CHAPTER 127: CHAPTER 127: CHU ZHIQING’S MAGNANIMITY

Widow Qiu knew if things continued like this, she and her son would probably get no good out of it.

She looked up and cast a pleading glance at the brigade leader.

The brigade leader’s face was stern as he shouted, "Enough with the noise! Can’t you tell what’s important? Don’t you want your work points anymore?"

He then turned and glared at Yunyi. "Every day, it’s you who causes the most trouble over petty things."

Yunyi was enraged. What was this? Judging by the brigade leader’s attitude, could he be having an affair with Widow Qiu?

Just you wait! I don’t provoke others if they don’t provoke me. But since you started picking on me incessantly, don’t blame me for making trouble for you!

The brigade leader turned back to Widow Qiu. "Control your own kid! Can’t you see what time it is?"

After speaking, he shouted to the villagers, "Let’s start assigning work. Cut out this useless chatter!"

Yunyi saw him about to leave and called out, "Brigade Leader, they’ve done despicable things, and that’s it? Is this how you manage the village?"

At her words, Xu Wenchang’s face darkened. He spun around, his tone hostile. "Then what do you suggest?"

Yunyi said with a faint smile, "They bullied someone. Shouldn’t they apologize?"

At this point, Liu Chenglin stepped forward, followed by Lun Huaijing, Tao Yuran, and Guo Aibing—who had moved out—and the other educated youths from the Zhiqing Point.

The people from the Zhiqing Point might have their internal conflicts, but they knew they needed to present a united front now.

Liu Chenglin spoke first. "Brigade Leader, we came to the countryside to support its development in response to the nation’s call. Since we are in this village, we are its members. You shouldn’t show favoritism or handle matters this way."

Qiu Baolin had harassed Tao Yuran before. However, Lun Huaijing and Guo Aibing had protected her, so he hadn’t dared to show his face around her again. Naturally, Tao Yuran wouldn’t miss this public opportunity to deal with Qiu Baolin. She said, "Brigade Leader, your handling of this is unfair. Isn’t it inappropriate to shield them in front of the entire village?"

Upon hearing this, Yunyi glanced at Tao Yuran. Could it be that this girl also suspects an unspeakable secret between the brigade leader and Widow Qiu?

Yunyi immediately chimed in, "Brigade Leader, as the saying goes, ’Without rules, order cannot be established.’ Don’t you owe me, the educated youths, and the entire village an explanation for this?"

The brigade leader wanted to shield the Qiu mother and son, but I wouldn’t let him have his way. If my guess is correct, I naturally have to lay some groundwork with the villagers first.

At that moment, everyone started whispering among themselves again.

The Branch Secretary looked at the crowd, then at the stern-faced brigade leader. "It’s getting late. The Qiu family started this by bullying someone, so it’s only right for them to apologize to Chu Zhiqing."

"If anyone in the village makes a mistake and we handle it like this, who will respect us village cadres in the future? What do you say?"

At this moment, the brigade leader’s wife, Ma Jiuxiang, squeezed through the crowd and pushed her husband. "What are you waiting for? That small favor Qiu Chunzhu did for our family was repaid long ago. Are you really going to lose your authority as brigade leader over the Qiu family’s affairs?"

Pushed by his wife, the brigade leader glanced at the Qiu family standing to the side and coughed lightly. "Today’s incident was indeed Qiu Baolin’s fault. He must be more careful in his actions in the future. Even if he fancies Chu Zhiqing, it must be mutual."

Seeing him try to gloss over it, Yunyi said, "If a mistake goes unpunished, how will the lesson be learned? Don’t you all agree?"

If looks could kill, Yunyi would have died a thousand times over. Besides the murderous glares from the Qiu family, the brigade leader shot one her way too, but Yunyi didn’t care.

All the villagers were watching. The brigade leader, put on the spot, said in an effort to maintain his authority, "Then he’s punished to carry pig manure for three days. Let that teach him a lesson."

Although it wasn’t completely satisfactory, it’s barely acceptable. After all, I can’t get a reputation for being unrelenting when I’m in the right. I’m a kind person, after all.

As for dealing with them privately, of course, I won’t let them off lightly. Yunyi then said aloud, "Fine. Since the Brigade Leader has handled it this way, I have no objections."

At this point, Zhao Guihua, standing at the front of the crowd, spoke up, "Our Chu Zhiqing is indeed magnanimous."

After speaking, she turned to Widow Qiu and delivered a stern warning, "Put away your petty schemes. If you provoke Chu Zhiqing again, don’t blame me for sending the strong laborers from my family to wreck your house!"