Chapter 33: Laying Low is the Right Way!

Listening to the chatter in the courtyard, Qin Huairu finally snapped out of her daze after her mother-in-law’s verbal assault. She cast a sympathetic glance at Shen Youchu, thinking to herself:

After all, I was the flower of Qin Village—diligent, capable, and pretty. My future will surely be better than Shen Youchu’s, stuck in a house full of sickly people.

“Ah, Old Chen Han really has it rough. He was already in poor health, and now with Tian Xiulan and him both constantly ill, plus a daughter-in-law whose family is just as bad? Tsk, with such a weak foundation, the Chen family’s days are hard.”

“Hard or not, they still have the eastern annex—three big rooms and a huge yard. That’s better than most of us! My family of seven is crammed into one room. When will this life ever improve?”

Chen Shi overheard the gossip and grinned inwardly. Everyone assumed he’d joined the literacy class just to chase the teacher. Perfect. In these times, the nail that sticks out gets hammered—laying low was the smartest move.

But then he remembered his comparison task. He turned to Jia Dongxu with a smirk. “Hey, Dongxu, why don’t you bring your wife to the literacy class too? Nights are boring anyway—might as well go play cards and chat.”

Jia Dongxu stiffened like he’d just seen an enemy. Of course this slacker Chen Shi wouldn’t be content with that dull, scrawny wife of his—Shen Youchu, who couldn’t even tell flattery from insult!

Why else would Chen Shi suggest bringing Qin Huairu instead of his own wife? He must have designs on her!

Jia Dongxu puffed up angrily. “Chen Shi, don’t even think about eyeing my wife! She’s way prettier than yours! If you want to go to the literacy class, take your own wife along!”

Chen Shi’s eyes lit up. Perfect. He’d been worried that dragging Shen Youchu to class might make people think he was turning over a new leaf.

In this era of envy and schadenfreude, everyone was used to him being the neighborhood slacker. If they found out he was attending literacy classes and even aiming for the Ministry of Railways? The jealousy would be unbearable.

Now, thanks to Jia Dongxu’s outburst, his “comparison task” was secured. If Shen Youchu recognized even one fewer character than Qin Huairu, he’d “punish” her thoroughly when they got home. Over time, he’d surely awaken her competitive spirit.

Feigning reluctance, Chen Shi shrugged. “My wife? She’s just a country girl. Forget it.”

Silly Zhu butted in. “Hey, Chen Shi, that’s not fair! If Dongxu brings Sister Qin, you should bring your wife too. That’s only right. And if you’re both going, I’ll tag along—I’ll even bring a deck of cards!”

Chen Shi eyed Silly Zhu’s greasy, pockmarked face with disdain. “Tch. Silly Zhu, everyone in the courtyard calls her ‘Dongxu’s wife’ or ‘Sister Jia.’ Why do you call her ‘Sister Qin’?”

Silly Zhu’s face flushed. He’d always secretly loved how Qin Huairu responded warmly to “Sister Qin”—he’d thought it was his special nickname. Now Chen Shi had exposed him.

Jia Dongxu glared. “Sister Qin?! Say that again, Silly Zhu!”

Just as the two were about to brawl, Yi Zhonghai stepped in. “Enough! Dongxu, the military representative is right—we workers should actively participate in literacy campaigns. You and Silly Zhu both go and study hard. Contribute to the nation’s construction! I’ll join too.”

Liu Yuxiu, the teacher, beamed at Chen Shi. “Comrade, thank you! Without you, I’d never have gotten so many students. To show my gratitude, I’ll give you extra personal instruction!”

Silly Zhu and Xu Damao snickered. “Hah! Chen Shi’s in trouble now. Enjoy writing lines like a kid—might even get your palms whacked!”

Chen Shi smirked defiantly. “Heh, good luck trying to control me!”

Perfect. Now he had an excuse for his sudden literacy—just blame the teacher’s “special tutoring.”

With limited time, Liu Yuxiu—a passionate graduate from a normal school—was eager to contribute to the nation’s education. She immediately herded Chen Shi, Jia Dongxu, Yi Zhonghai, and Silly Zhu to the class.

At the front, she wrote on the blackboard:

“This is our crash course material. First, read after me to get a general idea. Then I’ll explain each part.”

She began reciting:

“One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten. Person, mouth, hand. Up, middle, down. Sun, moon, water, fire. Mountain, stone, field, soil. Wood, grain, rice, bamboo. Knife, work, cart, boat. Front, back, left, right. Ear, eye, tongue, tooth. Head, foot, sit, stand, walk. Inch, foot, yuan, jiao, fen. Big, small, many, few, catty, tael. Horse, cow, sheep, fur. Insect, bird, fish, claw, tail. Open door, close door. Enter, exit, come, go. Directions: east, south, west, north. Day, night. Cloud, rain, thunder, lightning…”

The class droned along. With Yi Zhonghai present, Silly Zhu’s card-playing plans were ruined—he still respected the elder who’d helped him and his sister survive after their father left.

Chen Shi mentally noted that he recognized all the characters, but his “comparison task” with Jia Dongxu hadn’t triggered yet. Dongxu must know a fair bit—not surprising for a machinist who reads blueprints.

Bored, Chen Shi started playing with Shen Youchu’s hand.

She blushed. “Don’t mess around~”

Chen Shi whispered, “Then beat Qin Huairu in recognizing characters. Can you do it?”

Shen Youchu glanced nervously at the blackboard. So hard! The words know her, but she doesn’t know them!

Seeing her hesitation, Chen Shi rested his hand on her thigh—a scandalous move in this era.

Shen Youchu turned crimson, near tears. “I-I’ll study! Just move your hand!”

Chuckling, Chen Shi complied. While others focused on the board, he idly scratched characters in the dirt with a twig. Good. Even though this body was illiterate, my past-life education is kicking in. The Ministry exam should be no problem.

Perks of memory awakening?

Later, Liu Yuxiu pulled out a Railways textbook and wrote:

“Now harder words: Railway, signal light, track, locomotive depot…”

Silly Zhu frowned. “Teacher, shouldn’t farmers learn farming terms and workers learn factory stuff? Why railway words? There’s no Ministry of Railways here!”

Liu Yuxiu stiffened. She’d been asked to secretly prep Chen Shi but couldn’t admit it. “Ahem. As workers, you might ride trains to aid national construction someday. More knowledge never hurts!”

Silly Zhu nodded. “Makes sense. Teach on! Maybe I’ll ride a train to find my dad!”

Chen Shi grinned. “Or take one straight to him!”

“Chen Shi, you asking for a beating?!”

“Quiet in class!”

Sulking, Silly Zhu shut up.

Chen Shi, pleased, sprawled on the desk to nap.

Noticing this, Silly Zhu nudged Jia Dongxu, who smirked and whispered to Qin Huairu:

“Sweetheart, I heard top students here get certificates. Since we’re already here, study hard—it’ll bring our family honor!”

And when people compare us to that slacker Chen Shi and his dull wife? We’ll shine even brighter.