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Additionally, selling farming tools like sickles and hoes, which are necessities for every household, would guarantee sales. These items wouldn’t expire even if stocked for a long period.

For the time being, these were all the items Chu Qingzhi could think of. She planned to gradually add more items as new ideas came to her.

After organizing her thoughts and paperwork, Chu Qingzhi stepped out, “Qingning, Lihua, I’m going to check on the grocery store. 1’11 be back soon.”

Chu Qingning and Ge Lihua nodded in agreement, “Alright.”

Li Qingyu had been entrusted with the management of the grocery store and showed great enthusiasm for the task. She was always eager to lend a hand whenever she could. At the moment, she was also there, sweating despite the cold winter air.

Chu Qingzhi, seeing Li Qingyu’s dedication, took the broom from her hands, “Mom, take a break. 1’11 handle the sweeping.”

“There’s no need, really. Seeing the grocery store almost ready fills me with energy; I can’t just sit around. You go ahead with your tasks,” Li Qingyu insisted, reclaiming the broom to continue her work with renewed vigor.

Accepting Li Qingyu’s determination, Chu Qingzhi advised, “Just make sure to take care of yourself, especially with the New Year coming up.”

“I’m perfectly fine, healthier than ever,” Li Qingyu assured.

Soon, the village’s Third Granny and several other elder women approached, exchanging greetings.

Observing the soon-to-be-opened grocery store, the Third Granny commented with a smile, “Qingyu, it’ll be much more convenient for us to shop once your store is open. I’ve been looking forward to it.”

Li Qingyu responded with a bright smile, “We’re planning to open in the next couple of days. There will be special discounts on the first day of opening. 1 hope you all can come and support us.”

“We definitely will. We’ll check at home to see if we’re missing anything and come to buy it from your store.”

“That sounds wonderful.”

With Third Granny’s help in spreading the word, news of the grocery store’s opening quickly permeated the village. And through the workshop workers, the news spread even further, reaching the entire estate and the surrounding villages.

Li Qingyu then raised an important point, “Qingzhi, shouldn’t we come up with a name for the grocery store?”

“I’ve already decided on one: ‘Chu Village Grocery.’ This way, everyone will immediately know where the store is, making it easier to attract customers,” Chu Qingzhi had already thought it through.

Li Qingyu, having complete faith in Chu Qingzhi’s judgment, agreed, “That’s a good name. It even rolls off the tongue nicely.”

Chu Qingzhi then visited Chu the Carpenter, intending to have the grocery store’s signboard made.

Armed with her previous experience, Chu Qingzhi worked even more efficiently. By noon, the signboard was completed, surpassing even the quality of those made for officials.

Impressed, Chu the Carpenter couldn’t help but praise, “Qingzhi, even experienced craftsmen can’t match your skill.”

Chu Qingzhi, with a modest smile, replied, “Let’s keep it low-key.”

Taking the cue, Chu the Carpenter humorously agreed, “Yes, low-key it is…”

Having finished the signboard, Chu Qingzhi carried it to the grocery store’s storage. By this time, the children had just finished their exams, prompting her to head towards the ancestral hall.

Ge Lihua and Chu Qingning had collected the exam papers by then. Ge Lihua announced, “Everyone, please wait here for a moment. Sister Qingzhi will be here soon.”

As she finished speaking, Chu Qingzhi arrived at the classroom.

Addressing the students, Chu Qingzhi said, “After lunch, stay in the classroom and don’t wander off. We will come to announce the results once we’ve finished marking the papers.”

“Yes, Sister Qingzhi,” the children responded in unison.

Chu Qingzhi, along with Ge Lihua and Chu Qingning, then took the papers back home.

After enjoying their lunch, the trio sat down in the upstairs hall to mark the exams, completing the task within half an hour.

Looking over the graded score sheet, Chu Qingzhi couldn’t help but smile, “Not bad at all. Take a look.” She handed the sheet to her companions.

Ge Lihua and Chu Qingning quickly scanned the scores, their faces lighting up with smiles.

Feeling reassured, Ge Lihua said, “All the effort over these past three months was worth it. The children did very well.”

Chu Qingning also expressed her satisfaction, “Seeing such good results from the children is really fulfilling.”

“With that,” Chu Qingzhi suggested, “let’s go and announce the scores. They must be getting anxious by now.”

“Let’s head over,” they agreed.

As they prepared to leave, Shen Ruyue joined them, and the four made their way to the ancestral hall together.

Inside the ancestral hall, the classroom was silent. The students, having tidied up their belongings, sat quietly, their heads bowed as they stared at their papers, feeling the melancholy of farewell.

Footsteps echoed…

The students looked up eagerly towards the door, rising to their feet involuntarily upon seeing who entered.

Chu Qingzhi stepped onto the platform, smiling, “The results are in. Are you all nervous?”

“Nervous,” the students admitted.

“There’s no need to be,” Chu Qingzhi reassured them, before adding, “1 have some good news to share.”

The students held their breath, hearts racing, eyes fixed on Chu Qingzhi.

She revealed slowly, “Every one of you has passed!”

A moment of stunned silence was quickly followed by an uproar of joy, “Wow!!! We passed! 1 passed!!”

After the initial celebration, Chu Qingzhi continued, “Now, let’s go through everyone’s scores and celebrate together.”

The room quieted down immediately…

“Xu Songnian, Xu Wenlin, Chu Lan’er, Tian Xiaoqiu,…, Xu Zezhen, the ten of you achieved full marks in both subjects.”

“Sun Dinggui,…, Li Yuncai, you four scored ninety-nine in both subjects.”

“The remaining four scored above ninety-five in both subjects.”

“Congratulations to you all!”

The students’ faces lit up with joy, their eyes shining brightly, full of hope for the future.

Chu Qingzhi then announced, “Next, we have some rewards to distribute.”

Xu Zezhen, excited, asked, “There are rewards too?”

Chu Qingzhi looked at the innocent faces before her, “Yes, these are your graduation gifts, and also a welcome to joining Chu Trade.”

Ling Yanjiang brought in a box filled with the rewards, each wrapped in red paper and adorned with a pretty paper flower.

The four women distributed the gifts to the eighteen children, who then carefully packaged their study materials and gifts, marking a formal farewell.

Chu Qingzhi said, “Now, I’d like Sister Ruyue to arrange some tasks for you.”

The students immediately sat up straight, their eyes fixed on Shen Ruyue, awaiting her instructions.

Shen Ruyue, her usual jovial demeanor replaced by a more solemn expression, surveyed the room with a seriousness that commanded attention. “As per the agreement we made, anyone scoring above ninety is eligible to stay and work for Chu Trade. Since all of you have passed, I’d like to start by offering my congratulations..”