Chapter 9 – The Female Supporting Character in the Confession Book

After returning from the mangrove forest, Wen Xin did not notice any further instances of her heart racing, so she did not pay much attention to it.

The news of Wen Xin breaking up with Lin Jianzhang had spread through her family, and over the past few days, anyone she encountered on her way to and from work would give her strange looks.

Some looked at her with sympathy, some with a sense of schadenfreude, while others were judgmental. Wen Xin didn’t let these glances affect her.

After getting a good grasp of the work situation, Wen Xin began looking at the textbooks the original owner had carefully kept.

According to the novel she had read, the college entrance exam would be reinstated next year. Wen Xin was very eager about the idea of going to school.

She remembered that the little princess of the Wang family had also gone to school back in the day. 

Every noon, she would swim to the corridor and listen to the little princess walking by. During these moments, Wen Xin would swim underneath the corridor and listen to the princess chattering away.

Later, the little princess got married, and the next generation of the Wang family’s children no longer walked through the corridor to share stories of their school days.

Wen Xin’s main task was to repay the favor for the original owner, but at the same time, she also wanted to live for herself. Just as the little Daoist had once said, it was always good to learn more skills.

Wen Xin threw herself into the sea of knowledge, spending her days reading books apart from work. 

She also flipped through the newspapers and magazines at work, and occasionally helped out with housework at home. Her days were comfortable and fulfilling.

This also led to her feeling as if she was in another world when she saw Lin Jianzhang again.

Since the last time they had talked about breaking up, Lin Jianzhang had not come to find her. 

She had told their relatives and friends about the breakup, and in doing so, she had tacitly accepted that they had successfully parted ways. 

If Lin Jianzhang were to come looking for her now, it would seem inappropriate.

Lin Jianzhang had been waiting for her on her way home from work.

It was the same spot as last time. Wen Xin got off the bicycle, her face cold.

Lin Jianzhang did not agree with the breakup. 

The last time, he had planned to go home to do some work with his family and also handle things with Luo Manzhen. 

However, as soon as he arrived home, the village secretary came to visit him and handed him a telegram. He opened it to find it was from the Colonel, ordering him to return to his unit immediately.

As a soldier, obedience to orders was Lin Jianzhang’s duty, and he had no choice but to leave in a hurry. Before he left, he had once again emphasized to his family that he had divorced Luo Manzhen and would not reconcile with her.

Indeed, he enjoyed the idea that his ex-wife was doing poorly after the divorce, and he also appreciated Luo Manzhen’s newfound enthusiasm towards him. But Lin Jianzhang knew that Wen Xin was the most suitable wife for him.

The romantic gestures and thoughtfulness that Luo Manzhen sought were things that Lin Jianzhang would never provide in his lifetime. 

Wen Xin was rational and poised, and she had a good job of her own. If he married her, he would not have to worry while working hard outside.

In the half month since returning to his unit, Lin Jianzhang had already made up his mind.

“Wen Xin, I’ve already told my parents. Luo Manzhen is just my ex-wife, and there’s no chance for us to get back together. I also know that my parents haven’t been fair in the past. But life is for the two of us to live together.”

“My rank is high enough now to apply for a house and bring my family to the unit. Once we get married, you can follow me to the military. We’ll live on our own then. I’ll send part of my allowance back to my parents, and the rest will be yours.”

Lin Jianzhang had it all planned out. Wen Xin had an official position in the town government here, and though she couldn’t choose the department if she applied to transfer to his base, the assignment would still be better than the majority of the people in the family compound.

Wen Xin looked at Lin Jianzhang for a moment and said: “Comrade Lin Jianzhang, I’ve already made myself clear last time. I’ve broken up with you, and there’s no possibility for us in the future.”

“And my family is here. Why would I follow you to the military? Enough, I don’t want to waste time talking to you. I’m going home.” Wen Xin bypassed Lin Jianzhang, got on her bicycle, and rode towards home. 

Lin Jianzhang chased after her for a few steps, but when Wen Xin entered the alley, he felt it would be inappropriate to continue chasing her. 

Reluctantly, he turned and headed back home.

When Lin Jianzhang returned home, Luo Manzhen was there again. She was sitting next to Grandma Lin, playfully chatting with her. Having come back from the future, Luo Manzhen was sweet-talking, making Grandma Lin laugh and smile.

The arrival of Lin Jianzhang caused the two of them to fall silent.

Lin Jianzhang scolded Luo Manzhen: “Luo Manzhen, what exactly do you want to do? I’ve already told you very clearly last time, there’s no possibility of us getting back together.” 

Luo Manzhen pinched her own thigh, and tears quickly welled up in her eyes.

Grandma Lin ignored Luo Manzhen’s grievances, her eyes filled with warmth as she looked at Lin Jianzhang. She said affectionately: “Jianzhang, why are you back today? How long can you stay this time? Have you eaten yet? Are you hungry? The wild greens in the field are tender now. Your niece picked a basketful today. How about we ask your mom to make dumplings with wild greens and pork cracklings for you?”

When Lin Jianzhang was young, his family wasn’t well-off. Grandma Lin had single-handedly raised all the children in his generation, so he held deep respect for her.  

No matter how angry he was, he couldn’t vent it on her. He simply nodded absentmindedly and followed Grandma Lin into the house. The two of them seemed to forget about Luo Manzhen entirely. Standing outside, Luo Manzhen lowered her head, biting her lip as a wave of resentment surged in her heart.

Wasn’t Lin Jianzhang deeply in love with her in their previous life? 

When they first got married, hadn’t he wanted to be with her every moment? 

Even later, when they were apart, hadn’t he written letters to her constantly? 

And hadn’t he sent her his allowances and ration tickets every month?

Now that she thought about it, maybe it was his fault. If he hadn’t sent that money and those tickets, she wouldn’t have gone shopping at the county’s Supply and Marketing Cooperative. 

She wouldn’t have met Sun Haowen, who worked there, let alone become involved with him.

Thinking about Sun Haowen brought another pang of frustration. Luckily, after her rebirth, she had written an anonymous report about him. Within days, Sun Haowen was sent to a farm for reform work.

As Lin Jianzhang stepped into the house, he turned to look at Luo Manzhen. “Hurry up and go back to your own home. You’re not welcome here.”

Luo Manzhen looked up at him with tearful eyes, but Lin Jianzhang was unmoved. Covering her face as if her heart had been shattered, she turned and ran away.

Lin Jianzhang said to Grandma Lin: “Grandma, I’ve already divorced her. I told you last time I was here not to let her come to our house anymore. Why is she still coming? I’m dating Wen Xin now, and her coming around like this is bad for me.”

Grandma Lin dismissed his concerns with a wave of her hand. “I told her not to come, but she insisted. What could I do? Besides, about you and Wen Xin—she said you two broke up. Everyone in Hongshu Village and Linjia Village is talking about it. What harm can she still do?”

Lin Jianzhang pressed his lips together and said nothing.

Meanwhile, Luo Manzhen ran all the way to the edge of the village before she finally stopped. Lin Jianzhang’s rejection was unexpected. 

She had thought that, given his affection for her, all she needed to do was remove the two obstacles in her way, and winning him back would be a simple matter.

But now, she realized she had been too naive. 

What could she possibly do to make Lin Jianzhang change his mind? 

Deep in thought, she began to carefully plot her next move.