Jiang Lin saw his demeanor and realized that her father was a man who carried the burden of his pride heavily.

She said, “Dad, I’ll come back tomorrow then.”

She was determined to confront Meng Yiyi.

Other than Meng Yiyi, she couldn’t think of anyone else who would spread such rumors.

Jiang Dongjian came back to his senses. “If you’re not going home, where are you going?”

He wasn’t familiar with Cheng Rushan’s situation, assuming that people in the countryside had to work and couldn’t easily leave.

He didn’t think his daughter would bring the whole family to the city.

Jiang Lin explained, “We’re here to get treatment for my husband’s elder brother. My In-laws, your son-in-law, and the two grandchildren are all here, staying at the guesthouse.”

Jiang Dongjian had initially thought of having his daughter bring her husband and children to stay at their home.

But upon hearing there were so many people, he stopped himself.

He said, “Staying at a guesthouse can be expensive. Why don’t you bring the kids home? We’d like to see them too.”

Jiang Lin hesitated. “Dad, let’s not rush. You should first explain things to mom and everyone. If I come home now, they’ll all start scolding me.”

Jiang Dongjian replied, “Who would scold you? If you haven’t done anything wrong, no one will scold you. Come home for dinner first.”

Without giving her a chance to refuse, Jiang Dongjian led Jiang Lin home, almost as if he was afraid she would run away.

Jiang Lin thought about it and decided it wouldn’t hurt to go home and take a look.

On the way, Jiang Dongjian told her that her elder brother and sister-in-law now had two sons and a daughter.

Her second brother had returned to the city to recuperate from an injury the same year she went to the countryside.

Her elder sister had gone to Beidahuang but kept in touch through letters.

Her younger brother, Jiang Xinglei, was sent to a rural brigade near the provincial capital but often came back to stay.

Jiang Lin thought about the cramped house and asked, “Dad, haven’t we been allocated a new house yet? I saw new buildings going up. Why haven’t we gotten one?”

Jiang Dongjian sighed and looked troubled, “There are too many people and not enough houses. Every family has their difficulties.”

Jiang Lin realized that it was probably because of her father’s pride.

Whenever someone asked for his help, he would soften and give up his chance for a new house.

Additionally, getting a house often required socializing with the director and those in charge of housing allocation, which her father was too proud to do, resulting in their family being overlooked.

This had happened before when she was still at home.

They should have been allocated two or at least a larger house long ago, but they were still crammed into a twenty-square-meter space.

As they entered the courtyard, families were already having dinner.

People glanced curiously at Jiang Lin, but Jiang Dongjian led her straight home without making eye contact.

Her sister-in-law, Song Lijuan, was tending to the children.

Her eldest daughter was nine, her eldest son, Xiaoke, was seven, and her youngest son, who was only three, looked delicate and weak.

She doted on him, always personally feeding and dressing him.

Seeing Jiang Dongjian, she said urgently, “Dad, why hasn’t anyone made dinner yet? It’s almost time to go to work.”

Jiang Dongjian looked around, “Where’s Xinglei?”

Song Lijuan pursed her lips, “He said he had something urgent and left.” She then noticed Jiang Lin, and was about to ask who she was when she suddenly recognized her, exclaiming, “Oh my, have you really… sneaked back home?”

Before Jiang Lin could respond, Jiang Dongjian quickly said, “What are you talking about? Linlin is home to visit, with her whole family.”

He turned to Jiang Lin, “You two chat, I’ll quickly make some food.”

Song Lijuan reminded him, “Dad, remember our rationed grain is registered with the canteen and allocated per meal.”

Her meaning was clear.

Jiang Lin’s food rations weren’t allocated to their household.

With so many mouths to feed, the food they received was precisely measured and provided by the unit canteen.

Adding an extra person meant someone would have to go hungry.

Especially since the third brother, who was supposed to be in the countryside, kept coming back to eat, their household was already stretched thin.

Now with Jiang Lin back, who would miss a meal and go hungry?

Jiang Dongjian gradually couldn’t maintain his composure after her remarks. “Linlin is family too, it’s only natural for her to come home for meals. If we don’t have enough food, we’ll figure something out, maybe buy some on the black market.”

Jiang Lin glanced at Song Lijuan, who showed little warmth towards her and more of a guarded and disdainful demeanor.

Originally, Jiang Lin didn’t have a good relationship with her sister-in-law.

They rarely interacted with each other.

Looking around, there were two beds in the room she entered, and a larger and a smaller bed in the outer room.

There was no kitchen; they had set up a shed outside and placed a stove there.

The house was crowded, with no space left for her and her elder sister.

There was hardly any trace left of their past presence.

Now that she came in, she indeed felt like an outsider, and she felt it herself.

Jiang Lin said to the displeased Song Lijuan, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry. I’ve come back simply to visit, not to stay and freeload.”

Her straightforward words made Song Lijuan instantly embarrassed; having one’s thoughts exposed always feels uncomfortable.

Song Lijuan quickly smiled and said, “Linlin, what nonsense are you talking? You’re part of our family, of course you should come back. No one minds you staying and eating here.”

She then had her son and daughter come over to greet their aunt.

Her eldest niece, Qinqin, glanced at Jiang Lin indifferently and greeted her coldly.

Her eldest nephew, Xiaoke, looked at Jiang Lin and couldn’t help but ask, “Aunt, did you really sell your own son and run back here?”

Song Lijuan hurriedly slapped her son, “Don’t talk nonsense. Auntie came back to visit and will go back.”

Jiang Lin smiled at Xiaoke and took out a handful of sugar cubes from her bag, “Xiaoke, tell Auntie who told you such nonsense?”

The three children immediately stared intently at the sugar cubes in Jiang Lin’s hand.

Xiaoke exclaimed, “I heard it from Xiaopeng.”

Xiaopeng was Meng Yiyi’s nephew.

Song Lijuan quickly said, “Linlin, please don’t mind. I don’t know who’s spreading rumors. Every time I hear it, I scold them. We haven’t done anything shameful, so we shouldn’t care about such slander. Later, I’ll take you to the Revolutionary Committee to clarify things.”

Jiang Lin gave the children the sugar cubes, then said to Jiang Dong, “Dad, I’m going out for a bit.”

She turned and walked out.

Jiang Dongjian was busy preparing noodles.

He asked Song Lijuan to watch the pot and hurried to catch up with Jiang Lin. “Come back, don’t cause a scene! We’ll talk to them when they come home tonight!”

Jiang Lin replied, “Dad, if this is how the kids at home talk, am I supposed to silently endure until they come home to talk?”

Jiang Dong said, “Then wait until your mom comes back tonight.” Xu Aimei was busy at work and wouldn’t come home for lunch.

Jiang Lin remembered and asked, “I sent you both a letter last month and this month. Why didn’t you receive them?” She recalled specific dates.

Jiang Dong turned to Song Lijuan, “Lijuan, did you receive Linlin’s letters?”

Even though they worked at the factory, the mail carrier usually delivered mail to the residential area, not to the factory office along with official correspondence.

The carrier came around just before evening, delivering to those at home and slipping letters under doors for those out.

This routine had been reliable, and no one had lost mail before.

Now Jiang Lin claimed two letters were missing, a first.

Song Lijuan said, “Dad, I’m always busy and never pay attention to mail. If Xinglei came home early, maybe he took them?”

Jiang Dongjian’s first thought was to ask the mail carrier if anything had been left behind.

Jiang Lin stopped him, “Dad, one letter might be a mistake, but two letters mean something’s wrong.”

Jiang Dong said, “I’ll ask Xinglei if he absentmindedly took them.”

Jiang Lin insisted, “Dad, I’m telling you, if one letter might be missing, two is definitely a problem.”

Jiang Donglian thought aloud, “Xinglei? Why would he take your letters?”

He hurried inside to search through his younger son’s belongings but found nothing.

He came out and told Jiang Lin, “Xinglei didn’t take them; they’re not here. Besides, there’s no reason for him to take them.”

Jiang Lin said, “If Mom, Big Brother, or Big Sister-in-law took them, they should have told you.”

A hint of awkwardness flashed across Song Lijuan’s face, and she quickly said, “It must have been Xinglei who took them. Just last month, he came home and picked up two letters—one from Auntie sent from Beidahuang and another from Dad’s hometown. There might have been a third one from Linlin.”

Jiang Lin was infuriated. “Dad, I’m definitely going to confront Meng Yiyi, but I need to clear up things with our own people too.

Otherwise, it’s just inexplicable. I’ve been working diligently in the countryside, yet people are spreading rumors about me like that.

Instead of clarifying things, our family acts guilty. If I don’t investigate thoroughly, how unjust would that be for me?”

Jiang Dong looked ashamed. “Let’s wait for them to come back tonight, and I’ll talk to them.”

Jiang Lin replied firmly, “No need. I’ll go ask Jiang Xinglei myself. He’s working with the Chengguan Brigade, right? Dad, tell me the address.”

Jiang Dong hesitated.

He felt uneasy about implicating his younger son.

Xinglei was restless and unwilling to work diligently in the countryside, always wanting to return to the city for something or the other, occasionally engaging in shady dealings.

But there was no reason for him to take Linlin’s letters.

Jiang Lin couldn’t wait.

She hadn’t come back just for this meal.

Even if she wanted to build a better relationship with her parents and family, it had to be on clear and honest terms.

She couldn’t let people accuse her of eloping, nor could she tolerate her family turning against her.

At that moment, Xiaoke, with a mouthful of sugar, said to Jiang Lin, “Auntie, I know. Third Uncle took your letters.”

Jiang Dongjia. couldn’t believe it. “Xiaoke, don’t talk nonsense.”

Xiaoke insisted, “I’m not making it up. Third Uncle took them, quietly stuffed them into his backpack. I asked him, and he said they were letters from someone else.”

Jiang Lin demanded, “Dad, tell me his address.”

It was clear to Jiang Lin that Jiang Xinglei knew she had returned home and had no place to go, so he must have returned to the Chengguan Brigade’s youth work point.

Jiang Dong wanted to advise Jiang Lin further, but also considered going himself.

However, he had work to attend to and couldn’t wait.

Helplessly, he instructed Jiang Lin not to get angry and to wait for him and her mother to resolve the issue when they returned that night.

They hastily ate a few bites of their meal.

Jiang Lin left the Jiang family home directly for the Chengguan Brigade.

As she exited the auto parts factory, she was surprised to see Cheng Rushan standing at the entrance.

She ran over to him in delight.

“Why did you come?” For some reason, seeing him now felt especially comforting.

Cheng Rushan’s eyes lit up when he saw her come out, and he immediately greeted her, “I took my parents to the hospital for a check-up, and now they’re back at the guesthouse. I came over to see you. How’s your father-in-law’s place?” He could tell from Jiang Lin’s expression that things weren’t quite well.

Jiang Lin sighed, feeling somewhat annoyed. “It’s fine. I need to go to the Chengguan Brigade.”

“What’s going on?” Cheng Rushan asked softly, noticing they were alone with everyone at work.

Jiang Lin briefly explained the issue with the letters.

Cheng Rushan said, “You wait at my father-in-law’s place. I’ll go bring Jiang Xinglei back for you.”

Jiang Lin insisted, “Let’s go together.”

“Aren’t you tired?” Cheng Rushan gently smoothed her slightly furrowed brow with his slender fingers. “No matter what happens, don’t worry or get angry. I’ve got everything under control, okay?”

Jiang Lin realized she was feeling less composed than usual, reminiscent of the time she confronted Meng Yiyi.

The more she talked about it, the more worked up she became, even giving herself a slap on the cheek.

Initially, back in Shuicai Village when Wei Qiongfang and others accused her of selling her son, she was angry but not as furious.

Now, returning to the city and facing her father’s misunderstanding of her, she felt suddenly doubly angry.

Perhaps it was because in her past life, her parents each started new families and didn’t want her, making her particularly sensitive about parental issues.

Or maybe over time, she had developed a stronger sense of belonging to this world and to her own identity.

As they say, she was getting too involved in the drama.

“I don’t feel tired when I see you.” Jiang Lin smiled, and the dark clouds in her heart dispersed.

She had to admit, she was growing fonder of Cheng Rushan with each passing moment.

Cheng Rushan took her to the office of the auto parts factory and presented his work ID, explaining their purpose and requesting to use the phone.

Jiang Lin smiled, saying, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

Cheng Rushan gently stroked her waist twice with his hand. “You were upset, that’s why.”

Jiang Lin reflected on herself. “I’ll be calmer in the future.”

Jiang Xinglei went to the countryside to pass the time, keeping an eye out for job opportunities in the city.

If he got lucky, he could return to the city and work in a factory.

His placement in the countryside was arranged through connections, not far away but at a commune near the provincial capital.

He didn’t even go to a production brigade but stayed directly at the commune’s youth work point.

Cheng Rushan dialed the phone and asked for the commune’s number where Jiang Xinglei was stationed.

After being connected, he stated that he was looking for Jiang Xinglei.

Soon, someone replied that Jiang Xinglei hadn’t returned yet and asked Cheng Rushan to leave a message.

Cheng Rushan said, “I’m from the Provincial Military Region, investigating a case regarding two letters. Please tell him to come home immediately, or he’ll face the consequences.”

Because the person on the other end was a commune communications officer, Cheng Rushan tried to keep his tone calm, but the urgency was palpable.

The officer immediately used the loudspeaker to call out for Jiang Xinglei to return home promptly.

After hanging up, Cheng Rushan thanked the office staff.

The head of the women’s department, Fan Huiyuan, looked at the attractive couple with a smile. “Comrade, what’s your surname? Your accent doesn’t sound like you’re from the provincial capital.” “From the Provincial Military Region, huh? You definitely look the part.”

Cheng Rushan glanced at Jiang Lin and smiled at Fan Huiyuan. “Director Fan, hello. My name is Cheng Rushan. Today, I’m accompanying my wife to her parents’ home.”

“Comrade Rushan, nice to meet you! I can tell you’re military through and through,” Fan Huiyuan quickly shook his hand and then shook hands with Jiang Lin. “Where is your parents’ home?”

She had been transferred to the auto parts factory to handle women’s affairs after Jiang Lin went to the countryside, so she didn’t know Jiang Lin.

Jiang Lin gave her name and her father’s name.

Fan Huiyuan exclaimed, “Oh, so you’re Master Jiang’s daughter… You’re Jiang Lin!” She suddenly realized, looking at Jiang Lin with a particularly thoughtful expression in her eyes.