Chapter 59: One Person and One Pet Peeking in to Watch the Drama

Seeing that Chu Ling had someone to help with her work, Zhang Lian was filled with envy. Yet she couldn’t lash out on the spot, so she could only vent her frustration inwardly. Hmph, she would never stoop to finding a rural man the way Chu Ling did. In her mind, Chu Ling was just debasing herself, even finding a country bumpkin acceptable.

Zhang Lian was having a field day criticizing Chu Ling in her mind, completely forgetting that, when she’d introduced herself to the villagers that morning, similar thoughts had crossed her own mind. She was just that kind of person—some things were acceptable for her to do, but not for others. A textbook egotist.

Because Zhang Lian had been absent yesterday when Lin Xiaodou went to fetch her luggage and food rations, she didn't know about Lin Xiaodou’s surprising strength. Even when she later heard people mention it, she hadn’t paid it any mind. So when she realized she couldn’t keep up with Chu Ling’s progress, she comforted herself with the thought that at least Lin Xiaodou would be even further behind.

But when work ended at noon and she passed by the area Lin Xiaodou was responsible for, Zhang Lian was dumbstruck. What did she see?! A huge swath of cornfield had been cleared, and several piles of corn, each like a small hill, lay on the ground. Had Lin Xiaodou really picked all that corn herself? That was a massive area—at least six work points’ worth. She finished all that in just one morning? How could someone as small and delicate-looking as Lin Xiaodou work so efficiently?

“Captain Wu, did Comrade Lin get someone to help her?” Zhang Lian, unable to suppress her suspicions, voiced her question.

Captain Wu glanced at her, immediately grasping her intention. “No one helped Comrade Lin. She picked all the corn herself—I watched her the whole time. She’s much more capable than the rest of you, working wholeheartedly without a single complaint of hardship.”

“That’s… that’s impossible…” Zhang Lian still couldn’t believe it.

Captain Wu interrupted her impatiently, “Comrade Zhang, just because you can’t do something doesn’t mean you should question others! Look at your own plot—you spent half a day and barely picked any corn. You’ll be lucky to get three work points today, let alone four. Yet you have time to meddle in other people’s affairs.”

Zhang Lian’s eyes reddened at his words. Biting her lip pitifully, she protested, “Captain Wu, how can you say that? I was just voicing everyone’s doubts for them. I didn’t mean anything else.”

“You’re speaking for everyone?” Captain Wu laughed, his gaze sweeping over the others. “If anyone has a problem with what I said, raise your hand so I can see.”

At his words, the scene fell silent. Everyone looked at each other, but no one dared raise a hand. Who would be foolish enough to offend Captain Wu over a woman? Besides, Captain Wu wasn’t wrong. Many of them had seen Lin Xiaodou at work, her speed so impressive that all they could do was watch in awe.

Some of the male educated youths and local bachelors had originally planned to finish their work quickly in the afternoon and then go help Lin Xiaodou pick corn. But seeing her capability now, they all gave up that idea. Lin Xiaodou was just too competent—she handled everything herself, leaving them no chance to show off.

Word had it that Lin Xiaodou’s family was well-off, and her beauty was extraordinary. Watching her work so efficiently made it clear she wasn’t someone easily fooled. With a woman like that, surely her standards would be high; she might not even look at them. In just one morning, several of them had abandoned any thoughts of pursuing her.

Seeing no one willing to speak up for her, Zhang Lian felt even more aggrieved, tears welling up instantly. “Captain Wu, I meant well. You misunderstood me…”

“Enough. Don’t cry in front of me—I have no patience for that!” Captain Wu waved her off irritably. “In any case, you must earn four work points today. If you can’t do it, you’ll keep picking corn until dark!”

People who stirred up trouble were the ones he disliked most. She clearly had too much time on her hands—if she were exhausted from working all day, she’d have no energy for these petty maneuvers.

“All right, everyone’s been busy all morning. Go home, make lunch, and rest. There’s still work to do this afternoon,” Captain Wu announced.

Everyone nodded and gradually dispersed. Seeing Zhang Lian left standing alone in the middle, ignored by all, Chu Ling felt a surge of satisfaction. It seemed she wouldn’t have to do a thing—Zhang Lian was bound to bring about her own downfall. Fortunately, she herself had restrained her temper earlier; she’d almost asked the same question as Zhang Lian.

Truthfully, Chu Ling didn’t have a good impression of Lin Xiaodou. The girl seemed to have appeared out of nowhere, with looks that surpassed her own, which was hard for her to accept. Even though Brother Guoqiang’s affections were all for her now, there was no guarantee he wouldn’t be swayed by someone like Lin Xiaodou in the future. She couldn't let that happen.

“Guoqiang, let’s hurry home. I have something to tell you,” Chu Ling said, tugging on Han Guoqiang’s sleeve as they left. She planned to take the afternoon off and go with Guoqiang to the town office to register their marriage. Since they’d have to get married eventually, better do it early and avoid trouble. Once they were legally wed, no one could interfere.

In the crowd, Chen Guang spotted Chu Ling and immediately hurried after them. He’d been too busy working all morning to talk to her, and now that he had the chance, he was determined to get some answers about why she was moving out.

“Lingling, Lingling, wait for me!”

Chen Guang followed them, finally calling out when they reached a quiet spot.

“It’s you. Why are you following us?” Chu Ling’s eyes brimmed with undisguised annoyance.

Han Guoqiang glanced at her uncertainly. “Xiaoling, who is this?”

“You actually call her Xiaoling?!” Chen Guang exclaimed incredulously, his voice rising. “Chu Ling has only been staying at your house for a day and you’re already addressing her so intimately. What’s the relationship between you two?!”

“What does our relationship have to do with you? You have no right to question us,” Chu Ling retorted coldly. “Chen Guang, don’t think too highly of yourself. I don’t even consider you a friend!”

It was the first time Chu Ling had spoken so harshly to Chen Guang. She needed to make a clean break for Guoqiang’s sake and not let him worry. She’d made a mistake in her past life and hurt Guoqiang deeply. This time, she was determined to protect him well.

“What did you say?! I’m not your friend?” Chen Guang’s eyes widened.

“Of course not. I have no interest in womanizers like you,” Chu Ling replied. “My boyfriend now is Comrade Han Guoqiang—this man right here.”

“You! Very well!” Chen Guang sputtered, furious. “Chu Ling, before we left for the countryside, we had an agreement—if we got through these hard times together, we’d marry when we returned to the city. Have you forgotten?”

He had always toyed with Chu Ling, never imagining she’d treat him this way. He hadn’t really intended to marry her—those promises were lies. But now that she dared betray him for another man, he couldn’t tolerate it.

“That was nothing but a joke. Don’t bring it up again.” Noticing Han Guoqiang’s face darkening, Chu Ling hurriedly added, “I have nothing more to say to you. A sensible man knows when to back off—move aside!”

“So you’re calling me a dog?” Chen Guang snapped, raising his hand to strike her.

Han Guoqiang seized his arm, his voice low and dangerous. “Try laying a hand on my girlfriend—you must have a death wish!”

With that, he punched Chen Guang in the face. Chen Guang fought back, and the two were soon brawling, chaos erupting between them.

“Wow, what a show!” Not far away, Lin Xiaodou hid behind a large tree, munching sunflower seeds and watching the scene unfold with great interest. The little jumping spider, Jumpy, perched on her shoulder with a caterpillar in its furry paws, munching away and waving occasionally as if spectating. The image of girl and pet snacking together as they watched the drama was heartwarmingly cozy…