Chapter 44: Qin Zhiqing's Words Are Mistaken

When it came to malted milk, Xu Lin's mind stirred and she said, "I have both White Rabbit candies and malted milk here. I can trade some for Huzi."

"Really?" Carpenter Wang broke into a smile, finding this educated youth truly different from the others—kind and generous.

Huzi leapt about, beaming, and stared at Xu Lin, asking what she wanted in exchange. Whatever he had at home, he was willing to trade.

His family was at their wit's end trying to support his little sister.

"Absolutely," Xu Lin replied, laughing as she ruffled Huzi's hair. "I need firewood now. You can ask the adults in your family to bring over a few loads. Of course, the bundles you kids collect can also be traded for candy. Also, I've just arrived, so if you have any mountain goods at home, those can be traded too."

Huzi was even happier upon hearing that mountain goods could be exchanged. He nodded enthusiastically, saying he understood, and hurried home to find his grandmother.

The other children were delighted as well, and under Huzi's lead, they ran merrily out of the carpenter's house.

When Xu Lin and Carpenter Wang pulled a cart overloaded with furniture to the educated youth compound, Gou Dan and Carpenter Wang's eldest son, Wang Tiezhu, were already waiting.

Upon hearing that collecting firewood could be traded for candy, Gou Dan sped off like the wind—such a good deal couldn't pass him by.

Their commotion drew the attention of Qin Fang. When she saw the furniture Xu Lin had purchased, jealousy flashed in her eyes, turning them red.

She immediately stepped forward with a sly tone, "Xu Lin, you sure bought a lot of things. Clearly, money that's not earned through hard work is spent lavishly."

Xu Lin bristled at her words. What, trying to provoke her? Only if she allowed it. She retorted sharply.

"Qin Fang, you couldn't be more wrong. I earned this money with my own skills, and it's owed to me by those heartless, conscience-less scoundrels. Some people look human but act like beasts, never doing anything decent. Others clearly look human but are as wicked as demons, always betraying their country and conscience. Such people waste air while alive and land when dead. They ought to be dragged out and burned, their bones ground to ash, so they have no chance to waste anything else. Don't you agree?"

Xu Lin finished, her eyes smiling as she stared at Qin Fang, as if to say, "Yes, you heard right—I'm cursing you. Come on, pick it up."

Qin Fang's face turned ashen. Not only did she understand, she also caught the insinuation.

Xu Lin was covertly accusing her of being a spy, a traitor to the Dragon Country, just like Xu Chenglin.

Damn Xu Lin, so vicious. If this reached certain ears, she’d never clear her name.

Damn it, damn it!

Qin Fang wished she could cut Xu Lin to pieces, yet she had to force a smile and pretend to be innocent and sweet.

"Xu Lin, you’re so funny. I have no idea what you’re talking about. Hehe, carry on, carry on."

With a slam, Qin Fang shut her door, her face twisted in the darkness, the feigned cuteness gone.

Carpenter Wang glanced deeply at Qin Fang’s door, said nothing, and took Wang Tiezhu to get to work.

When it came to the affairs of the educated youths, the villagers couldn’t and wouldn’t get involved.

Han Hong and Zhang Qiang, seeing how much furniture Xu Lin had brought, were delighted and hurried over to inquire.

They too needed furniture to store clothes and belongings.

When they heard the prices, both found them reasonable, and seeing Xu Lin’s room being partitioned, they boasted:

"Our rooms were previously lived in, so the outer spaces are already divided. Saved us a lot of trouble."

"Is that so? Then you’re lucky," Xu Lin said, patting her furniture. "What are you planning to buy?"

"I want two big trunks—one for clothes, one for food—and a desk and chair, and..."

He’d meant to say just a few items, but Zhang Qiang’s gaze lingered on the furniture, as if he needed all of it.

The list grew, and Han Hong kept nodding in agreement. He needed them too.

The two didn’t enter, but stood at the door talking to Carpenter Wang, letting him know they wanted furniture as well.

Hiding in her room, Qin Fang heard the activity outside and was furious, but she knew she had to buy some furniture herself.

Otherwise, she’d have nowhere to store her clothes—not all in a bag, surely.

Soon, Su Liang arrived, but instead of joining Xu Lin, he went straight to Qin Fang’s room.

Soon, muffled cries from Qin Fang and Su Liang’s angry consolations drifted from the room.

Living right next door, Xu Lin couldn’t help but overhear Qin Fang’s veiled complaint.

Han Hong glanced sympathetically at Xu Lin. Poor girl—switched at birth, abandoned by her own parents.

And that impostor—just seeing her made his fists itch.

If he were Xu Lin, he’d fight it out with the fake.

Carpenter Wang and Wang Tiezhu worked quickly. Not only did they finish the partition, upon seeing Xu Lin had a metal pot, they helped install it on the stove, checked the kang flue, and so on, saving Xu Lin much trouble.

Truly, the money was well spent.

Xu Lin checked the time—it had taken just over an hour. These two really were efficient.

"Xu Lin, see if anything else needs fixing. While we’re here, we’ll take care of it."

"Alright, let me check." Xu Lin surveyed the room.

A few planks partitioned the large space into inner and outer rooms, leaving the stove area in the outer section.

With only one pot, it didn’t take up much space.

But the room wasn’t very large; with the addition of tables, chairs, and cabinets, not much space remained.

Xu Lin checked inside and out, finding everything satisfactory. The two were seasoned carpenters—their work was truly excellent.

If not for the times holding them back, with their skill, they’d never be poor.

Seeing Xu Lin’s pleased nod, Carpenter Wang and his son were delighted, immediately carrying the furniture inside and arranging it as she directed.

Once everything was in place, the room felt full, cozy, and homelike.

After settling accounts, the father and son left with Han Hong and Zhang Qiang, smiles never leaving their faces.

Once they departed, Xu Lin closed the door and began organizing. Just then, the neighboring door opened, and Qin Fang and Su Liang emerged.

They shot a glare at Xu Lin’s tightly closed door, then strode off together, catching up with Carpenter Wang and his crew.

Hearing their footsteps fade, Xu Lin couldn’t help but click her tongue.

A cleansing charm was cast, and the room became spotless once more—even the new furniture required no extra scrubbing. How convenient.

The bed wasn’t even made when Huzi’s voice rang out from outside the compound. Xu Lin immediately went out, smiling.

Huzi was cradling a large white goose, carrying a small basket on his back, with two cloth bags draped over his shoulders.