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

After Xu Jing'an and Zhao Xiaofang told each other about their situations, it was obvious that their relationship had grown closer.

"What did you mean when you said it was free?"

"I'll make it short, see if that works for you. I have a job in the finance department of a steel mill, I can sell it for at least 800 yuan."

Zhao Xiaofang nodded.

"You don't have any money right now, so why don't you use your dowry to trade for a job with me? That way, you can move into that room."

As Xu Jing'an spoke, she looked at Zhao Xiaofang and said, "You can use the watch and bicycle you need for work. Give me the rest, just don't be stingy with them."

"What's there to be reluctant about? Are you just keeping it for my stepmother and the others to covet? It's just that these things aren't worth as much as the money I earn from working."

"I'd also like you to help me get a graduation certificate early."

"Aren't you going?"

"I'll continue studying so I can get the certificate as soon as possible. That way, if I happen to find a job while I'm studying, I can go directly to it if I pass the exam. Otherwise, if I can't get the job without the certificate, wouldn't I just be doing all the work for someone else?"

"Okay, when do we complete the formalities?"

"I'll come find you the day after tomorrow afternoon, and we'll go to the steel mill together to change the name. We can just put your name on the job posting then, it'll save us trouble."

"Okay, I'll wait for you at school! It's almost lunchtime, shall we grab some food together?"

"No, I have something to do. I have to go to the provincial capital for a competition and won't be back until the day after tomorrow. I'm leaving this afternoon."

The two of them were now somewhat reluctant to part.

"Xiaofang, what are your plans for the job your mother left behind?"

"I haven't decided yet. Maybe I'll sell it for money, since my stepmother won't get a single thing from me!"

"Don't sell it directly. See if you can find someone to exchange it for a house. The main thing is to transfer your household registration out."

"How so?"

"Have you noticed?"

"What?" Zhao Xiaofang asked in surprise.

"Sent-down youth go to the countryside!"

"Hiss...you mean they signed me up for the trip?"

"Who can say for sure? You're a senior in high school now, but you're only seventeen, a year older than me. You still have a year until you turn eighteen. What if they fail in their scheme and just sign you up to go to the countryside? What will you do then?"

Zhao Xiaofang took a deep breath. "They're capable of doing something like this!"

"So you need to keep your household registration in your own hands, so they can't control you. You can live and eat at home, deposit your monthly salary into the savings bank, and just keep the passbook. Things are only yours if you hold them in your own hands. Once your brother gets married, there will only be more and more children. Having a house will give you a way out."

"Finally, it's your marriage," Xu Jing'an said, looking at Zhao Xiaofang. "I don't believe your aunt didn't have a backup plan."

Zhao Xiaofang smiled: "Don't worry about that, my mom has arranged it."

"Those few years will be tough, but things will get better for us."

The school bell rang, and the two went their separate ways. But Zhao Xiaofang's expression was noticeably calmer, and there was no longer a trace of annoyance.

After having lunch in the cafeteria, we set off with our teachers and classmates to take the train to the provincial capital.

It was already dark when we arrived at the guesthouse that day.

The second day featured a preliminary round in the morning and a final round in the afternoon, with the number of participants steadily decreasing. After the competition ended and the results were announced, it was already past 5 PM, and there were no more buses left. The only option was to take the 10 AM bus back the next morning.

Early on the third day, one of the teachers went to buy tickets. The remaining two teachers stayed at the guesthouse to watch over the students and prevent them from wandering off.

Xu Jing'an also got up early, showed the teacher the leave slip signed by her parents, and then left the house amidst the envious glances of her classmates.

The department store in the provincial capital was indeed more comprehensive and had a wider variety of goods than the one in the city. Xu Jing'an bought the things her mother had requested and also took the opportunity to use up the coupons in her spatial storage, which were about to expire.

I need a women's watch, two sets of tops and pants (my current clothes are patched, I'm afraid to wash them too vigorously for fear of ruining them), a pair of black leather shoes, a pair of white sneakers, and two pairs of canvas shoes (my current shoes are patched and frayed). I only have two jin of cotton coupons, but that's enough to make two thick cotton-padded coats (my current coat is all matted and lumpy, so I'll buy those). I have industrial coupons, so I need a flashlight and two batteries. I also got some extra cloth: six feet of each of three colors. And some snacks and treats that don't require coupons.

If I had to describe my current mood in one word, it would be—awesome!

Wrap the cotton in two clean old newspapers and tie it tightly with rope; discard the shoebox; wrap the four pounds of pastries (which don't require ration coupons) in two more layers of newspaper to prevent oil seepage and staining your clothes. Insert the battery into the flashlight; it's quite bright now, so I don't have to walk in the dark anymore.

He packed the things his mother had asked him to buy into a bag, and secretly put the rest into his spatial storage, which was now completely full.

Xu Jing'an dared not linger any longer and rushed back to the guesthouse without delay, lest she miss her train.

……

Zhao Xiaofang had a rare good night's sleep. The next day, when there were fewer people in class, she went to the principal's office.

"Please come in."

As soon as Zhao Xiaofang entered, Principal Liang asked, "Xiaofang, what brings you here?"

"What difficulties are you facing?"

The landlord, fearing criticism and persecution, left in a hurry, taking only his gold, silver, and valuables with him. Feng Chuncao, on the other hand, secretly packed several baskets full of books from the study.

Many servants went to loot food, furniture, and clothing... but she had already taken her books and personal belongings and left in a donkey cart.

At that time, the People's Republic of China had just been founded, and Feng Chuncao donated all her books to the school. Principal Liang, who was still young at the time, personally signed for them.

When Feng Chuncao was giving money to her daughter before she died, she ran into Principal Liang again. She asked Principal Liang to take better care of her daughter.

Principal Liang also did a favor.

Most teachers in this era are enthusiastic, selfless, and responsible towards their students.

But Feng Chuncao couldn't let other people's character and mood dictate how she took care of her daughter.

Most importantly, she couldn't burden her daughter, Zhao Xiaofang, with favors. Whether it was favors or benefits, it was all up to Feng Chuncao.

Zhao Xiaofang, the daughter, owes no one anything. She only needs to choose whether to accept it or not!

"Uncle Principal, I need your help." Zhao Xiaofang didn't beat around the bush or try to gain sympathy.

"What is it?"

"I would like to trouble you to get a graduation certificate in advance."

"are you sure?"

Zhao Xiaofang nodded. She was about to graduate, and unsurprisingly, her interactions with the school would become less and less frequent.

If not now, when?

The favor left by your own mother is useless for big things and not worth it for small things. But now is the perfect time!

Nobody wants to be indebted to others or be controlled by them.

Oh! Except for the heartless ones!

Twenty minutes later, Zhao Xiaofang walked out of the office with her things.