Chapter 5: 5, School

"Keep them as pets? Not eat them?" Ren Xiaosu didn't understand: "That's such a waste, this is all good meat!"

"The world of the rich is beyond your comprehension," Old Wang laughed: "They say that hundreds of years ago, the wealthy used to fatten hawks for sport. Now hawks are too big and dangerous, so they've settled for sparrows instead. Look at how fierce this sparrow appears—those with money adore such things."

Ren Xiaosu pondered for a long time, realizing that while most people still struggled to eat their fill, some had already begun fattening sparrows for amusement...

"However, the live ones will cost extra," Ren Xiaosu said: "When they're alive, a single scratch could kill a person! It's too dangerous!"

At that moment, Ren Xiaosu suddenly wondered: Were the refugees outside contaminated? Could these sparrows be any different? Or perhaps the refuge barriers only required the refugees to labor for them, while this wall naturally divided the classes.

"Fortune comes from taking risks," Old Wang said with a sly smile: "If you can fatten them overnight, you're no ordinary man. Just put in a bit more effort to catch a live one, and who knows—you might not have to work for half a year. Besides, haven't you thought of saving some money to marry a wife?"

"Marry your ass!" Ren Xiaosu snapped irritably.

Old Wang feigned mystery: "The girl from the Li family next door is studying at the school with your brother—she's a proper lady..."

"By your logic, shouldn't I just sell this sparrow directly to Old Li? Why do I need your introduction?" Ren Xiaosu turned to ask Yan Liuyuan: "Is the Li family girl your classmate?"

"Yes," Yan Liuyuan nodded: "She's quite sturdy."

"Get lost, stop meddling," Old Wang snapped: "Forget I said anything. Good intentions are taken for donkey liver!"

As Ren Xiaosu and Yan Liuyuan began bickering like a comedy duo, Old Wang quickly changed the subject: "Remember, if you catch a live one next time, come find me."

"Sure," Ren Xiaosu nodded. Though catching live ones was dangerous, it wasn't impossible. He glanced at the general store: "How much for the cotton coats?"

"They're new arrivals, 500 each! You know the price—I bought them for 490. I don't profit from cotton coats," Old Wang said: "Better to save a life from freezing."

"You're quite kind," Ren Xiaosu said casually: "Get one. Check what size Yan Liuyuan wears."

"Brother, you should get one too," Yan Liuyuan quickly added.

"Adults are talking, kid—don't interrupt," Ren Xiaosu frowned: "I'm not cold."

Money was a useful thing. The consortiums controlling the refuge barriers issued currency to ensure the flow of goods, convenient as it was. But without money, one couldn't take a single step.

The winters here were bitter, yet money had to be saved for emergencies. With over a month until winter, if he could catch another sparrow, Ren Xiaosu figured he could buy a coat later.

The key was that Yan Liuyuan needed to pay tuition—monthly installments.

Ren Xiaosu glanced again at the general store, his eyes suddenly stopping at the counter behind Old Wang: "How much for the antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine?"

"You want medicine?" Old Wang noticed the blood-stained cloth wrapped around Ren Xiaosu's hand: "You're injured? You'd better get some medicine, or you'll catch an infection and lose your life!"

"How much?" Ren Xiaosu snapped impatiently.

"210 per pill," Old Wang said: "Antibiotics must be taken for three days. I'll sell you three pills for 620, plus a free iodine wipe. I only have ten left."

Ren Xiaosu considered and said: "Just wipe the excess..."

"If you mean to erase the zero after 620, save your breath," Old Wang snapped.

Ren Xiaosu chewed his lip reluctantly and withdrew his gaze: "Forget it. Winters don't usually cause inflammation."

He turned to take Yan Liuyuan to school. Passing the grain store, Ren Xiaosu bought a long black bread. This black bread contained unknown substances that burned his throat painfully as he swallowed it.

Yan Liuyuan chewed the black bread and said: "Brother, why don't you pay tuition and attend classes too? You seem eager to learn."

"I still need to go hunting," Ren Xiaosu said: "I heard Old Wang earlier—there are quite a few well-off girls at the school. Don't fall in love too young."

"I heard people used to marry at thirteen or fourteen," Yan Liuyuan retorted, though he hadn't considered such matters. Arguing with Ren Xiaosu, however, was oddly enjoyable.

Finding joy in hardship—perhaps one of humanity's greatest strengths.

Ren Xiaosu ruffled Yan Liuyuan's hair: "Can things be like they were before? You're still young. What you talk about now will belong to other people's wives someday..." At this, Ren Xiaosu chewed his lip: "Other people's wives... sounds oddly thrilling..."

"What are you saying? I don't get it..." Yan Liuyuan blinked innocently.

"Scram, stop pretending," Ren Xiaosu snapped.

...

The school was the cleanest, most orderly place in the entire settlement, the only residence with an independent courtyard.

Walking from outside toward the inside, one could see the courtyard planted with... scallions, garlic sprouts, potatoes, cabbage...

Originally, Ren Xiaosu thought such a place should grow bamboo or something, but in these times of scarce food, having a place to grow vegetables was a blessing.

Thus, Ren Xiaosu's wish had always been for Yan Liuyuan to grow up and become a teacher...

Not out of reverence for teachers, but because he believed teaching was safe, allowed one to have a courtyard for vegetables, and no one would steal from it.

What a wonderful thing that would be.

Overall, Ren Xiaosu's wishes were quite "simple."

Yan Liuyuan entered with his tuition, while Ren Xiaosu crouched on the wall, listening to the sounds of reading inside. Unable to afford tuition, he could only eavesdrop.

Sometimes the teacher would tell the students of the former glory of human civilization. Honestly, the teacher had never seen that era himself; what he spoke of now were only oral traditions, passed down and possibly distorted over time.

Though unreliable, Ren Xiaosu listened intently.

Sometimes he would ask Yan Liuyuan about knowledge or questions he hadn't grasped or heard clearly, which annoyed Yan Liuyuan—because if he couldn't answer, it meant he hadn't listened properly. So whenever Ren Xiaosu eavesdropped, Yan Liuyuan listened even more attentively...

For some reason, Yan Liuyuan had to admit that his brother's earnest demeanor was quite impressive. No wonder Xiao Yu'er had fallen for him.

In the classroom, the teacher held a book, gazing wistfully at the sleeping students below, then looked toward Ren Xiaosu on the wall and said to Yan Liuyuan: "Tell your brother he can come to the courtyard to listen from now on."

"Okay!" Yan Liuyuan beamed.