As the two were speaking, Bai Qiaolan returned carrying a vegetable basket, a hint of barely concealed smugness on her face. The moment she entered, she glanced at the documents on the table and observed their expressions before speaking as if casually, “Chengjing, what are you two…”
“These are the documents for Lin Shuyao’s job transfer.”
Bai Qiaolan had sharp eyes and immediately spotted “Xinan Liangzhong Shiyan Zhan.”
“You’re helping Comrade Lin with a job transfer?!” As if her suspicions were confirmed, Bai Qiaolan’s voice unconsciously rose, her usual pitiful tone slipping away. “The Liangzhong Shiyan Zhan is a key organizational project with very limited openings. Many people are desperate to get in. For Comrade Lin to try pulling strings right after arriving here—that doesn’t seem quite proper, does it?”
At these words, not only did Lu Chengjing’s expression change, but Lin Shuyao’s face also darkened.
“What do you mean by that, Comrade Bai? I’m applying for this position based on my qualifications and abilities! Moreover, I have sufficient work experience. Applying for a job at the Liangzhong Shiyan Zhan is perfectly reasonable. How is that ‘pulling strings’?”
This time, Lin Shuyao didn’t hold back, not even addressing her as “sister-in-law.”
“Chengjing, listen to what Comrade Lin is saying. I was just making a casual remark, I meant no harm.”
“Your ‘casual remark’ is slander against me!”
Lin Shuyao could endure Bai Qiaolan’s accusations and veiled sarcasm, but she could not tolerate being slandered.
Bai Qiaolan was taken aback by Lin Shuyao’s sudden sharpness, taking half a step back, her face alternating between pale and flushed.
She was used to playing the fragile role, and as a martyr’s widow, most people treated her with respect. She had never encountered someone like Lin Shuyao, who refused to yield an inch and whose every word carried a sting.
“Chengjing, listen to her. I was just offering a friendly reminder, and she speaks to me like this… When did I ever slander her?” Bai Qiaolan’s eyes immediately reddened as she moved closer to Lu Chengjing.
“Whether it’s slander or not, you know best in your heart. I don’t believe I’ve ever offended you, so why are you making baseless accusations? I haven’t even done anything yet, and you’re already pinning labels on me. Is that appropriate?”
Bai Qiaolan’s face changed abruptly. “You… you… I didn’t…”
Lin Shuyao’s expression was deadly serious, completely unmoved by the act of fragility. “Comrade Bai, I respect you as an elder and as Comrade Lu’s widowed sister-in-law, but don’t push your luck. That’s my job we’re talking about, not some trivial matter. I have the ability and the qualifications. I don’t need to rely on anyone’s connections!”
Lin Shuyao’s words were half confidence, half a clear boundary.
She came here for work, to contribute to the nation’s development. Whether others believed her or not was their problem!
Bai Qiaolan’s series of actions had significantly lowered Lin Shuyao’s opinion of the Lu family.
For an elder sister-in-law to speak so carelessly to her clearly indicated that Lu Chengjing had given her the confidence to do so.
Putting up with humiliation in Jingdu was one thing—she could blame it on the uncontrollable plot, a forced compromise.
But coming to the southwest, being cautious and polite everywhere, only to be falsely accused—that was truly leaving her no way out.
Lu Chengjing stood to the side, his brow furrowing tighter and tighter.
“Enough.” His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried the stern authority honed in the military barracks, instantly silencing their argument.
He first looked at Lin Shuyao, his tone softening slightly. “I believe in your abilities. I’ll personally deliver the documents to the Liangzhong Shiyan Zhan. The review will be fair—there’s no question of pulling strings.”
Then, he turned to Bai Qiaolan, his gaze turning cold. “Sister-in-law, you should watch your words! As a family member of a martyr, your words and actions are bound by the military family regulations. I don’t want to hear such talk again.”
Bai Qiaolan froze, looking at him in disbelief. “Chengjing, I’m your sister-in-law! How can you say that to me for the sake of an outsider?”
“She is not an outsider,” Lu Chengjing said firmly. “She is my legally registered wife. Military marriages are protected! Spreading rumors and slander can lead to demerits at best and legal consequences at worst. Sister-in-law, you’re a sensible person. You should know the rules.”
Bai Qiaolan was left speechless, her lips trembling as tears finally fell. “I did it all for you… She treated you so poorly before, sending letter after letter forcing you to divorce, completely disregarding your feelings. I was afraid you’d suffer, afraid she’d deceive you!”
“My person, I understand best myself.”
With that one sentence, Lu Chengjing set the tone.
My person.
The three words drifted softly into Lin Shuyao’s ears, making her heart skip a beat. She instinctively looked up at him.
The man’s profile was sharp, his expression stern and cold. Though there was no warmth in his demeanor, it somehow gave her an unprecedented sense of comfort.
The curses in her heart abruptly ceased…
Seeing the two of them acting in unison, Bai Qiaolan felt her heart turn completely cold. Filled with grievance and resentment, she no longer dared to say another word. Covering her face, she stumbled into her room and slammed the door shut with a loud bang.
The courtyard finally fell silent.
Lin Shuyao let out a soft sigh, the earlier bravado dissipating as she looked somewhat awkwardly at Lu Chengjing. “Comrade Lu, just now… thank you.”
She had genuinely been angry earlier, even losing her composure.
Lu Chengjing’s gaze fell on her slightly reddened eyes. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke. “No need. It was Sister-in-law who shouldn’t have spoken carelessly. She’s sensitive-minded. Don’t take it to heart.”
His attitude, in contrast, made Lin Shuyao seem petty.
Lin Shuyao gave an embarrassed laugh, fidgeting with her fingers. “For your sake, I won’t hold it against her.”
A flicker of amusement passed through Lu Chengjing’s eyes. He repeated the words she hadn’t clearly heard earlier, his voice low and clear. “A military marriage is no trivial matter. Once a divorce application is withdrawn, reapplying won’t be easy. Are you sure you don’t want a divorce?”
Lin Shuyao was taken aback, then looked up, her expression utterly serious and without hesitation. “I’m sure! I won’t divorce. Of course, if Comrade Lu needs a divorce later, I’ll fully cooperate.”
She came to the southwest precisely to rewrite her cannon-fodder fate and focus earnestly on scientific research.
Divorce?
Absolutely out of the question for now.
If she divorced, who would she get to sign for her?
But once her work was stable, divorce was possible.
She could even give Lu Chengjing a token of gratitude.
Lu Chengjing looked deeply at Lin Shuyao, his profound, cold-pool-like eyes seeming to see right through her.
After a long moment, he gave a soft “Mm,” gathered the documents, and tucked them into his military satchel.
Lunch was prepared by Lu Chengjing. Bai Qiaolan, likely hurt, hadn’t emerged from her room since retreating there. Whether intentional or not, the groceries she had bought were particularly meager, and she had even locked away the household’s fine rice and white flour.
Though Lu Chengjing grew up in Jingdu, soldiers were accustomed to hardship and never harbored thoughts of indulgence. To him, any food was just food.
However, Lin Shuyao’s behavior surprised him a bit. Even though it was just dried beans with brown rice, she didn’t show the slightest disdain. When the brown rice felt rough in her throat, she washed it down with water, and her table manners were impeccable—not a single grain of rice was wasted.
After finishing the meal, she took the initiative to clean up the dishes and the kitchen, working efficiently and diligently.
It seemed that in her eyes, chores should be shared, and there was no notion of anyone having to take care of anyone else.
She wasn’t willing to take even the slightest advantage.
“Comrade Lu, I’ll leave the matter of submitting the documents to you.”
“Alright.”