Lu Chengjing’s gaze fell on Lin Shuyao.
Seeing her pale face, tightly pressed lips, and the anger hidden in her eyes, then glancing at Bai Qiaolan’s tearful appearance, he immediately understood what was happening.
His sister-in-law was deliberately trying to turn Lin Shuyao into a target.
Some things needed to be discussed openly. No matter how small a grievance seemed, if it was allowed to fester for too long, it could become a serious problem.
The words reached his lips, but he swallowed them back.
He still wanted to see Lin Shuyao’s attitude.
“Since she came here, she should have been mentally prepared. She should also understand that dedication isn’t something you merely talk about.”
His tone sounded calm, but there was still an unmistakable hint of protection for Lin Shuyao.
Bai Qiaolan’s heart tightened, and her eyes grew even redder.
“Chengjing, I was only trying to help…”
“So she’s a green tea.”
“What green tea?”
Lin Shuyao let out a slow breath, suppressing her anger.
“Nothing.”
Then she looked at Lu Chengjing.
“Comrade Lu is right. Since I’ve chosen to come to the Southwest, I already prepared myself for hardship. Anything the other comrades can do, I can do as well.”
Lu Chengjing nodded slightly.
“Let’s eat first.”
“Alright.”
Not wanting to make things uglier, Lin Shuyao headed directly toward the main room.
Bai Qiaolan wanted to say more, but after Lin Shuyao left, Lu Chengjing spoke first.
“Comrade Lin has only recently been discharged from the hospital and is still weak. If you think she’s difficult to get along with, then keep your distance from her in the future.”
“Chengjing, you…”
Seeing how obviously he was taking Lin Shuyao’s side, Bai Qiaolan felt as though needles were stabbing her heart.
Biting her lip, she turned around and headed toward the kitchen. She no longer planned to eat with them.
She glanced back toward the main room.
Lu Chengjing was lowering his head as he opened the lunch box, quietly reminding Lin Shuyao of something.
One appeared cold and stern but was actually attentive and considerate.
The other appeared cheerful but was completely insincere!
Inside the main room, Lin Shuyao picked up her chopsticks.
Since Lu Chengjing’s attitude had been reasonable, she naturally responded with courtesy.
“Comrade Lu, I’m sorry for putting you in a difficult position. Once my job transfer is confirmed, I’ll immediately apply for a dormitory and move out. As for the things you’ve lent me, I’ll buy replacements and return them to you.”
Lu Chengjing paused while eating.
“Do as you wish.”
Lin Shuyao nodded and said nothing more.
She knew she would not be staying with the Lu family for long.
Bai Qiaolan’s hostility would not disappear overnight, and Lu Chengjing’s thoughts were difficult to read.
If she truly remained in this small courtyard, there would likely be many more conflicts in the future.
She needed to establish herself as soon as possible.
Not only did she have to secure her position at work, but she also had to plan for her future.
If she wanted to focus on her career, the last thing she needed was turmoil behind the scenes.
Outside the window, the autumn wind rustled through the grapevine trellis.
The leaves whispered softly, as though telling the story of the subtle tensions hidden within the courtyard.
After finishing her meal, Lin Shuyao placed money and food coupons on the table and pushed them toward Lu Chengjing.
“Thank you for the meal. I’ll go rest now.”
Looking at the money lying before him, Lu Chengjing frowned deeply.
Only after a long silence did he stand and return to his room.
The next morning, Lin Shuyao woke before dawn.
She had no desire to sleep any longer.
Her mind was completely occupied by the matter of her job transfer.
The sooner she handled it, the smoother things would go.
She quickly got out of bed, washed up, and began sorting through all the documents related to her transfer.
After organizing everything neatly, she placed them into her cloth bag.
Her plan was to ask Lu Chengjing when he would be free to accompany her to the Grain Seed Experimental Station.
Unfortunately, Lu Chengjing had left even earlier than she had risen.
She did not even get a chance to see him.
“Chengjing went back to the camp for training early this morning. He’s the commander of the Special Operations Battalion. How could he have time to stay home with you every day?”
Bai Qiaolan looked Lin Shuyao up and down.
The exhaustion from yesterday was completely gone.
Her complexion was radiant, and she was wearing a brand-new Lenin suit that made her look far more attractive than before.
“I left porridge in the pot.”
After coldly tossing out those words, Bai Qiaolan also left.
Lin Shuyao frowned slightly.
Without standing on ceremony, she served herself a bowl of coarse-grain porridge.
After eating and cleaning up, she decided to wait until Lu Chengjing returned at noon.
She did not spend the morning idly.
Taking out her agricultural notebooks, she reviewed and supplemented them while also drafting a letter of introduction for herself.
The Southwest’s soil was poor, and its climate unique.
Developing high-quality grain varieties suitable for the region was extremely difficult.
If Lin Shuyao wanted to establish herself, she needed to make an unforgettable impression.
She had to demonstrate her value.
She absolutely could not become another invisible figure like the original owner, overlooked forever.
What she never expected was that after Bai Qiaolan spent only a short time outside, Lin Shuyao had become famous throughout the military compound.
Rumors spread rapidly.
People said she was delicate and pretentious.
That her relationships with men were questionable.
That she had been expelled from the Kyoto Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
That she lacked ability but had a terrible temper.
That she came because Lu Chengjing had recently earned great merit and she wanted a share of the benefits.
That she hoped to rely on connections to secure a position.
And the stories became more outrageous with every retelling.
At noon, Lu Chengjing returned.
His military uniform was covered in dust, and a thin layer of sweat lined his forehead.
Clearly, the day’s training had been intense.
“Comrade Lu, you’re back!”
Lin Shuyao immediately stood and greeted him, pouring him a glass of water.
Seeing her bright smile, Lu Chengjing was visibly surprised.
He accepted the cup.
“Mm. Thank you.”
Only after he had a moment to catch his breath did she speak.
“When do you think it would be appropriate for me to report to the Grain Seed Experimental Station? I’d like to settle the transfer as quickly as possible. I’ve already prepared all the documents.”
“You don’t need to go. Give the materials to me, and I’ll submit them for you.”
Lin Shuyao blinked in surprise.
“You’ll submit them for me? Doesn’t a job transfer require my personal appearance?”
“It does.”
He took a sip of water.
“But first, I need to withdraw the divorce application before I can sign for you. Once the documents are approved, you’ll be notified for an interview.”
“I see.”
Lin Shuyao hurried back to her room and retrieved the organized documents.
Handing them to him, she spoke sincerely.
“Thank you for your hard work, Comrade Lu. I’ll have to trouble you with this.”
The materials were perfectly arranged.
She had even prepared a personal résumé in neat, elegant handwriting, along with a preliminary proposal regarding grain breeding in the Southwest.
It was obvious she had genuinely prepared herself rather than speaking casually.
Lu Chengjing accepted the documents.
His fingertips accidentally brushed hers.
Both of them froze for a moment.
Lin Shuyao quickly withdrew her hand and looked away awkwardly.
Lu Chengjing seemed unconcerned.
He casually reviewed the documents and, after confirming everything was complete, nodded.
“I’ll withdraw the divorce application this afternoon and submit these materials to the Grain Seed Experimental Station. I’ll let you know when there’s news.”
“Okay. Thank you so much!”
Lin Shuyao thanked him again.
The burden weighing on her heart finally eased a little.
As long as Lu Chengjing was willing to help, her transfer was practically settled.
As for the interview, she was completely confident.
After all, her mind contained decades of future agricultural achievements.
“Military marriages aren’t a game. Once the divorce application is withdrawn, applying again won’t be easy.”
Lu Chengjing’s voice was very soft.
So soft that Lin Shuyao failed to hear him clearly.
“What?”