Zhang Tianci still didn’t know he was being watched. He continued joking with friends for a while, then chatted with the God of Wealth for a bit before organizing the academy information he had gathered and happily running off to brag to his mother.

"Mom, I’ve asked around. All three academies are pretty much the same, equally trashy. But Qinghua Academy is slightly better. The other two are uniquely poor; they’re full of troublemakers, good kids will definitely get bullied, not suitable for Su Li."

One academy is a haven for hooligans, almost could be called a shelter for the scum of society. Another is nicknamed the retirement home, as indicated: it’s a retirement home for teachers.

Only Qinghua Academy has ordinary kids enrolling, and according to rumors, the new principal this year is keen on improving the academy’s teaching quality.

Upon hearing Zhang Tianci’s analysis, Grandma Zhang nodded repeatedly and rarely praised her son, "Not bad, you actually put some thought into it."

Zhang Tianci: "Since that’s the case, is there some kind of reward? Can’t let my efforts go to waste."

Zhang Tianci leaned in slyly, stretching out his tone, "Mom... why don’t you talk to Su Li and have her carve a few more goddess statues? An acquaintance of mine on the Star Network says he particularly likes these wood carvings and is willing to pay several times more for goddess wood carvings."

"These days, fools as silly as Su Chang’an are really everywhere, just stumbled upon one."

Zhang Tianci’s eyes sparkled as if he saw a bright path of riches laid out before him.

The rich but dim-witted God of Wealth was surprisingly pleasant to talk to and was quite sincere, Zhang Tianci felt he shouldn’t refuse such a genuine request.

Grandma Zhang: "You must be dreaming."

"Oh, mom, you can talk but don’t get physical, I’m this old and deserve some dignity, no?"

Grandma Zhang still smacked this troublesome son a few times, but Zhang Tianci was quick. "I’m telling you, you can’t bring this up again, Su Li is about to go to school, I warn you not to bother her with this."

"You just can’t stop taking advantage, can you? How about doing something decent for once."

Grandma Zhang was getting old and needed a while to recover from the exertion.

Zhang Tianci ran away mumbling, "I’m doing this for her own good, school expenses, living costs, all need money. I call it mutual benefit, only someone as kind-hearted as me thinks so thoroughly for her. Look at the neighbors around, who cares whether she has food to eat or can enroll in school."

The more Zhang Tianci talked, the more he felt morally superior, as if even his soul had ascended.

Grandma Zhang slapped her thigh, realizing she couldn’t catch her troublesome middle-aged treasure, feeling quite angry.

She truly feared Zhang Tianci might run off and talk to Su Li about this. No one knew better than a mother the depths of shamelessness in her son.

Anyway, she had to discuss the school matters with Su Li, may as well do it now. She needed to warn Su Li in advance.

"Su Li..."

Upon hearing the knock on the door, Su Li yawned and lifted the curtain to answer.

Last night, she browsed through various ancient books and paintings collected by Su Chang’an, only falling asleep at dawn.

"Grandma Zhang, so early."

Grandma Zhang stuffed freshly baked flower cakes, still steaming, into Su Li’s arms and asked with concern, "Didn’t sleep well last night?"

She wanted to ask but feared touching on the girl’s sadness, so she hesitated.

Su Li: "Yes, I was reading last night."

"Go wash up, flower cakes taste best when hot."

Grandma Zhang’s flower cakes are extraordinarily good, a famous local specialty.

With one bite, the sweet taste floods the entire mouth. After eating three flower cakes, Su Li sighed contentedly. Although nutrient liquids are convenient and cheap, hot food warms the heart.

Thinking carefully, since waking up, it’s the first time she’s had hot food.

Su Li wiped off the crumbs at the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief and, as she lifted her gaze, met Grandma Zhang’s dazed eyes, her movements paused.

"What’s wrong, is there something off with me?"

Grandma Zhang suddenly snapped back, "Oh, no, no, just that Su Li suddenly seems like a grown-up girl, exceptionally striking, never have I seen a girl prettier than you."

Grandma Zhang’s words were heartfelt, and Su Chang’an was quite handsome.

Back then, dragging his big daughter around, there were many women in the neighborhood wanting to marry him.

Now it seems, Su Li’s looks are a notch above her father, Su Chang’an, like a blossoming flower.

She suddenly felt relieved that Su Li had been staying home, hardly going out, since returning. Not many had seen her. Otherwise, the neighborhood wouldn’t be so peaceful.

"If only we could contact your dad."

Just now, witnessing Su Li’s graceful actions, she suddenly felt everything before her was out of place. Looking at her was like seeing a rose bloom on barren land.

A blossoming flower should reside in a fragrant garden, but is forced to take root in a desolate place.

Su Li lowered her head, fiddling with her fingers, "His contact number was deleted, I can’t reach him."

Grandma Zhang: "Let’s not talk about this."

Grandma Zhang quickly changed the subject, cautioning Su Li not to be swayed by Zhang Tianci’s sweet words.

Overuse of spiritual power can have aftereffects, the worst of which damages the foundation, preventing spiritual power from advancing.

Su Li nodded absent-mindedly and asked, "You say the person buying my wood carvings is the same person?"

"That’s what your Uncle Zhang said, said he really likes these folk crafts."

Su Li said mysteriously, "Is that so."

She had a hunch this person might have discovered the unusual aspect of the goddess statues.

The dozen or so wood carvings she had Grandma Zhang sell on her behalf weren’t all goddess statues, some were animal carvings.

There were four goddess statues containing a trace of divinity, only these four were particularly different, the rest were simply ordinary, exquisite wooden sculptures.

Though Su Li knew this, she didn’t care much; it was just a trace of divine aura, which felt nice but dissipated over time.

Su Li wasn’t sure why this happened; she suspected it was related to her spiritual power.

After seeing Grandma Zhang off, Su Li logged onto the government website’s registration portal.

Following Grandma Zhang’s advice, she planned to register for Qinghua Academy.

"Error in program, error in program, repairing... repair complete, registration completed for Yu Guangzhong Academy."