To please others? It's better to please yourself.

In the following days, Xu's mother took her eldest son, Xu Jianguo, to the Xu family to propose marriage, but the other party made an exorbitant demand.

The two families went back and forth over the specific amount of the bride price.

During this month, Xu's mother suffered from chest pains due to anger and almost gave up several times.

However, Xu Jianguo insisted on marrying no one but her, and in the end, Xu's mother compromised.

The newly arrived sewing plane ticket, along with 150 yuan and 50 jin of grain coupons, were given to the Xu family just like that!

This was something Duoduo had privately agreed to do, giving her family two yuan a month for the first two years after the marriage.

As soon as Xu's mother got home, she lay in bed and couldn't get up. It took her two days to recover before she went back to work.

Because the negotiations over the bride price took too long, the wedding date could only be set for February 17, 1965, the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, almost a month later than Xu Jingping's.

"Ring—ring—ring"

When the school bell rang in the afternoon, students began to walk out one after another with their schoolbags on their backs.

Just then, several tall boys rushed into the classroom.

"Yangzi, hurry up, Jinzi wants to play a basketball match with the people from No. 3 Middle School."

"Let's hurry, or we'll miss our chance!"

"Damn it—it's my turn to be on duty today!" Zhang Xiangyang, who was not far from Xu Jing'an, shouted anxiously.

"Yangzi, you can't let us down at this crucial moment! We can't do without you."

"Xu Jing'an, you saw it too. I'm in a bind. You'll cover my duty today, and I'll cover for you tomorrow." Zhang Xiangyang bowed and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Xu Jing'an.

"Okay, don't forget tomorrow. I happen to be late this morning because of something, so it's my turn to erase the blackboard."

"Don't worry, I won't forget."

Because it was her turn to be on duty, Xu Jing'an became the last student to leave the class.

Just as she was about to close the door, "Jing'an, don't go yet," her homeroom teacher, Ms. Tang, called out to Xu Jing'an, who was about to go home.

"Teacher Tang, is there something you need?" I asked, noticing that Teacher Tang was covered in sweat.

"Oh, I just got a notification that there's a provincial math competition the day after tomorrow. Are you going to participate?" After catching her breath, she continued, "A teacher will be leading the team, but you'll have to pay for your own food and lodging."

As soon as she finished speaking, Teacher Tang looked at her nervously. Several students had refused to pay extra when they heard that they would have to pay extra.

"Teacher, I'll participate," Xu Jing'an replied immediately; this was exactly the moment she had been waiting for.

"Okay, then go back and prepare what you need. Time is tight, we'll be leaving by car at 2 pm tomorrow."

"Remember to get the letter of introduction ready; you'll need it for accommodation. The exam is at 8 AM the day after tomorrow, and going on the day itself definitely won't be enough time."

"I understand, teacher. I won't come tomorrow morning."

"Okay, pack your things at home and don't forget anything," Teacher Tang nodded in agreement.

I came out of the teaching building intending to use the restroom before going home. Just as I reached the restroom door, I heard people talking inside.

"Dujuan, are you also going to take the recruitment exam for the children of steel mill employees tomorrow?"

"Yes, I heard it from my aunt. We'll go together then."

Hearing that the people inside were about to come out, Xu Jing'an quickly hid to the side.

He only came out after the others had gone far away.

It seems this is where the original owner got the information. He went to the restroom and hurried home; it was almost dark.

As soon as I entered, I saw that Xu's parents and the fourth child were all home. The eldest and second children weren't there; without asking, they were definitely with their partners.

"Why are you home so late today?" Xu's mother asked as she entered the house to find the kitchen cold and empty. To be honest, since her third son took over cooking dinner, she hadn't done this right after work for a long time.

"I forgot to tell Mom that it's my turn to be on duty today," Xu Jing'an quickly washed her hands and went to help.

"Mom, my homeroom teacher told me today that I need to go to the provincial capital to participate in a math competition."

"That far?" Mrs. Xu frowned.

Xu Jing'an understood that her mother was afraid of spending money.

"The teacher said we should go tomorrow afternoon and come back the day after tomorrow afternoon. The school will cover all our food and lodging expenses."

Xu's mother did not speak.

"Besides, my eldest brother and second sister are getting married. This is a good opportunity to go to the provincial capital's department store and buy some things that we don't have here. It'll make us look good, and we won't have to pay for the travel expenses."

"Alright, go ahead." Xu's mother nodded immediately upon hearing this.

"I'll get you your household registration book and get the letter of introduction. The neighborhood director is on duty today!" Xu's mother deftly opened the wardrobe and handed the household registration book to Xu Jing'an.

Xu's mother had to admit: although her third son wasn't as good-looking as her second son, he was smart and good at studying. Most importantly, he inherited her ability to manage a household well.