Everyone in the family had already eaten, leaving a meal for the two of them.
After Gu Ersao got home, she didn’t even have the strength to eat. She sat on the side and rested, panting. Su Qinghe began eating with the bowls and chopsticks prepared for her.
Gu Ma sat to the side and said, “Eat slowly. Are you hungry? Was there enough dried sweet potatoes?”
Su Qinghe subconsciously asked, “What sweet potatoes?”
Gu Ma’s eyes sharpened immediately and looked back at the second daughter-in-law. Gu Ersao had returned looking like a man…
Su Qinghe finally understood what was going on. It seemed that her mother-in-law had brought her some food, but the second daughter-in-law had eaten it instead... This was really embarrassing. She quickly said, “Mom, I’ve already eaten. I’m not hungry. I was just about to tell you not to prepare anything next time. It’s better to come back home to eat—more nutritious. You said I’m getting thinner.”
Gu Ersao looked at Su Qinghe with emotion. The third daughter-in-law is really kind. She had always coveted her bicycle—she was truly in the wrong!
Gu Ma knew that Su Qinghe was being sensible and wanted to calm things down. But this matter of picking people up couldn’t be left to the second daughter-in-law. It was simply impossible to rely on her!
“From now on, the second child will take turns picking up the eldest!” she said.
Gu Changping quickly replied, “Okay, Mom.”
Su Qinghe said, “Mom, I can actually come back by myself. I ride the bicycle very fast.”
“You silly girl. What if you encounter someone bad? Although the county is very strict now, there are still some dishonest people around. Two people together are safer. Hey, if Chang’an were home, he’d be the one picking you up no matter where you were. He wouldn’t let others do it.”
Gu Ersao still wanted to go, but thinking about what happened today, she figured it was better to stay home and cook honestly. So she lowered her head and said nothing.
Gu Changzheng and Gu Changping had no objections. In their eyes, Su Qinghe was already part of the family. At the beginning, Gu Changan, the third brother, was sent to the army by them. Now that the third daughter-in-law needed protection, of course it was their duty. Anyway, picking her up and dropping her off wasn’t troublesome.
Back in the room, Su Qinghe was holding the textbook and dozing off. “System, help me remember this. I go to work during the day, attend classes at night, and have to review again when I get home. I’m really tired.”
“The host is asked to display the spirit of hard work, actively level up, and unlock support skills.”
“...So heartless!”
To level up faster, Su Qinghe let the system help memorize the knowledge so she didn’t have to study so hard. For several days, Su Qinghe kept helping clean the house.
After all, it had been cleaned the day before, so cleaning again shortly after was easier.
Su Qinghe felt this was a chance for her to make some progress.
“Ding... Congratulations to the host for completing the ‘living’ task: cleaning once. Reward: 1 skill point and a broom.”
...
“Ding... Congratulations to the host for completing the ‘living’ task: cleaning once...”
...
In the office of the Xinjiang Corps Advanced Soldier Company, several leaders had finished scoring the test papers. The battalion commander and the political instructor looked at the papers, dumbfounded.
Many veterans were not well-educated. If they wanted to learn more, it would be easier to just send them into combat. Many answered the questions wrong. In the ordinary company, they would be sent to a study class together. But these people were different. Though not highly educated, they were fierce fighters.
Company Commander Ge picked up a test paper and said, “Battalion Commander, I think this Gu Changan can still be trained. He graduated from junior high school, but his level is still lacking. Maybe he couldn’t continue studying and joined the army. His performance in the army has always been good. This time, his other assessment results weren’t worse than the veterans. Even though he didn’t pass the cultural exam, he still wants to study. Look, this is his paper.”
Commander Xu took it and read the line of handwriting on the paper. After a while, his expression became serious. “I feel the soldier’s desire—the desire to learn, the desire to gain knowledge to serve the country. Not bad. This soldier is good. Gu Changan, right? I remember him. As a recruit, he’s better than the top scorers. He’s already made meritorious contributions. Such soldiers must be trained well. Since he wants to study, we should help him. Isn’t there a study class in the military area? Let him attend. There’s no special task now except training. Let him study.”
“Battalion Commander, the study class is very strict. It requires mandatory study. That method was made by the old chief to deal with stubborn soldiers. Gu Changan is an honest one.”
Commander Xu said, “Those methods are used for lazy soldiers. For honest ones, it’s just like usual. Isn’t it even better if they study seriously?”
Captain Ge thought about it and realized it made sense. Studying is studying—if one wants to learn, any place will do. Only those who dislike learning would find it painful.
That afternoon, the results of the assessment were announced, and Gu Changan passed the cultural part.
When Gu Changan heard the news, he was stunned. He actually passed? This old leader is too kind!
He smiled at Captain Ge, who also smiled back. “Gu Changan, stay here for a moment.”
After the others left, Gu Changan followed Ge Lian into the office.
Captain Ge drank from a military green enamel cup, then pointed at Gu Changan. “You kid, your education is still not good. The score was given by the old leader because he saw your patriotic heart. But you can’t let him down.”
Gu Changan nodded smoothly. He now dared to face the enemy head-on. He just didn’t want to study—as long as it wasn’t that, anything else was fine.
Company Commander Ge was very satisfied with his attitude. “Very good. The old leader knows you like studying and has arranged for you to study cultural knowledge in the military district’s advanced class. You’ve got a junior high school level, so you should adapt quickly. Study well. When peace comes, strive to go to college. Not many college students come from our company. Hahaha, you should give us face!”
“...” What does that mean? What advanced class? Gu Changan looked dumbfounded. “Captain, what do you mean?”
“Hahaha, you’re so happy you’re confused. Didn’t you say it’s painful to lack education? Now we’re letting you study, so you’ll never feel lacking again.”
Gu Changan froze like a wooden chicken.
What he meant was that he had too little education—not that he wanted to study! His junior high diploma was fake... ooh... he actually only had elementary school literacy...
“Captain... I’m afraid this will delay my training...” He looked at Captain Ge with tears in his eyes.
Captain Ge patted his shoulder with emotion. “Go and study hard. The advanced class also has a training ground, so it won’t delay anything.”
Gu Changan returned to the dormitory in tears.
As soon as he walked in, he hugged his pillow and cried, “I want to go on a mission! I want to fight the enemy—”
A veteran in the same dorm walked in and was startled. “What’s wrong with you? Is something wrong? Great! We’re also looking forward to fighting!”
Gu Changan shook his head. “Nothing, I just want to fight the enemy.” I don’t want to study.
The veteran looked at him, understanding. “Oh, who doesn’t want to go. We’re just storing up strength. When the time comes, the enemy won’t even know what hit them.”
Lao Gazi came over with a water glass and punched his shoulder a few times. “Chang’an, great job!”
Gu Changan wanted to cry without tears...
“Gu Changan, you have a letter and a package.”
A communication soldier came over.
Another package?
Gu Changan was surprised. Then he quickly wiped his tears and rushed out to the mailroom. When he got the parcel and letter, he didn’t even need to look—he knew who sent them.
Receiving the concern and care from his partner, his heart was comforted a little.
Back in the dormitory, he opened the letter first. It was filled with the delicate handwriting of Qingmiao’er. She said she received his allowance and was very touched. She told him to keep his money, eat and drink well, and take care of himself. She also said her family was doing well. She was now a head chef in the state-run hotel and was improving herself too.
“Chang’an, although life is very hard now, I know the future is bright. I’ll definitely wait for you to come back. For the future, I’ll endure the hardship for now and work hard with you!” At the end, Gu Changan burst into tears.
Oh, Qingmiao’er was also working hard to support the family. It must be tough for her to cook for others. What’s wrong with studying? If Qingmiao’er were here, she’d surely say studying is a good thing. She’s so motivated and hardworking.
No, he had to work hard too. Whatever Qingmiao’er could do, he could do as well!
He couldn’t let her work hard alone. He had to work hard, get promoted, earn money, and go back to live with her in the future!
Thinking of this, he opened the package and looked at the fragrant dried meat inside. He took out a piece and ate it in big bites. Work hard! Work hard!
For Qingmiao’er, for the dried meat, study hard!
At the old Gu house in the county party committee compound, Su Qinghe was cleaning.
“Ding... Congratulations to the host for completing the ‘living’ task: cleaning once. Reward: 1 skill point and a broom.”
... After the fifth time, Su Qinghe almost wanted to give up.
Hey, maybe she should rest for a few days before continuing the task?
“Friendly reminder: the military target has received the package and was moved to tears.”
Su Qinghe wiped her sweat and sat on the bed in her room. “Chang’an cried? What’s he doing now?”
“Yes, host. The military target is currently preparing to attend a training class in the military area to improve his cultural level.”
“...” Su Qinghe felt complicated. So it wasn’t just her working hard—Chang’an was also working hard far away.
He had to over-train during the day and now also study at night.
Compared to him, her job of eating and drinking well was nothing at all.