Song’s mother’s blunt words showed no consideration whatsoever for Tang Jin’s feelings. Telephone receivers at this time were quite loud, so Song Yunting and Wen Fang, standing nearby, heard everything clearly.
The two exchanged glances, both feeling rather pleased.
So what if Song Yunli liked Tang Jin? If she wasn’t favored by her future mother-in-law, Tang Jin was destined never to make it to the end with Song Yunli.
“Madam, I suggest you discuss this topic with Song Yunli.”
Tang Jin was extremely grateful that she hadn’t called her “Mom.” Otherwise, the woman would have humiliated her even more.
Song’s mother was furious.
“Wen Fang is a girl I’ve watched grow up. She’s the daughter-in-law I’ve recognized since she was little. Don’t think you can come between her and Yunli.”
“Madam, they’ve grown up together. If they were ever going to become a couple, they would have gotten together long ago. They wouldn’t have waited until now.”
Now that she knew the woman disliked her, Tang Jin no longer held back.
“It’s she who’s trying to come between Song Yunli and me.”
Song’s mother was momentarily speechless.
“Is this how you speak to your elders? Is this the upbringing you’ve received?”
“I only respect elders who respect me.”
After saying that, Tang Jin handed the receiver to the stunned Song Yunting.
Since the other party had spoken so rudely, Tang Jin felt she had already given Song Yunli enough face.
Song Yunting could hardly believe it. Tang Jin actually dared to be so arrogant toward her mother.
Wasn’t she afraid her future mother-in-law would make her life miserable?
“Sister Mei, charge the phone bill to her.”
Tang Jin smiled at Zhang Mei, turned around, and left, completely ignoring Song’s mother’s furious shouting from the other end of the line.
Taking the phone, Song Yunting said,
“Mom, she left. See? She doesn’t even respect you. Sister Wen Fang and I really can’t do anything about her.”
“She truly has no manners. You and Wenfang should come back soon. I’ll handle this myself.”
Song’s mother knew her daughter was no match for Tang Jin.
Song Yunting glanced hesitantly at Wen Fang, who immediately said in her usual gentle voice,
“Aunt Song, it’s not often I get to come to Yang City. I’d like to stay and have some fun for a few more days before going back.”
“I’m sorry, Wen Fang. It’s Yunli who has wronged you. I’ll make sure to discipline him.”
Song’s mother chatted with Wen Fang for a while before hanging up.
Zhang Mei leisurely sat down.
“That was quite a long call. Ten cents.”
“Here.”
In a foul mood, Song Yunting pulled out ten cents and handed it over.
Zhang Mei was dying of curiosity.
“So what’s going on here exactly?”
“That woman just now is dating my brother.”
Song Yunting snorted.
“She’s already this arrogant in front of my mother. Don’t even think she’ll ever become part of the Song family.”
“No wonder your names are so similar. So you’re brother and sister.”
Remembering the military officer’s identification she had seen the other day, Zhang Mei suddenly understood.
“Isn’t your brother about to marry Comrade Tang Jin?”
“No!”
Song Yunting immediately exploded.
She shoved Wen Fang in front of her.
“This is the sister-in-law our family recognizes. Tang Jin is the one acting immorally!”
“What?!”
Zhang Mei was completely shocked. Tang Jin looked so pretty and refined that she never would have imagined her as the kind of woman who would interfere in someone else’s relationship.
Covering her mouth in surprise, she looked toward Wenfang.
Wen Fang didn’t explain. Instead, she simply said to Song Yunting,
“Forget it, Yunting. Let’s go upstairs and rest.”
The two headed upstairs together.
Meanwhile, Zhang Mei sat there cracking sunflower seeds, deep in thought.
For some reason, she just couldn’t believe Tang Jin was that kind of person.
Tang Jin knew nothing about any of this.
At the moment, she was busy studying her space.
The soil in the small courtyard seemed capable of growing crops, but she didn’t have any seeds. Perhaps she could find some later.
After tinkering around for quite a while, Tang Jin never came out to wash up. Instead, she cleaned herself inside the space and fell asleep there.
Just as Song Yunli had said, he didn’t come by during the day.
After washing up the next morning, Tang Jin went downstairs by herself to buy something to eat.
“Good morning, Sister Mei.”
She greeted Zhang Mei naturally, only to notice the woman avoiding her gaze and keeping her head down while mending clothes.
Tang Jin was baffled.
What was a about?
Seeing this scene, Song Yunting and Wen Fang were delighted.
They had expected Tang Jin to feel embarrassed and upset.
Instead, she walked out of the guesthouse as if nothing had happened.
She bought a steamed bun from the state-run restaurant, ate it, and then slowly wandered around the county town.
Ever since she was young, her grandfather had taught her that relying on others was never as good as relying on herself.
That was why she wanted to find a job.
Unfortunately, jobs in this era were scarce—one position for one person—and vacancies were hard to come by.
After walking around most of the town, Tang Jin still hadn’t found any opportunities.
She grabbed a simple lunch and continued searching in the afternoon.
Unexpectedly, she came across the State Grain Station.
“Hello, Comrade. I’d like to buy some vegetable seeds.”
Tang Jin looked fair and delicate, not at all like someone who worked the fields.
The grain station clerk stared at her blankly before quickly recovering.
“How much does your production team need? Let me see your approval slip.”
Tang Jin: “…”
“You didn’t bring one?”
The clerk wasn’t surprised.
“Then go back and get an approval slip from your production team before coming again. Otherwise I’ll be held responsible.”
Tang Jin had never lived in a production team before and didn’t know these things required approval from the team leader. All seeds were purchased collectively by the team.
“Sorry. My family has a small private plot. There are several mouths to feed, so I thought I’d give it a try.”
Tang Jin smiled awkwardly.
The clerk gave her a meaningful look and lowered his voice.
“Private trading of seeds isn’t allowed. Why don’t you check the scrap collection station next door? Sometimes damaged seeds get thrown there.”
Seeing how pretty and sincere she looked, he couldn’t bear to disappoint her and pointed out a possible solution.
“Thank you.”
Tang Jin sincerely thanked him.
The scrap collection station wasn’t far away, and she soon arrived.
The place was watched over by an elderly woman.
The old lady was squatting among piles of scrap, sorting things. She didn’t even raise her head when Tang Jin approached.
Taking the initiative, Tang Jin greeted her.
“Comrade, do you have any damaged seeds here? I’d like to buy some.”
“Those seeds are spoiled. Nothing will grow from them.”
The old woman’s surname was Ning.
Ning Ru looked at Tang Jin deeply before dragging a small burlap sack out from a pile of scrap.
Inside were indeed numerous packets of seeds.
Just as she had said, they were in terrible condition. Some had even grown mold.
Still, with careful sorting, one might find a few usable seeds.
Ning Ru explained,
“There was heavy rain some time ago. The grain station’s roof leaked, and these seed grains got soaked. They had to throw them away. If you want them, take them.”
“I can’t just take them for free.”
Thinking of the miraculous well water inside her space, Tang Jin felt it might be able to save the seeds.
She took out one yuan and offered it to the old woman.
Unable to refuse, Ning Ru pointed at the piles of scrap around them.
“Comrade, all of this was thrown here by the grain station too. It’s not worth that much money.
“Since you’re here, have a look around. If you see anything you like, take it. None of it’s worth much anyway.”
“All right. Thank you, Comrade.”
Tang Jin remembered how, in the original novel, the heroine had once discovered treasure in a scrap collection station.
Why not try her luck as well?
So she began rummaging through the piles.
Unfortunately, reality was different from fiction.
The old woman had already sorted through everything. The books were torn beyond recognition.
Any furniture that might once have had value had already been smashed apart and was being saved as firewood.
It felt terribly wasteful.
Tang Jin sighed and walked deeper inside.
The more she looked, the more her heart ached.
Finally, she turned to leave.
But just then, her foot struck a bamboo stick lying in the corner.
The impact hurt.
Frowning, she crouched down and picked up the bamboo stick.
For some reason, it felt unusually heavy.
Nearby, Ning Ru remained busy with her work without even glancing over.
Curious, Tang Jin untied the rope wrapped around the bamboo stick.
The next second, her eyes widened in shock.
She was utterly stunned.