Chapter 13

“Uncle Zhao, Uncle Xun, I have something I’d like to ask you.”

“What is it? Tell us.”

“I want a high school diploma. What should I do?” Xue Miaoyun had limited knowledge of this era and didn’t dare to casually ask others.

“A high school diploma?” Zhao Fengnian was taken aback. Nowadays, there were very few students and teachers actually attending classes at schools. The high school in the county could be said to be practically non-existent.

“Yes, didn’t Uncle Zhao say that the college entrance exam might resume in the future? When that happens, in order to go to university, I’ll need a high school diploma, right?”

“This…” Zhao Fengnian hadn’t expected that his casual remark about the possible resumption of the college entrance exam would lead his niece to want a high school diploma. He had only said it in passing, to comfort himself. If the college entrance exam didn’t resume, Miaoyun would be disappointed.

Xun Jinian, however, thought it was a good idea. Even without the college entrance exam, high school graduates had an easier time finding work than those with only a middle school education. Plus, other things could be taken away from you, but knowledge couldn’t.

“That’s a good idea. Education may not represent everything, but sometimes it’s just this kind of certificate that can make a difference.”

“Yes, opportunities are always for those who are prepared,” Xue Miaoyun nodded. “Even in the marriage market, education is a factor that makes people look at you more favorably.”

Zhao Fengnian nodded in agreement. “Since that’s the case, let’s think of a way.”

“It’s not difficult,” said Xun Jinian casually. “I know the principal of the county high school—he’s a former student of a professor I’m acquainted with. There aren’t many students at the school right now; most are only enrolled in name. Adding one more won’t be an issue.”

If Lihua hadn’t passed away so early, Miaoyun would have graduated high school long ago.

Xue Miaoyun was naturally very happy when she heard this. She thought for a moment and said, “Can I not attend school regularly and just take the final exams? It’s not that I don’t want to go to school, but there are hardly any teachers in the school who teach seriously now. I still have to live, and I need to work in the fields.”

Xun Jinian thought about it and agreed. The work points in the team were tied to the grain allocation after the autumn harvest. Ensuring food was the most basic need.

“That shouldn’t be a problem. You can retain your student status and just take the exams. I’ll personally go to talk to the principal about it.”

“Thank you, Uncle Xun,” Xue Miaoyun said, very pleased. Everything she had been concerned about was now resolved. Later, she would go to her space and get a pound of brown sugar to have someone run errands for her. It was important to send a gift to show gratitude. Xue Miaoyun understood the importance of human relationships.

Soon, Xun Jinian’s injuries healed, and he quickly took care of Xue Miaoyun’s school registration issue. By the second half of the year, she could register as a high school senior. As long as she passed the final exam, the graduation certificate would be issued.

Xue Miaoyun had collected a complete set of high school textbooks from the scrap recycling station. She also had her middle school books at home.

After reviewing the books, aside from some content specific to the era, everything else was fine.

In her free time, Xue Miaoyun studied some of the knowledge from this era, such as politics and Chinese literature, to keep up with the times.

Modern college entrance exams also required knowledge of current events.

Time passed, and autumn harvest arrived. No matter where you were, the autumn harvest was the busiest time for farmers.

Especially when there was a rush to gather the crops, it really was a time when women worked as hard as men and men worked like livestock.

Though Xue Miaoyun was strong, bending over to work in the fields still caused her back to ache.

Fortunately, Xue Miaoyun didn’t need to rely on farming to make money, as she only needed to take care of her share of the work.

Once she finished her part, she could stop working. Of course, sometimes she would help Xun Jinian and Zhao Fengnian, but nine times out of ten, they would refuse.

Her appearance had also changed more, and she didn’t dare to swim in the sea as often as she used to.

After estimating the remaining amount of cosmetics, she had to reduce her usage. As a result, in the eyes of others, Xue Miaoyun’s looks only seemed to improve.

Fortunately, so far no one had noticed anything unusual.

Everyone just thought it was the natural result of a girl growing up—she no longer had to work for the Song family, ate well, worked less, and it was perfectly normal that she had become fairer and more beautiful.

After the autumn harvest and the grain tax had been paid, the whole village became much quieter. Everyone was exhausted from the work, and with winter approaching, everyone needed to conserve their energy and prepare for the cold months.

Xue Miaoyun felt like she had forgotten something important, but saving money was just too enjoyable. Every half month, she would visit a black market. Whether it was military coats or brown sugar, both were popular items, and she never had trouble selling them.

Every three or four days, she would take a trip to the sea. She harvested all kinds of fish that could be sold for money and also searched for the traces of sunken ships.

This was something she hadn’t explored in her past life, so it was like looking for a needle in a haystack. Fortunately, she wasn’t in a hurry.

Every night, she would quietly leave the house. After all, the sea was the same whether it was day or night.

In this way, she had accumulated over a thousand yuan, and her space was filled with all kinds of fish catches. She really wanted to dry them out, but there was no place for her to do so.

One evening, after it had gotten dark, Xue Miaoyun quietly opened the door, preparing to take a swim. If she didn’t go for a swim after a while, it felt like something was missing.

Creeeak.

Hmm?

Xue Miaoyun took a step back and hid in the shadows.

A dark figure came out of the neighboring Song family’s house and walked eastward.

Though the sky was dim, Xue Miaoyun could still make out who the person was. Li Dacui.

After a moment of thought, Xue Miaoyun decided to follow her. The darkness did affect her vision slightly, but not much. She followed quietly and easily.

She saw Li Dacui sneakily reach the most dilapidated house at the edge of the village.

It seemed like every village had one or two haunted abandoned houses or old temples.

Xue Miaoyun knew this place. It was said to be the residence of a landlord before the founding of the country. During the war, the landlord’s family was wiped out, and even the babies in the house were killed. Naturally, it became known as a haunted house. The villagers said all sorts of things about it—there were rumors of baby cries coming from the house at night, and people who entered never came back out.

The naughtiest children in the village never dared to come near this place.

So why did Li Dacui come here?

Xue Miaoyun became even more curious and followed Li Dacui more cautiously. She watched as Li Dacui sneaked into a half-collapsed courtyard, squatting in a corner and doing something, before lifting up something.

Then her upper body disappeared into the ground.

After a long while, Li Dacui stood up, placed something into her pocket, and covered up the thing she had uncovered. She looked around cautiously for a moment before leaving.

Xue Miaoyun’s first reaction was that it was money. Li Dacui must have hidden money here.

Her curiosity piqued, Xue Miaoyun waited until Li Dacui had completely left before quietly approaching.