Chapter 28

Lin Yun nodded and looked at Lin Yumei, who also nodded. They were both mentally prepared for this.

Teacher Zhao glanced at them and offered a gentle reassurance: “Don’t worry too much. It’s just a test to assess your academic level—it won’t be too hard. But you do have to take this exam.”

Lin Yumei nodded. “I understand, teacher. Thank you.”

“It’s no problem. The exam is tomorrow, so you can leave your things in your sisters’ dormitory today and come back tomorrow.”

“I understand.” After saying that, the three of them left.

“Jie (Big sis), are you going back today? Or…?” Lin Yun asked. But as soon as the words left her mouth, she realized the question was unnecessary. If her sister didn’t go back, where else could she stay? Their dorm was too small to accommodate another person.

“Mm, I’ll go back today and come again tomorrow.”

“Then let’s go walk around town a bit. You should get something to eat before you leave—you haven’t really eaten anything today.” Lin Yun suggested, “And I happen to have some food coupons.”

The three of them headed to the bustling streets of the county town. Lin Yun immediately noticed that, even though it was just a small county, it was still very different from their hometown. The variety of goods available was much broader. She even saw a shop selling the “Four Big Items”—something you’d never find in their town.

Using one jin (500g) of grain coupons and 50 cents, Lin Yun bought 10 steamed buns. She gave two to Zhao Baozhu, kept one for herself, and asked Lin Yumei to take the remaining seven home.

Zhao Baozhu was stunned by her friend’s spending habits. “Erya! You just spent 50 cents on ten steamed buns?! We haven’t even been apart for one summer and you’ve turned into such a big spender!”

Lin Yun figured that Zhao Baozhu would find out eventually anyway, so she didn’t hide it. “I picked a lot of centipedes over the summer and made some money, so I have cash now.” She didn’t mention the exact amount.

“Still, you shouldn’t spend like this. You’ll need money for your studies too. Honestly, the two of us could’ve shared one bun. Don’t give me so many—take some back.” She tried to shove the buns back into the red plastic bag.

“If you say that, then don’t give me anything to eat in the future either. I won’t be able to repay you and would feel bad every time I eat your food.”

“Do you think I give you food because I expect something in return?” Zhao Baozhu said, a little annoyed.

“Of course I know you don’t. You care about me, and when you find something tasty, you want to share it with me. And now I feel the same way! I earned some money this summer and I want to share my happiness with my best friend. I’ve never had steamed buns before, but since so many people are buying them, they must be good. I want to share that with you. We’re the same in this way.”

Zhao Baozhu was a bit dazed by Lin Yun’s heartfelt speech, but she couldn’t help but agree that it made a lot of sense.

“Besides,” Lin Yun added, “if you think I gave you too much, then let’s just keep sharing good food from now on.”

Hearing this, Zhao Baozhu nodded firmly. “Alright. Next time I get something tasty, we’ll share it again.”

Lin Yun nodded too. After they finished eating their share of the buns, they walked together to a fork in the road. Lin Yun reminded Lin Yumei again, “Jie, have Gangzi bring you tomorrow. It’s not that safe coming so early on your own.”

“Alright, alright, I get it. You’ve said this so many times already. I used to walk that road all the time and never had any problems. You worry like a little old lady.”

“It’s always better to be cautious. Go on, hurry back before it gets too dark—it’ll be harder to walk then.”

After sending Lin Yumei off, Zhao Baozhu and Lin Yun strolled around town a bit more. Zhao Baozhu bought some school supplies, while Lin Yun had already bought hers back in town and brought them along, so she didn’t need anything.

Even though they didn’t buy much, they had a great time. It seemed like, no matter the era, shopping was always something that could lift people’s spirits.

When Lin Yun returned to school with Zhao Baozhu, they happened to run into a teacher who had been looking for her.

“Lin Yun, come with me. The school needs to talk to you about something.”

Lin Yun asked Zhao Baozhu to head back to the dorm first and followed the teacher to the grade-level office.

Although it was called the teachers’ office, it didn’t even have a proper desk—it looked more like an ordinary classroom than an office.

The grade director came over when they entered. “Lin Yun, here’s the situation: since you didn’t finish your first year of high school and went home, you missed the exam where students choose between liberal arts and science. We’re asking which track you’d like to take.”

Lin Yun was a bit surprised. She had assumed the school would make her take an exam before assigning her a track. She hadn’t expected them to just ask for her preference directly.

Then she remembered—this was still a time when most things were done by hand. Especially in this place where computers weren’t even a concept yet, things were often handled simply.

Although she had the original host’s memories, academic performance was something that relied on personal effort. Over the summer, she had only glanced at some textbooks, and they were likely quite basic. The test content might differ greatly from what she read.

With that in mind, Lin Yun spoke up: “Teacher, I’d like to take the exam to assess my actual level. Missing the previous exam was a regret for me, and I don’t want to carry that regret into my second year. Also, if I’m placed in a class based solely on my preference, it might not be fair to the students who actually took the test.”

The teachers were a bit surprised by her response. A good student was hard to come by in a rural school like this. Compared to other high schools, their conditions were much worse. That was why all the teachers had high hopes for Lin Yun. When she dropped out, the principal had even gone to her house to try and persuade her to return.

If the school could produce a student who got into a good university, it would help with funding and resources later on.

So when they found out Lin Yun had returned to school, the teachers were thrilled and determined to support this promising student. That’s why they initially considered skipping the track selection exam and just placing her directly.

But unexpectedly, the student herself asked to take the test. This made the teachers even more pleased.

“Alright, come to the office tomorrow to take the exam. You won’t join any classes for now. Once we determine your track, we’ll assign you to the appropriate class.”