Chapter 28: Lin Xinrou’s Audacious Move

The heavens were not in a generous mood; a fine, misty rain began to fall from the sky. Braving the drizzle, they worked for half the day before being granted an afternoon’s rest. Today, Lin Jingyue had no intention of foraging pigweed in this weather—she simply couldn’t bear the thought of working in the rain.

After all, she hardly needed those few work points.

By midday, the members of the educated youth camp returned, and soon the place was abuzz with excitement. The Sun family was coming to escort the bride from the educated youth point.

Wang Xueping had donned a new outfit early that morning: a water-pink blouse, a plaid skirt, little leather shoes, and even a touch of lipstick. Joy lit up her cheeks, making her look all the more radiant and lovely.

Since her rebirth, Wang Xueping had grown distant from Chen Chunlan and now spent more time with Xie Wenjuan. Xie Wenjuan was generous, gifting her a pair of pillowcases; others also presented small tokens of goodwill—everyone except the newcomers, who were neither well-off nor acquainted with Wang Xueping.

It wasn’t long before Sun Zhiyuan arrived with his party to fetch the bride.

“Oh, the bride is particular, she’s even covered her head with a red veil!” As the door opened and everyone saw Wang Xueping sitting on the kang bed, laughter filled the room.

A rare smile appeared on Sun Zhiyuan’s face.

“The bride’s shy,” someone teased.

“Dalong, hurry up and fetch your bride—I can’t wait for the feast!”

“Time to fetch the bride!”

“Fetch the bride!” several children chorused, clapping with glee.

Scratching his head, Sun Zhiyuan said, “Wife, I’m here to take you home.”

The figure beneath the veil paused, then rose to her feet. Sun Zhiyuan quickly stepped forward to lead her outside.

His family owned a sturdy bicycle, the pride of the village, and using it for the wedding procession was a statement in itself. Wang Xueping sat on the back seat, clutching the hem of Sun Zhiyuan’s white shirt, the two of them making a striking pair from behind.

Several of the older educated youth tagged along for the festivities—they were, in a way, standing in for Wang Xueping’s family.

Meanwhile, Lin Jingyue changed into a simple outfit: a sailor-striped shirt and black trousers, with a corduroy jacket thrown over because of the rain.

Opening the door, she found Jiang Xun and Zhou Yan still lingering outside.

“Here’s an umbrella,” Jiang Xun offered.

“Thank you,” Lin Jingyue replied, taking it.

Chen Chunlan, who hadn’t been invited to the wedding, lounged by the door, resentment written on her face. Seeing Lin Jingyue in yet another set of clothes she’d never seen before, she couldn’t help but speak up. “Lin, are you bringing a gift for Wang today? Judging by your new clothes, you must be generous enough to bring a couple of bolts of cloth, no?”

She secretly hoped Lin Jingyue would make a grand gesture, to her own detriment.

Lin Jingyue opened the umbrella. “What business is it of yours?”

She had prepared two eggs, which was the customary gift in the village—just enough to fulfill her obligation. If not for her curiosity about Wang Xueping’s hostility toward her, she wouldn’t have bothered to go at all. Still, she felt she had a decent grasp of Wang Xueping’s feelings by now.

Stung by the retort, Chen Chunlan’s face flickered with embarrassment and anger. She dared not say more, wary of provoking Lin Jingyue and risking a beating.

The secretary’s house was bustling; nearly the whole village had turned out, not wanting to disrespect the party secretary. Besides, who would pass up a free meal in these times?

After the bride arrived, she was taken straight to a room and didn’t reappear. Qian Guihua and Sun Zhiyuan wore strange, conflicted expressions, a tumult of emotions barely concealed in their eyes.

To outsiders, they excused the bride’s absence by claiming she was shy and wouldn’t come out to toast the guests. Lin Jingyue found the explanation unconvincing; something felt off.

The secretary’s wedding banquet was generous by local standards, with two meat dishes and cornmeal steamed buns as the staple. Many eyes lit up at the sight.

The educated youth shared a table, and there was no scramble for food, but Lin Jingyue hardly ate, slowly tearing apart a steamed bun and chewing listlessly.

Noticing this, Jiang Xun decided he’d cook something for her back at the dormitory.

Once the meal was over, the crowd gradually dispersed, though the Sun family’s relatives grumbled about the bride behind her back. They whispered that she was putting on airs, acting superior because she was from the city, refusing even to appear for the toasts.

“What’s going on with Xueping?” Xie Wenjuan asked, concern etched in her voice as they walked back.

Luo Jianhua replied, “She’s probably still upset.”

The reminder brought back the memory—Wang Xueping had been reluctant to marry, but pressure from the scandal had forced her hand.

It was an awkward subject, so everyone fell silent.

Back at the educated youth point, each returned to their own rooms.

“Want me to make you a bowl of noodles?” Jiang Xun asked Lin Jingyue. “I noticed you barely ate at the banquet.”

“You didn’t eat either.”

Zhou Yan chimed in, “Me neither.”

So one bowl of noodles became three: plain noodle soup, each bowl topped with two poached eggs, fresh greens, and a swirl of chili oil, the red and green vibrant above the steaming broth—simple, yet deeply satisfying.

The three of them sat around the stove eating, the rain still falling outside.

“If only it rained every day,” Zhou Yan sighed. That way, they’d never have to work in the fields.

“You may be spared from work, but what about the villagers? They’d have no grain to eat,” Jiang Xun scolded, exasperated.

No more was said.

After their meal, each washed their own bowl. Lin Jingyue was about to return to her room and read when Jiang Xun called out to her.

“What is it?”

“Are you studying?” Jiang Xun lowered his voice. He’d once seen Lin Jingyue reading on a hillside while collecting firewood.

“Occasionally, yes,” Lin Jingyue replied honestly.

“Do you have all the books you need?”

She arched an eyebrow. “I only have one volume of the math and science series. I haven’t been able to find the rest.”

“I have the others. What about textbooks? Do you need any?”

Lin Jingyue’s eyes curved into a smile, sparkling with starry light. “Then I won’t be shy—I'm missing politics and math for the second year, and math for the first year.”

“I’ll bring them over later.”

Lin Jingyue didn’t ask how he came by so many books. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

They exchanged a smile.

The following day dawned clear and bright. Before six, golden light glimmered on the horizon.

Lin Jingyue opened her door, mid-yawn, only to meet a thunderous, storm-darkened face to her left.

Her heart skipped a beat. Eyes wide, she thought, What the hell?!

Why was Wang Xueping here?

Then who was it who’d married into the Sun family?

Startled, she looked toward the room shared by Xia Nan and Lin Xinrou. Xia Nan was just now coming out, bleary-eyed.

Wang Xueping, face grim as murder, stormed into their room.

A piercing scream erupted from the educated youth point, jolting everyone fully awake.

“Lin Xinrou! You slut! You slut—!” Wang Xueping shrieked as she ran out.

Everyone else was left utterly bewildered.

Only after a moment did realization dawn—shock written across every face.

It was only then that they noticed not only was Lin Xinrou missing from the dormitory, but Zhao Hua and Lin Xinjian were absent as well.

Everyone turned to Xia Nan in unison. Among the new arrivals, because Lin Jingyue had her own room, Lin Xinrou and Xia Nan shared one, while Lin Xinjian and Zhao Hua shared another.

Xia Nan hastily raised her hands. “I don’t know what happened. Yesterday morning Lin Xinrou fainted again, and Lin Xinjian and Zhao Hua said they were taking her to the hospital.”

So Lin Xinrou hadn’t come back all night, but Xia Nan hadn’t thought anything of it.