The Village Chief was currently rushing home to fetch his bicycle, planning to ride to town to seek help.
Meanwhile, Nan Sheng was directing the villagers on what to do.
"Several of you, take Liu San and his wife to the town first. If they escape, you’ll be the ones facing the firing squad—understand?"
One of the men, seeing Liu San in unbearable pain, couldn’t help but feel pity. "Director, maybe we should let the medic bandage him up first. Otherwise, he might cause trouble on the way."
Nan Sheng sneered. "Why waste medicine on a man who’s about to die? Let him endure it. One of you go back and fetch a cart and ropes—tie him up. A living man shouldn’t be defeated by his own suffering."
Wen Min and Deng Jun fell silent, thinking the phrasing was too crude to even respond to.
"Liu Yun, you go back and pack your things too. Leave with them and stay at the town government office tonight. I’ll arrange a proper place for you tomorrow."
"Yes! Thank you, Director!"
Liu Yun was so moved that tears welled up in her already red and swollen eyes, but she was overjoyed deep down. Finally, she could escape the shadow of Liu San.
Once everything was arranged, Nan Sheng and the other two also headed to town. They had bicycles, so their pace was quick.
But the Village Chief was even faster—his bike pedals practically sparking from how hard he was riding.
"Secretary! Secretary, save me! Someone’s trying to strip me of my position!"
He wailed his way from the town government gate into the courtyard, then into the main hall, snot and tears streaming down his face. Anyone unaware might have thought someone had died.
It was almost time to clock out, and everyone came out to watch the spectacle. Secretary Cai tried to usher him into his office, but the Village Chief refused.
"Secretary, there’s no time! The Revolutionary Committee Director will be back soon—you have to help me!"
The Revolutionary Committee Director?
Director Nan!
Good grief, what had she done to reduce the Village Chief of Yunshui Village to such a pitiful state?
The government staff were all watching the drama unfold, but Secretary Cai wished he could disappear. Would he dare oppose Director Nan’s decisions?
Trying would mean dying—but with everyone watching, he had to at least ask what had happened.
"What kind of man cries like this? First, tell me why Director Nan removed you from your post. What did you do wrong?"
Though guilty, the Village Chief had no choice but to lie. Without his position, he was nothing—a blow he couldn’t bear.
"Today, my nephew’s wife caught her husband fooling around with a sent-down widow. I thought since the sent-down folks are here for reform, we couldn’t let her ruin the village’s morals, so I ordered her sent to town for punishment.
But then Director Nan showed up out of nowhere! She said I mishandled the situation and stripped me of my position in front of everyone! Secretary, you must stand up for me! No matter how much power the Revolutionary Committee Director has, she can’t override you!"
Secretary Cai thought, Oh, she absolutely can—and I’d end up worse off if I interfere.
He feigned sternness. "If two people committed a moral crime and you only punished one, then Director Nan was right to remove you. I’d have done the same.
You’d better leave now. If Director Nan returns and sees you here, you might not even make it out."
Losing your position is nothing compared to being sent to the mines—how could he not see that?
The Village Chief of Yunshui Village was stunned. He hadn’t expected Secretary Cai to abandon him. What was he supposed to do now?
The onlookers quickly pieced it together—this man had shielded his nephew and got caught, hence the demotion. Director Nan wasn’t wrong, even if she overstepped.
Just as the Village Chief was about to leave in despair, Nan Sheng and the others arrived. Deng Jun spotted something and immediately rushed into the hall, signaling Liu Song to help him pin the Village Chief down.
To the crowd, he explained, "The Village Chief of Yunshui Village shielded his nephew for harassing a woman, drove her to suicide, and even allowed his nephew to attack Director Nan. He must be punished severely!"
Secretary Cai hurriedly asked, "Is Director Nan alright? Was she badly hurt?"
At that moment, Nan Sheng walked into the hall with Wen Min. She joked, "I’m fine. Are you disappointed, Secretary Cai?"
"Of course not! I’m thrilled, really! Stay a little longer today—I’ll go to the supply coop and get you something to calm your nerves. Deal with them however you see fit. You have my full support!"
Secretary Cai’s stance was now crystal clear. Before, he couldn’t stand up to Director Ou—but now, he was afraid of Director Nan. The difference was night and day.
The other staff didn’t dare comment either, instead offering Nan Sheng their sympathies and urging her to rest well.
Chen Tian and Liu Song even surrounded her like she was some kind of protected species.
When they learned that Nan Sheng hadn’t been hurt—and had instead slashed her attacker with a knife—everyone shuddered.
Ruthless!
Absolutely ruthless!
From now on, anyone who disobeyed might end up with an extra hole in their body. Terrifying, wasn’t it?
Nan Sheng instructed her team, "You’re all working overtime tonight. Wen Min, buy Liu Yun two buns later—she can stay in my office. Lock all the cabinets.
Chen Tian, Deng Jun, Liu Song—you three know what to do. Chen Tian, if you mess this up, don’t ever ask to come back!"
"Yes! Rest assured, Director—we’ll complete the mission!"
Once everything was settled, Nan Sheng felt completely drained. As she rode her bike to the gate, she saw Secretary Cai rushing back, sweating profusely.
Amused, she said, "Secretary Cai, you actually bought something? I thought you were joking."
Secretary Cai hung the items on her bike handles. "It’s the least I could do. I’ll handle the incident report—say it was my decision, so no trouble falls on you.
As a female comrade in danger, it’s only right for me, as secretary, to show concern. Go home and rest. If you’re not feeling well tomorrow, don’t come in. I’ll make sure no one gossips."
Now Nan Sheng understood why Deputy Director Zhang from the materials department was involved with him—the old man knew how to sweet-talk.
Seeing him grovel, Nan Sheng decided to throw him a bone. "Fine, I’ll accept it. Thank you, Secretary!"
Secretary Cai brightened immediately. Good—if she accepted, there was still room for negotiation!
When Nan Sheng got home, she found her two children squatting pitifully in the hallway. Weakly, she asked, "Forget your keys?"
Yuying’s door was ajar, and she hurried out when she heard them. "Sis-in-law, your kids are so polite! They wouldn’t even come in when I invited them. Such good manners."
She was worried Nan Sheng might think she hadn’t looked after the children, so she made sure to explain.
