Lu Chengjing’s gaze fell on Lin Shuyao. Seeing her pale face and tightly pursed lips, and then looking at Bai Qiaolan’s tearful appearance, he instantly understood a few things.
Was his sister-in-law trying to smear Lin Shuyao’s reputation?
Some things needed to be said openly. No matter how small the intention, if left for too long, it could lead to big problems.
But the words on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back.
He still needed to observe Lin Shuyao’s attitude a bit more.
“She’s an adult. Since she came, she should be mentally prepared.”
The words seemed plain, but there was still a hint of defending Lin Shuyao.
Bai Qiaolan’s heart ached, and her eyes grew even redder. “Chengjing, I was just being kind…”
Lin Shuyao let out a soft sigh, suppressing the discomfort in her heart. “Comrade Lu is right. Since I came to the southwest, I was prepared to endure hardships. I can do whatever the other comrades can do.”
Lu Chengjing nodded slightly. “Let’s eat first.”
“Alright.”
Lin Shuyao was perceptive. She stopped talking and walked straight into the main hall.
With the mess left by the original owner ahead of her, she had no grounds to argue. It was better to leave it to time.
Bai Qiaolan still wanted to say something, but after Lin Shuyao left, Lu Chengjing spoke up to remind her, “Comrade Lin just got out of the hospital and is still weak. If you think she’s difficult to deal with, you should avoid interacting with her in the future.”
“Chengjing, you…”
Seeing Lu Chengjing’s obvious bias toward Lin Shuyao, Bai Qiaolan felt as if needles were pricking her heart. She could only bite her lip, turn around resentfully, and head toward the kitchen, not planning to eat with the two of them.
She glanced back into the main hall and saw Lu Chengjing lowering his head to open the lunchbox, saying something to Lin Shuyao.
One appeared cold but was actually considerate and attentive.
The other appeared joyful but was actually insincere!
In the main hall, Lin Shuyao began to eat. Since Lu Chengjing’s attitude was decent, she naturally had to respond in kind. “Comrade Lu, I’m sorry for putting you in a difficult position. Once my job is confirmed, I’ll apply for a dormitory and move out immediately. As for the things you lent me, I’ll buy new ones to return to you.”
Lu Chengjing paused his eating and said calmly, “As you wish.”
Lin Shuyao nodded and said nothing more.
She knew she wouldn’t stay at the Lu family’s home for long. Bai Qiaolan’s hostility wouldn’t disappear just like that, and Lu Chengjing’s thoughts were hard to decipher. If she really lived in this small courtyard in the future, misunderstandings and conflicts would only increase.
And she had to establish herself as soon as possible. Not only did she need to secure a job, but she also had to plan for her future. If she wanted to focus on her work, the rear, at the very least, must not catch fire.
The autumn breeze outside gently rustled the grapevines, making the leaves whisper as if narrating the subtle entanglements within this small courtyard.
After finishing the meal, Lin Shuyao took out some money and ration coupons, placed them on the table, and pushed them toward Lu Chengjing. “I’ve really troubled you today. I’ll go rest now.”
Lu Chengjing stared at the cold money and coupons before him, his brows tightly furrowed. After a long while, he stood up with a stern face and returned to his room.
The next day, as dawn broke, Lin Shuyao woke up.
She had no intention of resting any longer. Her mind was filled with thoughts about the job transfer. She had to strike while the iron was hot to achieve twice the result with half the effort.
Lin Shuyao brisk got up, washed up quickly, then took out the materials related to her job transfer that she had brought with her. She organized them neatly one by one and tucked them into the cloth bag she carried with her. She wanted to ask Lu Chengjing when it would be convenient for them to go to the Liangzhong Shiyan Zhan together.
But Lu Chengjing had left home even earlier than Lin Shuyao had woken up, so she didn’t even get to see him.
“Chengjing went back to the camp early for training. He’s the battalion commander of the Tezhan Ying and doesn’t have time to stay home every day.”
Bai Qiaolan glanced at Lin Shuyao, noticing that she looked refreshed and glowing, wearing a brand-new Lenin Taozhuang, which made her look even more beautiful than yesterday—by more than just a little.
“There’s porridge left for you in the pot.” Bai Qiaolan coldly tossed out the words before leaving as well.
Lin Shuyao frowned slightly but didn’t stand on ceremony. She scooped a bowl of porridge and drank it, cleaned up afterward, and decided to wait until Lu Chengjing returned at noon to discuss things further.
The entire morning, Lin Shuyao kept herself busy. She took out her agricultural notes, reviewing and adding to them while also writing a personal resume for herself.
The soil in the southwest was poor, and the climate was unique, making it difficult to cultivate suitable, high-quality grain varieties. To establish herself, she needed to make a remarkable impression and demonstrate her value. She couldn’t afford to be like the original owner, content to remain invisible and forever overlooked.
However… Lin Shuyao never expected that in the short time Bai Qiaolan had been out, she would become infamous throughout the entire military compound!
Rumors spread about her being delicate and pretentious, having messy relationships with men, being kicked out of the Jingdu Nongkeyuan, having little skill but a big temper, trying to take advantage of Lu Chengjing’s achievements, and attempting to rely on connections… and so on. The stories grew increasingly distorted as they circulated.
At noon, Lu Chengjing returned. His military uniform was covered in dust, and a light sweat glistened on his forehead, clearly indicating the intensity of today’s training.
“Comrade Lu, you’re back!” Lin Shuyao immediately stood up and went to greet him, pouring him a glass of water.
Seeing her bright smile, Lu Chengjing was visibly taken aback. He reached out to take the glass. “Mm.”
Lin Shuyao waited for him to catch his breath before asking, “When do you think would be a good time for me to report to the Liangzhong Shiyan Zhan? I want to get the job transfer sorted out as soon as possible. I’ve already prepared all the materials.”
“You don’t need to go. Give me the materials, and I’ll submit them for you.”
Lin Shuyao was taken aback, somewhat surprised. “You’ll submit them for me? Don’t I need to go in person for the job transfer?”
“You do. But I need to cancel the divorce application first before I can sign for you. Once the materials are approved, you’ll be notified for an interview.”
“I see.”
Lin Shuyao quickly turned and went back to her room, retrieving the neatly organized job transfer materials. She handed them to Lu Chengjing, speaking sincerely, “Thank you for your trouble, Comrade Lu. I appreciate your help.”
The materials were neatly arranged, accompanied by a neatly handwritten personal resume and preliminary thoughts on grain cultivation in the southwest…
It was clear that Lin Shuyao had truly prepared thoroughly, not just making empty promises.
Lu Chengjing took the materials, his fingertips accidentally brushing against her hand. Both of them paused instinctively, and Lin Shuyao quickly withdrew her hand, looking away somewhat uncomfortably.
Lu Chengjing didn’t pay it any mind. He casually flipped through the materials, confirmed they were complete, and nodded. “I’ll go cancel the divorce application this afternoon and submit the materials to the Liangzhong Shiyan Zhan at the same time. I’ll let you know when there’s news.”
“Alright, thank you so much!”
Lin Shuyao thanked him again, feeling a weight lift slightly from her heart. As long as Lu Chengjing was willing to help, the job transfer would be settled.
As for the interview questions, she had full confidence in herself—after all, her mind held nearly fifty years of China’s future achievements!
“Military marriages are no trivial matter. Once a divorce application is canceled, reapplying won’t be easy. Are you sure?”
Lu Chengjing’s voice was so soft that Lin Shuyao didn’t catch what he said.
“What?”