Outside the gate, Lu Chengjing was waiting by the wall. His posture was upright, his features cool and distant as usual.
Seeing Lin Shuyao come out, his expression shifted and he walked over immediately.
“How was it?”
Lin Shuyao looked up at him. Disappointment was clear in her eyes as she said softly, “I didn’t get the core position. I was assigned to the logistics post in the experimental fields instead. But there will be an assessment later, and I’ll have a chance to become a regular employee.”
Lu Chengjing’s brows immediately tightened, a faint coldness spreading through him. Clearly, he didn’t understand the decision.
He knew exactly how capable Lin Shuyao was. A logistics position was simply a waste of her talent.
“If you don’t want it, I’ll go talk to Director Li,” he said in a low voice, protective in tone. As long as she spoke up, he would fight for her fairness.
Lin Shuyao shook her head and tugged lightly at his sleeve, a calm smile appearing on her lips.
“No need. I can handle it myself. The logistics post is only temporary. It won’t be long before I rely on my own ability to stand where I should be. They want to see me fall, they want to force me out—but I insist on taking root here and proving myself to them.”
With just a few sentences, Lu Chengjing already understood what had happened.
“Actually, the military district farm is also a good option. If you want…”
Under normal rules, military family members had to avoid conflicts of interest and were generally not allowed to work at the military farm unless absolutely necessary. Once they entered, it was considered a military position.
But if she wanted it, Lu Chengjing was willing to fight for it—and even guarantee her entry.
“No need. Don’t worry about me. I can do it,” Lin Shuyao said lightly, withdrawing her hand from his sleeve.
She spoke calmly, but firmly.
She knew very well that the military farm was a shortcut. With his backing, she could avoid all the difficulties at the experimental station and directly secure a proper military job without doing exhausting labor.
But she couldn’t take that path.
Lu Chengjing’s reputation in the Southwest was built on real military achievements and strict discipline. If he bent the rules for her, it would only give others leverage to accuse him of favoritism and ruin his future.
More importantly, what she wanted was never special treatment. She wanted to stand firmly on her own and completely break away from the story’s original trajectory, staying in the Southwest to do research openly and honestly.
“I know you’re doing this for my sake, but I really don’t need the military farm,” she said, looking at him with clear eyes. “If I rely on your connections to get in, even if I achieve results later, people will still say I used your influence and took a back door. The logistics post may be tough, but at least it’s legitimate. I entered on my own ability, and I can be promoted on my own merit—no one can criticize that.”
“But you look unhappy.”
Lin Shuyao shook her head. “And if I retreat now, wouldn’t I just become a joke? The more they try to force me out, the more I’ll stay. Once I produce results, all their slander will collapse on its own. I can also completely cut ties with those messy people and things in Kyoto and stop being dragged down by them.”
Lu Chengjing looked at her, his gaze deep, something in his heart shifting.
Cut ties with them?
Did she really give up on Chen Zhiheng?
“Alright,” he said.
He believed her.
He had seen too many people chase benefits and shortcuts, but never someone like her—someone who clearly had an easier path in front of her, yet insisted on carving her own way.
She was intelligent, transparent, and upright. Neither submissive nor arrogant. She didn’t rely on others, nor did she compromise.
The longer he looked at her, the harder it was to look away.
He raised his hand and gently brushed a leaf off her shoulder.
“I’ll listen to you. Focus on your work. Don’t worry about others or fear trouble. With me here, no one can force you out.”
No grand promises—just a simple assurance—but it carried more weight than anything else.
Warmth spread in Lin Shuyao’s heart, and the frustration from the interview faded a lot.
She smiled lightly at him, her eyes softening.
The two walked side by side toward the military compound. Sunlight filtered through the leaves and fell on them, drawing their shadows closer together.
Neither spoke, yet the silence felt comfortable, filled with quiet understanding.
Meanwhile, in the experimental station’s interview room, after everyone had left, Su Xiaohong stopped the deputy examiner who had targeted Lin Shuyao earlier, her face full of satisfaction.
“Deputy Director Wang, thank you so much this time. Otherwise she might have gotten lucky. That logistics job is exhausting—sun, wind, hard labor every day. A spoiled young lady from Kyoto like her won’t last a few days before leaving.”
Deputy Director Wang snorted disdainfully. “Someone discarded by the Agricultural Academy still dares to come here and compete for positions? Giving her a logistics post is already generous. Keep an eye on her. Dump all the hard, dirty work on her. As long as she doesn’t make big mistakes, there are plenty of ways to wear her down until she quits on her own.”
“Thank you, Deputy Director Wang. I understand!”
Su Xiaohong was delighted, already imagining Lin Shuyao’s downfall.
Back at the small courtyard, Lin Shuyao did not dwell on disappointment. Instead, she immediately took out paper and pen and began organizing notes on experimental field management and breeding ideas.
In her previous world, she had been part of a major research project team and even managed her own experimental field, so she had solid experience.
Since she had to start from logistics, she would perfect even the smallest tasks—seedling care, data recording—turning them into something outstanding and building a foundation for promotion.
Watching her work quietly at the desk, Lu Chengjing didn’t disturb her and simply left for the camp.
He outwardly followed her decision, but in his heart he had already made up his mind: he would protect her and ensure she wouldn’t suffer unnecessary bullying. He would also investigate why the Kyoto Agricultural Academy had smeared her reputation and clear the obstacles for her.
After all, he had been contacting Kyoto more frequently lately anyway—one more matter wouldn’t hurt.
Bai Qiaolan returned in the afternoon, carrying a bamboo basket and accompanied by two military wives she was close with, chatting and laughing as they entered.
Ever since Lin Shuyao arrived, Bai Qiaolan had not had a peaceful day. She disliked her at every turn. Previously, she had been restrained by Lu Chengjing’s protection, but now that she knew the interview result, she finally had a chance to vent her frustration and came specifically to mock her.
The moment they entered the main room, their eyes fell on Lin Shuyao, amusement and ridicule clearly showing.
Bai Qiaolan sat down, picked up her needlework, and deliberately raised her voice as she greeted them casually—but every word was aimed like a needle.
“Comrade Lin, how did your interview go today? You looked so confident these past few days, reading books and writing plans. I’m sure you must have gotten a good position, right?”
One of the military wives immediately chimed in, stitching a shoe sole while speaking mockingly:
“Oh, Qiaolan, you don’t know yet? Your sister-in-law got assigned to the logistics post at the grain seed experimental station. Tsk tsk… that job is nothing easy. It’s all sun and wind and heavy labor every day, basically no different from working in the fields.”