Rebirth in 1980: The Farm Wife Makes a Comeback
Chapter 259: Finding a New Teacher

"Uh, you wanted to see me?" Jian Zhiqing’s indifferent response made Su Baijin feel like punching a pile of cotton; it was awkward and chilly.

"Zhiqing, I was thinking..." Su Baijin smiled awkwardly, "I wanted to ask if there’s an empty room available for rent. Xiang Nuan said you know the landlord’s contact information, so could you give it to me? I’ll speak with them directly. Otherwise, you can do it—that’s fine too. The rent isn’t expensive, right?"

With so many rooms, there should be some available. Yes, there must be. Even the dog has its own room, how could there not be one for her?

"There aren’t many," Jian Zhiqing spoke calmly while eating, "fifty yuan a month, that’s just for the stay; water and electricity are separate."

"What, fifty?"

Su Baijin was taken aback – fifty yuan for just one month? Her monthly salary was barely 200 dollars, and the dormitory at school was free, leaving her with nearly 200 yuan left over. And if there was a bonus or something, she’d have more than 200 yuan. She had to give 100 yuan to her family as their situation wasn’t too good, and she also supported them financially, plus her younger brother was still studying. With her remaining 100 yuan, she could save a few tens of yuan each month after buying daily necessities.

How could it suddenly cost fifty yuan? Why was it so expensive?

"Zhiqing, you’re not joking with me, are you?" Su Baijin’s smile became strained.

Is this fifty yuan some kind of robbery? It’s outrageously expensive.

"I don’t joke, especially not with you," Jian Zhiqing stood up and headed to the kitchen with his bowl.

"Zhiqing, what are you doing?" Su Baijin hastily followed him into the kitchen, only to see Jian Zhiqing turn on the tap and start washing dishes.

"Zhiqing, why are you washing dishes?" Su Baijin quickly asked.

"Just leave the dishes; Xiang Nuan will wash them tomorrow. She has to prepare breakfast anyway."

Jian Zhiqing pressed his lips together, his displeasure growing more evident and overwhelming. He had found a teacher for Qin Xiangnuan, not a master—most likely, this woman only knew how to eat but never offered any help. Even the dishes were always washed by Nuannuan.

He finished washing the dishes and placed them neatly in the cabinet. Then, he washed his hands under the tap. By now, it was about eleven o’clock.

"Zhiqing...I..."

Su Baijin saw Jian Zhiqing heading towards her, feeling expectant and nervous at the same time. Could he be about to say something to her?

She opened her mouth, but found it difficult to speak.

However, Jian Zhiqing simply walked past her and straight to his room, leaving Su Baijin as if doused with a bucket of cold water, her whole body chilling as a breeze blew past, scattering the clouds but still hiding the moonlight.

Early in the morning, Qin Xiangnuan had to get ready to open her stall. She moved her stiff body, realizing that she was quite picky about beds. No wonder she cared so much about beds ever since her family could afford it.

Back home, the kang bed was warm, but here in Capital City, she managed to earn some money and bought herself a spring mattress. It was expensive but comfortable. However, having not slept on a hard bed for a long time, she struggled to get used to it again and felt like her whole body was falling apart with discomfort.

Su Baijin was still asleep; Qin Xiangnuan glanced at the clock—it was just about five o’clock. She had to wake up early, so she usually went to bed early. She didn’t know when Su Baijin had gone to bed the previous night, but she couldn’t wait for her to wake up—she had to leave.

She wrote a note and left it on the table; she wasn’t in the mood to make breakfast for Su Baijin. She was not Su Baijin’s mother; she wasn’t supposed to cater to her every need. The note simply said that she had gone to sell pancakes and reminded Su Baijin to lock the door after waking up. Qin Xiangnuan wondered whether Su Baijin would be awake by the time she returned.

Qin Xiangnuan washed her face and brushed her teeth, preparing to set up her stall when she ran into Jian Zhiqing, already neatly dressed.

"Let’s go, I’ll set up the stall with you," said Jian Zhiqing, rolling up his sleeves, looking somewhat tired but spirited.

"I can manage by myself, Brother Jian. Why don’t you sleep a bit more," Qin Xiangnuan could tell that Jian Zhiqing was exhausted recently. Selling pancakes was a routine she had done for many years, having started selling pancakes to earn money since she was six. She was used to waking up early and could catch up on rest during the day by napping briefly in the system.

"It’s fine, let’s go," Jian Zhiqing was already proceeding to open the door and step out, prompting Qin Xiangnuan to follow. The sky was still dark; the night air was cold. She was dressed warmly, but it felt like it might snow soon. Capital City could get very cold when it snowed.

Walking one behind the other, the streetlights elongated their shadows. The house was more quiet recently with both little ones called back home by their families, so Qin Tongnuan really felt the stillness. And soon, it’d be time for the New Year.

She breathed hot air into her cupped hands; the breath’s white vapor gave a fleeting warmth to her hands.

She thought it might be time to make winter clothes for everyone.

She avoided thinking about her elder brother; he loved to wear his military uniform and the army provided their clothing anyway. As for the rest—Jian Zhiqing, Jian Zhiqin, and Taotao— each needed something, and it seemed she should send something to Li Qiuhua and Jian Li as well. She couldn’t forget Mr. Sun either.

Thinking it over, it seemed like a lot of tasks, but luckily she had the system; she had plenty of time. After exams, she’d be busy. It was a relief that the system was now a highly intelligent store. Recently, she had discovered down feather material, so she’d make everyone a down jacket—simple, not much style needed. The plainer the clothes, the easier to wear them out.

Suddenly, Jian Zhiqing ahead stopped walking.

"What’s wrong, Brother Jian?" Qin Xiangnuan asked, jumping in place to keep warm. Her feet were indeed cold, yet thankfully, the walled stalls provided shelter from the wind and rain. Once the stove was lit, it was quite warm, not too frigid, but setting up a stall in winter was still quite depressing.

"Tomorrow I’ll find you a new teacher," Jian Zhiqing said and wrapped Qin Xiangnuan’s scarf tighter around her neck.

Qin Xiangnuan almost felt choked, shifting her neck. It was still bearable; she could breathe, so her little neck was safe.