People who eat melon are in 70 - Chapter 25

The crowd, which was about to disperse, became instantly excited upon hearing Lin Jianzhong’s words.

Everyone turned their attention to Gu Nianwei in unison.

At that moment, Gu Nianwei’s aversion to Lin Jianzhong reached its peak.

It was as if she saw the men from her past life, those who kneeled with white candles and presented flowers to declare their love in front of a crowd.

These men cared nothing about whether the girl liked them or if she would feel embarrassed; they only knew that they wanted her as their girlfriend.

Some girls, feeling embarrassed and pressured by the crowd’s cheers, would reluctantly agree. Others, who firmly refused, would be dragged by these men who demanded an explanation. Regardless of the reason given, it would often be twisted into accusations of being shallow and materialistic.

Men who lack self-awareness never consider that a girl’s refusal might simply be due to disinterest. Instead, they believe that the rejection is because they lack money or power.

Jiang Yutao, who had seen similar scenes often during her university days, also looked displeased. She and Li Yunying stepped in front of Gu Nianwei, shielding her, while Wang Shanxi and a few other youths quietly moved to stand behind Gu Nianwei.

The scene from the day Jiang Yutao had fought seemed to repeat itself at this moment.

Gu Nianwei felt a warm feeling in her heart. She patted Jiang Youtao and Li Yunying on the shoulders and stepped in front of them. This was her battlefield; she wouldn’t hide behind her friends while letting them fight on her behalf.

Gu Nianwei addressed Lin Jianzhong, “Comrade, I’m not familiar with you, and there’s nothing for us to discuss privately. If you have something to say, say it here. I have nothing to hide.”

After discovering that Lin Jianzhong was the head of the commune supply and marketing cooperative, Gu Nianwei realized that her previous encounters with him in the county seat were not coincidental.

As a member of the national supply and marketing cooperative, her relationship with Lin Jianzhong was inherently adversarial.

Their relationship was like ice and fire, destined to be at odds.

So the question arises: Lin Jianzhong, who was promoted to the rank of battalion commander in the army, must have some skills. After seeing her at the scene multiple times, surely he had some doubts?

The first time might be a coincidence, but the second time—could it be so coincidental?

The alleys in the county seat are complex and winding. Did Lin Jianzhong really come from the direction opposite her that day, or did he circle around through another alley to reach her?

If he already suspected her, why did he choose to keep it hidden instead of reporting it? Why approach her as if he knew nothing? What is his intention?

However, questioning those matters now is no longer important. When Lin Jianzhong chased after her to request a private conversation, Gu Nianwei knew that his intentions during his second attempt to get close to her were definitely not good.

Gu Nianwei never believed in unconditional love in this world, nor did she believe that Lin Jianzhong, having met her three times and exchanged fewer than ten words, would fall hopelessly in love with her and be unwilling to marry anyone else.

Everything people do has a reason behind it. As for what that reason is, Gu Nianwei’s mind quickly figured it out.

The refined rice and white flour she brought out were processed with modern techniques from later times. Especially the rice, which not only had its husk completely removed but also had been polished—a level of refinement that the techniques of this era couldn’t achieve.

Her rice, along with the white flour and noodles, became extremely popular and sold out quickly.

As the director of the supply and marketing cooperative, Lin Jianzhong, who was also involved in capturing her, could not have failed to see the products circulating from her. Anyone with eyes and a brain could recognize the wealth those items brought.

Gu Nianwei speculated about the timing of the rumors circulating about her and Lin Jianzhong, and increasingly believed that these rumors were likely spread at Lin Weihong’s behest, or at least with his guidance. Otherwise, the timing would not have been so coincidental.

All of this pointed to Lin Jianzhong’s true intentions—he was after her resources, or more precisely, the source of her resources. His actions were clearly driven by personal motives. If he truly wanted to capture her, he would have reported her to the higher authorities rather than resorting to such methods.

At this moment, Lin Jianzhong’s feigned gentleness vanished entirely. His eyes, cold and threatening, held an implicit menace: “Comrade Gu Nianwei, do you really want me to say it out loud here?”

Lin Jianzhong knew Gu Nianwei was intelligent; he realized she suspected him when she chose to ignore him rather than acknowledge his presence. But Lin Jianzhong was unconcerned, as the information he received from Lin Weihong indicated that Gu Nianwei was very kind to his three sons.

After Lin Weihong mentioned their marriage, Gu Nianwei did not show any sign of restraint. Lin Jianzhong thus felt that Gu Nianwei was interested in him.

Feeling self-satisfied, Lin Jianzhong looked down on women who were only concerned with love and romance, like his ex-wife Wang Lili.

However, Gu Nianwei’s reaction exceeded his expectations, making Lin Jianzhong extremely angry. He decided to stop hiding his intentions.

Speculation and profiteering were serious crimes, especially for someone like Gu Nianwei who was involved in the large-scale trafficking of crucial goods such as rice and flour.

Lin Jianzhong was certain that Gu Nianwei would agree to talk to him alone. Once she agreed, he would have the initiative in the conversation, making her marriage to him a done deal.

Once married to him, he planned to use heavy household duties, difficult in-law relationships, and troublesome children to keep her occupied. After that, her supply channels would fall right into his hands.

Lin Jianzhong was an ambitious man. Without ambition, how could he have achieved the rank of battalion commander in a talent-rich army? His decision to retire was both his own choice and a decision from the military.

After retiring and returning to civilian life, he planned to make a grand move, with Gu Nianwei as a pawn—a pawn that could help him rise to prominence.

However, Gu Nianwei was not afraid of Lin Jianzhong’s threats: “Speak your mind. I stand upright and have nothing to fear.”

With her space, where all her resources were stored, Gu Nianwei was confident that even if Lin Jianzhong brought the most powerful investigative team, they would not find anything.

Gu Nianwei’s reaction clearly surprised Lin Jianzhong once again. He stared intently at her, remaining silent, and began to feel uncertain. Could it be that Gu Nianwei’s two appearances at the scene were merely coincidences?

This thought was quickly suppressed by Lin Jianzhong. It was clearly impossible. Before capturing speculators like Gu Nianwei, he had secretly monitored the black market for two to three months. Every time there was a large amount of high-quality goods flowing out, it coincided with the times when Gu Nianwei left the production team.

Moreover, the family who rented a house to Gu Nianwei confirmed that the tenant was a small, frail man. Based on their description, it was undoubtedly Gu Nianwei in disguise.

Lin Jianzhong remained silent for a long time, causing the onlookers to grow restless. They were left in a state of suspense, feeling extremely uncomfortable.

“Dogwa, what exactly is going on with Gu Nianwei? Why don’t you just tell everyone?” Zhao Chunhua, who disliked Lin Jianzhong and had given him a rather dismissive nickname, compared him unfavorably to his well-behaved younger brother, Lin Jianhua. The difference was like night and day.

Lin Jianzhong hated being called by his nickname, as it reminded him of the humiliation of his early life.

He looked at the person with eyes as sharp as a sword. The one who had called him “Dogwa” was not at all afraid of him. His name was Xu Dashan, and he was as much a simpleton as his name suggested.

Impulsive and brainless, Xu Dashan was completely unaffected by Lin Jianzhong’s oppressive gaze. All he wanted was to continue enjoying the spectacle: “Aren’t you going to say what’s going on? Hurry up, stop dragging things out. Are you still a man or not?”

Men are most sensitive to being told they’re not men.

When Xu Dashan said this, the entire audience erupted in laughter. In the Northeast, people are tough and straightforward, and even older women who have had children can joke around without reservation. Some bold older women laughed while casting aggressive glances at Lin Jianzhong’s lower regions, making him feel an overwhelming urge to cross his legs in public.

Jiang Yutao heard an aunt nearby whisper loudly enough for everyone to hear, “That can’t be. I think Dogwa is quite manly. Look, he’s only been back three or four times, and he’s already fathered three children. Isn’t that manly?”

The laughter among the women grew louder. Someone chimed in, “Exactly, exactly. When Dogwa comes back, Wang Lili can barely walk the next day. Why would a married woman walk awkwardly and uncomfortably?”

The men stayed silent at such comments, while the women grew bolder in their discussions. Unmarried young women and newlywed brides blushed, and Gu Nianwei and her companions found it increasingly strange.

“Alright, stop your nonsense and shut up,” a man finally couldn’t take it anymore and scolded them.

The woman who had first mocked Lin Jianzhong clicked her tongue and said, “Big Dogwa, is it that you can’t perform? Otherwise, why are you getting so angry?”

Amid the laughter, the women eventually dropped the subject.

Lin Jianzhong’s hostility was palpable and uncontainable.

“Comrade Gu Nianwei, you’re the one who insisted on speaking in public,” Lin Jianzhong’s words quieted the noisy scene. Everyone’s attention was now focused on him, waiting for his next words.

In northern summer, it gets dark very late. Even though it was already past seven, the sky outside still showed no signs of darkening.

Gu Nianwei nodded, “Yes, it’s what I wanted to say. Go ahead.”

At this point, Lin Jianzhong was in a difficult position. He knew that if he didn’t explain himself today, his reputation in the village would be ruined. But if he revealed the truth, would it be enough to convict Gu Nianwei? Her calm demeanor suggested she had something to rely on.

Lin Jianzhong was filled with regret. He resented himself for underestimating Gu Nianwei simply because she was a woman. He regretted not conducting a thorough investigation before making a rash move.

Gu Nianwei noticed that Lin Jianzhong remained silent and sneered, “Why aren’t you speaking? Still trying to figure out how to slander me, aren’t you?”

“I’ve been in Liushu Gou for a year now. Initially, I had a very good impression of Liushu Gou. Everyone was warm, kind, united, and helpful. During my year here, everyone has given me a lot of support, and I’m deeply moved.”

“I even wrote to my classmates, praising the local customs of Liushu Gou. Little did I expect, not long after sending that letter, you’d give me a lesson.” Gu Nianwei’s voice grew louder, “I believe that in the year I’ve been here, I haven’t done anything to wrong anyone. On the contrary, if there’s anything I can help with, I’ve always been willing to assist, never refusing.”

“Most of the village kids have had the things I provided, right? Candy, snacks, and all sorts of treats? Why was I so generous? It’s because I’m grateful for all the help you’ve given me. And now, after all that, I’m repaid with hostility?”

“Everyone must be curious why I’ve been so kind to the Lin brothers, Lin Wenping and his two siblings. It’s because I see them as pitiable. Three children lost their mother, and their father is as good as absent. The three brothers have to live off their grandmother, getting by with intermittent meals and having to go out in the rain to forage for wild vegetables just to have something to eat. You all know this, right? Many of the village aunts have helped them too. So why is it that only my help is being singled out for discussion?”

Gu Nianwei was speaking the truth. Lin Wenping was good at pretending; whenever he was seen outside, he was usually hungry. Many of the kind-hearted village aunts would give them some food when they saw the three brothers in such a state. This was not a new occurrence in Liushu Gou.

As soon as Gu Nianwei spoke, many who had given food to the Lin brothers nodded in agreement: “That’s true; quite a few people in our village have given them food and drink.”

The crowd wasn’t foolish; they had sharp eyes and could tell a lot about people from observation. However, often they were more interested in hearing what they wanted to hear rather than the actual truth.

For example, regarding what Gu Nianwei said, they knew that she treated the other children in the village well, and the reason the three brothers received more than the other children was simply due to their circumstances. But this was not what they wanted to hear.

Their entertainment and leisure were so lacking that the gossip about Gu Nianwei and Lin Jianzhong immediately ignited their otherwise dull lives.

Gu Nianwei, coming from the capital, was cultured, young, and attractive. There were many young men in the village who secretly admired her. Yet, such a seemingly perfect person was rumored to want to be a stepmother to a man in his thirties. Isn’t that sensational?

Could they not discuss it? As for the truth of the matter, who knows? And how the rumors might affect Gu Nianwei was none of their concern. They were just chatting.

Gu Nianwei looked around, noticing that some of those she had helped turned their eyes away uncomfortably. Her smirk widened, and the sarcasm in her eyes deepened.

“I never thought that the simple and honest village of Liu Shu Gou could be capable of forcing a young intellectual to marry a local.”

“I had no prior communication with Comrade Lin Jianzhong before today, not even through letters. I don’t know how those rumors about me being willing to marry him came about. I just want to clarify this to everyone and make it clear here.”

“I, Gu Nianwei, would rather die on the spot today than become a stepmother.”

The crowd fell silent, and Lin Jianzhong clenched his fists by his side.

“Comrade Lin Jianzhong, Commander Lin, Director Lin, I don’t know what exactly you intend to discuss with me today, but I can tell you clearly: bring it on, I’m not afraid of you. Because behind me stands justice and the tens of thousands of young intellectuals across the country!”

Gu Nianwei’s words were forceful, and Wang Shanxi and other young intellectuals cast wary glances at the villagers.

As the sky grew darker, they had clearly divided into two opposing camps, severing the close ties they once had with the villagers.

The brigade leader and the village secretary arrived at this moment.

“Why are you all gathered here instead of going home after work? Are you complaining that work is too tiring? Fine, tomorrow’s tasks will be doubled.” As the brigade leader spoke, they had already entered the crowd.

The brigade leader’s gaze lingered momentarily on Lin Jianzhong before shifting to the young intellectuals who stood with their necks held high and faces full of defiance.

“What’s going on here? Who can explain this to me?”

As the point leader of the young intellectuals, Wang Shanxi was the spokesperson for the group in important matters. Facing the brigade leader’s inquiry, he spoke in a deep voice: “Brigade leader, it’s clearly inappropriate to play dumb at this moment. I refuse to believe that no one told you about what happened on the way here.”

After mocking the brigade leader, he didn’t give him a chance to respond and continued: “Since you choose to play dumb, let me explain it to you again. Comrade Lin Weihong wants to set up a match between Comrade Gu Nianwei from the young intellectual team and her nephew, Comrade Lin Jianzhong from your village.”

“Even after Comrade Gu Nianwei clearly expressed her refusal, she still harbored ill intentions and spread various exaggerated and false rumors to slander her, attempting to use public opinion to pressure her into compromising.”

“In the fabricated rumors, it was claimed that we, the young intellectuals, were interested in Lin Jianzhong’s position as a battalion commander in the army and wanted to marry him to escape heavy farm work. They also described her as someone who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals, twisting her kindness towards the children into shameless flattery towards Lin Jianzhong’s children, trying to portray her as virtuous and gentle with the ultimate aim of becoming their stepmother.”

“After Comrade Lin Jianzhong returned to the village, Lin Weihong invited Comrade Gu Nianwei to her home for a meal under the pretense of thanking her for helping buy medicine. During the meal, Lin Weihong once again tried to set them up. After clearly rejecting the proposal, Comrade Gu Nianwei left Lin Weihong’s home.”

“Immediately upon leaving, Comrade Lin Jianzhong chased after her, claiming he wanted to discuss something privately with Comrade Gu Nianwei. His intention was to create a false impression of a close relationship between him and Comrade Gu in front of the public. After Comrade Gu rejected him, he even threatened her.”

“Brigade leader, now that you understand the cause, process, and outcome of the matter, you can ask those present if I have misstated anything.”

Wang Shanxi’s words were sharp and logical, providing clear and well-supported explanations that left no room for rebuttal.

The brigade leader glanced at Lin Jianzhong, who had veins bulging on his forehead and his jaw trembling. Lin Jianzhong wanted to speak, but the brigade leader silenced him with a look.

The brigade leader took out his smoking pipe, running his fingers over the iron mouthpiece. It was something Lin Jianzhong had sent him the year he first joined the army. Over the years, the brigade leader had cherished it like a treasure, occasionally taking it out to handle. The mouthpiece had been polished to a smooth shine.

He looked gravely at Jiang Yutao and the other young intellectuals and asked, “So, what do you all want to do about this matter?”