Chapter 7 – The Female Supporting Character in the Confession Book

Wen Xin didn’t hear Lin Jianzhang’s words. 

She shook off the trouble caused by him and was very happy, humming an off-key tune as she headed to her workplace.

The canteen at her workplace served breakfast, so Wen Xin took her lunchbox to get some food. Just as she arrived, Minister Zhang was there as well, and Wen Xin took the initiative to sit down beside him.

“Minister Zhang, there’s something I want to discuss with you.”

Minister Zhang looked at Wen Xin and cheerfully said: “Oh, it’s Comrade Wen Xin! What’s the matter? Come, sit down, sit down.”

Wen Xin sat down and said: “Minister, I’ve separated from Lin Jianzhang. You know that I had a serious accident the last time I fell into the water. Our village is so close to theirs, yet no one from his family came to see me or even gave me a word. If that was all, I could bear it, but their family is really too much.”

“He’s divorced from his ex-wife, but she still stays at his house every day. This is something I can’t tolerate. This isn’t the old society, and it’s not the 40s or 50s anymore. Are we still supposed to follow the system of first wife, second wife, and staying in the same house after a divorce?”

After hearing Wen Xin’s words, Minister Zhang’s face turned dark. 

He had introduced Wen Xin to Lin Jianzhang, and whether he knew about Lin Jianzhang’s actions or not, what they were doing was a slap in his face.

He had thought Lin Jianzhang was a reliable person, but how could he do such a thing now? 

A divorced ex-wife staying at the ex-husband’s house every day? No one would be able to tolerate that!

Wen Xin had worked in the township government for two years, and many people were keeping an eye on her. 

If it weren’t for the fact that there were no suitable male comrades in her own family, Minister Zhang would never have let Lin Jianzhang take advantage of her. 

After introducing Wen Xin to Lin Jianzhang, Minister Zhang had often been ridiculed.

Thinking about how those who had mocked him would react when they found out he had failed to play matchmaker, Minister Zhang’s expression grew even more serious.

He straightened up and said: “Wen Xin, I will inquire about this matter with Comrade Lin Jianzhang. Of course, I won’t interfere with the decision you’ve made.”

Wen Xin smiled and, feeling grateful, said to Minister Zhang: “Thank you, Minister. Then you enjoy your meal, I’ll go have breakfast with Xiao Qian and the others.”

Minister Zhang nodded.

Wen Xin ran towards Xiao Qian and the others’ table while holding her bowl. As soon as she sat down, Xiao Qian eagerly asked: “Xiao Wen, what did you tell Minister Zhang?”

Wen Xin took a bite of her cornmeal bun and said: “I’ve separated from Comrade Lin Jianzhang. I just informed the Minister, since he was the one who made the match.”

Her words stunned everyone. Didn’t that military comrade come to see Wen Xin yesterday? How was it that they were breaking up today? Xiao Qian, being the closest to Wen Xin, immediately asked: “Why are you breaking up? Didn’t that comrade come to find you yesterday?”

Wen Xin repeated what she had told Minister Zhang earlier to Xiao Qian and the others.

After hearing this, Xiao Qian slapped the table. “You did the right thing! Someone like that should be broken up with. If things are already like this before even talking about marriage, who knows how badly you’d be bullied if you actually got married!”

The others all chimed in, offering words of comfort to Wen Xin. Several older, close acquaintances whose families had eligible male comrades were already plotting to introduce someone to Wen Xin.

By the time the morning passed, even the little yellow dog raised by the canteen teacher knew about Wen Xin’s breakup. 

When they learned the reason behind it, many people commented that the military comrade was indeed someone who didn’t know how to appreciate his good fortune.

After the breakup, Wen Xin felt light and free. 

In the afternoon, she went to the finance department to pick up her salary, then went straight to the butcher’s stall near the Supply and Marketing Cooperative. 

By then, most of the meat had already been sold out. Only some lean meat and big bones were left. Wen Xin wasn’t picky, so she bought a pound of lean meat and spent an additional two cents on two big marrow bones.

As she passed by the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, she heard that tofu was being sold in the afternoon, so she went in and bought two blocks.

After leaving the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, Wen Xin hung the items on the front of her bicycle and, with a smile on her face, rode home.

The feeling of shopping was really so great! No wonder the princesses and ladies of noble families a few hundred years ago loved to go shopping.

When Wen Xin got home, she followed the original owner’s routine and handed Zhang Xiuying 12 yuan, keeping ten for herself, and gave all the receipts to Zhang Xiuying. 

Zhang Xiuying looked at the meat and tofu Wen Xin had brought back, then gave Wen Xin one more yuan.

No one ever thinks there’s too much money, and Wen Xin happily accepted it.

Zhang Xiuying raised her hand and tapped Wen Xin on the head. “Next time, don’t buy things for the house. We have everything we need here.”

Zhang Xiuying wasn’t a strict parent, and the family was well-off. There were always a couple of days each week when they could have scrambled eggs, and they ate meat once a month.

After spending so much time together and being influenced by the original owner, Wen Xin had become very close to Zhang Xiuying. She grabbed Zhang Xiuying’s hand and leaned her head on her arm. “I’m in a good mood today. Let’s eat something nice to celebrate.”

Curious, Zhang Xiuying asked her daughter: “What’s the happy occasion?”

Wen Xin told her about breaking up with Lin Jianzhang, and Zhang Xiuying felt relieved after hearing it. “Someone like that isn’t fit for marriage. You’d definitely be mistreated if you married him. Your dad and I only have you as our daughter, and we can’t bear to let anyone treat you badly. Breaking up is for the best, and it really calls for a celebration.”

Zhang Xiuying continued: “Tonight, let’s make braised tofu. Your dad will chop the big bones in half and stew them overnight. Tomorrow morning, we’ll add two radishes and have bone and radish soup. How does that sound?”

“Alright, alright.” Wen Xin naturally had no objections.

So that evening, the Wen family had an improved meal. The pork and tofu Wen Xin bought were stewed with some shredded cabbage, cooked until soft and tender, and smelled wonderful. Second Sister-in-law Wen took advantage of her break from work to pick some bitter herbs.

At this time of year, the bitter herbs had just started to grow, fresh and vibrant. After washing them, they were placed in the bamboo basket alongside some homegrown green onions. There was also a bowl of homemade soybean paste made by Zhang Xiuying. As they ate, they occasionally tasted a spoonful of the paste—crisp and refreshing, making everyone feel content and satisfied.

During the meal, Zhang Xiuying announced that Wen Xin had broken up with Lin Jianzhang. 

Second Sister-in-law Wen didn’t show much reaction, but Big Brother Wen and Second Brother Wen both fully supported Wen Xin’s decision.

Zhang Xiuying was a good mother, treating all three children equally since they were young. Whatever the two brothers had, Wen Xin had too, and she never received less than her brothers. Special treatment was reserved only for when someone was ill, but otherwise, it was unheard of.

Children raised in such a family rarely had conflicts, even after they grew up and started their own families. The original owner’s life with Lin Jianzhang had been smooth and fulfilling, and though her two brothers didn’t talk about how much money the family had, it was clear they had lived happily.

Wen Yuejun didn’t say much but did give Wen Xin a piece of meat.

After this, Zhang Xiuying turned to Wen Xin and said: “Now that the wild vegetables are growing in the fields, you can rest at home tomorrow and come with me to the mountain to dig some. We’ll dig a lot and dry them to keep for the winter.”

Wen Xin nodded in response while eating.

At the other end of the table, Second Sister-in-law Wen suddenly felt nauseous as she was eating. 

Unable to hold it in, she ran outside, leaned against the wall, and gagged.

When she returned, she was met by a group of curious and sharp-eyed people.

Zhang Xiuying directly asked Second Sister-in-law Wen: “Meimei, how long has it been since your…aunt arrived?” ^[1]The Aunt in here means menstruation