CHAPTER 27: CHAPTER 27: NO NEED TO MAKE UP LIES

In recent years, he’s been overwhelmed, trying to treat his aging mother’s illness.

Not only is he worried about running short on medical expenses, but he’s also concerned about whether his mother’s body can withstand excessive treatment.

Giving up treatment is not something he’s willing to do.

Continuing treatment feels worse than death.

It’s a kind of torment.

Lin Ye often forgets to eat, so how would he remember something as trivial as buying clothes?

Time does not permit it, and financially, he cannot afford it either.

After all, during that period, even meals were uncertain, not knowing where the next would come from.

Just being alive was already quite something.

Therefore, due to a series of reasons, Lin Ye hasn’t bought new clothes in years.

His old clothes are patched up, and not only that, they’ve washed to a faded color.

The cuffs are worn out and could no longer be mended.

Originally, when his ex-wife was still around, someone was there to help him manage things a little.

But later, after he got divorced, there was no one to care for him anymore.

What’s more, as a man, he’s always lived roughly, not caring much about his appearance.

Until last night, when he couldn’t think straight and jumped into the river, Jiang Xin pulled him out.

For the first time in recent years, he took a serious look at himself.

Lin Ye suddenly found it hard to look at himself directly.

What Jiang Xin said that day was completely true.

He is only twenty-eight this year, in his prime. He should not give up on life because of some setbacks.

Life isn’t smooth sailing for anyone.

Only by striving can life become valuable.

So, last night after returning home, Lin Ye began to seriously tidy up his appearance.

He first shaved, then took a bath and went to the barber at the village head to have his hair cut.

After tidying himself up decently, he changed into the new set of clothes that Jiang Xin had given him the day before.

Only then did he realize that he had truly been somewhat neglectful for too long.

Looking carefully in the mirror, he saw that these years had worn him down, and he no longer had the vibrant look of someone his age.

His whole demeanor was dead and dull, and his hair, which should’ve been black, had also turned white.

Originally, Lin Ye was at a loss facing his head of white hair, not knowing how to deal with it.

He thought about dyeing it but found not a penny in his pocket.

Indeed, merely a day before he chose to jump into the river, he had just paid off the enormous debt accumulated over the years for his mother’s treatment.

So, Lin Ye went to the village barber to have his hair cut.

Out of sight, out of mind.

Once cut short, the white hair was less conspicuous.

After cutting his hair, Lin Ye looked at himself in the mirror, clenched his fist, and resolved to cherish this job opportunity.

He would start anew, live well, and bring peace to his parents resting underground.

So, early this morning, he headed to the vegetable market.

However, as soon as he reached the market entrance, he, like Jiang Xin, realized that last night in the darkness, he hadn’t clearly seen Jiang Xin’s appearance.

Fortunately, today he had worn the right outfit.

Jiang Xin recognized him because of the outfit he was wearing.

Lin Ye thought that if he lost this hope-giving job because he couldn’t recognize someone, he would die of regret.

Reflecting on everything, Lin Ye remembered that Jiang Xin had asked him a question earlier.

She mentioned something about clothes.

He felt a bit embarrassed.

Lin Ye lowered his head; despite being nearly thirty, he still had some self-restraint.

He cleared his throat twice.

Other than feeling embarrassed, he wasn’t really uncomfortable.

He honestly said to Jiang Xin:

"Thank you for the new clothes."

"The old ones were too worn out to wear, so I came over today wearing the set you gave me."

Lin Ye had no reason to lie.

After all, he already explained his family situation to Jiang Xin after she saved him yesterday.

Lin Ye didn’t find poverty something to be embarrassed about.

Being poor in spirit, that’s a problem; poverty itself is not.

As for money.

No one is born wealthy.

What you earn with your own skills truly belongs to you.

But after all, he was wearing the clothes Jiang Xin gave him.

Lin Ye thought he couldn’t just take her clothes without compensation.

So, he said to Jiang Xin:

"Deduct the cost of these clothes from my salary."

"I can’t take your things for free; you’re a young woman, and earning money isn’t easy for you either."

"I just thought that coming to work, let alone setting up a stall to sell goods, I shouldn’t look too shabby."

If he dressed in rags, it might affect the customers coming to buy things.

They might think the goods he sells are unreliable.

So, this was actually the most important reason why he chose to wear the clothes Jiang Xin gave.

When Jiang Xin listened to Lin Ye’s words, she was slightly taken aback.

She never expected Lin Ye would say that.

When she mentioned that Lin Ye was wearing the clothes she gave him, she didn’t mean anything else.

She merely stated outright that she recognized him by the clothes he was wearing.

Unexpectedly, Lin Ye thought about so much.

Jiang Xin immediately felt that she misspoke earlier.

How couldn’t she realize that Lin Ye was someone who had just faced setbacks in real life?

He would likely be more sensitive.

So, in the future, she would have to be cautious when speaking in front of Lin Ye.

In all, she didn’t want her careless words to hurt his feelings.

Upon hearing Lin Ye say that she should deduct the money for the clothes from his salary,

Jiang Xin paused in silence.

She thought about how to respond rightly.

Of course, she could not do as Lin Ye suggested by deducting his salary.

His life was already tough.

It was just a piece of clothing; yesterday, Jiang Xin impulsively fetched a set from her storage upon seeing that his clothes were soaked through.

After all, her space was abundant and endlessly resourceful.

She lacked everything except for these external objects.

She didn’t lack, but she could offer these to help others.

Just one outfit, even giving a hundred sets to Lin Ye would cause her no loss at all.

However, in Lin Ye’s mind, he probably thought the clothes were bought with Jiang Xin’s money.

That’s why he felt embarrassed.

Jiang Xin found herself quite stuck.

She didn’t know how to respond to Lin Ye without hurting his self-esteem.

After pondering for a long time, she finally forced out a sentence:

"How about this, the set of clothes you’re wearing can be considered as your work uniform."

"Work attire; indeed, as you mentioned, if you dress tattered, customers might have concerns buying things."

"If you dress neat and tidy, it’s more convincing."