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Chapter 13 – Surrounded by Street Thugs

Today marked the beginning of Sanfu (the hottest period of summer). “Dumplings for the first, noodles for the second.” Before leaving for work in the morning, Zhang Qiuyun reminded Xu Jingchu to make dumplings.

“Jingchu, if you can’t finish, wait until I get home to help.” Zhang Qiuyun was afraid Xu Jingchu would tire herself out alone.

“You making dumplings?” Lin Jianbai couldn’t resist poking fun. “We’d probably end up drinking dumpling soup instead. Tingjun, stop wasting time on that useless studying and help Jingchu wrap dumplings.”

Though both Lin Jianbai and Zhang Qiuyun had some unspoken dissatisfaction with Qin Yajuan, she was still a guest—someone they had invited themselves—so they couldn’t openly criticize her.

Privately, the couple agreed: if Jingchu went to work, she wouldn’t need to do heavy chores at home anymore. The family would continue eating at the canteen, and they would also pay Jingchu her month’s wages.

If Qin Yajuan went to work instead, they’d still give Jingchu a monthly wage for housework. As for how that money should be spent, Zhang Qiuyun planned to talk with her separately later.

“Tingjun, I’m talking to you!” Lin Jianbai grew impatient when his son remained silent.

“Got it.” Lin Tingjun answered coldly.

“Don’t just say you got it—put it into action!” Lin Jianbai continued lecturing.

“Alright, alright, we’re going to be late for work.” Zhang Qiuyun pushed her husband out the door. Watching them leave, Qin Yajuan also changed clothes and shoes, heading out.

Every household was making dumplings today. Xu Jingchu figured she should go buy meat and vegetables earlier than usual.

Normally, she left at half past three. Today, she went out fifteen minutes earlier.

The scorching sun burned overhead. Walking outdoors in midsummer felt like being roasted inside a steamer. Xu Jingchu quickened her pace.

“Well, well, where did such a pretty girl come from?”

“Carrying something so heavy? Breaks your brother’s heart. Come, let me hold it for you.”

“Where’s your house, little sister? Let us walk you home.”

Several slick, street-hooligan types blocked her path.

Again? Xu Jingchu cursed inwardly. Qin Yajuan, Qin Yajuan… given a chance and still useless! Can’t you come up with anything new?

In her past life, this trick had worked—because Qin Yajuan wanted to be Lin Tingjun’s wife. The Lin family cared about a daughter-in-law’s reputation, so of course she had the upper hand.

But this time, they were competing for a job. Using the same method showed no progress, no adaptability.

Xu Jingchu stopped walking and looked at the group sternly. “Let me give you some advice. It’s hot out—don’t waste your time on someone else’s business. If I call the police, think carefully, is it worth it?”

The gang looked at each other uneasily. Police? Nobody said anything about going to jail…

“Is it worth it or not? Let me go, and I’ll act like nothing happened.” Seeing them waver, Xu Jingchu pressed her advantage.

“Go? Who do you think we are? We just want to be friends with you. The police don’t care about that,” one bolder youth said.

Xu Jingchu was stunning, like someone stepped out of a painting. He truly wanted a “story” with her.

“I don’t want to be friends with you.” Xu Jingchu sat down under a tree. Broad daylight—there was no way they’d really do anything. Most likely, they just wanted passersby to see, so rumors would spread. That was exactly what Qin Yajuan was aiming for.

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Lin Tingjun wasn’t good at making dumplings, and he didn’t like doing it either. But since his mother was so clumsy, he had no choice but to practice. Now, his dumplings were at least presentable.

Today, he was giving his father face. Otherwise, if he didn’t help, his father would scold him later. With this excuse, he reluctantly convinced himself to make dumplings with Xu Jingchu.

His parents got off work at five. With prep and cooking, it would take at least an hour. So, Tingjun went downstairs at four, thinking it was just right.

But he waited and waited—no sign of Xu Jingchu.

He grew restless. I shouldn’t have been so soft-hearted. Now I’m wasting study time.

Irritated, he returned upstairs to continue working. Since she wasn’t back, it wouldn’t matter if he delayed a bit.

But as the clock ticked, he found he couldn’t focus. His mind kept drifting back to dumplings—and the fact that she hadn’t returned.

Finally, he grabbed his keys to go check.

“Tingjun, going out?”

“Tingjun, where are you headed?”

In the military compound, everyone knew everyone. It was unusual—Lin Tingjun almost never stepped out, as though he were a cloistered maiden from ancient times. Why was he suddenly going out today?

Word was, ever since the college entrance exam was reinstated, he had immediately signed up, passed into the nation’s top university, and hadn’t slacked since. Even during holidays, he studied nonstop.

How could he admit he was looking for Xu Jingchu?

“I… I’m going to the shop for an ice pop.” He noticed a kid holding one, so he used it as an excuse.

Yes—an ice pop. That gave him a reason to head toward the store.

“Brother, you’re buying ice pops? I’m coming too!” Lin Tingyu popped out of nowhere.

“Fine, follow me.” Bringing his younger brother along made him look more upright. He even convinced himself further with this justification.

From a distance, they spotted her—sitting under a big locust tree across from the shop, surrounded by thugs in bell-bottom pants.

“Pretty sister, it’s no good just sitting here. Come with us. We’ll buy you an ice pop.”

“Come on, life will be good with us. Not like we’re talking marriage—just a little fun.”

“You don’t want to go home? We’ll take you.”

“Think carefully, pretty sister. If you sit here, people passing by will talk. Rumors will spread about you and us. Breaks our hearts to see that.”

“Brother, they’re harassing Jingchu-jie!” Lin Tingyu clenched his fists, ready to charge. “I’ll tell the police!”

“No.” Tingjun stopped him. If things blew up, gossip about Jingchu would only get worse. People never cared about the truth—only the story they wanted to believe.

“Brother, are you crazy from studying? You’re just going to watch her get bullied?” Tingyu shot back indignantly. He clearly cared a lot about her, calling her “Jingchu-jie” so naturally.

“Shut up. Go buy three ice pops.” Tingjun shoved some money into his brother’s hand.

Thrilled at the prospect, Tingyu ran off.

“Move.” Tingjun pushed through the group.

“Who are you? Hey, man, first come, first served.”

Too lazy to argue, Tingjun raised his voice. “Xu Jingchu, are you coming home with me or not?”

That voice—though they hadn’t spoken much, she recognized it instantly.

“Yes, yes, I’m coming!” Xu Jingchu stood up quickly. Sitting so long had made her legs numb, and she had to lean on the tree.

“What, you’ll hold onto the tree but not me? Am I invisible?” one thug jeered.

“Thought you were above it all, little miss, but turns out we’re just not handsome enough!” another mocked.

“Next time, don’t ignore us. Don’t go out of your way to tease us first.”

They had basically finished their “job.” Unless she took the initiative, they wouldn’t dare actually do anything.

And this young man—they could tell from his bearing he wasn’t ordinary.

“Brother, I got the ice pops! Jingchu-jie, here’s one for you.” Tingyu came running back. The thugs dispersed, leaving only his brother and Xu Jingchu.

Looks like my brother does have some skills, Tingyu thought.

“I gave you money, and you’re only giving one to her?”

“Come on, don’t be petty, Brother. Can’t you see her face is red from the heat? I’ll give you yours next.”

Xu Jingchu’s face really was flushed, like a ripe apple, like the evening glow—bright and tempting.

“Stay away from people like that.” Tingjun’s voice was cold as he strode ahead. “Whatever you did before, I don’t care. But you live here now. My parents are responsible for you. Don’t cause them extra worry.”

His words stung. Rationally, Xu Jingchu knew this was a small matter, nothing to fuss over. But—why should he lecture her like that?

“It’s not because I provoked them—it’s because they’re hooligans. Their behavior is wrong, not mine. No one wants to be treated like that!”

Her righteous words shocked Tingjun. He hadn’t expected her to say that. He had assumed she might just talk back stubbornly, nothing more.

But… Qin Yajuan had told him Xu Jingchu had questionable relations with some unmarried men in the village. So he had assumed…

“Brother, didn’t your books say ‘seeing is believing’? You saw her surrounded, helpless—how can you blame her?” Tingyu jumped in, unwilling to let his brother off.

“Maybe your brother thought I was enjoying being surrounded by men.” Xu Jingchu sneered.

Tingjun fell silent. He said nothing as they walked back, said nothing as he sat down to help wrap dumplings.

Meanwhile, Xu Jingchu and Tingyu chatted and laughed, as though nothing had happened. The loyal little guy even promised, “If anyone spreads rumors, I’ll stand up and testify for you.”

“Thank you, Tingyu. Whatever you want to eat, just tell me. I’ll do my best to make it.”

“Deal. Thanks, Jingchu-jie.” Tingyu grinned, sweeter than his ice pop.

“Sorry, Comrade Xu Jingchu!”

The sudden apology from the usually silent Lin Tingjun startled both of them.

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