Transmigrated as Jane’s Ghostly Godmother - Chapter 41

Chapter 41: Fate, Oh Fate — The Living Helen

Returning the way she came didn’t take much time. Lin Zhao made sure to scan the passersby, but the person she was looking for was not among them.

Is she still in the shop?

With a flicker of subtle hope, Lin Zhao hurried to the dress shop and pushed open the door.

“Ah, Mr. Lint.” Constance looked up from her work, the slight furrow in her brow smoothing out as she saw the visitor. “I didn’t expect you to return so soon. Is there something left unfinished?”

The situation was sudden, and Lin Zhao hadn’t prepared a conversation slip. She didn’t have time to answer; her eyes quickly swept the room. Only the shopkeeper and one assistant were present. It seemed the “urgent matter” the young lady had to attend to was even more pressing than Lin Zhao had imagined.

She walked to the counter, and Constance, sensing her need, handed her a notepad for writing, giving her an elegant nod.

“Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”

Lin Zhao wrote her thanks first, her handwriting steady. After the other woman read it, she cut straight to the point.

“Forgive me for asking, but did a young lady of about eighteen or nineteen visit your shop just now?”

“Hmm? Just now…” Constance looked at the paper, tapping her finger on the counter. After a few seconds of thought, a look of realization dawned on her face. “Ah, you mean the student from the Nightingale School of Nursing? Yes, she was here briefly to confirm the time and number of people for tomorrow’s visit.”

Seeing Lin Zhao’s fingers tighten slightly around the pen, Constance’s eyes flickered. She added tentatively, “Did you happen to run into her on the street? She said she had urgent business and didn’t stay long. Is… something the matter?”

Knowing there was still a chance to meet, Lin Zhao felt much more at ease.

“No, just a chance encounter on the road. A whim, a casual question. Please don’t worry about it.”

She lifted her pen, then paused. Remembering the idea that had just sprouted, she quickly added a long paragraph.

“This unannounced visit is actually for another matter. I would like to ask a favor of Miss Constance…”

Constance read the latest lines, a playful glint flashing in her eyes. She didn’t agree immediately but spoke in a melodic, lingering tone.

“Mr. Lint, what you ask is not impossible, but it is a significant matter. It is not my usual line of business—” She paused, her gaze becoming intense and direct. “However, if it were simply a favor between friends, that would be a different story.”

Lin Zhao blinked under her mask, immediately catching the implication and the condition for the exchange.

“Miss Constance may speak plainly. Since I am the one asking for help, I am all ears.”

This near-tacit agreement finally brought a triumphant smile to Constance’s face. She glanced through the window at the street, then walked to the inner room door and beckoned Lin Zhao over. “This is no place for a private talk. Sir, please follow me.”

The person beneath the cloak remained silent and followed her inside. As the door closed, their conversation was sealed away in that hidden space—just like the countless secrets born every day in London.

The next day, the two guests from the dress shop arrived at the hospital as scheduled.

“Miss Constance, Mr. Lint. On behalf of the hospital, I welcome you both to St. Thomas’.”

The woman who came to receive them was the very lady they had discussed yesterday. She wore a high-collared, long-sleeved, slim-fitting uniform—sharp and solemn. Her tone was steady and gentle as she made a “please” gesture.

Constance returned the smile with equal professional courtesy. “Thank you for receiving us,” she said, her eyes glancing at the fabric strip sewn onto the nurse’s chest, which clearly bore her name, “Miss Burns.”

Standing beside her, Lin Zhao paused almost imperceptibly upon hearing that surname before bowing slightly to Miss Burns.

“Forgive me, my companion is unable to speak,” Constance explained elegantly. “I hope his silence is not taken as rudeness.”

Miss Burns shook her head slightly, her professional composure leaving her face calm. “It is no matter. Please follow me, guests. Our path to the school passes through the patient wards; I ask that you maintain absolute silence.”

The guests lightened their steps, following this stoic guide.

Through her mask, Lin Zhao’s gaze was locked onto the woman’s back, lost in a deep reflection known only to herself.

Miss Burns. Helen Burns. Jane’s closest, early-departed friend at Lowood in the original book.

At first glance, Lin Zhao hadn’t made the connection. After all, the original text’s description of Helen’s appearance was sparse, and the woman before her had outgrown her youth. But Jane’s reaction yesterday had made Lin Zhao wary. Jane only wore that haunted, distant expression when the nightmares of Lowood were mentioned. Plus, this young woman happened to be eighteen or nineteen, exactly four years older than Jane—a precise coincidence.

Now, that daring guess was confirmed, and Lin Zhao’s emotions were incredibly complex.

Years ago, when she first met Constance, she had learned of the situation at Lowood. Like a written script, an epidemic had swept through that wretched school. Lin Zhao had hesitated then, feeling powerless against “fate,” unable to interfere much. She had even deliberately avoided thinking about Helen’s fate—but now, time had passed, and here was this person, standing alive before her eyes.

Fate, oh fate. It is ever-changing, yet it always seems to run toward the same destination. One day, all those who were lucky enough to brush past it must meet it once again.

Though the woman didn’t look exceptionally robust, her steps were steady and her breathing calm, a stark contrast to the sickly image described in the book. Her manner was composed and her attitude restrained—this part, at least, remained unchanged from her youth.

Thinking beyond the surface, the Helen Burns of this world had not only survived that fatal May at Lowood but had also left and come to London to attend nursing school. This was a truly unexpected and heartening development.

Lin Zhao firmly believed that sometimes, simply surviving to see the next dawn could lead to an unexpected turning point in life.

“Guests, please come in.” Helen’s voice broke Lin Zhao’s train of thought. They had reached their destination.

The hospital wasn’t large; only a section was allocated for the nursing school. Miss Nightingale advocated for “learning through practice,” so students were essentially half-nurses from the moment they entered. Everywhere Lin Zhao looked, people appeared exhausted but hurried, darting between rooms. The nurses’ attire was similar to nuns’ habits—long sleeves and long robes designed for the solemnity of a church—but in the busy, heavy atmosphere of a hospital, it looked cumbersome and inconvenient.

Constance frowned slightly. She took a deep breath and turned to Helen. “Miss Burns, if I may ask, approximately how many students are currently enrolled in the school?”

“Including myself, there are twenty-two in their training period,” Helen answered precisely.

“Then I must trouble you to show us more closely how your daily classes and work are conducted, Miss Burns.” Constance’s speech quickened; she had entered work mode. She didn’t forget to gesture to Lin Zhao. “Sir, I hope to hear your valuable insights after the tour.”

Lin Zhao set aside her messy thoughts, nodded, and followed. They walked through nearly every area where the nurses operated, checking every detail and discussing how to customize the most suitable and convenient uniforms by adjusting style and material within the set budget.

By the time Helen escorted them back to the hospital entrance, it was nearly noon.

“Thank you very much for today, Miss Burns,” Constance said solemnly.

Helen shook her head slightly, a restrained but sincere gratitude showing in her weary eyes. “It is I who should thank you, Miss Constance. Your kindness is something I remember to this day.” She paused and added, “Though four years have passed and you may not remember, if not for the charity you showed Lowood four years ago, I would never be standing here today.”

Hearing this, Constance couldn’t hide her surprise. “You were a student at Lowood? You mean… during that terrible epidemic?” She recalled the dates and immediately understood, her voice rising in astonishment.

Helen nodded, a faint smile touching the corners of her mouth. “Yes. At the time, consumption had me confined to my bed, and there were no real doctors at the school. It was the doctor you brought who stabilized my condition and prevented more tragedies. Afterward, your family became a benefactor for the reconstruction of Lowood. Thanks to that, the school’s environment was completely transformed.”

Constance waved her hand almost immediately, looking a bit embarrassed. “I am simply glad I could help. It was a coincidence, really. I should have left England long ago, but my sister-in-law asked me to travel with her family so I could look after their children and friends along the way.”

“…!”

Lin Zhao couldn’t help but gasp under her mask. She had no idea that was the reason Constance traveled with the Harrisons! She had noticed that Constance and Edward didn’t get along, but she hadn’t thought deeper. Now it made sense—the Harrisons went to the island for a commercial marriage alliance, which was the polar opposite of the independent Miss Constance’s values.

Looking at it this way, Jane not going to Lowood had indirectly caused Constance to go there, which, by a stroke of luck, changed Helen’s fate.

Lin Zhao had originally felt that the background plot was as unchangeable as a stone wall, but once the butterfly’s wings flapped, a character’s destiny really did shift the entire web.

Then… what about the others?

Lin Zhao quickly pulled out her notebook, her pen flying across the paper.

“Miss Burns, because of a friend, I have long heard of the noble character of Miss Temple at your school. I wonder if she is still the Superintendent? And has she mentioned any plans to leave Lowood recently?”

According to the original book, Miss Temple wouldn’t leave to marry for a few more years, but with this opportunity, Lin Zhao had to be sure.

Helen hesitated as the notebook was handed to her. Once she read the content, deep waves rose in her calm eyes. “Sir, how could you…” Her words cut off. She had felt a subtle strangeness toward this silent, mysterious gentleman, but since he was a guest of the hospital, a direct interrogation would be rude.

Noticing her silence, Constance took the notebook and cast an inquiring glance at Lin Zhao. Receiving a nod of approval, she scanned it quickly. She didn’t recognize the name, but after yesterday’s secret talk, she trusted Mr. Lint completely.

She winked at Helen and explained earnestly, “Forgive him, Miss Burns. Mr. Lint is a well-informed merchant with many acquaintances in various circles. I am willing to vouch for his credibility in my own name.”

Lin Zhao nodded in cooperation, the shadow of her hood shifting.

Helen pursed her lips and pondered for a moment before finally deciding to speak. “Sir, since Miss Constance vouches for you, I am happy to share Miss Temple’s situation. Yes, she is still in her post. My being able to study here is inseparable from that respectable lady’s selfless help. As for her plans… in our recent correspondence, she did mention that she is considering a broader future.”

“I will also inform Miss Temple of your inquiry, if you do not mind.”

“Thank you for your candor, Miss Burns. As for the letter, I would be most grateful if you could introduce me. If Miss Temple is willing, I might be able to offer her a fine career opportunity.”

Good. She could now be certain that while the general framework of the plot wouldn’t shift easily, the future of every individual could run into a completely different riverbed due to a single ripple.

And this also meant that she could change more than just Jane’s fate. She thought of another woman who had, in a sense, helped her a great deal. Even if, for the time being, she couldn’t do anything for her yet.

“…Very well, sir.” Helen’s look at her was complex, but she quickly masked those emotions by lowering her eyelids. “Guests, if there are no more questions, I must return to my post.”

Constance looked at Lin Zhao. Seeing her shake her head, she turned back and gently took Helen’s hand. “We have no more questions. Thank you again for your help today.” She paused and added sincerely, “And Miss Burns… I am truly happy to see you here in good health.”

This was also what Lin Zhao wanted to say. Her lips moved instinctively under the mask—

“I am very glad to meet you.”

Watching the pair of hands extended toward her, Jane pulled her cloak tight in a defensive gesture and shrank behind her foster father.

John Eyre patted his foster daughter’s shoulder soothingly. He gave the person in front of him a perfect, irreproachable smile and said in a steady tone:

“I hope you will be patient; the child is introverted. Her coming along this time is merely to broaden her horizons before we leave the island. You needn’t worry too much about it.”