Chapter 2 – Entering the Capital

“Mom, you definitely switched the **, right?” Qin Yajuan clutched her mother’s sleeve, asking again and again.

“Yes, I’m sure.” Qin Mother also couldn’t figure out what went wrong.

“Forget it, Mom,” Qin Yajuan made a snap decision. “This trick doesn’t work, we’ll move on to the next one. But since the ** is gone, we’ll have to buy another packet. Then we’ll go find Laizi.”

“No need to look for me, Yajuan sis. Your brother Laizi is right here.” Laizi’s shameless voice suddenly rang out, startling both Qin Yajuan and her mother.

“When did you get here? How much did you hear?” Qin Yajuan quickly ran out into the courtyard and shut the gate.

“Don’t be nervous, Yajuan sis. I heard everything I needed to hear.” Laizi’s greedy gaze roamed over Qin Yajuan. He even tried to grab her hand, but she dodged away.

Seeing this, Qin Mother quickly shielded her daughter behind her. “Laizi, just say what you want.”

“I don’t want anything…” Laizi grinned foolishly, plopping himself down.

Gathering her courage, Qin Yajuan stepped forward. “Laizi, since you’ve overheard, if you go along with our plan, not only can you enjoy the taste of a pure maiden, but I’ll even pay you.”

“How much?” Laizi rudely peeled the boiled egg that Qin Mother had made for her daughter.

“Three yuan!”

“Too little.” Laizi shook his head, tossing the peeled egg into his mouth in one gulp.

“Five yuan!” Qin Yajuan raised the price, wincing at the loss.

“Deal!” Laizi ate too fast, choked on the yolk, and grabbed Qin Yajuan’s newly bought enamel tea mug to gulp down water. Watching this, Qin Yajuan’s heart ached—she had just asked someone to bring that mug back from the county town, and now she’d have to throw it away.

Either way, the deal was sealed, and Qin Yajuan finally felt relieved.

The next day, she handed the newly bought ** to Laizi, waiting for good news on the third day.

But instead of good news, the village head came knocking.

“Qin Yajuan, Laizi said you gave him money and **, telling him to ruin Xu Jingchu. Is it true?” The village head slammed the table, his voice stern.

That bastard Laizi! How dare he turn on her?!

With a crowd of villagers gathered in the yard to watch, Qin Yajuan gritted her teeth and refused to admit it. She forced a smile. “Village head, you actually believe Laizi’s nonsense?”

Laizi grew displeased. “Who was the vixen calling me ‘Brother Laizi’ and begging me to help her?”

“Village head, it wasn’t me. Everyone knows Laizi talks big, never a word of truth. Who knows if Xu Jingchu bribed him to frame me?” Qin Yajuan’s mind spun wildly as she tried to defend herself.

“Yes! He must have taken Xu Jingchu’s money. Xu Jingchu failed to harm me the other day, and now she wants to stop me from going to the capital!” As she spoke, her tears gushed out like a broken dam.

“Village head, don’t listen to this woman’s nonsense. I know exactly where she bought the **. Let’s go ask the pharmacist, and everything will come out.” Laizi had his backup plan ready.

Qin Yajuan froze—Laizi had followed her?!

“What’s wrong, Qin Yajuan? Don’t you dare go?” Laizi taunted.

The village head pressed her too. “Qin Yajuan, are you going or not?”

The crowd of onlookers had already started cursing her to her face, calling her shameless, scheming, and rotten-hearted.

At the critical moment, Qin Mother stepped forward, taking all the blame upon herself. She hugged her daughter and sobbed, “It’s my fault, I’ve wronged you.”

“It’s okay, Mom, I know you did it for me.” Qin Yajuan quickly played along.

“Oh, cut the mother-daughter act. Neither of you are innocent. You’re both in it together!” Laizi rolled his eyes.

The village head and the onlookers had basically figured it out—both mother and daughter were guilty.

So, the two of them became the target of scolding. For several days in a row, not just in Hongzao Village but even the neighboring village, people used “Qin Yajuan” as the new insult.

Up on the mountain—

“Laizi, you did well. Here’s the two yuan I promised you.” Xu Jingchu handed him money. She had tricked him into using Qin Yajuan’s own bribe against her.

What a deal! He’d earned eight yuan altogether!

Laizi grinned, flashing his yellow teeth. “Got it, Jingchu sis. Next time you’ve got good business, call me again.”

“Laizi, let me remind you, don’t run your mouth. Or the Qin family won’t spare you—after all, you’re the one who testified against them.” Xu Jingchu’s tone was icy, her eyes sharp, nothing like her usual self.

“Don’t worry, sis. I’ll never talk. Even if the sky hears, it’s their fault. They’re the ones who tried to harm you!” Laizi swore up and down.

Xu Jingchu smiled in satisfaction.

A few days ago, when she confronted Qin Yajuan at her house, she’d taken advantage of the chaos to secretly swap out the ** for harmless medicinal powder for back pain.

On her way home under the cover of night, she found Laizi and told him the Qin mother and daughter’s plan. “Laizi, I’ve already reported to the Public Security Bureau. If anything happens to me these days, you’ll be their first suspect. But if you follow my instructions, you’ll not only get their money, I’ll pay you two more yuan.”

Laizi might be a rogue, but he was cowardly. He knew which side was heavier, so he agreed immediately.

Xu Jingchu wasn’t worried he’d betray her later—she’d be gone in a few days anyway. If Laizi went looking, he’d only find the Xu family. They’d taken so much from her already, it was only right they pay a little back.

On the third day, the Lin family came to fetch people.

At cockcrow, Xu Jingchu rose early and went to the mountain to pick tea leaves.

Those who got up early were mostly busy with their fields. Villagers wore plain, practical clothes.

But among them, Qin Yajuan stood out, wearing a white floral blouse, sashaying her waist as she walked straight toward the village entrance, ignoring the whispers and finger-pointing.

“Yajuan, all dressed up—where are you off to?” an acquaintance asked.

“Oh, nowhere. Just walking.” Qin Yajuan clearly wasn’t telling the truth.

Xu Jingchu frowned in suspicion. Could it be… Qin Yajuan was reborn too?

That would be interesting.

Not long after, someone came with a message. “Jingchu, the village head wants you at his place.”

Xu Jingchu ran over, dripping with sweat. Inside, Qin Yajuan was already pouring water for a man in military uniform. “Comrade, please have some water.”

“This must be Comrade Xu Jingchu.” The soldier thanked her, then turned to confirm her identity.

Xu Jingchu nodded. She remembered him—Lin Jianbai’s trusted aide, Jiao Jincheng.

“Comrade Yajuan’s father was a comrade-in-arms of the commander. Comrade Jingchu’s grandfather once saved the commander’s life when he was wounded. Sadly, both have passed away. The commander wishes to bring you both to the capital to honor the spirits of the departed. What do you think?” Jiao Jincheng explained.

This was just a formality—if the girls or their families refused, he wouldn’t have bothered. But how could they possibly refuse?

Seeing both girls nod eagerly, Jiao Jincheng went on, “I’ll stay the night at the village head’s place. We leave tomorrow morning.”

Xu Jingchu sewed her ration tickets and money tightly into her pocket, packed a few clothes, and carried her textbooks. In her past life, her lack of education had cost her dearly.

Now, given a second chance, she was determined to seize every opportunity to study. With her past experience “going into business” and now adding knowledge, she was certain she’d live well this time.

Back home, Zhang Guifen was pleased to see Xu Jingchu only taking her own clothes and nothing else. “Jingchu, remember, once you’re settled, write to us right away. Ask Uncle Lin to find you a job. Start making money quickly.”

Xu Dacheng added, “Xu Jingchu, if you weren’t a girl, this opportunity would never have fallen to you. You owe your brother, and you’ll have to pay it back.”

When the Xu family had first received the letter, they’d wanted to send Xu Jianguo to the capital, but the Lin family had specifically requested a girl. Afraid of losing everything, they had no choice but to agree.

Xu Jingchu going was fine too—as long as she sent money home, it didn’t matter.

“Yes, Dad, Mom, I’ll remember.” Afraid that something might go wrong at the last moment, Xu Jingchu forced herself to agree sweetly for the sake of her future.

In her past life, she had given the same answer—only then, she’d meant it sincerely. When Qin Yajuan schemed against her, she had consoled herself that at least she could make money early.

From tractor to military truck, after a bumpy morning, the three of them finally boarded the train.

Jiao Jincheng glanced at the two girls and thought: The commander’s son-in-law—who will he choose?

After all, Lin Jianbai had been foolish back then, promising marriage to both families. Who would’ve thought both had daughters, while his own family had two sons?

Unfortunately, the two girls were older than his younger son, so they didn’t match. Only the eldest son was of age.

Lin Jianbai and his wife Zhang Qiuyun had already discussed it. If neither girl suited their son, they could still find the girls good jobs and arrange good marriages as repayment.

After all, with reform and opening up, marriage was free choice. As parents, they couldn’t force these girls just because their family had influence.

Besides… it wasn’t just about the girls. Their son was also a tough nut to crack.

“Commander, the two girls have arrived.” By the time Jiao Jincheng led them into the military compound, the sky was already dark.

Inside, red-lacquered sofas, maroon furniture, gray cement floors, and a black telephone draped with white lace. It wasn’t Xu Jingchu’s taste, but she knew it was already top-notch for the times.

“Hello, Uncle and Auntie.” Qin Yajuan greeted them confidently, without a hint of shyness.

“Hello, Uncle and Auntie.” Xu Jingchu also bowed respectfully.

“Tingyu, go upstairs and call your brother. We have guests, and he’s still up there reading? Unbelievable!” Lin Jianbai scolded his younger son, who was watching TV.

That brother was Lin Tingjun. In her past life, he was the prize Qin Yajuan schemed over and over to snatch from Xu Jingchu.

Which girl didn’t dream of love? Especially when Lin Tingjun was so handsome and backed by the powerful Lin family. Xu Jingchu had thought about pursuing him too.

But under Qin Yajuan’s relentless plotting, Xu Jingchu became increasingly unwelcome in the Lin household. Even Lin Jianbai, who was warm to her at first, eventually grew distant.

She had almost no interaction with Lin Tingjun. Later, she heard he had gone abroad after graduating from university, returning only to join a secret research project for the country, dedicating his life.

His life had been brilliant, while hers had been turbulent.

They were like a bird in the sky and a fish in the sea—two parallel lines that would never meet.