Financial Freedom Begins When I Return to My Small Hometown - Chapter 121

Chapter 121: Oh, So You're Studying for the Exam!
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Translation by: Weebsread👹
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Bai Ye had never paid much attention to the intricacies of local government finances.
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Still, he couldn’t help but feel a bit bemused—was everyone resigning these days?
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Just this morning, he’d learned that Xu Qing had quit his job. And now, even the older sister who used to play with him as a child—who’d even helped him out in schoolyard brawls—was leaving her post at a supposedly prestigious research institute.
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Bai Ziru immediately joined in with a sigh. “Honestly, our family’s civil servant jobs don’t hold a candle to her research institute. What on earth is that girl thinking?”
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“I don’t know either. I asked her, but she wouldn’t say. The more I pressed, the more determined she was to move out and live on her own. Sigh!”
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Uncle Li couldn’t help but glance at Bai Ye. “Bai Ye, you and my Zhaodi have always been close. Could you ask her for me?”
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“Well... I can ask, but let me say this first—I’m not going to try and talk her out of it.”
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It was true: in a big city, a research institute offered better prospects and pay than a county civil service job.
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But in the end, it was someone else’s life to live.
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He had no intention of acting like a nagging monk, endlessly trying to persuade someone to change their mind.
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He himself had already chosen an easygoing path; what right did he have to lecture others about ambition?
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“Alright, alright, just help me ask. When you’re done, come back—Uncle Li will butcher the family rabbit and stew it for you!”
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“Don’t! Your pet rabbit is so cute—don’t stew it. Make it spicy instead!”
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“I’ll cook it however you like!”
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“Haha, deal!”
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With that settled, Bai Ye called Li Zhaodi right in front of everyone.
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She picked up quickly, her voice as hearty as ever. “Hey, Ye Ye, what’s with the sudden call?”
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“I heard my big sis is back in town. I wanted to invite you to lunch—your pick!”
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“Sounds great! Someone’s treating me to lunch again.”
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“…”
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Nothing more needed to be said. They agreed on lunch and hung up.
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“It’s set, Uncle Li. Don’t overthink it—just get the rabbit ready for me. I’ll drop my parents off first.”
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“Alright, drive safe.”
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…
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After driving his parents to the countryside and back, lunchtime had arrived.
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Bai Ye received the location on his phone and soon pulled up to a newly opened home-style restaurant called Fortune Garden.
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The sign at the entrance still gleamed with that newness only a fresh coat of paint could provide.
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After parking, Bai Ye stepped through the restaurant’s main entrance and immediately spotted a man and a woman standing nearby.
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The woman was of average height, a little plump, with black-rimmed glasses—Li Zhaodi.
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She wasn’t striking, but she had a certain cuteness about her.
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Beside her stood a man, bright-eyed and confident, dressed in a business suit, exuding self-importance.
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Seeing them arm-in-arm, Bai Ye instantly understood.
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So that’s why she wanted to come back and take the civil service exam—she was in love!
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When someone steady and reliable suddenly changes course, nine times out of ten it’s because of romance.
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It’s like gaming—when your usual teammate suddenly flakes or vanishes for days, you don’t even have to ask. They’ve definitely fallen in love.
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“Aha, so this is why you came back? Found me a brother-in-law, huh?”
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“Don’t be cheeky!”
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Li Zhaodi, usually bold and carefree, actually blushed for once.
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After a moment, she made introductions. “This is my boyfriend, Zhao Zhicheng.”
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“And this is Bai Ye, my neighbor’s little brother.”
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The two shook hands. Zhao Zhicheng lifted his chin, putting on a show of confidence. “Your family lives behind Primary School No. 1, right? That area’s been on the city planning docket for years. Any news yet?”
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Bai Ye was caught off guard.
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Could this guy be some kind of local official? Why else bring up urban planning out of nowhere?
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“No news at all. It’s probably a lost cause.”
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A few years ago, demolition might’ve been possible. But with the real estate market the way it was now, it was a pipe dream.
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Zhao Zhicheng gave him a knowing look. “No rush. Once I start putting in some effort, it’ll be easy to sort out.”
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“Put in some effort? Easy to sort out?”
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Bai Ye honestly didn’t care if the house got demolished. After all, they’d just finished renovating.
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He didn’t need whatever small compensation would come from a county demolition. How much could it possibly be worth?
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But Zhao Zhicheng’s words left him with a strange feeling.
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It was as if Zhao Zhicheng was showing off—implying that whether Bai Ye’s family got their house demolished depended on his say-so.
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Bai Ye glanced at Li Zhaodi, curiosity piqued. “Sis, which department is your boyfriend a leader in? He sure talks big.”
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“Him? He’s studying for the civil service exam!”
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Zhao Zhicheng immediately straightened his back, pride written all over his face.
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The sight nearly made Bai Ye laugh out loud.
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This guy really wore his heart on his sleeve.
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So Bai Ye deliberately widened his eyes, feigning astonishment. “Oh wow, studying for the exam, huh! No wonder you said you could fix our demolition problem.”
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The words “studying for the exam” made Zhao Zhicheng’s proud posture wilt a little.
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He began eyeing Bai Ye differently.
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After all, preparing for the civil service exam was his greatest source of pride these days. But being labeled as merely “studying for the exam” was like stepping all over that pride.
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Unable to hold back, Zhao Zhicheng retorted, “What’s wrong with studying for the exam?”
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“Nothing at all. It’s great, really great!”
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But the half-smile on Bai Ye’s face made it impossible not to feel mocked.
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Of course, Bai Ye had meant it as sarcasm.
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In this county town, actually becoming a civil servant was something to brag about.
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On the marriage market, that status was pure gold.
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But if you’re only preparing for the exam—who knows if you’ll even pass? Isn’t it a bit premature to show off?
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Bragging before you’ve achieved anything—who could like that kind of attitude?
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Would someone with a personality like that really make a good official? Bai Ye doubted it.
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For a moment, the air between them grew tense.
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Luckily, Li Zhaodi sensed the awkwardness and quickly stepped in. “Alright, alright, let’s grab our seats. We’re blocking the entrance.”
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At that, Zhao Zhicheng shot Bai Ye a long, searching look, then pulled his arm away and strode straight into the restaurant.
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Li Zhaodi was left standing there, completely thrown.
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“What? Hey, wait for me!”