Sold into a ghost marriage? Four-year-old and his thuggish father go on a killing spree.

"An anonymous letter of denunciation from the revolutionary masses!"

These eleven characters, in that era, possessed a terrifying power capable of destroying any ordinary person.

A few days later, a black Volga sedan slowly drove into the farm machinery station's compound under the watchful eyes of many curious onlookers.

The car door opened, and two middle-aged cadres in Zhongshan suits with serious expressions stepped out.

They went straight into the stationmaster's office.

Station Master Han, who was supervising work in the workshop, was called in.

Not long after, a heated argument broke out in the office.

"Old Han! Don't be confused! This letter of complaint was sent directly to the commune's revolutionary committee! The leaders specifically ordered a thorough investigation!"

"What are you investigating! This is utter nonsense! I know Gu Yanqiu better than you do! He's a key technical member of my agricultural machinery station!"

"Technical backbone?"

The letter said he was a speculator and a bad element of questionable character!

He also said that his daughter's origins were unclear and that she was suspected of being abducted!

Which of these is a trivial matter?

"Bullshit! This is pure fabrication! It's retaliation!"

The office door wasn't closed properly, and the workers outside could hear everything clearly, leaving them all terrified and speechless.

Only Wang Jianguo, in the corner, was wiping his tools with his head down, a sinister smile on his lips.

Gu Yanqiu was inspecting the gearbox under the chassis of a tractor when he heard these words, and the wrench in his hand fell to the ground with a "clatter".

His heart sank to the bottom in an instant.

His worst fears came true.

Wang Jianguo's move was too vicious!

He's really going to kill himself!

Soon, the office door opened.

An official came out, his gaze sweeping around the courtyard before finally settling on Gu Yanqiu.

Who is Gu Yanqiu?

Gu Yanqiu crawled out from under the ground, wiped the oil off his face, and stood up straight.

"I am."

"You've been reported. From now on, your work is suspended. Come with us to the commune for investigation!"

The official's voice was as cold as ice.

Station Chief Han followed out with a livid face, wanting to say something, but was stopped by another cadre.

"Old Han, these are the rules. No one is allowed to plead for leniency until the matter is thoroughly investigated. If you obstruct us again, you'll be investigated too!"

Old Han was trembling with anger, but there was nothing he could do.

He could only watch helplessly as Gu Yanqiu was flanked by two cadres and led towards the black Volga.

At that moment, everyone in the entire agricultural machinery station turned their attention to Gu Yanqiu.

There was sympathy, pity, schadenfreude, and also deep fear.

Gu Yanqiu paused for a moment as she walked past Wang Jianguo.

Wang Jianguo kept his head down, as if he hadn't seen anything.

Gu Yanqiu didn't say anything, but just gave him a deep look before getting into the car without looking back.

He knew that from this moment on, whether he could ever return here was uncertain.

Gu Yanqiu was interrogated for an entire afternoon at the commune's guesthouse.

The investigation team members took turns asking increasingly tricky questions.

"Do you admit that you used to be a notorious lazybones in the village?"

"Isn't it speculation and profiteering for you to privately harvest mountain products and sell them in the county town?"

"Is your daughter, Gu Niannian, really your biological child? Do you have proof of her household registration? Where is her birth certificate?"

Every question was like a knife, stabbing him in his most vulnerable spot.

Gu Yanqiu gritted her teeth and explained again and again.

But his explanation seemed so weak and powerless in the face of these preconceived investigators.

In the evening, the investigation team finally left, leaving him alone in the empty room.

They told him to stay here and "reflect on his actions" while they await further action.

Gu Yanqiu knew he couldn't just sit and wait to die.

He has to go back! He has to find evidence to prove his innocence!

Under the cover of night, he secretly slipped out of the guesthouse, found his bicycle parked at the farm machinery station, and rode headed towards Chengjiawan without a second thought.

He rode for dozens of miles at night in just over an hour.

When he pushed open the door and saw the small figure under the oil lamp, engrossed in reading, all his strength and pretense crumbled in that instant.

"Nian Nian..."

His voice was so hoarse it was unrecognizable.

Gu Niannian looked up and was startled to see her father, who looked travel-worn and had bloodshot eyes.

"Dad! Why are you back? What happened?"

Gu Yanqiu could no longer hold on. He hugged his daughter tightly and buried his head in the crook of her shoulder. For the first time, this seven-foot-tall man let out a suppressed, painful sob, like a child.

He told his daughter the whole story.

He thought his daughter would be scared and cry.

However, after hearing this, Gu Niannian simply leaned quietly against her father's chest, her little face tense.

After a long while, she finally raised her head. In her eyes, which shone brightly under the oil lamp, there was not a trace of fear, only a cold calm that was completely out of character for her age.

"Dad, we're not afraid."

She reached out her little hand and vigorously wiped away the tears on her father's face.

"They say you're speculating and profiteering, but we have purchase receipts for selling mountain products to the supply and marketing cooperative. That's a legitimate channel recognized by the state, not a private resale."

This hat won't stick on.

"They said you were lazy, but that's in the past. You have a recommendation letter from Grandpa Cheng, a certificate from the brick kiln foreman, and work records from the agricultural machinery station. This proves you've changed for the better. A prodigal son who returns is more precious than gold; why are they clinging to the past?"

"They said I have shady origins..."

Gu Niannian paused, her small fists clenched tightly.

"We have a letter from our mother, and identification documents sent by Aunt Li Huilan. I am Song Wanqing and Gu Yanqiu's daughter, with a name and proof!"

His words were clear, logical, and well-organized.

Gu Yanqiu stared blankly at her daughter, her heart, filled with fear and despair, seemed to be instantly illuminated by a ray of light!

Yup!

He is not fighting alone!

He has evidence! He has proof!

He gripped his daughter's shoulders tightly, his voice trembling slightly with emotion.

"Niannian...can we...can we really win this battle?"

"Would they...would they believe a child?"