Chapter 37: Departure

Ji Ling opened the door to find Zhao Xianghong standing there.

Wiping the thin sweat from her brow, Zhao Xianghong said, “I’ve been waiting for you—I’ve come back and forth five times already.”

Ji Ling invited her inside. Ji’s parents, not wanting to prolong the conversation, had retreated to their rooms for an afternoon nap, and Ji Qing had also gone in to rest.

Ji Ling poured a glass of cool water for Zhao Xianghong. “Sorry, we don’t have any sugar at home.”

Zhao Xianghong took a few sips and waved her hand dismissively. “It’s fine, I’m not that particular. I just... well...”

Drawing closer, Zhao suddenly hesitated, unsure how to begin.

“Go ahead,” Ji Ling encouraged, having already formed an impression of Zhao Xianghong’s character.

“I turned down Director Gui. I still want to work with you. I think my personality is meant for the hustle and bustle outside, not sitting in an office,” Zhao Xianghong said, opening up at last. She looked at Ji Ling with hopeful eyes, eager to gauge her reaction.

Ji Ling neither nodded nor shook her head. “Me? To be honest, even if I take this order, I have no idea where the next one will come from. Following me would be a waste.”

“I can’t promise you wool, but I can handle mutton.”

Since she was here to pledge herself, Zhao didn’t hide anything. “My family works at the machinery factory. I can try to get the cafeteria chefs there to use the mutton.”

Finally hearing what she wanted, Ji Ling smiled faintly. “Alright then, happy to cooperate.”

“I’m heading to the county next. You should come with me. First, you’ll get the village chief to approve your leave, and it’ll be a good chance to visit home.”

She needed to confirm the 150 sheep in Shixi Village and also planned to invite the journalist friend Ji Jingyuan had introduced for a meal. She had written an article about hosting the local officials and sent it along with photos taken by the town’s photography studio that day—but so far, no response. Her next move depended on it.

Zhao Xianghong was momentarily taken aback but quickly realized Ji Ling’s foresight—she always thought three steps ahead, even more.

“Alright.” Having made up her mind, Zhao Xianghong was not one to hesitate. Clapping her hands, she stood up. “I’ll get ready right away.”

Ji Ling smiled—this girl was indeed straightforward.

However, the amount of mutton the machinery factory’s cafeteria needed was only a fraction; what Zhao really had in mind was the factory’s machinery itself.

The next day, after telling her family, Ji Ling boarded the county bus with Zhao Xianghong. The road was still riddled with potholes, making the ride bumpy. Ji Ling felt queasy, nearly throwing up the food she had eaten that morning. How she longed for proper roads—when would she ever be able to fix them?

“To grow rich, first build roads.” Yet without wealth, how could one build roads?

Upon arriving at the county, Ji Ling and Zhao Xianghong parted ways. Zhao Xianghong led Ji Ling to a place where they had hurriedly prepared mutton dumplings, mutton stew with bread, and grilled mutton skewers, then returned to her own tasks. Ji Ling went to meet the journalist Liu.

Ji Ling found a shaded spot near the newspaper office. She had already sent someone in to deliver a message to Liu.

Liu Muyao wore a black-and-white striped long dress. She glanced around at the entrance before her gaze settled on Ji Ling.

“Are you looking for me?” Liu said, not recalling the young woman before her.

“Hello, Journalist Liu. I’m Ji Ling from Shixi Village, a friend of Ji Jingyuan,” Ji Ling said politely, stepping forward to shake her hand.

Liu furrowed her beautifully arched brows. “I know who you are. Ji Jingyuan told me about you. But even with his recommendation, I don’t publish just anything in the paper. Your article didn’t strike me as particularly outstanding, so I’m sorry.”