Chapter 28: Entrance Exam

Chapter 28: Entrance Examination

Neither Lin Zhijin's own memories nor those of the body she now inhabited recalled knowing a middle-aged man surnamed Li. She stepped outside to see and, sure enough, it was a complete stranger she had never seen before.

"The guard said you were looking for me, but I don't know you." Lin Zhijin stood beside the guard, staying over three feet away from the man named Li, in case he suddenly attacked.

"We are indeed meeting for the first time, but you must have heard of me. My name is Li Siqi." Li Siqi confidently flicked his hair back, trying to look suave.

Lin Zhijin felt queasy—he was far too sleazy.

"Li Siqi? Never heard of you."

"How could you not know me? My elder sister must have mentioned me to you." Li Siqi frowned, with a sour look on his face.

Lin Zhijin said impatiently, "I really don't know you. Just tell me what you want. I'm busy."

Director Zhang, now to be called Secretary Zhang, had enrolled her in Hongqi Primary School in the southern district. School started in September, and she planned to skip straight to third grade. Recently, she had to make a show of being studious.

"Chen Lishi—the current matriarch of the Chen family, formerly the first wife—I'm her younger brother. She must have told you that she's already promised you to me in marriage." Li Siqi thought Lin Zhijin was pretending not to know. If not for the guard standing there, he would have lost his temper long ago.

A country bumpkin with straw-colored hair, who was even married off to ward off bad luck for his brother-in-law, should consider herself lucky to marry him as his lawful wife.

Lin Zhijin's eyes narrowed. So this was about Chen Lishi. Second Madam Chen had indeed told her that Chen Lishi wanted to marry her off to her younger brother, but Chen Lishi herself had never mentioned it to her.

She let out a scornful laugh. "Not to mention that the first madam never brought you up to me, even if she had such an idea, she has no right to marry me off to you."

"What do you mean she doesn't have the right? She's the old madam of the Chen family, and you, a concubine, must do as she says." Li Siqi carefully sized up Lin Zhijin. She was indeed as beautiful as his sister had said—especially those perky breasts, they'd feel nice to grab.

"Where are you looking?" Sister Li came out and saw an old man staring at Lin Zhijin with a dirty look. Her face immediately darkened, and she almost pulled her gun. "Xiao Lin, who is this?"

Lin Zhijin's expression was also far from pleasant. She didn't need to guess—she knew exactly what dirty thoughts were running through that man's head.

Fighting back the nausea rising in her stomach, she said coldly, "The younger brother of the Chen family's old madam. He says the old madam has betrothed me to him. What a joke. This is the new China now—the whole country is liberated, everyone's equal. There's no more 'proper wife' or 'concubine' stuff. Even my own parents can't just decide who I marry. What right does Chen Lishi, an outsider, have to do that? What, are you two siblings dissatisfied with the new policies and looking to oppose the state?"

"You little tramp, what nonsense are you spouting?" Li Siqi broke into a cold sweat. Reckless as he was, he wouldn't dare go against the new government. Seeing the guards glaring at him with hostile looks, he knew he wouldn't get what he wanted today. He immediately backed down and forced an ugly smile. "It's just what my sister told me. Miss Lin, I'm sincere about wanting to marry you. Please think it over."

"No need to think it over. It's never going to happen." A man pushing fifty who was a pro at drinking, gambling, and chasing women—how dare he talk about marrying her? It made her sick to her stomach.

"Why can't it happen? I may be a bit older than you, but my family's not badly off—a mansion with five courtyards, shops and farmland. Marry me, and you won't have to work a day in your life. You can tend flowers, play mahjong, and live like a rich lady. Miss Lin..." Li Siqi took two steps forward, trying to close the distance.

Before Lin Zhijin or Sister Li could react, someone yanked him backward, making him stumble and nearly fall.

"Who was that? Who pulled me?" Li Siqi turned around angrily.

Yang Su, his face dark, growled, "Scram."

Lin Zhijin looked at Yang Su, a little surprised.

Li Siqi had lived this long, so he had some sense. Seeing the murderous vibe coming off Yang Su, he figured the guy had just come back from the battlefield. He glanced at Lin Zhijin and noticed she was locking eyes with Yang Su—and understood immediately.

Damn. This little tramp had found herself a man, and an officer at that. He'd have to scrap his plans.

"Comrade Lin, you okay?" Yang Su asked worriedly.

"I'm fine, thank you." Lin Zhijin gave him a polite smile.

Come to think of it, this was their third meeting, and it seemed like they ran into trouble every time. The first was those street loafers, the second was that jerk surnamed Sun at the social event, and now this Li fellow pestering her.

"Good to hear." Yang Su turned to Li Siqi. "Get lost. If I ever see you bothering Comrade Lin again, don't blame me for getting rough."

Watching Li Siqi's retreating back, Lin Zhijin snorted. A coward like that—bullying the weak and fearing the strong, all bark at home—was truly disgusting.

"Regiment Commander Yang, thank you. You've helped me again. I should have treated you to a meal last time, but you happened to be sent on a mission. How about I host tonight?" Lin Zhijin tilted her head.

"I was the one who broke my promise last time. The meal should be on me." Yang Su said seriously.

Lin Zhijin smiled without arguing. She said goodbye to Sister Li and the others, then left with Yang Su.

"So that's the Yang Su Sister Wang talked about?" Chen Qiuqiu had heard Yang Su's name several times from Wang Chunhua, who had remarked that he and Lin Zhijin were a match made in heaven. Seeing them today, she had to agree.

"What do you want to eat? Or do you have any dietary restrictions?" Lin Zhijin glanced sideways at Yang Su.

"I'm not picky." Yang Su was also stealing glances at Lin Zhijin. Over these past two months, he had often thought of her—did she ever think of him?

"Then follow me. I know a good restaurant." Lin Zhijin smiled and made the decision.

They found a corner seat. Lin Zhijin looked at the handsome Yang Su—looks: A, height: A, personality: A, ability: A, family background: S-grade. Maybe she should give it another try?

Yang Su noticed a small grain of rice stuck to the bowl that hadn't been washed clean. He frowned slightly, took both bowls and two pairs of chopsticks to the owner. Without complaining, he borrowed the faucet to wash them himself, then scalded them with hot water before placing one set in front of her.

"Sorry, when I'm not on missions, I have a mild case of cleanliness." Yang Su worried Lin Zhijin might be put off.

"Why apologize? Being clean is a good thing—I'm clean too." Lin Zhijin didn't have OCD, but she liked cleanliness and preferred men who were clean. To her, this wasn't a flaw at all—on the contrary, it was a virtue.

Of course, it couldn't be severe OCD, as that would affect daily life.

Yang Su's lips curved slightly upward. "I'm sorry. The mission was urgent, and I left without properly saying goodbye."

"Why apologize again? I'm a state worker too—I understand how important missions are. Were you injured?" Lin Zhijin looked him up and down.

"No." Yang Su didn't plan to tell Lin Zhijin about his injury. Instead, he asked, "Who was causing you trouble today?"

"The younger brother of the Chen family's old madam. Chen Lishi wanted to marry me off to him so she could legitimately transfer the inheritance I received into the Li family's hands. Fortunately, the southern city was liberated. Otherwise... the things Master Chen left me—I knew I couldn't keep them, so I donated them to the state to seek protection." Lin Zhijin said frankly.

She was certainly patriotic, but not entirely selfless. If she hadn't known the future, she would never have donated so much of her property.

Yang Su was now very glad the southern city had been liberated. Otherwise, Lin Zhijin would have escaped the wolf's den only to walk into the tiger's mouth.

"I'm worried he won't let this go. I have five days of leave—let me escort you to and from work for the next few days?" Yang Su looked at Lin Zhijin with some nervousness.

Lin Zhijin hesitated. If Yang Su escorted her, within three days everyone would assume they were dating. She did think Yang Su was decent, but she didn't want to decide so quickly.

"No need. I've already moved into the family compound, and Sister Chunhua from the office lives there too. We commute together. Besides, you must be exhausted after your mission. Get some proper rest first—we can talk after you've recovered."

They chatted more about work anecdotes. There was no need to go too deep on a first meal.

"It's getting late. Let's head back." Lin Zhijin checked her watch and stood up.

"Alright, I'll walk you back." Yang Su rose as well.

By the roadside, Liu Yuan pointed at Lin Zhijin and said in shock, "Young Master, that's Miss Lin, isn't it? There seems to be a man beside her."

"I have eyes. I can see." A sharp glint flashed in Sheng Huaimin's eyes. "Go investigate. I want his complete file."

Meanwhile, the two had reached the entrance of Anhe Street. Lin Zhijin clenched her fist. "Well... this is far enough."

Yang Su hadn't planned to walk her all the way to her door anyway. Since they hadn't confirmed their relationship yet, spreading rumors now wouldn't be good for her.

Just as she stepped through the gate, Lin Zhijin was startled by two pairs of gleaming eyes and blurted out in her hometown dialect, "Oh my god!"

“It's us,” Li Yue said quickly, and Wang Chunhua nodded along beside her.

Lin Zhijin pressed a hand to her chest, “What are you two hiding here for?”

“Why are you back alone? Where's Colonel Yang?” Li Yue looked behind Lin Zhijin.

Lin Zhijin let out a helpless sigh, “He went back. You two haven't eaten yet?”

“Come on, tell us—how is Colonel Yang? He's so handsome, easy on the eyes. If you like him, give it a try. It doesn't have to lead to marriage—you can date freely, right? If it doesn't work, you can break up.” Li Yue said boldly, with Wang Chunhua nodding along the whole time.

“No rush, I'll take it slow.” Lin Zhijin shooed them off, worn out from the day and only wanting to shower and lie in bed.

At the Yang family home, Mayor Yang was also asking Yang Su, “You like Xiao Lin? How's it going? You're not getting any younger—if you really like her, make it official. Your grandparents are waiting to hold great-grandchildren.”

“No rush, she's still young. I'll take it slow.” A slight smile tugged at Yang Su's lips at the thought of Lin Zhijin.

Three days later, Liu Yuan hurried over to Sheng Huaimin, “Young Master, I found out. Yang Su, from the capital, twenty-three years old, joined the army after high school, now at the rank of full colonel. Both parents are government officials, and his grandfather is a veteran of the Red Army at the rank of lieutenant general. His family background is very strong—you... may not be able to compete with him.”

“A good family is a good thing. Would a family like the Yangs, with their status and position, agree to Yang Su marrying Zhijin? Of course, my Zhijin is wonderful—it's the Yangs who are snobs and don't know a good thing when they see it. Liu Yuan, find a way to let Yang Su's parents know about his relationship with Zhijin.” Sheng Huaimin narrowed his eyes and said in a gentle tone.

“Yes, but the Yang family...” might not actually look down on Lin Zhijin. Liu Yuan didn't dare say the rest.

Lin Zhijin knew nothing of this. She was preparing for the entrance exam, skipping first and second grade to test straight into third grade.

“Zhijin, you've only studied for a few months and you're going to test into third grade? Are you sure you can pull it off?” Wang Chunhua looked at her doubtfully.

Hearing that, she—a full-fledged college student—couldn't even pass third grade?

“Secretary Zhang and Director Qian both gave me practice papers, and they said I'd be fine.” She'd even purposely missed two questions.

Thinking about that arithmetic question she'd missed on purpose and the earful Secretary Zhang had given her because of it, Lin Zhijin felt a headache coming on.

She had to speed things up. Third grade this year, skip to fifth grade next semester, then take the middle school entrance exam in June. Ideally, she'd get her high school diploma before turning twenty.

Would getting a high school diploma in three years be too fast? She'd have to think about that.

“Are you really confident? Third-grade material is tough.” Wang Chunhua spoke as someone who'd been through it.

“Who do you think you are, thinking everyone's like you?” Director Qian came in from outside, shot Wang Chunhua a sideways glance, and smiled at Lin Zhijin, “Ignore her. Stay calm and just do your best.”

“I know, Director. Don't worry—I won't let you or Secretary Zhang down.” Lin Zhijin said cheerfully.

At dinner that evening, Li Yue also brought up the topic, gently suggesting that Lin Zhijin not rush things.

“I want to try first. What if it works? If not, I'll just start in first grade.” Lin Zhijin said casually.

“As long as you know what you're doing. Oh, Zhijin, when can you come help me? I'm swamped.” Li Yue had been an ordinary clerk before, following orders, but now as Director of the Women's Federation, she was needed everywhere and had no time to herself.

That probably wasn't going to happen. Director Qian planned to transfer her to the Women's Federation at Nancheng Street Office. The street office director was the newly appointed Su Jianhong, the wife of a government official. The deputy director position was vacant, possibly going to Chen Qiuqiu.

As for Lin Zhijin, her age was a big problem. There's an old saying in China: “Wet behind the ears, can't get things done.” Plus, with her lack of education, if she wanted to advance, she'd need to put in a few years.

But she wasn't in a hurry either—she was young and had plenty of time.

“In a few days, I'll ask Director Qian about it. More and more people are coming to the Women's Federation lately.” Li Yue said, rubbing her temples.

Before, people didn't dare approach them, but now that they saw the Women's Federation actually helped and got results, many women plucked up the courage to come ask for help.

Actually, the women who came for help were fine if they listened, but some would agree one moment and back out the next, and some even blamed the Women's Federation for meddling. It drove Li Yue up the wall—truly, there's no helping those who won't help themselves.

“Oh, by the way, I'm leading a team to Anping Township tomorrow—isn't that your hometown? Want me to deliver a letter?” Li Yue suddenly asked.

If Li Yue hadn't mentioned it, Lin Zhijin would have almost forgotten about her birth family. She shook her head directly, “No. After they sold me to the Chen family as a bride to cure the son's illness, I've already paid them back for raising me.”

Li Yue nodded in understanding, “Say no more.”

The next day at work, Lin Zhijin saw Chunlan at the entrance and thought of yesterday's Li Siqi. Interesting—the brother couldn't get it done, so the sister stepped in?

Author's note:

None