Chapter 89: Because I Have No Morals

“See if there are any parcels for me at the post office and bring them back,” Jiang Xun said to Zhou Yan when he caught him looking his way.

In the whole settlement, only Jiang Xun, Zhou Yan, Yang Ming, and Wang Xueping would occasionally receive parcels. The others basically never did.

They had just finished eating when Yang Ming returned. After putting away his bicycle, he handed Jiang Xun a packet of brown sugar, about half a pound or so.

Yang Ming was quite considerate; the brown sugar wasn’t for Jiang Xun, but for Lin Jingyue.

“There are parcels for both of you at the post office,” he told Jiang Xun and Zhou Yan.

“Got it, we’ll go pick them up tomorrow.” Jiang Xun accepted the brown sugar and turned to hand it to Lin Jingyue.

“I’ll make you sweet rice wine eggs with brown sugar tomorrow.” On a cold, damp day, a bowl of steaming brown sugar soup could warm the whole body.

“Alright.”

Yang Ming, seeing the two exchange words so intimately, smiled, picked up his things, and went inside.

“Quick, wipe off and change your clothes—you must be cold.” Wang Xueping handed him a towel and had already laid out some clean, dry clothes.

Feeling her care, Yang Ming’s heart grew warm. “I’m not cold; cycling keeps me warm.”

...

Zhou Yan returned from the city, bringing back two coats for Lin Jingyue—one in gray-blue plaid, the other in pink-blue plaid, both in light colors.

They were made of wool, perfect for this time of year. In another month or so, they’d be too thin; the northeastern weather would freeze a person through.

Lin Jingyue tried them on; they fit perfectly.

She was trying the second one when Jiang Xun knocked on her door.

“What is it?” Lin Jingyue opened the door in the gray-blue plaid coat.

“It looks great,” Jiang Xun’s eyes lit up.

“I know,” Lin Jingyue replied, blinking, not the least bit embarrassed.

Jiang Xun chuckled and held out a bundle to her. “These are from the parcel—my mother prepared them for you.”

“Didn’t she just send a package?” Lin Jingyue was a little taken aback by the kindness.

“That was food; this is clothing. It’s my mother’s goodwill.” Jiang Xun smiled. “You may not know—my mother doesn’t really like me…”

At this, Lin Jingyue’s mind began conjuring up a drama of a pitiable boy unloved by his mother.

The next moment—

“She’s always wanted a gentle, soft daughter, but due to her health, she can’t have more children. So she’s been hoping I’d get married soon, so she could have a daughter-in-law.”

Jiang Xun’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Lin Jingyue.

But Lin Jingyue just rolled her eyes dramatically. “Don’t try to hint things at me.”

With that, she shut the door in his face—though she didn’t forget to take the package.

Jiang Xun stood before the closed door, smiling helplessly. What could he do if this girl was so hard to fool?

Inside, Lin Jingyue gave a little humph, but the smile on her face was unmistakable. She was actually quite pleased someone cared about her.

She opened the package.

Inside were a woolen skirt suit, a blue floral cotton jacket, a cashmere set, a pair of cotton shoes, a sweater and pants set, a scarf, gloves, and a hat.

Looking at the carefully prepared gifts, Lin Jingyue’s eyes grew hot, her heart almost burning. Jiang Xun’s mother was truly wonderful.

Just because she was said to be Jiang Xun’s girlfriend, she’d sent so many things—food and clothes.

Of course, Lin Jingyue understood it was because Jiang Xun valued her; naturally, his family would treat her with the same importance.

It also spoke to their family’s upbringing and circumstances.

Feelings were taken seriously in these times; dating usually meant marriage in the end.

Jiang Xun’s mother already thought of her as family.

Lin Jingyue gently stroked the clothes. Ever since her grandparents passed, she’d bought all her own clothes; no one had cared whether she was warm or well-fed.

True, she had a large inheritance, and her absent parents weren’t worried about her starving to death.

She put the things away in her cabinet—her winter wardrobe was now complete.

Still, after receiving so many gifts, she ought to return the favor.

Lin Jingyue decided to knit Jiang Xun a scarf.

Though, for now, she had no idea how to knit.

Three days later, Chen Chunlan and Sun Liangdong returned—Sun Liangdong was brought back on an ox cart.

One of his legs was wrapped tightly, his face pale.

Chen Chunlan looked even worse. After paying the cart fare and asking Luo Jianhua and Zhao Hua to carry Sun Liangdong inside, she was all agitation and chaos.

“I heard that even if Sun Liangdong’s leg heals, he’ll be lame,” Xia Nan whispered to Lin Jingyue.

She’d gotten the news from Xie Wenjuan.

“Lame?”

“Mm. That’s why Chen Chunlan’s in such a foul mood. They’ve spent a lot at the hospital these past days—lost all their savings and now owe the commune as well.” Xia Nan sighed.

People just can’t stand up to unexpected misfortune.

“That’s a heavy price to pay,” Lin Jingyue remarked, without much sincerity.

“Isn’t it? Oh, by the way, you’d better watch out—Chen Chunlan might come borrow money from you.”

“She wouldn’t, would she?” Lin Jingyue paused.

“You look the richest,” Xia Nan saw straight through her.

So what if she had money? She wasn’t about to lend it.

And Xia Nan was right. That night, as Lin Jingyue was getting ready for bed, Chen Chunlan came by.

She opened the door to see Chen Chunlan standing there, fidgeting.

Lin Jingyue’s expression stayed calm. “What is it? I was about to go to bed.”

“Lin Jingyue, I—I wanted to ask if I could borrow some money. Don’t worry, not much. Just twenty, no, ten yuan. I’ll pay you back soon…” Afraid that twenty would be too much, she quickly corrected herself.

“No,” Lin Jingyue refused at once.

Chen Chunlan choked. “But you have money—why won’t you lend it?”

“Because I have no morals!”

Chen Chunlan was left speechless, breath stuck in her throat. What could she say to that?

If someone claims they have no morals, what more is there to say?

“Why do you need the money?” Lin Jingyue asked, seeing Chen Chunlan’s labored breathing, almost worried she’d faint.

“For your man?”

“No.” Chen Chunlan bit her lip, her face ashen. “I’m pregnant.”

“Hmm?” Lin Jingyue didn’t understand for a moment, but then it clicked. “You… don’t want the child?”

“This isn’t the right time,” Chen Chunlan said, glancing instinctively at Lin Jingyue’s room.

Who knew what would become of Sun Liangdong—was she supposed to serve a cripple her whole life?

She wasn’t willing to accept that.

Lin Jingyue understood the look in her eyes and couldn’t help but feel a grudging admiration—Chen Chunlan was ruthless.

Reason ruled her mind.

So, what was the point of threatening someone into marriage in the first place?

“Will you lend me the money? Don’t worry, I’ll pay you back.”

Lin Jingyue shook her head. “I can’t help you with this.”

She’d be a fool to get herself tangled up in something like that. If Chen Chunlan changed her mind later and caused trouble, it would be a disaster.

Chen Chunlan opened her mouth, but at last said nothing more.

Watching her leave, Lin Jingyue shook her head and closed the door. If she had lent out the money tonight, who knew what kind of trouble could follow?