21: Chapter 12 Going Out_2 21: Chapter 12 Going Out_2 Actually, if it weren’t for the Life Profession System, Lin Xiaoguai would still find hometown cuisine hard to stomach now, but she would probably only tire of it because the dishes were too simple and she had eaten too much.
The bowl was washed by Shen Xiu, while Lin Xiaoguai helped wipe it dry with a cloth.
Shen Xiu still thought her sister-in-law was meticulous, as most households at that time would wash their dishes clean without bothering to dry them.
After tidying up the kitchen, and with little entertainment available, not even a TV, Shen Xiu took out her textbooks and workbooks and asked Lin Xiaoguai to help her with schoolwork.
It posed no difficulty for Lin Xiaoguai.
Although she had left school decades ago, she had always remembered everything she learned well, plus some idle time recently and a bit of curiosity had led her to ask Shen Xiu for her textbooks to skim through, so even if she had been somewhat unfamiliar, it was no longer an issue after refreshing her memory.
Shen Xiu was kind and clever but lacked talent in academics, ranking at best in the lower middle of her class if not last.
Fortunately, in that era, people treasured the opportunity to study, and with Lin Xiaoguai, a reputed future college student, her enthusiasm for learning was very high.
“Sister-in-law, I think you explain much better than our teachers,” Shen Xiu said with admiration after they went through a few math problems, “I can understand our teacher, but it always takes me a second too long to catch on, and by the time I do, he’s already moved on and I’ve missed parts in-between.”
Lin Xiaoguai smiled upon hearing this.
Although she had never been a teacher, the Life Profession System had subjected her to many famous instructors, allowing her to gain a fair amount of insight.
“Speaking of which, sister-in-law, if you can’t go to college, you could become a teacher,” Shen Xiu said casually, then realized she had misspoken.
If you’re going to college…” Shen Xiu started explaining in a flustered way.
Being a teacher back then was not as prestigious as it would be later on.
Teachers earned low salaries and often had to make home visits due to students dropping out, only to face parents’ scorn.
Going to college was a different story; any university graduate could be assigned a job and earn a secure living.
Shen Xiu wanted to say something comforting, but her family was not in a position to support her sister-in-law through college, especially now that she was pregnant.
“I’m not in a hurry,” Lin Xiaoguai said gently, “I’m only sixteen, college can wait a few more years.”
She was sincere; the weight of the child in her heart was unquestionable, and while attending college had been difficult in her past life, it wasn’t the same this time.
Moreover, she knew better than anyone that getting into college at this time not only meant no tuition fees but also a subsidy.
Lin Xiaoguai knew what she was worried about and said with a slight smile, “Don’t worry, even if I take the exam ten times, I’ll only do better each time.”
Shen Xiu wanted to say that English would be included in the next college entrance exam, but faced with Lin Xiaoguai’s calm yet confident gaze, she couldn’t bring herself to voice her concern.
The person before her made her believe, involuntarily, that she could achieve it.
Although Lin Xiaoguai’s Cooking Skill was exceptional, Shen Xiu didn’t just leave all the cooking to her but sought her guidance instead.
Of course, when Lin Xiaoguai decided to cook, Shen Xiu neither had the heart nor could genuinely stop her.
“Shall we go to the market now?” Lin Xiaoguai’s mood was good, having persuaded Shen Xiu to let her go out.
Although she knew the streets of the era didn’t offer much to wander, Lin Xiaoguai wasn’t seeking that bustling excitement, but merely wanted to revisit old places.
“Mhm.” Shen Xiu nodded, but then added with some concern, “Are you sure you’re alright, sister-in-law?” She knew the market’s smells could be unpleasant.
“It’s fine, I have this.” Lin Xiaoguai took out and put on a face mask.
She harbored no great expectations for the market at this time; her visit was purely for novelty’s sake.
The market was small, and the variety of vegetables and meats for sale was limited.
Shen Xiu carefully selected vegetables from the stalls, while Lin Xiaoguai’s attention was drawn to the nostalgic trading of food and meat tickets.
“Sister-in-law, would you like some of those biscuits?” Shen Xiu asked as Lin Xiaoguai observed an elder with his grandson buying biscuits with food tickets.
Lin Xiaoguai shook her head, “If you want some, I can make them for you, much tastier than what’s sold outside.” At that time, biscuits were anything but diverse and finely made; even soda biscuits were considered rare.
She spoke this way because, although Shen Xiu was asking her, the longing in her voice could not be disguised.
The girl had her little desires, hoping to indulge by leveraging her sister-in-law’s influence.
“You can make them?” Shen Xiu asked, surprised.
Though perhaps not more difficult than cooking, people of the era had an extremely limited understanding of baking, which inevitably led to some idealization.
“As long as there’s an oven,” Lin Xiaoguai thought aloud.
Shen Xiu’s face fell at the mention; an oven wasn’t something she could get her hands on.
Lin Xiaoguai felt a bit helpless; she had many things in her space but couldn’t find a reason to bring them out.
“We’re low on coal at home, shouldn’t we buy some?” Lin Xiaoguai changed the subject to avoid Shen Xiu’s dispiritedness.
“No need,” Shen Xiu shook her head, “Let’s wait for brother to return.
We can’t carry it ourselves.”
“I wonder when grandma and grandpa will be back,” Lin Xiaoguai said, steering Shen Xiu away from a passing lady carrying a water bucket.
“They should be back soon,” Shen Xiu replied, “Probably tomorrow.”
Shen Xiu was right; the very next morning, after Lin Xiaoguai finished breakfast and was watering tomatoes in the yard, the sound of a sputtering tractor approached, and the three family members, heavily laden, pushed open the gate and entered.