Chapter 240: Xiao Mo Goes to the Village to Deliver Snacks

Once the kids had left, Xu An shared the situation in the capital, including how they were going about getting housing.

Xu Ning thought to herself that as long as the old lady and her family behaved themselves, everything would be fine. But if they didn’t, there would be plenty of opportunities to deal with them later.

“Elder sister, brother-in-law, Mom and Dad said they’ve already confirmed that the college entrance examination will be reinstated. The exact date isn’t clear yet, but it shouldn’t be long now.

People in the capital have already started spreading the word; we’re still a bit remote here and haven’t received the news.”

After a moment of thought, he added, “Sister, I’ve decided not to return to work for the time being. I’ll ask Brother Jianhua to cover for me a little longer. I want to focus on studying at home.”

Xu Ning smiled and said, “That’s what I was planning as well. Tomorrow is Sunday, so Brother Jianhua will be home. You can go talk to him then.”

“Also, take some snacks to Aunt Dashuan and tell her that Jianmin shouldn’t go to work anymore; he should stay home and focus on studying.

I’ve prepared a few sets of practice papers. Tomorrow, bring one for Jianmin and one for Da Lin. Also, make sure to inform Uncle Hongdang.”

“Okay, I understand, sister.”

Lu Xiaotang reminded him, “Since the news is already spreading in the capital, you should also inform your close male peers and those classmates of yours.”

The earlier they started reviewing, the better their chances of passing the exam. As soon as Xiao An returned from the capital, he should talk to them so that those people would remember his good side. This could also be a boost for Xiao An in the future.

After breakfast, Xiao Mo set off to the village with his little backpack.

Xu Ning prepared several more packages for Xiao An to take to Aunt Dashuan, Aunt Si, the village head, and Grandpa Chen—these were all families they were close with.

Xiao Mo first went to find his brothers and gave each of them a package, then invited them to join him in delivering the snacks around the village.

They first went to the home of Grandma San. She was sitting in the courtyard mending clothes when she saw the boys approaching.

With a cheerful smile, she asked, “Oh, when did you come back, Xiao Mo?”

Xiao Mo walked over and smiled, “Grandma San, I came back yesterday afternoon.”

After saying that, he took a package of snacks out of his backpack.

“Grandma San, these are snacks I brought for you from the capital. Please try them and see if they’re good!”

“Oh dear, why did you bring me snacks?” Grandma San looked at the package of treats, smiling widely.

Xiao Mo squatted beside her, holding her hand as he said, “Grandma San, I didn’t bring much this time. Just try a little taste, and when I start earning money, I’ll buy you more.”

“Not much, not much. Such precious things are just for tasting,” Grandma San said, carefully setting the paper package aside.

She then asked, “Xiao Mo, why did you come back again? Why didn’t you stay in the capital with your parents to study?”

Xiao Mo sighed and replied, “Grandma San, my sister and the kids are here, and Grandpa Qi is here too. I can’t just leave them behind, so I came back. Besides, I really miss our Yushu Village.”

Xiao Mo and his brothers wandered around the village, distributing the snacks his sister had prepared.

After playing for a while and chatting with the village aunts and uncles, he headed home.

Xu An brought the snacks and called out to Da Lin and Jianmin before heading to the city to meet Fan Sizhe and Jin Dapeng.

The group gathered at Fan Sizhe’s house to discuss their plans. Xu An took out the practice papers his sister had prepared and asked everyone to copy a set. He also copied one for himself to bring back to Wang Liang.

Tang Tang was unhappy that her second uncle and little uncle didn’t take her along, so she sat there sulking, while Niu Niu and Pi Pi also fumed.

Originally, Lu Xiaotang planned to go up the mountain, but seeing the little ones throw a rare fit, he decided to take them out to play for a while.

Meanwhile, Xu Ning took two packages of snacks to the youth compound, where Wei Lanlan and Yang Xiaomei were at home.

Chen Xiangdong had gone to work, and Sun Hao wasn’t working today. Seeing that the girls had things to discuss, he took the kids out to play.

She placed the snacks on the table and said, “These snacks were brought back by my brothers from the capital. I saved some for Xiao Pang and Xiao Ya.”

“Why did you bring them over? You still have three kids at home; you should save them for Niu Pi Tang!” Wei Lanlan and Yang Xiaomei replied politely.

“There are more at home. This isn’t much; I just wanted you to taste them,” Xu Ning said.

Yang Xiaomei put a plate of sunflower seeds on the table, and the three of them chatted while snacking.

Xu Ning quietly said to the two of them, “I heard my brother say that there are rumors in the capital that the college entrance exams will be restored soon.”

Wei Lanlan stood up from her stool and asked, “What did you say? The college entrance exams are coming back?”

Yang Xiaomei sat next to her and quickly covered her mouth, saying, “Speak quietly.”

Then she excitedly asked Xu Ning, “Is the news accurate?”

“Pretty much. My parents have already returned to work,” Xu Ning replied.

Yang Xiaomei clenched her fists and walked around the small room. After a few laps, she calmed down.

“Even if the college entrance exams are restored, it doesn’t have much to do with us. We’re too old for that; we’re not fresh graduates.”

“I think it might not be that simple. My brother said that when he came back, many people in the capital were saying that the age limit is pretty flexible.”

Wei Lanlan asked excitedly, “So does that mean we have a chance?”

Yang Xiaomei looked at her with hope as well.

Xu Ning said, “It’s hard to say, but in the meantime, it wouldn’t hurt to read more and review a bit.”

The two nodded eagerly, their eyes sparkling. “Right, that makes sense.”

Wei Lanlan and Yang Xiaomei each took one of her hands and said, “Xu Ning, you’re so good to us.”

She smiled and casually replied, “No need to be polite; we’re good friends after all.”