Chapter 47: You Are Not Worthy of Her

"It's not that simple. Just do as you're told for now. If I find out you're pretending to obey but actually defying me—hmph, I'll break every bone in your body and toss you into the mountains to feed the wolves!"

The next moment, she clenched her fist and punched a tree as thick as a rice bowl beside her.

Crack—the tree snapped and fell.

The two men stared in terror, their eyes wide with unprecedented fear. Inside, they began to resent Lin Xinrou. She knew this woman was so formidable, yet she sent them here—wasn't she deliberately putting them in harm's way?

Just then, Aunt Liu happened to pass by, her eyes nearly popping out. "Am I seeing ghosts in broad daylight?!"

After speaking, she nervously glanced around—no one in sight. Yet, inexplicably, her heart fluttered again, her back turned cold, and her short legs hurried her away. "Heavens, I really saw a ghost in daylight!"

In the blink of an eye, she vanished.

"And now, hand over all the money you have," Lin Jingyue said in the woods, patting her hands, calm and composed.

"We don't have any money."

Stop clutching your pockets before you say that!

Five minutes later, Lin Jingyue had collected eighteen yuan and sixty-three cents, dragged her bicycle with one hand and carried her bundle with the other, leaving the woods under their terrified gazes.

When she reached the entrance of the village, she saw Aunt Liu, basket on her arm, chatting animatedly with others.

"In broad daylight, that tree just crashed to the ground with a loud bang—no one around, no sound at all..."

"It was terrifying. I grabbed my basket and ran!"

"I have no idea what happened."

"Are you sure? It sounds so mysterious."

"I'm telling you, I saw it with my own eyes."

Lin Jingyue's mouth twitched as she rode by. "Aunt Liu, what superstitious nonsense are you spreading here?"

She smiled innocently, but Aunt Liu wished she could strangle her.

"Comrade Lin, what are you talking about?! When did I spread anything like that..."

"Alright, I must've misheard," Lin Jingyue admitted meekly.

Aunt Liu was momentarily speechless, unable to catch her breath.

She pounded her chest, feeling that ever since she started dealing with this troublesome girl, her life had shortened considerably.

The other women eyed Lin Jingyue warily, none daring to speak. In a war of words, they couldn't match her; in a fight—damn it, they stood no chance.

"Hey, who is that?" an old lady suddenly exclaimed, breaking the uneasy silence.

Everyone, Lin Jingyue included, turned to look.

"They're dressed so well. Is that someone’s relative from the city?"

Across the road, two people approached. The man looked about twenty, wearing a white shirt and blue work trousers. The woman, likely his elder, wore a floral blouse, black pants, work shoes, her hair slicked back, and she was quite plump—a sign of wealth in these times.

In this era, being able to raise such a figure was a real feat.

"You don't know? I think they're here to see the team leader's daughter, Cuihua," a young wife said, her eyes darting.

"Cuihua is marrying a city man? What luck!"

A wave of envy washed over the older women, who began to gossip in hushed tones.

Lin Jingyue stood nearby, her mouth twitching at their sour remarks.

She shook her head, about to leave, when the newcomers suddenly strode over to her in a few steps.

"Comrade, it's you!"

Cai Jinzhou hadn't expected to meet the girl who had left such a deep impression after only one encounter. His face flushed with excitement.

The crowd's eyes sparkled, their gossiping spirits igniting.

Lin Jingyue’s mouth curled slightly. "And you are?"

Cai Jinzhou’s gaze dimmed. "A few days ago, at the state-run restaurant, we shared a table."

"Oh, it’s you. Is there something you need?" Lin Jingyue’s expression was cold.

Cai Jinzhou hesitated. "No, nothing."

"Good then." Lin Jingyue nodded, pushing her bicycle around them and heading into the village.

"Comrade, I haven’t asked—" Cai Jinzhou tried to ask her name, but his mother pulled him away.

By the time he looked again, Lin Jingyue had disappeared, leaving him feeling disappointed.

Aunt Liu’s eyes gleamed. "Young man, are you here to see the team leader’s daughter? How do you know Comrade Lin?"

Comrade Lin?

So she’s an educated youth.

Cai Jinzhou’s mother saw her son looking dejected and felt exasperated. She turned to the crowd, "It’s not a matchmaking visit. Chunxiang helped me with something recently, I’m here to thank her."

Chunxiang was Aunt Chun's name.

No one believed her, but no one argued either. After all, city people could say whatever they wanted.

Cai Jinzhou’s mother tugged her son, and the two left Green Mountain Brigade.

Once they were gone, the village entrance erupted in chatter.

On the way, seeing no one around, Cai Jinzhou’s mother glanced at her dispirited son. "Even though the matchmaking with Li Cuihua didn’t work out, you’d better put your feelings away. I’ll find you someone else."

She was also annoyed—what was the matchmaker thinking? That girl clearly had someone in her heart.

Her son wasn’t rotten cabbage, this was an insult.

The Li family wasn’t any better, letting their daughter meet suitors when she already liked someone—what did they take them for?

"Mom, Comrade Lin—"

"Never mind about you; do you think she’d even consider you?" Cai Jinzhou’s mother looked at her son in disdain.

As a woman, she could tell that the girl had no interest in her son—worse yet, she seemed a bit repelled.

She felt dissatisfied, but seeing her son’s foolishness, she could only speak frankly. "I’m not prejudiced against educated youths, but that girl clearly grew up pampered. She’s attractive too—can you protect her? Even if you could, would she want you?"

She’d rather avoid you, silly boy.

"And besides, you’re not good enough for her."

Cai Jinzhou’s face turned pale. "Mom, am I really that useless?"

"You are!" his mother replied mercilessly.

"...You truly are my mother."

"She doesn’t even know you. How can you say I’m not good enough? What if she’s not as clever as I am?"

"For that alone, you’re even less suited," his mother said, unimpressed. "Just your looks are no match. Don’t think about anything else. Son, rest assured, I’ll find you someone who’s your equal."

Equally foolish.

Cai Jinzhou: "...I can’t breathe from heartbreak."

Meanwhile, at the team leader’s home, sighs filled the air. Li Cuihua’s face was troubled, torn between disappointment and relief.

She was conflicted—Cai Jinzhou wasn’t as bad as she’d imagined, but relieved that the matchmaking didn’t go through. Did she still have a chance?

Aunt Chun glanced at her daughter, letting out a deep sigh.

At the educated youth’s lodging, Lin Jingyue handed the bicycle to Jiang Xun and carried her bundle inside.

She was curious—what could be in this parcel? Who had sent it?

When she opened it, she was even more baffled: three cans of malted milk, three jars of fruit preserves, two jin of White Rabbit milk candy, two jin of fruit candy, two jin of biscuits, ten jin of rice, ten jin of white flour, two dresses, a pair of little leather shoes, two new cotton coats, two sets of woolen underwear, and a set of knitted sweater and pants.

Everything was meticulously prepared; the fabric for the clothes alone was excellent.

She was completely bewildered, and there wasn’t a single note in the parcel.

Who could it be?

[Author's Note] Lin Jingyue: Unexpected windfall? Should I accept it? Or... accept it.