Chapter 541: Chapter 182: The ’80s Drama Queen is Forced to Become a Top Student (17)

"What are you waiting for? Let’s go home and grind out some problems!"

One of the kids couldn’t hold back, grabbing their schoolbag and making a run for the door.

Sheng Leyun stopped them. With a smile, she continued, "I think that because we’re young, this is a critical time in our lives for accumulating knowledge. Whether we can build a solid foundation for future success all depends on how well we learn and how strong our fundamentals are."

"Honestly, the stuff we learn in class isn’t hard. As long as we have the right attitude, it’s almost like playing a game. So, I think we should change the focus of our efforts."

The kids looked at her intently, like little soldiers awaiting orders, their expressions serious yet filled with anticipation.

Sister Yun had already led them to skip five years of school compared to their peers. With such a major success story under their belt, they were more than happy to follow her lead!

A smile played on Sheng Leyun’s lips. "Before, we shortened our time in school vertically. Now, let’s broaden our knowledge horizontally and start entering all sorts of competitions..."

Competitions?

’For them?’

The kids couldn’t help but chuckle.

Sheng Leyun chuckled lightly. "Don’t think it’ll be too hard. Competitions are actually simple and fun. Once you get the hang of it, you won’t be able to get enough."

"Besides, we’ll have Brother Cheng leading us. What’s there to be afraid of?"

He was an exam god, invincible in all sorts of competitions!

Gong Xiaofei blinked. "My brother isn’t short on cash, and it’s not because of how much allowance our parents give him. It’s because the prize money from every competition is pretty substantial, and there are lots of prizes, too."

"For a single competition, prize money is awarded at several levels—school, city, province, and national—and the amount increases with each one."

"Even if we can’t win at the national or provincial level, the prizes from the school and city levels would be enough for us to go out for a big meal."

They were just kids. If they wanted spending money, they had to ask the adults.

Now, with a chance to earn their own money right in front of them, who could resist?

’It wasn’t even really about the money. The glory from winning a competition was far more exciting, wasn’t it?’

"I heard that if you get a good ranking in a competition, you can get bonus points on high school entrance exams, or even get a guaranteed admission spot."

Third was the first to speak, clenching his jaw. "Sister Yun, we’ll follow you and prepare for all the competitions."

"Anyway, there’s nothing to lose and everything to gain from these contests. Whether we succeed or not, the only thing we’ll lose is the time we put in."

His words quickly earned the agreement of the other children.

Gong Xiaofei puffed out his chest and promised he would pass the message along to his brother.

The kids had thought that once their little meeting was over, they would all scatter, go home to their moms, and then gather again at Xiao Si’s courtyard house that evening to study.

But then Sheng Leyun blinked her eyes and said, "Hey everyone, do you want to earn some money and achieve freedom over things like firecrackers, stickers, little picture books, and candy?"

Duh, of course they did!

The kids nodded vigorously.

Their family circumstances weren’t bad, but their parents mostly earned a fixed salary. After deducting daily expenses, they had to save some money for emergencies.

And although they seemed young, they would grow up in the blink of an eye. Things like finding a job and getting married would all be huge expenses.

Parents who planned ahead were probably already starting to save up for it.

Furthermore, with commercial housing becoming popular, the adults in their families were all thinking about buying a home, which inevitably led them to strictly control their spending.

The kids’ allowances had shrunk, and when they went shopping, they always had to make the cruel choice between two things they liked.

Since Sheng Leyun brought this up, she must have a plan, right?

They all turned to look at her in unison. "Sister Yun, don’t keep us in suspense."

Sheng Leyun chuckled and nodded.

"It’s like this. You know how my grandma used to be a cleaner? She was almost hit by someone, so I don’t want her going out to do such a dangerous job anymore."

"The old lady can’t stay idle at home. She’s taken on a lot of odd jobs, like pasting medicine bags, making matchboxes, or sewing shoe insoles. Recently, she found a plot of land somewhere and now she leaves every morning with a hoe over her shoulder and her lunch in hand."

"She only comes back, drenched in sweat, after I get home from school. She says she wants to grow vegetables to sell at the market."

"I know that if I weren’t a burden to her, Grandma wouldn’t have to work so desperately. So, I want to use the winter break to find some ways to make money so she doesn’t have to work so hard."

Hearing this, the kids couldn’t help but look at Sheng Leyun with sympathy. In a gesture of true friendship, they said, "Sister Yun, just tell us what you want to do. We won’t take a single cent of the money we earn. It’ll all be for you!"

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