Chapter 16

Only when the two figures had walked far away did Lin Huiru step out.

Why was Mu Wanwan here? And who was that man beside her?

She had seen it clearly just now: Mu Wanwan and that man were talking and laughing, their relationship looking anything but ordinary. What’s more, they had come out of a house together. A man and woman alone in one room—Lin Huiru’s lips curved into a smile.

She had only come today to visit a classmate, yet unexpectedly stumbled upon such a great discovery: catching Mu Wanwan in an affair with some man.

No wonder she had felt something off about her lately. Before, whenever she mentioned Wen Lin to provoke her, Mu Wanwan would get so worked up.

So it turned out she had taken a liking to another man. Heaven itself was helping her!

She had to make good use of this matter. If she handled it well, her wish might soon come true.

---

After parting with Ju Bairan, Mu Wanwan thought of going home to cook lunch. But as she passed by the Xinhua Daily office, she noticed a job posting pasted outside: Hiring: English Translator, High Pay.

Mu Wanwan immediately stopped in her tracks. In these days, hardly anyone knew English, so translators were always well paid.

In her previous life, she had studied English on her own. She had some talent for languages, and with the help of radio broadcasts and a few books, she could manage basic translations.

Originally, she had planned to sit for the college entrance exams later and study English as her major. If she could pick up some translation work now, she could both earn money and deepen her studies.

Her eyes lit up at the thought. Without hesitation, she walked into the newspaper office.

Several staff members sitting inside looked up when they heard her.

One middle-aged man wearing glasses stared at her face in surprise, then quickly stood and approached with enthusiasm. “Comrade, are you here to buy a newspaper or a book?”

Most visitors came only for those.

But Mu Wanwan shook her head. “I’m not here to buy anything. I saw the recruitment notice for an English translator outside and came to apply.”

“You want to apply as a translator?” The man looked startled.

“Yes.” She nodded.

“All right, then come with me to see our chief editor. You’ll have to pass his test before you can be hired.”

The man, surnamed Wang, did not believe a young girl like her could have much English ability—likely she just knew a few words and thought herself remarkable.

Still, since she was so striking in appearance, he brought her to the editor’s office.

“Editor Song, this comrade is here to apply for the translator position.”

Song Ming looked up, gave her a quick appraisal, then said, “Wang Yuan, you can step out first.”

“Yes.” Wang Yuan left the office.

Song Ming then pointed at a stack of documents nearby. “These are the materials we need translated. Let me be clear upfront: you may attempt a page. There’s also a dictionary there.

But if I am not satisfied, you won’t receive a single cent.”

The texts were far from simple, full of specialized terms. Without a dictionary, accurate translation was nearly impossible.

Moreover, translation was not only about knowing vocabulary. The true challenge lay in reorganizing the words into fluent language.

Many had already applied over the past days, yet none had met his standards.

Seeing how young Mu Wanwan was, Song Ming expected nothing more.

“No problem.”

Mu Wanwan did not back down. She picked up one page, sat at a desk, and began working.

She applied herself seriously. Fortunately, her memory was strong. What she had learned in her past life was still intact.

Still, there were many technical words and rare terms she did not know.

It took her half an hour to complete the page.

“Editor Song, I’ve finished the translation. Please see if it’s acceptable.”

Inside, she was unsure. After all, she was self-taught. In her previous life, Wen Lin often stayed out late, and she had filled her lonely hours listening to the radio, which sparked this hobby.

Her level could not compare to that of true professionals.

So fast? Song Ming frowned, displeased. Was she just making a perfunctory attempt? Her attitude alone put him off.

But when he read the page, his expression changed completely. Surprise lit his eyes.

“This is excellent! Who taught you translation?”

Mu Wanwan was startled. Judging from his tone, had she done that well?

“No one. I just studied on my own for a time.”

“Self-taught?” Song Ming’s eyes widened.

She nodded.

“Incredible! Very well, the job is yours. One yuan per page.

I have plenty of material here. You can translate in the office or take it home, as long as you deliver the completed work on time.”

Without hesitation, he hired her.

“Thank you, Editor Song. Then I’ll take it home to work on and bring it back promptly.

But may I borrow this English dictionary?”

Dictionaries were scarce. With one in hand, she could do much better.

“Of course. Take it.”

Song Ming readily agreed. He even escorted her to the door when she left.

Wang Yuan found it unbelievable—had that young girl really gotten the job?

But then he thought, this meant more chances to see the pretty girl in the future. That was not a bad outcome.

---

By the time Mu Wanwan returned home, it was already past eleven.

Hearing her come in, Song Tingyu, who had been in the bedroom talking with Wen Lin, came out at once. His face darkened at the sight of her.

“I say, you little country bumpkin, can’t you even look after someone properly? You’ve been gone for so long, leaving Old Wen here alone. What if something had happened to him?”

When he heard Wen Lin was injured, Song Tingyu had rushed over. Finding him at home by himself had enraged him. Clearly, Mu Wanwan was not attentive in her care.

Mu Wanwan ignored him and went straight into the kitchen.

Song Tingyu tried to follow, but Wen Lin called him back.

“Old Wen! I think she never cared for you at all. She only wants to cling to your coattails for a better life!

Before, she stuck to you every day, fussing over you. But now that you’re hurt, she doesn’t even bother? She’s achieved her goal and dropped the act, hasn’t she?”

Song Tingyu now believed that from the start, Mu Wanwan had ulterior motives.

“Song Tingyu, shut your mouth.”

Wen Lin cut him off coldly.