Chapter 113: Just How Unlucky Can One Be?

Xu Lin was eager to see who the wicked Old Lady Xu would rely on once she was bedridden. She wanted to see exactly what kind of life the bedridden woman would lead and whether she could still live to be over ninety, surrounded by children and grandchildren, enjoying wealth and glory as she did in her previous life. As for Mother Xu, heh, her retribution was yet to come; there was no rush.

With a very pleasant mood, Xu Lin tucked away the letter and took out the one from Qin Zonghan. Her expression darkened as she read it. The letter contained not a single word of concern for her; it was filled entirely with threats, accusations, insults, and directives. Qin Zonghan scolded Xu Lin, calling her a bad person for bullying Qin Fang and giving her a hard time. He demanded that Xu Lin take good care of Qin Fang, ensuring she did not suffer or tire herself out, and insisted that Xu Lin help her with chores. His reasoning was that Qin Fang had never suffered or worked a day in her life, and as the older sister, Xu Lin should look after her.

But the two were born on the same day! Xu Lin desperately wanted to crack open Qin Zonghan’s skull to ask why on earth she should be the one taking care of Qin Fang. Who exactly was the biological sibling here? Qin Zonghan even promised in the letter that if Xu Lin behaved well, he would show special grace and put in a good word for her, allowing her to return to the Qin family as an adopted daughter. He even had the audacity to claim that only by returning to the Qin family could Xu Lin hope to return to the city and have a future. He threatened that if she dared to disobey or continue to make things difficult for Qin Fang, he would not be polite and would make her pay. The string of threats sounded as if he were someone truly formidable.

After finishing the letter, Xu Lin curled her lip, cursing him as a foul piece of work. She had thought that once the relationship was severed, they could each live in peace and never disturb one another again. In her past life, they had looked on with cold eyes, treating her as if she didn't exist and leaving her to fend for herself. In this life, Xu Lin had hoped to treat them the same way, but it seemed they wouldn't have it. Since Qin Zonghan wanted to step out and put on a show, he shouldn't blame her for a sharp counterattack.

Without a second thought, Xu Lin immediately set to work. Some people simply didn't deserve kindness, nor should they be shown weakness. If he dared to threaten her, she would strike back hard so that he would understand she was not to be trifled with. Xu Lin narrowed her eyes and began to calculate, quickly identifying Qin Zonghan’s political rivals and his superiors. In this era, no matter where you worked, rivals were inevitable, and Qin Zonghan was no exception. Moreover, the competition between them was fierce; there were only so many positions available, and for one to rise, another had to fall. Who didn't want to climb the ladder?

By the time the statement was completed, it was past eleven at night. The officers were diligent; in order not to delay the investigation, they headed to the Wangzhuang Brigade overnight. Upon returning to the dorm for educated youth, the officers began searching Hu Changming’s quarters. Xu Lin returned to her room to rest, showing little interest in the aftermath.

Early the next morning, as soon as Xu Lin stepped out of her room, she was greeted by Qian Li’s enthusiastic smile. "Linlin, you're up?"

"Yes. Why are you up so early?" Xu Lin asked with a smile.

"Nothing, just too excited to sleep." Qian Li looked like a fool, grinning with two dark circles under her eyes.

"Hu Changming is the one in trouble, why are you so excited?" Xu Lin asked, puzzled.

"Of course I’m excited! No one will be stealing my mail anymore." Qian Li laughed even more happily, leaning in to whisper, "Did you know? Chen Zhaodi and Liu Pandi got up early and asked for leave to go to the commune." Qian Li added mysteriously, lowering her voice, "I heard they’re going to call home to ask their families how much money they had tucked into the letters."

*Ooh,* Xu Lin raised an eyebrow, nearly letting out a sharp whistle. They were going to coordinate their stories. It seemed Hu Changming was about to bleed money. Just then, Xu Lin saw Zhao Qing and Zhao Nan walking out together and couldn't help but ask, "Didn't they go?"

"No. Yesterday I heard them say their family always sent money orders; they never tucked cash into letters."

*Oh.* Xu Lin raised her eyebrows again. The sisters were honest; they hadn't thought to take this opportunity to extort anyone. As for Chen Zhaodi and Liu Pandi, one could tell from their names that they weren't favored at home. It was doubtful whether they could even keep the money if they succeeded in their scheme.

"Are you going to the commune?" Qian Li asked.

"I suppose I should. After all, I am one of the plaintiffs." Xu Lin stroked her chin and laughed, "Cooperating with an investigation is every citizen's duty."

Qian Li gave her a thumbs up; that was a sophisticated way to put it. Not only was she cooperating with the investigation, but she was also getting out of working in the fields—truly the best of both worlds.

"Linlin, I don't know if it's my imagination, but does your skin look a bit fairer?" Qian Li asked suddenly, touching her own face. She had been quite fair before coming to the countryside, but ever since she started working in the fields, the wind and sun had taken a toll on her skin.

"Really? You’re right to feel that way; I also think I've gotten a bit fairer." Xu Lin stroked her face with a smug look, "I got a skincare recipe a while ago and managed to develop a whitening cream." To provide a reasonable explanation for her changes, Xu Lin had developed a corresponding strategy while controlling her physical transformation.

Sure enough, when Qian Li heard "whitening cream," her eyes lit up. She tugged on Xu Lin’s sleeve and whispered, "Can, can I buy some?" She touched her own face, "My pores are so much larger now; I look years older than before I came to the countryside. You have no idea." Qian Li felt like crying when she thought of her own changes; she didn't even dare to dream of her "male god" anymore, fearing she would hurt his eyes. If she could become beautiful, she would be willing to spend every penny she had.

"Sure, but there isn't much. You'll have to use it sparingly."

"Don't worry, I definitely will!" Qian Li was overjoyed, and even the sight of Qin Fang walking out of her room seemed a little more bearable.

Seeing Qian Li and Xu Lin laughing together, Qin Fang let out a cold snort, rolled her eyes, and went to dump some water. When she rolled her eyes, Xu Lin grew annoyed. *What was that? Giving people attitude first thing in the morning?* And why did Qin Zonghan write to scold her? It must have been that little bitch Qin Fang who told him something. Since the little bitch didn't know her place, she definitely needed to be taught a lesson.

Xu Lin immediately used a spatial black hole to play a trick. Poor Qin Fang, who was just about to toss out her washbasin water, met with disaster. Not only did the basin of dirty water fail to leave the room, but it splashed all over her, soaking the clean clothes she had just put on. To make matters worse, her foot slipped, and she fell to the ground, unable to stop herself from rolling in the mess. Good heavens, she turned into a filthy mess, looking absolutely wretched.

Qian Li was stunned, unable to believe that someone could dump water and end up drenching themselves; just how unlucky could one person be? Thinking of all the nasty things Qin Fang had done, Qian Li felt that even if Qin Fang were a hundred times more miserable, it would be deserved—she just wasn't a good person. The other youths who came out upon hearing Qin Fang’s scream were speechless, but not a single one stepped forward to help her. They thought she was bad luck.