In the blink of an eye, it had already been half a month since Su Yun became a full-time worker at the recycling station. She was supposed to have a day off during that time, but she chose not to take it. Now that the weekend had arrived again, she planned to finally take a break and visit Su Xiu to tell her about the job opportunity.
On her way home, Su Yun carried another bag of apples, which immediately attracted the children in the courtyard. They followed behind her, staring eagerly at the fruit.
Su Yun generously handed a few apples to Su Baoguo and asked him to share them with the other children.
When Chen Xiue returned and saw this, she immediately began lecturing again. "Xiaoyun, why don't you ever listen? I told you to save your money for your dowry! If you keep spending like this, I'll confiscate your wages!"
Then she paused, realizing something was off. "Wait a minute, Xiaoyun—you've only just started working. You haven't even received your salary yet. Where did you get the money to buy these expensive things?"
Su Yun rolled her eyes slightly and smoothly used Gu Hai as a shield. "Comrade Gu Hai gave them to me. I didn't want to accept them, but he insisted. I couldn't explain it to you before, so I said I bought them myself."
Hearing that they were from Gu Hai, Chen Xiue's expression immediately softened with satisfaction. Then, in the tone of someone experienced, she advised, "Xiaoyun, Comrade Gu Hai is a good man. You should hold on to him tightly—don't let someone else snatch him away."
Su Yun nodded vaguely, brushing it off, then told her mother about finding a job for Su Xiu.
After listening, Chen Xiue's face first darkened, then gradually softened. Finally, she sighed. "That's actually a good thing. Even though your second uncle and aunt are terrible people, Su Xiu is a good girl. She's been helping her father all these years, supporting the family from such a young age. It hasn't been easy for her."
Then Chen Xiue's eyes widened. "Wait a second! Xiaoyun, if Comrade Gu Hai can help you get such a good job at the Public Security Bureau, why didn't you take it yourself? You could take that job and give your recycling station position to Su Xiu—that would be perfect!"
"You silly girl! You found Su Xiu such a great job, yet you're still working at the recycling station? Have you lost your mind?"
Su Yun sighed inwardly. She had expected this reaction.
So she told her mother about the possible restoration of the college entrance examination.
Chen Xiue's eyes immediately lit up with excitement. "Is that true? Is the news reliable? Will the college entrance exam really be restored?"
Su Yun nodded. "It's absolutely reliable! Comrade Gu Hai said it—how could it be false?"
"Mom, here's what I'm thinking: if the exam is restored, I'll definitely take it. So the clerical job at the Public Security Bureau isn't suitable for me. The recycling station is better—it gives me more free time to study and prepare."
"If I get into university, I'll be assigned a job afterward anyway. Even the worst case would be an office position, which is still better than being a clerk, right?"
Chen Xiue nodded happily. "Right, right—you're absolutely right!"
"Oh my, I never imagined such a good opportunity would come! Comrade Gu is truly a good person, sharing such important news with you… Xiaoyun, should we write to your brothers and sisters and tell them about the restoration of the exam?"
Su Yun froze for a moment.
The country hadn't officially announced anything yet. This was knowledge from her past life, and she had only used Gu Hai as an excuse. A letter would pass through many hands—what if the news leaked and caused trouble?
Thinking this through, Su Yun shook her head. "Mom, we can't tell them directly. What if someone sees the letter and accuses us of spreading rumors?"
"How about this—I'll send them a set of study materials and subtly hint that they should focus on studying. They're smart—they'll understand. When the news is officially announced, they won't have to scramble to find materials."
Chen Xiue found this reasonable and quickly agreed.
When Su Wenshan returned, Chen Xiue quietly told him everything. He was both surprised that Gu Hai had the ability to secure a job at the Public Security Bureau for Su Xiu, and astonished by the possibility of the college entrance exam returning. He encouraged Su Yun to study hard and strive to get into university.
After dinner, Xia Ying came over with her satchel to find Su Yun.
Seeing her, Chen Xiue greeted her warmly. "Yingzi, have you eaten? If not, stay and eat with us."
Xia Ying smiled. "Auntie, don't fuss over me—I'm not a guest. I just came to talk to Su Yun about something. I'll leave soon."
Su Yun brought her into the room, and the two turned on the light and began studying together.
Gu Hai had just taught Su Yun some typical physics problems earlier that day. Su Yun was working through a physics test when Xia Ying leaned over, glanced at it, and teased, "Wow, impressive! You've already started reviewing physics, while I've only just opened my first-year math book. Having a private tutor really makes a difference!"
Su Yun rolled her eyes. "Focus on your studies and stop talking nonsense."
Xia Ying stuck out her tongue and fell silent.
After studying for a while, Chen Xiue knocked on the door and brought them a plate of washed and sliced apples.
"Yingzi, have some apples before you continue studying."
"Xiaoyun, if you need anything, just call me, alright?"
Both girls replied, "Got it, Mom."
"Got it, thank you, Auntie!"
Satisfied with their diligence, Chen Xiue nodded and left the room.
As soon as the door closed, Su Yun heard her mother's scolding voice outside: "He Hua, what are you sneaking around looking at? Don't you have anything better to do than keep watching my Xiaoyun? Are you planning to report her again?"
Immediately after came He Hua's flustered reply: "Auntie, no—I wasn't… I just came out to wash dishes…"
Hearing this, Xia Ying curled her lips in annoyance. "That He Hua is so irritating. When will she finally be sent to the countryside?"
Without looking up, Su Yun continued solving her problems. "Who knows?"
He Hua's fate had already diverged from her past life. Su Yun had a feeling she might not be sent to the countryside this time.
But it didn't matter much. Right now, the most important thing for Su Yun was to study hard and get into university. Nothing else was worth her attention.
After finishing their study session that night, Chen Xiue asked Su Yun and Su Baoguo to escort Xia Ying home.
When Gao Tianci saw Su Baoguo heading out, he insisted on tagging along. Soon, the three Wang brothers joined as well, and the group set off noisily together.
With so many children accompanying them, Chen Xiue felt reassured and watched as they left the alley.
The next morning, the courtyard gradually came to life after the rooster crowed three times.
Su Yun got up early, steamed a pot of hot buns for breakfast, cooked porridge, and cut some pickled radish. The whole family ate heartily and felt satisfied.
After Su Wenshan left, Chen Xiue gave a few instructions to Su Yun and Su Baoguo before hurriedly heading out with her bag.
Recently, both the steel factory and the textile factory had been rushing production. Workers weren't allowed to take leave—even weekends were busy, leaving them no time to rest.