80 village women marry military officers; it was supposed to be a fake marriage.

Seeing that Li Mingyue and the others were blocked and everyone's attention was focused on that side, Lin Mei's eyes darted around twice, trying to sneak away when no one was looking.

Zhang Jie saw through her intention and stepped in front of her directly. "Comrade Lin Mei, people have to be responsible for their words. How can you just leave after you've finished speaking?"

Seeing everyone's attention focused on them again, Lin Mei blushed with anxiety. She lowered her voice and said, "Let's just let this matter go today. I won't pursue Lin Yue's issue any further. And don't keep harping on me, or it'll end badly for everyone."

Zhang Jie showed her the signed guarantee, saying, "Your name is written in black and white on it, and it details the process and outcome of the matter. You're talking nonsense in front of so many people. Have you thought about the impact this will have on Lin Yue?"

Lin Mei wanted to snatch it and tear it up, but she didn't dare to actually do it. "I was just saying it. I didn't do anything to her. If she didn't do anything, she naturally wouldn't be afraid of what others say. I just felt wronged and confided in a friend. Who knew she would make such a big deal out of it and even drag me into it as a witness? I didn't say anything."

Zhang Jie said calmly, "You just got out today and you're already lying everywhere and ruining your sister's reputation. You've made mistakes and never learned your lesson. It's no longer a question of whether you should pursue this matter or not. We will report it to the school and have them deal with this seriously."

Lin Mei glared at Zhang Jie with resentment. "No, you can't do this to me. If the school finds out about this, how will I stay here? My future will be affected."

Zhang Jie scoffed, "You spoke ill of Lin Yue in front of everyone, didn't you think about the impact it would have on her? You not only caused her to lose her job, but you also made her unable to hold her head high in public."

She lowered her head nervously, staring at her toes. "It's not that serious. She's thick-skinned. She wouldn't kill herself over something like this. Besides, it's just a factory worker's job. If she loses it, she loses it. What's the big deal?"

I'm different from her. I have good grades, I'm going to university, and I have a bright future. I can't let this affect me. This is a new society, and freedom of speech is paramount. What wrong have I done?

Sitting in the second row were several female factory workers. Hearing her words, their faces turned pale and then red. "What's wrong with being a female worker? We all earn money through our own labor. Why do you look down on us? Who made the clothes you're wearing and the shoes you're on? It's us female workers."

Another female worker craned her neck and said, "Are you a landlord from the old society? You look down on us laborers. And what are you? You go around badmouthing your sister. I think you have ulterior motives."

Lin Mei was forced to back away by their retorts. "You...you're being unreasonable. When did I say I looked down on female workers? You've misunderstood me and are just arbitrarily labeling me."

Her eyes immediately reddened, and she reached out to tug at Zhang Jie's sleeve. "Officer Zhang, look how they're bullying me! You have to stand up for me!"

Zhang Jie nimbly dodged her outstretched hand, giving her a cold glare. "Didn't you say it's about freedom of speech? They were just expressing their opinions, how are they bullying you?"

Seeing that feigning weakness wouldn't work on Zhang Jie, Lin Mei hid behind him. The female workers looked fierce and she was genuinely afraid they would attack her.

"Why are you hiding? Weren't you quite talkative just now? Come out and explain yourself. Why do you look down on us female workers?"

Lin Mei's words aroused dissatisfaction among everyone. Apart from the workers who repaired the machines, the cooks in the canteen, and the security team, 80% of the other workers in this garment factory were women.

Everyone chimed in, demanding an explanation from Lin Mei. Lin Mei hadn't expected her words to cause such a huge reaction.

As expected, they were all uncultured and rude women, harping on about a single sentence. Lin Mei was both scared and impatient. "That's not what I meant. I'm just a child. Don't label me like that."

The Women's Federation director pulled Li Mingyue to Lin Yue and asked, "This comrade said that you told her about Comrade Lin Yue. What do you say?"

Lin Mei shook her head decisively in denial, waving her hands repeatedly. "I didn't tell her. I just said that my sister was injured and hospitalized. She said that she and my sister had a conflict and that she held a grudge against my sister. She made up those things herself. She said that she wanted to kick my sister out."

Li Mingyue looked at her in disbelief, her eyes overflowing with disappointment. "Lin Mei, what do you mean? Do you know that saying this will kill me?"

At this moment, Lin Mei naturally had to protect herself; she wouldn't care whether Li Mingyue lived or died.

Lin Mei's eyes flashed with accusation. "You dragged me here to testify, and you even made me help you slander my sister. She's my own sister. How could you do such a thing?"

If I had known your intentions, I definitely wouldn't have come. Aren't you putting me in a position of being unkind and unjust?

Li Mingyue roared, her face red and neck thick, veins bulging on her forehead, "That's not what you said! You said your sister stole your man and was messing around with other men, and that I should tell the people at the factory so she couldn't work here."

Lin Mei looked embarrassed. "When did I say such a thing? I think you must have made a mistake. Even though you are my friend, you can't make false accusations."

I didn't say anything just now; it was all you saying, and everyone saw it.

The director of the Women's Federation, who deals with all sorts of family matters year-round, had long seen through Lin Mei's scheming nature and realized that Li Mingyue was merely being used as a pawn.

She sighed and said in a calm voice, "Now that someone has reported this matter, our Women's Federation must see it through to the end. Whoever is wrong must take responsibility. This concerns Comrade Lin Yue's reputation."

Comrade Li Mingyue, you must actively explain the situation, write a self-criticism, and publicly apologize to Comrade Lin Yue in front of everyone.

Li Mingyue bit her lip hard, staring at Lin Mei with bloodshot eyes. Lin Mei didn't dare to look at her, and just stared at her toes.

This is so annoying. Lin Yue didn't even show her face, yet someone is helping her. What kind of tricks did she use?

She's only been in town for a few days. Could she have some other powerful backer besides Chang Jinxiang?

Suddenly, she thought of something and looked up at Huo Qingyan. This man looked extraordinary and was younger than Chang Jinxiang. He had summoned so many people at once, so he must be more capable than Chang Jinxiang.

If I can make him fall in love with me, I'll definitely surpass Lin Yue in the future. Then I can whisper bad things about Lin Yue in his ear and kill her.

Thinking of this, Lin Mei turned around and walked straight toward Huo Qingyan, but was blocked by Li Mingyue, who said, "Don't even think about leaving today until you explain yourself clearly."