Chapter 33: A Fuller Purse (Part 1)

It was pretty much the same as what Mu Mian thought, this matter was indeed a done deal for Xu Yongshou. 

The children didn’t know anything and relied entirely on their teachers to guide them.

If the teacher wasn’t even clear-headed, how could they teach the children well?

Since Educated Youth Qian wasn’t taking the job seriously, he might as well go to the fields and work. This had to be decided quickly, as the new school term was about to start.

So, the very next day, Mu Mian heard the announcement that the brigade would be selecting a new elementary school teacher.

The selection process was straightforward—each candidate would teach a lesson, and the children would vote for whoever they thought was the best teacher.

Parents who had time could also listen in from outside the classroom and participate in the voting. The final decision would be based on the combined results.

And so, a group of elementary school students unexpectedly started school a day early.

Mu Mian sat in the classroom, attending the most serious lesson she had in months.

Nie Sihui wasn’t the only one participating in the selection. Besides Qian Xun, the two educated youths who had previously been rejected also showed up.

They were probably taking a chance—after all, what if they got selected?

Two scorekeepers from the brigade also tried out, as they had middle school diplomas.

But as far as Mu Mian had heard, these two had barely made it through middle school and had nearly failed their exams.

They probably hadn’t touched a book in a long time, and their teaching was full of stumbles.

Even though the brigade leader had given everyone a full day to prepare, their lessons were still unpolished.

Educated Youth Qian had some experience from previously teaching, so he was slightly better than the others. But even so, the difference was barely noticeable, especially compared to Nie Sihui.

Before, Mu Mian had thought that Nie Sihui had the right qualifications, a good attitude, and was easy to get along with. That alone made her a better candidate than the unfocused Educated Youth Qian.

Now, seeing the actual lessons, the difference was stark. Nie Sihui wasn’t just better—she had a real talent for teaching.

Her explanations were clear and engaging, and she spoke in a way that naturally drew the children in. Even some illiterate parents could tell that she was the best candidate.

The final results were predictable. Aside from the fifth grade, all other math classes that had been taught by Qian Xun were now assigned to Nie Sihui.

Regardless of how Educated Youth Qian felt about it, Mu Mian was truly happy for Sister Sihui.

So much so that, on Nie Sihui’s first day of teaching, Mu Mian sat through half a class of third-grade math to show her support.

Of course, her enthusiasm only lasted half a lesson. After that, she lowered her head and focused on making money—because she was completely hooked on earning money.

Previously, her mother had allowed her to keep the twenty-two yuan from her manuscript fees!

Twenty-two yuan!

Her savings had jumped from just a few cents to over twenty yuan in an instant. That was a huge leap.

Since her mother had agreed once, there would definitely be a second time. She was no longer just a “little rich girl” with only fixed assets. Soon, she would have her own disposable income!

However, Mu Mian didn’t plan to save it. She intended to use the money to buy her brother a new fountain pen the next time she went to the commune.

Mu Zhuo already had a fountain pen, but he had been using it for years. When their father, Mu Fugui, bought it, it wasn’t expensive—just five yuan.

A new fountain pen was something Mu Zhuo definitely didn’t have. If he had bought one, he would have mentioned it in his letters. After all, when he wrote to her, he even talked about which dishes at the cafeteria tasted good and which didn’t.

Compared to food, a fountain pen was certainly worth mentioning.

Since he hadn’t said anything, it meant he was still using the old one.

So Mu Mian planned to buy him a good one—just like the one she was using now.

While thinking about her brother, Mu Mian’s hand didn’t slow down as she continued drawing.

By the time the math class was about to end, she had already finished another small page.

Her plan was simple. She wanted to earn as much as she could while the situation was still stable over the next two years.

After all, in another three or four years, many magazines and journals would be shut down.

She wasn’t sure if the two magazines she had submitted to would be affected, but she was certain that she wouldn’t be. She had been extremely careful when writing, never touching on anything even remotely ambiguous.

Besides, she was just a child.

Even though she was confident she wouldn’t be affected, Mu Mian still planned to lay low for a couple of years when things got tense.

For now, she wanted to try making picture books. If they could actually get published, they would earn far more money than submitting articles.

When the language class ended, Nie Sihui had just finished teaching math to the first and second graders in the neighboring classroom.

Unlike the usual days when she would be drenched in sweat from working in the fields, today, Nie Sihui was in high spirits and looked cheerful.

Xu Lele, who was walking beside Mu Mian, spoke bluntly as usual. “Sister Sihui—no, Teacher Nie, you taught so well today! I actually understood everything!”

Hearing such praise from a student made Nie Sihui even happier. She smiled and said, “Then you better pay attention in class. You can’t fail your math test again at the end of the semester.”

Xu Lele was a child who truly disliked exams. The moment she heard that, she grinned mischievously and immediately ran off, looking slightly guilty. As she dashed away, she even grabbed a nearby boy by the arm.

She made it seem like they were close friends and couldn’t wait to go play together, leaving the poor boy utterly confused.

Nie Sihui stood there, both amused and helpless.

Mu Mian, of course, didn’t run off with Xu Lele. Instead, she walked alongside Nie Sihui at a leisurely pace.

As they chatted, Nie Sihui casually asked, “You know how to draw? I saw you drawing in class. Did you learn it yourself?”

Mu Mian had no sense of Nie Sihui being her math teacher at the moment and simply treated her like a friend. “Yeah, I just copy pictures from picture books and doodle on my own.”

That was exactly what she told her parents and grandmother, and all three of them believed her without question.

After all, talent was something that couldn’t always be explained. They simply assumed their little girl was naturally gifted—good at everything, capable of learning anything.

And Mu Mian did have a bit of talent in drawing. So, in a way, she was self-taught.

Nie Sihui naturally believed her too. She even admired her secretly, thinking that this little girl was truly intelligent and gifted.

Who wouldn’t like a smart, sensible, and good-looking child? Nie Sihui certainly did.

After some thought, she said, “I still have some picture books from when I was little. Do you want to see them? I can bring them to you later.”

Mu Mian was surprised. “You brought those with you?”

Nie Sihui nodded. “I brought everything I could.”

From the moment she decided to go to the countryside, she no longer considered that place her home.

She knew that even if she could return one day, there wouldn’t be a place for her anymore.

Her older brother’s fiancée had been reluctant to move in because his room was too small. Their mother had wanted to merge Nie Sihui’s old room with her brother’s to create a bigger space for the newlyweds.

If she hadn’t packed up her belongings and taken them with her, they would have either been given away by her mother or simply thrown out.

Her parents had indeed raised her, and when the time came for them to be cared for in old age, she would take responsibility for her share. But that was as far as it would go.

Mu Mian was quite eager to read picture books from the big city. “Thank you, Sister Sihui! Books from the city! I’ve never seen them before. I promise I’ll take good care of them and return them without any damage!”

Nie Sihui chuckled. “They’re all pretty old and worn out already. Just read them however you like—no rush to return them.”

Many of these books were bought together with her friend Bi Qin, and some were even given to her directly by Bi Qin.

Bi Qin had a father who worked as an editor at a publishing house and had loved reading these books since childhood. Many times, she was the one who introduced them to her.

The walk from the school to the educated youth’s dorm wasn’t far. After chatting for a bit, Mu Mian soon received four picture books. They were indeed a little worn out.

Although Nie Sihui had said there was no hurry to return them, picture books weren’t very thick, and their content wasn’t as rich as the ones in later years.

Mu Mian finished all four books in just half an afternoon.

Only Xu Lele was still sitting in the courtyard, reading slowly. She remained engrossed in the books until nightfall, reluctantly heading home only when it got too dark.

—

Sunday arrived in the blink of an eye.

A few days ago, Mu Mian had already told her father that the two of them would go to the commune today to buy a fountain pen for Mu Zhuo.

The brand she had previously bought in the county was also available at the commune’s supply and marketing cooperative, so there was no need to make a special trip to the county.

She would also take this opportunity to send the hazelnuts they had dried earlier to Mu Zhuo. This would probably be the last or second-to-last time she could send them.

Soon, they would be busy with the autumn harvest and grain deliveries. After that, when winter came with heavy snowfall, it would be inconvenient to go to the commune.

That morning, after breakfast, Mu Mian took out twenty-two yuan in cash from her small box.

The previous reply was a remittance slip, and this money had been withdrawn by Comrade Mu Fugui on her behalf.

Liu Shuangcui was not going with them today. She tied the package securely to the front crossbar of the bicycle.

Once Mu Fugui got ready, Mu Mian slung her small satchel across her shoulder and climbed onto the back seat. Inside the bag, besides the money, was a reply letter for Mu Zhuo.

As the bicycle slowly rolled out of the brigade, the father and daughter kept chatting along the way.

Mu Fugui teased his daughter, “Are you really willing to spend all your money on buying a pen for your brother?”

Mu Mian’s little legs dangled off the sides of the back seat, swaying slightly in a relaxed manner. “Why wouldn’t I be? If I run out of money, I’ll just earn more. I’m sure I can make even more money in the future!”

Mu Fugui pretended to sound jealous. “You’re giving it all to your brother. What about me, your mom, and your grandma? Not even a little for us?”

His strong, broad back even carried a hint of grievance.

Mu Mian giggled behind him. “I still have two yuan left. I’ll split it with you guys.”

Mu Fugui asked, “How do we split two yuan among the three of us?”

Mu Mian blurted out, “Sixty cents each, and I’ll use the remaining twenty cents to buy candy.”

Mu Fugui laughed. “You’re quick at math! Then what if it’s three yuan split among four people?”

Somehow, their conversation turned into a primary school math quiz session.