Chapter 56: For Now, I Forbid You the Rest of Your Life

When he arrived in town, he didn’t show himself immediately, as he had picked up Sun Jiabao along the way, who recounted every detail of what had happened in the brigade to Lin Xinrou. Lin Xinrou knew exactly what needed to be done.

When she learned that Wang Xueping had actually called the police, Lin Xinrou felt a flash of panic—after all, she had once drugged Wang Xueping. While there was no concrete evidence now, she still feared that Chen Chunlan might expose her, not to mention Sun Tiezhu.

But once she heard Sun Jiabao’s account, she realized Wang Xueping hadn’t said anything. After all, Wang Xueping had once tried to harm her too; if not for Sun Tiezhu, she might have remained in the dark.

Hmph, that wretched woman.

Lin Xinrou, pale from her miscarriage, should have stayed in the hospital for a couple of days, but she couldn’t let Wang Xueping have the upper hand. So, braving her frail condition, she checked herself out. She also went to the doctor for a medical certificate and reported to the police as well. That led to the scene at noon.

This day’s spectacle kept the brigade gossiping for days, and the entire commune laughed at Qingshan Brigade’s expense.

The atmosphere at the Sun family’s home remained somber.

The next day, the police had finished their investigation. All in all, there was no major crime. Qian Guihua, for spreading rumors and ruining someone’s reputation, was publicly reprimanded by commune officials for two hours.

Right in front of everyone.

The old women of the brigade shrank their necks—wasn’t it just gossiping behind someone’s back? Was that a crime now?

Qian Guihua’s face was ashen.

Then there was Wang Xueping, who had pushed someone, causing a miscarriage. Yet, it was deemed an act of passion, an inability to control herself in the moment. She was ordered to compensate the victim and was also publicly admonished.

As for detention—Yang Ming’s family had some connections in the police force. This punishment was already the result of Lin Xinrou’s relentless pursuit.

When all was said and done, Lin Xinrou seemed to escape with little consequence, but she’d lost her child, and her reputation was utterly ruined.

Now, the whole commune knew she’d stolen another woman’s man, shamelessly, earning universal contempt.

Wang Xueping’s reputation hadn’t recovered either. The aunts and old ladies didn’t dare talk in her presence but gossiped all the more behind her back. Cold-hearted, ruthless, deliberately causing a miscarriage—there was no end to the insults.

Everyone was wary of her now. Always calling the police—truly, people from the city were nothing like them.

As a result, the brigade’s impression of the educated youth collective plummeted. Educated youth were nothing but trouble.

This time, because of them, the brigade lost its advanced status; Qingshan Brigade became infamous throughout the commune!

The brigade leader and secretary came back from a meeting at the commune office with long faces; people on the road avoided their path.

Some were joyful, others distressed. They were unhappy, but Lin Jingyue was more than pleased.

She was in such good spirits, she ate an extra bowl of rice.

From now on, any good fortune in the brigade would never fall on Wang Xueping or Lin Xinrou—unless they managed to pass the college entrance exam in three years.

At this thought, Lin Jingyue’s eyes flickered, but she kept her expression neutral.

The next day, at half past five, Lin Jingyue dragged herself out of bed, dressed neatly, and opened the door. Sure enough, Jiang Xun was already waiting.

She grumbled, “Getting up this early is torture. On a beautiful day like this, isn’t it a waste not to stay in bed?”

Her voice was still thick with sleep, soft and sweet as she muttered.

Jiang Xun felt an unexpected softness in his heart, a gentle itch.

His eyes were full of warm starlight. “Let’s go for a run first.”

Listlessly, Lin Jingyue followed behind him. The two left the educated youth collective, jogging slowly toward the mountains.

It was so early, hardly anyone was on the road.

By the time they reached the foot of the mountain, Lin Jingyue was fully awake. She was just used to complaining; in truth, she enjoyed rising early.

Standing at the foot of the mountain, she stretched out her arms and took a deep breath of the fresh air. In the twenty-first century, it was rare to find such green hills and clear waters.

When she opened her eyes again, they were clear as a mountain spring.

Jiang Xun smiled. “Let’s head up.”

They reached the hillside before six. Streaks of orange-yellow dawn spread across the sky, drifting through the clouds, sliced into patches of gold by the dappled shadows of the trees.

How beautiful.

Jiang Xun let her enjoy the scenery for a while before starting to teach her the basic moves.

Lin Jingyue was no stranger to such things. Watching Jiang Xun demonstrate the movements once, she understood. “You were in the army?”

And not just any army.

He nodded. “Grandfather sent me there when I was sixteen. I stayed two years.” He finished the routine with a breath out.

He didn’t ask how she had figured it out.

“This set of moves is enough for you. Combined with your strength, it’ll do,” Jiang Xun said, heart fluttering at the bright gaze in her eyes.

“Mm.” Lin Jingyue lowered her eyes, turning serious.

Even those intent on drifting through life need some foundation.

The orange-yellow dawn, filtered through the trees, fell on their shoulders, faces, and brows, gilding them in gold, mingling with the morning mist around the Lin family home—a painting come to life.

At half past six, they checked the time and stopped.

A fine sheen of sweat covered Lin Jingyue’s forehead, her cheeks flushed. Jiang Xun’s gaze darkened. “Jingyue, you…”

“Hmm?” Lin Jingyue heard him call her and turned instinctively, her clear, sparkling eyes landing on him.

Jiang Xun was stunned.

Lin Jingyue burst out laughing, waking him from his daze. “So that’s all the courage you’ve got?”

His eyes grew darker. “Lin Jingyue, I—”

“I know.”

“…”

“I accept.”

Jiang Xun: “…”

Jiang Xun: “!!!”

Seeing him stunned again, Lin Jingyue clutched her belly, laughing so hard she couldn’t stop, startling the birds from the trees.

“So, are you willing to be with me? To share all the joy and years of life with me?” Jiang Xun looked into her eyes with sincerity.

A gentle breeze curled between them, starlight shimmering in his eyes, the corners of his eyes tinged with the flush of dawn.

Lin Jingyue tilted her head, as if she wanted to see into the depths of his soul.

After a long moment, she parted her lips. “A lifetime is a long time—I can’t promise you that for now. But at this moment, I am willing. Willing to be yours, willing to watch the dawn and the sunset with you.”

No one can guarantee what the future holds.

She didn’t want to think that far ahead. She just knew that, right now, she liked Jiang Xun.

And that was enough.

Isn’t the most important thing in life to cherish the one before you?

Jiang Xun’s heart thudded wildly. If she wouldn’t promise him forever now, he’d use all the days to come to show her that her forever could only belong to him.

“Let’s go, or we’ll miss breakfast,” Lin Jingyue glanced at her watch, seeing time was running out.

With a single phrase, the lingering mood was shattered.

Jiang Xun chuckled softly, looking at her with helpless affection.

At last, he could love his girl without restraint.

[Author’s note: This is the first time I’ve written a story where the main couple’s relationship progresses so quickly. Gosh, in my earlier works, the male lead wouldn’t have even appeared yet.]