Chapter 24: Fated but Not Destined

Chapter 24: Fate Without Destiny

"Xiao Lin, did Commander Yang walk you back last night?" Li Yue grabbed Lin Zhijin's arm, raising her eyebrows suggestively.

Lin Zhijin shot her a sideways glance. "Just happened to be going the same way."

"Same way?" Li Yue snorted, with a look that said, *Yeah, right, like I'd believe that.* "He wasn't on duty, so why would he clock out with us? And conveniently going the same direction, hmph—but honestly, he's a real catch."

Lin Zhijin looked at Li Yue, amused, waiting for her to get to the point.

"Really, Commander Yang is not only young and successful, but he comes from a good family too. His grandfather is a veteran of the Red Army, both parents are cadres, he's the oldest, with a younger brother and sister, and Station Chief Yang is his uncle. And on top of all that, he's good-looking. Xiao Lin, I can tell he's interested in you—don't let this one get away." Li Yue nudged Lin Zhijin's shoulder with a knowing grin.

Lin Zhijin frowned. His qualifications were indeed good—almost too good. It wasn't that she felt inferior, but marrying above your station comes with its own set of problems. She'd never considered it, in this life or her past one.

"What? Still not satisfied with those qualifications?" Li Yue asked, shocked to see Lin Zhijin frowning.

"They're too good. You know my circumstances." Lin Zhijin said honestly.

Li Yue disagreed. "So you've been married, but you're still a virgin. Xiao Lin, don't sell yourself short, girl. With your looks and your smarts, any man would be lucky to have you."

Lin Zhijin smiled. She really wasn't selling herself short—she was just being realistic, or maybe just didn't want the hassle. She didn't want to deal with in-laws who might not approve of her, or become the talk of the town.

Bottom line, she just didn't like Yang Su enough to face those potential complications for him.

"Where'd you hear all this? You seem to know everything." Lin Zhijin changed the subject.

"I've got my sources, of course." Li Yue said smugly. She glanced around Lin Zhijin's place—plumbing, toilet, tiles, and walls were all done. "Your place looks great."

"Isn't yours exactly like mine?" Lin Zhijin shot her a look.

Li Yue was quick to copy her homework—she thought Lin Zhijin's design was simple, elegant, and practical, so she immediately copied her, from the bathroom to the kitchen, from the tile color to the light fixtures—almost the same.

"Hey, your design's just that good." Li Yue wasn't the least bit embarrassed.

The house came with a lot of furniture left behind, and Division Chief Yang had said from the get-go that Lin Zhijin could pick first. She didn't hold back—technically, these things were hers to begin with.

She picked a rosewood canopy bed, wardrobe, dressing table, chest of drawers, and a chaise lounge. She also picked out an octagonal table and stools.

"That's it?" Li Yue glanced over and pulled out a cabinet for Lin Zhijin. "I know you've got some savings, but you should still pinch pennies where you can."

"Thanks, Sister Li Yue." Lin Zhijin didn't refuse.

The rest was decided by drawing straws—each of the first batch of residents could get one or two pieces, quality depending on luck.

Lin Zhijin didn't worry about the rest. She fetched water and wiped down all the furniture, inside and out, several times, then let everything air out for a few days. After that, she'd move her stuff from the hotel and be ready to move in. As for the stuff at Maple Leaf Lane, she'd move it slowly—no rush.

"I'm all done here." Li Yue clapped her hands. She'd gotten lucky and drawn a big wardrobe and a bed—both big-ticket items. She just needed a few smaller pieces. "Zhi Jin, come with me to pick up some tables and chairs, and let's get some clothes made while we're at it. Do you want some too?"

Lin Zhijin nodded. "Yes, I want two Lenin suits."

Ever since Nancheng was liberated, Lenin suits had become the latest craze. Lin Zhijin had made several sets for fall and winter while at the Chen residence, but none for summer.

"Great, let's hit the road." Li Yue slung her bag over her shoulder and linked arms with Lin Zhijin as they headed out shopping.

Everything was solid wood back then—no plywood or particleboard—and the designs were nice too. Going off the bed and wardrobe Li Yue already had, Lin Zhijin helped her pick out a dressing table and chest of drawers. The octagonal table and benches were standard, as was the cabinet.

"Deliver it to 55 Anhe Street." Li Yue put down a deposit and dragged Lin Zhijin off to look at clothes.

Honestly, Lin Zhijin already had plenty of clothes—enough to last ten years. But what woman ever has enough clothes, right? So on top of the two Lenin suits, she also bought two short-sleeved blouses.

They grabbed a quick bite outside, then Lin Zhijin parted ways with Li Yue. She took an afternoon nap at the hotel, then showered and slipped into a dress. She didn't wear any jewelry—a military man like Yang Su would probably prefer something simpler.

As she walked to their meeting spot, someone called out to her halfway there.

"Comrade Lin." Sheng Huaimin wore a look of fake surprise. "You off work? Eaten yet? How about I take you to dinner?"

Lin Zhijin turned to look at him. A pretty boy, handsome for sure—but unfortunately, not her type.

"Sorry, I've already got plans with someone." Just as Lin Zhijin finished speaking, a young soldier came running up.

"Excuse me, are you Comrade Lin Zhijin from the Women's Federation?" The soldier's cheeks were red from running.

"Yes, that's me." Lin Zhijin asked, puzzled, "What do you need?"

"Commander Yang sent me to find you. He—"

Lin Zhijin said "hold on" and pulled the soldier aside, making sure Sheng Huaimin couldn't hear, then asked, "Is your commander's name Yang Su?"

"Yes. Our commander got an urgent mission. He told me to apologize for him and said he'll take you to dinner to make it up to you when he gets back." The soldier relayed Yang Su's message word for word, afraid he'd miss something.

Lin Zhijin felt a twinge of disappointment. It was rare to meet someone she clicked with, and she'd wanted to get to know him better. But there was no rush—Yang Su had said he'd take her to dinner after the mission.

"Got it. Thanks for passing on the message." Lin Zhijin glanced at Sheng Huaimin, who was staring her way. Not wanting to get tangled up with him, she said to the soldier, "We're heading the same way—let's walk together."

"Young Master, Miss Lin's gone." Liu Yuan carefully watched Sheng Huaimin's expression. "Young Master, we should head back. The master and mistress are waiting for you for dinner."

"Let's head back." A flicker of reluctance passed through Sheng Huaimin's eyes. He wasn't going to give up that easily.

After airing out the new place for three days, Lin Zhijin checked out of the hotel, packed her bags, and officially moved into the family compound on Anhe Street.

"Finally moved in! You must've spent a fortune at that hotel—you got enough?" Li Yue came over to help.

"Plenty. Sister Li Yue, don't cook tonight—I got meat and fish. Let's call Sister Chunhua and have dinner together—consider it a housewarming." Lin Zhijin quickly lit the fire and boiled water to scald all the pots and pans.

"Sure thing! I'll go tell Sister Chunhua so she won't cook." Li Yue clapped her hands happily and headed to the backyard to find Wang Chunhua.

…………

One day after work, Lin Zhijin was coming back from Maple Leaf Lane with some stuff. Just as she got to Anhe Street, she saw Sheng Huaimin standing by the road.

"Comrade Lin, what brings you here?" Sheng Huaimin looked at her with fake surprise.

He'd already done his homework—Lin Zhijin had no boyfriend, but plenty of suitors. He needed to move fast before someone beat him to the punch.

"I live nearby." Lin Zhijin's eyes flickered. What a coincidence, huh?

"You live here? Where at?" Sheng Huaimin's eyes brightened even more.

"Just up ahead on Anhe Street—our unit's housing is here. What are you doing around here?" Lin Zhijin looked at him with confusion.

Sheng Huaimin pointed at a house. "My brother-in-law's place is right there. My sister invited me over for dinner. Didn't expect to run into you."

"Well, you should go eat before they wait too long. I'm heading off." Lin Zhijin waved and turned to go.

Watching Lin Zhijin walk away, Sheng Huaimin asked Liu Yuan, "What do you think my sister called me over for?"

"What eldest miss? It must be Fourth Miss Tang. Master, the old master and mistress seem to favor Fourth Miss Tang as well. Do you really intend to marry her?" Liu Yuan glanced in the direction Lin Zhijin had gone. "Master, if you truly care for Miss Lin, you must never let the old master and mistress know, or she could be in danger."

A sharp glint flashed through Sheng Huaimin's eyes, and a spring-breeze smile spread across his face. "Right, we just need to wait a while longer, and they won't mind anymore."

Liu Yuan gave a start at Sheng Huaimin's smile, lowered his head, and dared not speak further.

Back at home, Li Yue had already cooked the rice and prepared the ingredients, waiting for Lin Zhijin to come back and cook.

"Same oil, salt, and soy sauce—how come yours always tastes so good?" Li Yue sat watching Lin Zhijin stir-fry, chin propped on her hand.

Lin Zhijin shot her a look. "Everyone has their own strengths."

"True, like I'm just not good at cooking." Wang Chunhua walked in carrying half a roast chicken, flashing Lin Zhijin a fawning smile. "Zhijin, since you're cooking anyway, one more person won't make a difference. Count me in—don't worry, I won't freeload."

Lin Zhijin felt a bit speechless. Ever since she'd tasted the housewarming meal Lin Zhijin had cooked, Li Yue had practically latched on to her.

But Li Yue was thoughtful—she used her own rice and oil, and in return, she bought, washed, and prepped the vegetables, and helped clean up the kitchen afterward. As Wang Chunhua said, since she was cooking anyway, and Li Yue was so conscientious, Lin Zhijin simply went along with it. Now Wang Chunhua had piled on too.

Lin Zhijin mulled it over. "Then you'll do the dishes?"

"Deal!" Wang Chunhua said excitedly.

Lin Zhijin actually loved cooking but hated washing vegetables and dishes. Now it was perfect—Li Yue handled the vegetables, Wang Chunhua took the dishes, a perfect division of labor.

Zhang Simei's case was closed. The Zhou family had put forward a deaf man to take the blame, claiming he'd seen Zhang Simei talking to a strange man, and since he couldn't hear, he assumed they were having an affair and reported it to the clan.

With the Zhou family sticking to their story and Zhang Simei's own family refusing to show up, the deaf man was sentenced to six months and a fifty-yuan compensation.

"Simei was almost drowned in a pig cage, killing both her and the baby, and all they got was six months and fifty yuan?" Lin Zhijin was furious.

Sister Qian rapped the table. "Sit down. Getting angry won't help. That's just how the world is, which is why we have the Women's Federation. Zhang Simei has nowhere to go now—let's discuss how best to arrange for her."

She definitely couldn't go back to the Zhou family. Not only were they eyeing her house and land, but she'd also crossed them this time. They wouldn't dare retaliate against the Federation, but they'd take their anger out on Zhang Simei. Going back would be a death sentence.

As for her own family, a father and brothers who could watch their daughter die would never care for her.

"Isn't a new steel mill being built? Why not have Zhang Simei work in the canteen?" Lin Zhijin had already been mulling it over.

The country was rebuilding from scratch, and several state-owned factories were about to be established in Nancheng. Finding Zhang Simei a job wouldn't be too difficult.

"The steel mill is a bit out of the way and brand new, with rough conditions all around. She's pregnant—would she be willing to go?" Li Yue frowned.

"Yes, I'll go. Leader, I'm willing." Zhang Simei had just come out of the police station, thinking to thank the Federation comrades for saving her life, and overheard them discussing arranging a livelihood for her at the door.

She didn't dare return to the village now, pregnant and with a bleak future ahead. For the Federation to find her a way to survive was already a tremendous blessing—how could she dare to be picky?

And what was wrong with working in a canteen? At the very least, she wouldn't go hungry.

"The steel mill is still under construction with no housing yet. Are you sure you want to go?" Sister Qian saw Zhang Simei nod firmly and made the call. "Alright, go rest for now. I'll talk to the mill director about your situation."

"Thank you, leader. I... there's one more thing I'd like to ask for your help." Zhang Simei bit her lip, looking a bit embarrassed. "I know I've already put you out so much, but I'm pregnant and need money everywhere. I want to sell my house, land, and mule, but I don't dare go back to the Zhou village. Could you help me sell them?"

"Of course. Go back and wait—I'll have someone handle it." Li Yue nodded.

Author's note:

None