On the day the results were announced, all the candidates gathered—Xu Shengcai and Lu Daya included. When they saw their names ranked first and second on the score sheet, they couldn’t hold back their emotions.
Xu Shengcai stayed calm and composed.
But Lu Daya burst into tears of joy.
Her mother couldn’t stop waving her hands excitedly, shouting, “My eldest daughter passed the exam! My eldest daughter is going to eat commercial rice from now on!”
“Mom, there are so many people here… can you lower your voice?” Lu Daya felt a little embarrassed.
But Mother Lu didn’t care. The thought of her daughter earning a salary in the future made her glasses glint with pride. “Daya, I’ll keep your wages for you from now on. I’ll save them as your dowry!”
Once that money was in her hands, she’d be the one calling the shots.
Xu Ying gently tugged at Lu Daya’s sleeve. “Daya, your money’s safest in your own hands.”
Lu Daya knew that in her heart. For once, she stood her ground. Looking at her mother, she said firmly, “Mom, since I’ll be working at the school, I’ll have some expenses now and then. I’ll keep the money myself. But after I get my paycheck, I can give you five yuan every month.”
Mother Lu immediately became anxious. “What’s a young girl like you need so much money for? I must hold onto it. I’m your mother—would I ever harm you?”
Xu Ying watched nervously, afraid Lu Daya would cave under pressure. But it wasn’t her place to interfere too much; after all, it was their family matter.
“I’ll keep it myself,” Lu Daya insisted. “Or else, I’ll hand over my job to Xu Ying. I’ve eaten so much of her food lately; I can repay her with the job.”
Hearing that, Mother Lu’s face turned bright red with anger. After a long hesitation, she finally relented and settled for the monthly five yuan.
“Second Brother, congrats! You’re a teacher now!” Xu Ying smiled, seeing the joy on Xu Shengcai’s face.
He chuckled shyly, scratching the back of his head.
Qiuye’s father had promised they could date once he passed the teacher’s exam. This was truly something worth celebrating.
“It’s all thanks to the study materials you helped me pick, little sister. Without them, I wouldn’t have stood out among so many candidates.” He still remembered how overwhelmed he’d felt seeing a room packed with examinees.
Lu Daya nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Yingying! Once I get my first paycheck, I’m treating you to a meal.”
Xu Ying didn’t turn her down—she knew Lu Daya was sensitive and didn’t want her to feel looked down upon.
Seeing Xu Ying accept, Lu Daya beamed with happiness.
“I’m going to the county to tell Qiuye the good news!” Second Brother Xu was practically bouncing with excitement.
Xu Ying smiled warmly. Everyone’s fate in this life was finally starting to shift.
But this wasn’t the end. She still wanted Dong Wenzhong and Chen Yanran to suffer for everything they’d done in their past life.
Second Brother Xu rode to the county on a bullock cart and caught a bus. Once he arrived, he dashed straight to the supply and marketing cooperative.
“Qiuye! I passed the exam!”
Xu Qiuye’s eyes filled with tears the moment she heard those words. She had been anxious these past few days, fearing he wouldn’t make it. It wasn’t that she doubted his abilities—there had simply been too many candidates, and only two spots. If someone had pulled strings, wouldn’t the chance have been stolen?
Hearing the good news, relief washed over her. A radiant smile spread across her face. “I knew you could do it!”
“Then from now on, you’re my official partner,” Second Brother Xu declared boldly.
Qiuye blushed, lowering her head shyly, though a sweet smile tugged at her lips.
The saleslady at the nearby counter overheard and teased, “Ooh, Qiuye, your sweetheart came to see you!”
“Who’s Qiuye’s sweetheart?” a gossip-loving voice piped up—Gu Fuying had popped her head out from the neighboring counter.
Second Brother Xu wasn’t fazed by all the attention. “I’m Qiuye’s partner. Name’s Xu Shengcai, from Xujiacun. I’m a teacher now in our commune.”
He emphasized that last sentence deliberately. He didn’t want people thinking he was just a poor bumpkin unworthy of Qiuye.
At the mention of “Xujiacun,” people’s expressions subtly shifted, their interest waning.
But Gu Fuying perked up. “You’re from Xujiacun? Then do you know Xu Ying, the village captain’s daughter?”
“She’s my little sister,” Second Brother Xu said proudly. “You know her? Did she buy things from you before?”
“Yes, yes! Xu Ying saved me once—we’ve been friends ever since!” Gu Fuying hadn’t expected Qiuye’s partner to be Xu Ying’s brother. Her smile grew brighter. “What a small world!”
She’d been wondering these days why Xu Ying hadn’t come to visit her. Who knew she’d run into her brother instead?
Gu Fuying glanced at Qiuye and asked, “Are you going to visit your sweetheart’s house after work? If so, take me with you—I want to see Yingying.”
Qiuye had actually been thinking the same, but it wasn’t proper for a young lady to visit her fiancé’s home alone, especially without her father’s approval. With Gu Fuying tagging along, it seemed more appropriate.
Second Brother Xu waited outside for them to get off work.
At six o’clock, the shift ended.
Xu Qiuye and Gu Fuying walked out hand-in-hand, chatting happily.
“Time to clock out!” Second Brother Xu jumped out from behind a corner.
The girls were startled. “You’re still here?”
“I’ve been waiting so we could go back together,” he said with a grin.
Qiuye playfully rolled her eyes at him. She and Gu Fuying bought some pastries and fruit.
“You really don’t need to buy anything,” Second Brother Xu said quickly.
But Qiuye didn’t listen. “It’s my first time visiting as your fiancée. How could I go empty-handed? Even if your parents don’t mind, it’s still not polite.”
Gu Fuying’s reasons were simpler—she just wanted to thank Xu Ying. Last time they’d agreed she’d visit when she had time, but Xu Ying never showed up. So, here she was, showing up at Xu Ying’s doorstep.
They rode bicycles home—Gu Fuying on her own, and Second Brother Xu sharing Qiuye’s bike.
Thankfully, Xujiacun wasn’t far from Yushan Commune. A slow ride took a little over an hour; if they pedaled fast, they could make it in under an hour.
By seven o’clock, they arrived at the Xu family home.
“Xu Ying! I’m here to see you!” Gu Fuying’s voice rang out loud and clear from the gate.
Xu’s parents, sitting in the yard, exchanged puzzled glances. “Yingying, someone’s looking for you.”
“That rascal Xu Shengcai… gone so long and hasn’t even come back yet!” Mother Xu grumbled, though she sounded more worried than angry.
Xu Ying rushed out of the room, excited. She’d just finished preparing a new recipe, waiting for Second Brother to return for dinner.
She stepped outside and saw Gu Fuying at the gate.
“Fuying! Sister Qiuye! What brings you here?” she exclaimed in surprise.
Gu Fuying ran over and hugged her tightly. “You promised to visit me, but you never came! So I had no choice but to come find you myself.”
Xu Qiuye stood quietly beside her, smiling softly. “Fuying missed you, so I came along with her. Uncle Xu and Aunt Xu are home, right?”
“They’re here,” came Mother Xu’s voice, not hiding her excitement.
“Come in, come in!” she called warmly a moment later. “Sit down and eat with us—we just finished cooking.”