Chapter 1002: The College Entrance Examination Is a Big Deal

Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Gu Zi had been busier than ever. With the college entrance exams approaching, she had decided to temporarily put her job at the newspaper on hold.

The team there was entirely supportive of her decision—they respected her ambition and had no intention of holding her back from pursuing greater opportunities. They even arranged for a replacement during her absence and reassured her that she could return anytime she wished.

These days, Gu Zi rarely left the house, fully immersed in her studies. Her routine consisted almost entirely of pouring over textbooks, with occasional breaks to spend time with Su Le.

Most of the time, though, Su Jing took on the responsibility of looking after the little girl.

Gu Zi didn’t need to worry about anything else—her meals, her peace, her entire daily rhythm were carefully orchestrated by Su Shen.

Each morning, before heading out, Su Shen would prepare breakfast for everyone. On the days he couldn’t make it back home, he’d call ahead and instruct Su Jing to wake up early and handle breakfast duties.

Lunch and dinner, however, were another level of care: Su Shen had meals delivered from the Golden Sun restaurant, known for its delicious and nutritious dishes. As Su Jing savored the food, she couldn’t help but shoot Gu Zi a look of envy.

“Sis-in-law, you’re amazing,” she said, shaking her head in mock disbelief. “My brother’s really going all out for you these days.”

Su Shen’s generosity and consideration weren’t new, but he had always kept his wealth understated. The villagers had assumed he was just moderately well-off, maybe slightly better off than the average household.

Even Su Jing, who had grown up alongside him, never imagined just how well-to-do her brother really was. She’d always believed the money he gave her over the years was scraped together from his tight earnings as a butcher.

Now, the truth was crystal clear: her brother wasn’t just comfortable; he was sitting on a small fortune. The realization hit her like a bolt of lightning, and she couldn’t help but reflect bitterly on her past mistakes.

‘If only I had stayed in this golden nest,’ she thought ruefully. ‘Instead, I threw my life away with that no-good Tian Hai.’ If she could go back in time, she’d slap some sense into her younger self.

Gu Zi, having just finished the last sip of her soup, chuckled lightly. “Your brother’s generosity is real,” she said, rising from her seat. “And so is my need for a nap. My dear sister-in-law, could I trouble you to take Lele out for a little stroll? She woke up late today and probably won’t nap this afternoon.”

As she spoke, Gu Zi pulled fifty yuan out of her pocket and handed it to Su Jing. “Take this,” she said. “You’ll probably need to spend a little while you’re out.”

But before Su Jing could even accept it, Su Le’s tiny hands snatched the bill away. Her eyes sparkled mischievously as she declared, “Mommy, Auntie, let me handle the money! I’ll decide how we spend it.”

Su Jing laughed, scooping the little girl into her arms. “Oh, aren’t we just two peas in a pod? Both of us love money! Come on, Lele, let’s go have some fun.”

Gu Zi watched the pair disappear out the door, a warm smile playing on her lips. She settled onto the sofa for a quick nap and was just about to start her afternoon study session when her phone rang. It was the city’s Sister Hua’s Gourmet Shop calling.

Over the past few days, the Lin family had been frequently checking in on Gu Zi. With her exams coming up, they were concerned about her well-being, afraid that the pressure might take a toll on her health. Every call followed the same pattern, with An Yun’s voice full of worry.

“Gu Zi, your exams are important,” An Yun would say, her tone gentle yet firm. “But don’t push yourself too hard, okay? Your health is the most important thing. Make sure you’re eating properly.”

The Lin family had heard about Gu Zi’s stellar academic performance back in her school days, but the college entrance exams were a monumental hurdle.

In their rural area, university-bound students were rare—so rare, in fact, that you could count them on one hand. To the Lin family, the exams seemed impossibly daunting, and they couldn’t help but fret over Gu Zi’s chances.

Yet, mindful of not taking up too much of her time, they kept their calls brief. An Yun did all the talking while Lin Cheng, Li Hua, and even Aunt Yang stood by, anxiously listening in.

As soon as An Yun finished her usual reminders, she’d quickly hang up, their care and concern palpable even through the phone.

Gu Zi appreciated their sincerity. Each time, she patiently reassured An Yun, “Mom, the exams aren’t as difficult as you think. Please don’t worry. I’ve got this.”

She wasn’t bluffing. For Gu Zi—someone who had traveled back to this era armed with the knowledge of a top student—the exams were far from insurmountable. Over the past weeks, she’d been thoroughly preparing, dissecting every possible question type, and now felt confident about acing them.

After her call with An Yun, Gu Zi dove back into her study plan for the afternoon. She spent hours analyzing mock exams and honing her skills.

By the time she finally looked up, the sky outside had transformed into a breathtaking canvas of sunset hues. From the courtyard below, she could hear the lively sounds of Su Li and Gao Ming playing tag. It seemed the boys had been home from school for a while.

Downstairs, the two boys, exhausted from running, had settled near the front gate to play Chinese checkers.

Their laughter filled the air until an unexpected figure appeared before them—Xu Sheng.

Both boys froze, momentarily taken aback. Why was Xu Sheng here? Shouldn’t he be at home studying?@@novelbin@@

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