Chapter 51

At 7 a.m. the next day, Lin Ting, having taken leave from school, boarded a jeep from the division headquarters with two large packages of fried fruits. Others looked on with admiration and envy.

The reporter, Ning Yu, from the division’s Propaganda Department, was a young, beautiful but reserved woman. Upon learning Lin Ting was pregnant, she gave up her front seat and prohibited smoking in the car.

“Thank you, Comrade Ning,” Lin Ting said, feeling a bit embarrassed but accepting the offer since the back was bumpier.

Ning Yu simply nodded and started writing in her notebook. Seeing this, Lin Ting turned to look out the window.

She was too focused on making extra money and seeing her husband to know that an hour after she left, a scream echoed through the family compound:

“Help! Help! Liu Wenyan was pushed down the well by Ding Feiyan!”

There were two wells in the compound:

一 A pressurized water well near Lin Ting and Tang Wenlan’s home.

一 An ancient well with a round mouth near the buildings where families fetched water every morning.

That morning, Liu Wenyan, who had been staying home for days, showed up—an unusual sight, as her father’s guards usually fetched water for her. But her father ordered her to integrate with the masses and improve her reputation.

Reluctant and annoyed, she arrived just in time to overhear Ding Feiyan gossiping about her, calling her ugly and saying she had no right to desire someone above her status.

Enraged, Liu Wenyan dropped her bucket and attacked Ding Feiyan with a carrying pole. Ding Feiyan, caught off guard, instinctively blocked the attack, and in the struggle, Liu Wenyan—unaccustomed to labor and unsteady on her feet—slipped and fell headfirst into the well.

A terrified onlooker screamed: “Help! Liu Wenyan was pushed into the well by Ding Feiyan!”

Fortunately, officers from nearby homes rushed out. With ropes tied around their waists, they jumped into the well and pulled out the unconscious Liu Wenyan. Even luckier, a military nurse among the residents performed emergency first aid, reviving her.

Ding Feiyan, realizing what had happened, collapsed in fear. Trembling, she insisted, “It wasn’t me… She rushed at me and slipped… She’s fat, and I’m thin! How could I push her? I’m innocent!”

But Liu Wenyan, recovering from her near-death experience, wasted no time. She lunged at Ding Feiyan, pinning her down and beating her while shouting vulgar insults.

The military families, who initially sympathized with Liu Wenyan, frowned at her behavior. Some wanted to intervene as Ding Feiyan screamed in pain but hesitated, fearing injury.

Even the officers struggled, as they were dealing with two women.

When Political Commissar Liu and Brigade Commander Wei arrived, expecting a fatal incident, they instead found a chaotic brawl. Ding Feiyan, furious over a scratch on her face, retaliated.

Political Commissar Liu was furious. He always knew his daughter was difficult, but he never expected such incompetence. Even when given a clear path to improve, she failed.

Now, she was fighting with the wife of a battalion-level deputy chief of staff, her clothes torn, exposing her stomach—an absolute disgrace.

Embarrassed and enraged, he didn’t wait for his guards to intervene. Instead, he kicked them both apart.

But in their frenzy, they reflexively struck back—accidentally scratching his face.

“Hiss…” Political Commissar Liu touched his cheek and felt blood.

He laughed in anger, looking at the two people restrained by the guards. Glancing at the crowd, he forced himself to suppress his anger: “You must be bored. The soldiers are working hard outside, yet you have time to fight. Solitary confinement for all of you, and write a self-criticism!”

The guard hesitated for a moment but, seeing that the political commissar was serious, stepped forward to escort the two panicked individuals away.

Once everyone left, Political Commissar Liu returned to his usual smiling self, comforting the military families before turning away. Brigadier General Wei, who had remained silent with a displeased expression, also left.

“Old Wei, let me handle this. You go take care of other matters.”

“How do you plan to handle it?” Normally, this would be dealt with by Pang Lihua, the women’s director, as it involved military dependents, not soldiers.

Things were different now. Uncertain of who supported Cao Wenze, Political Commissar Liu chose to keep a low profile. “After her confinement and written apology, I’ll send Wen Yan back to her hometown to farm. As for the other family member, we’ll decide after learning the reason for the fight.”

Brigadier General Wei gave Liu a complicated look, then nodded and left without a word. He no longer wanted to be involved in Liu’s affairs.

Liu touched the burning wound on his cheek, his smile fading. Was it his imagination, or was Wei deliberately distancing himself?

Meanwhile, Lin Ting was unaware of the drama unfolding in the family compound.

After a two-hour drive, she first went to the department store to pick up Qian Haitao.

Captain Wei had instructed her to visit the factory under army orders, but she knew her classmate’s help was crucial. She ensured Qian Haitao could accompany her.

Qian Haitao, still waiting for a call from his old classmate, was confused as he got into the car. Hearing that the other two passengers were reporters, he had many questions but hesitated to speak, fearing he might say something inappropriate.

Lin Ting wasted no time and explained everything.

Qian Haitao never expected that helping his old classmate and his uncle would also benefit him. As deputy manager of the department store’s sales department, networking with factory managers would be invaluable.

Excited yet anxious, he glanced at the reporter taking notes and whispered, “Is it okay to talk about this?”

Lin Ting smiled. “Why not? You were the one who led the way.”

Qian Haitao scratched his head, embarrassed. “You didn’t have to bring me into this.”

But Lin Ting wasn’t the type to take all the benefits for herself. Instead of dwelling on it, she changed the topic: “Let’s visit your uncle’s steel plant first. Can you tell me about its current situation?”

His attention shifted immediately. As a Tianjin native with work experience, he knew not only the steel plant but also every factory in the city. He eagerly provided details.

Lin Ting listened attentively, as did Ning Yu, the previously silent reporter.

Twenty minutes passed quickly.

Out of respect for the army or urgency over malfunctioning machinery, the factory took their visit seriously. The jeep approached the gate, which was immediately opened.

A middle-aged man ran over, greeting them warmly, but was interrupted by a familiar voice: “Uncle.”

Seeing his nephew step out of the military jeep, Deputy Director Sun Cheng was momentarily stunned. “Why are you here?”

Qian Haitao smiled and introduced Lin Ting. “Uncle, this is my college classmate, the army’s English translator.”

Lin Ting greeted him with a smile. “Hello, Deputy Director Sun. My name is Lin Ting. You can call me Xiao Lin if you’d like. Qian Haitao contacted me, and thanks to his help, the army learned about your factory’s situation.”

Hearing this, the seasoned Deputy Director immediately recognized the benefits for his nephew. His smile became more sincere. “Since you’re Haitao’s classmate, Xiao Lin, don’t be so formal. Call me Uncle Sun. You have no idea how badly we’ve been sleeping because of these machines.”

Lin Ting hadn’t seen the original maintenance documents yet, but she was confident in her abilities. “Uncle Sun, don’t worry. I’ll do my best.”

Sun Cheng wasn’t overly hopeful but remained cordial, given his nephew’s involvement. He exchanged a few words with the reporters before leading them to the workshop.

Director Fang of the steel plant was a retired soldier.

Initially, he worked in logistics, but his hands-on approach and eagerness to learn led him to master every process in the factory. Over time, he could handle any workshop task.

Even after becoming factory director, he continued working on the floor. “You can only manage properly if you understand every process,” he often said.

His philosophy proved right countless times over the past decade.

However, this time, an unexpectedly severe flood struck late at night, leaving no time to move the massive machines.

At this moment, Director Fang, who only had a high school education, looked at the maintenance manual filled with unfamiliar English words and felt frustrated by his lack of knowledge.

But it was too late to learn English now, so he could only seek help.

Finally, with hope in his tired, bloodshot eyes, he turned to the young military spouse.

Lin Ting quickly flipped through the maintenance manual, expecting it to be just a dozen pages long. To her surprise, it was a thick book.

“Comrade Xiao Lin, can you understand it?” Director Fang asked, the corners of his mouth blistered from stress. Seeing her flip through the book silently, he started to feel disappointed.

Unexpectedly, Lin Ting nodded. “Yes. Which section do you need translated first?”

A nearby maintenance worker immediately pushed the director aside, rubbing his hands anxiously. “Comrade, check the motor first. It might have water damage or a short-circuited power lead. Otherwise, it wouldn’t fail to start. What…what are you looking for?”

Qian Haitao reminded him, “She’s translating.”

“Yes! Comrade, please translate this. How do I disassemble the motor? Do I need to remove the fan, or can I just take it out from the non-extended end?”

Lin Ting knew nothing about repairs, but she quickly located the electric motor section using the index.

There were over ten pages dedicated to motors.

She turned to Director Fang. “Do you have a table and chair? I need to write everything down in Chinese.”

“Yes, yes! There’s an office next door. Come with me! Old Sun, make tea for the comrade. And bring some biscuits and fruit!” Director Fang was so excited he nearly cried. He personally led Lin Ting to the office while giving orders.

The director was far more enthusiastic than Lin Ting expected. Feeling a little embarrassed, she said, “No need for food, just a table and chair will do.”

“Of course, of course. Please don’t feel pressured, Comrade Xiao Lin!” Director Fang was eager to provide good hospitality.

At this moment, Ning Yu, who had been silent, spoke up. “Comrade Lin Ting is pregnant. She shouldn’t drink tea.”

Lin Ting was surprised. She knew pregnant women should avoid strong tea, but at the time, people valued strong tea as a sign of sincerity, as tea leaves were precious. She had planned to decline politely, but she hadn’t expected the quiet Ning Yu to mention it first.

Was he actually warm-hearted beneath his cold exterior?

Director Fang had no idea pregnant women couldn’t drink strong tea, but he immediately adjusted. “No tea! Get Comrade Xiao Lin some malted milk instead. And bring a softer cushion for her chair!”

Lin Ting sighed. You’re overdoing it, Director Fang.