“…I understand,” Xiao Weidong nodded, wringing his hands.

“Weidong, I have to say this—you need to take care of Sister Huan. She’s not in good health. What would you do if you wore her out?” Xiao Pang stood on tiptoe, imitating Shen Zhihuan, and ruffled Xiao Weidong’s hair.

When Shen Zhihuan came out wearing her shoes, she saw Xiao Pang, a little rascal acting all grown-up, messing with Xiao Weidong’s hair and couldn’t help but laugh.

“What are you two talking about?” Shen Zhihuan asked with a smile as she walked toward them.

“Nothing! Right, Weidong?” Xiao Pang winked at Xiao Weidong.

“Mm!” Xiao Weidong nodded quickly.

Seeing the two little ones acting all secretive, Shen Zhihuan chuckled, turned to remind Li Qiuhua about something, and then led the two boys out the gate.

The primary school in Panshi Village was located next to the village office, and most of the children walked there by themselves.

In these days, bicycles were rare on rural roads, let alone cars, so parents didn’t worry about their children encountering any dangers on the way.

Since it was still early and the loudspeaker announcing the start of work hadn’t sounded yet, the road was quiet, with only a few early risers heading to the meeting point.

When the villagers saw Xiao Weidong with his schoolbag, they teased him playfully:

“Well, look at you, Weidong! Not earning work points today?”
“Didn’t you say you were all grown up? Why aren’t you earning work points now?”
“Xiao Weidong’s not earning work points—he’s going to be a scholar!”

“My sister says that studying and gaining knowledge will let me earn more work points in the future,” Xiao Weidong replied, blushing.

“Sister Huan is right. Kids like us should go to school and learn to read and write. Earning work points is something to do when we’re bigger,” Xiao Pang said, puffing out his chest.

The two boys’ serious demeanor made the adults laugh uncontrollably.

At that moment, the loudspeaker sounded, calling the villagers to start their workday.

“Uncle, Auntie, you go ahead. I’m taking them to school,” Shen Zhihuan said with a smile, holding the boys’ hands as they headed toward the school.

Watching the three of them walk away, the adults picked up their hoes and headed to the meeting point.

“That girl Zhihuan is becoming prettier by the day. Her skin looks like it would drip water if you pinched it.”
“And she’s getting more capable, too. The postman from the town came to her house again the other day.”
“Probably delivering another money order.”
“Of course. Didn’t you see? Yesterday, the whole family went to town and bought so many things that her mother’s basket nearly collapsed under the weight.”
“With such a capable daughter, her mother is bound to enjoy a good life.”
“Isn’t that the truth?”

The group chatted casually as they walked.

“Ahem…”

As they neared the meeting point, one sharp-eyed woman noticed Xu Youcai nearby and quickly coughed to alert the others.

Xu Youcai glared at them coldly, anger bubbling in his chest.

Noticing something was off, the group immediately stopped talking, hunched their shoulders, and hurried into the crowd.

By this time, Shen Zhihuan had already arrived at the school with the two boys.

Drawing on the original owner’s memories, Shen Zhihuan easily found the office.

Just as she raised her hand to knock, the green wooden door swung open from the inside.

“Shen Zhihuan!”

The person who opened the door was a girl of seventeen or eighteen. When she saw Shen Zhihuan, a flicker of surprise and delight flashed in her eyes.

“Lin Tianxia!” Shen Zhihuan quickly searched her memory and identified the girl.

Lin Tianxia…

She was the original owner’s middle school classmate.

Lin Tianxia’s father, Lin Maojiang, was a Chinese teacher and also the homeroom teacher at Shuangsha Middle School. Her mother, Huang Yanhong, worked in the school cafeteria serving meals.

Even though the school food wasn’t great, Lin Tianxia always had a couple of fragrant bits of lard in her bowl. On the rare occasion that leaders came to inspect the school, she would have a few extra pieces of mouthwatering fatty meat at the bottom of her bowl.

Everyone in Shuangsha Middle School envied her.

“I’m surprised you still remember me,” Lin Tianxia said, blinking as she gave Shen Zhihuan a once-over. “You’ve put on some weight—and gotten prettier.”

“Weight?” Shen Zhihuan looked down at her thin frame, which seemed like it could be blown away by the wind. How did that count as weight?

“No, no! That’s not what I meant!” Lin Tianxia quickly waved her hands. “I mean, you look healthier than you did in school. You’ve even become prettier. You have no idea how many people used to call you a stick behind your back.”

A stick…

Shen Zhihuan chuckled softly.

It was quite accurate!

“Shen Zhihuan, do you remember that chubby kid who always sat in the front row? He’s grown tall and slim now and looks pretty good. He even works at a machine factory now. Isn’t that impressive?” Lin Tianxia said, switching topics.

“Oh, by the way! Xu Jiaojiao, you know her, right? She’s from your village. Her fiance also works at a machine factory. Yesterday, I ran into her at the village supply store, and she couldn’t stop bragging about it. She was practically shouting for everyone to hear!”

Lin Tianxia rolled her eyes.

“It’s just a machine factory worker. What’s the big deal?”

As if no one else had ever seen one before.

“…”

The vein in Shen Zhihuan’s temple throbbed.

That’s impressive…
What’s the big deal…

The difference was glaringly obvious!

“Shen Zhihuan, let me tell you, Xu Jiaojiao is no good. Back in school, she badmouthed you all the time. Just stay away from her in the future,” Lin Tianxia said with a snort. Then her eyes lit up, and she asked excitedly, “By the way, have you found a boyfriend yet?”

“Lin Tianxia, we can chat later. I still need to help my brothers register,” Shen Zhihuan replied with a laugh.

If this girl kept talking, she wouldn’t get the boys registered today.

“Both of them are your brothers?” Lin Tianxia asked, pointing at Xiao Pang and Xiao Weidong, who stood like a pair of loyal guards beside Shen Zhihuan.

“One is my younger brother, and the other is my neighbor’s child,” Shen Zhihuan replied, ruffling both boys’ heads.

Lin Tianxia’s hands itched as she watched and reached out to ruffle their hair too. However, before she could, the two boys stepped back in unison and hid behind Shen Zhihuan.

“…”

Lin Tianxia pouted and awkwardly withdrew her hand.

“What grade are they in?”

“First grade,” Shen Zhihuan said, pressing her lips together to suppress a laugh.

Then she glanced toward the office. “Is the first-grade homeroom teacher inside?”

“No,” Lin Tianxia said, pouting again.

“Do you know where she went?” Shen Zhihuan asked, scanning the large playground behind her.

“She’s right here!” Lin Tianxia said smugly, lifting her chin proudly.

“…”

Shen Zhihuan felt the vein in her temple throb again.

---

I would like to clarify something: previously, they were not having a wedding but an engagement banquet, and they are fiancés, not husband and wife.