As soon as Xu’s mother heard this, she immediately wanted to send them away. Her second son was also preparing for the upcoming exam—how could they lend out his books and risk these people passing before her son?
Not a chance.
But before she could speak, Xu Ying gently stopped her.
“ Comrade Sun,” Xu Ying said calmly, “I do have a book here, but it’s the only copy. I know everyone hopes to pass the exam and become a teacher to contribute to our commune.
I don’t want to keep the book for myself, so I’ve decided to take it to the Educated Youth Center so everyone can study it together.”
Xu’s mother was flustered, watching her daughter carry a stack of books and follow Chen Yanran, that scheming girl, toward the Educated Youth Center.
“This child is just too kind… ah, I don’t even know what to say,” Xu’s mother sighed heavily.
But Father Xu saw it differently. Instead of worry, pride gleamed in his eyes.
“You women are too narrow-minded,” he said. “Our daughter’s thinking farther ahead.
If she didn’t lend the book to Comrade Sun and the others, you think they’d keep quiet? They’d go around telling everyone that the captain’s family hoarded books and refused to lend them.
And when our second son passes the exam, they’d accuse me of pulling strings to help him cheat his way in.
But now? If they all study together and the exam is fair, and they still fail—then it’s simply because they weren’t as capable.”
Meanwhile, as Chen Yanran and Xu Ying walked to the Educated Youth Center, Chen Yanran was caught off guard. She hadn’t expected Xu Ying to agree so easily. She’d come up with several plans to ruin Xu Ying’s reputation, but now all those schemes were useless.
Worse, Xu Ying was seizing the opportunity to earn praise instead.
“Brothers and sisters,” Xu Ying stood before the group, her voice bright and clear, “these are the elementary and junior high textbooks I’ve brought for you. My family happened to have extra copies.
The quota for teachers in Yushan Commune is incredibly precious. This is all I can offer, but I hope everyone will study hard and strive to pass the exam.
One day, you’ll stand in front of a classroom, nurturing the next generation. The students are the flowers of our motherland, the future of our country. The task of educating them will one day fall to you.”
······
Xu Ying’s heartfelt speech stirred something in the crowd. The educated youth’s hearts burned with motivation.
“Xu Ying, thank you! We’ll do our best!”
“Yes! Thanks, Xu Ying!”
A chorus of gratitude rang out. Xu Ying left the Educated Youth Center with satisfaction, thinking: I’ve promised them the dream. Whether they achieve it or not is up to them. If they fail, it’s not my fault—it’s because they didn’t work hard enough.
Behind her, Chen Yanran watched with clenched fists, her nails digging into her palms as she glared at Xu Ying’s retreating figure.
When Xu Ying returned home, Mrs. Xu had already prepared dinner and was waiting for her.
“Yingying , come eat,” Sister-in-law. Xu called warmly. Ever since her relationship with her sister-in-law had improved, she treated Xu Ying with genuine affection. She’d always been kind, but in the past, pressure from her mother-in-law had forced her coldness. Now, her warmth was sincere.
“Sister-in-law, I’ll return the bike to Grandma first. Tell Mother for me.” Xu Ying waved as she hopped on the bicycle and rode off.
When she arrived at Grandma Xu’s house, she checked to make sure no one was around. Then, she quietly took a few kilograms of pork from her space.
“Grandma, I’m back to return the bike!” Xu Ying called loudly as she wheeled the bicycle into the yard.
“Aai, I bought you some pork and a small bag of thin noodles,” Xu Ying said cheerfully. “Have Grandpa make noodles for you every day—it’s easier to digest, and you need to take care of yourselves now that you’re older.”
Grandma Xu’s tough exterior cracked at those words. Her eyes turned red, but she tried to keep her composure.
“Silly child… why waste such good food on us old folks? We can’t finish it all. Take it back for you and your nephews to eat—it’ll help them grow taller.”
Xu Ying smiled knowingly. She understood her grandmother’s reluctance.
“Grandma, I’ll be working soon. Once I start earning, I’ll buy you thin noodles every day!”
Mrs. Xu didn’t believe her granddaughter could hold down a job—Xu Ying had always been lazy, hadn’t she? But hearing those affectionate words still warmed her heart.
She grumbled, “At our age, your grandpa and I don’t need such good food. We’re old, short, and not too bright. Save it for the young ones.”
Old Man Xu emerged from the house, his stern face softening with pride. “When a child shows filial piety, why turn it away?”
“Grandpa, just take it!” Xu Ying grinned, dropping off the food before running off.
Mrs. Xu glared at her husband as she watched Xu Ying leave. “You’re still greedy at your age! The kids should be eating that, not us!”
Old Man Xu shrugged. “I raised them. Isn’t it right they show us a little respect? Besides, it’s not every day they bring something home. If we refuse, won’t the child feel bad? Didn’t you see how determined she was to give it to us?”
Mrs. Xu huffed. “I still say we shouldn’t take it.”
“You’re being unreasonable,” Old Man Xu retorted, waving his sleeve as he strode out of the yard.
The next morning, Xu Ying had kitchen duty. Bright and early, she borrowed a bicycle from the old house and hurried to the county.
It was her first day of work, and she’d dressed more conservatively—trading her usual skirt for long sleeves and trousers.
“Good morning, Director Chen!”
“Ah, Xiao Xu, you’re here!” Director Chen said anxiously. “It’s getting late. Go check if the kitchen needs anything else.”
It was nearly noon. Was there even enough time to cook?
Xu Ying checked the clock: half-past nine.
She strode into the kitchen, inspected the ingredients, and nodded. Everything was just as she’d reported.
Rolling up her sleeves, she directed the others to start washing and chopping vegetables.
The women were eager to help, having long been impressed by Xu Ying’s cooking.
“Xiao Xu, leave us a bit when you’re done! With your skills, you could be a chef at a state-owned restaurant!”
“Exactly! I’ve eaten at a state-owned hotel before—their food was good, but honestly, not as good as yours!”
Xu Ying chuckled inwardly, worried their praise might go to her head.
Still, she had to admit—the system’s cooking skills had really paid off. Her dishes tasted better than ever.
“Aunties, you’re flattering me,” Xu Ying replied modestly. But in her heart, she thought: A state-owned hotel… now that’s a good idea. Working there would boost my reputation effortlessly.
Once the vegetables were prepped, Xu Ying took her place at the stove.
She rolled up her sleeves, her fair hands and delicate neck shine like white jade under the kitchen light.
No longer smiling, her face serious and focused, Xu Ying radiated a quiet determination as she wielded the spatula—a calm yet commanding presence.