Finally, there is a school to attend.

The road leading to the junkyard had not been properly maintained; it remained the oldest dirt path. After being washed by the heavy rain, the dirt road had completely turned into a muddy mess. The yellow-red soil had softened into a slurry, with puddles collecting in the uneven ruts.

Just stepping onto it would splash mud onto one's pant legs. Wen Jiu tiptoed carefully, cautiously navigating the slippery, muddy ground.

By the time she returned to the abandoned bus, she was soaked through and utterly disheveled. Mud clung stubbornly to her calves, staining her originally sun-kissed skin a dull, earthy yellow.

But the mess on her body wasn’t the only problem awaiting her. Although the bus was patched up with wooden boards and metal sheets to block the wind, the gaps could never be fully sealed. Rainwater seeped through those cracks, pooling on the floorboards.

Wen Jiu, as if accustomed to such hardships, calmly cleared out the boxes untouched by the rain, then carried them outside to the open space.

Next, she crouched down, soaking a rag in water, walked out to wring it dry, then returned to mop again—repeating this cycle until only stubborn dampness remained inside the bus.

Tonight, she couldn’t sleep on the floor again. Wen Jiu gathered the boxes one by one, stacking them together inside. Since the clothes and fabric she had spread on the floor were thoroughly soaked, she curled up tightly against the hard boxes.

The damp chill lingering inside the bus chilled her to the bone, making sleep impossible. She stared blankly at the rusted ceiling above.

Days like these were unbearably hard.

If only she had money—then she could live in a grand mansion, warm by a fireplace, feasting on delicious food.

The more she thought, the deeper her reverie grew. She felt like that little match girl, about to freeze to death.

But she would never just dream. Silently, she set a small goal in her heart: first earn a hundred million!

Once wealthy, she would buy a mansion with full heating, endless feasts, and soft mattresses.

She would make a fortune and become a rich woman!

Wen Jiu’s resolve grew ever firmer as a fire seemed to ignite within her, warming her body until sleep finally came.

For the next few days, she survived on the meat slices she had scavenged before and the nutritional fluids she bought, refraining from rummaging through the junkyard.

On the morning of her third day at school, Wen Jiu packed up her belongings early and walked to the Zhao Grandma Recycling Station to sell off all the items she would no longer need.

She also handed over the bitter apricot kernels and licorice root she had bought to Zhao Grandma.

“Grandma Zhao, soak the bitter apricot kernels in warm water, peel and trim them, then crush them.”

“Next, roast the licorice until golden, grind it into a fine powder. Then take the horseradish I gave you before, peel and wash it, chop finely and crush it with salt. Finally, cook all these together into a soup to cure your cough.”

Wen Jiu had arrived to find Zhao Grandma coughing more violently, even with traces of blood. She carefully reminded her to rest and recover properly.

After all, Zhao Grandma had taken such good care of her before—if not for the bag of clothes she’d given Wen Jiu, she’d still be wearing tattered cloth shoes.

Having given her thorough instructions, Wen Jiu boarded the hovering bus bound for 3047 Academy.

Arriving at the academy precisely at eight in the morning, she found the teachers standing at the gates, calling out names once everyone had gathered.

Without hesitation, Wen Jiu joined the line of students waiting.

By eight-thirty, all the freshmen had assembled.

“Line up and follow me inside. No loud talking or wandering eyes!” the teacher ordered sternly.

The crowd was massive; Wen Jiu estimated at least four or five thousand students were present.

After some walking, they reached the academy’s playground, where the teachers stood on the stage, watching over them. Wen Jiu glanced discreetly and recognized the female teacher who had helped her before.

Before she could observe further, the teacher in the center stepped forward, beginning the speech: “Welcome to 3047 Academy. From today, you are reserve soldiers for the Federal military zones. Prepare yourselves for hardship and pain!”

“But merely signing up won’t make you reserve soldiers! You must endure rigorous training and stand out!” The teacher’s gaze swept sharply over everyone. “As you know, our training is brutal. Out of humanity, the school provides disability stipends at each term’s end and scholarships for outstanding students.”

“Wish you all a fulfilling journey ahead!”

The speech was brief. Afterward, many teachers came forward, leading groups away. Wen Jiu’s line was near the front, so they soon followed a teacher toward a large building.

“This will be your dormitory, two per room.”

Wen Jiu had been lost in thought but caught the familiar voice and looked up.

It was indeed someone she knew—the team leader, Zhou Sen, from the registration office a few days ago.

Yet Zhou Sen didn’t look her way, standing tall with his hands behind his back as he continued: “Dorms have been assigned. You have fifteen minutes to find your rooms, change into uniforms, and gather downstairs.”

At this, the students exchanged glances. Fifteen minutes to find a dorm and change? That was hardly enough time.

Zhou Sen squinted at the unmoving group, clearing his throat to scold them, but before he could speak, a small figure darted ahead, rushing through the gate.

Watching her disappear, the others remained stunned.

“What are you all standing for? Waiting for me to serve tea?” Zhou Sen barked sharply, snapping the others out of their daze as they scattered and sprinted toward the gate.

Zhou Sen silently sighed; these kids had a long way to go before becoming disciplined reserve soldiers.

Wen Jiu had wanted to run as soon as Zhou Sen finished speaking but hesitated when others stayed still. Seeing Zhou Sen’s face darken, she understood and dashed into the dormitory building.

Just inside the entrance, a massive holographic display showed every student’s dorm assignment scrolling by.

Wen Jiu quickly scanned the board and found her information.

[Wen Jiu, 12 years old, Female Dormitory A3, Room 505]

She recalled observing the surroundings on the way; A3 was the third building on the left. She burst out the side gate and sprinted straight for the A3 building.

When she gasped her way into room 505, another pale-faced girl, also struggling for breath, was already there.

Wen Jiu nodded at her, and the girl returned the gesture. Both understood this was no time for introductions.

After hurriedly changing into her uniform, Wen Jiu returned to Zhou Sen, who looked at her with mild surprise and then reported the time: “Thirteen minutes, forty-nine seconds.”

Relieved to have made it in time, Wen Jiu sat down on the floor to rest, awaiting the others.

When everyone had returned, only Wen Jiu and two others had avoided being late.

Zhou Sen glanced over them and said, “Except for the three who weren’t late, the rest of you will run twenty-five laps around the school.”

As soon as he finished, no one lingered; everyone immediately began running toward the front.

Wen Jiu watched the others run away, quietly thankful for completing the task.

But in the next moment, Zhou Sen smiled warmly and said, “You three, run twenty laps around the school.”