Chapter 42: Some Jokes Shouldn’t Be Made Lightly

The two silly comrades sitting next to Lin Xiaodou were currently fawning over Zhang Lian:

“Comrade Zhang Lian, don’t cry. It’s just an orange, right? I’ve got a can of preserved oranges here, you can have it!”

“I also have some fruit candy—my mom bought it for me. Try one, it’s really sweet.”

In no time, a can of preserved fruit and a handful of fruit candies were placed in front of Zhang Lian.

Zhang Lian’s sobbing stopped abruptly.

She lifted her pitifully delicate face. After her gaze swept over the two precious snacks in front of her, her eyes lit up with joy.

Then she bashfully lowered her head and said coyly, “Thank you, you two are really such good people.”

“No problem!”

The two young men giggled foolishly and blushed at the ears in unison.

Lin Xiaodou: ……

Wow, so you can hand out “good person cards” like this?

No wonder Zhang Lian lived up to her name as the “lotus blossom.”

Seeing how popular Zhang Lian was, Chu Ling couldn’t take it anymore.

“Some people are just shameless, always looking to freeload and take advantage.”

Zhang Lian’s eyes flashed, and she smiled as she raised her lips:

“Lingling, you’ve got a sharp tongue but a soft heart. I know what you really mean.”

As she spoke, she pushed the can of fruit forward:
“Here, have the fruit can. You love preserved oranges the most—I’m sure you’ve been craving it.”

This remark, though veiled, was clearly mocking Chu Ling for being greedy.

Sure enough, the two male comrades across from them gave Chu Ling disapproving glances.

Chu Ling’s breathing quickened in anger: “Who wants your fruit can? Take it away!”

Chen Guang frowned and tried to mediate, “Lingling, don’t throw a tantrum. It’s not a good look.”

Chu Ling gritted her teeth and said no more.

She was just too emotional.

The sight of this manipulative pair made her furious.

But she had to endure—for now. At least until they reached the countryside, then she’d find a way to deal with them.

Seeing Chu Ling get the short end of the stick, Zhang Lian’s eyes were filled with undisguised smugness.

“Sorry to let everyone witness a joke. Here, let me share some fruit candy with everyone.”

Zhang Lian stood up with a smile and passed the fruit candy around.

Lin Xiaodou also received one.

One had to admit—Zhang Lian was really good at using someone else’s things to play the generous host.

No wonder the female lead was so thoroughly deceived in her previous life.

Compared to Zhang Lian, the other woman was totally outmatched.

If not for the protagonist’s plot armor, she probably wouldn’t stand a chance in this life either.

As for the drama between the two, Lin Xiaodou treated it like watching a soap opera.

As long as it didn’t involve her, she couldn’t care less.

But alas, things didn’t go the way Lin Xiaodou had hoped.

Because the very next morning, something came looking for her.

……

Green-skin trains were all hard seats.

Lin Xiaodou leaned against the seat back, nodding off through the night.

When she woke up, her tailbone ached from sitting too long.

Since it was still early,

She quickly pulled a washbasin and toothbrush from her woven bag and headed to the restroom.

Once the door was locked, she slipped into her space.

Inside, Lin Xiaodou took a lightning-fast shower.

Seeing how sweaty her clothes from last night were,

She changed into a new set before stepping out of the space.

When she returned to her seat, the others were just waking up.

Upon seeing what Lin Xiaodou was wearing, Zhang Lian’s eyes lit up:

“Comrade Lin, is that Dacron you’re wearing?”

Chu Ling had just randomly thrown a tantrum at her for no reason earlier.

So Zhang Lian decided to ignore her and chat with someone else.

She figured Chu Ling would come crawling back soon anyway.

After all, in an unfamiliar place, she didn’t have other friends.

As for this Lin Xiaodou—

Yesterday she’d seemed quiet and unremarkable in her plain clothes,

So Zhang Lian hadn’t bothered with her.

Who would’ve thought she’d show up first thing in the morning in a new outfit?

The material looked high-quality and expensive.

It seemed likely Lin Xiaodou came from a well-off family.

They were heading to the same place in the countryside.

Might as well cozy up and establish a good relationship. Maybe she could profit from it in the future.

With that in mind, Zhang Lian smiled and asked:

“This outfit is really stylish. Where did you buy it? If I get the chance, I’d like to buy one too.”

If only it could be given to her—she really liked it.

Lin Xiaodou didn’t miss the flash of greed in her eyes.

She smiled faintly and said lightly:

“Oh, I got it from the biggest department store in Jing City. It was 18.8 yuan.”

“Pfft!” Chu Ling across from them couldn’t help but laugh:

“Zhang Lian, with your family’s situation, could you even afford something that expensive?

Forget 18.8 yuan—you probably couldn’t even scrape together 8.8 yuan.”

Zhang Lian bit her lip, her expression darkening.

Her family was indeed poor, living in the rundown slums on the outskirts of Jing City.

Her mother had four daughters before finally giving birth to a son.

She was the fourth child, with three older sisters.

The eldest and second had married in haste. The third went to the countryside last year, and it was her turn this year.

Back then, just to survive, she had followed Chu Ling around to scrounge for food, and Chu Ling often mocked her for it.

Who would’ve thought even after heading to the countryside, Chu Ling still wouldn’t let her off?

She’d remember this!

“I’m not like you. My family is working class—ordinary laborers who earn their living the hard way. We can’t afford clothes like that.

You’re all capitalist young ladies, buying clothes like it’s nothing. Of course, we can’t compare!”

The moment she said that, the whole train car fell silent.

That was a heavy accusation.

If the Red Guards heard that, they’d have her criticized and paraded through the streets.

The problem was, Lin Xiaodou had been innocently dragged into it.

She’d just been a bystander and now got caught in the crossfire.

No matter what, this had to be cleared up immediately, or the consequences could be severe.

Lin Xiaodou immediately shot back:

“Comrade Zhang Lian, what are you saying? Since when does wearing a nice outfit make someone a capitalist?

By that logic, all the department stores and supply co-ops selling expensive clothes should be shut down too.

But they’re not. That shows our leaders approve of them.

So tell me—are you opposing our leaders? Are you dissatisfied with their policies?”

Anyone can throw accusations.

Trying to go up against her? You’re still too green!

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lian’s face turned ghostly pale in fear.

“Don’t talk nonsense! I didn’t mean that! I was just joking!”

That accusation was far heavier than hers—she couldn’t bear it.

“Some jokes aren’t meant to be made lightly.” Lin Xiaodou sneered.

“Or else, your words may bring disaster—you won’t even know how you died.”