Chapter 805 - 801: Refreshing One’s Worldview

The team leader was frantic with worry but completely powerless. He had no idea what the report letter actually said, so even if he wanted to speak up for Gu Jiaojiao, he didn’t know where to start. All he could do was repeatedly emphasize that she was a good comrade who would absolutely never do anything wrong.

Of the three commune officials who had arrived, two left with Gu Jiaojiao while one remained behind. Since this matter also involved Leng Yuan, someone needed to stay back to question him. The team leader needed to be questioned as well.

As the two remaining officials escorted Gu Jiaojiao through the village, many locals spotted her and immediately called out enthusiastic greetings. "Jiaojiao, where are you headed?"

After asking, they finally noticed the two strangers walking beside her and asked in confusion, "And who might these two be?"

Gu Jiaojiao introduced them openly. "These are officials from the commune. They said they need to investigate a few things with me."

An investigation? That never meant anything good.

The villagers eyed the two commune workers before hurriedly speaking up. "Comrades, ever since Gu Zhiqing came down to the countryside, she has dedicated herself entirely to the development of our team. You must know it’s the busy farming season right now. Just look at how frantic the other teams are, yet we have time to spare. This is all thanks to Gu Zhiqing! She figured out the new method for planting corn and invented the water pump for irrigation. That’s why we have it so easy. You absolutely cannot wrongly accuse a good person!"

The two officials were immediately struck with astonishment upon hearing about the water pump.

They were well aware of this invention. Because of it, people no longer had to carry heavy buckets on shoulder poles down to the river to fetch water; instead, they could pump water directly to irrigate the fields. Several neighboring teams had been fighting over it, begging the commune leaders for access. Left with no other choice, the leaders had ultimately decided to lend it out to one team per day. It was currently the hottest topic over at the commune.

They knew someone from the Qingshan Team had come up with it, but they never imagined it was actually Gu Jiaojiao’s creation.

Instantly, their attitude shifted. If they had been somewhat aloof and strictly professional before, they completely softened now. They thought it was no wonder the team leader had been so protective of her. If they were in his shoes, they would protect her too. Based on this contribution alone, the contents of the report letter were likely false.

The officials stepped forward to pacify the crowd. "Don’t worry, everyone. We will stick to the facts and be objective..."

They gave a long-winded speech, but the villagers didn’t buy a single word of it, loudly demanding that they release Gu Jiaojiao. Finally, unable to watch the situation escalate further, Gu Jiaojiao stepped in to stop them.

"Quiet down, everyone, and listen to me," Gu Jiaojiao said. "Someone wrote a report letter to the commune, which is why they sent people to investigate. They are merely doing their duty.

"Furthermore, we all need to trust the commune staff. Once they investigate and clear up this matter, they will naturally let me come back. Besides, I have a clear conscience. I have nothing to fear from an investigation."

After Gu Jiaojiao spoke a few more words of gratitude, the villagers finally parted to make way.

This was the first time the two officials had witnessed such a spectacle. If it weren’t for Gu Jiaojiao’s help, they would have been entirely overwhelmed. Usually, when they took someone away, the bystanders were either terrified of them or openly despised the person being arrested. This was the very first time they had seen the masses defend someone so fiercely. This alone was enough to prove Gu Jiaojiao’s good character.

Throughout the rest of the journey, the two men were incredibly accommodating and didn’t make things difficult for her in the slightest. Upon arriving at the commune, they honestly reported the situation to their superiors. The moment the commune leaders heard that she was the comrade who had invented the water pump, their respect for her immediately soared.

However, an investigation was still an investigation.

"Gu Jiaojiao, the report letter claims that you were already engaged before you were sent down to the countryside. Is this true or false?"