Village committee office.
Tian Fushun is discussing village official appointments with several village committee members.
"We can't just deny the child's effort because of a few words we don't even know where they came from. The assessment has already passed, and we're just waiting for the county's approval and appointment notice. At this moment, why are you believing in such rumors?"
"Director, don't get too excited. The appointment letter hasn't been issued yet, which means there's still a lot of room for maneuvering! Before things escalate, quickly nip it in the bud, or it'll become more troublesome and hard to handle later!"
"What do you mean by 'hard to handle'? Nipping it in the bud? Just with a couple of words, you're changing a child's fate! Do you know how much effort this child has put in to become a village official? And do you know why she wants to be a village official?"
"Director Tian, let's focus on facts! I'm thinking about how to smooth the village committee's work, not for my personal gain..."
"You don't need to say anymore, I reserve my opinion..."
Before entering the office, Tian Xin heard a quarrel in the courtyard.
Upon entering and seeing, the speakers were Tian Fushun and the deputy director of the village committee. Next to them sat the accountant, women's director, and other village committee members.
"Knock, knock, knock!" She tapped on the door!
Upon hearing the knock, several people turned their heads simultaneously.
"It's Xinxin! You're here! Come, sit down!" Tian Fushun pulled out a chair and promptly welcomed her to sit down.
"Hello, Uncle Tian, everyone!" Tian Xin walked over and greeted the group while standing!
"Xinxin, we're here to discuss something with you today. Prepare yourself mentally! This matter is still under discussion, and we want to hear your thoughts too!" Tian Fushun explained to her in a very tactful tone.
"What is it, Uncle? Please tell me directly!"
"It's like this, your appointment letter hasn't arrived yet, and the village committee wants to assign you work. But recently, some negative remarks have been spreading—unknown from where—so we're considering halting your work temporarily and having someone else take over!"
The speaker was Deputy Director Liu! She knew him, but wasn't very familiar! Judging by his words, he wasn't up to any good!
"Uncle Liu, what do you mean by that?" Tian Xin sat down but then stood up again.
"Oh, you just returned, and might not be aware of these rumors! I'll have Director Li explain them to you!" Vice Director Liu handed the topic over to Women's Director Li Dongmei.
"It's like this, Xinxin, recently someone has been saying that your appointment as a village official is improper, and they're questioning the assessment's validity. We're verifying this situation!"
She knew Li Dongmei, who had helped their family sell Sichuan pepper and even attended her college send-off ceremony.
"Improper appointment, questionable assessment? Where did they hear this nonsense from? It's utter nonsense! Uncle Tian, Aunt Li, do you believe this?"
What a mess! Have the people saying these things lost their senses? Can the county's assessment be questioned?
"It's not about belief now; these rumors have already affected the village's work. If things continue like this, it will be difficult to conduct work later, so..." Vice Director Liu asserted firmly!
"So, you want to simply replace me with someone?" Tian Xin interrupted Vice Director Liu.
"Well, it's not a replacement, it's a temporary takeover. Once the storm passes, you might still be able to come back to work!"
Sounded nice! If such words could be trusted, then years spent in college were wasted!
Tian Xin didn't wait for him to continue and quickly asked, "So your idea is for me to go back and wait, right? Wait for how long, and when to return is uncertain? Is that what you mean, Uncle Liu?"
No wonder the workplace is complex, with convoluted words—those who are simple-minded would take it lying down!
"Xinxin, don't get excited yet, the matter is still being verified..."
"I think there's no need for verification, with rumors spreading like this, it's probably true. How can someone like that establish authority in the village?"
Tian Fushun was speaking when two people walked in, directly interrupting.
The group turned their heads.
A man and a woman entered the doorway—the man looking like he's in his forties or fifties, the woman was about Tian Xin's age, very pretty.
"Chenchen, don't speak like that, it's rude. Everyone's here!" The tall man reminded the girl to speak politely.
"Secretary Liu, what brings you here!" Tian Fushun promptly stood up to greet him, followed by the others also standing up!
This Secretary Liu rarely appeared, and Tian Xin had hardly seen him!
"Everyone sits, it's alright. I'm just bringing a person to you today, the rest is up to you to train. Chenchen, greet everyone!" Secretary Liu gave the girl a signal!
"Hello Director, hello everyone, I'm Liu Chen, please take care of me!" Liu Chen bowed to everyone!
"Come on, don't just stand there. Quickly sit down!" Vice Director Liu invited Liu Chen to take a seat beside him.
"You must be Tian Xin! I've heard about you! Sorry, but I'm here to take over your work!" Liu Chen wasted no time to give Tian Xin a taste of her assertiveness the moment she sat down.
"No need to apologize. I'm still waiting for the notice, how can you just take over my job?" Tian Xin replied calmly and unyieldingly.
Upon hearing her, Liu Chen couldn't remain composed! "I'm already sitting here, what notice are you waiting for? Quickly go find someplace else to cool off!"
"Chenchen, watch your tone!" Secretary Liu glared at Liu Chen!
Tian Fushun heard something was off and quickly gave Li Dongmei a look. Li Dongmei received the signal and stood up to leave!
This isn't right!
Weren't we supposed to discuss it with Xinxin first, then after confirming, let Liu Chen take over! Why is it not settled yet, and Liu Chen's already here! Secretary Liu even brought him personally!
What is Secretary Liu thinking?
Is it that urgent?
Tian Fushun was extremely anxious!
Having seen Xinxin's assessment process, the preparations she made, and the efforts she put in for this matter, he could see it all and didn't believe Xinxin cheated!
There's a lot of shady business in this!
A college student village official, not too big or too small a role, many people want it, merely to use the experience to climb up the ladder later on. But does it have to be this obvious and urgent?
He had Li Dongmei go out to call the county and find out if the appointment letter had been issued or not!
Today's circumstances were sudden, there's no time to investigate now, first help Xinxin get through this hurdle.
"Ah, sorry everyone, I was a bit blunt, don't take it personally!" Liu Chen smiled at everyone!
"Xinxin, right! Wouldn't you... rather go back?" Secretary Liu said to Xinxin with a smile.
"No, Secretary Liu, the county's notification hasn't arrived, I'll wait! You all go ahead with your discussion." Xinxin bluntly refused, she had no intention of leaving.
"Why are you staying here? We're about to discuss work. It's not convenient for you to stay! Hurry up and leave!" Liu Chen was aggressive. It seemed she was determined to make Xinxin leave today!
Upon hearing this, Xinxin sneered, turned her head, lowered her voice, and said slowly: "Discuss work? Inconvenient for me? Then on what grounds are you sitting here? Based on your face?"
"You... how can you speak like that, I'm here undoubtedly based on ability!" Liu Chen was disgruntled and glared at her!
"Ability? Talking about ability without having started working? I'm indeed curious, what abilities do you have to be suitable for this job?" Xinxin stood up, confronted Liu Chen with her gaze, and asked in a deep tone:
"Do you know the people in the village? Have you understood the village's situation? Do you know how many impoverished households there are in this village? Do you understand the greatest needs of the impoverished households? How to improve, do you have methods and plans?
Or are you just here to play around, without thinking of these issues at all?"
This barrage of questions left Liu Chen stunned!
"......"
As those words came out, everyone in the office changed their expressions.
Tian Fushun looked pleased, Vice Director Liu revealed a meaningful expression! Secretary Liu looked at Xinxin, not quite sure what he was thinking?
"You ask so much, how can I say it all at once! I've just arrived. I need to gradually understand before knowing everything! You ask so much, do you really understand it all?" Liu Chen slapped the table, stood up, and pointed at Xinxin, questioning.
"Of course I understand!" Xinxin glanced at her, then looked around the room, addressing everyone in the office:
"The impoverished households in this village, if not more than half, are at least a couple hundred. The village is still relying on the weather for its livelihood, and the annual harvest of the villagers depends entirely on the peppercorn crop. It's fine when the peppercorns yield well, but droughts or hail can ruin a year's worth of effort!
Even if it's a good harvest, those unscrupulous buyers can exploit them, with prices so low they're barely above break-even. Do you know about these situations?
Aunt Li's family lost a cow two years ago, wiping out a year's income, and they couldn't even scrape together the child's tuition fees!
Aunt Zhang's husband has leg issues, can't work, and when the peppercorns couldn't be sold that year, the family almost couldn't afford food!
I want to ask everyone here, do you know these problems? Have you thought about helping them solve them?
I know saying these things may offend everyone, you've all done a lot for the village. But I want to say— I, Xinxin, care about this village and these villagers. I didn't take this village official position just to play around for a few days, I genuinely want to solve issues for everyone!
This village official role is to aid the village director, Uncle Tian has tirelessly worked for the village, everyone has seen it! I strive to assist him, that's why I've worked to get to where I am now!
Just a few casual words from you, want to dismiss all my efforts, did you ask me? Did you ask the village's elders? Where did those claims come from, do you really have no clue in your hearts?"
She finished these words in one breath, feeling a bit emotional, so she took a sip of water to calm down.
That's it! Blurted out everything in her heart!
Offended everyone!
Completely done for!
Everyone in the office had expressions worth pondering, and no one spoke further!
After a long silence, the office door was suddenly knocked, and Li Dongmei walked in with two people.
Seeing them, Xinxin's heart suddenly started racing!