Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space
Chapter 146. Start of the exam

Chapter 146: 146. Start of the exam

"Alright, but you can rest in the evening. During the day, it’s better to study with Qin Shu back here. The downstairs is too close to the main hall and too noisy."

"Okay," Hua Yunao nodded, agreeing with the suggestion.

The only remaining lower-grade room was indeed right next to the main hall, and even with the door closed, it was hard to block out the noise from outside. This was likely why this room was still available.

Meanwhile, Qin Shu had already organized his belongings in the room. Though he had promised Uncle Hua he would rest early, instead, he took out a book. Just as he was getting absorbed in it, he heard a knock on the door.

He had a hunch, cautiously asking, "Who is it?"

"It’s me," Hua Yunao laughed outside the door.

Hearing his friend’s voice, Qin Shu inexplicably felt relieved. Honestly, he was a bit afraid it was Uncle Hua. Although they had become familiar during the journey, old habits were hard to break.

Qin Shu quickly opened the door, greeting his friend with a smile.

"Try this," Hua Yunao said, immediately tossing a pear, given by his sister, to Qin Shu as he entered with a small bundle and two books.

Somehow, despite walking together, he had no idea when his sister bought this pear. It was truly delicious, juicy, and sweet. So much so that he couldn’t bear to throw away even the core, planning to plant it in the backyard, hoping to enjoy equally tasty pears in a few years.

After all, every time his sister bought fruit, it was always delicious.

"Don’t get too emotional upon seeing me," Hua Yunao said humorously while closing the door and stepping into the room to examine it.

Though called a lower-grade room, it was better than many small inns, with more space and even an extra small wooden bed, enough for two people.

"Thank you," Qin Shu said, holding the fruit without pretending, though he knew it was precious.

The care his friend’s family showed him was beyond words of thanks, and he remembered it all in his heart, intending to express his gratitude when he could.

"Yun Ao, I..."

"Stop, aren’t we brothers? No need for extra words," Hua Yunao interrupted Qin Shu, as he wasn’t good at such things. His second brother was better with words.

"Okay," Qin Shu knew his friend’s temperament, smiled, and stayed silent. The two of them tacitly sat by the table together.

The room’s candlelight stayed on late into the night, only extinguished in the deep hours.

The next morning, when Hua Jin woke up, everyone except her and her father, Hua Chengtian, were still asleep, including her brothers and Qin Shu.

No need to ask, she knew the three of them surely stayed up late studying. Neither she nor her father planned to wake them, and Hua Chengtian even took breakfast to his daughter’s room, avoiding disturbing the children’s rest.

The father and daughter then left the inn, strolling the streets to see what else they might prepare.

As they wandered, they almost couldn’t stop themselves and ended up buying not only durable snacks and tasty items for the exam period but also various small treats, stuffing them into their bags. If Hua Chengtian hadn’t called them to eat, Hua Jin might not have felt tired.

It’s strange; if it’s just shopping, Hua Jin doesn’t want to move, but if it’s buying things, no matter how long it takes, she doesn’t feel tired.

Isn’t it curious?

They went back and woke the three to have lunch together, decisively interrupting their intent to return to their room and continue studying.

Hua Chengtian, though not well educated, understood the principle of balancing work and rest. Wisdom is accumulated over time, not changed by a half day’s effort. Instead of keeping their minds constantly tense, it was better to take them out strolling.

When they arrived last night, it was already dark, and they were busy finding a room, so there was no time or energy to explore the county.

No visit to the city should be wasted; it’s a chance to broaden one’s horizons.

The outing lasted nearly two hours, feeling the county’s vibrancy different from Shanggu Town, leaving Hua Yunao, his brothers, and Qin Shu moved, especially seeing the city’s officials and nobles flaunting their wealth, they sensed the disparity and felt more motivated.

After wandering until dusk and dining, they returned to the inn. This time, they weren’t forced to rest; seeing the three with books, Hua Chengtian just reminded them to be mindful, saying no more.

Then, he and his daughter went downstairs to the shopkeeper to preorder buns, steamed bread, and retaining-some-moisture jerky. Unlike fully dried jerky, this kind still had some moisture.

The downside was it could only be kept for a few days, but that was enough for exam students.

They also prepared some durable pastries, water, and fruit, which should suffice.

The next day, everyone in the inn got up early, and so did Hua Jin and her family.

Hua Yunao, Hua Yunxiang, and Qin Shu were up early, washed, and triple-checked the items for the exam, taking the food prepared by their father. After breakfast, they headed to the exam site by ox cart.

Holding the food prepared by the Hua family, Qin Shu felt warm inside, thinking of settling the expense with Uncle Hua after the exams.

Grateful for his friend’s invitation, without which he would be overwhelmed in this first city visit, unable to maintain such calmness.

Upon arriving at the exam venue, many people were already gathered outside the gate, and soon the exam time arrived.

Watching the students gathering at the gate, ready to enter the venue, and their family members cheering them on, Hua Chengtian couldn’t help but encourage the children as well.

"... Don’t be nervous, just do your best."

"Go, brothers! Jin’er believes in you," Hua Jin cheered, pumping her fists vigorously. Her pale complexion and supportive gesture looked adorable to others. Qin Shu couldn’t help but glance twice, somewhat envious of his friend having such a sister.

After a series of inspections, even checking nails and hair, the students filed in for several days of exams.

The heavy exam doors closed, and the families, equally tense and expectant, stood outside for a while before dispersing.

Several late-arriving students were seen knocking and pleading in vain; latecomers were not admitted regardless of their pleas, as the doors remained shut.

Hua Jin shook her head, recalling how in past lives major exams always had a few students either losing IDs or arriving late.

Though various unavoidable reasons might exist, the result often stemmed from negligence, wasting years of effort, sometimes even altering fates.

Hua Jin sighed, as memories from two lives merged momentarily.

It seemed no matter how times change, as long as humans exist, such scenarios will repeat endlessly.

Glancing at the teary students sitting at the gate, Hua Jin pulled her father.

"Dad, let’s go back."

Waiting here wouldn’t help, as once past the gate, no one, not even the officials inside, could leave until the exam ended.

The father and daughter returned to the inn, soon feeling bored. Hua Jin, on a whim, took her father out shopping again, unknowingly wandering from the north street to the main street.