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Chapter 20 – A Reminder to Lin Tingjun to Ease His Relationship with His Father

Xu Jingchu didn’t know how to respond. To be exact, she couldn’t quite understand the hidden meaning in Zhang Qiuyun’s words. Was she simply asking her to persuade Lin Tingjun, or was she trying to push the two of them closer together?

Since she couldn’t figure it out, she could only answer vaguely.
“Alright, Auntie Zhang. If I get the chance, I’ll try my best.”

Zhang Qiuyun was very satisfied with her answer and nodded with a smile.

Meanwhile, Lin Tingjun was in his room packing his things—he had to return to school tomorrow. Actually, fourth-year students didn’t necessarily have to live on campus, especially someone like him whose home wasn’t far.

But for the sake of concentrating on his studies and research, he preferred staying at school.

Speaking of studying, once he was gone, Xu Jingchu really wouldn’t know whom to turn to for questions.

“Xu Jingchu, come out for a moment.”

Xu Jingchu had just come out of the bathroom after her shower and was startled. Lin Tingjun was standing stiffly in front of her, blocking her path. Who knew how long he had been standing there?

Anyone who didn’t know better might think he was some pervert peeping at her shower.

“What is it, Brother Tingjun?” Xu Jingchu followed him out to the courtyard.

It was late summer turning into autumn, and the evening breeze was just right.

“These books and exercise sets are for you.” Lin Tingjun had never given anyone a “gift” before. He wasn’t even sure if these counted as such.

“And these exercise books too. They’ve got all my detailed steps and solutions written in them. Take your time with them. If you can’t understand…” He paused. Right, with Xu Jingchu’s level, not understanding was the most likely outcome. He had overestimated her.

“What if I can’t understand?” Xu Jingchu also knew that with her current foundation, she probably wouldn’t get much out of them.

“Then keep looking until you do.” Lin Tingjun wasn’t in the habit of making promises he couldn’t keep, and he couldn’t guarantee he’d be back to help her.

Hmph! Xu Jingchu stomped her foot. She knew it. Lin Tingjun was never the type to pity anyone. Otherwise, how could he have left Qin Yajuan all alone in their last life…

Even someone like Qin Yajuan avoided him this time around.

That just showed how unfeeling he really was.

Still, no matter what she was thinking inside, she put on the proper front.
“Thank you, Brother Tingjun.”

Her soft, sweet voice floated out into the evening breeze, as sweet as the first bite of watermelon on the day of the Autumn Festival.

Xu Jingchu understood the principle of reciprocity—if someone gave her peaches, she should return them with plums. Maybe she could try to help ease the tension between Lin Tingjun and his father, without either of them even realizing it.

“Brother Tingjun…”

“What now?” Lin Tingjun frowned. Women were troublesome, always looking for a chance to push things further.

“Uncle Lin’s words may not sound pleasant, but it’s just a difference in how you two see things. I believe he must love you—really love you. Otherwise, with his authority, he could’ve forced you into the army and kept you from going to college. But he didn’t.”

“He gave you freedom and let you do what you want. So just treat him like a three-year-old child. You already got the bigger share of benefits. What harm is there in letting him win with words once in a while?”

“Just humor him sometimes.”

Lin Tingjun had never heard this perspective before.

He stopped and turned back. “How do I humor him?”

And he had the nerve to call her dumb! Clearly, he was the denser one. Xu Jingchu snickered.
“Same way you’d humor a three-year-old. For example, give a child candy and he’s happy. So what makes Uncle Lin happy?”

“My joining the army?” Lin Tingjun blurted out.

“You’re not going, and Auntie Zhang was right—you really are so rigid. Besides you joining the army, what else makes Uncle Lin happy? Small things work too—food, drink…”

“Wine?” Lin Tingjun thought about it. A good drink after work always seemed to put his father in a better mood.

“Wine works. You can buy him wine with your scholarship money. I heard Auntie Zhang say your scholarship is pretty generous.” Xu Jingchu laid it out for him.
“Use your scholarship to buy wine—it’ll cheer him up, show your filial piety, and prove that your studying is actually useful. Even if it’s just in this small way, it can break his rigid ideas about you and about studying.”

She ticked the points off on her fingers, analyzing them slowly.

“That… actually makes sense.” Lin Tingjun admitted.

“Not ‘actually.’ Just admit it—it makes a lot of sense! I’m only telling you this because you usually help me with problems. Otherwise, these few sentences of mine are worth more than all the questions you’ve explained to me.”

Xu Jingchu huffed. Heaven really was unfair—giving some people a sky-high IQ but absolutely no EQ.

“Mm, worth it. After all, when I explain problems, you don’t always understand. But after your analysis, I understood right away. My efforts are useless, yours are useful.”

“I guess my life’s just hard. Unlike you—you always manage to meet students who listen and are clever.”

The smile on Lin Tingjun’s face grew wider. In the end, he even had to cover it with a fake cough.

It was Xu Jingchu’s first time seeing him smile. Normally, his expression was like stone. But as it turned out, when good-looking people smiled, it looked good no matter what.

Even at night, his smile made it feel like broad daylight.

Later, lying in bed, Xu Jingchu kept replaying it—beauty really was dangerous. Only afterward did she realize he had basically insulted her, calling her dumb in a roundabout way.

And what had she done? Instead of snapping back, she had gotten lost in his smile!

Was that really a good smile? That was mockery! That was ridicule!

Xu Jingchu, oh Xu Jingchu! Beauty is an illusion—stay clear-headed! You still need to train your willpower!

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Not long after Lin Tingjun left for school, Qin Yajuan smoothly entered the paper factory. She decided to move into the factory dorms.

Before she left, the Lin family hosted a good meal for her.
“Yajuan, your father and I were comrades-in-arms. If he were alive to see how capable you’ve become today, he’d be proud.”

After years as a leader, Lin Jianbai was good at polite speeches. Originally, he had planned to make up for the Qin girl’s hardship by arranging a suitable marriage for her later.

But seeing her character now, she really wasn’t like Old Qin at all. She hadn’t inherited his honesty, kindness, or simplicity. Zhang Qiuyun was right—helping her get this job was already enough to repay their debt. There was no need to burden themselves further.

If Qin Yajuan asked for a small favor in the future, he might help for Old Qin’s sake. Otherwise, that was that.

Thinking this might be her last meal in their home, Lin Jianbai had asked Xu Jingchu to prepare an especially rich spread.

“Uncle Lin, thank you for your help. Auntie Zhang, thank you for taking care of me these past days. And Tingyu, thank you for helping your big sister.” Qin Yajuan smiled. “Tingyu, don’t forget to thank your big brother for me.”

“Big Sister Yajuan, why remember to thank my brother when he’s not here, but not thank Sister Jingchu who’s sitting right in front of you? She made this whole table of food—she’s been busy all afternoon!” Lin Tingyu pouted. The “thanks” from Sister Yajuan didn’t sound genuine at all to him.

The question put Qin Yajuan in a tough spot, but he was just a child. Wouldn’t it look petty for her to argue with him?

Keeping a straight face, she replied smoothly,
“Of course I’ll thank her—and I’ll thank her separately.”

She lifted her glass.
“Jingchu, you and I have known each other since childhood and came to the city together. Now I’ve found a job and can support myself. I hope you’ll reach this day soon too!”

Xu Jingchu had just raised her own glass. After hearing this, she set it down with a clink.

Some people… a dog’s mouth will never spit out ivory.

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