The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 112: Retaliation, Concern (500+) _1

Chapter 112: Chapter 112: Retaliation, Concern (500+) _1

The timid Huang Jingli did not dare to speak in front of Lin Xiaoru and was very submissive. But the rage and humiliation inside her were enough to motivate her to seek revenge against this viperous beauty before her!

Lin Xiaoru was very satisfied with Huang Jingli’s compliance, and said, "Hurry up and cook. After eating, I’m going to the county office to argue with them!"

She, Lin Xiaoru, was so smart she could solve any difficulty, and this time would be no exception.

"Oh, I’ll cook right away." Huang Jingli complied, as for what Lin Xiaoru would do, she didn’t want to know!

"Hmph!" Lin Xiaoru turned her head away, not wanting to look at Huang Jingli’s timid appearance.

After eating, Lin Xiaoru said, "You’re coming with me."

"Me?" Huang Jingli, who was cleaning up the dishes, almost dropped them, "Why should I go? You know I’m not good with words!"

"I know you’re the dumbest. You don’t need to speak well for me, you just need to say that there’s a custom in our area, where if an unmarried young man and woman are together on a bicycle, it means they are courting," Lin Xiaoru said. "Just follow what I tell you; you don’t need to add anything else."

Huang Jingli said blankly, "But there are also brothers who ride with their sisters!"

"Are you dead? Of course, I’m not talking about siblings!" Lin Xiaoru said. "When the time comes, don’t talk too much, just say what I told you to say. If you say too much, I’ll report your background and have you dragged out for torture."

"Oh, okay!" Huang Jingli nodded and left with the dishes.

Although Huang Jingli was still very angry, she also felt a secret pleasure in her heart that even if Lin Xiaoru managed to escape punishment this time, her reputation in Qijia Village would be ruined. Lin Xiaoru would have to do something unexpected to change the situation! When that time came, perhaps it would be her opportunity!

She wanted to return the humiliation she suffered from Lin Xiaoru double-fold, to let her know what it felt like to be threatened.

Meanwhile, He Tiantian had gathered all the valid proof, along with the letters received from home, all of which were evidence.

Lin Xiaoru, oh Lin Xiaoru, you should never have provoked me, He Tiantian!

Even if I can’t punish you this time, I will still ensure your infamy spreads far and wide in Qijia Village, making your position untenable!

In the middle of the night, Third Grandma Qi boiled more than twenty eggs for He Tiantian and cooked a basket of pancakes, placing them in the basket and saying, "It’s exhausting to travel at night; take these with you, so everyone can have something to eat."

He Tiantian’s eyes welled up with heat; normally, they couldn’t bear to eat eggs, instead selling them at the supply and marketing cooperative in exchange for oil, salt, and the like. For her sake, Grandma Qi had boiled all the family’s eggs.

"Grandma Qi..." He Tiantian could no longer hold back and burst into tears.

Third Grandma Qi stretched out her hand, took a handkerchief to wipe He Tiantian’s tears, and said, "Don’t cry, Girl Tian! Your grandma can’t help much else, just this. There’s no difficulty that can’t be overcome, and besides, everyone’s clear-headed and will speak up for you. Moreover, you prepared for this when you last went home. Having things come to a head sooner might not be a bad thing. Take it easy; you’ll get through this."

He Tiantian sniffled and said, "Thank you, Grandma Qi, you’re right. It’s better for things to come sooner so I can be at peace sooner."

"That’s the spirit," Third Grandma Qi smiled. "Cheer up! And remember, ’The emperor doesn’t skimp on his soldiers food’. I have some money here too; take it with you to the county town and treat everyone to a meal; you can’t let everyone starve while working for you."

"There’s no need, Grandma Qi, I have money. My parents gave me a lot when I went home," He Tiantian said, holding not only her own earnings as a young intellectual but also what her parents, Huo Yingjie, and even Huo Yingjie’s parents had given her—more than a hundred yuan and tens of kilograms of Grain Coupons!

Third Grandma Qi affectionately stroked He Tiantian’s head, and laughed, "Your parents have agreed to you acknowledging me as your honorary grandma. If my granddaughter is in trouble and I don’t help or offer some money, then how can I be considered a grandma? Take it, and if you don’t, it means you don’t regard me as your grandma."

Seeing Third Grandma Qi insist, He Tiantian knew if she kept refusing, Grandma Qi would be very disappointed.

She would accept it! After the issue was resolved, she’d return the money to Grandma Qi.

Before, I also recognized Grandma Qi, and from now on, I must be good to Grandma Qi and repay her kindness," said He Tiantian.

"All right, then I accept it," He Tiantian said, "If I can’t use it all up, I’ll give it back to you, ma’am."

Seeing that He Tiantian accepted it, Third Grandma Qi felt happy inside and relievedly said, "That’s right, where there’s a will there’s a way, you can go anywhere in the world without fear."

He Tiantian nodded and said, "I’m not afraid!"

By one o’clock, everyone had gathered at Secretary Qi’s doorstep; four ox carts could fit twenty or so people if squeezed together.

Lin Xiaoru arrived quite early and directly climbed onto an ox cart to sit on top. She was worried that if she arrived later, others might not let her on, and she would have to walk to the county town.

Given Lin Xiaoru’s ability to distort the truth, He Tiantian handed over the pastry-filled basket to Qi Xiaoyan, asking her to distribute it to everyone.

After having the pastries and eggs, with something in their stomachs, they no longer felt sleepy.

Qi Xiaoyan was usually very generous, but today she was particularly stingy, giving neither to Lin Xiaoru nor to Huang Jingli.

"As if I’d eat that disgusting stuff!" Lin Xiaoru muttered, "I have money. We’ll eat at a restaurant once we get to the county town."

The sky was very dark, but more than a dozen torches were lit, brightly illuminating the path.

The ox carts moved slowly, only slightly slower than during daytime, but they could reach the county town before dawn.

Niu Dajun followed behind the ox carts, not daring to ride quickly, leisurely trailing along.

"Xiao Yan, are you cold?" Niu Dajun took out his military canteen, which he normally used, "There’s hot water inside, you can use it to warm your hands."

Qi Xiaoyan held the canteen Niu Dajun handed over, feeling the warmth in her hands, her heart leaping with joy, and said, "Thank you, Brother Dajun!"

"You girls need to pay attention to staying warm," Niu Dajun chuckled, "Cover up with the blanket, don’t catch a cold.!"

He Tiantian looked on with an amused smile at the interaction between Niu Dajun and Qi Xiaoyan.

Niu Dajun laughed sheepishly, not daring to meet He Tiantian’s probing gaze.

Qi Xiaoyan also kept her head down, not speaking, her heartbeat quickening, just afraid He Tiantian might ask something?

Qi Xiaoyan herself wasn’t very clear about it either, unsure of what to say, and inwardly praying that He Tiantian wouldn’t ask, at least not in a situation like this.

He Tiantian knew there were many things going on today, it wasn’t the time to ask about this!

Besides, as long as Qi Xiaoyan didn’t end up with that Chen Shimei, Li Mingkai, He Tiantian wouldn’t hinder Qi Xiaoyan the chance to interact with others.

The ox cart swayed and rocked for several hours, and finally arrived at the county town by a little past seven.

He Tiantian secretly gave Secretary Qi twenty yuan and six jin of Grain Coupons, asking him to treat everyone to a meal.

Village Chief Qi didn’t refuse. With so many people, it wouldn’t be good for his reputation as the village secretary if they didn’t eat well. Even if no one chipped in, he would have treated everyone to a meal regardless.