"Does Xiao Chen have an interest in English?" Sun Shuzhen didn't refuse, but asked curiously.
Chen Lishu felt the pent-up breath in her chest finally release when she heard she hadn't refused.
She couldn't say she had studied it before, so she found another excuse. After thinking for a moment, she smiled and replied, "I came into contact with it a little when I went to the provincial capital before, and I also found it pleasant to listen to, so I wanted to learn more."
"Xiao Chen, your spirit of learning is very good. As the saying goes, having more skills never hurts. Besides, considering the current relationship between our country and Su Guo, I think English will be more widely used than Russian in the future," Ding Yongfeng said approvingly.
"I haven't spoken it for many years either, so I don't know how well I can teach. The school is starting classes soon. If you think it's okay, you can come to me for lessons every Sunday when you have time off after school starts."
After all, it was her university major, and she still had a lot of affection for it. Moreover, as teachers, they should do their best to shine and contribute when young comrades want to get ahead.
"Thank you, Aunt Sun, for being willing to teach me!" Having received Sun Shuzhen's agreement, Chen Lishu didn't know what else to say. She excitedly stood up and bowed deeply to Sun Shuzhen.
Ding Yongfeng and Sun Shuzhen were stunned for a moment, then they both smiled and told her to sit down quickly: "It's a good thing you want to learn, and it's our duty as teachers to impart knowledge."
Listening to their conversation, Ding Chen, who had been silent all along, his gaze fell on Gu Xingping. Thinking that she would return to the countryside to study after the semester started, and he didn't know when they would meet again, his eyes dimmed unconsciously, and his tone had a hint of disappointment: "If only you could come to study in the town."
His casual remark, however, made Chen Lishu ponder.
She had already rented a house in town. If Gu Xingping could transfer to study in town, not only would she save the daily commute, but the teaching quality in town was certainly better than in the commune.
With an idea in mind, after leaving the Ding family, Chen Lishu said to Gu Xingping, "Little sister, do you want to come to town to study?"
"Come to town to study?" Gu Xingping looked up in surprise when she heard her ask, "This is the city. Can I come?"
Chen Lishu smiled, "What's impossible about it? It all depends on whether you want to. If you want to, I'll take you to see nearby schools tomorrow."
Gu Xingping nodded first, then shook her head.
"What do you mean by nodding and shaking your head?"
"I don't know." Gu Xingping was conflicted, "Coming to the city to study is definitely a good thing, but Sister-in-law, why do I still feel a little scared? What if they don't accept me..."
"If they don't accept us, we'll ask the next one. There will always be someone willing to accept us. Besides, at worst, we can just go back to the commune to study. We're not without schools to attend, but if there's a better opportunity, we should naturally strive for it, don't you think, little sister?"
Gu Xingping nodded, "Yes, I'll listen to you, Sister-in-law."
The matter was thus settled.
The next day, Chen Lishu didn't go directly to the nearby middle school but first took Gu Xingping to the department store. One shouldn't ask for favors empty-handed, so she decided to buy some gifts first.
Tobacco, alcohol, sugar, and tea all required coupons. Chen Lishu initially wanted to buy the best中华 cigarettes, but after inquiring, she learned that cigarettes like中华 were specially supplied and not available on the market at all, so she had to give up. In the end, she had to go through unofficial channels and privately found the regional representative to buy two cans of relatively good tea for twenty yuan.
"Sister-in-law, you're spending so much money. What if they don't agree after we give it to them? Isn't that a big loss?" Gu Xingping, seeing her buy such expensive items for her studies, was touched and a little worried.
"It's not good to ask for favors empty-handed. Besides, as long as they are willing to accept you, spending this little money is nothing."
Gu Xingping felt a warmth in her heart upon hearing her words, "Sister-in-law, you're so good to me."
After they finished shopping, Chen Lishu packed the items in an inconspicuous bag, took out some money to keep in her pocket for backup, and then took Gu Xingping to the Second Middle School nearby.
Although the students were still on summer vacation, the principal and teachers were already in work mode.
After inquiring with the gatekeeper about the location of the principal's office, they walked over. As Chen Lishu was about to raise her hand to knock, Gu Xingping stopped her, "Sister-in-law, I'm nervous."
Although her voice was soft, Chen Lishu could still hear a slight tremor.
"Don't be nervous," Chen Lishu said gently, turning back, "Think about it. Remember when you went to sell clothes before? Were you nervous then?"
Gu Xingping nodded, "I was so nervous back then, I felt like I couldn't even speak."
"What was the result in the end? Didn't you find it wasn't that bad after taking that step? Similarly, the principal has one nose and two eyes, just like everyone else. What's there to be nervous about? Besides, I'm here with you."
After Chen Lishu finished speaking, she didn't rush them, giving Gu Xingping time to adjust.
After a while, Gu Xingping smiled and nodded at her. Chen Lishu then raised her hand to knock. Soon, a voice from inside invited them in.
Pushing the door open, they were greeted by a middle-aged man in his forties sitting behind the desk. He had an ordinary face, but his character lines and nasolabial folds were quite deep, suggesting he was usually a very serious person.
"Hello, Principal. My name is Chen Lishu, and I am this student's sister-in-law. Due to family reasons, I have moved from the village to the town this year. We heard that the Second Middle School has excellent teaching quality, so we wanted to ask if it's possible to transfer here."
As Chen Lishu spoke, she opened the cloth bag in her hand and placed the two cans of tea on the desk.
Zhao Tingshu's gaze first swept over the tea cans, then fell on Gu Xingping beside Chen Lishu.
"What's your name?"
Gu Xingping's body trembled as she felt his gaze. Thinking of what Chen Lishu had told her – that he was just an ordinary person with one nose and two eyes, and that her sister-in-law had already sent tea, she absolutely couldn't mess this up.
Having figured it out, she straightened her back and said loudly, "To the Principal, my name is Gu Xingping. I used to attend Qingshan Commune Middle School... I will study hard, and I hope you can give me this opportunity."
After Gu Xingping finished speaking, Zhao Tingshu chuckled, "This little girl is quite bold."
Seeing his attitude, Chen Lishu knew that Gu Xingping's schooling was likely settled.
As expected, Zhao Tingshu picked up a piece of paper and a pen, wrote a note, and then handed it to them, "Report in September."
Upon learning that she could study in town, Gu Xingping was overjoyed and almost jumped up on the spot.
It wasn't until they were out of the Second Middle School's gate that Gu Xingping showed Chen Lishu her sweaty palms, "Sister-in-law, look, I was so nervous my palms are covered in sweat."
Although she wanted to share this good news with her family immediately, it was too late, so the two could only suppress their thoughts and wait to return to the village early the next morning.
"Sister-in-law, I definitely won't be able to sleep tonight from happiness," Gu Xingping said excitedly.
However, not long after going to bed, Gu Xingping fell asleep. Listening to Gu Xingping's shallow breathing, Chen Lishu found herself unusually sleepless.
The experiences of her previous life flashed through her mind like a kaleidoscope, making everything she had now feel somewhat unreal.
In the quiet night, the moonlight was like silver, and the reflections of the wooden lattice of the window were clearly cast on the ground. Chen Lishu's longing for Gu Xingdong suddenly surged like a tide. It seemed that only by thinking of him did she feel that everything before her was real.
Since she couldn't sleep, Chen Lishu decided not to sleep. She put on a coat, got up, and went to the living room. She turned on the light, found paper and a pen, and wrote a letter to Gu Xingdong.
Xingdong: I received your letter and the bicycle ticket. I bought a bicycle today, a Forever brand. I listened to you very well and bought the most expensive model, which cost 152.5 yuan in total. Remember to reimburse me.
I not only bought a bicycle but also bought yarn to knit a sweater for you. I'm also planning to knit one for myself. Do you know what a couple's style is? I won't reveal too much here. The answer will be revealed when I come to see you.
Oh, by the way, I've rented a house in town. Although the rent isn't cheap, the environment is very good, a courtyard all to ourselves.
The neighbors around are also very nice. Do you know? Yesterday, Xingping and I visited the Ding family next door. Both husband and wife are high school teachers...
Chen Lishu continued to recount in detail how Sun Shuzhen had agreed to teach her English and how Gu Xingping could study in town.
When she finished writing, she realized she had unknowingly filled four pages. She got up, found an envelope, sealed it, and planned to mail it the next day. Then, Chen Lishu turned off the light and lay back down in bed.
This time, she closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep shortly thereafter.
The next morning, Chen Lishu and Gu Xingping packed their things, pushed the newly bought bicycle, went to the post office first to mail the letter to Gu Xingdong, then went to the department store to buy two more bolts of cloth, and then went to the non-staple food store to buy two jin of pork tenderloin. Only then did the aunt and niece head home.