An Ning walked past Jiang Xia, the corners of her mouth turning up.

Somehow, she felt her mood improve just a little bit.

She returned to the An family home, and as soon as she stepped inside, she heard An Sancheng call her name.

An Ning walked into An Sancheng’s room and called out, "Dad."

"Ah, sit here."

An Sancheng patted the kang with one hand, a little too nervous to know what to do.

"An Ning, I wanted to ask... that job you mentioned, would it be okay to give it to your uncle’s family?"

An Sancheng asked cautiously. Even though An Ning had spoken of it lightly, he still felt it wasn’t right, since his daughter had secured it for herself.

"It’s fine."

"Huh? Really?"

Happiness had come so suddenly.

An Ning nodded and said with certainty, "Of course, it’s real. Uncle’s family is very good. Who did you have in mind for the position, Dad?" 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

An Sancheng shook his head, grinning from ear to ear.

"I don’t know yet. I just went over to your uncle’s place for a bit. I didn’t dare breathe a word about it before talking to you."

"Then you can just discuss it with Uncle, Dad. It’s fine. I’m going now."

"Okay, okay. Go get some sleep. You must be exhausted after the last few days."

An Ning returned to her room and saw the large pile of luggage on the floor, untouched.

She smiled, opened it herself, and took out the bedding. She then unpacked all her books. As for the remaining bolts of fabric, she could just give them to Lin Cuihua tomorrow.

After An Ning finished tidying up, she washed up, got onto the kang, and went to sleep.

The moment before she lay down on the kang, she was still thinking, ’I forgot to buy rice.’ But the very next second, she was fast asleep.

The next day, the big rooster—spurred on by the memory of Lin Cuihua slaughtering a chicken—crowed right on time, waking up the An family.

An Guoping got up early to memorize his texts and political lessons. He handed his completed exercise book to An Ning.

An Ning took a pencil, gave the book a quick look-over, and handed it back to An Guoping. "Correct it yourself first, then we’ll talk."

"Got it, Sis."

An Guoping took back the workbook and went to correct it after he finished memorizing his texts.

An Ning went out early to work in the fields. When it was about time, she headed home to eat.

Back home, before the meal, she went over the problems An Guoping didn’t understand.

After the family finished breakfast, those who had to work went to work, and those who stayed home, stayed home.

When they were heading home from work at noon, An Sancheng called out to An Ning, walking with Uncle An.

The three of them stood together, and Uncle An spoke first. "An Ning, your dad said you have a job opening at the machinery factory?"

"Yes, Uncle."

"Then why can’t you take it yourself?"

An Ning shook her head. "I don’t want to go."

Uncle An confirmed it with her several times, making sure An Ning truly didn’t want the job. As for An Guoqing, An Sancheng had already asked him, and he wasn’t interested.

An Guoping was preparing for his exams, so it wasn’t suitable for him either.

"In that case, if this job really goes to my family, I can’t just take it for free. No matter who goes to work, their first three years’ salary will all go to An Ning."

"That’s not necessary, Uncle," An Ning refused. An Sancheng also tried to persuade him, but Uncle An wouldn’t budge.

In the end, they decided that half of the monthly salary would be given to An Ning for three consecutive years.

As for who would take the job, Uncle An would go home to discuss it with his family.

An Ning went home with An Sancheng. They hadn’t even finished lunch when the family’s big rooster started crowing.

An Guoping looked at the rooster curiously and said, "This thing is getting smarter. It’s starting to act like a watchdog."

An Ning stood up and walked toward the courtyard entrance. The person who had come looking for her was none other than Yin Xuemei.

"An Ning."

"Did you need something?"

Yin Xuemei nodded.

The two walked a short distance before Yin Xuemei finally spoke.

"An Ning, can I study with you?"

"You can. Why?"

An Ning agreed first before asking why, which made Yin Xuemei break into a brilliant smile.

"I didn’t pass the exam this time, but I don’t want to just find someone to marry. So, I’ve decided to try again. My math is terrible, though, and I was hoping you could help me by explaining the problems."

"Don’t worry, I won’t ask for your help for free."

Yin Xuemei handed An Ning a piece of clothing she was holding.

"I made this myself. See if you like it."

An Ning took the garment and asked, "For me?"

"Yes. I feel this is only fair. It’s a proper exchange."

This was an arrangement An Ning could easily accept.

"You’re right."

An Ning accepted the clothes and said to Yin Xuemei, "Come to my house at five every morning. I’ll be going over problems with my little brother, and you can listen in."

"Okay, okay, no problem! I’ll definitely be there."

Yin Xuemei was overjoyed and thanked An Ning several times.

An Ning returned to the An family home, carrying the clothes Yin Xuemei had given her.

Once home, she mentioned that Yin Xuemei would be coming over to study. Naturally, no one in the family had any objections.

After all, Yin Xuemei had helped An Ning several times before.

After lunch was finished, everyone went back to work in the fields, and An Guoping went along with them.

He now focused on studying in the mornings and evenings, but he still went to work in the fields during the day, making sure not to neglect either.

After getting off work in the afternoon, An Ning didn’t rush home and instead worked a while longer by herself.

The people in the village all thought the girl from the An family was pretty foolish.

An Ning didn’t mind what others thought. She just wanted to restore her spiritual power as quickly as possible.

Only when it was time for dinner did An Ning head home.

As soon as she entered the courtyard gate, she saw Uncle An and her third cousin talking with An Sancheng.

"An Ning’s back."

Her third cousin, An Guocheng, called out. An Ning entered the courtyard and greeted them.

"An Ning, I’m planning to have your Third Brother go. Is that all right?"

An Guocheng’s eyes were filled with nervousness. Working in the city was practically their ultimate dream.

"That’s fine. I’ll give Director Jin a call. Third Brother can just go by himself; I won’t go with him."

"Whatever works. You just arrange it."

Uncle An naturally had no objections. After settling the matter, he left with An Guocheng, not staying for dinner.

An Sancheng couldn’t help but ask, "When can he go?"

"I’ll make the call tomorrow."

"Good, good. Now, your uncle’s family will be able to live a little better."

An Sancheng was truly happy and became a bit more talkative.

"Your Third Brother is the one who isn’t married, and he studied up to junior high, so he’s the most educated one. Your uncle is letting him go. For the first three years, half the money goes to you, and half goes to his family."

"Your uncle’s intention is for him not to marry for these three years. After three years, if he does get married, he’ll just have to give the family ten yuan a month. Your uncle won’t meddle with the rest."

An Sancheng spoke and An Ning listened, not offering any opinion.

Everyone went inside to eat. An Sancheng explained Uncle An’s family arrangement, and Lin Cuihua nodded. "That’s good. Guocheng is educated, and you can’t just keep the eldest and second eldest brothers separated from their wives forever."

An Sancheng nodded. That made sense.

After dinner, An Ning went over problems with An Guoping.

Soon, another day had passed.

Early the next morning, after breakfast, An Ning went to the production brigade headquarters to make a phone call on her way to work.

On the other end of the line, Director Jin agreed without any issue.

Not only did he agree, but he also had some amazing news for An Ning.