Take out your books and stationery, and begin your day of learning.

A moment later, the counselor came over. "Everyone, please stop for a moment. I've collected all the food ration books, receipts, and subsidies for everyone in our class. I'll call your names, and you can come and collect them. From now on, you'll need to go to the school's accounting office with the receipts to collect your subsidies."

Unexpectedly, the first one was Zhang Hongmei, with a grain ration book containing 25 jin of grain coupons, 25 yuan, and various other receipts.

It was very fast; the counselors must have already assigned the tasks, which saved a lot of time.

I met all the professors from the four subjects today. Some were refined gentlemen, some were cultured and gentlemen, and the most distinctive one was the literature professor, a beautiful woman with a classical charm.

Because she liked the literature professor, Zhang Hongmei felt that get out of class ended before she had listened to enough.

Lunch was sorghum rice, cabbage, and tofu. Zhang Hongmei didn't ask Liu Jingze to get her lunch today.

"Brother Jingze, I'll go get it myself, or I can help you. I want to try what it's like to queue up for food."

"Does our village also have queues for food?"

"That doesn't have the atmosphere of this place."

"Okay, I'll go with you. Let Xiaolin reserve a table."

"Zhang Hongmei didn't ask for less food, but she was thinking of giving half to Liu Jingze later."

“Brother Jingze, I can’t eat more than half of it. I’ll give you all the vegetables too. I’ll use the broth to soak my rice.”

"Can't you eat more?"

"There are already a lot of people eating here. I'll bring two lunchboxes tomorrow; I feel awkward having all the food mixed together like this."

"I still have a lunchbox there."

"No need, we have some at home. This sorghum rice isn't as good as the one my aunt makes."

"Hehe, go back and tell her, she'll be very happy."

Liu Jingze's three friends all kept their heads down and ate without saying a word.

"Brother Jingze, I brought some vegetable buns from home today, made with white flour and dried radish. Here, have a taste."

"No need, I have enough. Wenhui, you should keep it for yourself."

Liu Jingze was no longer as easygoing with Zheng Wenhui as before. Zheng Wenhui only paused for a moment before smiling and asking Zhang Hongmei.

"Zhang, would you like to try some?"

"Thank you, Zheng, I'm full. Thank you for your kindness. Jingze, I'm going back to the classroom. Enjoy your meal, everyone."

When Zhang Hongmei returned to the classroom, she saw that half of the students had already come back and were all reading. Zhang Hongmei felt ashamed. This is what it means to study hard and make progress every day, isn't it?

Zhang Hongmei, who had originally intended to lie down and rest for a while, listlessly took out the thickest economic treatise and began to read it.

Seriously, do you really have to work this hard? I feel embarrassed even if I wanted to slack off.

Everyone was very considerate; no one spoke loudly, and even when they had something to say, they kept their voices down to the lowest possible level so as not to disturb others.

Everyone put away their books before the professor entered, even after the bell rang for the first class in the afternoon.

To be honest, Zhang Hongmei didn't like the two-hour lectures very much. She always felt that both the professor and the students were struggling towards the end.

I saw Liu Jingze by his bicycle after school.

"Brother Jingze, what's going on?"

"It's nothing, I just wanted to ask if you can adapt?"

"Don't worry, there won't be any problems."

"Alright. Let's hurry home." Actually, Liu Jingze wanted to go back with them, but Zhang Hongmei's words made him change his mind.

And just like that, the first week of school came to an end.

On Saturday morning, Zhang Hongmei got up early and put away the electric blanket, since Liu Jingze had come over the night before.

I figured Zhang Xingguo and the others would be coming today too. There's still a pot of braised pork left, so we'll just make rice and stir-fry some vegetables.

However, I still need to go to the tailor shop to pick up the curtains first.

Breakfast was dumpling soup, and Liu Jingze went to buy fried dough sticks. It was a pretty good meal; Zhang Hongmei even ate half an extra fried dough stick. Eating in the cafeteria this past week had been so bland. She could enjoy delicious food for breakfast and dinner; one could only imagine how much everyone else craved it.

"Brother Jingze, here's your food ration certificate back. I have one now too. I'm going to buy groceries and then pick up the curtains."

"Should I go with you?"

"No need, you can do it yourself. Didn't a technician come over to take measurements today? You should just wait at home."

Zhang Hongmei bought tofu and three jin of ribbonfish at the food supply station. This was a pleasant surprise, as she had used up her entire month's meat ration coupons just from the ribbonfish.

There are still two cabbages, a few scallions, a piece of ginger, a pound of garlic, two carrots, and two pounds of eggs.

The variety of products available is gradually increasing, and things will get better in the future.

Zhang Hongmei didn't go home either. Instead, she rode her bicycle to the tailor shop, paid the remaining twenty-four yuan, and took four sets of curtains, door curtains, and bed sheets home.

I had braised ribbonfish for lunch today. I haven't had seafood outside yet. I'll definitely go to the beach sometime if I have the chance.

Liu Jingze was next door, and Zhang Hongmei was preparing lunch.

Hearing the car, he laughed; it must be Zhang Xingguo coming.

"Hongmei, open the door, there's something delicious to eat."

"All you care about is eating. Do you think everyone else is like you?"

"Commander, don't hit me, this is delicious."

Zhang Hongmei opened the door with a smile, "Uncle Zhang, there's something delicious at home today too." Seeing the ribbonfish in Wang Xiaoshun's hand, she said, "Of course, it's the same as the one you brought. I was just complaining that I didn't buy enough ribbonfish, but now it's enough."

Zhang Xingguo entered the courtyard and asked, "Hongmei, how's school?"

"It's great, especially Professor Kong who has taken special care of me."

"That's what he should do. He's my comrade-in-arms. Don't worry, if he dares to give you a hard time or treat you badly, I'll deal with him."

"Hehe, I was wondering why Professor Kong was so nice to me. It was all because of Uncle Zhang."

"It's not entirely because of me. First of all, you're outstanding, and secondly, he's your brother Zhang's direct subordinate. If he doesn't take care of you, who will he take care of? What's all that commotion next door?"

"Liu Jingze bought the house next door. Today, they're taking furniture measurements and getting rid of unwanted furniture."

"Hehe, this kid is just like his ancestors, always so cunning. Alright, you go cook, I'll go check on things. I can't just stand by and watch now that I know about this."

"Hongmei, I'll cook for you. I can clean this ribbonfish, you don't need to." For Wang Xiaoshun, the happiest thing was being able to stay by the leader's side, and the second happiest thing was eating Zhang Hongmei's cooking.

Since we have braised pork and braised fish as main dishes, let's also have spicy tofu, sweet and sour shredded radish, and stir-fried cabbage.

Once Zhang Hongmei had decided on the dishes for lunch, she began preparing them.

Actually, Zhang Xingguo doesn't necessarily come here for meals every week. He probably just wants to make sure he doesn't feel comfortable here and might be bullied. He's also busy most of the time and might be too embarrassed to speak up if he has any difficulties.