Chapter 14: The Heiress’s Report Backfires

Su Wan stood by the back wall of the brigade headquarters, watching the villagers clutch the freshly distributed vegetable money, smiles bright on their faces, while her fingernails dug deep into her palms.

Why?

She was the legitimate daughter of the Su family, yet here she was, feeding pigs in this remote, impoverished village; Su Yao, an impostor, had become the village’s lucky star. Just a few days ago, at the commune’s supply and marketing cooperative, the clerk praised the Red Star Brigade’s vegetables, saying the young female team leader had turned the once barren fields into a gold mine.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Spitting on the ground, Su Wan turned sharply and ran toward the youth cadre point. She was determined to ruin Su Yao’s reputation!

Back in the dilapidated adobe house, Su Wan rummaged under the bed and pulled out a crumpled envelope. Inside was the county discipline inspection commission’s address, obtained through a classmate in the city. With a sharp pen, she wrote with venomous words: “Reporting Comrade Su Yao of the Red Star Brigade for exploiting the research station’s training opportunities, colluding with the supply and marketing cooperative and the restaurant to embezzle collective property…”

After finishing, she reread the letter with satisfaction. Once the commission arrived to investigate, Su Yao would surely be unable to explain herself. Then, forget about staying on as a technician—she might not even be allowed to remain in the brigade.

On the day she mailed the letter, Su Wan took a detour past the vegetable fields. Su Yao was there helping villagers build new vegetable sheds, Lu Xingchen squatted nearby handing out nails, and Lu Shihan held up a makeshift megaphone fashioned from a tin can, cheering, “Everyone work hard, more money tomorrow!”

Their joyful scene stabbed at her eyes like a sharp pain. She sneered coldly, waiting to watch the drama unfold.

Three days later, two green jeeps pulled up outside the brigade office. Four officials in Zhongshan suits stepped down, their expressions stern. “We are from the county discipline inspection commission, here to investigate Comrade Su Yao based on a report.”

Secretary Li’s heart sank as he hurried to invite them inside. “Leaders, there must be some mistake. Youth cadre Su is a hero of our village!”

“Whether it’s a mistake or not, that will be clear after investigation,” said Director Wang, the lead official, his tone firm. “Bring the cooperative’s ledger. Call Su Yao here.”

News spread quickly, and villagers dropped their work to flood the brigade office. Widow Wang was the first to rush into the courtyard, hands on hips, shouting, “Why investigate Youth Cadre Su? Without her, would we even have enough to eat?”

“Exactly! My son just bought new sneakers yesterday—all thanks to the vegetable money!” others chimed in.

“Young cadre Su is a good person. Don’t listen to malicious rumors!”

The courtyard buzzed with voices defending Su Yao. The investigators frowned. Director Wang knocked on the table. “Quiet! We follow procedures. If Su Yao is innocent, no one can frame her.”

Just then, Su Yao returned on a tricycle. Three children poked their heads out from the cart. Seeing the officials in uniform, Lu Xingchen whispered, “Mother, who are they?”

“They’re uncles here to understand the situation,” Su Yao said, patting his head as she stopped the tricycle. “I’m Su Yao. What can I do for you?”

Director Wang sized her up. Her patched blue work jacket and muddy hands didn’t fit the image of someone who would embezzle funds, as the report claimed. Doubts formed in his mind.

“Someone reported you for abusing your position to appropriate collective property,” Director Wang said bluntly. “Bring the cooperative’s ledger.”

“It’s with Accountant Old Li,” Su Yao replied, turning to Lu Xingchen. “Go get Grandpa Li to bring it.”

Not long after, Lu Xingchen returned with Old Li, who was panting as he carried the thick ledger. “Look, leaders! Every entry is clear: money from vegetable sales, agricultural tools purchased, distribution—every cent accounted for!”

Director Wang had the ledger spread on the table and flipped through the neat calligraphy and detailed accounts. Receipts from the cooperative and restaurant were attached, even the smallest change noted.

“These are daily shipment orders, signed by Master Zhang and the cooperative director,” Su Yao pointed to another pile of papers. “This is the attendance sheet for the villagers, wages distributed by work points, everyone signed their mark.”

The inspectors spent the whole morning scrutinizing the records but found no irregularities. Instead, they discovered that in just one month, the cooperative had increased brigade income by over ten thousand yuan, and villagers’ average earnings had quadrupled.

“This…” Director Wang looked embarrassed. “Comrade Su, I apologize—it seems to be a misunderstanding.”

“It’s not a misunderstanding!” Suddenly, Su Wan burst in, pointing at Su Yao. “She’s definitely falsified records! Using research station technology to profit herself—that’s corruption!”

“Who are you?” Director Wang frowned at her.

“I’m Su Yao’s sister, Su Wan,” she declared confidently. “I know her true nature—she’s a fraud!”

“You’re lying!” Lu Shihan jumped out of the tricycle’s cargo bed and stood in front of Su Yao, chest puffed out. “My mother is not a liar! You’re the bad one!”

“Adults are talking, kids should keep quiet!” Su Wan glared at her, then turned back to Director Wang. “She must have used improper methods—otherwise, how could the vegetables grow so well? Something’s fishy!”

“Comrade Su uses a nutrient solution she made herself,” Widow Wang couldn’t help but speak up. “We all watched—it’s just wood ash and fermented manure. No tricks.”

“Exactly. I help water the plants every day and saw nothing suspicious,” Er Zhuzi added. “Youth cadre Su not only teaches us how to grow vegetables but also helps improve our tools. She’s a kind soul!”

The villagers clamored in Su Yao’s defense. Su Wan’s face flushed red and white as she pointed at them, shouting, “You’re all fooled by her! She’s a fox spirit who bewitched you!”

“How can you speak like that, young lady!” Director Wang’s face darkened. “We’ve investigated all morning and found nothing against Comrade Su. As for you, making baseless accusations—what evidence do you have?”

Caught off guard, Su Wan stammered, “I…I just know…”

“No evidence means slander!” Old Li trembled with anger. “How many good deeds has Youth Cadre Su done for the village, and you can’t see it?”

At that moment, Lu Yuxuan suddenly ran in, holding a small notebook. “Mother, I know she has problems!”

Everyone froze. Su Wan’s heart leapt. “See? The child understands! Tell us, what did you see?”

Lu Yuxuan ignored her and handed the notebook to Director Wang. Scribbled in pencil were drawings of a truck, dates, license plates, and words like “wood” and “five loads.”

“What’s this?” Director Wang asked, puzzled.

“I told him to keep track,” Su Yao explained. “Lately, we saw trucks hauling wood out of the village. It seemed strange, so I asked Yuxuan to watch at the village entrance daily and record the plates and cargo.”

Lu Yuxuan nodded. “I sat under the old locust tree every day and counted thirteen loads of wood, all secretly hauled away at night. Several times, I saw this woman”—he pointed at Su Wan—“standing lookout at the road.”

“You’re lying!” Su Wan turned pale, pointing at Lu Yuxuan. “You little bastard, how dare you accuse me!”

“I’m not lying!” Lu Yuxuan stood firm. “On the night of March 15th, you even handed cigarettes to the driver!”

Director Wang’s expression grew serious as he turned to Secretary Li. “Has the brigade recently lost any wood?”

Li thought for a moment and slapped his thigh. “Yes! Last month, when I visited the forest farm, more than a dozen mature pine trees were missing. We’re investigating now!”

“Bring the driver here!” Director Wang ordered decisively.

Soon, local police arrived. Using the license plate numbers recorded by Lu Yuxuan, they found the truck. Faced with the evidence, the driver confessed immediately: Su Wan had contacted him, saying no one was managing the brigade’s wood and offered fifty yuan per load to haul it away at night.

With both witness and material evidence, Su Wan collapsed to the ground, face ashen.

“Take her away!” Director Wang waved his hand, and two officers stepped forward to escort Su Wan.

“No! I won’t go!” Su Wan suddenly threw a tantrum, kicking and flailing. “It’s Su Yao’s doing! She framed me! I’m the eldest lady of the Su family—you can’t arrest me!”

She struggled toward Su Yao, trying to tear at her, but Lu Shihan picked up a small stone and struck her knee. “Bad person! You deserve to be taken away by the police!”

Su Wan shuddered in pain, and the officers dragged her outside. Passing the doorway, she saw Lu Xingchen wiping tears from Lu Yuxuan’s face. Su Yao stood nearby, her gaze calm yet resolute.

In that moment, Su Wan suddenly realized that she hadn’t lost because of luck, but because of the human heart.

When the investigators left, Director Wang shook Su Yao’s hand. “Comrade Su, sorry for the injustice you suffered. You’re a good comrade—keep up the good work!”

“Thank you for your trust, leader,” Su Yao smiled. “It’s just what I should do.”

The villagers burst into applause. Someone suggested, “Let’s slaughter the pig tonight to celebrate!”

“Great! I’ll organize it!” Er Zhuzi volunteered eagerly.

By evening, a banquet was set up in the brigade courtyard. The cooked pork was fragrant, and villagers ate while praising Su Yao.

“In my opinion, Youth Cadre Su is our village’s precious treasure.”

“Exactly. We never imagined we could eat meat every day before.”

“From now on, if we work hard with Youth Cadre Su, life will only get better!”

Seeing everyone so happy warmed Su Yao’s heart. Lu Shihan was chewing on a bone with relish, Lu Xingchen and Lu Yuxuan helped pass bowls and chopsticks to the men, and all three children wore smiles.

Lu Zhanye stood at the doorway, holding a cloth bundle. Su Yao approached, and he handed it to her. “Just bought these in town—for the children.”

Inside were three new outfits and a brand-new schoolbag.

“You’ve gone to so much trouble again,” Su Yao said, slightly embarrassed.

“It’s my duty,” Lu Zhanye said, looking over the lively courtyard. “You’ve done well.”

“It’s all thanks to everyone’s help,” Su Yao responded, looking up at him. Moonlight bathed his face, highlighting his features.

“If you need anything, come to me anytime,” Lu Zhanye said softly, his voice steady and reassuring.

That night, Su Yao lay in bed, listening to the steady breathing of the children beside her, her heart unusually calm. Su Wan’s betrayal was like a passing wind, fading away and leaving stronger bonds behind.

She recalled her initial fears upon arriving in the countryside, the tenderness she felt when first meeting the children, and Lu Zhanye’s quiet support. A smile tugged at her lips.

Moonlight streamed through the window, falling on the cooperative’s charter on the desk. Su Yao knew this was only the beginning. More work awaited—starting a canning factory, promoting seeders, ensuring the children studied well…

She closed her eyes and envisioned the Red Star Brigade a few years hence: a road reaching the village entrance, the canning factory’s chimney billowing white smoke, children carrying schoolbags to class, villagers living in newly built tiled houses, all wearing happy smiles.

And she would be here on this land, with her children and her neighbors, living a steady, warm life together.

Early the next morning, Su Yao had just gotten up when she saw Lu Yuxuan squatting on the doorstep, drawing in his little notebook. She walked over and looked. On the page was a truck, with crooked writing beside it: “The bad person got taken away. We must protect Mother well.”

Tears welled in Su Yao’s eyes. She knelt down and hugged the three children close. “From now on, Mother will protect you.”

Lu Xingchen buried his face in her arms. “Mother, we’ll protect you too.”

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting their shadows long and warm—like a tender painting.