Song Jinyue nodded. “Yes, Captain Han already told me.”
Secretary Wei’s gaze fell on her. “Li Huguo was originally responsible for translating for Charles. Now that he’s been arrested, there’s a vacancy. Comrade Jinyue, would you be willing to take on the role of translator?”
Song Jinyue fell silent and didn’t answer immediately.
Seeing her hesitation, both Secretary Wei and Zhong Guoliang felt a bad premonition rise in their hearts.
After a moment—
Song Jinyue looked apologetic as she glanced at them both. “Secretary, I’m willing in my heart, but I can’t take the position.”
Their hearts sank instantly.
Secretary Wei moved his lips as if to speak, but Song Jinyue continued, “I have to go join the army.”
Both men were stunned.
“Join the army?” Secretary Wei frowned.
Song Jinyue nodded. “Yes.”
Secretary Wei looked at her seriously. “I don’t recommend that. If you go, your language skills won’t just go unused—you’ll have to hide them.”
He paused, his tone turning grave. “You’re smart. You know what I mean.”
In the current climate, foreign languages were sensitive. One misstep could lead to suspicion of espionage—especially in the military.
Song Jinyue understood all of this.
But she had no choice.
She was pregnant. Ending the pregnancy required the father’s consent, and Xi Fenglie would never agree.
If she stayed, her belly would soon show. No one here had ever seen Xi Fenglie—rumors would spread.
That would harm both her and her brother.
And besides—
She wanted to see what kind of person Xi Fenglie really was.
“I understand,” she said, then added, “I’m pregnant. I have no choice but to go.”
Pregnant???
Secretary Wei and Zhong Guoliang were completely stunned.
Zhong Guoliang’s gaze instinctively dropped to her stomach. “You… have a child?”
Song Jinyue nodded. “Yes.”
Zhong Guoliang’s expression turned complicated as he glanced at Secretary Wei.
Secretary Wei asked, “When are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
His expression grew serious.
Tomorrow…
Finding a replacement translator that quickly would be difficult—if not impossible.
He was about to suggest she postpone her trip.
But Song Jinyue had already seen through his thoughts.
“Secretary, I can’t take the position—but I can recommend someone. He can replace me. His ability is no less than mine, and you don’t need to worry about his background.”
Secretary Wei looked at her.
“And…” she paused, emphasizing the key point, “he can start tomorrow.”
Tomorrow?
And just as capable as her?
Was there really such a person in Jiangcheng?
“Who?” he asked.
Song Jinyue met his gaze. “My brother—Song Xiongguan.”
“He currently works in the mechanical factory’s technical department as a draftsman. You can find him there.”
Secretary Wei hadn’t expected that.
For a moment, he even suspected she had planned this in advance to push her brother forward.
“A grown man needing his sister’s recommendation…” He felt uneasy. “Why do you recommend him?”
Song Jinyue replied calmly, “The reason is simple. If my brother hadn’t come back back then, the foreign expert you’re receiving today might have been him.”
Zhong Guoliang’s heart skipped a beat.
He looked at her with shock.
She really dared to say that.
But—
This kind of boldness was exactly what talent looked like.
What a pity…
If she were a man, she could have achieved great things.
Secretary Wei remained silent, studying her.
Song Jinyue met his gaze without flinching.
She was telling the truth.
In this era, even going abroad was rare—coming back was even rarer.
Secretary Wei finally spoke, his tone cool. “You really dare to say that.”
She smiled faintly. “You already know my background, Secretary. What is there for me to fear?”
He had asked about her identity last night—he must have verified it already.
Investigating her would have been easy.
“Does your brother agree?” he asked.
Song Jinyue’s brow twitched.
Avoiding the question would be as good as admitting it.
“What if we agree here, but your brother refuses?”
She replied, “He should be at home now. I’ll go talk to him. Could you wait?”
“Alright.”
Secretary Wei agreed and got into the car, heading toward the family compound.
The car stopped some distance away.
Song Jinyue got out and hurried home.
She pushed the door open.
The living room was still empty—the items hadn’t been returned yet.
The door closed behind her.
Her brother’s voice came from the kitchen. “Little sister, you’re back?”
She turned to see Song Xiongguan stepping out, holding a spatula, smiling warmly. “Perfect timing—come wash your hands, let’s eat.”
“Brother, wait on the meal,” she said. “We need to talk about something important.”
He nodded. “Go ahead.”
Her expression turned serious. “Brother, do you want to do something big?”
He grinned, about to joke—then saw her serious face.
This wasn’t a joke.
His expression turned solemn. “Tell me.”
She quickly explained everything.
Shock and disbelief flickered through his mind.
His sister had connected with the secretary, the public security chief… and even become a translator for a foreign expert?
As expected of his sister—quietly accomplishing big things.
But when he heard she wanted to give the opportunity to him, he frowned.
“I refuse,” he said. “This is your chance—you should keep it.”
Before he could finish, she cut him off—
“I’m pregnant.”
His eyes widened instantly, filled with joy. “I’m going to be an uncle?!”
Song Jinyue: “?”
Wasn’t that beside the point?
“When did you find out?” he asked excitedly.
“The day you argued with Chen Jing.”
At the mention of Chen Jing, his smile froze.
She quickly redirected the topic. “Brother, forget that for now. Think for three minutes, then give me your answer.”
“Secretary Wei is outside. Once you decide, I’ll go tell him.”
He asked, “Is he a good person?”
She nodded slightly. “From what I’ve seen, yes. He’s already investigated our background.”
His expression changed.
Their background…
Once impressive—now something people avoided.
“I’ve tested the waters,” she added. “The response was positive.”
After a moment of thought, he looked at her. “I want to talk to him.”
“Alright.”
…
At the mechanical factory—
Chen Jing, who was about to leave after work, was suddenly called.
“Chen Jing.”
She turned, smiling when she saw who it was. “Team leader.”
The team leader walked up to her. “You don’t need to come tomorrow.”
Her mind went blank.
“Why?”
“You’re fired.”