Chapter 374: Chapter 374

Erya secretly bundled up some firewood and placed it at the door, just as Gong Ruini came out and saw it, "Why are you still chopping wood for my family?"

Ever since Zhao Gang refused to help the village with the medicinal herbs, Gong Ruini and her family felt like they were truly isolated from the villagers.

They had considered the reaction the villagers would have after they said they couldn’t help but didn’t expect the reaction to be so severe that they were completely ignored.

This made Gong Ruini understand deeply the saying "A favor of a peck of rice results in resentment for a bushel of rice." Perhaps everyone had become used to Zhao Gang stepping up to solve problems whenever something happened.

Maybe they thought that as long as they showed a certain attitude, they could make Zhao Gang anxious and find a way to solve the issue with the medicinal herbs for everyone.

Gong Ruini could only smile at this. Some people just have all kinds of hopeful ideas, always believing that things will go the way they want, never pondering why Zhao Gang might be standing firm.

"I know they’re wrong in this matter, and also, thank you, Ni Zi." Erya finally said what she had wanted to say for a long time.

"Although there are some herbs left at home this time, there’s not much left." Erya hadn’t expected this year’s herb market to end so early. Luckily, they had sold quite a bit in batches earlier, or else she couldn’t imagine what they would do if all the goods were stuck with them.

"Although it’s less than what we earned last year, these things are harvested every year, and selling them after harvesting will be enough for their schooling." Zhan Jing came out and saw the firewood at the door, then saw Erya.

This girl could be said to have a conscience. Very few dared to visit at this time. Even when someone in the village fell ill, they went to the commune for treatment, deliberately leaving Zhan Jing alone.

Erya nodded, "As long as it’s enough for us to study. My parents said they want me to study more because studying will make me understand reason."

"And Aunt Zhan, hold on a bit longer, they’ll understand." Despite everyone holding on, waiting for Zhao Gang to relent, they truly felt all sorts of inconveniences after Zhao Gang and his family went on strike.

For instance, when a machine broke down, they had to go to the county to call someone to repair it, which really wasted a lot of time.

When people in the village got sick, they could go to the commune for treatment, but going to the commune meant spending money on medical fees, which made the villagers complain about the high costs.

Hold on? Zhan Jing really felt good these days. Since the autumn harvest was over and there wasn’t much work, she could focus her energy on educating Banxia Zisu.

Ever since she learned about the reinstatement of the college entrance examination, Zhan Jing had become more active. Whether or not she and her husband could pass the exam to leave here, at least it gave her hope.

Even if they couldn’t leave this rural area, their children could take exams to leave and start a new life.

"Studying more is good. Your parents are open-minded and you can earn some tuition fees by collecting herbs every year." School tuition is not much nowadays. Thinking about the faces of the villagers, Zhan Jing felt it was a sarcastic reminder.

They used to be so honest, but now they’ve become greedy. They never considered that without her guidance, they might not have had any income at all.

"Uh-huh." Erya expressed her desire to become a doctor like Zhan Jing in the future, to treat more people.

"Alright, head back; thank you, Erya." Zhan Jing wanted to give Erya some food to thank her, but she didn’t know what to give, and if villagers saw it, they would just bring trouble upon her.

"No thanks needed." Erya carried another bundle of firewood on her back and headed home, reciting books as she went.

Watching Erya’s earnest back, Gong Ruini stared blankly for a long time, "In the future, Erya will surely become successful."

Even though the village wasn’t short of hardworking students, Gong Ruini had never seen anyone as diligent as Erya.

Erya wasn’t naturally intelligent, but she made up for her shortcomings with her diligence.

A child who is appreciative and hardworking, with open-minded parents, "surely will succeed."

Zhao Gang looked at the firewood in Zhan Jing’s hands, "Did Erya deliver this?" After helping so many people in the village, how many were truly grateful? They only remembered the things he hadn’t done well in the past.

"No wonder you mentioned it before." When Gong Ruini suggested reminding Erya, Zhao Gang was worried about helping an ungrateful person. But now he realized he had overthought it; Erya was truly commendable.

Gong Ruini smiled, having a knack for assessing people, "By the way, Uncle Zhao, are we planting vegetables again this year?"

"Of course, we are. We’ve already lost a lot with the herbs, how could we not try to make it up?"

Especially when Zhao Gang thought about if they all got into university, they would not be working for several years. How would they handle all the family’s expenses then?

"Without money, your dad and I wouldn’t dare to let you study away."

"By then, we’ll need to prepare living expenses for you all."

"And, if possible, buy a house." Zhao Gang knew that Gong Tao didn’t want to return to the hometown and wouldn’t likely attend a university nearby, making buying a house necessary.

Zhao Gang knew that even with some savings Gong Tao had, several years of university could totally deplete the family’s finances.

So, they must seize the opportunity to get wealthy while still in the Northeast, or else they can’t comfortably study at school.

Thinking so far ahead, already considering buying a house. Yes, it should be . Gong Ruini was contemplating pushing her father and uncle to study in Beijing. The universities there are prestigious, and you never know if future classmates could become important connections, setting up a network. Thıs content belongs to novelꜰire.net

Moreover, if they could buy a house in Beijing, it would be a significant asset in the future. As for Shen City, Gong Ruini hadn’t completely dismissed the idea, considering its rapid development later on.

The reason Gong Ruini didn’t consider it further was simple; it’s only a dozen hours’ drive from their hometown, and more importantly, there’s a direct train.

This made Gong Ruini uneasy, as any disturbance could easily reach Zhang Lan, and if Gong Qiang, with his spiteful nature, heard of it, he might egg Zhang Lan into causing trouble.

But Beijing was different; there was no direct train from the hometown, requiring a transfer and a much longer journey. Zhang Lan wouldn’t dare venture so far alone.

Moreover, whatever they did in Beijing might not reach back home, and even if Gong Family or Cai Family found out later, it wouldn’t matter much. Worst case, they wouldn’t work at assigned jobs and directly venture into entrepreneurship.

Working for oneself is better than working for someone else, especially knowing the neighbor kids have such a strong foundation. Gong Ruini didn’t want the Zhao Family to fall too far behind. Otherwise, meeting Zhao Guangran in the future wouldn’t result in meaningful exchanges.

Gong Ruini could already imagine the provoking remarks coming from Zhao Guangran’s mouth that could infuriate anyone.