She won't clear her name; she'll throw away all the scum.

"Mom, I didn't expect Yu Zhiqing to have such a powerful background, otherwise I wouldn't have helped her. I was so scared just now, her brother is really frightening." Chen Xianghong said with lingering fear.

Chen Xiangnan was also puzzled, "How could someone with such a powerful background be controlled by such a small village? And judging from her brother's expression, he doesn't seem indifferent. Why does that Yu Zhiqing seem to be living such a miserable life?"

Although he didn't notice Yu Zhiqing's appearance, a quick glance reminded him that when Yu Zhiqing bumped into Chen Xianghong, she was even smaller than the thinner Chen Xianghong, and her clothes were tattered and full of patches, with a large bruise on her exposed calf.

He is a person who pays attention to his image, so the first thing he notices is the other person's clothing, even if he doesn't know the person.

Yu Zhiqing's clothes were tattered, and his shoes were even more worn, with his big toe almost completely sticking out.

Chen Xianghong shook her head. "I don't know her specific situation. I just heard a bit about it from the educated youth. Anyway, everyone in that village helps their own people. It's really not easy for the educated youth there. We, a group of educated youth, can still stick together for warmth. If she really got married, it would be really difficult."

Grandma Xia: "Then why did you say you wanted to get married back then?"

After hesitating for a moment, Chen Xianghong finally spoke up, "I don't want to get married either, but... but if Li Zhuang ruins my reputation over there, even if I still don't want to marry, those people will force me to. If I don't agree, I can't even send a letter. Only if I agree first can I have a chance to tell you."

Grandma Xia sat up. "Are those people really that vicious?"

Chen Xianghong nodded, "This might be why Yu Zhiqing was trapped there. She wasn't the only one trapped in Lijiacun Brigade. She probably disagreed at the time, and then she was taken into custody, and she never had a chance to send letters out again. When she tried to send letters later, she was discovered and severely beaten, and then they kept an even closer watch on her."

"However, these are all my guesses. Usually, those educated youth who got married were also watched and not allowed to contact us. This is what I and other educated youth analyzed."

Grandma Xia rolled her eyes at her. "Why didn't you say before that there was something strange about that village?"

Chen Xianghong: "Isn't it because I'm afraid you'll always worry about me in the future? I'm afraid I won't be able to come back, and then you'll not only know that Li Zhuang has a problem, but also that the village is even worse. Wouldn't that be worrying about me for nothing?"

Chen Xiangnan was even more puzzled. "Since they are so wary of educated youth, why did they agree to give you the certificate? I don't think anyone from their village is a good person. It's unlikely that they would help Li Xiuzhu just to repay a favor. According to my sister, they are not that kind of people."

Chen Xianghong pondered, "Perhaps they're afraid you'll contact the police or the commune again? After all, they rarely interacted with workers before, and the first time they met someone who dared to call the police 'mother,' they're wary and want to get rid of me as soon as possible?"

That reason makes some sense. At first, the brigade leader really didn't want to issue the certificate, but he agreed when Li Xiuzhu's father pleaded for him. So Chen Xianghong's reason is a bit untenable.

At first, I thought Li Xiuzhu's father had a lot of influence over the brigade leader, but upon closer reflection, something still didn't seem right.

"Will there be any problems with transferring my household registration then?" Old Mrs. Xia asked worriedly.

Chen Xianghong was also worried.

"Oh, Yue'e, you brought Xiang Hong back with you?"

"Sister Xiang Hong, how did you get so thin? Going to the countryside must be terrifying."

"Aunt Xia, are you bringing Sister Xiang Hong back to stay for a few days, or are you staying permanently?"

"Look at you three, all covered in dust and dirt. You haven't had a good few days, have you?"

"Nothing is ever easy on a train."

"Xiang Hong, your mother really loves you."

"Bringing back so much stuff, there must be quite a few good things, right?"

Grandma Xia smiled and chatted with her old neighbors while holding Chen Xianghong's hand. She was worried that the child wouldn't be able to adjust after so many years away.