Once the news spread, some families rejoiced while others worried.

The feelings involved can’t be easily explained in a few words.

Those who were wholeheartedly living their lives were thrilled to receive this news.

Even the farmers now had a chance to become city dwellers openly and honorably.

From then on, with their whole family, the sparrows flew up and turned into dazzling phoenixes.

But for those families with only superficial harmony, it’s more worrying; it’s even fair to say that a war was about to erupt.

Moreover, some Knowledge Youth members receiving the news didn’t even think twice before expressing their desire to go back to school and retake exams.

For those unmarried, it was easier; they wrote home asking for money, resources, and support.

Most of them received positive feedback.

Their families sent money and grains over, and some even went to great lengths to gather books and exercises to send.

However, those who were married faced difficulties.

For male Knowledge Youths, a little coaxing at home, sweet talk, and painting a hopeful picture were often enough.

The wife and her family would not only not oppose but even support the son-in-law with all their efforts.

Providing money, food, not requiring any work, just allowing them to sit down and study diligently.

But those female Knowledge Youths married locally became real problems.

It’s not easy for rural families to find a wife, and if a married one wants to study, it openly signals to the in-laws that her heart has wandered.

Once a woman’s heart has wandered, it’s only natural to find ways to spread her wings and fly away.

But when a woman flies away, the fields, elderly parents, and young children can’t fly away with her.

Men, on the other hand, have to stay where they’re rooted.

No matter how exciting the outside world is, no matter how much money can be made, or how different life can be experienced.

He’s really reluctant to leave his homeland behind.

As for what he’s reluctant to leave behind?

Perhaps it’s that small piece of land, or the dilapidated house where heavy rain outside means little rain inside?

Anyway, this place is rich with human and spiritual appeal.

Otherwise, why would a man be so nostalgic and unwilling to leave?

Thus, conflicts made their bright debut.

One insists on taking the college entrance exam, while the other stubbornly refuses.

The sharp topic causes endless arguments and recurring battles in households.

One family finishes fighting, another starts.

With chickens flying, dogs jumping, children crying, men making a fuss, turn around and there are elders threatening to hang themselves at the doorway.

How do we go on with such lives?

Unknown.

Ever since the news broke out, there hasn’t been a single peaceful day.

At this point, Mrs. Xiao realized choosing such a remote location for the new house was extremely wise.

Wonderful! Wonderful!

No matter how others squabble, throw, fight, yell, or curse, their home remains peaceful.

Occasionally, the sound of chickens crowing, dogs barking, and the rustling sound of turning pages are heard, along with the whispers of children solving difficult problems together.

Here in Wen Ran’s place, another member joined the study group — Bao Wenxuan.

She still hasn’t found someone suitable, naturally remaining single, now busy and even neglecting meal times.

Last time, when Mrs. Xiao visited Wen Ran asking for a book, upon entering, she exclaimed.

Oh my, this child has been studying to the point of neglecting sleep and food.

The food stacked on the table was from two days ago when Mrs. Xiao made some rare delicacies at home, thinking Bao Wenxuan should taste it, delivering it personally.

By now, the leftovers were barely emitting a pungent and overpowering odor.

Upon checking inside the room — wow, astonishing, Bao Wenxuan had driven herself to the brink of exhaustion.

Seeing Bao Wenxuan’s bewildered expression, Mrs. Xiao spun around the room twice, then decisively made a decision.

She must bring this child home for centralized management.

In Mrs. Xiao’s view, raising a child of this age requires little effort.

Just add an extra scoop of water when cooking, wash one more bowl while cleaning dishes, nothing much else.

Food gone bad, no big deal, but Mrs. Xiao believed, if Bao Wenxuan continues to be ignored.

She might end up buried inside, with no one noticing.

This is how it goes.

Bao Wenxuan was pushed into the bathroom at home by Mrs. Xiao, washed thoroughly inside and out.

Then, she packed Bao Wenxuan and brought her back home.

From here onwards, the Xiao Family School was formed.

Members include Wen Ran, Bao Wenxuan, Xiao Chenxing, Wen Hongguo, along with the uninvited Shen Yueyue/Shen Xianxian.

Cough, cough, cough, mainly because neither Shen Yueyue nor Shen Xianxian can tell when they’ll pop up and create a fuss.

Considering she promised the Xiao family a lamb, she was included.

The learning atmosphere is present, but it would be better if there were no uninvited guests at home.

"I beg you," the woman at the door knelt in front of the Xiao family, desperately kowtowing, "I want to go to college too, please give me a chance!"

Wen Ran squinted her eyes, amused.

"You want to go to college, then go," Wen Ran calmly laughed, "Why come to me?"

"My family won’t let me go to college," the woman’s eyes flickered, "Considering we both came from the Knowledge Youth Courtyard, considering we’re both Knowledge Youths, could you please help me?"

Seeing Wen Ran unmoved, the woman’s gaze slowly changed from pleading to numbness, finally turning into resentment.

"Why won’t you help me!"

She collapsed to the floor, "You can easily lift a hand and do it, yet you insist that I have to beg you a thousand, ten thousand times before you’re pleased, right?"

"Family matters, we can’t help, plus, we are strangers.

Whether you wish to beg me is your business, whether I wish to help you is mine."

Upon seeing this woman for the first time, Wen Ran knew they were not compatible.

She definitely wouldn’t intervene to save someone she finds unpleasant.

Moreover...

This woman’s clothes were clean, with no wounds on her, unlike someone needing charity.

Instead, she seemed to be freeloading.

As for what she’s freeloading...

Textbooks, exercises, these are plentiful.

"We can’t help you," Wen Ran said, smiling and closing the door, "As the old saying goes, sweep away your own front door snow, don’t mind the frost on others’ rooftops.

Though the message isn’t ideal, sometimes it’s smart for self-preservation~"

With the college entrance exams looming, her time is extremely valuable.

There’s no way she’ll waste time on such trivial matters.

"No way!"

The woman clung to the door, "You have to help me! I... I know your secret, and if you don’t help me, I’ll expose your secret to ruin your reputation."

Wen Ran: "?"

Ruined reputation?

Oh, a fright, thought it was something major.

Just that?