Chapter 830 - 826: Holding a Commendation Meeting

"Attention, all villagers. Attention, all villagers. The production brigade is holding an emergency general meeting. Everyone, please head to the drying-floor immediately."

Chen Beiguo repeated the announcement several times before stopping. The drying-floor was the largest open space in the village, typically used for all general meetings.

As Gu Jiaojiao walked in, she happened to run into several officials walking out. When the two groups met, everyone paused in their tracks. The brigade captain let out an awkward laugh, somewhat afraid to meet Gu Jiaojiao’s eyes. "Gu Zhiqing is here. Let’s head to the drying-floor together!"

Gu Jiaojiao nodded and stepped aside to let everyone pass.

The previously harmonious atmosphere instantly quieted down. Earlier at the village entrance, Gu Jiaojiao had commanded the space with such fierce dominance that her overwhelming aura had crushed everything in its path, leaving onlookers terrified. It was the first time they had ever felt such immense pressure from a young girl. For a moment, their minds went blank, and no one could think of anything to say.

Fortunately, the commune officials arrived right at that moment. Seeing Chen Beiguo and the brigade leaders from afar, they immediately came over to exchange greetings. Chen Beiguo greeted the commune officials in return, and with the addition of the new group, the atmosphere finally warmed up.

Gu Jiaojiao didn’t feel the tension at all. Walking beside Leng Yuan, she spotted Chen Jianshe in the crowd and smiled. "Jianshe, you’re here too!"

Chen Jianshe was left speechless. He offered a hollow laugh, looking somewhat cowardly. "Jiaojiao, I’ve been here the whole time. I followed the brigade captain to the village entrance to welcome you."

However, since she had been busy teaching those village women a lesson at the time, she probably hadn’t noticed him.

Gu Jiaojiao thought about it for a moment but really couldn’t recall seeing him. She replied calmly, "Oh, I didn’t pay much attention back then."

Chen Jianshe quickly shrank his neck back. Gu Jiaojiao might not have noticed him, but he had definitely noticed her. Her dominating presence was enough to make even a grown man tremble in fear. He wondered if his Brother Leng would be able to handle her!

Chen Jianshe cast a covert, appraising glance at Leng Yuan.

"If you don’t want your eyes anymore, I can help you with that," Leng Yuan warned.

Chen Jianshe immediately retracted his gaze and looked elsewhere. He couldn’t afford to offend either half of this married couple; he had truly been blind in the past.

Completely oblivious to all of this, Gu Jiaojiao listened to the officials ahead exchanging political pleasantries, totally unaware of the terrified gazes from the men behind her. Clearly, Gu Jiaojiao had become famous after a single battle.

When they arrived at the drying-floor, tables and benches were already set up. The people handling this had been assigned by the brigade captain. Once the officials arrived, they took their seats immediately, and there was even a designated seat for Gu Jiaojiao.

She smiled at the man next to her and thanked him. "Thank you."

"Y-You’re welcome." After stammering his reply, the man bolted out of there like lightning.

Gu Jiaojiao was left speechless. Coincidentally, he was also one of the people who had been at the village entrance to welcome the officials.

Soon, everyone was in place. The villagers had shown up with their entire families in tow. When they saw that Leng Yuan and Gu Jiaojiao were also present—and even seated next to the officials—many wore surreal expressions. It was a good thing that Gu Jiaojiao had returned, but how did she end up sitting next to the leaders?

The brigade members and the educated youths had all arrived. Many people had been worried about Gu Jiaojiao, so seeing her return safely filled them with joy. As for what happened at the village entrance, the news hadn’t spread yet!

Over at the designated area for the educated youths, Yun Hao’s eyes lit up the moment he saw Gu Jiaojiao. He wanted to go over and check on her, but then he saw Leng Yuan sitting right beside her. At that moment, Gu Jiaojiao leaned in and whispered something, causing the man’s expression to soften considerably.

Yun Hao’s throat went dry. Smiling bitterly, he found a spot in the corner and stood there quietly.

As for Li Hongmei and Hu Ziqiang, ever since they had been separated from the rest of the educated youths, they had been eating and working together, causing their relationship to progress by leaps and bounds.