Lin Feifei was being escorted out by her arms by the committee members. As she passed by Ji Shuyu, she suddenly stopped and said in a hoarse voice, “Ji Shuyu, I won’t let you get away with this…”
Ji Shuyu glanced at her indifferently. “We’ll talk when you have the chance to get out.”
After what she had done to others, it was impossible for Lin Feifei to stay here any longer.
Watching Lin Feifei being taken away, He Yuan immediately turned to support Ji Shuyu, looking her over nervously. “Shuyu, are you okay? Did she hurt you?”
“I’m fine.” Ji Shuyu shook her head and took his hand. “Why are you back?”
“I swapped shifts with a comrade, thinking I’d come back early to help you prepare the dishes for the housewarming tonight. I didn’t expect to see her bothering you as soon as I reached the intersection.” He Yuan frowned deeply. “From now on, you’re not allowed to walk this road alone. It’s too dangerous.”
Ji Shuyu smiled. “Don’t worry, I can handle it. Besides, evil will never prevail over justice. She can’t cause any real trouble.”
Judging by Lin Feifei’s words, it seemed she still had some ideas. Ji Shuyu needed to administer a stronger dose of medicine.
After returning home, her second sister-in-law, Su Wenjuan, had already arrived, carrying some items. Ji Shuyu hurried to greet her, took the things, and brought her inside.
Although the new home wasn’t large, it was bright and clean. Ji Shuyu directed He Yuan to polish the tables and chairs until they gleamed, then brought out the pre-prepared melon seeds, peanuts, and fruit candies. Though not luxurious, everything was arranged neatly and presentably, reflecting careful effort.
Su Wenjuan was very efficient at work. The two of them handled the preparations, and He Min soon arrived, bringing He Ze and He Han to help. Ji Shuyu kept her promise—not only did she give them money, but she had also prepared a piece of good-quality fabric for Su Wenjuan in advance. Her thoughtful etiquette made the second sister-in-law feel pleased to help.
As for the younger generation, she gave them things they liked. This way, she didn’t breach etiquette, and they wouldn’t say the third sister-in-law was inconsiderate.
He Min worked even more diligently, and He Ze and He Han chopped firewood with great enthusiasm.
“Oh, Shuyu, your skills are truly something!” Su Wenjuan couldn’t help but praise as she watched Ji Shuyu prepare the ingredients. “The way you’ve paired these dishes makes them look appetizing just by sight.”
Ji Shuyu smiled modestly. “You’re too kind, Second Sister-in-Law. These are just home-style dishes. I’ll still need your help with the cooking.”
She had put a lot of thought into today’s menu. There was braised pork belly, tender and plump steamed fish, a few seasonal vegetables, and she had specially made dumplings, symbolizing reunion. The limited ingredients seemed to come to life under her hands, and the aroma gradually filled the small house.
As the guests arrived one after another, the small courtyard quickly became lively. He Yuan was quite popular in the army, so most of the visitors were straightforward comrades and their families. Everyone admired the warm and cozy little home and congratulated He Yuan.
The He family sat at one table by themselves, while the comrades and their families sat at another. As He Yuan listened to his comrades praise Ji Shuyu, the smile at the corners of his eyes and brows was impossible to hide. These compliments made him even happier than if they were praising him.
He busied himself offering cigarettes and pouring water for everyone, while Ji Shuyu gracefully entertained the female guests, chatting and laughing with ease, creating a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere.
During the meal, someone naturally brought up the recent incident in the song and dance troupe.
“Hey, have you heard? That Lin Feifei from the song and dance troupe got into trouble!” said a round-faced military spouse.
“Exactly! I heard it’s because she caused someone to break their leg in the past, and it’s been exposed now!”
“The leadership is investigating it strictly. It seems the punishment won’t be light. Her future prospects are probably in trouble…”
“You really can’t judge a book by its cover. She looks like such a pretty girl—how could she be so malicious?”
Everyone chimed in, their tones mostly filled with pity and disdain.
If Lin Feifei had just focused on her own work and hadn’t provoked Ji Shuyu…
Perhaps things wouldn’t have escalated to this extent.
But she insisted on doing things this way, and Ji Shuyu certainly wasn’t going to indulge her.
However, Ji Shuyu felt that she hadn’t completely brought Lin Feifei down yet.
Otherwise, Lin Feifei wouldn’t have dared to say those words about not letting her off.
Ji Shuyu was carrying a plate of freshly boiled dumplings over when she heard the conversation. She merely smiled faintly, as if what she had heard had nothing to do with her.
“Everyone, please try the dumplings while they’re hot. They’re filled with pork and cabbage. Today is a special day for our He Yuan and me, so the most important thing is for everyone to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves.”
Her calm and magnanimous demeanor won everyone’s favor even more.
Everyone tacitly stopped discussing the unpleasant person and moved on to other topics, and the atmosphere became lively once again.
The housewarming party concluded successfully, and the guests were seen off.
The new home finally quieted down, and He Yuan helped Ji Shuyu clean up the aftermath.
He also felt that someone like Lin Feifei would definitely try to do something more.
Tomorrow, he would have to go and have a serious talk with the leaders of the song and dance troupe.
So the next day, He Yuan took the initiative to visit the song and dance troupe.
The leader was slightly taken aback upon seeing He Yuan. “What brings you here, Regimental Commander He?”
He Yuan didn’t beat around the bush and got straight to the point. “Regimental Commander Wang, I’m here regarding the issue with Comrade Lin Feifei.”
Upon hearing this, Regimental Commander Wang immediately grew tense. “Regimental Commander He, we are already dealing with this matter seriously…”
They had already decided to remove Lin Feifei as a principal dancer and transfer her to logistics.
“I know,” He Yuan said with a calm expression but a grave tone. “However, I believe Comrade Lin Feifei’s issues are not merely professional mistakes but also a serious deviation in ideological character.”
He placed a kraft paper file on the table.
Regimental Commander Wang opened the file, and the more he read, the more solemn his expression became.
Just how many shady things has this Lin Feifei done…?
“This…” Regimental Commander Wang broke out in a cold sweat. “We truly weren’t aware of these additional circumstances…”
He Yuan’s tone was heavy. “Regimental Commander Wang, the song and dance troupe is a place to cultivate artistic soldiers. We cannot allow one bad apple to spoil the entire bunch.”
“Lin Feifei’s actions have not only harmed her comrades but also betrayed the organization’s training.”
He paused, then said with determination, “I recommend expelling Lin Feifei to uphold justice.”
Regimental Commander Wang pondered for a moment before finally nodding. “Regimental Commander He, you are right. Someone like her indeed can no longer remain in the song and dance troupe.”
“I will convene a meeting immediately and make a decision as soon as possible.”
He Yuan stood up and shook Regimental Commander Wang’s hand. “Thank you for the organization’s attention to this matter. The ideological character of artistic workers should indeed be the top priority.”
That afternoon, the song and dance troupe held an emergency meeting and unanimously passed the decision to expel Lin Feifei.
In light of her past mistakes and current attitude, the organization decided to send her to a remote farm for labor reform.
The news reached Ji Shuyu while she was hanging clothes in the yard.
Sister-in-law Zhao Chunhua, who came to deliver the news, described it vividly.
“I heard Lin Feifei was completely stunned when she received the disciplinary decision! She never expected things to turn out so seriously.”
“Now it’s settled—she’s been sent to a farm in the Great Northern Wilderness. Let’s see how she can harm anyone there!”
Ji Shuyu paused in her work, slightly taken aback.
She hadn’t expected He Yuan to personally go to the song and dance troupe.
When He Yuan returned home in the evening, he saw Ji Shuyu busy in the kitchen.
He gently hugged her from behind. “You heard?”
Ji Shuyu turned around and looked at He Yuan. “Well done, Regimental Commander He. You handled it decisively.”
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