Chapter 33: Making Trouble

Anger flared on Lin Yitang’s face. “What else do you want?”

Yu Jingchuan remained silent, unsure what to say.

Lin Yitang turned away, looking out the window. The drive felt endless.  As the car stopped, she tried to get out, but the doors were locked.

“Lin Yitang, be more sensible. Don’t do things you shouldn’t.”

His condescending tone reminded her of a similar statement Yu Jingchuan had made in her past life. 

He’d been busy then, rarely returning home.  Missing him, she’d gone to his base, asking his political commissar to allow her to join him. Yu Jingchuan had overheard.

He’d told her to be sensible and not do things she shouldn’t.  She still remembered his cold expression. 

She’d realized then that he didn’t want her there.  Ironically, Xia Zhuixin had moved into his quarters.

She should have known. He’d avoided her; his heart was as hard as stone.  She’d given up on him long ago, but she couldn’t help feeling wronged and sad for her past self.

As she began to sob, the car door opened. Lin Yitang quickly got out. 

A few steps away, she said in a hoarse voice, “I’ll keep my distance from everything related to you.”

Yu Jingchuan watched her go, feeling a rare urge to smoke.

The next morning, Lin Yitang woke up at eight.  Her eyes were swollen from crying last night; she used cold water to reduce the swelling.

She decided not to go to the base; she didn’t want to see Yu Jingchuan. 

Qin Liangxin had told her she didn’t need to ask for leave if she had something to do.

To keep busy, she made Liangpi noodles and liangfen, setting up her stall at the factory at 2:30 pm. 

Few people were around, and she was alone, enjoying the peace.

Lin Yitang was basking in the sun when she heard a voice.

“Is that you? You’re Lin Yitang?”

Lin Yitang frowned.  A short-haired, overweight middle-aged woman stood before her, her face stern. 

A thin, pale middle-aged man stood beside her a factory worker who had bought Liangpi noodles from her before.

Their expressions were hostile.

Lin Yitang asked, “What do you want?”

“We have a problem! You shameless Bitch! You’ve been luring my husband to buy Liangpi noodles from you! 

Your food is dirty! My husband got food poisoning after eating your Liangpi noodles. He’s been in the hospital! You’re heartless!”

The woman started yelling, attracting attention from nearby residents.

Lin Yitang wasn’t afraid. “I lured your husband? 

You think everyone finds him attractive? I’m busy running my stall and don’t have time to chat with people. How did I lure him? 

My Liangpi noodles and liangfen are homemade and clean. I’ve been selling here for a long time without problems.  What proof do you have that he got sick from my food? Maybe he ate something else unclean!”

“You little Bitch! You think you can deny it? My husband got sick from your Liangpi noodles! He can’t work, and the medical bills and lost wages cost 100 yuan! Pay up!”

The woman yelled louder. “Everyone, look! This Liangpi noodles seller almost killed someone!”

More people gathered, many factory workers who knew Lin Yitang and had bought her Liangpi noodles.  They started talking.

“Look at this Bitch! She dresses so flashy for a stall owner! She uses her looks to lure men! Watch your husbands! Poor Old Zhan he got sick from her food!”

Several women’s faces changed. Lin Yitang was indeed attractive. 

Their husbands frequently bought Liangpi noodles and liangfen maybe they were lured!

They looked at Lin Yitang with hostility.

The woman, pleased, yelled louder.  More people accused Lin Yitang, surrounding her. 

She was about to shout when she heard a car approaching.

A green jeep sped towards them, screeching to a halt. 

Everyone fell silent.

Yu Jingchuan got out, his face grim, walking quickly to Lin Yitang.

“What are you doing!”

Yu Jingchuan, nearly six feet tall, with broad shoulders and long legs, in his military uniform, commanded the scene. 

The woman was intimidated.

Yu Jingchuan examined Lin Yitang. “Are you okay?”