Chapter 233: Chapter 233: Meeting Lu Jianye Again

There were too many people and too few positions. In the entire commune, with over a dozen production brigades, there was no shortage of educated people, and everyone had their eyes on these few spots. It wasn’t possible to just give them to anyone on a whim.

As for Xu Mingshan’s earlier promise to Lin Xiaomeng that he’d definitely get her in—pure nonsense, just empty words to fool her!

If he really could guarantee someone a spot, wouldn’t he save such a good opportunity for his own son or daughter? Why would he give it to his daughter-in-law? He was just painting her a pretty picture.

Fortunately, Lin Xiaomeng didn’t keep her hopes up for long, otherwise she would have been disappointed.

Xu Huainian secretly told Gu Qinghuan that the three teaching positions at the commune had already been decided by the leadership: there would be an open exam, and the best candidates would be chosen.

All the intellectuals in the commune’s production brigades, including the educated youth sent down from the cities, could sign up to participate.

After all, being a teacher wasn’t a job just anyone could do. They needed real intellectuals; otherwise, if they just pulled in someone who couldn’t even read, it would only harm the children.

He had some connections and got wind of this news early, so he told Gu Qinghuan to curry a bit of favor, since it was obvious that Gu Qinghuan and Xu Huainian were both destined for bigger things.

It was just that old fox Xu Mingshan, so shortsighted, sitting on a treasure without realizing it.

Since Gu Qinghuan found out about this in advance, she wasn’t going to let the opportunity slip through her fingers.

With three positions available, she was confident she could secure one for herself.

When it came to learning ability, she was second to none.

So, this position was hers for the taking.

The most urgent thing now was to get her hands on some study materials and brush up, just in case.

No sooner said than done.

Gu Qinghuan went straight into her space, opened up the vending machine, and saw that the ginseng she’d listed a few days ago had already sold out. The response seemed pretty good.

Twenty-five thousand had been credited to her account, and she was in a great mood. There really was never a shortage of rich people—something worth over a million or two in modern times had sold so easily.

She also saw that many people had messaged her privately, asking if she had more ginseng for sale. If the quality was as good as the last two, they were willing to pay a high price.

Gu Qinghuan instantly felt like she’d lost out on millions—she’d underestimated her own goods and sold them too cheap!

Looks like if she ever gets her hands on something this good again, she’ll have to price it higher.

She couldn’t be bothered to look at the comments and messages anymore—the more she looked, the more frustrated she felt.

Instead, Gu Qinghuan went straight to the search page and typed in: “Math, Physics, and Chemistry Series from the 1970s.”

But just as she finished typing, she suddenly thought of a loophole—she could just search for the very first year’s college entrance exam papers!

Then she wouldn’t even need to study—she could just ace the test and get a perfect score. How great would that be!

Unfortunately, loopholes like that don’t exist. No matter how hard she searched, she couldn’t find a trace of that year’s exam papers.

Oh well, she was just being greedy. It was more reliable to study steadily.

She couldn’t find the exam papers, but she did find the popular math, physics, and chemistry series from the 1970s. They weren’t the original editions, but reprints from later years, though the content was the same.

Gu Qinghuan bought three sets—one for herself, and she planned to send the other two to Gu Lanting and Ming Ruxue later, to encourage them to study as well.

As for the textbooks from the 1970s, she couldn’t find any. Even if she did, the pages would probably be too brittle to flip through.

So Gu Qinghuan decided to give up and planned to look for a set in the county town another day.

The day after Xu Huainian left, Gu Qinghuan headed to the county town.

She was afraid that if she didn’t keep busy, her mind would wander endlessly.

So this is what it feels like to have someone special.

Watching the sky in the morning and the clouds at dusk, thinking of him whether walking or sitting.

The person who used to chatter endlessly and treat you with such gentle care was suddenly gone, and life felt unbearably lonely.

—

On the train to Beijing, Xu Huainian stared out the window, lost in thought, a faint smile appearing on his face.

The young woman sitting across from him was stunned. This big, stoic guy had been expressionless since boarding yesterday—she thought he didn’t know how to smile, what a waste of such a handsome face.

But when he did smile, he was so attractive, like ice and snow melting, like a spring breeze.

In that instant, she felt like she was falling in love. Oh my, this guy is just too handsome, I can’t take it.

Xu Huainian noticed the woman’s repeated attempts to get his attention and her ingratiating smile, so he immediately wiped the smile off his face and returned to his cold expression.

He had just been thinking of Gu Qinghuan.

That carefree girl—he wondered if she ever thought of him.

As the train was about to arrive in the afternoon, the woman finally mustered up her courage. While the others in their compartment were off to the restroom or fetching hot water, she took out a pen and paper and handed them over.

“Comrade, could I get your contact information? Let’s be friends and build a revolutionary friendship.”

Xu Huainian didn’t even reach for it, just shook his head.

“I’m a married man. It wouldn’t be appropriate,” he said, with a clear note of pride in his voice.

After all, he had a wife.

The woman’s expression froze.

She’d imagined many ways she might be rejected, but she never expected he’d already be married. What a shame they met so late.

Just then, Gu Lanting, who had returned with hot water, witnessed the whole scene and nodded in satisfaction.

At least his sister hadn’t married the wrong man—Xu Huainian really knew how to handle things.

It was just that his face was too striking, even prettier than a woman’s, always attracting attention. In just two days and one night on the train, he’d seen plenty of young women sending flirtatious glances his way.

If his sister were here, none of these women combined could compare to even her little finger, yet they still dared to dream. Who gave them the courage?

When Gu Lanting sat down, he deliberately glared at the girl across from him.

Hmph, trying to steal his sister’s man? Not on his watch.

The girl didn’t dare make another peep until she got off the train, afraid Gu Lanting would give her a good slap.

—

Back to Gu Qinghuan. After leaving Xujiatun, she found a secluded spot, took a brand-new ladies’ bicycle out of her space, bundled herself up tightly, and rode straight to the county town.

Once there, she headed straight for the provisions store. The only person she knew in the county was Lu Jianye, the manager there. She wondered if he’d managed to sell off the batch of Plum Blossom watches she’d given him last time.

Of course, she didn’t come empty-handed—her basket held a wild pheasant and a wild rabbit.

She had plenty of these in her space now, and Lu Jianye certainly wouldn’t mind—meat was precious these days.

Lu Jianye had been doing quite well these past few months. Thanks to the batch of watches Gu Qinghuan had sold him, he’d not only made money but also smoothed over some tricky relationships.

When he saw Gu Qinghuan again, he was as happy as if he were seeing his own daughter, his face beaming.

“Xiao Gu! Long time no see. Has your mother’s injury healed?”

Gu Qinghuan smiled back, “Uncle Lu, long time no see. I’m here to wish you a belated happy New Year. I’ve been busy these past few months and haven’t made it to the county. Here’s a little New Year’s gift for you.

My mother’s injury has healed, thank you for your concern.”

With that, Gu Qinghuan handed over the basket."

"Chapter 234: Discussing Cooperation