Chapter 39: Yan Ziyue Takes the Middle School Entrance Examination

Yan Ziyue squinted her eyes and smiled. "The eggs from my home are laid by the chickens and ducks raised by the villagers themselves. I’ve even hand-picked them, bringing only the best ones to sell."

Those who had come to buy eggs for a second time knew the quality of Yan Ziyue's goods, so they simply went ahead and picked their eggs. First-time buyers, however, were inevitably more selective.

"These eggs are truly excellent. Look at how they catch the sunlight—it’s a delight just to look at them."

"They taste great, too. I bought some to stir-fry last time, and the flavor was wonderful."

Before long, all the eggs Yan Ziyue had brought were sold out.

"They're gone, they're gone! I'll come back in a few days," she said with a radiant smile. "As per my usual rule, the more you buy, the cheaper the price, and I’ll throw in some extras too."

With that, she and Xiao Heshuo packed up their things and headed toward the junior high school.

Seeing her in such high spirits, a faint smile flickered in Xiao Heshuo’s dark eyes. "You should keep this good mood up and strive to pass the exam on your first try."

Yan Ziyue’s pace faltered. She shot a playful glare at him. "Husband, couldn't you refrain from saying things like that when I’m in a good mood?"

Xiao Heshuo stroked her hair, his smile deepening. "What did I say?"

"You mentioned the exam!" Yan Ziyue huffed. "You know how worried I am about it, yet you still bring it up when I’m feeling happy."

Xiao Heshuo raised an eyebrow. "I asked, do you not have the confidence to get into junior high?"

Yan Ziyue was momentarily choked. "...It’s not about confidence. I’ve only been reviewing for such a short time; I’m not sure if I can pass." She sighed, "I really hope I can make it. It’s junior high school, after all."

Years ago, after finishing primary school, she had longed to attend junior high. But she never got the chance. Her father, Yan Zhuangshi, had threatened her mother, saying that if he ever allowed her to attend, he would throw them both out of the house and stop providing them with food. Her mother, fearing she would go hungry or become homeless, had no choice but to keep her from attending. This had become one of her mother’s deepest regrets; before she passed away, she would constantly apologize, saying she should have been stronger and insisted on her daughter's education.

Xiao Heshuo could hear the sorrow and longing in her voice, and he understood her perspective. In their village, most girls were forbidden from attending school by their families, yet they yearned for an education.

"Don't think too much about it," he comforted her. "If you don't pass this time, we’ll just try again later."

Yan Ziyue took his arm and smiled brightly. "Husband, you’re so good to me!"

"Since you're so good to me, when should we have a child?"

Xiao Heshuo paused, confused by the sudden jump from the topic of junior high school to having children. "Didn't I say before..."

Yan Ziyue cut him off. "You did, but you’ve seen my sincerity now. You should be able to trust me."

It wasn't that Xiao Heshuo didn't believe her; he just couldn't believe in the future. In the past, Yan Ziyue had been so infatuated with Xu Lecheng that she would have died for him. Yet, after her suicide attempt, she had come to loathe him with such intensity. This made him worry: if she faced certain trials in the future, would she treat him the same way? Or perhaps abandon him again? He couldn't bear to go through that a second time.

"It’s not something that can be proven in such a short time," he said, the warmth fading from his eyes.

Yan Ziyue could sense his unease and said softly, "Fine. I will use time to prove to you that I will never leave you again."

Xiao Heshuo looked at her deeply but said nothing more. He didn't know if she would truly never leave him. He didn't dare to gamble; he didn't quite dare to believe. He was afraid that if he did, it would only lead to repeated disappointment and heartbreak.

Yan Ziyue regretted bringing up the topic, but she also understood that talking about it was perhaps for the best. She shifted the conversation back to the exam. "Husband, was the junior high entrance exam difficult back when you took it?"

Xiao Heshuo had an excellent memory. He thought for a moment. "Not difficult. It was the primary-to-junior-high transition, and the questions weren't hard. But many children didn't go on to attend."

In the eyes of the villagers, finishing primary school was enough for a lifetime; there was no need to spend money on junior high when one could return home to work sooner.

Yan Ziyue’s mouth twitched. She didn't believe his claim that it wasn't difficult. As far as she knew, he had been a top student since childhood, always ranking first in his class. Had universities not stopped recruiting, he certainly would have been admitted to the best institutions.

As the couple talked, they arrived at the town’s only junior high school. It was class time; the school was empty of students in the halls, though the sound of children reciting lessons drifted through the air.

Xiao Heshuo spoke to the gatekeeper and led Yan Ziyue toward the principal's office. She took in her surroundings. The ground was paved with cement—not perfectly level, but decent enough that they wouldn't be walking in mud when it rained. The teaching buildings were old but well-maintained, not dilapidated at all. Through the windows, she could see students sitting in their classrooms.

It filled her with envy. How wonderful it would be to sit in a classroom and study at the proper age.

They reached the principal's office. The principal was already waiting—a middle-aged man with a gentle demeanor, an air of scholarship, and a slightly stout build.

"You're here?" He invited them to sit and poured three cups of tea. "I’ve prepared the test papers. Are you planning to start now, or would you like to wait a while?"

Xiao Heshuo looked at Yan Ziyue. She sat up straight, stiff as a student facing a headmaster, her expression tense. "Thank you, Principal. I would like to start now."

Her demeanor brought a smile to Xiao Heshuo’s lips. It was the first time he had seen her like this; she looked rather cute.

"Very well," the principal chuckled. "Let's begin." He picked up two sets of papers from his desk and handed them to her. "You can work right here. Don't be nervous; this isn't a one-time-only exam."

Yan Ziyue wiped her hands on her trousers before nervously taking the papers. "Thank you, Principal. I will do my best!"

She took a pencil from her basket and sat down, focusing intently as she began the exam. Xiao Heshuo didn't disturb her, speaking quietly to the principal. "Thank you for giving my wife this opportunity."

The principal waved it off. "It’s my duty. As long as someone is truly eager to learn and can pass the exam, I will always provide an opportunity." He sighed, "There are so few people willing to study these days. Many families aren't just worried about the cost; they simply don't see the value, thinking it’s better for children to start earning money early."

Many households lacked the vision to see beyond immediate earnings. To them, money was the only thing that mattered.

Xiao Heshuo nodded. "Most of them are villagers."

"Indeed," the principal agreed. He paused, then asked, "You and your wife—you're not planning on having children for the time being, are you?"