CHAPTER 79: CHAPTER 79: SCOREKEEPER

Sun Guihua was truly scared!

Dong Aimei was also filled with regret; she shouldn’t have provoked Xu Qinghuan. She was just upset — why is it that she’d admired Jiang Xingye for so many years, yet no one ever linked her name with his. But as soon as Xu Qinghuan arrived, the whole team started spreading rumors about her and Jiang Xingye!

Is this fair?

Isn’t it all just because she’s a bit prettier, from the city, and a high school student?

But she never expected Xu Qinghuan to be different from other educated youths; she was really so fierce!

If it were a physical fight, Dong Aimei wouldn’t be afraid. But Xu Qinghuan’s every word was like a knife to her throat, making her wary.

And the expressions of those around her were becoming more and more unfriendly; after all, being a scorekeeper earns quite a few work points — seven points a day. What did she actually do other than wander around the field edges, jotting things down on her notepad? How easy!

Especially those with daughters at home, who wouldn’t have their thoughts?

Indeed, this is the new society, not the old one. What of the secretary? The secretary should serve the people even more, yielding the best things to the public and tackling the toughest tasks themselves.

Sun Guihua ground her teeth in anger but had no choice but to take a conciliatory approach as she smiled, "You young folk, why go straight to the extreme when speaking? Who gets arranged to be the scorekeeper isn’t just decided by one person; it’s the team’s decision."

Xu Qinghuan sneered, "I am not questioning Dong Aimei’s ability; I’m questioning her mindset! She’s disconnected from her class, placing herself in opposition to the working people.

She should first undergo reform, change her mindset before considering contributing to the people; otherwise, her actions and words are destructive!"

Dong Aimei cried even harder, especially as people around echoed Xu Qinghuan’s words, leaving her flustered.

If she lost the position of scorekeeper, she’d have to go work in the fields.

Sun Guihua was particularly anxious; her daughter couldn’t possibly do fieldwork. She’d never worked a day in her life, only wanted to quiet things down,

"Xu Educated Youth, I’ll have her apologize to you. You know, you’re all young people, you should be able to get along, it’s just a minor conflict, not a big deal. The days ahead are long, can’t keep looking at each other like fighting roosters..."

Zhou Guizhi sneered, "Not that I mean to say, Guihua, but no matter how long the days ahead are, you don’t honestly think your old man can hold this position forever, do you? Apologies should be genuine, can you talk like this?"

As Zhou Guiying spoke, the members sided even more with Xu Qinghuan.

Xu Qinghuan laughed, "Aunt Guihua, I don’t need Dong Aimei to apologize to me. She might target me, but it’s not just personal. She probably thinks being a scorekeeper is more prestigious than working in the fields, making her think herself superior, that’s why she’s disrespectful to me.

The way she treats me today, she must have treated others the same way in the past. If she should apologize, it should be to the entire laboring class!"

No one dared to echo her words, but the look in everyone’s eyes was filled with agreement.

Zhou Guizhi was quite impressed by this little educated youth; her words were sharper than knives, deadly without showing blood!

She wondered about Xiao Wu, who hadn’t helped the little educated youth today; was he driven away by her or something else? Worry welled up inside her.

Dong Aimei stomped her feet, "Xu Qinghuan, must you continue being against me? My father is the village secretary, so he takes care of me, what’s wrong with that? Did he break the law? Your father passed away, no one looks after you, so are you jealous of me?

I’ll tell you, even if I can’t keep the scorekeeping position, don’t you even think about getting it!"

As soon as she said this, everyone was stunned.

The educated youths heard the commotion and came over; after all, they’re a group with Xu Qinghuan, and when there’s internal disagreement, they stick together against outsiders.

Tears welled up in Xu Qinghuan’s eyes, "Don’t worry, I know my father is gone, I’ve never counted on anyone to protect me. In the production team there’s so many capable young men, anyone can be a scorekeeper. I’m just an out-of-town educated youth; I don’t have such expectations."

The secretary arrived, face dark as thunder, and slapped Dong Aimei fiercely across the face.

Sun Guihua was stunned, took quite a while to react, pushed the secretary while crying, "Are you crazy, why did you hit Aimei? You damned old man, I’ll fight you!"

The secretary swung his arm, flinging Sun Guihua aside.

He approached Xu Qinghuan, lowering himself, "Xu Educated Youth, Aimei has been foolish, don’t worry, I will definitely teach her a lesson. Just for my sake, don’t hold it against her."

Xu Qinghuan sneered, "Secretary, how do you intend to teach her? Scold her, or give her two more slaps like before?"

Thinking she wouldn’t know, the slap seemed loud, leaving just a slight red mark, who was he trying to impress?

Dong Xinmin’s eyes flashed menacingly — he was, after all, the Shangjiang Team’s secretary, personally apologized, yet she wouldn’t let go? That’s quite ungrateful.

Dong Xinmin remained silent, exerting pressure on Xu Qinghuan.

Xu Qinghuan said, "Dong Aimei has targeted me, not once, last time she spread rumors about me, it caused quite a commotion, didn’t the secretary know?"

Dong Xinmin forced a smile, "I really don’t know!"

"Then you’ve mishandled your duties as secretary!" Xu Qinghuan said unceremoniously, "I considered her first offense, didn’t make much fuss, but didn’t expect her to escalate today. Is this all you do, let her slander others, you really know how to take sides!"

Dong Xinmin’s embarrassment was evident, eyes cold as he asked, "Then what would you suggest?"

Xu Qinghuan said, "Remove her from the scorekeeper position, have a reelection. Since Dong Aimei clearly can’t manage, give the role to someone capable!"

Dong Xinmin sneered, "Xu Educated Youth, you probably don’t know, the scorekeeping role has always gone to villagers, you’re an educated youth, unless you marry into the village, even if Aimei doesn’t get it, it won’t be your turn!"

Xu Qinghuan stared directly at Dong Xinmin, "Secretary, the scorekeeping role is a public position, not the Dong Family’s possession, and it’s certainly not mine. I haven’t coveted it!"

Sun Guihua, furious, rushed up ready to slap Xu Qinghuan, but Zhou Guizhi intervened, "What now, your family bullies the little educated youth and now you want to hit her!"

Xu Qinghuan laughed, "Aunt, let her, let her hit, I’m afraid she won’t start, just right, leave a mark on my face, I’ll have reason to speak with the higher-ups!"

Sun Guihua dared not struggle, Zhou Guizhi released her grip.

Dong Xinmin roared at Sun Guihua, "Get back, take Aimei home, haven’t we lost enough face?"

After shouting, he scanned the crowd, "The scorekeeping role is open to whoever wants it; you can sign up at the team office, and the final candidate will be decided after a team discussion."

Finishing his speech, he glared fiercely at Xu Qinghuan and left.

Qiao Xinyu spat in the direction he’d gone, pulling Xu Qinghuan away, "Huanhuan, let’s go, I have something to tell you."

Offending the secretary is not a game.