Chapter 18 Are You Still a Human Being?

Although she knew Song Huaiqing could easily manipulate Lin Yiwan with words, Lin Yirou’s eyelids had been twitching incessantly for the past two days. 

Fearing something might go wrong with the job transfer, she came to investigate.  She was also resourceful, bringing a basket of fragrant melons.

In the office, Li Aimei was working and chatting with a few others.  Seeing someone peeking in, she frowned. “Comrade, do you need something?”

Lin Yirou, holding the melons, smiled gently. “Hello, comrade. I’m Lin Yiwan’s younger sister. Is she in?”

Hearing that it was the stepsister who allegedly stole Lin Yiwan’s job and forced her to go to the countryside, those in the office instantly looked at her, their gazes curious or disdainful.

Lin Yirou hadn’t expected this reaction; she was startled, almost dropping the melons, her eyes welling up as usual.

Li Aimei was speechless.  Why the tears?  It was as if someone had bullied her.  Remembering Lin Yiwan’s instructions, despite her impatience, she forced a smile. “Yiwan’s gone out. Do you need something?”

Relieved by the improved attitude, Lin Yirou relaxed.  With a worried expression, she said, “I haven’t seen her at home for days, so I came to check on her.”  She subtly surveyed the office.  Seeing its cleanliness and the relaxed atmosphere, a gleam of joy flashed in her eyes.  She would soon be one of them!

Li Aimei noticed her expression and felt contempt.  She wasn’t checking on Lin Yiwan, but snooping!  Suppressing her impatience, she sighed. “Yiwan’s been busy lately, running around, submitting documents, filling out application forms.”

Lin Yirou couldn’t hide her smile.  She had overthought it.  Lin Yiwan wouldn’t betray her and not transfer the job.

“So Sister Wanwan is so busy? I thought…”

“Thought what?” someone asked curiously.

Lin Yirou, as if she had said something wrong, quickly covered her mouth.  “No… nothing…”

But the more she didn’t say, the more curious everyone became.

“Hey, we’re not outsiders, what’s there to hide?”

After being urged several times, Lin Yirou stammered, “I thought… Sister Wanwan went out with a man again…”  Her expression was one of embarrassment.  Anyone would think Lin Yiwan was promiscuous.

But as soon as she finished, the office’s atmosphere turned strange. Lin Yiwan had already filed a marriage report with a military officer and was going to the Northwest to join him. 

As a military spouse, especially in these times, the political review was strict; there was no way she would have a promiscuous lifestyle. Yet, this person, who knew nothing, was spreading rumors. 

If Lin Yiwan hadn’t warned them beforehand, they might have misunderstood her. They felt sympathy for Lin Yiwan. What a poor girl, what kind of hardships had she endured?

“Comrade! Is Lin Yiwan really your sister? How can you spread such rumors?” Li Aimei couldn’t help but retort.  Others chimed in.

“Yiwan is either at work or at home, her life is simple and transparent, how did it become like this in your mouth?”

“Exactly, she’s giving you her job, and you’re still talking behind her back. Are you even human?”

They sometimes visited Lin Yiwan, and she was always home.  Even the neighbors had a consistently good opinion of her.

Such a good stepsister, and she wasn’t satisfied, still spreading rumors? Her heart was truly wicked!

Lin Yirou hadn’t expected this reaction; her eyes reddened again. “I didn’t, you can’t say that!” Tears streamed down her face; she looked extremely wronged.  But they knew her nature and felt only more annoyance.

“We don’t care who you are, but don’t spread rumors about our comrade. Leave if you have nothing else to do.”

They hadn’t even said anything, and she was already crying.  If they said more, it would seem like they were bullying her. Such people, seemingly innocent but capable of backstabbing at any moment, were the most terrifying.

Being dismissed like trash, by her future colleagues, Lin Yirou was embarrassed and humiliated.

“I… I didn’t mean it, listen to me…”  Knowing Lin Yiwan had already won over everyone here, Lin Yirou could only apologize.

“We don’t want to know what you mean, leave!” Li Aimei impatiently waved her hand.

Lin Yirou bit her lip, tears still in her eyes, but she reluctantly left. She had come to check on the job transfer and build relationships with future colleagues. Now, she hadn’t even given the melons, and she had offended everyone.  She was extremely upset.

After she left, everyone in the office breathed a sigh of relief.

“That girl is something else, so scheming at such a young age.”

“Exactly!  It’s a good thing Yiwan didn’t give her the job, otherwise, we wouldn’t have peace!”

They felt a sense of fear.  They decided to keep Lin Yiwan’s plan a secret.  Lin Yirou must not work at the Grain Bureau!

After leaving the Grain Bureau, Lin Yirou, carrying the melons, cried all the way to Song Huaiqing’s workplace. 

Song Huaiqing also worked in a government office, at a grassroots level, and had a busy day. 

He had just finished work and was about to find Lin Yiwan when he heard Lin Yirou’s aggrieved voice.

“Brother Song!”