Seeing that Si Nancheng was about to speak again, Jiang Li reached out and tugged lightly at his sleeve. She stepped forward first and nodded once more to the two officials.
“Leaders, I accept the organization’s investigation. That is only right.”
Jiang Li’s gaze was clear and open, without the slightest concealment.
“As for the contents of this report, I can explain the situation right now.”
“At the time, the villagers were indeed very enthusiastic. They wanted to thank me and offered me some agricultural products, but I clearly refused.”
“What I later accepted were some locally grown vegetable seeds given to me by a few elderly women. I believed they had research value, so I paid them for the seeds and also gave their children some candy in exchange.”
“This matter can be testified to by Mr. Liu present here, my husband, and many villagers. If the organization requires it, verification can be carried out at any time.”
Jiang Li spoke calmly and methodically.
As she watched the two officials nod and take notes, she suddenly shifted her tone and looked toward Xiao Ya standing nearby.
“Actually, I’m quite curious—on what basis did the person who reported me make this accusation? Did they personally see me taking things from the villagers for free, or was it fabricated out of thin air?”
“Such irresponsible slander not only damages my personal reputation, but also wastes organizational resources and harms unity between the military and civilians. Once this matter is clarified, I hope the organization will investigate it thoroughly.”
Her counterattack noticeably softened the expressions of the two officials.
Si Nancheng also nodded immediately.
“That’s right. I was nearby at the time and can testify that my wife did pay. This accusation is completely unfounded.”
Xiao Ya clearly hadn’t expected Jiang Li to remain so composed and assertive in front of the disciplinary officers.
Not only did she explain everything clearly on the spot, she even demanded an investigation into the accuser.
Her previously smug expression vanished, replaced by a pale face.
She lowered her head slightly and instinctively stepped back.
“Oh… so money was given… then it really was a misunderstanding… I knew Sister Jiang Li couldn’t be that kind of person…”
Her words came out haltingly, as if she wished she could disappear into the ground.
The two officials exchanged a glance, already forming a judgment.
“Very well, Comrade Jiang Li. We understand your situation now. We will verify it with Li Family Village.”
“For now, it appears to be a misunderstanding. Rest assured, the organization will not wrong a good comrade.”
“Sorry for the disturbance.”
After speaking, they nodded to Si Nancheng and turned to leave.
This sudden incident came and went just as quickly.
Watching Xiao Ya’s departing figure,
Jiang Li curled her lips slightly—this matter wasn’t over yet.
That evening, after seeing Si Nancheng off, Jiang Li squatted in her small courtyard, gently brushing her fingers over the vegetable leaves, her eyes filled with tenderness.
She could feel that with each interaction with the plants, the strange energy within her was becoming more abundant.
At first, she could only exchange energy with a dozen or so plants at a time, depending on their characteristics.
But now, she clearly felt her control strengthening—she could nourish twenty or thirty plants at once with ease.
Her fingers lightly tapped a tender sprout, as if caressing a child, a faint smile forming on her lips.
After a few minutes, she stood up and looked at an empty patch of land in the corner, thinking for a moment.
She decided to till the soil the next day and plant vegetable seeds.
Muttering softly to herself, Jiang Li turned and went back inside to rest.
The next afternoon, after lunch, she picked up a hoe and began clearing the patch of land.
But the soil there was much harder than before.
One swing of the hoe made her hands go numb, yet it only loosened a small clump of dirt.
The sun wasn’t too harsh, but soon fine beads of sweat appeared on her face.
“Why is it so hard… how is anything supposed to grow here…”
At that moment, a deep, steady voice sounded behind her.
“I’ll do it.”
Jiang Li turned instinctively and saw that Si Nancheng had returned at some point, now standing behind her.
He seemed to have just finished training—his forehead beneath the brim of his cap was still damp with sweat.
Before she could speak, Si Nancheng removed his uniform jacket and cap, leaving only a fitted tank top.
The strong lines of his muscles were clearly visible beneath the fabric.
In just a few seconds, Jiang Li’s face flushed red, her heartbeat skipping inexplicably.
This man… has quite a good physique…
She quickly lowered her head, her voice as soft as a mosquito.
“N-no need… you’re busy, go rest. I can handle it myself…”
Si Nancheng ignored her refusal, walked over, and took the hoe from her hands.
His palm was large, rough with calluses.
As he took the hoe, his hand brushed lightly against the back of Jiang Li’s hand.
The warmth made her feel as if she had been burned—she quickly withdrew and stepped back slightly.
Unaware of her reaction, Si Nancheng held the hoe.
“The soil here is indeed hard. You’re not strong enough—don’t force it. You can leave this kind of work to me in the future.”
Facing away from her, he swung the hoe skillfully.
Each strike easily turned over large clumps of soil.
Jiang Li stood to the side, watching his back.
Watching the firm muscles move with his actions.
No wonder it came from years of training… those lines were truly impressive…
Perhaps her gaze lingered too long, because Si Nancheng suddenly turned his head, and their eyes met.
Jiang Li felt like she had been caught doing something wrong and quickly turned away.
“Well… you keep working. I’ll go cook.”
But just then, her foot stepped on slippery mud, and she cried out as she fell backward.
“Careful!”
With that shout, in the next instant, Jiang Li felt a strong arm wrap around her waist, pulling her steady.
Her body leaned forward from inertia, crashing into a firm, warm chest.
Her nose pressed against the soft fabric, filled with the scent of sunlight and warmth.
Her cheek rested against his burning chest, and she could even hear the powerful beat of his heart…
For a moment, both of them froze, remaining in that position.