Chapter 68: We Must Have Principles as Human Beings

"Wait a moment." Xu Qingqing wanted to invite Lin Jingyue to stay for a meal, but it wasn't the right time, and she didn't have anything good to offer. In a flurry, she rushed into the house, rummaged through the cabinet by the kang, and pulled out a package. "Take this with you. My mother sent it to me, and it tastes quite good."

Lin Jingyue didn't know what was inside, but seeing the sincerity in Xu Qingqing's eyes, she accepted it.

"Thank you."

"It should be me thanking you." Xu Qingqing was deeply moved. If not for Lin Jingyue, she might have...

"I'll walk you out. By the way, next time I'll come find you, don't come over here anymore."

She was worried that the people in the brigade would notice Lin Jingyue's looks and trouble would follow.

"Alright." Lin Jingyue smiled and didn't say anything more.

"Jingyue, I'll walk you out," Xie Yunzheng suddenly said.

The people at the educated youth spot were even more surprised.

Lin Jingyue understood his meaning. He was worried the brigade might find out about her connection with Xu Qingqing and direct their anger at her.

"Sure. Oh, are you working in the afternoon? If not, why don't you just come over for lunch and head back together?"

"I'd better not. I'm afraid my brother would break my legs." Though tempted, Xie Yunzheng was more afraid of being beaten.

"You'll have to speak up for me more in the future; my brother loves to hit me the most..."

Their voices faded into the distance.

The people at the educated youth spot looked at Xu Qingqing suspiciously. "Comrade Xu, what's your relationship with that girl? And how does she know Comrade Xie?"

Xu Qingqing glanced at them coolly. "A friend I met on the road. She's Xie Yunzheng's brother's girlfriend."

She hadn't run into Lin Jingyue when she went next door two days ago, but she had met Jiang Xun.

With that, she went inside and said nothing more.

On the other side, Xie Yunzheng walked Lin Jingyue to the fork in the road before heading back.

...

The next day, Lin Jingyue was on the mountain with Iron Egg and Big Wa, hunting birds, when suddenly a piercing wail startled all three of them, causing the birds they had in hand to fly away.

The three exchanged bewildered glances.

Big Wa scratched his head. "Sounds like Granny Osmanthus."

The Granny Osmanthus he referred to was Sun Zhiyuan’s mother, Qian Osmanthus.

Lin Jingyue suddenly remembered—wasn't today the day Sun Zhiyuan returned?

A blaze of excitement instantly lit her face. She grabbed her basket. "Iron Egg, Big Wa, I'm done hunting for today. I have something to do—goodbye!"

After a whirlwind, she was already at the foot of the mountain with her basket.

Iron Egg and Big Wa, who hadn't had a chance to speak: "…!" So fast!

Lin Jingyue dashed to where the commotion was, in a field not far from the foot of the mountain.

Sun Zhiyuan was there, carrying a large army-green bag, with bedding and a suitcase at his feet. Qian Osmanthus was wailing as if her world had ended.

Everyone else was there to watch the spectacle.

"Mother, I was discharged because of an injury. My health is no longer fit for the army, I—"

"My son, my poor son, how could you be so unlucky..." Qian Osmanthus wasn't listening at all.

All she knew was that her pride and joy had been discharged, and the monthly allowance was gone.

Sun Zhiyuan felt helpless and somewhat embarrassed. The reason for his discharge was that someone had reported his improper conduct, accusing him of womanizing.

He had no idea how the farcical bride swap in the brigade had reached the army or who could hate him so much.

"Osmanthus, stop crying. It's good that your eldest is back; now he'll keep you company and life won't be so hard..." Aunt Liu chimed in, feigning concern.

Inside, she was jubilant. That Qian Osmanthus, always looking down on others—now she's fallen, serves her right!

"Liu Sancao! Nonsense!" Qian Osmanthus exploded, glaring venomously at Aunt Liu.

This old woman had always been jealous of her and was probably laughing at her inside.

"Why are you so ungrateful?" Aunt Liu scoffed. "I'm only trying to comfort you."

"Go away! Who needs your comfort? Even if my eldest is discharged, he still got a subsidy! Unlike your lazy son—he'll be lucky to ever get married. Best if he stays a bachelor forever..." Qian Osmanthus spat scornfully.

Sun Jiabao, who had just come by to watch the commotion: "…" What did he do to deserve this?

"Qian Osmanthus, you wretch! Cursing my son—I'll fight you!" Aunt Liu rolled up her sleeves and charged.

Her son was her heart and soul. Qian Osmanthus cursing him to stay single was a curse upon their family line!

"Think I'm afraid of you?" Qian Osmanthus spat on the ground and charged back.

Before anyone could react, the two women were brawling like fighting cocks.

Sun Zhiyuan was utterly exhausted, quickly pulling them apart and dragging his mother home.

All the way back Qian Osmanthus grumbled and sighed.

When Lin Xinrou heard the news and returned home, she met Sun Zhiyuan's gaze, which was complicated beyond words.

Her heart skipped a beat.

At that moment, Sun Zhiyuan didn’t know how to face Lin Xinrou. He resented her. If not for Lin Xinrou, none of this would have happened.

He had been doing well in the army, but now he was sent back, doomed to a life bending over the fields.

Feeling the resentment in his eyes, Lin Xinrou grew even more uneasy. She'd heard Sun Zhiyuan had been discharged—three years early.

Where had things gone wrong?

Meanwhile, Lin Jingyue returned to the educated youth spot in high spirits, only to find Wang Xueping was also in a good mood.

The two exchanged a glance.

Wang Xueping noticed the subtle understanding in Lin Jingyue's eyes and her heart skipped—did she know?

Before she could look more closely, Lin Jingyue had already looked away, pursing her lips with a faint frown.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Yang Ming was tending the fire and, noticing her expression, asked with concern.

Wang Xueping's worries melted away, and she smiled. "I'm fine."

Worried Yang Ming would misunderstand her mood was because of Sun Zhiyuan's return, she thought for a moment, then called Yang Ming into the room and told him the real reason for Sun Zhiyuan's discharge.

Yang Ming chuckled. "I already knew."

He had played a part in it, after all. Lin Xinrou had schemed against Wang Xueping so many times—he had to help his woman fight back.

Learning of his actions, Wang Xueping was surprised, but then deeply moved.

Lately, she had been secretly thankful.

Thankful she hadn’t married Sun Zhiyuan, but chose to marry Yang Ming instead. Perhaps, in this second life, that was the best decision she had made.

They smiled at each other, and a gentle, loving warmth spread between them.

Yang Ming's voice was soft and soothing. "Every debt has a debtor. Since Lin Xinrou wronged you, we retaliated—rightly so. But Lin Jingyue and Lin Xinrou weren't on good terms to begin with, and she never did you any harm, Xueping..."

Noticing Wang Xueping's expression change, he sighed and pulled her into his arms. "I don't know why you dislike her, but Lin Jingyue is someone who always pays back a slight. It's not wise to provoke her. Besides, Xueping, we must have our own principles and bottom line. If someone harms us, we retaliate, that's only fair. But if someone hasn't done anything to us, even if we have opinions, we shouldn't bear ill will. Whatever you desire, I will give you. Though my family isn't as well-off as Jiang Xun's, I can still give you a good life..."

His gentle words were comforting and healing. At first, Wang Xueping was unconvinced and sour, but gradually, she became lost in thought.

Yang Ming didn't press her. "Alright, let's not think too much. Let's go eat. I miss the dumplings you made."

All the complicated feelings vanished from Wang Xueping's heart. She laughed and teased, "All you think about is eating."

[Author's Note] Marriage is a woman's second birth. Ladies, keep your eyes open—good men will heal you and guide you to a better path. Bad men will turn you into a devil in life.