Chapter 149: Let’s Make a Bet

Jiang Xun and Lin Jingyue both realized almost simultaneously that Gu Yizhi’s sacrifice three years ago must have been a mission. Her staged death was merely a way to carry out an assignment from her superiors. After learning the details of how Lin Jingyue rescued her, Jiang Xun felt even more certain.

"Is she still on the mountain?"

"Yes. You should go make that call. With Dahui there, she’s quite safe for now." Lin Jingyue sighed, her heart a mix of admiration and complicated emotions. She respected the spirit and courage required for Gu Yizhi and her family to sacrifice themselves for the country; it was not something everyone possessed. This time, Gu Yizhi had likely braced herself for death. If she hadn't run into her, or if she hadn't encountered the people chasing Gu Yizhi, she might have just stood by and watched.

"I’ll go call my grandfather first," Jiang Xun nodded. He understood now that the old man probably knew about Gu Yizhi’s staged death; otherwise, she wouldn't have thought to contact him first upon her return.

Jiang Xun made the call from the brigade office, though he asked everyone else to leave. He didn't say much, simply stating that the Gu girl was at Qingshan Brigade and they needed to send someone to pick her up immediately. On the other end, the veins on Elder Jiang’s hand, holding the receiver, stood out; he had just received bad news. Of the three who had left three years ago, the other two were confirmed dead, and Gu Yizhi’s fate had been unknown. They had assumed the worst, only for this sudden turn of events to occur. Without wasting time on questions, Elder Jiang immediately used a secure line to arrange for someone to head to Long City.

At Qingshan Brigade, Jiang Xun didn't risk going up the mountain to see her. Since Jingyue had already arranged everything, there was no need for him to go; he preferred not to take any chances.

...

The next day, Lin Jingyue learned that Wang Xueping had gone to the hospital to give birth. Chen Chunlan, holding a bowl of sweet potato porridge, took a deep sniff of the minced meat porridge in Lin Jingyue’s pot and slurped a mouthful before gossiping, "Guess if Wang Xueping had a girl or a boy?"

Lin Jingyue’s mouth twitched at her actions. "Why are you so concerned about whether others have boys or girls? It has nothing to do with you."

"Life goes on, and gossip never stops," Chen Chunlan said, shoveling another spoonful of porridge, clearly enjoying it. "Life is too bitter; you have to find your own amusement."

"I don't believe a word of it."

"Hey, do you want to guess? Let’s make a bet—I bet she had a girl." Chen Chunlan was suddenly full of enthusiasm. "If I win, you give me a spoonful of your porridge. If I lose, heh, I’ll give you half a bowl."

Lin Jingyue was speechless.

"Just say you're craving my porridge."

"So, will you give me some?"

"Are you dreaming?"

Chen Chunlan instantly deflated. "I knew you were a stingy iron rooster. Forget it."

Lin Jingyue rolled her eyes and ignored her. She watched as Lin Jingyue tossed a handful of fresh green vegetables into the pot and added a drop of sesame oil, making Chen Chunlan even more tempted. She leaned in closer. "One spoonful of porridge in exchange for news about Lin Xinrou."

"You are truly something," Lin Jingyue said, not knowing how to respond to the person in front of her.

"Do we have a deal?"

"What does Lin Xinrou have to do with me? No deal."

"Please, I really want to eat your porridge. It looks so delicious."

"Chen Chunlan, can you have a little self-respect?" Lin Jingyue’s mouth twitched.

"I never had any to begin with."

"Damn it... fine, two pieces of news."

"Deal!" Chen Chunlan became interested instantly. "Lin Xinrou was sent to the farm for 're-education' because she was pregnant." Being a gossip had its perks; she knew things many others didn't.

"What’s the other piece of news?"

"She had the baby. It’s a girl."

Seeming to notice Lin Jingyue’s dissatisfaction, Chen Chunlan added, "Her life at the farm isn't easy. I heard she’s been worn down to the bone, constantly starving, and working day and night."

Lin Jingyue looked at Chen Chunlan and, without another word, scooped a spoonful of porridge for her. Chen Chunlan happily trotted away. Meat porridge—it smelled heavenly.

Meanwhile, at the farm, anyone who knew Lin Xinrou would have been shocked. She was a shadow of her former self—her skin coarse and sallow, her eyes dull. Dressed in a ragged, patched cotton jacket, she looked like a skeleton. Having just returned from cleaning the cattle shed, she pushed open the door to her dilapidated shack and looked at the infant wailing on the bed frame. A faint, barely perceptible light appeared in her eyes.

The baby on the bed was no bigger than a palm, thin and small, with large eyes—the exact replica of Lin Xinrou’s. Because Lin Xinrou was malnourished, she had no milk, and the baby had been born prematurely. She didn't have the luxury of a proper recovery period, and the child survived on nothing but rice water. If it weren't for Lin Xinjian occasionally bringing her things, they both would have starved to death.

"Don't worry, Mom will never let you stay here forever," Lin Xinrou whispered, holding the child. Her eyes remained dull, but deep down, there was a trace of tenderness. "Everything will be fine when your father comes back." She held the child tightly, thinking of the man who felt so guilty toward her. Life here was bitter, but at least there was something to hold onto.

Back at Qingshan Brigade, at the end of the workday, an ox cart stopped at the entrance of the educated youth dormitory. On it was a heavily bundled Wang Xueping, holding a swaddled infant. Yang Ming began unloading their things.

Xie Wenjuan paused and reached out to help. "You go help her down; I’ll carry the things."

"Thank you," Yang Ming said, breathing a sigh of relief as he reached out to support Wang Xueping. They didn't have a good relationship with the locals, who were wary of them, so they truly had no one else to ask for help on the road. Xia Nan also came over to assist. With the extra help, Yang Ming soon got Wang Xueping settled.

The other educated youths began to return one by one. Lin Jingyue and Jiang Xun walked in side-by-side, glancing at their room before looking away.

"We’re having fish soup tonight," Zhou Yan, who had returned earlier, said, walking in with a bucket and a beaming smile.

"You caught fish?"

"Three crucian carp! We can add a block of tofu when we stew them. I saw Uncle Shuisheng making tofu, so I’m going to trade for a block," Zhou Yan said.

"Alright, go ahead." Jiang Xun nodded. Once Zhou Yan left, he turned to Lin Jingyue and lowered his voice so only they could hear: "Should I take some soup to... her later?" Gu Yizhi was severely injured; it would be difficult for her to cook for herself.

"Okay." Lin Jingyue had already told Jiang Xun where the cave was, and since he was familiar with the mountain, he would be able to find it.

They began preparing dinner, and Wang Xueping was doing the same. Yang Ming had bought food from the state-run restaurant that just needed heating, but he was also simmering chicken soup. The chicken had been bought on the black market; the brigade members would never have traded a chicken to them.

A while later, Chen Chunlan came trotting over to tell Lin Jingyue that Wang Xueping had given birth to a daughter.