Chapter 21: Chapter 21 Chance Encounter

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Chapter 21 -21 Chance Encounter

She had never attended school while she was sent down to the farm; how could she have a primary school diploma? If that was the case, she could only return to the village’s primary school to see if she could take the exam with this year’s graduates. The thought alone felt like a waste of time.

Standing outside the school, she felt somewhat melancholic. She had wanted to take the high school entrance exam with this year’s graduates from the commune’s junior high, but it seemed she would have to find another way.

Not far away, Lu Yichen watched the disheartened girl, feeling an involuntary pang of pity.

He was off work today and had come to the commune to handle some matters with a comrade-in-arms. He hadn’t expected to run into the girl here.

After the girl left, as if possessed by some whimsical spirit, he walked over.

Luo Qiao thought that since it was only April, there was still time to think of another plan. If all else failed, she could take a shortcut and go directly to the home of the middle school principal. There would always be a way.

Having finished her business, and seeing that it was time for lunch, the state-owned restaurant was just ahead. She was considering whether to go in for a meal or find a secluded spot to take something out from her space to make do.

Then she heard a voice from behind, “Hungry?”

Luo Qiao turned around and saw Lu Yichen standing behind her. “Brother Lu, are you here for business at the commune too?”

Lu Yichen had just learned from the school janitor that this little girl was inquiring about schooling. It was good she was ambitious.

Lu Yichen looked at Luo Qiao, “Come on, it’s noon, I’ll take you to lunch.” The familiarity in his tone could make one think they were quite close.

Luo Qiao hadn’t expected Lu Yichen to just offer to take her to lunch, and said somewhat embarrassedly, “I have… I brought some dry food, there’s no need for Brother Lu to treat me.”

Initially, Luo Qiao wanted to say she had food coupons, but knowing her situation all too well, she didn’t want to cause trouble for herself, so she changed her response.

Lu Yichen led the way to the state-owned restaurant. Seeing Luo Qiao hadn’t followed, he turned to see she was still standing in place, “Aren’t you coming?”

Luo Qiao wanted to persist, but seeing Lu Yichen’s furrowed brow, she sheepishly followed.

Inside the restaurant, Lu Yichen looked at Luo Qiao, asking with his eyes what she wanted to eat.

Luo Qiao glanced at the blackboard on the wall listing today’s offerings, “I’ll have a bowl of vegetable noodles.”

Lu Yichen ordered two bowls of noodles, a serving of braised pork, a serving of hot and sour shredded potatoes, and two steamed buns.

Watching as Lu Yichen paid with food coupons, meat coupons, and money before coming to sit down.

Luo Qiao was actually quite embarrassed. She glanced at Lu Yichen across from her and thought she had intended to repay him by bringing over some dumplings that evening, but now she owed him even more. She sighed and made a silly gesture with her head lowered.

Opposite her, Lu Yichen, who just happened to look up, caught the gesture and thought to himself how capable this little girl was of being silly.

He couldn’t help but ask, “What brought you to town today?”

Luo Qiao replied, “I bought some daily necessities.” Thinking it over, she saw no need to hide anything and added, “I also went to the commune’s middle school to inquire about attending school.”

Lu Yichen asked, “You want to go to school?”

Luo Qiao nodded, “But getting into this commune’s middle school isn’t easy. I already finished the junior high curriculum while at the farm, following some of the teachers. I had hoped to ask if I could join this year’s graduating class for schooling.

However, the janitor said it wasn’t possible. Either I needed to have a primary school diploma and pass the school’s exam to transfer, or I had to take the exam with this year’s primary graduates to move up.”

Lu Yichen hadn’t expected the girl to have already finished the junior high curriculum, seeing her unhappy expression. After hesitating for a moment, he said, “One of my comrades works at the county education bureau. I’ll help you ask if there’s a way to make it easier.”