Chapter 254: Chapter 254

Gong Ruini recently discovered that more and more people were following them up the mountain to gather herbal medicine. Fortunately, after the issue was revealed back then, they had discussed among themselves to avoid the areas where they planted herbs.

"Actually, you can go to the mountains closer to you." Gong Ruini was quite anxious inside; with so many people flocking here to gather herbs, wouldn’t they strip the place bare?

Although they could change places to gather herbs, going farther from home was no simple task.

More importantly, gathering herbs from the mountain behind their own house meant no one would notice. As long as they were careful when cashing in, no one would discover it.

But if they went to surrounding mountains to gather herbs, they could easily be spotted by village folks. After this incident, Gong Ruini dared not see these seemingly honest people as truly naive.

No matter how simple-hearted they seemed, they would pay attention when it comes to money.

Erya grinned, "Yes, recently we’re learning from you, once we learn, we’ll go to other mountains to gather herbs."

"Ni Zi, don’t worry, in the future, none of us will come here."

"Yeah, Ni Zi, don’t worry, we’re just learning from you at the start. Once we can identify them, we won’t come here." Er Gouzi placed a bunch of herbs into the back basket and wiped his nose.

Watching Er Gouzi wipe his nose so carefree, Gong Ruini felt a bit queasy. Luckily, she didn’t have to face this guy often, otherwise, she’d lose her appetite.

Zhao Guangran had mentioned before that this kid wiped his nose on his clothes, especially winter clothes which were washed only once a season. Just thinking about it made it unimaginable for Gong Ruini.

Without much previous contact, it wasn’t noticeable. But now, constantly encountering him, Gong Ruini had to quickly avoid when she sensed something off.

"I didn’t mean it that way." Erya and Er Gouzi’s words embarrassed Gong Ruini, making it seem like she was unfriendly and wanted to drive them away.

Even though Gong Ruini did mean that, Erya and they were too naive, voicing it so plainly made Gong Ruini feel embarrassed.

"It’s fine, the village head grandpa mentioned it." Erya didn’t overthink, for her it was just stating a fact.

"Village head grandpa said this place was originally Doctor Zhan’s herb-picking spot, now it should be left for you."

"Actually, Ni Zi, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t know if I could keep studying." Erya became enthusiastic thinking about her family’s approval.

What’s the situation? "The money from gathering herbs is letting your parents allow you to study?" Even though studying doesn’t cost much now, many families still don’t favor girls studying.

Not only is there a tuition cost, but also the argument that kids who stay home can help with chores and look after younger siblings.

Erya smiled brightly. "Not just me, many village girls are ."

"In the future, primary school will be in our village. Since we can earn by selling herbs, we have our book fees covered." Erya wasn’t particularly fond of studying, but she knew, "Only by studying can I have a chance to get a job in the city."

"Once I work in the city, I have a chance to stay in the city." For village kids, getting a city job and staying there as a city person was highly enviable.

Ah, studying to become a city worker and eat city meals? Gong Ruini cautiously glanced at Erya.

Poor child, so eager now, hoping to become a city worker but perhaps regretting in ten or twenty years.

Although being a farmer was tough, in the nineties many state enterprises started struggling, with many people laid off, life was hard, especially in the old Northeast industrial base which suffered huge losses.

But Gong Ruini couldn’t say these things, even if she did, no one would believe her.

"That’s good, if you have the chance to go to college, you could work in a factory as a managerial staff — that would be even better." Though rural, there was a strong learning atmosphere.

Despite poor conditions, the village leadership’s focus on education was evident by their efforts to establish a school. As long as this mindset persisted and they had herbal sales income, there would be more students.

Going to college, then working as a managerial staff? Erya found the idea dreamy, couldn’t dare dream it, "I only wish to become a worker."

Ah, such a lack of ambition — knowing the need to move to the city to change one’s fate, yet not thinking more, "Why just be a worker, being just a worker has no prospects."

"They still won’t respect you and will push things onto you saying you’re a country girl."

"Only by becoming a manager will they dare not speak to your face." Gong Ruini felt Erya was decent.

While other kids focused only on picking herbs for themselves, Erya would give a hand sometimes. Although it seemed like flattery, at least do a bit of flattery!

Gong Ruini didn’t wait for anyone to flatter her. Since she thought Erya was a good person, Gong Ruini didn’t mind giving some advice. Whether to act on it or not was not her concern.

Giving a little hint was rare kindness from Gong Ruini, beyond that she couldn’t guide further.

"Erya, study hard. Once you’re out, you’ll know how big the world is." Gong Ruini looked at the thoughtful Erya and then around, seeing it was just the two of them, she whispered.

The outside world? Erya, growing up, only went to the commune a few times. As for the county, neither she nor her parents had seen it.

"Ni Zi, is the county big? Is the place you used to live nice?" Erya asked with longing.

"The county isn’t big, it’s tiny." Gong Ruini thought this county wasn’t just small, not even the size of a future district, "My hometown is much more prosperous than here." ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novel★fire.net

Gong Ruini tried hard to retrieve original memories from the body’s original owner. Since she hadn’t been to the original hometown, she didn’t know the conditions, but thanks to the original memory, she didn’t exaggerate the description.

"Actually, my hometown is a small city, unable to compare to big cities." Certainly no match for cities three or four decades later, especially with the internet; alas, life without it was difficult, with no global gossip or dramas and movies to watch — it was bleak.

Gong Ruini found it desolate, but her description thrilled Erya, "The outside world is so wonderful."

Erya clenched her fist, expressing her determination to see it if she had the chance.