"Village Chief, you reported that a relocated household was stealing collective property, but now you're telling me no one lost anything. Do you think our revolutionary committee has nothing better to do? Are you deliberately causing trouble?"
The village chief of Yannan Village drew a sharp breath. This was bad—Director Nan was angry. Was he about to become the second village chief removed by her?
Please, no!
"Director Nan, this is a misunderstanding! You’ve always emphasized uniting all forces that can be united. I’ve only been following your instructions."
As he spoke, the chief pointed at the woman who had spoken. "It was Feng Li who secretly sent her son to report to the government. When I heard comrades from the revolutionary committee were coming, I brought Liu Yun here."
Nan Sheng gave him a cold look. "If you can’t even manage your own villagers, you’re not entirely innocent either."
"Please give me another chance, Director Nan! I’ll definitely rectify the village’s unhealthy tendencies and ensure unity and mutual progress among the villagers!"
Only then did Nan Sheng nod. "Fine, I’ll give you one more chance. Liu Yun, explain—where did the food really come from?"
"It was sent by relatives from home."
"Then why didn’t they deliver it openly?"
Nan Sheng’s tone grew impatient, her disdain universal.
"Director, I’m a relocated household. I was afraid of gossip if people saw them, so I didn’t dare let them come during the day. I know I was wrong and won’t cause you trouble again."
"It is trouble. Your statement will need verification at the revolutionary committee. If you’re lying, or if your relatives came without an introduction letter, I’ll deal with this severely!"
Nan Sheng turned to Chen Tian. "Take both Feng Li and Liu Yun away for interrogation. Their sneaky behavior suggests they might be hiding something."
In the crowd, one family looked like they wanted to step forward and plead for Liu Yun, but she subtly shook her head, signaling them to stay out of it.
Feng Li, however, was stunned. "Director Nan, shouldn’t I be rewarded for reporting? Why am I being investigated?"
Chen Tian, now Nan Sheng’s staunch supporter, immediately defended her. "Why? What were you doing sneaking around the cowshed? Do you enjoy the smell of cow dung? Listen, when you get to the town government, you’d better confess honestly—or your whole family will suffer the consequences!"
With Feng Li as an example, the other villagers didn’t dare stir up trouble anymore. These days, not only were the accused taken away, even the accusers couldn’t escape. Staying silent was clearly the safest option!
Feng Li and Liu Yun were taken away, and that very night, the Yannan Village chief held a meeting to prevent similar incidents.
The relocated households, however, were relieved. No one would be watching them so closely now—they finally had some freedom.
Chen Tian interrogated Feng Li and traced the rumor back to its source. Feng Li and her relatives were sent to a nearby farm for ten days of reform—a light punishment as a warning.
Feng Li’s sister-in-law was furious. Who would’ve thought a careless remark would land her in such trouble? She was so angry she threatened to cut ties on the spot.
Feng Li was just as aggrieved. "It was you who called her a loose woman! That’s why I kept an eye on her. If you hadn’t said that, none of this would’ve happened. Even the revolutionary committee comrades said Liu Yun was innocent. Blame yourself for not being clear!"
Liu Yun explained the food’s origin at the government office. When Chen Tian learned she had relatives in Yannan Village, he asked Nan Sheng, "Director, should we transfer her to another village for reform?"
"Fine. Where do you think would be suitable?"
Nan Sheng was drafting her work plan—next on the agenda was ideological reform, encouraging more labor and less talk.
Chen Tian scratched his head. He had no idea, and other villages might not even be willing to take her.
"If it’s too troublesome, forget it. Just inspect the village more often. It’s not like she can run away."
Liu Yun was held at the town government for three days. Apart from the initial interrogation, she was simply confined—with meals provided.
If not for the fear that the place might be haunted, she’d have been happy to stay longer. It beat going back to labor.
Her relatively comfortable detention was entirely due to Nan Sheng’s policy: no arbitrary beatings. Under her, no one was tortured without questioning—just a few psychological tricks to scare people.
"Director Nan, County Party Secretary Cao just called. He wants us at the county meeting tomorrow for a work summary. Do you need my help?"
Nan Sheng declined Secretary Cai’s offer. As a former office drone, writing summaries was second nature to her.
She’d worked at a company where they demanded daily morning plans, evening summaries, plus weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports. She’d barely done any real work—just honed her typing skills.
Besides, she’d attended meetings before. She knew the drill.
To get to the county from Sanwei Town, they could bike or take the bus—but there was only one bus a day. Miss it, and they’d be stranded.
Lazy as she was, and Secretary Cai no more energetic, they agreed on the bus.
While waiting, Secretary Cai brought her steamed buns. Nan Sheng didn’t refuse—she’d woken up an hour early and hadn’t had time to eat.
One bite revealed a meat filling, and she ate with delight.
Once aboard, they took seats near the front. The conductor recognized Secretary Cai and treated them politely the whole ride.
After arriving, Secretary Cai briefed Nan Sheng on the county government.
"County Party Secretary Cao Guoxiang is a retired military officer who climbed the ranks. He has extensive connections—best not to cross him."
Nan Sheng didn’t need the warning. If Cao were easy to handle, Director Ou wouldn’t owe her a favor.
They said soldiers were straightforward, but this Secretary Cao was clearly an exception.
They reached the county government by nine. With the meeting at ten, there was plenty of time. Secretary Cai went straight to Cao Guoxiang, while Nan Sheng sought out Director Ou—clear divisions.
Director Ou remained cordial when he saw her, even offering a heads-up.
"The poisoning incident may be over, but Secretary Cao was furious you didn’t personally apologize. Today, he might humiliate you."
Nan Sheng shrugged. "It’s fine, Director Ou. Let him scold me. In our line of work, we’re used to being yelled at."
Meanwhile, in the County Party Secretary’s office, Cao Guoxiang was asking Secretary Cai about Nan Sheng’s character.
