Su Cen silently thought, “Enter.”

The moment she entered the space, she opened the clay jar and took stock of her assets.

Two bankbooks with 3,000 yuan each.

Another account containing 2,000 yuan in martyr’s compensation funds.

A total of 8,000 yuan, which she planned to withdraw from the bank the next day.

There were also various ration coupons, the property deed to the courtyard house, a box of silver dollars, a string of copper coins, and three gold bars.

With these savings, plus her monthly subsidy and rental income, she could comfortably survive until the college entrance examination was reinstated.

The national college entrance exam would resume in 1977.

It was currently 1973.

Only four years to go.

The very next day, Aunt Wang brought good news.

Comrade Li Jianguo from the district government was willing to rent the courtyard, with rent payments sent quarterly.

Su Cen finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Renting to a government employee meant she wouldn’t have to worry about losing the property, nor would distant relatives dare cause trouble there.

One move, multiple benefits.

“Thank you so much for your help, Aunt Wang. Once I leave for the countryside, I’ll give you the keys. I’d appreciate it if you could help handle things here.”

Aunt Wang waved her hand dismissively.

“It’s nothing.”

“Cen Cen, bring your household registration booklet and come with me. We need to complete the paperwork for your assignment to the countryside.”

Her grandparents had been good friends with Aunt Wang’s in-laws. Looking after the orphaned girl was only natural.

“Please wait a moment, Aunt Wang!”

Su Cen hurried back to her room, grabbed the household registration booklet, and followed her to the neighborhood office.

“So this is the girl from your neighborhood?” a middle-aged woman exclaimed sympathetically. “Poor child. Why is she so thin?”

In reality, Su Cen wasn’t that skinny.

At 165 centimeters tall and ninety jin in weight, she was simply slender. People were probably exaggerating out of sympathy.

“Yes, Director Liu. I’ll take her to register.”

After retrieving a form, Aunt Wang turned to her.

“Cen Cen, I’ve already asked around. You’ll be assigned to Hongqi Production Brigade in Hongxing Commune, Harbin. The conditions there are relatively better.”

“Thank you, Aunt Wang.”

Su Cen was already considering what gift she could leave for Aunt Wang before departing.

The woman had gone above and beyond to help her.

She couldn’t simply accept all that kindness without showing appreciation.

“This is 150 yuan, your relocation subsidy. Keep it safe. The train leaves in three days. Report to the railway station then.”

“Thank you, Aunt Wang!”

After returning home, Su Cen began packing for her journey.

She withdrew all the money from her bank accounts in several trips and stored it inside the space.

The property deed, certificate proving her status as a martyr’s family member, and high school diploma all went into storage as well.

Of the six quilts in the house, she packed away five and kept one for the trip.

Most of her clothing went into the space, while she set aside a few ordinary outfits to carry openly.

The pots, pans, dishes, and heavy winter coats would be mailed later.

The remaining rice, flour, candy, and pastries were gifted to Aunt Wang’s family as both thanks and a request to keep an eye on the courtyard.

The books were packed too.

The college entrance examination would return in a few years, and textbooks from the 1970s were very different from those of her original era.

If she wanted to attend her alma mater again, she couldn’t afford to neglect her studies.

Over the next few days, she collected her assignment notice, grain transfer certificate, border permit, and household registration transfer papers.

Everything went into the space.

One of the space’s most useful abilities was preservation.

Food stored inside the wooden house remained exactly as it had been when placed there, never spoiling.

For several days, Su Cen disguised herself differently each time she went out.

She visited state-run restaurants and bought braised pork, steamed buns, rice, braised fish, vegetables, wontons, shredded pork noodles, and various other dishes.

All of it was stored away.

Thinking about how she’d soon have to rely on her own cooking, Su Cen felt a headache coming on.

Memorizing recipes was easy.

Actually cooking them was another matter entirely.

She then had a pair of plain black-rimmed glasses made and cut thick bangs to cover her smooth, attractive forehead.

The transformation was immediate.

The striking beauty who turned heads at first glance became an ordinary-looking young woman with a scholarly air.

Low-key.

Unremarkable.

Exactly what she wanted.

Soon, the day of departure arrived.

Carrying her luggage and a small cloth bag for conveniently retrieving items from her space, Su Cen headed for the station.

She handed the courtyard keys to Aunt Wang.

In return, Aunt Wang secretly stuffed fifty yuan into her hands, along with several boiled eggs and flatbread for the journey.

Unable to refuse, Su Cen accepted them, planning to mail some northeastern specialties back later.

She had heard there were plenty of mountain products in the Northeast.

At the railway station, staff from the Educated Youth Office carefully checked everyone’s paperwork.

After waiting in line for quite some time, Su Cen finally boarded the green-painted train alongside a crowd of newly assigned educated youths carrying bedding rolls and luggage.

Since Beijing was the starting station, many seats remained empty.

As she watched the station signs blur outside the window, a sense of unreality washed over her.

Was this truly happening?

Or was it all a dream?

A loud, energetic voice suddenly rang through the carriage.

A young man stood up and cleared his throat.

“Hello, everyone! My name is Li Weiguo—’Wei’ as in defending, ‘Guo’ as in nation. I’m heading to Hongqi Brigade in Harbin. Since we’re all educated youths now, let’s look out for each other!”

His introduction immediately energized the compartment.

A girl with short hair and bright eyes stood up next.

“My name is Liu Fengxia. I’m going to Red Flag Brigade too!”

A bespectacled young man smiled shyly.

“I’m Dong Xuewen. I’ll be assigned to Hongguang Brigade. Nice to meet everyone.”

“Wang Jianping! Hongguang Brigade too!” a sturdy-looking young man said cheerfully, slapping Dong Xuewen on the shoulder. “Looks like we’re teammates!”

A girl with carefully arranged features and calculating eyes finally spoke.

“I’m Zhang Yingying. Red Flag Brigade.”

Beside her sat a long-faced girl with a sharp gaze.

“Li Zhaodi. Red Flag Brigade.”

After everyone introduced themselves, their attention shifted to the only two people who hadn’t spoken.

Su Cen and the young man sitting across from her.

“I’m Su Cen. Red Flag Brigade.”

“Chen Xiangdong. Red Flag Brigade.”

Wang Jianping lowered his voice.

“Looks like only the two of us are going to Hongguang Brigade.”

Dong Xuewen adjusted his worn glasses.

“The others are probably boarding at later stations.”

Soon, lively conversations filled the carriage.

Only Su Cen remained quiet, leaning against the window with her eyes closed.

Night gradually fell.

The train rattled onward as attendants’ announcements echoed through the cars.

When dinner time arrived, everyone began pulling out their food.

Su Cen took out the white-flour flatbread Aunt Wang had packed, two boiled eggs, and a bag of traditional Beijing fermented bean drink.

Several youths chewing coarse corn buns and pickled vegetables glanced over.

Their eyes flickered, but none said anything.

Only Zhang Yingying’s jealousy grew wildly.

They were all educated youths heading to the countryside.

Why did Su Cen get to eat so well?

Forcing a smile onto her face, Zhang Yingying spoke.

“Educated Youth Su, your family must be quite well-off. White-flour bread and eggs—what a feast.”

Li Zhaodi immediately jumped in.

“Exactly. We’re all going to support rural development. Yet some people are still so particular about food. Can someone that delicate really endure hardship in the countryside?”

The moment she said it, the carriage fell silent.

Several pairs of eyes turned toward Su Cen.

Zhang Yingying nodded earnestly.

“We’re only saying this for your own good. An educated youth should act like one. You can’t be too pampered.”

Su Cen raised her eyes.

Behind her plain glasses was a trace of irritation.

They’d only just boarded the train, and these two were already causing trouble.

She calmly glanced at them, put away her food, and turned to Chen Xiangdong.

“Comrade, could you watch my belongings for a moment? Thank you.”

“Of course.”

Su Cen stood up and walked toward the front carriage.

Li Zhaodi was momentarily stunned before sneering.

“Oh? Looks like she’s too embarrassed to stay.”

Zhang Yingying laughed as well.

But in the very next second—

Neither of them could laugh anymore.