Busy every day, feeling fulfilled and happy, time passed particularly quickly.

By the spring of 1982, Jiang Lin and her classmates from the 1977 undergraduate class were graduating.

The period around graduation was chaotic and extremely busy.

The graduating students had to arrange jobs, and everyone wanted to stay in big cities and secure good positions.

Those with connections or resources had to pull strings to secure a unit with good benefits.

Jiang Lin’s classmates had their own arrangements.

As they graduated from the province’s best university, the allocated jobs were generally good, and most people were assigned to major organizations.

Only a few returned to their hometowns or went to city or county-level positions.

Jiang Lin, along with Su Xingyun, Zhang Shaopeng, and other classmates, directly entered the university’s graduate program. Besides continuing in her original field of study, Jiang Lin also took elective courses in architectural design and urban landscape design, as much as her energy allowed.

In her previous life, she was involved in renovation, so learning again now was more efficient.

Jiang Lin knew that by the 1990s, especially after 2000, cities would experience rapid and explosive growth.

This rapid expansion of urban construction would lead to a series of urban planning problems, such as constantly repairing and blocking sewers, expanding roads with pedestrians left without paths, uneven road surfaces with potholes, poorly placed utility poles and buildings becoming obstacles, etc.

These issues could have been avoided if they had been considered during the initial urban planning phase.

So, after starting her graduate studies, she immediately began working on a feasibility study on rational urban construction planning, especially focusing on urban drainage and sewage issues.

At that time, writing papers was different from the internet-based, piecemeal approach of later years.

There was no need for plagiarism checks.

Each paper was meticulously prepared through extensive communication with advisors, thorough research, and collection of first-hand data.

Jiang Lin’s topic was highly praised and encouraged by her advisors, who provided significant assistance.

Su Xingyun and other classmates also participated in the research, and she received strong support from the provincial government’s relevant departments.

After entering the graduate program, Jiang Lin was appointed as the deputy director of the Research Division of the X Province Architectural Engineering Research Institute, which was jointly run by the provincial construction group and the university.

The director of this division was her advisor, Director Wu.

This division was responsible for overseeing all construction projects of the provincial construction group.

No project of the provincial construction group could proceed without their approval and signature.

Because the university emphasized rigorous and practical approaches, and strictly pursued quality, the buildings produced by the provincial construction group were well-designed, of high quality, and had an excellent reputation.

Architectural research institutes from the capital and other provinces visited for tours and exchanges.

Through this, Jiang Lin met many professionals, including teachers, students, and engineers, from whom she learned and received strong support.

She spent a whole year collecting data from domestic and international sources, as well as from various provinces and cities.

The following year, she began formally writing her thesis.

Her graduate program was two and a half years long.

She started in the spring of 1982 and graduated with a defense in the summer of 1984.

Her defense preparation was thorough and successful, earning unanimous praise from her advisors and the highest score in her department.

“Jiang Lin, congratulations!” As her advisor, Dean Wu felt immensely proud of her excellence.

Su Xingyun, Zhang Shaopeng, and others also came to congratulate her.

Her defense was so impressive that many students stood outside the window and corridor to listen.

“Undoubtedly the flower of architecture,” Zhang Shaopeng, who had been silently competing with Jiang Lin in his mind, admitted that while his expertise was more outstanding, he could not match Jiang Lin’s vision and height.

Hearing Jiang Lin’s defense, he conceded, “Jiang Lin, the position of Director of the Provincial Construction Technology Department is yours. I won’t compete with you for it.”

Now that they had graduated, whether in technology or administration, they were capable of handling things on their own.

The previous advisors had retired, leaving the field entirely to them.

Jiang Lin sincerely thanked them, bowing, “Thank you to all the teachers and classmates for your help and companionship over these seven years. Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Seven years had forged deep friendships, with everyone being both excellent mentors and lifelong friends.

Dean Wu smiled, “Jiang Lin, I have a request you must fulfill.”

Jiang Lin responded, “Teacher, I’ve never been casual about anything you asked me to do.”

In the Provincial Construction Technology Department, although Dean Wu was the head, Jiang Lin had handled much of the practical work.

Her technical expertise was highly regarded by both leaders and colleagues.

Dean Wu said, “This request is different from before. Your defense was exceptional. I’ve already discussed it with the school president’s office. We want you to give a speech in the auditorium, addressing the entire school and province.” The aim was to inspire the provincial community’s thinking and broaden their perspectives.

Dean Wu had seen this grand vision as the most striking aspect of Jiang Lin’s thesis.

Jiang Lin was taken aback, “Teacher, what’s this about?”

A defense was one thing, but this level of publicity seemed unnecessary.

Dean Wu was serious, “We are fascinated by your concept of a humanistic city and want to hear more about it. We will invite reporters from the provincial newspapers, radio stations, and TV stations. The speech will be broadcast live and reported on TV.”

Jiang Lin was a bit overwhelmed by the sudden high profile.

She had always focused on her studies and worked diligently, never thinking about self-promotion or creating any particular image.

She just wanted that in thirty or forty years, when technology and architectural techniques had advanced further, people would still praise the buildings she had designed for their elegant and tasteful appearance, solid quality, and timelessness.

Even after thirty or forty years, a fresh coat of paint would still make them comfortable and pleasing to live in.

Now, they were actually pushing her into the spotlight.

Well, she felt a bit… excited.

Fearful?

What was there to be afraid of? Jiang Lin wasn’t afraid of such things at all.

She had participated in several capital city architectural exchange conferences and had met high-ranking central leaders, so what was there to fear?

It was just that… such an important speaking opportunity required thorough preparation.

“Teacher, could you give me a few days to prepare? I want to organize my speech more systematically.”

“Jiang Lin, don’t be nervous. Your defense was excellent, just follow that,” Director Wu encouraged her.

Jiang Lin had a lot on her mind. A defense was so specialized and dry; it wouldn’t work as a speech.

Except for those in her field who might find it interesting, laypeople would likely fall asleep after a few sentences.

Director Wu agreed to hold the speech in the afternoon on the day after the final exams at the auditorium, giving Jiang Lin about ten days to prepare.

Jiang Lin went back to her dorm to tidy up. She could come back for her things in a few days.

Due to the nature of her work, she lived in a single dormitory now, so she didn’t have to worry about clutter affecting others; it was fine to leave things as they were for now.

As she was leaving the dorm with her backpack and a handbag, she unexpectedly ran into Jiang Ling downstairs.

Since the campus belle contest five years ago, Jiang Ling had acted as if she didn’t know Jiang Lin, regardless of the occasion, so they had managed to avoid any conflicts.

Last early summer, when the flowers were in full bloom, Jiang Ling suddenly became high-profile, winning first place in a new youth competition hosted by the Art Association.

She was once again referred to as a beautiful painter.

Articles in art magazines and provincial newspapers praised her as a pure and beautiful woman like an elf, elegant and noble like the women in her paintings, and enchanting like the first snow and morning dew…

The praise was so excessive it was almost nauseating.

Since winning the competition, Jiang Ling had held a personal art exhibition at the provincial university, with much fanfare over selling and giving away paintings.

She even sought sponsorship for her own art gallery and planned to start a provincial cultural company, making quite a splash with her activities.

On the surface, with her impressive achievements, Jiang Ling should be basking in glory and feeling very proud.

However, she wasn’t entirely happy.

Her life was planned and controlled by Meng Yiyi, and her freedom was at Bian Haitao’s mercy.

Having spent so much time together, she had inevitably fallen in love with Bian Haitao.

He hadn’t rejected her but kept their relationship a secret.

Yet, she was becoming increasingly aware that she was merely a stand-in.

She couldn’t understand why Bian Haitao was so attached to Jiang Lin.

After all, he had abandoned Jiang Lin before, and she couldn’t believe in his so-called love.

The reality was that what couldn’t be obtained always seemed better.

She felt this deeply and couldn’t deceive herself.

Thus, her heart was filled with hatred towards Jiang Lin, cursing her as much as she could.

Yet, the heavens seemed deaf to her pleas, allowing Jiang Lin to live comfortably and even become more radiant and happy.

At 31, Jiang Lin showed no signs of aging.

She was like a blooming peony—beautiful and increasingly mature, maintaining a youthful innocence within her elegant demeanor.

For Jiang Ling, this was utterly nauseating!

Five years ago, Jiang Ling was a younger, fresher version who tried to overshadow Jiang Lin.

But now, Jiang Lin seemed even more youthful and captivating than she was back then.

Why was this happening?

Jiang Lin glanced at her and was about to walk away.

Jiang Ling deliberately blocked her path, saying with a hint of bitterness, “Jiang Lin, you can’t suppress my brilliance.”

Jiang Lin was surprised, “Are you talking to me?”

You’re from the Fine Arts Academy, and I’m from the Architecture Academy.

Although I have some basic knowledge of painting, it’s not my field.

So, what are you so upset about?

“Bian Haitao said he’ll marry me,” Jiang Ling said, trying to sound triumphant.

Jiang Lin raised an eyebrow, “Congratulations. I have something else to attend to. I’ll go first.”

Jiang Lin had almost forgotten about Bian Haitao.

Even though they occasionally crossed paths, she had long lost interest in him. Jiang Ling’s boast was ridiculous.

As Jiang Lin walked past Jiang Ling, Jiang Ling called out, “Aren’t you curious how I got close to him?”

Jiang Lin wasn’t interested in knowing.

Jiang Ling had gained fame last year, mingling with the elite in the provincial capital, making connections with influential and wealthy men.

So, knowing Bian Haitao wasn’t surprising.

Jiang Lin hadn’t intentionally inquired about her.

It was mostly due to Lu Hang’s obsession with Jiang Ling.

Lu Hang, the future heir of the textile factory, was overly concerned about Jiang Ling’s antics and even dragged Guo Yanqiu to her art exhibition to create trouble.

Jiang Lin exited the dormitory building and saw a brand-new military green jeep speeding along the wide campus road.

It made a sharp turn and parked neatly beside her.

From the rear window, two faces appeared: one youthful and handsome, and the other a delicate, rosy doll face.

Xiaobao and Baosheng, brother and sister, greeted her with playful and sweet smiles that brought a refreshing coolness to the hot summer day, making one feel physically and mentally comfortable.

The driver’s door opened, and Dabao walked over to Jiang Lin.

Though he was only 14, he had already grown taller than 175 cm, taller than many adults.

With his slender build and handsome features, his appearance always caused a stir of admiration.

His classmates immediately noticed him, exclaiming, “Look, where did this student come from? He’s really handsome.”

He took the handbag and backpack from Jiang Lin, explaining, “My dad asked us to come.”

At 14, his voice was slightly deeper and more resonant, still transitioning through puberty but not as jarring as some boys’ voices during this period.

He preemptively explained, knowing Jiang Lin might scold him for driving, “As long as it’s Dad’s request, Mom usually doesn’t mind.”

Jiang Lin couldn’t help but scold him a little, “You’re only 14, not 24. Didn’t we say you need to wait until you’re 18 to drive?”

At that time, there wasn’t a legal requirement to be 18 to learn to drive, so many boys in the courtyard learned to drive at 16 or 17.

However, Dabao and Xiaobao had learned even earlier, which was quite unusual.

They were quite short when they learned, making it rather amusing.

Xiaobao had already opened the car door and was carrying Baosheng out.

They both smiled and said, “Mom, how was your defense? We came to pick you up.”

Jiang Lin looked at them helplessly and gently pinched Baosheng’s little face, saying, “Big girl, don’t always make your brother carry you.”

This little girl, despite being clever, preferred to act innocent and sweet when going out.

Always asking her brother to carry or hold her, and smiling sweetly at everyone, she had everyone wrapped around her finger.

Baosheng stood up and kissed Jiang Lin’s face, speaking softly, “Mom, Baosheng missed you so much.”

“Oh, Jiang Lin, your son and daughter came to pick you up!”

Those who knew Jiang Lin came over to greet her, and took the opportunity to admire Dabao, Xiaobao, and Baosheng.

They never got tired of seeing them!

These three children had been little stars at the provincial university since they were young, and everyone was familiar with them.

However, as Dabao and Xiaobao grew up, Dabao had become much quieter and his expressions colder, making others hesitant to approach him casually.

Seeing Jiang Lin, one might think she’s a winner in life.

At 31, she looks like she’s in her twenties, and with her son, who looks like her younger brother, they make quite a pair.

Some people noticed Bao Sheng’s dress and recognized it as imported, costing over fifty yuan.

They were quite surprised.

Jiang Lin was so generous, dressing such a young child in such expensive clothes. Bao Sheng would outgrow them soon.

Bao Sheng noticed people looking at her dress and smiled sweetly, “Auntie, do you like my dress? It’s imported and costs over fifty yuan, but if we make it ourselves, it’s only twenty-five. If you want one, you can ask my mom for help.”

Oh dear, this child is already thinking about business!

Her classmates were amazed, “It’s so expensive; we wouldn’t be able to afford it. Bao Sheng, your parents are really good to you.”

Bao Sheng’s big eyes sparkled as she smiled, “Yes, my big brother is also very good to me.” She hugged Xiao Bao’s neck, looking even prettier than the crepe myrtle flowers by the roadside.

Jiang Lin chatted with her classmates for a while and then hurried Xiao Bao to get in the car to head home.

At this moment, Bao Sheng turned and saw Jiang Ling not far away.

Jiang Ling was glaring at them with a dark expression.

Bao Sheng immediately recognized her; with Lu Hang talking about her all the time, she knew who she was.

Bao Sheng giggled and said to Jiang Ling, “Auntie, do you also want a dress? If you want one, why not ask? Why are you staring at me?”

“Auntie”

Jiang Ling was so enraged that her nose scrunched up, and her eyebrows furrowed, “You ill-mannered little brat!”

Xiao Bao added, “You look older than my mom. Is calling you ‘Auntie’ or ‘Big Aunt’ wrong? In our countryside, we call it that. Or do you prefer ‘Old Hag’? Hehe.”