Xiao He’s expression shifted as he quickly moved to support her.

Military vehicles were quite high, and if Zhang Yanran hadn’t caught herself, she could have fallen badly. Once she stabilized herself, Xiao He stepped back, released his grip, and, spotting Tian Jiao in the yard, immediately smiled and walked over.

“Thank you,” Zhang Yanran said reflexively, but when she looked up and saw Xiao He rushing toward Tian Jiao, she was left speechless.

The smile on Tian Jiao’s face faded, replaced by a sour feeling in her heart. She knew it was just a simple act of assistance, yet why did Xiao He, who usually seemed indifferent to everyone, always pay so much attention to Zhang Yanran?

Biting her lip, she forced a smile as Xiao He approached with an expectant look. “I’m back. What did the doctor say?” she asked.

Xiao He blinked and handed her the notebook in his hand.

Tian Jiao looked at it for a moment, trying to decipher the doctor’s scrawl, but it was difficult.

Zhang Rui had already helped Zhang Dong out of the car. Li Mizhen and Zhang Dagen were also busy greeting the people who had brought them back. With nothing else to do, Zhang Rui joined Tian Jiao and quickly picked up on her confusion. “The doctor said he has recovered. There’s no longer any trace of the injuries on his body or head. His brain development is normal. He still refuses to speak, which is likely a psychological trauma. We found a psychiatrist, but that didn’t help. The psychiatrist mentioned that his medication is not here.”

They didn’t provide any specific solutions, leaving them to rely on opportunities—or perhaps a stroke of luck?

Nobody could know for sure, but the doctor advised that Xiao He should spend more time with those closest to him, and Tian Jiao would need to guide him through this process.

Tian Jiao listened quietly as Xiao He looked at her, and when she finished, she met his gaze.

“I understand,” she nodded.

Zhang Rui added reassuringly, “Don’t worry. The doctor also mentioned that recovery can’t be rushed. He’s doing very well.”

As the person most familiar with Xiao He’s situation at the hospital, Zhang Rui conveyed the doctor’s assessment, which indicated that the progress depended largely on the individual.

Tian Jiao forced a smile, taking mental notes. Since she couldn’t rush things, she decided to set them aside for now, focusing instead on Zhang Yanran and Xiao He.

“Dad, I’m going out to play,” she announced.

Before Zhang Rui could respond, she pulled Xiao He away.

…

The cave was empty during the day. Knowing the Zhang family had a lot on their plate, Song Zhen suggested that they should take a day off from school.

Xiao He blinked, clearly confused. Ever since the announcement of the college entrance exam, they had rarely visited the cave, and now there was nothing left inside.

Tian Jiao looked at Xiao He seriously. “Do you like Zhang Yanran?”

Xiao He was taken aback, looking at her with a strange expression.

When he didn’t respond right away, Tian Jiao felt that her assumption was right. She curled her lips and pressed on, “Why do you still like her?”

Her voice echoed in the cave.

Xiao He felt a bit odd. Seeing her certainty, he shook his head anxiously.

Tian Jiao averted her gaze, feeling uncomfortable. Noticing his unease, she turned away unhappily. “I know, I know. Don’t deny it. I’ll leave first. You can have fun by yourself. But I won’t help you pursue her.”

After her statement, she saw Xiao He’s face turn slightly pale, prompting her to add hesitantly, “It’s not that I don’t want to help, but she already likes someone else. It’s better to give up quickly because your feelings won’t lead to anything. If you take a wrong turn, it’ll be too late to regret it.”

The heroine had an official partner, so she wouldn’t return his feelings.

Tian Jiao just hoped this little fool wouldn’t turn his love into hate like in the book.

But with her here, it shouldn’t be possible, right? No matter if it’s Xiao He or Zhang Yanran, they can’t ignore her, right? Otherwise, it would all be for nothing. 

She wanted to leave and felt she shouldn’t stay here. The air in the cave felt heavy and made her dizzy.

After taking just two steps, she was pulled back.

Tian Jiao shook her hands, growing more annoyed.

But she couldn’t shake off those hands. She turned to glare at Xiao He: “Why are you picking on me now?”

Xiao He was sweating from anxiety. When he saw she still didn’t understand, he tried to speak.

Tian Jiao frowned: “What do you want to say?”

She looked around, but everything had been cleared away, and there were no pens or paper. She was just thinking about finding a branch to write with.

Suddenly, a hoarse and stuttering voice said, “I, I, don’t like, don’t like, her…”

The voice was awkward, with unclear pronunciation, and came out in bits, almost incoherent. 

But in the empty cave, there was an echo, and Tian Jiao heard it clearly!

She turned back quickly: “Can you talk now?”

Xiao He was stunned for a moment, looking at her in confusion.

Tian Jiao jumped up with excitement, pulling his hand: “You can talk! You really can! Say more, quickly…”

Hearing her clear and lively voice, Xiao He started to react. His heart raced, pounding heavily, and he tentatively opened his lips: “I don’t like her!”

As he spoke, his voice was still hoarse, with a slight echo in the cave.

He could really talk! And he spoke clearly!

Tian Jiao’s excitement dimmed a bit. She focused on his words and felt a different kind of joy. However, thinking about what she read in the book, she still had doubts: “Really?”

Xiao He nodded eagerly, trying to say something else but couldn’t. He stubbornly repeated, “No, like, like!”

Tian Jiao smiled.

…

The sudden ability of Xiao He to speak shocked many people.

Song Zhen and Li Mu were even more surprised and kept trying to get him to talk.

But Xiao He was usually silent, finding it hard to speak unless he really had to.

He learned to speak mainly from Tian Jiao, making it tough for others to communicate with him. Progress was slow since Tian Jiao spent most of her time in school.

Only Tian Jiao could make him speak honestly.

Zhang Rui was also surprised, having just treated a patient and being told to resolve mental issues or receive therapy.

He deeply suspected that Tian Jiao had dragged Xiao He out and beaten him.

Of course, he was beaten after guessing that.

Li Mizhen, who had always been indifferent to Xiao He, finally started to respond and became more enthusiastic.

Especially after learning that Xiao He planned to start a business.

She didn’t look down on people in business like most did. With the current struggles, who cared about business? Besides, her son was also doing it.

He could support himself at such a young age and was worthy of being her grandchild.

*****

Life in school was as calm as ever. Tian Jiao and Zhang Yanran both studied hard. The Zhang family’s situation was much better than she expected. Her uncle had a good business sense, and she didn’t have to worry about money. Even if she wanted to start a business, her family wouldn’t agree.

One thing was that in studying, her younger sister had surpassed her. The sister was a local child and also studied painting on the side. Tian Jiao felt ashamed and worked even harder.

So, she thought she could see the heroine dominating the business world, but that didn’t happen. The story seemed to be going off track. She felt anxious and asked indirectly, “Yanran, don’t you think schoolwork is too easy for us? Should we do something else?”

Zhang Yanran was surprised. When she understood Tian Jiao’s meaning, she smiled and shook her head: “No, I realized I wasted a lot of time before. I need to master high school topics quickly and prepare for university.”

Tian Jiao blinked. She remembered that although the heroine was a good student, she had not reached this level. The heroine was usually in the top five for her age, putting most energy into her career, becoming known for the Zhang family early, then attending university, and starting businesses from her first year.

Zhang Yanran thought she didn’t understand, so she added, “I checked and found that many universities allow dual degree programs. I’m interested in both, so I’m studying now to skip a grade. I’ll also take the college entrance exam next June and enter university soon.”

With this plan, time was tight. Tian Jiao asked, “What will you study?”

“Finance and history.”

Tian Jiao realized that the heroine loved classical culture. She appreciated it but didn’t have time to study it in depth. This was seen several times in the original story. Later, when she had enough money, she contributed a lot to recovering antiques in the Flower Kingdom.

Now it made sense.

This was because she was free from financial pressure and started to explore interests beyond just making money.

Tian Jiao said, “Then I’ll skip a grade too.”

Zhang Yanran was very happy: “Okay, you will be fine.”

“And you will be fine too!”

They encouraged each other and dove into studying together.

But Zhang Yanran was busier since she started learning university-level knowledge. Tian Jiao still had time to relax by painting.

…

Time flew by. The college entrance exam, which hadn’t happened in a decade, was held in the cold winter. There were over three million participants, but very few were admitted, especially to top universities.

Because the country lacks skilled workers, there isn’t much money to give college students. After the college entrance exam, those who went to college return to share their experiences. Everyone is excited and then goes home to scold their children who don’t like to study.

Going to college doesn’t cost money; the government pays you, which is fantastic. 

The higher your score, the better. This means more financial support.

Lanshan Village had no local college students, but there were a few in the county town, some from top universities. As this news spread, it made everyone even more envious.

The Zhang family, with two top-achieving girls, became a source of envy for many: “Your family is lucky! You’ll definitely have a college student, which means two subsidies!” 

The Zhang family took the villagers’ teasing well, but it was hard for Dabao, the only poor student. 

After being teased, the Zhang family would grab Dabao and scold him. They beat him many times, but it never helped. He cried for his parents, but he remained a wild boy.

Tian Jiao didn’t worry much. Studying is a way out, but there are other paths too. For example, Xiao He doesn’t have a diploma but can still earn money and will surely do well in the future.

Ding Yushu had a baby boy before the Chinese New Year. Not long after, she committed suicide. Tian Jiao visited their home with Dabao and touched her belly out of curiosity.

Ding Yushu refused but felt guilty after what happened. Zhang Zhi was home, and despite his disapproval, she agreed to let them touch her belly.

Just one touch was enough.

It was enough for her to transfer the prepared energy.

So when the baby was born, he was a little weak but not so fragile that he would easily get sick.

The birth of the Zhang family’s second grandson made Zhang Dagen and Li Mizhen very happy. Even though they disliked Ding Yushu, they kept sending her gifts, hoping she would take care of herself and the baby well.

The year from 1977 to 1978 was the most comfortable time for the Zhang family.