Wang Xiuying, seeing that Zhang Zhifu was about to ask more questions, quickly intervened.

“Alright, alright, I’ll go now!” Zhang Zhifu said with a smile.

Seeing this, Jian Xiu quickly called out, “Third brother…”

“What’s the matter? Is there anything else that needs to be made?”

“No, it’s just that it’s still early. Let’s have breakfast first, and then you can go.” Jian Xiu replied helplessly.

It was still not fully light outside, and Wangjia Village wasn’t far, but if Zhang Zhifu went now, they might still be closed.

Zhang Zhifu realized this and scratched his head awkwardly.

“You’re right,” he said, and then continued, “I’ll go over and have a look first?”

“Go ahead,” Wang Xiuying replied helplessly as she headed toward the kitchen.

After breakfast, Jian Xiu took the three children and climbed back onto the cart.

Since she had the cart, Jian Xiu decided to bring the dried bamboo shoots and plantain leaves that she had dried at home, and take them to the county. This way, she wouldn’t have to make another trip next time.

Recently, she had been running to the county every day, and there were still many things she hadn’t done yet.

Most importantly, she still owed the supermarket a huge amount of points.

Once this was settled, she planned to go deep into the mountains again.

She needed to collect some herbs, maybe hunt some game—either way, the mountains were a must.

Otherwise, when would she ever pay off those points…?

This was the first time the fifth child, Zhang Feimo, had ridden in a cart. As soon as he got on, he felt extremely uncomfortable.

“Fifth brother, you don’t need to be so stiff. Just act like usual,” Zhang Feixuan immediately comforted him.

“Yes, when we first got on yesterday, we were just like you. This is our second time, and it feels better,” Zhang Feiyi added, smiling.

The brothers had always been close back at the old house, and now that they were together again, they had endless things to talk about.

“Feixuan, Feiyi, tell me what the academy is like?”

“Well…”

The conversation between the brothers in the cart was clearly audible to Jian Xiu, who was driving.

In the post-apocalyptic world, she hadn’t had such a childhood.

She was an orphan, had no family, and never experienced even a moment of affection.

She had always been independent, with only the task at hand in her eyes.

Listening to their conversation now, Jian Xiu felt a warmth she had never known before—a sense of familial love, something she deeply envied.

At that moment, she silently made a vow to herself: no matter what, even if it cost her life, she would ensure they could grow up safe, always retaining that innocence.

With the cart, their speed was much faster.

…………………………………………………………………..

At the academy.

Mo Shanhui had been waiting in his courtyard since he knew that Jian Xiu would come to find him today.

Of course, Jian Xiu knew this too.

Since Feixuan and Feiyi had to go to school first, she dropped them off at the academy.

“Feimo, are you nervous?” Jian Xiu asked quietly as they entered the school.

She had only given him a name last night, Zhang Feimo, since Wu Tou would be attending the academy today.

“Just a little nervous, but Aunt, don’t worry, I remember everything you taught me yesterday.”

“Good, as long as you remember. Just do your best, that’s enough. Understand? But promise Aunt you’ll give it your all. Only by doing your best will you have no regrets. Do you understand?”

As Jian Xiu spoke, she crouched down in front of him and stared intently into his eyes.

She had noticed last night that he was very smart.

Like his sixth brother, he had an excellent memory.

But at the same time, Jian Xiu also realized that he seemed to be deliberately hiding his abilities.

The carefulness with which he tried not to reveal his strength, but also the fear of missing an opportunity if he didn’t, made Jian Xiu feel deeply distressed.

“Aunt … I…”

“Feimo, in front of me, just be yourself. It’s not just Feixuan and Feiyi who are my family; you are too. This exam is a turning point in your life. It could affect your whole future. From the moment you stepped into here, your life will have different choices.”

“If you don’t give it your all in this exam, there might come a time when you regret it—regret not seizing the opportunity. Aunt is placing this chance in your hands, and I believe you’ll understand what I mean.”

“Having the chance to hide your strength is a form of self-protection, but when it’s time to show it, we must do our best. Opportunities aren’t always available, and if you lose one, it may be gone forever. So, we must seize every chance, understand?”

Jian Xiu spoke slowly, worried that Feimo would, like last night, say he didn’t understand when he really did.

She feared that he might hide his abilities during the exam, thinking he could live quietly like before.

She wanted him to know that even though he was very clever in front of her, he was still family.

She also wanted him to understand that he needed to be true to himself.

“Aunt, can I really do it? Are these opportunities really mine?” Feimo asked cautiously.

“Yes, these opportunities are yours. Aunt has created them for you, so I hope you’ll make the most of them and step into your own life, your own shining life.”

“Aunt Si… sob sob sob…”

At this point, Feimo broke down in tears.

After all, he was still a child.

No matter how tough he had been, he was just a little boy.

It was a miracle that he had managed to hold it together until now.

“Go ahead,” Jian Xiu said softly after he finished crying.

“Aunt Xiu, can I hug you?” Feimo asked carefully.

This time, Jian Xiu didn’t answer, but she opened her arms.

She crouched down again and tightly embraced the small boy in front of her.

“Aunt won’t go in with you. Just do your best, and I’m sure you’ll pass. Once I finish my own matters, I’ll come to pick you up, okay?”

“Okay, Aunt Xiu. I’ll go in now…”

With that, Feimo walked towards the academy.

At that moment, Zhang Feimo seemed to see his future clearly.