Xu Zifan still had no interest in the position of brigade leader, but given the circumstances of the time, he said nothing and simply acted as the village official in everyone's eyes for the time being.
Now he's a favorite of Director Liu, who has connections with higher-ups, so not only is his position secure, but he also wields more power than the other directors. Xu Zifan, so young, has surpassed everyone else in just a few months, which is quite infuriating. But unfortunately, he's just smarter than them. After they tried to trip them up a few times and were taught a lesson by Xu Zifan, they all became obedient, watching helplessly as Xu Zifan, after opening a factory and running a school, started raising livestock, making their brigade increasingly wealthy.
Xu Zifan did not blindly raise livestock directly, but instead encouraged every household in the village to raise four pigs and a dozen or so chickens, ducks, or geese. Once they were fully grown, except for one pig and two poultry which had to be handed over to the commune, the rest were all purchased by their food processing plant.
During this period, he required each household to designate a specific person to be responsible for their poultry and livestock, keep records, and rack their brains to find better ways to raise them. In the spring, rewards would be given based on the usability of these methods. He also selected three skilled pig farmers, chicken farmers, and fishermen, and applied to President Liu to send them to Beijing for training.
The two women chosen were around 40 years old, with exceptionally straightforward personalities, managing both household chores and other tasks effectively. The fisherman, 35, was overjoyed to hear they could go to Beijing for training at public expense; they were incredibly proud and honored in the village. However, they were also deeply apprehensive. They were illiterate, and this long journey to learn—how would they manage?
So Xu Zifan used this excuse to secure a spot for Yang Wanyun, allowing her to accompany them to study in Beijing. He would personally escort them there, find them a place to settle in, and they could return on their own. Of course, he had his reasons for going: to Beijing to promote their factory's products; escorting her was just a side benefit.
President Liu knew he was from Beijing and hadn't been home since getting married, so he figured he probably wanted to bring his wife home to meet him and readily agreed. However, President Liu only gave him a few days, asking him to go and return quickly and ensure nothing went wrong at the factory. This food factory had only been open for a few months and had already hired so many workers; Xu Zifan had been in charge of management, and a proper leadership team hadn't yet been formed, so they couldn't do without Xu Zifan.
After agreeing, Xu Zifan began settling things at the factory. Actually, everyone had already rushed to finish a large batch of goods before the Lunar New Year. The next batch was due around the Lantern Festival, but it would be much less busy, allowing everyone to enjoy a peaceful and prosperous year. After the Lantern Festival, when Xu Zifan was to leave for Beijing, there wouldn't be much work left; he would simply need to deliver the daily breakfasts and food from the supply and marketing cooperative—it was easy to arrange.
The whole village was beaming with happiness, except for the Su family, who were sighing and lamenting. Their prospective son-in-law, Wu Zhigang, had returned, much to Su Qing's delight.
Upon returning to the village, Wu Zhigang noticed its unusual liveliness; everyone seemed happy. After listening to Aunt Wu's stories about the village, he couldn't help but admire Xu Zifan's talent—a sent-down youth had brought about such significant changes to the village. However, upon hearing that Su Qing had once taken a liking to Xu Zifan and later sowed discord between the couple, causing the Yang family a month of misery, he grew to dislike Su Qing.
Although Xu Zifan was the one who told Su Qing what she did, and there was no evidence, he believed his mother wouldn't wrongly accuse Su Qing. Su Qing must have done something to make his mother so distrustful. He comforted Aunt Wu, saying, "Mom, don't get upset. If she's really a bad person, we'll just break off the engagement and compensate her with some money. Didn't you say she separated from her family? She must be having a hard time right now. If we give her more things, she should agree."
Aunt Wu said irritably, "I already broke off the engagement, but that Su Qing is really something. She yelled at me that she was going to the military to complain to the leaders, saying that she didn't do anything and that we should break off the engagement and ruin her reputation. She also said that if she went to the military and said that I had started a relationship and then abandoned her, I wouldn't pass any of the checks, I wouldn't be able to get promoted, and I might not even be able to join the army. Zhigang, is what she said true?"
Wu Zhigang frowned and nodded, saying, "She's right. It's like the hooliganism charge from a few years ago. If a woman is willing to risk her reputation to report it, the man usually can't clear his name. There are very few opportunities for promotion in the military, and the competition is fierce. If she goes and spreads rumors, and I can't prove she's done anything wrong, it will have a very bad impact on me. During the promotion review, other people who are about my level and don't have these kinds of problems can squeeze me out. If the impact is too bad, I'll have to transfer to civilian life and go home."
Aunt Wu was startled. "So what she said was true? What should we do? Are we just going to be stuck with her like this? I don't know why she insists on clinging to you. I told her you don't come home all year round, but she doesn't care. It's like she's determined to marry into our family."
Wu Xiaomei said from the side, "What could she be worried about? It must be because of her bad reputation. She's afraid of marrying someone badly. Our family is respectable, and my brother is a soldier. If she agrees to break off the engagement, she won't be able to find anyone better."
Aunt Wu hurriedly pushed her, saying, "Why are you saying such things, you young girl? Hurry up and go inside. Let me tell you, don't get involved in these things, it's bad for your reputation."
"I know, Mom, I won't talk nonsense outside," Wu Xiaomei muttered under her breath, reluctantly going inside. She had wanted to offer some advice; she didn't want such a scheming sister-in-law.
While they were talking, Wu Zhigang thought for a moment and said, "I'll go talk to her and see if giving her the gifts can help us annul the engagement. Mom, don't worry so much. If it really doesn't work, I can arrange for my family to accompany me to the military base. We can still get married..."
Then I'll have her come with me to my military post, so you and your younger sister won't have to see each other. I'll be training every day in the army, nothing will happen between us. Isn't that how life goes?"
"A virtuous wife brings fewer troubles to her husband. She doesn't get along with her family, and she's clearly not someone you can keep quiet. How can you expect to have a peaceful life with her? No, you still have to find a way to break off the engagement. Then Mom will find you someone with a better personality."
"Hmm, I'll go ask and see." Wu Zhigang didn't have many thoughts in mind, and the next day he went to see Su Qing discreetly.
His marriage to Su Qing was arranged by his father while he was still alive. They had known each other since childhood, but had never had much contact. Later, he joined the army, and they saw each other even less often. He was somewhat surprised to see Su Qing this time, because in his memory, Su Qing was a fair-skinned and pretty girl, one of the most beautiful in the village. Why did she look so thin and haggard now?
Upon seeing him, Su Qing smiled with delight and said, "Brother Zhigang, you've come to see me?"
Wu Zhigang was a little taken aback by her enthusiasm. He hummed in response and said, "I came to see you today about us. I usually have to go on missions, which are quite dangerous, and I only come home a few days a year. So I don't plan to get married and hold a good girl back. I think we should just call it quits. I know this isn't a good idea, but I'll make it up to you..."
Su Qing felt a chill in her heart, her smile vanished, and she interrupted him, "Brother Zhigang, my parents, brother, and sister-in-law all don't want me anymore. They kicked me out of the house because of a misunderstanding. Now you don't want me either? Are you trying to force me to my death?"
Wu Zhigang paused, frowned, and said, "I didn't mean that. I'll compensate you with 100 yuan. You can ask for anything else you need. It would be good for you to find a suitable partner who can stay at home. They're much better than me. Besides, marriage is a matter between two families. If the families don't get along, they won't have a good life together. Don't you think that makes sense?"
Su Qing straightened her back and said, "If others didn't have any prejudice against me, of course I could live a good life. Did you come back and hear what your aunt said? Don't you think about it? Before Xu Zifan came, did anyone say anything about me? If I were really a bad person, why didn't anyone notice for the past ten years? My aunt and younger sister used to get along well with me, there were no conflicts, right? How could they have such a deep prejudice against me just because of a few words from Xu Zifan? I've already sworn a solemn oath and they still don't believe me. Do they want me to jump into the river to prove my innocence? Then I'll jump right now to prove my innocence!"
Su Qing rushed out without looking up, running towards the river. Wu Zhigang quickly grabbed her and said in a low voice, "Calm down! We're here to solve problems, not create them. I'm just sharing my thoughts with you; I don't mean to force you."
Su Qing looked up at him with tears streaming down her face. "You're all I have left. When I'm suffering so much every day, I think about my fiancé who's a soldier. He protects our country and is a great hero. He'll definitely be able to support me and give me a home. But I finally got you back, how could you break my heart like this? You're trying to kill me!"
Su Qing hugged him tightly and sobbed in his arms. Wu Zhigang was startled, quickly pushed her away, looked around, and whispered, "You should calm down first. I'll talk to you another day. Think it over, I'm really not a good match for you."
Wu Zhigang left in a hurry, and Su Qing wiped away her tears and spat angrily. Wu Zhigang really knew how to talk; he kept saying he was thinking of her and would even compensate her. If she were an ordinary village girl, she would have fallen for it. Wasn't he just trying to trick her into breaking off the engagement so he could find someone better? Why was he so devoted to Yang Wanyun in their past life, but in this life, he couldn't wait to get rid of her?
Wu Zhigang came to see her so quickly; it must have been instigated by that old woman from the Wu family. Since they wouldn't let her have a good time during the New Year, she'd make sure to cause chaos for them and see who was more ruthless!
When Wu Zhigang returned home, he was being questioned by his aunt about what had happened. Then, a woman who was on good terms with his aunt ran over and said she had seen Su Qing go to see the brigade leader, saying she needed a letter of introduction to go to the army. Both Wu Zhigang and his aunt were shocked. They rushed to the Yang family's house and found Su Qing crying and begging Yang Yongqing for a letter of introduction.
"Captain, Wu Zhigang came back and immediately asked me to break off the engagement. He must have a lover in the army. I have to find out the truth. I can't let him break off the engagement without knowing why!"
There were quite a few onlookers. Wu Zhigang's heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly explained, "Captain, I didn't do such a thing. What Su Qing said is not true."
Aunt Wu also said angrily, "Su Qing, what exactly are you trying to do? Are you only satisfied when you've made sure my son can't join the army?"