At the village committee office of Wang Family Village,
Wang Jianguo puffed on his cigarette in silence.
"Honestly, I can manage on my own."
Wang Chaoying's temples were streaked with gray hair.
He was the principal and sole teacher of Wang Family Village Elementary School.
He taught the older students, while the younger ones had been taught by Teacher Liu, who had been assigned by the higher authorities.
But Teacher Liu had been transferred away.
Now, there was no replacement in sight.
School was set to start next month.
Wang Chaoying had come to discuss the matter with Wang Jianguo.
Wang Jianguo was anxious too.
But he knew how things worked in their town.
Originally, it had taken him months of pleading with the town just to get Teacher Liu assigned.
Now, reapplying would take another three to five months before anything moved.
They needed a solution—fast.
One cigarette after another, Wang Jianguo smoked until the last one was stubbed out. Then, he made up his mind.
"Let’s hire a temporary teacher from our own village!"
"The wages will be covered by the village."
Wang Chaoying knew the village’s financial situation.
"I can handle it alone. There’s no need to bring in someone else."
"Are you sure?" Wang Jianguo shot him a sidelong glance.
"Who was it last semester who kept running to Uncle Eighth Wang, exhausted?"
Wang Chaoying’s face flushed.
"No matter how tough things get, we can’t let the children’s education suffer."
Especially after witnessing Shen Nanchu’s unexpected skills, Wang Jianguo was even more determined to give the village kids a proper education.
His own children, Dabao and Erbao, spent their days running wild—hardly like kids who’d been to school.
The other village children were no different.
Truthfully, Wang Jianguo’s first choice was Shen Nanchu for the teaching role.
But he couldn’t bring himself to ask.
And his gut told him that shrewd girl wouldn’t take the job anyway.
Why?
Because she was lazy.
Besides, Shen Nanchu already had enough on her plate. Wang Jianguo didn’t want to burden her further.
So, they’d have to pick a substitute teacher from the educated youth in the village.
---
Early the next morning,
a red-paper notice with bold black calligraphy was posted on the village committee’s bulletin board:
"Due to teaching needs, we are hiring one elementary school teacher. Requirements: middle school education or higher, good character, and a passion for education. Interested parties must register with the village chief within three days."
The news spread like wildfire.
In those days, being a teacher was a coveted position—no backbreaking farm work, a steady monthly wage, and shelter from the elements. It was like manna from heaven.
The announcement sent ripples through the village.
Many were tempted, but the educated youth dormitory buzzed the loudest.
Who wouldn’t prefer standing at a podium over toiling in the fields?
Landing this teaching job in Wang Family Village would be a dream.
"Li Mei, did you see? The school’s hiring a teacher!"
Fang Jie grabbed Li Mei’s arm, her voice hushed but brimming with excitement.
"A monthly salary, and no more farm work!"
Li Mei’s face glowed with confidence. "I already knew. I was there when the village chief wrote the notice yesterday. I’ve got a high school diploma—way better than just middle school."
Fang Jie nodded. "Fair competition. We’ve all got high school diplomas."
The two exchanged knowing smiles, oblivious to Pei Yunxi watching from the shade of a nearby tree, lost in thought.
Pei Yunxi had always loved books. The idea of standing before a classroom, imparting knowledge to children, thrilled her.
But one thing held her back—her sister-in-law, Shen Nanchu.
Such an easy job would be better suited for her pregnant sister-in-law.
"If Sister-in-law wants it, I can’t compete with her."
With a sigh, Pei Yunxi quickened her steps home.
Shen Nanchu, unaware of the hiring news, was watching Grandma Pei sew baby clothes.
Grandma Pei was preparing tiny garments for the little one on the way.
Shen Nanchu rested her chin on her hands, fascinated. She’d never seen anyone make clothes before.
"Sister-in-law, the village is hiring a new teacher!"
Pei Yunxi burst in with the news the moment she returned.
Shen Nanchu blinked her beautiful eyes. "Oh."
The lack of enthusiasm surprised Pei Yunxi. "Aren’t you going to apply?"
Apply?
To wrangle a bunch of snot-nosed kids?
The mere thought made Shen Nanchu shudder.
"No. Not interested."
"If you want to, go ahead."
Her refusal was instant and absolute.
Pei Yunxi’s heart finally settled.
"Alright, then. I’ll go register."
---
At the educated youth dormitory,
Li Mei and Fang Jie returned from signing up, spirits high.
They found Jiang Shuyi sitting inside and couldn’t resist probing.
"Jiang Shuyi, aren’t you applying?"
"No."
Jiang Shuyi’s tone was indifferent.
"Even if I did, I wouldn’t get picked."
"What do you mean?"
Li Mei and Fang Jie exchanged glances before pressing her.
"Better not say." Jiang Shuyi feigned reluctance.
"Just tell us!" Li Mei plopped down beside her, curiosity gnawing at her.
"The Pei family is close with the village chief."
Jiang Shuyi left it at that.
Before Li Mei could process it, Fang Jie caught on.
"You’re saying… the chief might’ve already promised it to Shen Nanchu?"
"Who knows?" Jiang Shuyi played innocent.
Li Mei fell silent.
The moment she thought the job might go to Shen Nanchu, her enthusiasm wilted like frostbitten eggplant.
Compete with Shen Nanchu?
She wouldn’t dare.
---
On the final registration day,
Wang Jianguo announced the list of applicants.
When Shen Nanchu’s name wasn’t called, Li Mei and Fang Jie exhaled in relief.
Jiang Shuyi, however, hid her disappointment.
But then came Pei Yunxi’s name.
A new idea sparked in Jiang Shuyi’s mind.
Pei Yunxi was Pei Zhengnian’s sister.
If Pei Yunxi learned she lost the teaching job because of Shen Nanchu… wouldn’t that stir up some family drama?
The thought thrilled her.
On the way back to the dormitory, Jiang Shuyi began sowing seeds.
"That Pei Yunxi is Shen Nanchu’s sister-in-law."
"Don’t you think Shen Nanchu would pull strings for her?"
Li Mei and Fang Jie tensed.
Especially Li Mei. After days of farm labor, her skin had darkened, her hands roughened.
She hadn’t even found a decent suitor yet—this couldn’t stand.
Facing Shen Nanchu directly? Impossible.
But Pei Yunxi? That was a different story.
Fang Jie felt the same.
The two friends, knowing each other for over a decade, shared a glance and reached a silent agreement.
Fine. They’d take her on.
