Jiang Cheng looked at the list written by Old Ma Bone.

Most of the herbs were easy to find, except for one - tiger bone.

Jiang Cheng’s first reaction was animal protection, but then she remembered the era she was in, where animal protection laws hadn’t been implemented yet.

So, getting tiger bone wasn’t really too difficult.

"Is there anything else to prepare?"

Old Ma Bone shook his head, indicating there wasn’t.

Jiang Cheng left with the list.

That night, she handed Shen Que the list to copy it down, two people finding it together would be faster.

Shen Que put away the list, and while no one else was around, held Jiang Cheng’s fingertip.

"I will cooperate well with the treatment."

Because he wanted to heal.

He could accept his disabled leg himself, but he didn’t want Jiang Cheng to be ridiculed because of his leg.

Jiang Cheng turned around in response to Shen Que’s tug.

She stood, while Shen Que sat.

Jiang Cheng, looking down from above, lifted Shen Que’s chin with one finger.

She gradually leaned closer, her lowered face, rosy lips.

Shen Que’s mind went blank, the corners of his eyes reddening.

As Jiang Cheng got a bit closer, Shen Que’s Adam’s apple moved, breathing became difficult.

"I like you no matter what."

Her red lips grazed Shen Que’s earlobe, her intoxicating voice making him shudder.

"Silly—remember to breathe."

The warm touch landed on Shen Que’s forehead, fleeting.

Jiang Cheng’s eyes and brows were alluring, laughing as she retreated.

Shen Que suddenly tightened his grip on her fingertip, wanting to draw Jiang Cheng back.

Jiang Cheng anticipated the move, mischievously pointing outside: Be careful, someone might be there.

Shen Que’s restless heart was completely stirred by Jiang Cheng.

He helplessly and lovingly watched Jiang Cheng’s playful smile, ultimately only leaving him with a view of her back.

Shen Que took a deep breath, calming himself several times.

"Work, work properly! Once arranged, treat the leg!"

Meanwhile, Jiang Cheng, who ran off after teasing, bore no mental burden.

Actually, when considering who would take care of Shen Que today, Jiang Cheng thought about getting a certificate with Shen Que.

Unfortunately, Shen Que didn’t want to.

Oh... who could she blame?

Jiang Cheng hummed in high spirits, taking out books to start studying.

In the following days, Shen Que was very busy, Jiang Cheng always felt he was a bit anxious.

During these days, on Principal Wang’s recommendation, Jiang Cheng went to the city’s high school for a special exam.

After passing, Jiang Cheng directly received a high school diploma.

Simultaneously, the night school also issued Jiang Cheng a night school diploma.

Principal Wang felt a bit reluctant for a moment, always feeling that issuing the diploma severed the connection between night school and Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng saw this and laughingly said, "Why don’t you just arrange a position for me?"

Jiang Cheng was joking, but Principal Wang took it somewhat seriously.

However, Jiang Cheng ultimately rejected it.

"Forget the position, occupying it without doing anything, sooner or later someone will have an opinion."

"You better just treat me to a few meals more often, I’ll be there whenever it matters."

Principal Wang knew this was better, avoiding gossip.

Jiang Cheng was sent out by Principal Wang.

"You go back, I’ll still come to borrow the phone when needed."

"Oh right! How did I forget about that!"

Principal Wang realized it, no longer feeling sad.

Even, with an expression of disdain, pursed Jiang Cheng: "Don’t come too often without reason!"

"That’s impossible! If I don’t come, how can you improve? If I don’t come, the teachers miss me, classmates remember me."

"Excellent people always have to bear a bit more... For everyone’s sake, I will come often."

With her words finished, Jiang Cheng pedaled away, not giving Principal Wang a chance to speak.

*

Jiang Cheng, having left night school, returned to the communal courtyard.

In the evening, Sun Aiguo and Li Chunxiang came over to study, Sun Aiguo delivered a message.

Director Lu had something for her, asking her to visit the food factory when convenient tomorrow.

Jiang Cheng expressed she understood, and the three started studying.

The next morning, Jiang Cheng rode her bike to the food factory.

Having passed smoothly all the way in, Jiang Cheng went directly to Director Lu’s office.

"Jiang Cheng is here, sit."

Director Lu was reading a document.

Jiang Cheng unceremoniously sat down and waited for two minutes, Director Lu signed, then the secretary took the document out.

"Jiang Cheng, our greenhouse has shown results!"

"So soon?"

Jiang Cheng originally thought it would take a long time.

"Yes! We received a call from over there asking us to go and have a look. Cucumbers grow quickly, and we need to see on-site which variety is suitable for making the pickles we want."

"So, do you have time recently?"

"We’ll cover the travel expenses!"

Director Lu was forthright, naturally Jiang Cheng wouldn’t hesitate.

"When should we go?"

"As soon as possible!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Cheng straightforwardly went home to pack her things, setting off in the afternoon.

Director Lu liked Jiang Cheng’s decisive spirit.

After packing her things, Jiang Cheng left a note for Shen Que, and explained to Grandma Shen.

At one in the afternoon, Director Lu arrived in a big truck.

Aboard was the familiar driver Master Li, as well as Director Lian and Director Zhang who had gone with her last time.

Three men, two women, setting off.

By the time Shen Que got back, Jiang Cheng was already on the road.

The journey would take about three hours.

Setting off at one, arriving between four and five, just in time while it was daylight.

Driving at night made navigation difficult and was somewhat dangerous.

Highway robbery was a distinctive feature of this era.

Fortunately, Master Li inspected the vehicle each time before departure, though the car rattled noisily, it arrived smoothly at the village.

This time, the team leader welcomed them with full enthusiasm.

"Did the sister come?"

"My sister Jiang Cheng, did she come?"

The team leader shouted loudly, Jiang Cheng immediately jumped off the truck.

"Team leader!"

"Sister! Quickly take a look, my cucumbers have grown so well!"

Jiang Cheng immediately showed an exaggerated expression.

"I knew it, team leader, you’re the best at growing fields and vegetables!"

With thumbs up, Jiang Cheng started bragging all around.

The team leader’s mouth corner didn’t drop down.

Finally knew what was missing these days!

Missing praise!

Missing Jiang Cheng’s praise!

Director Lu following closely behind looked on with a radiant smile.

Already knew taking Jiang Cheng along on business trips couldn’t go wrong.

With this in mind, Director Lu planned a business trip to Sea City, thinking of bringing Jiang Cheng.

How to persuade her to go??

Unaware that Director Lu had plans for her, Jiang Cheng listened intently to the team leader discussing the greenhouse matter.

Since it was getting late, everyone decided to have a meal first.

The team leader brought out the best feast to welcome Jiang Cheng and the others.

After the meal, it was the same arrangement as last time,

Jiang Cheng and Director Lian stayed at the team leader’s home, while the other three stayed at a widow’s home two houses away.

Before 8 p.m., Jiang Cheng was already sleepy.

Glancing over, Director Lian was long asleep, snoring loudly.

Jiang Cheng felt something was off.

Her biological clock was extremely precise, how could she get sleepy at 8?

And Director Lian, wasn’t he sleeping too heavily?

After listening carefully, Jiang Cheng heard snores coming from next door too.

A bang exploded in the dark, Jiang Cheng instantly alerted.

Something’s wrong!