Chapter 5

Lin Jiayi wasn’t polite about it either. Going to the countryside was no small ordeal—it was a tough assignment.

She opened the box, counted the money and ration coupons, and grinned so wide her teeth showed.

“Dad, you’ve been secretly sending plenty of money home all these years, haven’t you? Poor me, your little cabbage, never having enough to eat or wear.

Look at this—just in cash alone, there’s over three thousand yuan! What kind of family is this, huh? And look at these ration tickets—watches, bicycles, sugar, cloth, cotton, grain, meat, even industrial coupons. I’ve struck gold!”

Seeing Lin Jiayi so happy, Lin Dong felt a deep sense of happiness himself. This life, he swore he would take good care of his daughter and never repeat the mistakes of the past.

“Silly child, how could I have sent all that back? More than a thousand of it is from your mother. Over the years, I’ve been saving my bonuses too, about another thousand. Plus, when I transferred out of the army, I was given another three thousand or so.”

Lin Jiayi was overjoyed. She thought this would be a hard start, but it turned out smoother than expected.

“Dad, we could already be considered a moderately well-off family now! If we work harder, getting a courtyard house will be easy!”

“Speaking of courtyard houses, I just remembered—we can’t stay here anymore. The house has to be returned to the army. We’ll likely be moving to the courtyard district. The police housing allocation should be there.”

Hearing this, Lin Jiayi was thrilled, practically over the moon.

“Yao Qingqing, just wait and see. Watch how I beat you in your own world.”

“Let’s rest first. There’s still plenty to do. Starting tomorrow, we’ll both have to get up early.”

Ever since being reborn, Lin Dong had changed—he cared more about his health and treasured life itself.

Lin Jiayi was more than willing. She hadn’t fully rested since her rebirth; it had been nonstop busyness, and acting was truly exhausting.

The moon slipped quietly behind the clouds. In the darkness, only the chirping of insects could be heard. Most people in the family compound were asleep, though some were still gossiping about the Lin family, and others were quarreling.

But none of that mattered to Lin Dong and his daughter. Tonight, with the answers they’d gotten, both father and daughter slept peacefully.

Early the next morning, Lin Jiayi was awakened by the noisy children in the courtyard.

She changed clothes, stepped outside, and saw her father busy in the kitchen.

“Dad, what’s for breakfast?”

Since having his daughter back, Lin Dong’s smile had become genuine—gone was the intimidating aura he’d carried when he first returned.

“Jiayi, you’re up! This morning we’re having century egg and lean pork congee, with pork and scallion buns. Do you like that?”

“Dad, you’re amazing! How did you know that’s my favorite breakfast?”

“Then just sit down and wait—it’ll be ready in a moment.”

After some bustling about, breakfast was laid out on the table.

While eating, Lin Dong gave instructions:

“After breakfast, I’ll go register Yao Qingqing. You head out shopping—before the old lady gets back, finish as much as you can. Have lunch outside, I won’t be coming home to cook. In the afternoon, I’ll directly hand over my work so we can move quickly.”

“Perfect! I’ve been wanting to try a state-owned restaurant anyway. Dad, make sure you register Yao Qingqing to the same place as me!”

“Are you sure? Didn’t you say she’s the heroine? She might make things hard for you. Last time, she even harmed you in the countryside, leading to your death. I’m worried…”

“Dad, don’t worry. Who am I? I’m Lin Jiayi—the Lin Jiayi who never takes a loss! Bring it on! She and I were bound to clash sooner or later.

It’s part of the plot—I can’t escape it. I’ll just have to rewrite it myself. Didn’t she always say she was my good sister? Well, good sisters are supposed to share blessings together!”

After finishing breakfast, father and daughter left the house and split up to handle their own tasks.

Lin Dong went to the Revolutionary Committee to find an old comrade and asked around. Sure enough, it was just as his daughter had said—Lin Jiayi’s name was already on the list. She was in the last group to be sent to the northeast this year.

He was so angry he almost tore up the list, but his old comrade calmed him down.

Then, with one stroke of the pen, Yao Qingqing’s name was added to the list, and the two were assigned to the same village.

“Old Lin, don’t worry. There’s an old subordinate of mine in that village. He just retired from the army and can look after your niece.”

“An old subordinate? Do I know him?”

“Of course! You worked with him on a mission just last year—Fang Tianze. He retired early this year. He should be home by now. He’s a reliable young man.”

Lin Dong remembered. The young man had good character and ability, and he wasn’t far in age from Lin Jiayi. He’d be a suitable caretaker for her.

Satisfied, Lin Dong left, arranging to later invite his old comrade over for a meal once things were settled.

His comrade gladly agreed. They’d both be working in the same city, and though in different departments, their paths would cross again.

Lin Dong felt the heavy burden lift from his heart. Happy, he went to finish his work handover.

Meanwhile, Lin Jiayi was visiting a supply and marketing cooperative for the first time. Everything seemed new and exciting to her. The shop assistant thought she was just loitering because she couldn’t afford anything, rolling her eyes so hard they nearly reached the ceiling.

After browsing the floors, Lin Jiayi finally started picking items.

“If you can’t afford it, don’t pretend. Such fine fabric—you think you can buy it? Touch it again, and if you dirty it, you’ll have to pay,” the assistant sneered. Supply store jobs in those days were coveted, which made many clerks arrogant.

But she was dealing with Lin Jiayi—someone who never endured humiliation.

“Oh really? I can’t afford it? What is it, a hundred yuan per meter? If that’s the case, then sure, I’d need to think about it—because it’s simply not worth that much.”

She pulled out a hundred yuan note and waved it in her hand.

“Shame, really. All this money and nowhere to spend it. Maybe I’ll look elsewhere instead.”

The assistant’s face turned dark, unsure whether from anger or embarrassment.

An older employee came over to smooth things over. “Young lady, tell Auntie what you need. She’s new here and doesn’t know better. Come over here—we just got some new stock. I guarantee you’ll like it.”

“Auntie, you’re so much kinder. People need to have a clear understanding of themselves—otherwise, they’ll offend someone without even knowing it. That way, they could lose both face and their job.”

As she left with the older clerk, she couldn’t resist mocking the first assistant again.

“You really are a feisty one,” the older woman chuckled. “That girl is related to our manager, struts around like she’s better than everyone. First time she’s met someone like you, ha!”

Lin Jiayi deliberately raised her voice: “Oh, so she’s got connections! No wonder she’s so arrogant. I should go ask my dad at the Public Security Bureau—how can someone like that be serving the people?”