After dinner, Jiang Lin took Cheng Dabao out.

She wore a straw hat and picked up some willow branches and dog-tail grass by the roadside, casually making a grass hat for Cheng Dabao and playfully putting it on his head.

Cheng Dabao protested, “Mom, you taught me!”

Jiang Lin replied with a grin, “Call me ‘Mom’ when you need me, but when you’re feeling brave, call me Linlin!”

The grass hat was simple, just twisted together for sun protection, and Cheng Dabao quickly learned how to wear it from her.

They arrived at the commune’s courtyard where Jiang Lin asked around for Xiao Duan, the apprentice in charge of the transport team.

Having ridden with Xiao Duan several times before, Jiang Lin was familiar with him, especially knowing Xiao Duan admired Cheng Rushan.

She thought cooperation with him would be easier.

After getting directions, she went to find Xiao Duan in a small cabin at the back.

As they passed several red brick offices, Jiang Lin overheard a familiar voice inside.

She listened carefully and recognized it was Liu Honghua.

“Lieutenant, I want to report something. That Jiang Zhiqing from our village is selling children! I have evidence!”

“Sister-in-law, don’t stir up trouble. Even if she sold to you, would you want them?”

“I don’t care for those little bastards!” Liu Honghua’s voice was full of anger.

Jiang Lin’s face turned cold instantly, and Cheng Dabao looked furious.

He wanted to rush in and scold Liu Honghua but was held back by Jiang Lin.

She gestured for silence and continued to listen.

Encouraged by Ma Kaihua’s nod, Liu Honghua decided to come to the commune and accuse Jiang Lin of child trafficking.

This was a malicious rumor typical of a feudal gossip, and she wanted Jiang Lin arrested.

However, the commune officials didn’t believe her.

They found the accusation absurd. Children were running around everywhere; who would buy someone else’s?

“Big sister-in-law, you should head back for now. We’ll note down your report, and we’ll look into it when we have time,” one person said calmly.

Another person chuckled, “For something like this, just report it in the village. The commune is busy.”

“The village doesn’t care. The secretary and brigade leader don’t care either. That’s why I came to report to the commune,” Liu Honghua insisted confidently. “I want to see Secretary Cheng! I’m his nephew’s wife!”

“Alright, alright. Secretary Cheng is at a county meeting right now. He’s not here. Maybe you should wait until he’s back home,” replied Wang Fakui, the militia captain, who was too busy to deal with her.

Seeing that the officials weren’t taking it seriously, Jiang Lin decided not to rush. She led Dabao to find Xiao Duan.

Coincidentally, Xiao Duan was upset and arguing with his colleagues, “Who says Jiang Zhiqing is selling children? Nonsense! I’ve taken Jiang Zhiqing to the county several times myself. She’s always been good with children. I think that woman is just jealous because Jiang Zhiqing is so good-looking, and her husband is back.”

Jiang Lin heard this outside and clapped her hands, laughing, “Thank you, Xiao Duan, for being reasonable.”

Xiao Duan heard Jiang Lin’s voice and exclaimed in surprise, “Jiang Zhiqing? What brings you here?”

Jiang Lin smiled, “I’m here to thank you for speaking up.”

Xiao Duan scratched his head sheepishly, “I was just telling the truth.” Then he turned to the sulking Cheng Dabao and asked, “Dabao, does Jiang Zhiqing treat you well?”

Cheng Dabao replied, “She’s my mom, of course she treats me well. That darn wife has a bad mouth.”

Xiao Duan nodded, “Exactly, a bad mouth.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Xiao Duan, Jiang Lin got to the point, “Xiao Duan, since you handle transportation, you must know where we can get roofing tiles cheaply. Our village wants to buy two cartloads.”

Duan Chang’an smiled and said, “Yes, over in Dongshan, there’s the Jiahe Commune Tile Factory. I’ve been there many times and know them well.”

“That’s great. Could you help us arrange a couple of carts? We can cover the cost of transportation along with the tiles,” Jiang Lin asked politely.

“Jiang Zhiqing, you’re too kind. This is doing a good deed for the commune members; there’s no need for money. Just cover the fuel costs,” Duan Chang’an replied generously.

While he said that, Duan Chang’an still needed to be paid his wages, ensuring a sustainable cooperation in the future.

Jiang Lin also inquired about the location of Jiahe Commune and estimated the distance and transportation costs, getting a clear idea in her mind.

After discussing with Duan Chang’an, they agreed that he had some commune tasks for the next couple of days, but the day after tomorrow he’d be free to pick her up directly from Shuihuai Village.

Jiang Lin thanked him and then took Cheng Dabao to the supply and marketing cooperative.

Cheng Rushan gave her two hundred yuan to buy something for the house.

They had enough furniture from Cheng Ruohai’s house, and there was nowhere else to buy anything.

She decided to purchase some daily necessities like small sand pots, bowls, chopsticks, and small jars.

These items were sold at the cooperative for cheap prices, about two or three mao each, but they were of poor quality, made from rough clay, not sturdy or attractive.

Jiang Lin thought about making some money herself and decided to buy slightly better and more durable items.

Even in the dusty countryside, she wanted to live comfortably and beautifully.

Items like enamel basins required industrial coupons, but everyday items like bowls and chopsticks did not.

Most of them were made of coarse porcelain, with a few pieces of fine white porcelain.

Thinking back to when Cheng Rushan was home, Yan Runzhi liked to have a drink with him, so Jiang Lin bought six small wine cups printed with red words saying “Serve the People.” Good wine utensils made drinking more enjoyable.

She also bought several net bags.

At this time, there were no plastic bags or shopping bags; many people used these colorful nylon net bags woven together to buy fruits and vegetables.

Jiang Lin was strong and didn’t have much to carry, so she carried everything herself.

Cheng Dabao helped by holding two things that weren’t easily dropped.

Passing by the market next to the supply and marketing cooperative, she noticed nearby commune members selling their own fruits and vegetables: peaches, melons, tomatoes, and such.

Locally, whether individual members or collective farms, they rarely grew watermelons because they increased urination and hunger, which wasn’t conducive to saving food.

However, they liked to grow melons like “shao melons” and sweet melons in the countryside.

Shao melons were especially popular because they were sweet, filling, and could be used in cooking.

They were cheaper than sweet melons, selling for about one mao for three or four, and commune members were happy to buy them.

Jiang Lin looked around and bought a few shao melons, carrying them home in her net bag.

Seeing Cheng Dabao sweating from carrying things, she wanted to take everything herself, but Cheng Dabao refused.

Since they were close to home anyway, Jiang Lin didn’t force him.

This child was stubborn when he wanted to be.

Back at home, Yan Runzhi and Xiaobao weren’t there; they were probably at the big locust tree.

Jiang Lin was about to send Dabao to fetch them to eat the shao melons when Meng Yiyi unexpectedly showed up.

Jiang Lin said to Dabao, “Go call Grandma and Xiaobao to come home.”

Cheng Dabao agreed but instead of going, he hid near the courtyard gate.

He wanted to keep an eye on Meng Yiyi to prevent her from bringing up any scandals or suggesting Jiang Lin return to the city again.

“Minglin,” Meng Yiyi’s voice lacked its usual warmth and naturalness, but she still made an effort to appear affectionate.

Since the last time Jiang Lin refused to save her a portion of noodles, upsetting her, Meng Yiyi had been reluctant to engage with Jiang Lin.

She didn’t visit proactively and kept their encounters on the street brief and distant.

She had been plotting how to achieve her goal of displacing Jiang Lin and securing her own position.

Her plan had been flawless: Jiang Lin would sell her son to raise money for an elopement, causing Yan Runzhi to go frantic upon finding out.

After a few days of Yan Runzhi’s breakdown, Meng Yiyi planned to rescue the child and earn the favor of Yan Runzhi and the children.

She would then comfort Dabao and Xiaobao well enough to win their hearts.

When Cheng Rushan returned, he wouldn’t repeat his past mistake of seeking Jiang Lin with the children.

She envisioned herself as their savior.

With Yan Runzhi and the children’s approval, Cheng Rushan would surely marry her.

Even if there was no initial affection, Cheng Rushan was a filial son and would listen to his family.

Once married to him, Meng Yiyi would accompany him and together they would prosper.

It seemed simple and perfect.

Little did she know that Jiang Lin had suddenly changed her mind and decided not to sell her son after all.

Meng Yiyi’s plans were thrown into disarray, and she had to think of another way to get Jiang Lin to leave voluntarily.

Despite feeling that Jiang Lin had wronged her in a past life, Meng Yiyi believed she had done everything she could for Jiang Lin and didn’t want to harm her.

She wanted Jiang Lin to leave on her own accord.

Just as Meng Yiyi was pondering her next move, Jiang Lin unexpectedly returned with Cheng Rushan!

Meng Yiyi knew Cheng Rushan was a very shrewd, aloof, yet responsible and emotionally committed man.

If he hadn’t severed ties with his original partner, no other woman could catch his eye.

In their previous life, when Jiang Lin sold her child, Cheng Rushan found the child and was willing to give her another chance because the child was unharmed.

But Jiang Lin refused, leaving Cheng Rushan no room for reconciliation.

Therefore, Meng Yiyi couldn’t approach him rashly.

If she left a bad impression or raised his suspicions, it would complicate things.

She needed to plan carefully.

She had to make Jiang Lin leave voluntarily.

If she didn’t leave, Meng Yiyi would force her out.

If she still didn’t leave, she would make sure Cheng Rushan drove her away! If Meng Yiyi underestimated her, she would find a way to ruin Jiang Lin’s marriage to Cheng Rushan, forcing her to leave.

Meng Yiyi lowered her eyes to conceal her swirling emotions.

When she looked at Jiang Lin again, she resumed her gentle and peaceful friend-like demeanor.

“Linlin, I was sick the other day and didn’t want to infect you, so I didn’t come to see you. How… are you?” She implied, why didn’t you come see me?

Based on Jiang Lin’s character, she would surely show concern.

But now that Jiang Lin had changed so much, if Meng Yiyi didn’t come and Jiang Lin didn’t seek her out, Meng Yiyi knew her manipulations were unnecessary.

Jiang Lin seemed as indifferent as a block of wood.

Although Jiang Lin had memories from the previous host, she didn’t share the emotional bond.

Therefore, she couldn’t truly relate to what Meng Yiyi called their friendship.

So when Meng Yiyi mentioned being sick, Jiang Lin was thinking about why Cheng Dabao hadn’t returned with Yan Runzhi and Xiaobao yet.