Chapter 74: A Call from An City

The next day, news of Lin Xinrou and Sun Zhiyuan’s divorce spread, and everyone spat out curses, saying she deserved it. Only Lin Xinjian quietly went to fetch her. Though she was divorced, she was still an educated youth with nowhere to go, so naturally she had to return.

But the other people at the educated youth station wouldn’t have it. Chen Chunlan and Xia Nan made the biggest fuss—especially Xia Nan, still an unmarried girl, who said that living with Lin Xinrou would ruin her chances of ever finding a husband. Wang Xueping objected too; she feared she’d vomit sharing the same roof with Lin Xinrou. Lin Jingyue also announced publicly that she refused to live with an illegitimate daughter. In short, the matter was at an impasse.

The brigade leader, at a loss, planned to offer Lin Xinrou a place in a small hut built long ago by hunters on the hillside, but before he could speak, Lin Xinrou moved into the Sun family’s house.

Sun Tiezhu married her.

The people of the brigade were stunned, and Sun Tiezhu’s parents were naturally opposed, but they couldn’t stop him—he threatened his own life. Being their most cherished youngest son, the old couple feared he might do something drastic. So, Lin Xinrou was allowed to move in, but for once, Sun Tiezhu’s elder brothers, who had always endured silently, refused absolutely. And so, the Sun family split.

Sun Tiezhu and Lin Xinrou were separated out, settling in the old, dilapidated house of the Sun family. No money was given, only two hundred jin of grain. Yet Sun Tiezhu’s mother, unable to help herself, secretly slipped him twenty yuan—she had no more to spare. She resented Lin Xinrou, but her son was bewitched by that woman.

When the outcome of these twists and turns became clear, everyone was astonished.

Even Lin Jingyue found it unbelievable. Sun Tiezhu actually had genuine feelings for Lin Xinrou? What a dramatic turn!

But the day after they registered their marriage, things became even more dramatic. Sun Tiezhu was arrested again, implicated as an accomplice in several past highway robberies, and was ultimately sentenced to three years in prison.

Lin Xinrou went from being a divorced woman to a widow—or rather, not exactly a widow, but a woman whose husband was now in jail.

“I didn’t expect that being two days late would have such an unexpected effect,” Lin Jingyue said, taking a big bite of meat and feeling utterly satisfied.

Sun Tiezhu should have been arrested long ago; he’d been free for far too long.

“This is a good outcome,” Jiang Xun chuckled. It was pure coincidence: after Sun Tiezhu and Lin Xinrou were exposed and sent back, he notified the authorities, but they were busy with a major case and delayed two days. Who could have guessed that so much would happen in those two days?

Sometimes, unintended consequences can be even more profound. Sun Tiezhu’s arrest deepened Lin Xinrou’s misery, and everyone in the brigade watched her plight as entertainment.

Lin Xinjian, meanwhile, was quickly falling apart, his mood dark and heavy.

Autumn harvest arrived in the blink of an eye, and Lin Jingyue saw Lin Xinrou in the fields again, startled in her heart. Was this gaunt, spectral figure really Lin Xinrou? She was utterly changed; once, Lin Xinrou would rush over at the sight of her, but now she avoided her, eyes cold and distant.

Lin Jingyue shrugged, secretly pleased. If she didn’t come close, it was better—less bothersome.

During autumn harvest, everyone able-bodied had to work the fields, so Lin Jingyue played her part. The educated youth station was now completely separated from the brigade, and the brigade members looked down on the educated youth. Except Lin Jingyue—her skin was thick.

Mainly, Aunt Liu and the others couldn’t stay idle, and seemed unable to get through the day without bantering with Lin Jingyue.

See, here they come.

Lin Jingyue squinted, watching Aunt Liu straighten up, looking like a spirited fighting rooster.

Aunt Liu rolled her eyes and went back to work.

Lin Jingyue, ready for battle, suddenly felt caught between breaths.

“Jingyue,” she said, smiling as she took out her water bottle for a drink. The next moment, a crisp voice sounded.

Her smile widened instantly, “What brings you here?”

“I’m here to help you. Go rest on the ridge,” Jiang Xun said, jumping into the field. Seeing Lin Jingyue’s cheeks reddened by the sun, he quickly placed a straw hat on her head.

Lin Jingyue lifted the corners of her mouth, “No need, I’ll help you.”

“This bit of work is nothing,” Jiang Xun shook his head and bent to work.

Aunt Liu and Aunt Hua, watching from above, pursed their lips, “Oh, the educated youth Lin really is lucky.”

“Her man knows how to care for her.”

Their voices echoed, tinged with envy.

Lin Jingyue rolled her eyes, “Yes, I’m lucky. It’s no use being jealous.”

She was delighted—at last, some conversation.

It stung, though.

The two women glared at Lin Jingyue, bent back to work, preferring not to see her.

Lin Jingyue strutted like a triumphant rooster, bold and proud.

Jiang Xun glanced at her, lowered his head, and chuckled quietly.

With Jiang Xun’s help, Lin Jingyue finished her tasks quickly. After handing in their tools and preparing to return to the educated youth station, they suddenly heard the loudspeaker calling Lin Jingyue to answer the phone.

Lin Jingyue paused; it must be news from An City.

“Shall I go with you?” Jiang Xun asked, tilting his head.

“Alright.” Lin Jingyue was curious about the person who kept sending her parcels, money, and letters.

She believed her guess was about to be confirmed.