Chapter 33: Settle the score with her!

The next morning, Lin Yirou grew increasingly resentful. 

“Mom!

I have to find Lin Yiwan, why wouldn’t she give me the job?” Lin Yirou was obsessed with the job at the Grain Bureau. 

She had been so close! How could Lin Yiwan go back on her word? Did this mean she had to go to the countryside?

Tan Qiuyue thought there was little hope, but still wanted to try.  “I’ll go with you! I don’t believe there’s nowhere to seek justice.”  For her, the job was already her daughter’s. How could Lin Yiwan refuse?

They had only one yuan and twenty cents left after eating the last of their rice. They skipped breakfast, washed their faces, and left.

Reaching the hallway, they heard someone call, “Hey! Are you Lin Yirou?”

It was a stranger. 

“Yes, I am.

Who are you?”

“I’m Zhu Lianxin, director of the Neighborhood Committee’s Down to the Countryside Office. I’m here to inform you that the next batch leaves next Monday. Prepare yourself.” 

A paper was handed to her. The words “Notification” were prominent. Before Lin Yirou could process this, Tan Qiuyue screamed!

“What’s this? When did my daughter sign up for the countryside? Are you mistaken?”

Zhu Lianxin, surprised by her reaction, checked the notice again. “It’s Lin Yirou from the Textile Factory compound.”

Now Lin Yirou screamed.  “Impossible!” She hadn’t registered!

Zhu Lianxin’s expression was serious. “Comrade, the list clearly states Lin Yirou, Building 2, Unit 403, Textile Factory compound. We’re not mistaken.”  She showed her the list.

Seeing her name, Lin Yirou felt faint.  “Impossible, impossible, I didn’t register!” She was about to collapse.  How could her name be on the list?

Zhu Lianxin’s face was stern.  “Comrade Lin Yirou, going to the countryside is honorable and serious. We registered you based on your application. Do you know the consequences of registering and then backing out?”

Lin Yirou knew there was no turning back. But that’s what made her frantic!

“It’s Lin Yiwan! She did this! I didn’t register!” Lin Yirou trembled with anger.

“You mean we’re mistaken?” Zhu Lianxin’s face hardened.  “Comrade Lin Yirou, avoiding the countryside is shameful. Your ideology is flawed, I need to criticize you seriously.” They had confirmed the list, how could there be a mistake?

Tan Qiuyue gasped, covering Lin Yirou’s mouth.  She smiled. “Maybe her father registered her. We didn’t know. Going to the countryside is glorious, we’re proud of his decision!”

Zhu Lianxin’s expression softened. “Contributing to the nation’s construction is great. I hope you’ll work hard in Long Province Province!” 

Lin Yirou’s original destination was the border region, but Long Province Province needed more people, so some were reassigned there. Lin Yirou was on that list.

Hearing “Long Province,” the mother and daughter almost fainted! If not for a shred of reason, they would have screamed again!  After Zhu Lianxin left, they collapsed.

“It’s Lin Yiwan! She did it!” Lin Yirou hissed. Only Lin Yiwan had her information!  She said she wouldn’t easily give up the job. 

She had planned this all along!  She never intended to give her the job, she wanted her to go to the countryside!

“Bitch! So cruel! She dared to register you for Long Province! I’ll kill her!” That remote place, constantly threatened by the Soviet Union, who would want to go?

Tan Qiuyue, her eyes red with anger, clenched her fists and rushed out!

“Mom! Wait for me! I’m coming too!” Lin Yirou wanted to kill Lin Yiwan. How dare she register her?

—

Lin Yiwan, meanwhile, was tending her garden in her space. The fruits and vegetables she planted had sprouted and had three or four leaves. 

The plants were vibrant green, like jewels. The spring water seemed endless; she used it to water the plants. Later, she dug some ponds, making it easier.

She hadn’t drunk the spring water yet, but used it to bathe. She wondered what was in the water; it was incredibly cleansing; the dirt from gardening was completely removed from her nails. 

She wanted to drink it but hesitated. 

She should test it on an animal.

The soil was strange; no weeds grew.  Only her seeds grew. It was fertile; she didn’t need fertilizer. They grew too well; they looked fake. Weeding and fertilizing weren’t necessary; she only needed to water occasionally.

Lin Yiwan was watering the vegetables when she heard banging on the door!

“Lin Yiwan! Get out! I know you’re in there!”

Lin Yirou likely knew about her going to the countryside. Lin Yiwan calmly went to the kitchen, picked up a rolling pin, and walked to the door.

Outside, the mother and daughter were furious, banging on the door. The banging shook the ground; neighbors peeked out.

“Open the door! Lin Yiwan, don’t hide!” Tan Qiuyue roared, kicking the door.

The door creaked open, and she fell face-first!

“Wow! Such a grand greeting so early in the morning, how embarrassing!” Lin Yiwan looked at Tan Qiuyue.

“Lin Yiwan! You bitch, I’ll kill you!”

Lin Yirou, losing her mind, lunged at Lin Yiwan’s hair. 

But a rolling pin came down!

“Ah!”

Lin Yirou screamed in pain!