"Once I get a good score on the college entrance exam next year, I'll bring you both home," Jiang Luxi said softly, stroking the heads of the two stray cats as they finished off the wheat bran on the ground. "By then, I should have a scholarship and be able to find a summer job to earn some money. I'm sure Grandma will agree to it."
Looking at their dirty and frail appearance, her heart ached. "By then, you'll have a home and won't have to wander around like this anymore."
She waved goodbye to the cats and stood up. "Alright, I have to go now." Carefully, she stepped out of the dim alleyway, cautious of the darkness. She didn't want to stumble and fall again; that would only worry Grandma. As Grandma grew older, Jiang Luxi felt an increasing need to ease her burdens rather than add to them.
When she got home, Jiang Luxi closed the courtyard door and secured it with two wooden planks. After washing her hands, she headed into the kitchen.
Only she and her grandmother lived in the house. If Ancheng was the poorest city in the region, then Pinghu was undoubtedly the most impoverished part of it. Though they didn't live in the countryside, their lives were no different from those who did.
In poor and remote areas, there are often unruly people, as the saying went: "Where hope fades, darkness thrives." Life here was chaotic and unpredictable, so securing the door with planks was a small measure of safety.
Dinner had already been prepared by Grandma. Jiang Luxi lifted the pot lid and took out the steamed buns from the bamboo steamer. Alongside them, there was a bowl of steamed chili and eggs. She added a pinch of salt and a little MSG, stirring it gently before setting it on the table. Then she served two bowls of sweet potato soup.
"Did you find any work today?" Grandma asked as they sat down to eat.
"No," Jiang Luxi replied, shaking her head. "I plan to go earlier tomorrow morning and try again."
"Forget it," Grandma said, her tone heavy with resignation. "We don't need that extra money. We still haven't spent the scholarship money you got from the high school entrance exam. And haven't we rented out our few acres of land? The rent payment should come in soon, now that it's harvest time. Plus, we'll earn some money from selling the chickens in a few days. We'll be fine until next year."
"I still want to try one more time tomorrow," Jiang Luxi insisted gently.
Grandma sighed deeply. "Alright, one more day. But I know how stubborn you are. I just... I just wish things were easier for you." Her voice faltered, tinged with sorrow. "Oh, I'm getting old. I wish I could do more to help you, but my strength isn't what it used to be. Which girl has it this tough these days?"
"Grandma, I'm okay," Jiang Luxi replied with a bright smile. "Things will get better."
The next morning, Jiang Luxi woke up early. It was just past five, and the sky was still dark. Quietly, she got out of bed, opened the door, and wheeled her bicycle out into the street.
The first half of the road from Pinghu to Xuezi Street was poorly lit, and Jiang Luxi rode cautiously to avoid any accidents. It wasn't until the faint light of dawn began to illuminate the road that she picked up her pace. Even so, by the time she reached Xuezi Street, it was nearly eight o'clock.
She parked her bike near the Xinhua Bookstore, gulped down some water, and set up the wooden sign she had carefully written.
Just like the day before, Jiang Luxi waited from eight in the morning until two or three in the afternoon without getting a single tutoring request. Some passersby stopped to glance at her sign, but none were looking for a tutor.
The owner of the Xinhua Bookstore, feeling sorry for the young girl standing in the sun, sent an employee to buy her two bottles of water. Jiang Luxi, though grateful, politely declined.
By mid-afternoon, as the sun began its descent, Jiang Luxi sighed and began packing up her things. She placed the sign back into her bicycle basket and prepared to leave. It was pointless to wait any longer; even if she got a student now, she wouldn't be able to give a lesson today. Besides, staying out too late would only worry Grandma.
Just as she was about to leave, a young woman in her twenties approached her.
"Excuse me," the woman said with a smile. "Do you offer tutoring services?"
Jiang Luxi nodded hesitantly. "I do, but it's a bit late today. I might not be available now," she replied softly.
"That's okay," the woman said. "I'm looking for a tutor for my younger cousin. If you're interested, you can come with me to meet his parents today. They're both home now, and if they agree, you can start next week. If you're chosen, you won't have to wait here every day, and the pay is pretty good too."
Jiang Luxi hesitated. "I… I think I can do it," she stammered.
The woman laughed. "Why so nervous? Aren't you the top student at Ancheng No. 1 High School? When it comes to exams, none of these other tutors can hold a candle to you."
"You know me?" Jiang Luxi asked, surprised.
"I've seen you before," the woman said, smiling.
"Oh," Jiang Luxi murmured, curious but hesitant to ask when or where.
"So, are you interested?" the woman pressed.
"Yes, I am," Jiang Luxi replied, nodding firmly.
"Great! Let's go then," the woman said. "You can just call me Sister Wen."
"Okay, Sister Wen," Jiang Luxi agreed, her nervousness fading slightly.
"Follow me on your bike," Sister Wen instructed. Jiang Luxi nodded and trailed behind her, pushing her bike as they walked.
As they made their way to their destination, Sister Wen sent a quick QQ message to her younger brother, Cheng Xing:
"Little brat, it's done. She's on her way."
At home, Cheng Xing was slicing an apple when he saw the message pop up on his phone.
"Mom," he called, handing her the apple. "I need to step out for a bit. The tutor I found should be arriving soon. When she gets here, please take a look with Dad and see if she's suitable. If she is, sign a contract with her. Let's aim for something long-term, not just a day or two."
"Alright," his mother, Deng Ying, replied.
Cheng Xing smiled and quickly typed a reply to his sister:
"Thanks for the help, Sister. You're going back to school tomorrow, so dinner's on me tonight."
Sister Wen chuckled as she read the message and typed back:
"You're lucky I remember seeing her back when I was a senior. Your homeroom teacher used to rave about her. She's exceptional—a top student with dreams of getting into Qinghua or Peking University."
She added teasingly: "But listen, Cheng Xing, I've heard about her background. Don't even think about bullying her or having any bad intentions. Girls like her are in a different league. You might have a chance with Chen Qing, but someone like Jiang Luxi? Forget it."
Cheng Xing quickly responded:
"I have no ill intentions towards her; I just really want to focus on my studies right now."