“You’re right to think that way. People in this village won’t care whether you actually did it or not, they only believe what they hear,” Aunt Tang said from the side.
“Aunt Tang is a military wife, her awareness is on a different level,” Xiulan teased.
“What awareness, I’ve just been through it myself,” Aunt Tang shook her head.
Only later did Lan Sisi learn that Aunt Tang had once suffered from a storm of verbal abuse. Her husband was away from home for long periods, and she could not manage the farm work alone, so her elder brother from her natal family came to help for a few days. Rumors then spread that she had gotten involved with another man. It had been entirely baseless, yet the rumors escalated more and more, almost driving Aunt Tang to prove her innocence through death. Fortunately, her husband trusted her and stepped forward to dispel the rumors.
Those people always believed they stood on moral high ground, yet they did not realize that the words they spoke were like nails. Even if they were later pulled out, they still left permanent scars.
The rumors spread through the village like a virus. Wherever Lan Sisi went, she could hear whispers and gossip.
Because of this, Lan Sinian even got into a fight at school and came back with bruises all over his face.
As Lan Sisi applied medicine to him, her expression remained blank. Lan Sinian felt uneasy and kept sneaking glances at her.
“Sis…” Lan Sinian called softly. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have fought with them.”
Lan Sisi closed her eyes. His pitiful tone softened her heart in an instant, and her voice also gentled. “I told you, right now you should focus on your studies. Let people say what they want. We have a clear conscience, we just need to be ourselves. I will handle this matter myself.”
“I understand, Sis.” Lan Sinian lowered his head, looking like a dog that had done something wrong.
Lan Sisi could not help herself and reached out to ruffle his soft hair. “It’s good that you know you were wrong. You can’t be this reckless again next time. Think carefully before doing anything. I’m still counting on you to support me in the future.”
Lan Sinian nodded, a determined light flashing in his eyes.
A few days later, when the rumors were at their peak, Liu Guihua stepped forward and, with righteous indignation, demanded to sever ties with Lan Sisi and her younger brother on the grounds of their “improper conduct.”
“Village chief, the Lan family has produced such a shameless descendant. We have no face left. How will Junsheng and Guangming find wives in the future? So I want to sever ties with them,” Liu Guihua said confidently at the Village chief’s house.
“The matter hasn’t even been clarified yet, and you’re already jumping out to sever ties. Isn’t this just putting Sisi and her brother over a fire?” the Village chief frowned.
“Everyone is saying it. There must be someone who saw something for it to spread. I already knew that broom star was no good. She’s never been filial to us. And now she’s even getting involved with a married old man. If I don’t sever ties with her, sooner or later she’ll drag our entire Lan family down,” Liu Guihua said.
“This matter requires calling Sisi and her brother here. A one-sided decision from you won’t count,” the Village chief said.
Soon, someone went to call Lan Sisi and Lan Sinian over. Lin Ruihai, worried, followed along.
“Sisi, your grandmother has decided to sever ties with you. What do you say?” the Village chief asked.
“That’s fine. If we sever ties, then let it be clean. There’s no need for any contact in the future,” Lan Sisi said. She felt that this decision suited her perfectly.
“You should think it through. In the future, there won’t be anyone to help support you,” the Village chief said. After speaking, he himself felt the words were somewhat laughable and sighed. “Fine then, it’s better to dissolve the relationship. Your lives will be more peaceful.”
Two copies of the certificate were made, stamped with the village seal.
After receiving the certificate issued by the Village chief, Liu Guihua and Yu Shi both looked very pleased, and they did not forget to say a few more bad things about Lan Sisi to the people around them.
“In fact, this kind of certificate doesn’t have legal effect,” Lin Ruihai said quietly near Lan Sisi’s ear.
“I know, but they don’t. That’s enough,” Lan Sisi said. “At least no one will come bothering me every few days anymore, which is quite nice.”
At the Lan family’s old residence, Liu Guihua and Yu Shi returned home beaming with joy.
“Where did you go?” Lan Tianzhu asked, puzzled. Ever since Lai Hu came to cause trouble, he had rarely gone out, afraid of others pointing fingers at him.
“Nowhere,” Liu Guihua said, giving Yu Shi a look.
Lan Tianzhu did not ask further and returned to his room with his hands behind his back.
“Why can’t we tell Father?” Yu Shi asked, confused.
“He only knows how to speak up for that broom star now. What’s the point of telling him?” Liu Guihua rolled her eyes. “Don’t you let anything slip. I need to lock this certificate in the chest.”
Yu Shi returned to her room. Lan Guangming was still sleeping. She looked at her son, the more she looked, the more she felt he was good-looking.
“Guangming, everything your mother does is for you. You must treat me well in the future.”
The only response she received was Lan Guangming’s steady breathing.
That night, Lan Sisi went to the farm and lay on the soft grass, looking up at the clear blue sky. Beside her nestled a lamb that had not yet shed its wool, soft and fluffy. She felt completely relaxed, both physically and mentally.
It seemed as though it never became dark in the farm, and the temperature was always warm and comfortable. It was very suitable for a vacation.
“I wonder when I’ll be able to let Sinian come into the farm too,” Lan Sisi murmured. She had already reserved a room in the small house for him.
“Upon reaching level thirty, the host may bring others into the farm.” The mechanical voice that had not been heard for a long time suddenly sounded again. After saying that one sentence, it disappeared once more, no matter what Lan Sisi said, it gave no further response.
Hearing this news, Lan Sisi was delighted. She clenched her fist to encourage herself, determined to reach level thirty.
On the weekend, several people from the food factory came to Lan Sisi’s house. The Village chief followed along, smiling.
They had come because of the recent rumors in the village. It seemed that Sun Dafa had already communicated with Deputy Director Li.
“These are leaders from the food factory. This is Director Zhang. Lan Sisi and her younger brother are both good children. I’ve always believed she wouldn’t do such a thing,” the Village chief introduced them.
“Comrade Lan Sisi has also helped solve a major problem for our factory. This matter was our oversight, which caused damage to Comrade Lan Sisi’s reputation. Deputy Director Li has specifically instructed that this issue must be handled seriously,” Director Zhang said.
“Sisi, with comrades from the food factory here, you can say whatever grievances you have,” the Village chief said.
“Thank you, Director Zhang. I believe she didn’t do it intentionally either,” Lan Sisi said, once again putting on a gentle and understanding demeanor.
“Comrade Lan Sisi is truly too kind. We have already investigated clearly. This matter was deliberately done by Lan Hehua. I also learned that this position was originally secured for you by Comrade Lan Aimin, but it was taken by Lan Hehua instead. This is a matter of principle and has caused a very bad influence. If everyone behaved like this, what would happen?” Director Zhang said. Then he added, “After this, would you still be willing to come work at our factory?”
Lan Sisi politely declined Director Zhang’s offer again. The Village chief stood at the side, making meaningful expressions, feeling that it was a pity not to seize such a good opportunity, but she had her own plans.
“Although it’s a pity, a capable young comrade like you will shine no matter what field you are in,” Director Zhang said. “Please accept this, it is compensation for the loss of your job.”
The person behind Director Zhang handed over a stack of large bills. By visual estimation, there were several hundred yuan.
After declining a few times, Lan Sisi eventually accepted it.
“Please have the Village chief take us to Lan Hehua’s house. Comrade Lan Sisi should come along as well,” Director Zhang said.
At the Lan family’s old residence, Lan Hehua had just returned carrying several large and small packages.
“Mom, Director Xu bought these. He said they’re to show filial respect to you,” Lan Hehua said proudly.
“Oh my, this is malted milk powder. Such an expensive thing, why bring it to us, what a waste,” Fang Shi said, though her face was smiling with deep wrinkles.
“It’s such an expensive item, you won’t be able to keep it safe. Put it in my room,” Liu Guihua said as she pushed the door open after hearing the commotion.
Fang Shi’s expression immediately darkened, but she did not dare to argue. She could only watch as Liu Guihua took both cans of malted milk powder away.
“It’s fine. Director Xu will buy more in the future. I’ll let you keep them next time and not let Grandma know,” Lan Hehua said carelessly. Thinking of Director Xu’s sweet words, her face reddened slightly.
“Hehua, Director Xu didn’t take advantage of you, right? Before marriage, you must not make mistakes. Otherwise, people’s spit alone could drown you,” Fang Shi warned.
Lan Hehua’s gaze flickered. “I know.”
In truth, when Director Xu was alone with her, there had already been hugging and kissing, and he had wanted more, but she had refused.
As they were speaking, the door was knocked.
“Village chief, what’s the matter?” Lan Tianzhu opened the door. Standing outside was the Village chief and his group.
“This is Director Zhang from the food factory. He’s here to see your Hehua about something,” the Village chief said.
“Director Zhang, why are you here?” Lan Hehua hurried out upon seeing them.
“Comrade Lan Hehua, after investigation by our factory, it has been confirmed that you spread false rumors about Comrade Lan Sisi and seized her job position. Our factory is now officially dismissing you. In addition, you must write a letter of apology to Comrade Lan Sisi and publicly apologize.”
After those few sentences, Lan Hehua’s face turned pale. She staggered back a few steps. How had it been traced back to her?
“That’s impossible. I never told anyone any rumors about Lan Sisi!”
“A few days ago, our factory staff conducted a covert visit and confirmed from your grandmother that the source of this matter was you.”
Liu Guihua, who had just come out of the room, immediately changed expression. A few days ago, there had indeed been a woman resting outside their house. She had even spent fifty cents to buy a bowl of water. In her excitement, Liu Guihua had told her everything, including the recent rumors in the village. When it came to smearing Lan Sisi, she had spared no effort.
“Is this true?” the woman had asked doubtfully.
“Of course it is. My granddaughter who works at the food factory saw it with her own eyes. If she hadn’t come back to tell us, we wouldn’t even know,” Liu Guihua had said proudly.
But now she could no longer feel proud. She even wanted to slap herself.