As the time to start work approached, the village work horn sounded again.

“Mother, it’s time. You should go now! I’ll just take a short stroll and come back, I won’t wear myself out.” Shen Zhihuan took the basket from Li Qiuhua’s hands.

She really had to thank the ancestors of Xu Youcai for eight generations. If it weren’t for his reluctance to approve her leave during the busy farming season, she wouldn’t have had a chance to escape.

Li Qiuhua anxiously reminded her, “Zhihuan, make sure you come back early. Don’t miss Uncle Wang’s ox cart…”

“Mother, I know!” Shen Zhihuan nodded quickly.

She had already heard this reminder 800 times at home.

Xiao Weidong scrunched up his face and pouted. “Third Sister…”

“Don’t worry, Third Sister will be back soon. If there’s anything you want to eat, speak up now—this is a one-time opportunity!” Shen Zhihuan smiled, ruffling Xiao Weidong’s face, which was wrinkled like a little old man’s.

What a little rascal!
She was just going to the market, not off to war—why the look of tragic parting?

“Third Sister, I don’t want anything. Just promise to come back early and don’t overwork or starve yourself,” Xiao Weidong said, full of concern.

Grandpa Hua had warned them, third sister mustn’t be overworked or starved, or the consequences would be severe.

“Third Sister, if you’re hungry in town, buy whatever you want to eat. Don’t worry about money. I’m grown up now, and I can earn work points. Don’t be afraid I won’t be able to take care of you.” Xiao Weidong tilted his head back and spoke earnestly, almost thumping his chest to emphasize his promise.

“You’re such a good little brother.” Shen Zhihuan crouched down and planted a kiss on Xiao Weidong’s forehead.

With such a brother devoted to his sister, she’d never have to worry about going hungry again.

Xiao Weidong covered his forehead where she had kissed him, and his face flushed red.

“Mother, I’m heading to Uncle Wang’s house.” Shen Zhihuan, speaking as she ran, leaned over to plant a quick kiss on Li Qiuhua’s cheek before darting away.

“The older you get, the less proper you are!” Li Qiuhua exclaimed, half-scolding, half-smiling as she watched her daughter leave with a spring in her step.

Sitting in the jolting ox cart, Shen Zhihuan steadied the basket on her lap and stared at the villagers working in the fields, her mind drifting blankly.

“Zhihuan, how have you been feeling lately?” Wang Chungen tightened his grip on the reins.

“Hmm?” Shen Zhihuan snapped out of her thoughts.

“Your health…” Wang Chungen glanced sideways at Shen Zhihuan who looked confused, his eyes holding a hint of amusement.

“Much better!” Shen Zhihuan smiled lightly.

Compared to the original owner’s constant small illnesses and occasional major ones, she really was doing much better. She firmly believed that as long as she ate and rested well, she’d recover fully in no time.

She glanced down at herself and thought, Not bad! Still salvageable.

“Oh, by the way! Zhihuan, have you heard about the educated youth coming to our production team?” Wang Chungen suddenly remembered his errand for the day.

“I’ve heard.” Shen Zhihuan nodded with a smile.

It would have been hard not to, considering the fuss they were making—fixing roofs, repairing walls, and installing glass shards to deter trespassers.

The so-called old educated youth point was really just for show.

Panshi Village wasn’t large, and besides being remote, it also had little farmland. Compared to the other, more populous and fertile villages in Shuangsha Town, Panshi was unimpressive.

As a result, whenever educated youth were assigned to the countryside, Panshi was usually overlooked.

Still, to align with policy directives, the previous production team leader had converted a confiscated landlord’s estate into an educated youth residence. Over the years, the unoccupied place had become the “educated youth point.”

“This time, seven educated youths are coming to our team. My uncle says once they’re here, they’ll start a literacy class for everyone who can’t read or write,” Wang Chungen said excitedly.

Literacy class… Shen Zhihuan’s lips twitched in a faint smile.

Wang Tiezhu deserved his reputation as the production team leader who outshone his peers. The educated youth hadn’t even arrived yet, and he was already planning their next tasks.

“Uncle Tiezhu is truly resourceful,” Shen Zhihuan said with a smile.

Xu Youcai, a fool who only knows how to add, subtract, multiply and divide, thought he could snatch the Team Leader/Brigade Leader position from someone like Wang Tiezhu?

In his dreams!

Wang Chungen cast a sidelong glance at Shen Zhihuan, his expression hesitant. “My uncle also mentioned wanting me… to learn… to drive a tractor…”

“That’s great!” Shen Zhihuan replied absentmindedly as her gaze caught a familiar figure.

Gao Xiuxiu…

As soon as she saw her, the “scene” of the old warehouse automatically emerged in her mind.

Shen Zhihuan shook her head, forcing the mental clutter away, and turned her thoughts to the future.

Once the overall situation allowed it, she’d move her family to the city—far from the petty dramas here.

Most importantly, in a new place where no one knew their history, she wouldn’t have to worry about sparking unnecessary suspicions just by having a decent meal or bowl of porridge.

“My uncle said that once I learn how to drive the tractor, I’ll work as the team’s tractor driver. That way, even if I don’t work in the fields, I’ll earn full work points every day of the year.” Wang Chungen sat up straighter, his nervousness evident.

“That’s wonderful!” Shen Zhihuan absentmindedly repeated her response, her thoughts occupied with choosing an ideal city to relocate to.

Chuan City…
Too small—running into acquaintances would be too easy.

Beijing…
Without connections, surviving in such a place would be tough.

Shanghai…
Seafood might be abundant, but the constant briny smell was overwhelming.

Nancheng…
Mild winters, cool summers, and spring-like weather year-round. Perfect.

She envisioned buying a slightly larger home with a front yard and a backyard. The front yard could have flowers and vegetables, while the backyard could host fruit trees and some chickens and ducks…

“Zhihuan, you and Zijie…” Wang Chungen hesitantly broached the subject.

“Me and Su Zijie?” Shen Zhihuan blinked, confused, and turned to look at Wang Chungen in the driver’s seat. “What about me and him?”

Was there something between her and Su Zijie she wasn’t aware of?

She racked her brain for details about the original owner’s relationship with Su Zijie.

Despite being engaged since childhood, they had barely spoken to each other.

Even during the rare times they crossed paths on the way to school, Xu Jiaojiao was always there.

Compared to the quiet and reserved original owner, Xu Jiaojiao, with her outgoing personality, seemed to have far more to talk about with Su Zijie.

Wang Chungen tightened his grip on the reins. “Zijie is a good person, but his mother…”

“Fate isn’t something you can force,” Shen Zhihuan said, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.

So he wanted to play mediator?

Here she was thinking she’d missed something important.

She had money, she had ration tickets—what would she need a man for?

Besides, heaven had kindly relieved her of that burden already. Why on earth would she go looking for trouble?