thought the same, otherwise she wouldn't have let Lin Xinrou run wild for so long.
To deal with someone like Lin Xinrou, you had to crush her spirit—only then would she truly suffer.
Their eyes met, and they understood each other perfectly.
"Sun Zhiyuan returns this time for a family visit…"
"It’s not a visit," Jiang Xun interrupted her. "He’s been discharged."
"What?"
"Wang Xueping took the matter to the army. Sun Zhiyuan was supposed to be promoted to squad leader, but he was discharged instead. The army acknowledged his merits, though, and gave him a subsidy. Of course, no transfer to a civilian post."
After all, it was considered a conduct issue.
Lin Jingyue was surprised. She had thought Wang Xueping would just go a few rounds with Lin Xinrou, but instead, she’d cut off Sun Zhiyuan’s future at the source and brought him back.
In her previous life, Sun Zhiyuan was discharged when Wang Xueping took college entrance exams. By then, he was already a platoon leader—the subsidy was much greater, and with help from Wang Xueping’s family, his career took off.
Riding the tide of reform and opening up, he soared to become one of the first domestic tycoons, basking in success.
If Lin Jingyue had known Sun Zhiyuan’s path to fortune, she’d have thought Lin Xinrou was out of her mind.
Even knowing the plot from the book, could Sun Zhiyuan really succeed without the Wang family’s help? Pure fantasy.
But perhaps not—Lin Xinrou, aware of the storyline and the future, might believe that with their seed money, she herself could help Sun Zhiyuan get rich again, even without the Wang family.
"Sun Zhiyuan should arrive the afternoon after tomorrow," said Jiang Xun.
Once he returned, the brigade would be thrown into chaos.
Lin Jingyue was a little excited—just imagining the scene filled her with glee.
…
After lunch, Lin Jingyue called out to Xia Nan. "Xia Nan, I have something to discuss with you."
In the entire educated youth camp, aside from Jiang Xun and Zhou Yan, Xia Nan was the one Lin Jingyue was closest with.
They always had much to talk about.
Xia Nan was just finishing the dishes—she wiped her hands and walked over. "What’s up?"