Chapter 5 – The Female Supporting Character in the Confession Book

Lin Jianzhang heard footsteps, turned around, and when he saw Wen Xin, his eyes lit up.

Wen Xin was wearing a pale yellow outfit today, with a pair of ash-grey wide-legged pants. She was tall with long legs, and the pants made her legs appear even longer. It gave the impression that her body was all legs from the waist down.

The outfit was actually quite ordinary; most people in this era dressed like that. However, Wen Xin gave off a unique feeling, setting her apart from others.

Wen Xin walked up to Lin Jianzhang and got a clear look at his face. Lin Jianzhang had thick eyebrows and big eyes, with a face that fit the tastes of people from this era. 

Due to his years of training, his face had been sun-darkened to a deep tan. This was not the kind of look Wen Xin preferred.

“What’s up? I still haven’t finished my work.”

Wen Xin’s voice was cold and distant, just like the impression she gave off. 

As Wen Xin’s “blind date”, Lin Jianzhang received no special treatment from her, not even a change in tone. 

In contrast to the passionate letters he received from Luo Manzhen every week during this time, Wen Xin was as indifferent to him as a stranger.

Ever since Luo Manzhen started writing to him, Lin Jianzhang hadn’t received a single letter from Wen Xin.

Lin Jianzhang said: “Haven’t you received the letter I sent you? I came back to my hometown for a performance event, and I happen to have a few days off, so I thought I’d come see you guys.”

Wen Xin nodded. “I just received it yesterday. I didn’t expect you to come so quickly.”

After Wen Xin said this, she didn’t say anything else. Lin Jianzhang, feeling helpless, had to find a topic himself. “You’re about to finish work, right? I’ll treat you to lunch at the State-Owned Restaurant.”

Wen Xin was not someone who cared much about food. She could eat anything, not picky at all, but she had long been curious about the State-Owned Restaurant in this era. 

She had even planned to go there for a meal once she got paid this month. Now that Lin Jianzhang had offered to treat her, she wouldn’t need to waste her own money.

Wen Xin didn’t have the concept that if she didn’t want to be with him, she couldn’t eat his meal or spend his money. 

Putting aside the fact that the original person had died because of him, just considering that they were still dating, it wouldn’t be right for her to not join him for a meal after he had come all this way. 

Didn’t she notice that Minister Zhang from the armed forces was already standing at the office window, watching them?

Lin Jianzhang received her approval and was a little happy. “Then I’ll wait for you.”

“Alright, I’m going back to work.”

“Go ahead.”

Wen Xin returned to the office, where several people had been standing by the bed earlier, peeking at them. When they saw Wen Xin come back, Xiao Qian from the finance department smiled and commented: “Wen Xin, your partner really looks sharp.”

Since starting work, Wen Xin had made several friends, with Xiao Qian from the finance department being the closest. Wen Xin didn’t mind the teasing and smiled as she replied to Xiao Qian: “In my opinion, Xiao Zhao from the police station looks the sharpest. When he wears that police uniform and big-brimmed hat, he makes so many people’s heads turn.”

Xiao Qian was from the county, and her boyfriend, Xiao Zhao, worked at the county police station. Every Saturday, Xiao Zhao would ride his bike from the county to pick her up and bring her back to Sanyi Yong. Sometimes he would bring fruits for Wen Xin and the others, and everyone had become quite familiar with him.

Xiao Qian hadn’t expected that she would be the one teased by Wen Xin, and it made her blush bright red. Seeing her reaction, the people in the office started laughing, and Wen Xin also laughed along.

Lin Jianzhang heard the laughter from the office and paused to glance inside, just in time to see Wen Xin laughing heartily. Her smile was like a mountain flower blooming under the sun—bright and dazzling.

Lin Jianzhang was mesmerized. It wasn’t until Minister Zhang called his name that he snapped out of it.

—-

At noon, after work, Lin Jianzhang was already waiting outside. His height was considered tall for this era, about 1.76 meters. Standing in the yard in his military uniform, everyone leaving the office gave him a curious glance.

Wen Xin walked over to his side, and together, they headed toward the State-Owned Restaurant.

Behind them, the people in the office had already decided that Lin Jianzhang and Wen Xin would be the main topic of conversation during lunch.

Sanyi Yong was a small town where you could practically see from one end of the street to the other. The State-Owned Restaurant was just a few steps away from the town hall. It was mealtime, but the restaurant wasn’t crowded. The servers were sitting on stools, idle and bored.

When they saw Lin Jianzhang in his military uniform and Wen Xin dressed neatly, the server didn’t act as arrogantly as with others. Instead, they approached them with a friendly attitude.

Lin Jianzhang had come prepared with enough money. He looked at the menu board at the counter, which listed the day’s specials. He ordered braised fish, chicken stew with mushrooms, and seasonal vegetables, with rice as the staple.

“Comrade Wen, the braised fish and chicken stew with mushrooms here are truly outstanding. You must try them later.” Lin Jianzhang said. He had spent little time with Wen Xin and written few letters, but considering that it had almost been three months since they started dating, he still hadn’t been granted permission to call Wen Xin by her nickname.

Wen Xin nodded. “Thank you, Comrade Lin.”

Lin Jianzhang opened his mouth, intending to tell Wen Xin that they didn’t need to be so formal and that she could just call him by his name or simply Jianzhang. But when he saw Wen Xin sitting across from him, smiling gently, he couldn’t bring himself to say it.

He silently poured Wen Xin a glass of water and was organizing his thoughts when someone else entered the restaurant. Everyone turned to look at the door, and the newcomers were five soldiers, all dressed in identical military uniforms.

As soon as Wen Xin and Lin Jianzhang saw them, the soldiers noticed Lin Jianzhang too. Lin Jianzhang quickly stood up and saluted them. “Chief, hello.”

The soldiers returned the salute. One of them lowered his hand and smiled, asking Lin Jianzhang: “Is Company Commander Lin here for lunch too?”

Lin Jianzhang answered with a “Yes.” and the soldier who had spoken nodded, then the group sat down at the table in front of Wen Xin and Lin Jianzhang.

Wen Xin was drinking her water when, by chance, her eyes met one of the soldiers. 

She froze for a moment.

He was very young, unlike Lin Jianzhang and the others, whose skin had been tanned from the sun. 

This soldier had fair skin, high cheekbones, thin lips, and a pair of almond-shaped eyes—he looked like he could easily charm anyone. He sat straight, his broad shoulders and narrow waist making him look even more striking in his uniform. 

When he took off his cap, his long, slender fingers, with distinct knuckles, made his hand look particularly graceful.

“Old Gu, what are you looking at? Do you want steamed buns or rice?” Another soldier sitting beside him teased.

The young soldier smiled faintly at Wen Xin, his lips curling slightly, and then casually looked away, replying: “Rice.”

Wen Xin cleared her throat, took a sip of water from her cup, and calmly shifted her gaze.

The young soldier continued to look at Wen Xin, and seeing her shift her gaze, he lowered his head and smiled gently.