Chapter 17

Madam Xu held the item close to her chest as if it were a treasure.

“Let me tell you, this was introduced to me by Xiuhua. She drank this medicine before, and then she gave birth to a son. So, I bought some to try it myself.”

Madam Xu looked hopeful. She had three daughters but not a single son, so she was desperate to have one.

During this era, people had a deep obsession with having sons, so Gu Nian didn’t say much.

“Alright, I won’t talk to you anymore. If this works for me, you should all buy some too!”

Madam Xu’s words made the two women around her blush. Li Pandi sat for a while before leaving.

That evening, when Jiang Huaijing came home, Gu Nian told him about her plan to become a teacher at the school.

Naturally, Jiang Huaijing was very supportive. Becoming a teacher was a small matter—Gu Nian mainly wanted to find something to do for herself.

The next day, she tidied herself up and went to the school. Unexpectedly, she ran into a familiar face in the principal’s office.

It was Zheng Rongrong. It seemed she was also applying for the teacher position. When she saw Gu Nian, she couldn’t hold back her anger.

“Gu Nian, this is a teacher recruitment, not a dishwasher hiring event. What’s a country woman like you doing here?”

“Principal, I saw that the recruitment requirement was a high school diploma. I just happen to be a high school graduate. So? Am I not qualified to apply?”

“Of course, you are. I’m happy that so many people are eager to apply. Please take a seat. Today, we are just here for a discussion.”

“There is only one teacher position, but five people applied. So, we have decided to hold a test in two days. The test will take place in the residential compound, in front of everyone. Do you all agree?”

Since most of the students at this school were children of military personnel, the test would be held publicly so parents could assess the teaching level.

“We have no objections.”

“Good. Then go back for now. The test will be held at 11 a.m. the day after tomorrow in the residential compound.”

“Understood, Principal. Goodbye.”

One of the applicants, Jin Qingyun, was also a military wife. When she found out that even Commander Chen’s sister had applied, she lost confidence.

“Honey, Commander Chen’s sister is applying too. I don’t think I stand a chance. Maybe I should just give up?”

Jin Qingyun had only completed elementary school, and it was her husband who insisted she apply.

“No way! You can’t just give up. Don’t forget, being a teacher comes with a monthly salary of thirty yuan!”

“So what if Commander Chen’s sister is competing? I already have a plan. I’m going to give the principal a gift. That way, the teaching position will definitely be yours.”

“Honey, how much will this gift cost? I haven’t even gotten the job yet, and we’re already spending money.”

“You don’t understand. This is called sacrificing a little to gain something big.”

That night, the couple went to see the principal. Unfortunately, he wasn’t home, so they foolishly left the gift at his door and left.

—-

The day before the test, Gu Nian was still out strolling around. Even Madam Xu couldn’t stand it anymore.

“Gu Nian, at least review a little! Are you confident about the test?”

“I’ve got it under control, Madam Xu.”

“Alright then.”

Just then, someone ran over in a panic.

“Madam Xu, there you are! Hurry! Meili says her stomach hurts. We don’t know what to do, so we came to find you.”

“How could she suddenly have a stomachache? Alright, I’ll go with you.”

Gu Nian had nothing better to do, so she followed along. Meili’s husband was away on a mission, so Madam Xu decided to take her to the military hospital.

After some tests, the doctor revealed the results.

“She has been poisoned. Fortunately, it’s not severe. Otherwise, there would have been nothing we could do.”

“Meili, did you eat poisonous mushrooms from the mountain?”

There was a mountain near the residential compound with lots of wild vegetables and mushrooms, but most of them were poisonous.

Military wives rarely foraged there, so Meili shook her head.

“No, Madam Xu. I ate the same food as my daughter, and she’s fine. Oh! I remember now—I drank that medicine to conceive a son. After that, my stomach started hurting.”

“Madam Xu, did you drink the medicine too? Why are you fine?”

“I haven’t had the chance to drink it yet. But wait—Xiu Hua recommended this medicine, and she drank it too. She’s fine!”

The two women couldn’t figure it out, so Gu Nian made a suggestion.

“Madam Xu, this is a hospital. Why don’t you bring the medicine here and let the doctor check it?”

“Right! You guys wait here. I’ll go get it.”

Madam Xu rushed off, while Gu Nian and another military wife stayed behind to look after Liu Meili.

Half an hour later, Madam Xu came back, sweating, and handed the medicine to the doctor.

“Doctor, she drank this and got sick. Please check if it’s the problem.”

“Alright, give me a moment.”

A while later, the doctor returned and confirmed the worst—there was a slow-acting poison in the medicine.

“Doctor, are you saying this is fake medicine?”

“Yes. You people really drink anything, don’t you?”

Madam Xu didn’t dare lie in front of the doctor, so she told the truth. The doctor warned them that whether they had a son or a daughter was not something these medicines could change.

They shouldn’t fall for scams again. Madam Xu was furious—she had spent ten yuan on that medicine!

“Gu Nian, I’m going to find that scam artist and get our money back!”

“I’ll go with you.”

Gu Nian was worried that Madam Xu might do something reckless in her anger, so she tagged along. But when they arrived at the spot, the scammer was already gone.

With no choice, they returned to the residential compound. After this incident, Madam Xu swore never to take suspicious medicines again.

—-

The next day was the test. Gu Nian got up early, had breakfast, washed her bedding, and only then leisurely made her way to the exam venue.

By the time she arrived, Zheng Rongrong was already there. The sight of Gu Nian made her furious.

“Gu Nian, when are you and Huaijing having your wedding? You two are living together before marriage—it’s improper!”

“That’s just your opinion. Who said it’s improper? We’re already legally married. As for the wedding, you don’t need to worry. Huaijing is preparing for it.”

“We’ll be bringing his parents and sister over next week and then holding the wedding. Miss Zheng, please make sure to attend and have a drink with us!”

“You—”

Zheng Rongrong was so angry she couldn’t speak. That was exactly what Gu Nian wanted—after all, Zheng Rongrong loved to stir up trouble.

Soon, the principal arrived, looking serious, with the school’s academic director by his side.

“Everyone, please be quiet. Before we begin the test, I have an announcement. This exam will be conducted in a completely fair and transparent manner.”

“Our school will not tolerate bribery or cheating. Unfortunately, we have discovered that one of the candidates has violated this rule and will be disqualified.”

“Gu Nian, please leave voluntarily.”