Chapter 4

Over the next few days, Lin Kexin focused on tending the crops in her space, while Wang Cuihua even took a day off from work to go shopping for the things Lin Kexin would need for going to the countryside.

“You’re going to Sichuan Province for your assignment. It’s a two-day, two-night train ride, so bringing too many things will just be inconvenient,” Wang Cuihua said.

“The cotton-padded coat I wore last year is a bit small, but I can alter it for you. You won’t be wearing fancy clothes while working in the fields anyway. As for shoes, your feet are about the same size as mine, so you can wear mine. Face towels, basins, and other daily items we already have at home. Bringing pots and pans would just be a burden. Once you get there, just be polite to the other zhiqing and borrow what you need…”

“When you’re away, keep things simple! Traveling light will make things easier for you.”

Wang Cuihua kept chattering all the way. At the supply store, she touched this and examined that, unwilling to spend money on Lin Kexin.

“Mother, everything else can be as you say, but soap, the teacup, and the thermos—these are non-negotiable!” Lin Kexin said.

She didn’t expose Wang Cuihua’s reluctance and had the clerk bring the soap, teacup, and thermos over.

“Why buy soap? It’s expensive and not practical!” Wang Cuihua said, trying to hand it back.

Lin Kexin waved her hand away. “Mother, Father said to get these things. If you don’t buy them, I’ll ask Father myself—which of you should I listen to, you or him?”

“You brat! I’ll kill you!”

Wang Cuihua raised her hands, intending to hit her, but Lin Kexin quickly added, “Go ahead and hit me if you want—I’ve had plenty of that my whole life…”

Before she could finish, Wang Cuihua lowered her hand and instead covered Lin Kexin’s mouth with her palm.

This girl had grown bold—how dare she defy her! But outside, she always claimed Lin Kexin was like her own daughter. The slap was just meant to scare her a little.

“You really need to go ask your father over such a trivial thing? You have no sense of filial piety!” Wang Cuihua hissed through gritted teeth, then turned to the clerk, speaking politely, “Please ring up these three items. We’ll take them.”

Lin Kexin raised her eyebrows, feeling pleased. Her space could hold everything she bought. By the time she left, she would have emptied the Lin household of all valuables, and even the money Wang Cuihua had been reluctant to spend would end up in her hands.

On the way home, Wang Cuihua complained non-stop, but Lin Kexin let it slide, treating it as background noise. To Wang Cuihua, her attitude seemed like that of a dead pig not afraid of boiling water.

Still, for the sake of appearances before Lin Kexin went to the countryside, Wang Cuihua refrained from arguing and even spoke unusually nicely:

“Kexin, do you remember Er Gouzi from your uncle’s village?”

Lin Kexin didn’t reply, walking silently. Wang Cuihua continued, “He went to the countryside last year and even became a team leader. Life there is so much better than at home. His parents benefited too—they used to eat only coarse rice and cornmeal, but now they can have white flour buns a few times a week!”

Wang Cuihua looked envious, glancing at Lin Kexin with disdain before turning away awkwardly.

“I heard there are lots of mushrooms in the mountains of Sichuan. When you’re not working, be diligent—go up the mountains a few times. Collect mushrooms and herbs and send some back to us. We’re poor at home, so we can’t give you extra money. If you gather herbs or mushrooms to sell, send me the money and I’ll save it for you as your dowry…”

Wang Cuihua spoke until her mouth went dry, frustrated by Lin Kexin’s silence. This girl was infuriating! Not a word now, yet at the supply store she was so talkative.

“Did you hear me?” Wang Cuihua snapped.

“I know,” Lin Kexin replied without real interest, her mind already on the land in her space. Most of it was planted. Tomorrow, after setting aside seeds, there would be roughly 500 jin of wheat, 300 jin of corn, and crops like pumpkins and potatoes ready for harvest.

She considered selling the surplus before leaving to get money and vouchers, but immediately discarded the idea. The black market here was strictly policed. Anyone caught hoarding or profiteering could be jailed for a short term or even ten years.

Forget it. She’d take everything from the Lin household anyway—no shortage of food. Safety came first. Besides, she knew where the black market was in the countryside. She could sell there later.

Back at home, Lin Kexin returned to her room. Wang Cuihua muttered complaints while rummaging through her old clothes, planning to alter them to fit Lin Kexin.

That scavenger girl didn’t deserve new clothes!

That evening, Lin Jianguo returned and asked about the items for Lin Kexin. Wang Cuihua reported that everything—clothes, shoes, daily necessities—was ready, so he said no more.

Finally, the day came for Lin Kexin to leave. Lin Jianguo took a half-day off, rode his bicycle, and brought her to the station.

“The office only approved half a day of leave. The train arrives in two hours, so wait here. I’ll head back first.”

He pulled a wad of cash and a few vouchers from his pocket.

“The subsidy for one person going to the countryside is 230 yuan, plus some basic vouchers. Spend it wisely!”

He handed them to Lin Kexin, then added, “There will be opportunities to earn in the countryside. If you have extras, help support the family. We raised you for seventeen years—don’t be ungrateful. You’ll need your family’s backing later. Don’t let some country man trick you. When you come back, your mother will help find you a good husband. Remember?”

Lin Kexin nodded. “Got it! You go handle your business.”

Actually, Lin Jianguo had no urgent business. He just wanted to relax and fish in the river for the next hour or so. His bike even carried a fishing rod!

In a hurry to fish, he left without lingering.

Once Lin Jianguo disappeared, Lin Kexin went to the toilet, stashed a small bundle Wang Cuihua had packed into her space, wrapped her face with a scarf, donned the cotton coat made from Wang Cuihua’s old clothes, and got ready. Then she ran back to the Lin household.

She kept her head low, trying not to be recognized. When she reached the alley near the house, she waited until no one was around, then quickly ran over and used the key she retrieved from under the stone pillar to open the door.