Chapter 43: Lin Xiaodou's Face Revealed

In that instant, Zhang Lian’s face shifted from pale to green, a myriad of emotions flickering across her features. Forcing an awkward smile, she nodded and said, “Yes, Comrade Lin, you’re right. I won’t make careless jokes anymore.” With that, she shrank into her seat, head bowed, mimicking a timid quail—clearly terrified that someone might accuse her further. She decided it was safest to feign silence.

Even the two clumsy young men who had courted her so diligently the night before now looked regretful. Had they known this comrade was so reckless with her words, they would never have gotten involved. To be implicated by her would be a grave injustice.

Perhaps because Lin Xiaodou and her opponent had argued quietly, no one pursued the matter, and it passed without further incident. Zhang Lian spent the entire morning in a state of anxious suspense. Only when she finally relaxed did she realize her back was drenched in cold sweat.

“Brother Chen, it’s lunchtime. Would you like some hot water? I’ll fetch some for you,” Zhang Lian offered, raising her fair face in a gentle smile.

Chen Guang, however, avoided her gaze and replied, “Comrade Zhang Lian, we’re not that close. You’d better call me Comrade Chen Guang in the future.”

Zhang Lian’s smile froze. Not that close? But they had once held hands in secret, and Brother Chen had nearly kissed her... She had deliberately chosen to go to the same rural assignment as him, hoping to grow closer. Yet, over such a trivial matter, he now wished to distance himself. How heartless he was!

But she had chosen him; it was she who liked him. She couldn’t bring herself to resent him. If anyone was to blame, it was Lin Xiaodou. Zhang Lian had thought her an unremarkable introvert, but Lin Xiaodou had proved sharp-tongued and formidable. She had underestimated her.

Just wait, Zhang Lian swore to herself. She would seize her chance for revenge!

Steadying her mood, she glanced up with a slight smile at the seat across from her, about to speak, when the two male comrades quickly stood and announced they were going to the restroom together. Zhang Lian nearly ground her teeth in frustration. How dare even these men snub her—how infuriating!

She thought this cold shoulder would only last a day or two, but as the journey continued, the others still kept their distance. No matter how hard she tried to start a conversation, no one would engage. No one offered her any food, either.

In the heat of summer, some dry rations quickly spoiled if not eaten, so most people reluctantly spent money on boxed meals sold on the train. Only those from poor families, like Zhang Lian, ate what they’d brought from home.

Her family had given her only ten yuan and some rock-hard flatbreads for the trip. She’d planned to share Chu Ling’s provisions on the train, but for some unknown reason, Chu Ling had suddenly become hostile toward her. The others, influenced by Lin Xiaodou’s words, avoided her as well. With no one to scrounge food from, she dared not spend money on boxed meals and could only munch on the tough, dry bread she’d brought.

Each bite was a struggle; her teeth nearly cracked from the hardness. Only by soaking the bread in hot water could she soften it enough to swallow. Day after day, Zhang Lian ate this way. Mealtimes were the most painful—the air filled with the aroma of delicious food, while she gnawed on unpalatable rations. The contrast was unbearable, and Zhang Lian could only shrink into a corner and weep quietly.

Chu Ling, the heroine, secretly delighted in the sight of Zhang Lian’s sorrow. How satisfying! She had to thank the veiled comrade for this turn of events. When Lin Xiaodou went to the restroom, Chu Ling followed and caught up with her at the door.

“Thank you,” Chu Ling said.

“It’s nothing,” Lin Xiaodou replied curtly, wishing to avoid entanglements. Where the heroine went, trouble followed, and Lin Xiaodou disliked trouble. She’d rather keep her distance.

Sensing Lin Xiaodou’s coldness, Chu Ling gave up any thought of befriending her. Proud as she was, she would never humble herself for someone unimportant.

Three days passed. The two simple-minded male comrades sitting near Lin Xiaodou disembarked, heading for a different province. Soon after, two new male comrades boarded and took their seats. Zhang Lian, who had been drowsy and dispirited, immediately perked up.

She shed her gloom and greeted them warmly, “Hello, comrades! I’m Zhang Lian. Where are you headed for rural assignment?”

Learning that they were headed to the same place as her, Zhang Lian’s eyes sparkled. “What a coincidence! I’m going to the same place. We must be fated to meet!”

Zhang Lian was attractive, and her voice was gentle. In less than half a day, the two men were thoroughly smitten. They fetched her hot water and shared their food with her. Zhang Lian’s smile blossomed once more. Feeling emboldened by her new allies, she resumed her rivalry with the heroine.

She would complain of being cold-shouldered by the heroine, or accuse her of heartlessness for not helping. The two new male comrades began to view the heroine with suspicion. This time, the heroine was wiser—she did not retaliate impulsively and only pushed back when truly provoked. Chen Guang, the fickle man, spoke up for her, and their relationship seemed to smooth over somewhat.

With the heroine subdued, Zhang Lian set her sights on Lin Xiaodou, who had been quietly observing.

“Comrade Lin, I’ve been meaning to ask you something,” Zhang Lian said with a sweet smile. “Why do you always wear a veil? It must make eating difficult.”

Lin Xiaodou raised an eyebrow. “We’re not close. There’s no reason I need to tell you.”

Zhang Lian’s eyes reddened with feigned concern. “I’m only asking out of care, nothing more.”

Seeing their goddess being treated poorly, the two men rushed to defend Zhang Lian. “Comrade Zhang Lian, you’re too kind. Some people don’t deserve your concern.”

“Exactly! To wear a veil in the heat of summer—must be because she’s ugly. Why else hide her face?”

Zhang Lian chided them lightly, “Oh, don’t say that. Comrade Lin might be hurt by your words. It’s not her fault if she looks the way she does.”

Though sounding like a gentle rebuke, her words dripped with mockery. The men, oblivious to the undercurrent, nodded in agreement. “True, not everyone can look as beautiful as Comrade Zhang Lian. We should be understanding.”

“Thank you for the compliment. You’re both so kind,” Zhang Lian replied shyly, covering her face as she blushed.

Lin Xiaodou’s lip twitched. She was witnessing, yet again, the artful distribution of the “good person card.” Zhang Lian truly was the purest of white lotuses.

But since she was being ridiculed, how could she not retaliate? No rush—she would bide her time, let them mock her for now. The harder they laughed, the more painful their humiliation would be. That, after all, was the most entertaining way to play the game.

Seeing Lin Xiaodou remain silent, Zhang Lian assumed she’d guessed right—Lin Xiaodou must be hideously ugly. So much for her arrogance; she was just an ugly duckling after all. If only she could make her lose face in public!

An idea struck Zhang Lian. “Excuse me, I’m going to the restroom,” she announced, rising from her window seat.

As she walked down the aisle, passing Lin Xiaodou, she suddenly twisted her ankle and stumbled forward, her right hand flailing wildly. In her panic, she grabbed at Lin Xiaodou’s veil and yanked it off.

In an instant, Lin Xiaodou’s face was revealed. The entire carriage fell silent; every breath was held.

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