After registering the two boys and sending them to their classroom, Shen Zhihuan was about to head home. However, she was pulled into an empty office by the homeroom teacher who had just stepped out of the classroom.

As the door closed in front of her, Shen Zhihuan casually found a chair and sat down. She quietly watched the teacher glance through the door crack, then rush to check the window.

Only after fiddling around for a while did the teacher sit down in the chair beside her.

“There’s confirmed news. It won’t be long before we can take the college entrance exam. When you’re free at home, try to get some high school textbooks and review materials. Let’s go together when the time comes,” Lin Tianxia whispered into Shen Zhihuan’s ear.

The college entrance exam…

If Shen Zhihuan remembered correctly, the official announcement was set for October 12.

No wonder Wang Tiezhu’s youngest son has been running to the educated youth dormitory whenever he has nothing to do recently.

He don’t go to the fields to be a supervisor anymore!

“The city’s recycling centers have lots of high school textbooks and review materials. Get them quickly before everyone catches on. Once people realize, there’ll be nothing left,” Lin Tianxia whispered hurriedly.

Seeing that Shen Zhihuan wasn’t responding, Lin Tianxia nudged her with her elbow. “Did you hear me?”

“Mm,” Shen Zhihuan nodded.

The college entrance exam wasn’t in her plans. What was the point of buying those materials just to let them gather dust?
Wasn’t the purpose of the exam to change one’s destiny?
But she had money and ration tickets—
She didn’t need to change her destiny!

She was very satisfied with her current life and had no desire to alter it.
Even less so for the sake of a few measly silver coins that would force her to leave her mother and little brother behind.

In another two years, when restrictions were fully lifted, she could easily find a new way to make money…

With her intelligence and the hard currency in her pocket, she could provide a good life for her mother and little brother without needing a university degree.

“Whatever you do, don’t tell Xu Jiaojiao about this,” Lin Tianxia cautioned.

A faint sound of footsteps approached from a distance.

Lin Tianxia quickly stopped talking, lowered her steps, and crouched behind the door to peek through the crack.

Shen Zhihuan thought for a moment, then picked up a pen from Lin Tianxia’s desk.

By the time Lin Tianxia returned from peeking through the back window, Shen Zhihuan had already written a lengthy note.

“Review these things carefully,” Shen Zhihuan said, tearing the sheet of paper off and handing it to Lin Tianxia.

Though Lin Tianxia could be a bit chatty, she had been kind to the original owner. This would count as repaying her for those two chunks of meat.

“Where did you hear all this?” Lin Tianxia asked softly after glancing at Shen Zhihuan’s notes.

The news about the college entrance exam had only recently reached her father, and even then, it was only a tentative plan, not yet finalized. Forget about internal details.

“I guessed. Read more when you have the time—it’ll be good for you,” Shen Zhihuan replied, standing up.

The original owner’s reserved nature had led to average relationships with her classmates. She rarely initiated conversations and barely spoke unless others approached her.

In three years of middle school, fewer than half of her classmates had ever spoken to her, and most were either elementary schoolmates or those seated around her.

“Good for me? Aren’t you taking the college entrance exam?” Lin Tianxia frowned.

Why did they bother learning to read and write?
Now that the opportunity had come, why wasn’t she fighting for it?

“There aren’t many spots. I’ll leave the chance for others who need it,” Shen Zhihuan said with a smile.

Let those who needed to change their destinies take the opportunity.

As for her…
Living simply and happily suited her just fine.

“Don’t worry about the spots. I’ll have my father find a way for you. Just focus on your studies,” Lin Tianxia said earnestly, patting her chest.

“I don’t want to study anymore,” Shen Zhihuan admitted frankly.

In her past life, her frail health had forced her to spend most of her time buried in books.

This time around, she wanted nothing more than to live freely and comfortably.

A flash of surprise crossed Lin Tianxia’s face. “Didn’t you love studying before…”

The Shen Zhihuan who used to bury her head in books, ignoring the outside world, now said she didn’t want to study anymore?!
Was she hearing things, or had Shen Zhihuan lost her mind?

“That was before. Now, I just want to spend time with my mom and brother, raise my little brother into someone successful, and let him earn money to take care of me,” Shen Zhihuan joked with a carefree smile.

“Are you really Shen Zhihuan?” Lin Tianxia asked, looking at her doubtfully, her tone tinged with helplessness.

“You can just pretend I’m not!” Shen Zhihuan replied with a laugh.

“Do you realize that if you miss this chance, you might be stuck in this remote mountain village for the rest of your life?” Lin Tianxia said, exasperated.

Opportunities like this didn’t come easily…
How could she give up so casually?

“Lin Tianxia, I believe in you! Good luck!” Shen Zhihuan said, patting Lin Tianxia on the shoulder.

“You…” Lin Tianxia was furious.

“You should get to class. I’m leaving now. Let’s talk later,” Shen Zhihuan said, heading toward the door.

Just as she reached for the latch, she turned back and added, “Take some time to review what I wrote.”

“Shen Zhihuan…” Lin Tianxia stomped her foot in frustration as she watched Shen Zhihuan leave.

Ignoring Lin Tianxia’s exasperation, Shen Zhihuan strode out of the school and toward the Shen family home.

Passing an old warehouse with its dilapidated roof exposed, she glanced at it disdainfully before continuing on her way.

The morning air was crisp and fresh, carrying a slight chill. Breathing it in while watching the rising sun, Shen Zhihuan felt relaxed and happy.

In her past life, her grandparents had left her a fortune she couldn’t spend in a lifetime, yet she hadn’t been happy.

Without them, no one in that world had genuinely loved her.

The concern from that scumbag of a man had only been for her funds—her stocks, savings, and the 51% stake in his company.

He was afraid…
Afraid she’d sell the shares, leaving him and his mistresses and children to live under a bridge.

Greed often robbed people of happiness.

When people stopped striving, they found peace. When they stopped longing, they found serenity.

Everyone had their own way of living. There was no need to imitate anyone else’s life.

“Zhihuan…”

The voice, imprinted deep in the original owner’s soul, made Shen Zhihuan frown.

She turned around, annoyed, to face someone a few steps away.

“What do you want?”

“Are you doing well?” Su Zijie asked, his eyes brimming with sorrow.

“Couldn’t be better!” Shen Zhihuan sneered, curling her lips before turning and walking away.

“That’s good…” Su Zijie muttered, staring blankly at her retreating figure, his eyes misting over.