Chapter 119: Sheng Qianqian Causes Trouble Again

Another autumn harvest.

This time, Tang Banxia was once again assigned to the same group as Old Madam Song and Aunt Hu—the group for the elderly and weak, tasked with peeling corn.

Tang Banxia, as usual, took advantage of the chance to slack off and dawdle, barely managing to get any work done.

Yet the others not only said nothing, but even kindly suggested, “Tang Zhiqing, you must be tired. Go rest and have some water under the tree over there.”

What a simple and kind-hearted group of people.

Tang Banxia, of course, could not bear to disappoint their goodwill. She openly sat under the tree, enjoying the cool shade and sipping on mung bean soup, while watching everyone else busily engaged in the harvest, the scene vibrant with activity and abundance. She took a sip of the sweet drink.

Her gaze shifted toward the other young educated youths.

The older educated youths, though not as capable as the villagers, had adapted to the intensity of the autumn harvest. But the newcomers…

Cai Mingyang staggered along, while Xu Sheng didn’t seem particularly tired but pretended exhaustion to avoid drawing attention.

Wang Jiayu stumbled every few steps, and Sheng Qianqian was worse, having already plopped down on the ground, giving up entirely.

However, Team Leader Shi Jian strode over and scolded her harshly.

Sheng Qianqian, unused to such treatment, immediately retorted back at Shi Jian.

Tang Banxia watched from the side, not expecting the conflict to quickly ignite upon her.

“Why can she sit and rest, but you’re biased against us!” Sheng Qianqian pointed angrily in Tang Banxia’s direction, furious beyond words.

“We’re all educated youths sent to the countryside. Why does she get to be both a barefoot doctor and rest, but we don’t? Why don’t you say something about her?” she accused vehemently.

“I’m going to report you! You’re creating class divisions, ranking us educated youths into different levels. Just you wait!”

With that, Sheng Qianqian stomped off, full of rage, heading straight for the commune office.

Her disheveled appearance made the gatekeeper hesitate at first, but she barreled through.

Her family was influential, so she knew exactly who to complain to. She went straight to Secretary Yu’s office.

Like a whirlwind, she burst in, rattling off the whole story about how Tang Banxia and the other educated youths were being treated differently in Guyue Village.

At the end, she added, “We educated youths came at the government’s call to help build the new countryside, full of enthusiasm. But this discrimination—how can it not break our hearts?”

Secretary Yu finally had a chance to speak: “Who are you?”

Sheng Qianqian raised her chin proudly. “My father is the deputy director of the Jiang Province Revolutionary Committee.”

“I’m asking you,” Secretary Yu repeated, suspecting she wasn’t hearing him well.

“Sheng Qianqian,” she said with effort.

Secretary Yu rubbed his brow and glanced at the people outside the office, thinking he’d have to deal with them later.

“Educated Youth Sheng, you claim the Guyue Village cadres discriminate. Do you have any proof?”

“Go see for yourself,” Sheng Qianqian replied quite rudely.

Used to reigning supreme in Jiang Province, she didn’t bother to respect the small-town secretary.

Secretary Yu didn’t object. “Fine, as you say. I’ll take a look.”

It was a good opportunity for a rural inspection.

He quickly gathered a team and set off for the countryside in full force.

Sheng Qianqian followed proudly, feeling triumphant.

After more than two months in the countryside, she finally felt the power she had in Jiang Province.

High-spirited, they arrived in Guyue Village. She held her head high, nostrils flaring.

Song Weimin came forward to greet them. Seeing her, he narrowed his eyes. “Secretary Yu, what brings you here?”

“This young comrade here said your cadres in Guyue Village are discriminating. I came to see how exactly you are treating people differently.”

He smiled faintly. “We’ve achieved gender equality, and classism is unacceptable.”

His words were heavy.

“Secretary, that’s not true,” Song Weimin said, looking aggrieved. “Look around the village, even toddlers are brought out to work. Where is this discrimination?”

“I’m talking about Tang Banxia,” Sheng Qianqian couldn’t help but jump in. “We’re all educated youths. Why can Tang Banxia sit and rest while we have to work hard? And if we don’t do well, we get scolded!”

“Educated Youth Sheng, don’t you feel ashamed saying that?” Song Weimin looked heartbroken. “Tang Zhiqing works diligently. How can you say she’s just sitting around?”

“Now is the busy harvest season. Anyone who doesn’t work hard gets scolded—not just you.”

Song Weimin was sharp. He wouldn’t simply accept whatever this naive girl claimed.

“Secretary, be fair. It’s the harvest, and the main market is so busy not even a sip of water is possible. Educated Youth Sheng worked a little but rested for half an hour.”

“Yes, yes, our attitude was poor, but I was just anxious!”

His words were flawless and convincing.

Secretary Yu and the others all expressed understanding.

Indeed, who wasn’t frantic during the harvest? Having someone slack off and whine right beside you could easily sour your mood.

Secretary Yu sympathized as well.

No matter what Sheng Qianqian said next, Song Weimin calmly rebutted every point.

Back and forth, Song Weimin remained composed while Sheng Qianqian grew more and more furious.

But her argument was limited; all she could do was bring up her father’s position to press her advantage.

However, Jiang Province was far from Guyue Village, and Song Weimin wasn’t afraid.

He even pointed at Tang Zhiqing: “Tang Zhiqing doesn’t always work in the fields because she treats illnesses for the whole village.”

“And your claim about resting during the harvest—taking a sip of water is not resting. Educated Youth Sheng, this is not Jiang Province. You can’t cover up the truth and twist facts here!”

“If you don’t want to participate in the harvest, just say so. No need to trouble the secretary and others in this scorching heat,” Song Weimin complained.

His words struck a chord with everyone from the commune—indeed, it was a blistering day.

In the end, Song Weimin defused the incident with a mix of firmness and tact.

He even accompanied them on a tour of the countryside before sending them off.

After they left, right in front of Sheng Qianqian, he put on a stern face and said, “Educated Youth Sheng, if you’re unwilling to work the harvest, I won’t force you. From now on, you’ll be in charge of cleaning the latrines.”

With that, he strode away, leaving Sheng Qianqian standing there bewildered.

Clean the… latrines?

The thought of that foul, disgusting task made her feel ill.

Still, she resolved not to dare defy them and see what these people could really do to her.

She stomped back to the youth quarters and immediately collapsed into bed.

But the next day, she realized how serious the matter was.

While she was still sulking in bed, Women’s Director Huang Xiaocui burst in with others, dragged her out, and forced her to start work.

They handed her a latrine scoop. “Educated Youth Sheng, today your task is to clean out all the village’s latrine pits. You don’t finish, you don’t get to rest.”

Sheng Qianqian wanted to throw a tantrum, but Huang Xiaocui’s next words froze her in place.

“Educated Youth Sheng, if you don’t cooperate with production, you’ll have to stand on the high platform.”

Huang Xiaocui crossed her arms, looking down on her contemptuously. “If you don’t finish cleaning the pits, tomorrow the village’s high platform will be ready for you.”

Sheng Qianqian knew exactly what standing on the high platform meant. She fell silent, panic rising in her heart. Things were worse than she thought.

Seeing her frozen, Huang Xiaocui snorted and turned to leave.

If she wanted to stir trouble in this village, she’d have to see if Sheng Qianqian was willing.

On the other hand, Sheng Qianqian hesitated for a moment but refused to believe these people would dare touch her. After all, she was the daughter of a deputy director of the Revolutionary Committee.

With that thought, she steadied herself, dropped the latrine scoop, and went back to sleep.

But the next day, she received the same treatment again—only this time, Huang Xiaocui directly marched her onto the high platform.

Song Weimin stood on the platform, speaking passionately, with one clear purpose: to criticize Sheng Qianqian.

Huang Xiaocui was the first to step forward, denouncing Sheng Qianqian’s behavior harshly.

Then Old Madam Song and Aunt Hu followed, one after another.

Song Weimin did not go too far—just allowed the criticism without physical punishment—but the blow to her spirit was severe.

After stepping down, Sheng Qianqian dared not cause trouble again and obediently went to clean the latrines…