Chapter 15

Tang Yajun forced back her tears, her eyes instantly turning red as she fixed her gaze on Lu Chongjin, hoping he would relent.

In the silent standoff, Lu Chongjin finally gave way.

“I’ll have someone send more medicine and food over.”

Yajun knew this was the best option for now. In those deep mountains, getting around meant relying almost entirely on one’s feet.

With her current frail body, she probably wouldn’t even make it that far.

“Alright,” she softened her tone and agreed.

Lu Chongjin gave a subtle look, and Cui Shan immediately turned to carry out the order.

Lu Chongjin tried to comfort her: “This isn’t something we can rush. As long as my eldest brother is safe for now, the moment there’s an opportunity, I’ll arrange for him to return to the city.”

Yajun believed he had the ability to do that. The problem was, neither of them could predict when that opportunity would come.

And when something was uncertain, she always made backup plans.

If her memory served her correctly, the wave of educated youth returning to the cities would soon begin.

She had to seize that timing and make arrangements early for her brother, so he could return to the city smoothly—and stay.

The next day, when no one was home, Yajun slipped into her space and stored away the yellow croakers she had gotten from Lu Zhengang.

She had already made up her mind—she’d find a chance to clear out the hidden room in Lu Zhengang’s study.

This had to be planned carefully, and once it was done, there could be no suspicion falling on her, otherwise new trouble would arise.

From what she had pieced together so far, Lu Zhengang was very likely the true culprit behind the original Yajun’s “accidental” drowning.

He had secretly used the original Yajun to pass him confidential information about Lu Chongjin.

If that ever came to light, it would pose a direct threat to Lu Zhengang himself.

And in such a moment, he might very well kill to silence her.

Considering this, Yajun realized she couldn’t stay in this household for long. The sooner she healed Lu Chongjin’s legs and got him back to his unit, the better.

Then perhaps she could apply to join the army as a dependent and escape this nest of trouble. After all, living with the constant feeling of a blade hanging over her head was unbearable—she never knew when someone might strike.

Now that she had the resources hidden in her space, she could live comfortably wherever she went. There was no need to cling to this place.

Having resolved on her plan, she took out three vials of serum that enhanced physical recovery.

Lu Chongjin’s body was strong to begin with, so she figured increasing the dosage wouldn’t cause side effects.

Back in the institute, everyone had used this serum, and she had never heard of anyone suffering problems from it.

She also carried out a bag of fruits and vegetables from her space, tucked the serums away somewhere inconspicuous, and made a trip to the agricultural research institute.

The original Yajun’s mother had worked there before she fell ill. Once her health declined, she stopped going to work and eventually passed away.

Yajun first went to find Director Liu, who had watched her grow up and was like an elder.

Director Liu was surprised to see her. Ever since the little girl got married, she had disappeared from view.

Yajun presented the fruits and vegetables she had brought.

Seeing they were just ordinary produce, he accepted without fuss.

They sat down to talk, and Yajun explained why she came.

Director Liu looked troubled and hesitated: “Your mother’s position was vacant for too long while she was on leave. The work couldn’t go undone, and back then neither you nor your brother applied to take over.

So the institute hired someone new. To be frank, there aren’t any available posts in that department.”

“Uncle Liu, I wouldn’t trouble you with something that would put you in a bind. I only came today to ask if you could keep an eye out for me—if any suitable openings come up later.

My older brother will be returning soon, and he’ll need to be placed in a work unit. You were the first person I thought of. When my mother was alive, you always looked out for us.”

At the mention of her mother, Director Liu sighed: “Your mother was very talented in her field. It’s a pity she passed so early. The research she worked on has basically stagnated since then.”

Yajun nodded seriously. “To be honest, there’s another reason I came. My brother has a natural gift in this area. Even when we were little, my mother used to say he’d surpass her one day.”

“Is that so?” Director Liu was surprised; he didn’t recall hearing that.

Yajun emphasized with a solemn nod. “Of course. If you don’t believe me, try the produce I brought. All of it was originally cultivated by my brother when he was still at home.

Even after he left, he kept reminding me to tend to it. Once you’ve tasted them, you’ll understand what I mean.”

Director Liu looked incredulous. Just then, someone came in to report work to him.

Yajun stood and took her leave, slipping him a slip of paper with her current address before departing.

After finishing her errands, she headed straight home. At the gate, she ran into someone she knew.

Tang Hewei had been waiting under a willow tree nearby. As soon as he saw Yajun return alone, he rushed over.

“Yajun! Do you know how long I’ve been waiting for you?” he exclaimed, stopping behind her.

Yajun turned and looked at him. His face, once swollen like a pig’s head from the beating he took, had already healed. Clearly, he had forgotten the pain with the scar barely gone.

She had no desire to get tangled up with him again. If Lu Chongjin saw, he would surely misunderstand.

Right now, she needed Lu Chongjin’s support in many matters, so she couldn’t risk angering him.

“What are you doing here again? Your injuries are healed?” she asked impatiently.

Tang Hewei assumed she was still upset about him appearing in Tang Yaning’s room that day.

But when he heard her first words were concern about his wounds, he grew all the more excited.

“Don’t worry, I’m fully recovered. I came today because I need the money.”

“Oh?”

Seeing that she seemed to have completely forgotten, he hurried to explain: “We agreed to take the ferry, remember? Tickets are impossible to get, but I spent a fortune and pulled every string to secure two.

The sailing date is just days away, but I still need to pay the balance. Once that’s done, we can leave together.”

At first, Yajun had been puzzled. After all, Lu Chongjin’s wages were sent to the household every month, and the Lu family dutifully passed them on to the original Yajun.

So why was she always penniless, without even a single ticket stub in her memory? Clearly, the original hadn’t cared about money.

It seemed this man before her had swindled it all away.

She decided to play along. “How much more?”

“Two hundred yuan,” he answered quickly. “Just give it to me, I’ll pay the rest, and in a few days we’ll be gone.”

Yajun smiled. “Coming here to find me is too obvious. I’ll gather the money and bring it to you tomorrow. Just wait at home.”

Seeing her gentle, warm smile—so familiar, so unchanged—Tang Hewei agreed happily and left.

Yajun was about to head back inside when she spotted a familiar jeep parked in the distance.

The man inside was staring at her, face dark with anger.