"Fake collars," Zhou Bin had also heard about this matter, and he said, who could have come up with this idea? It turned out to be this person right in front of him.
"Sister, you're the best." Zhou Bin didn't say any more words of thanks.
"It's getting late, so I'll head back. Brother Zhou, if you find a suitable house, please call the village," Chen Lishu said, giving Zhou Bin the village's phone number before bidding farewell to the two and heading home.
When she arrived, her family hadn't finished their work yet. Gu Xingping was washing clothes in the shade and was very happy to see Chen Lishu return.
"Third Sister-in-law, you're back! These past few days you were gone felt so boring, I didn't even have anyone to talk to."
Gu Xingping quickly wiped the water from her hands and got up to greet her, taking the bag from her.
"Third Sister-in-law, you must be tired from the carriage ride. Are you hungry? We still have some flatbread left from breakfast, shall I make you some porridge?"
Chen Lishu saw her putting down her things and about to leave, so she quickly called out to stop her, "Little sister, don't bother. I don't have much appetite right now. Let's wait and eat with everyone tonight."
"Then, Third Sister-in-law, you should go sleep on the kang. I'll make dinner," Gu Xingping urged her to rest, seeing that she didn't look very energetic.
After riding the carriage all night and walking another twenty li with her belongings, Chen Lishu was indeed tired and sleepy. Hearing Gu Xingping say that, she nodded in agreement and climbed onto the kang. As soon as her head touched the pillow, she fell into a deep sleep.
When she woke up again, the Gu family members had already finished their work. Gu Xingping had also prepared the meal and was just about to call her. Seeing that she had woken up on her own, she quickly called out, "Third Sister-in-law, wash your face and come over for a meal to freshen up."
"Mmm." Chen Lishu fetched some water to wash her face before sitting down at the table.
The whole family was very happy to see her back.
"How is Xingdong in the army? It must be very tough, hasn't he lost weight?" The other children were all around, but this one was far away, so Li Xiulan was particularly concerned.
"They have a lot of training, but the食堂's food is good, with two dishes every meal. It's not far from the city, and there's even a bus that runs past the camp gate," Chen Lishu said, picking the good parts to say, trying to ease her worry.
As expected, the elderly couple felt much more at ease.
"Mom, I washed all the clothes at home today and also cut a lot of pig feed," Gu Xingping said, handing a bowl of rice to Li Xiulan with a pleasing expression.
"Hmph."
Li Xiulan wasn't as pleased with her as usual. She snorted and took the bowl, saying unhappily, "You didn't want to go to school when you had the chance. Is working at home more comfortable than studying? You didn't get into high school this year, so you'll repeat a year and take the exam again next year. But you, you'd rather work at home than go to school. What kind of future can you have? Look at how many people applied to be worker-peasant-soldier university students this year, but in the end, they still chose high school graduates among the educated youth."
Li Xiulan had only one daughter, whom she doted on like a precious gem. Coming down early meant going to the fields to work early, so she naturally didn't want her child to suffer.
Moreover, having a high school diploma would open up more opportunities. Even if she couldn't find a job, she could still become a scorekeeper in the village. But this child, no matter how many sweet words and explanations she gave, it was useless. She was simply dead set on not studying.
Gu Xingping tried to please her again but was met with a rebuff. Her smile was a little stiff, and she said sheepishly, "Mom, you know my grades. I'm just not cut out for studying. Let alone repeating a year, even ten years wouldn't be enough. Why do you have to force me?"
Chen Lishu only then realized that such a major event had happened at home during her absence.
As someone who had been reborn, she naturally knew that the college entrance examination would be reinstated next year, and education was crucial, almost capable of changing a person's entire life.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but interject, "Little sister, reading more is beneficial. Our country is advocating for the early realization of the four modernizations, which will surely require talents in all fields. This trip of mine showed me that the situation in the provincial capital is much better than here, which means such days will pass soon, and the restoration of the college entrance examination is inevitable. I am also preparing for it now. Once admitted to university, jobs are guaranteed, and your future path will be completely different from now."
She couldn't explicitly say that the college entrance examination would be reinstated next year, but she felt she had hinted at it quite clearly.
"Third Sister-in-law, I understand what you're saying, and I know you all mean well for me. But I really can't focus on studying. I just want to be like you and do business to make money."
Gu Xingping, unable to do anything else, finally revealed her thoughts.
"Why are you in such a hurry to make money? Is the family short of food or drink for you? You don't listen to anything anyone says now, and you'll regret it someday." Li Xiulan was still angry whenever she saw her.
Gu Shoufou looked at his daughter's wronged eyes and could only say helplessly, "Let's eat first. We can talk about it after the meal."
Li Xiulan saw that he had spoken and didn't say anything more. She picked up her bowl and started eating.
After dinner, she tidied up the kitchen. Chen Lishu returned to her room and distributed the items she had bought in the provincial capital to Zhang Qin and Li Xiulan's rooms.
Finally, she delivered the things she had bought for Gu Xingping.
"Third Sister-in-law."
After knocking, the door was opened. Chen Lishu noticed that Gu Xingping's eyes were a little red, indicating she had likely been crying just now.
"I bought these in the provincial capital and brought a share for you too." Chen Lishu smiled and handed over the items. Gu Xingping's eyes lit up when she saw what she was holding.
"Third Sister-in-law, you're too good to me." Gu Xingping still had a bit of childishness in her. Seeing the silk scarf and face cream, she immediately forgot her previous unhappiness and even started holding the scarf up to the mirror to try it on.
Seeing that her mood had improved, Chen Lishu thought for a moment before saying, "Little sister, are you not planning to repeat the year?"
When Gu Xingping heard her question, she took off the silk scarf tied around her neck, pulled Chen Lishu to sit by the table.
"Third Sister-in-law, I know what you and Mom are thinking, but I really don't want to go to school anymore. Do you know, when I sit in the classroom, my mind is elsewhere, and I can't study at all, and it's a waste of money. Ever since I started making hair ornaments with you, I feel that this is great. You can make money doing anything, and you don't necessarily have to go to school, right?"
Chen Lishu saw her looking a bit anxious and patted her hand to comfort her, "You're right. Just like me, I didn't even finish elementary school, yet I can still earn a lot of money, even more than others in the village."
Seeing that Chen Lishu agreed with her, Gu Xingping's tense nerves gradually relaxed. She was like a sensitive hedgehog now; anyone who tried to make her give up her own ideas and follow others' wishes would be met with her quills.
Chen Lishu paused for a moment, looking into her eyes, and said earnestly, "But have you ever thought that my situation is only temporary? Without culture and knowledge, doing business won't last long."