Chapter 19: Going to the County Town 5

"Heh, if you really have capabilities, then don't reject the grain grown by us rural folks! Do you look down on us for eating the food we produce? Discriminating against farmers?"

When Zhao Xiulan rebutted like this, Liu Xiaohong was at a loss for words. She couldn't believe how this rural peasant, who seemed uneducated, was so articulate. She didn't know how to defend herself against such an argument.

But despite feeling uneasy, she looked at Zhao Xiulan with a sense of defiance. How could this countryside bumpkin, someone who clearly lacked education, be so forceful in her speech? She couldn't come up with a response.

Zhao Xiulan wasn't done yet and continued to scold, "Since the establishment of New China, we are no longer a feudal or capitalist country. We are a socialist country where both the workers and the farmers are the masters of the nation! So, what? The law is set like this, and you still want to engage in class discrimination? Do you look down on farmers? In your eyes, are the country's regulations not worth considering? If I find out which unit you belong to or who your parents work for, I'll make sure to ask your leaders whether it's appropriate to discriminate against country folks, whether engaging in class discrimination is acceptable!"

With this, Liu Xiaohong started to feel afraid. She might look down on them, but if Zhao Xiulan labeled her with such a heavy charge of class discrimination, and if this created trouble, she would surely face severe consequences. Her family might never recover.

If Zhao Xiulan really inquired about her parents' workplace and caused a scene, her parents could lose their jobs. The only reason she could consume commercial grain was because of her parents' jobs in the city. Otherwise, wouldn't she be just like any other rural dweller? She didn't want such a small matter to lead to such big trouble.

With a red face, Liu Xiaohong responded, "Forget it... I... I won't argue with you."

But Zhao Xiulan wasn't ready to let it go so easily.

"Comrade, you must apologize for what you just said!" Zhao Xiulan said solemnly.

Liu Xiaohong stared at Zhao Xiulan and retorted, "Apologize? Do you expect me to apologize to you?"

Could a rustic bumpkin like her demand an apology from her? She had already made a concession, and now Zhao Xiulan wanted an apology from her?

"Don't push it too far!" Liu Xiaohong gritted her teeth.

"Shouldn't you apologize for saying the wrong things? If you don't, then I'll involve others to settle this!" Zhao Xiulan said.

Liu Xiaohong, remembering Zhao Xiulan's earlier threat, felt very uneasy. Reluctantly, she offered an apology to Zhao Xiulan.

"Sorry!"

Regardless of whether Liu Xiaohong sincerely apologized, Zhao Xiulan had achieved her desired outcome. She snorted lightly, ignored Liu Xiaohong, and left the supply and marketing cooperative.

The clerk at the cooperative watched Zhao Xiulan leave, wiping the sweat from her forehead. She had heard what Zhao Xiulan said, and like Liu Xiaohong, had also mocked Zhao Xiulan as a countryside bumpkin. She had always had this attitude, and although the customers were unhappy, no one had ever done something like Zhao Xiulan—dishing out such a heavy accusation!

If Zhao Xiulan had confronted her and it had reached the leaders, she would have likely lost her job!

This was a secure job, with good benefits and the opportunity to consume commercial grain. If she lost it, she would be devastated!

Luckily, Zhao Xiulan didn't confront her. But if Zhao Xiulan came back next time, she wouldn't dare to be disrespectful again!