Chapter 14: The Capricious Woman

When Lin Jingyue saw that the rice was done, she surreptitiously transferred the extra into her space, then took a rustic porcelain bowl, scooped up a generous helping, and was just about to head into her room when she caught sight of Lin Xinrou, who looked as wilted as a drooping cabbage.

With a wicked grin, Lin Jingyue deliberately waved her food under Lin Xinrou’s nose before lifting her chin and walking into her room, closing the door behind her.

Lin Xinrou was so angry her eyes grew red.

“Look at her putting on airs…” an older educated youth muttered, curling her lip, but Xie Wenjuan, beside her, quickly tugged her sleeve. “Keep your voice down. Why provoke her?”

Chen Chunlan, recalling how Lin Jingyue had sent Zhao Hua flying with a single kick, immediately hushed.

While the others at the commune were still cooking, Lin Jingyue had already finished her meal, washed her bowl, and lay down for a nap.

Working in the fields was truly exhausting. Her hands burned with pain, so she retrieved some snow cream from her space and rubbed it onto her hands and face before drifting off to sleep.

Nearly an hour later, Lin Jingyue forced herself to get up, patted her cheeks awake, and went outside to wash her face.

“There’s still an hour before we go back to work.” Jiang Xun, entering from outside, noticed Lin Jingyue crouched at the well and paused to speak.

Lin Jingyue was momentarily distracted by his stunning looks, then blinked and replied, “I know. I made lunch earlier, so I’m using this time to gather some firewood.”

“You know where to find it?”

“Up on the mountain behind us, of course.”

“I’ll go with you. It’s your first time, and you might wander too far. There are plenty of wild beasts in the mountains.”

Lin Jingyue thought it over and didn’t refuse. “Then I’ll trouble you.” Though she was strong, dealing with wild animals was nothing like dealing with people. Caution was best—surviving was the priority.

Jiang Xun’s eyes flashed with a hint of a smile when she didn’t refuse. “Let’s go.” He casually grabbed the bamboo basket beside him.

“All right.”

They didn’t plan to stay long on the mountain, so they didn’t bring water or supplies.

The commune quickly fell quiet again, except for Zhou Yan, who waited in his room for Jiang Xun to join him for their planned “private meal,” but Jiang Xun never showed, leaving Zhou Yan puzzled.

The commune was close to Mount Daqing; a few minutes’ walk brought them to the foot of the mountain. They took a side path upward, keeping a low profile even though there weren’t many people around.

“Is that the cattle shed?” Passing a dilapidated wooden hut, Lin Jingyue gave it a curious glance.

“Yes. Some elderly folks live there. Don’t come by unless you have to,” Jiang Xun said, his gaze deep.

Lin Jingyue smiled. “I understand.”

He raised his eyebrows but said no more. They continued on for about ten minutes. “We’re close enough. Any further in and it’s not safe. Last year, someone ran into a wild boar up here.”

Lin Jingyue was waiting for him to finish the story, but Jiang Xun had already started gathering firewood.

Good-looking people really did make everything pleasing to the eye. Lin Jingyue glanced at him, then hurried to squat down and gather kindling herself.

Their conversation was sporadic but easy, with no hint of awkwardness—if anything, there was a quiet harmony between them.

Suddenly, a loud thud broke the peace. Lin Jingyue looked up in surprise and pointed before her. “Hey, Comrade Jiang, look!”

Jiang Xun turned, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Comrade Lin, your luck is extraordinary.”

Lying right in front of Lin Jingyue was a gray rabbit, stunned from crashing into something.

People often came here to collect firewood, but no one had ever found a rabbit like this.

Lin Jingyue picked up the rabbit, her eyes twinkling. “Finders keepers.”

“Not bad. Zhou Yan and I will bring some rice and other ingredients—let’s have a proper meal tonight.”

“Mm-hmm.” Lin Jingyue didn’t mind Jiang Xun’s straightforwardness; in fact, she appreciated it. What was the point of hemming and hawing, pushing and pulling? As long as no one took advantage, it was fair for everyone.

In half an hour, their basket was nearly full. Jiang Xun took it on his back, tucking the rabbit at the bottom. He didn’t make Lin Jingyue carry the load just because she was strong, and a flicker of amusement passed through her eyes.

She couldn’t help but wonder—was Jiang Xun this considerate to all the girls?

Back at the commune, they entered one after the other, surprising those who were washing their faces with cold water.

“Well, well, you two went to gather firewood and didn’t invite me?” Zhou Yan put on a mock-injured look.

“You want to work that much?” Jiang Xun glanced at him. “Then tomorrow’s firewood is your responsibility.”

Zhou Yan was left speechless.

The others wanted to comment but, with work time approaching, kept quiet. As for the various glances exchanged, Lin Jingyue and Jiang Xun ignored them.

That afternoon, Lin Jingyue found a straw hat in the storage room, likely left behind by a former worker. She wasn’t picky—it covered her entire face perfectly.

“Comrade Lin… you haven’t finished your tasks?” Lin Jingyue, caught slacking, was startled by a sudden voice behind her and turned around.

A young man, about eighteen or nineteen, stood there, his face flushed—whether from embarrassment or sunburn, it was hard to tell.

“I’m not in a hurry; there’s still time,” Lin Jingyue replied, planning to drag out the work a little longer.

“If you’re tired, go rest. I can help you…” The young man’s face turned a deeper shade of red as he spoke.

Lin Jingyue was speechless. Was this her romantic fate?

“No need, I can manage.” She almost laughed. In the team, if a man helped a woman with her work, what would that imply?

“Er Gouzi, your mother sent you to help her, and now you’re messing around with Comrade Lin?” a matronly woman suddenly called out, her eyes sharp.

The young man scratched his head. “I, I…”

“What do you mean, ‘I’? I was delayed for a bit and you’re already causing mischief? Get lost, I don’t need your help,” the woman—Aunt Hua—appeared, berating him.

Er Gouzi gave Lin Jingyue a glance, face scarlet, and ran off.

The other matron snorted, “Wu Dahua, you didn’t drag Comrade Lin over here just to set her up with your son, did you? Having your son help her with work—your family must have a lot of time on their hands.”

“The city girl may look pretty, but she’s not built to bear sons. Just for a little money, you’re really willing to go that far.”

She spoke brashly, making no attempt to lower her voice. Of course, Lin Jingyue heard everything.

Beneath her straw hat, the corners of her mouth twitched. She glanced at her own backside—what nonsense, why were they so concerned about that?

“Liu Sancao, what rubbish are you spouting? Your head’s full of manure and everything you think is manure. My Er Gouzi is already seeing someone, so shut your foul mouth!” Aunt Hua retorted, hands on her hips.

She turned to glare at Lin Jingyue, who put on an innocent face.

What did any of this have to do with her? She was the wronged party here.

Rolling her eyes at Aunt Hua, Lin Jingyue continued cutting grass, muttering inwardly that the work was enough to kill a person.

“Wu Dahua, you’re the one talking nonsense. Your Er Gouzi asked Comrade Lin himself—I’m not blind,” retorted Aunt Liu.

Country women quarreled fiercely and crudely; Lin Jingyue could only sigh and secretly watch the spectacle.

“What’s all this noise? Don’t you all want to work? Keep it up and I’ll dock half a day’s work points for each of you!” The scorekeeper, hearing the commotion, hurried over with a dark expression.

These women never had a peaceful day.

The threat of lost work points immediately silenced them, though both were fuming inside. Aunt Hua took her frustration out on Lin Jingyue, shooting her dirty looks and, whenever she had the chance, deliberately turning her broad backside toward her.

Lin Jingyue was simply baffled. This morning they’d been fighting over her help, and now this—women truly were fickle.

PS: Another chapter will be up later.