"Village Chief, I didn't do anything," Su Xiaoxiao said to the village chief with an innocent look.
"Zhang Laosan has already been arrested," the village chief said slowly, glancing at her.
Su Xiaoxiao's heart skipped a beat, and she gave an embarrassed laugh. "Who is Zhang Laosan? I don't know him. Why are you telling me this, Village Chief?"
"Educated Youth Su, I thought you were smart, but you're really not. Zhang Laosan was arrested, and he confessed everything, pointing to you. For your sake as a girl, I didn't have the police arrest you, but you must make a self-criticism in front of the whole village! If it weren't for you, Lin Feng wouldn't have been wronged by everyone!" The village chief took a puff of his cigarette and looked at her flustered appearance calmly.
"Why should I make a self-criticism? You have no proof that it was me, right? And I don't know any Zhang Laosan," Su Xiaoxiao denied, shaking her head. She absolutely refused to admit anything.
"You're shouting nonsense without knowing the truth, causing everyone to misunderstand Lin Feng. Can you say this has nothing to do with you?" The village chief, too lazy to argue, said directly.
"I was just concerned! And in that situation, only Lin Feng was there, so I naturally thought he bullied Fu Wenwen," Su Xiaoxiao retorted, turning her head away.
"Then how do you explain that you knew Educated Youth Fu was there?" the village chief sneered. "I advise you not to refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. I'm giving you an out. If you don't want it, then you can go to the police station. You can tell them this story and see if the comrades there believe you!"
"Why should I go? I won't go! Village Chief, you are clearly framing me intentionally! It was that Zhang Laosan who slandered me!" Su Xiaoxiao said stubbornly, but seeing the village chief's serious expression, she was already panicking.
"Who else did Zhang Laosan name? He only mentioned you, Educated Youth Su! This matter is inseparable from you!" the village chief said coldly. "I'll ask you one question: are you making a self-criticism or not!"
"No! If I didn't do it, why should I make a self-criticism! I didn't do it; someone is slandering me." Su Xiaoxiao shook her head stubbornly. Making a self-criticism in front of the whole village was no different from being found guilty.
She absolutely could not admit it, nor could she make a self-criticism!
"Educated Youth Su, I saw you! You were sneaking around in the small grove that afternoon!" The villagers, who had been gradually gathering, overheard Su Xiaoxiao and an old woman slowly walked out, looking at her.
"Granny Wang, when did you see this?" the village chief immediately asked, showing great respect to Granny Wang.
Granny Wang lived next to the educated youth point. If she saw Su Xiaoxiao, she must have seen her.
"Just yesterday, before it got dark. I saw her heading towards the outhouse, then she sneakily went around the side and into the small grove!" Granny Wang said.
"Educated Youth Su, who did you go to see yesterday?" the village chief asked coldly, looking at Su Xiaoxiao's trembling body, which appeared innocent and helpless.
"I... I went to see a friend," Su Xiaoxiao gritted her teeth. She had indeed gone to see Zhang Laosan. At the time, she had clearly looked around and seen no one. She hadn't expected this old woman to see her.
"What kind of friend requires such a secretive meeting? Who is it? Name them! Have them come forward for a confrontation!" The village chief was ruthless. She had refused the face he offered, so there was no point in covering up anymore.
"...I..." Su Xiaoxiao was silent for a long time and couldn't name anyone. She looked around helplessly.