Chapter 155: That Really Hits Where It Hurts

The next day, everyone received more news. Although the school was being built in the Qingshan Production Brigade, the Kaoshan Production Brigade also had a stake in it. Therefore, the Kaoshan brigade insisted on having a share of the teaching positions. After much back-and-forth negotiation, out of the five available teacher slots, the Qingshan brigade was allocated three, and the Kaoshan brigade received two.

This news hit like a bolt from the blue. It wasn't just the educated youth who were as anxious as ants on a hot pan; even the locals in the brigade were in a state of frantic agitation.

There were about seven or eight people in the brigade who had graduated from junior high school. Excluding two who already worked at the brigade headquarters, there were six left. Among them were Sun Lanlan and Li Cuihua, and the other four were men. Furthermore, if you counted the educated youth who had married local young people, the competition was fierce and the pool of candidates quite messy.

"The brigade leader’s daughter and the party secretary’s daughter are both junior high graduates. Are the rest of us fighting over just one spot?" At the educated youth dormitory, Zhao Hua’s expression darkened for a moment. They had finally encountered an opportunity, but the odds were slim.

As everyone sat in the courtyard, Xia Nan sighed after hearing this, "Don't forget about the educated youth who have already married into the brigade."

This comment left everyone stunned. Zhao Hua sighed inwardly, frustrated. Suddenly, his eyes darted around, though he remained silent. Feng Wanjia and Zhang Shuting sat there cracking melon seeds; they were self-aware enough to know that when it came to selecting teachers within the brigade, it likely wouldn't be their turn this time. Thus, while they would certainly participate in the exam and follow the crowd in giving gifts, they were mentally prepared for the outcome.

"On what grounds is it limited to junior high graduates? If you ask me, only high school graduates are qualified to teach students properly," Chen Chunlan curled her lip. If the requirement had been a high school diploma, the number of candidates would have dropped significantly. At the very least, there were only two high school graduates in the entire brigade.

"Who’s to say otherwise?" Xie Wenjuan sighed, echoing the sentiment. But since they weren't part of the brigade leadership, they had no say in the decision.

"Lin Jingyue, what do you think? What are your plans?" Chen Chunlan noticed that Lin Jingyue, Jiang Xun, and a few others hadn't spoken.

"Take it one step at a time. If I get it, it’s my fortune; if I lose, it’s fate." *Bullshit*, she thought, she was determined to secure one of those spots.

"…That’s true, you’re not lacking for food or drink anyway." This remark was pure provocation.

Lin Jingyue rolled her eyes. "That’s just because you’re incompetent."

"So, can I cling to your coattails? Take me with you when you go up the mountain? I’ll follow your lead in everything," Chen Chunlan said, her eyes suddenly lighting up.

"In your dreams."

"Oh, come on, don't be like that. I'll do your laundry?"

"No need."

"And I'll do the cooking."

"Your cooking tastes terrible."

"..." That was a direct hit to the heart.

Chen Chunlan’s scheme fell through, and the other educated youth dared not harbor any similar thoughts. Lin Jingyue was not someone to be trifled with. However, everyone had their own methods. That evening, people visited both the brigade leader’s and the party secretary’s homes, offering red envelopes and gifts. They were all fishing for information about the exam papers. Neither family accepted the gifts or the red envelopes; as if they would ever leak the exam questions! Even if they had the papers in hand, they wouldn't give them to the educated youth.

After finishing work in the afternoon, the group returned to the dormitory to find Xie Wenzheng chatting with Lin Jingyue.

Jiang Xun frowned. "What are you doing here again?"

Seeing Jiang Xun’s expression, alarm bells rang in Xie Wenzheng’s head. He quickly spoke up, "Brother! Someone is pestering me!"

"…Hmm?"

"The brigade leader’s daughter. She’s so annoying! The brigade leader even sent word to me that as long as I’m willing to marry his daughter, he’ll give me one of the teacher spots." Xie Wenzheng pulled at his hair, clearly exasperated. "Aren't they supposed to be reserved?" Since when was this reserved? It was terrifying.

"Useless," Jiang Xun said, casting him a look of disdain.

"..." Another heart-piercer.

Lin Jingyue burst into laughter, looking at Xie Wenzheng, who was clutching his chest. "Your brother means that since you can't be harsh with the young lady, doesn't his family have men? Be firm, and she’ll lose interest. If you're worried about the brigade leader making things difficult for you when you try to return to the city, then have a frank 'talk' with him. Everyone has their concerns."

"I understand," Xie Wenzheng nodded earnestly.

Jiang Xun added, "Idiot."

"..." Some brother.

With Xie Wenzheng joining them, the meal was much livelier. Two days later, the school was built in a whirlwind of activity. With many hands making light work, it was estimated that classes would start in just a few days. Although the timing was off, there was nothing to be done about that now.

"Sister Lin, will you go to the school to be a teacher?" Up on the mountain, Tiedan and Niuniu, who were gathering pig feed with Lin Jingyue, turned to ask. Now that the brigade had a school, they wouldn't have to go all the way to the commune to study.

"Sister Lin, you should be a teacher. I’ll go tell my grandpa to make you a teacher," Tiedan said.

"I don't know yet. You have to take an exam to be a teacher, so we'll see after the exam," Lin Jingyue said with a smile.

"Two days ago, I saw many people bringing things to my grandpa. My mom said they all wanted to be teachers in the brigade," Tiedan sighed, sounding like a little adult. "Even Uncle Gen from the brigade went, but my grandpa scolded him and sent him away, saying he only finished primary school."

"My little uncle went too, Sister Lin, but I don't think he’s as capable as you," Niuniu said, blinking her eyes with genuine sincerity.

Listening to them, Lin Jingyue couldn't help but laugh; was this what a fan filter felt like? Two little followers.

"Are you going to school too, Niuniu?" she asked.

"Yeah, my mom says since I’m the only girl in the family, she’ll send me, but how well I do depends on my 'destiny.' Sister Lin, what is destiny?"

"Destiny means that you should study hard, keep getting the top marks, finish primary school, then junior high, then high school, and then go to a Workers, Peasants, and Soldiers university!"

The two children looked at each other. Although they weren't sure, they felt that wasn't quite what the word meant... But seeing Lin Jingyue nod so confidently, they convinced themselves to believe it. Tiedan didn't like studying, but he silently told himself to work hard and understand as much as Lin Jingyue did. As for Niuniu, a seed of ambition was planted in her heart—a determination to strive, work hard, and attend university in the future.

After finishing the pig feed, Lin Jingyue gave each child a piece of sponge cake and sent them home. She then headed into the mountains to visit Da Hui.

"Stop!" Seeing the wolf about to pounce, Lin Jingyue quickly put up a hand.

Da Hui wagged its tail, placed the rabbit it had been carrying at Lin Jingyue’s feet, and began circling her. The injuries from last time had long since healed, its fur was growing back, and it looked majestic. It was likely due to the spiritual spring water; it had become even more powerful, and its presence was more imposing. In these mountains, few animals would dare to provoke it now.

"Here, drink up," Lin Jingyue said, taking out a basin and filling it with the spiritual spring water. She patted Da Hui’s head. "You’re so big now, how am I going to take you with me when I eventually leave the Qingshan Production Brigade?"

Da Hui seemed to understand, looking up at Lin Jingyue.