novelraw Chapter 219
Chapter 219
Pei's Mother was somewhat reluctant.
This was her own son; how could she not know him?
"No. With your reckless attitude, you won't even be able to find a job after graduation."
"Besides, with your scores, you might not even get in."
"To be safe, you should choose a normal university. Being a teacher is stable, and you won't have to deal with the wind and rain."
Pei Yunzhou’s stubborn streak flared up, and he shook his head like a rattle.
"I won't! I’m going to the Archaeology Department at Beijing University!"
"Unpopular majors have fewer applicants. With my score, I might actually get in!"
"If you don't believe me, ask my sister-in-law."
Everyone turned their gaze toward Shen Nanchu.
Shen Nanchu smiled slightly.
"The Archaeology Department at Beijing University is indeed a niche major. There aren't many applicants every year, and sometimes they don't even fill the quota and require transfers. Your score is eight points above the undergraduate cutoff. If you put Beijing University Archaeology as your first choice and agree to a major reassignment, there is indeed hope."
"But archaeology isn't as easy as you think. You have to go out for field surveys as soon as spring starts. Freezing hands and feet are common occurrences. Can you handle that?"
"I can endure hardship!"
Pei Yunzhou thumped his chest in a guarantee, making his padded cotton jacket thud.
"I’ve spent winters going up mountains and into fields. My hands have been so frozen they cracked, and I never cried once. This bit of hardship is nothing!"
Just that?
It wasn't enough.
She didn't want him to see certain things and get scared off later.
"Fine. You’re coming up the mountain with me the day after tomorrow."
Shen Nanchu changed the subject.
"There’s a site on the back mountain suspected to be an ancient tomb. I reported it before the New Year. Now that the soil layer is thawing in early spring, it’s the perfect time to go and survey it."
"You come with me and experience the hardship of archaeological surveying. When we get back, you can decide whether you still want to apply for the Archaeology Department."
Pei Yunzhou agreed without a second thought.
"Deal! No problem! It's just a mountain survey; I can definitely do it!"
Pei's Mother wanted to object further, but Grandma Pei spoke up.
"I think it’s a good idea. Nanchu is sensible. Letting Yunzhou go with her to experience it will help him understand what archaeology is actually about."
"Besides, with Nanchu there, even if Yunzhou really gets in, she’ll be around to keep an eye on him. We won't have to worry about him being lazy at school."
Grandpa Pei also nodded in agreement.
"That's right. Nanchu is a reliable child; he’ll be fine following her."
"Yunzhou has a quick mind and good observation skills. Going into the mountains for a survey this spring will be a good way to train his patience. Maybe he really is suited for the field of archaeology."
"If he finds it too hard after the experience, it won't be too late to change his major."
Seeing that Grandpa Pei and Grandma Pei both agreed, and seeing the determined look in Shen Nanchu's eyes, Pei's Mother felt a sense of relief.
Over the past few years, Shen Nanchu had not only kept the household in perfect order but had also helped the village set up a shampoo factory and a rabbit farm. She was always steady in her work. With her watching over Yunzhou, it was indeed reassuring.
"Alright then. You go up the mountain with your sister-in-law. If you find it too hard then, don't you dare come back crying."
"I won't cry!"
Pei Yunzhou was full of confidence.
Shen Nanchu's smile held a deeper meaning.
One shouldn't speak too boldly, or they might end up eating their words.
"By the way, Nanchu, what was your score?"
As soon as Pei's Mother finished speaking, Pei Yunzhou immediately chimed in.
"Do you even need to ask? My sister-in-law definitely got close to a perfect score. She's practically guaranteed to be the top scorer in the capital's college entrance examination."
"Right, sister-in-law?"
Everyone looked at Shen Nanchu.
Shen Nanchu nodded with a smile.
"I don't know about being the top scorer, but I got 385 points."
Gasps of surprise echoed throughout the Pei family courtyard.
...
Two days later, early in the morning, Pei Yunzhou was already waiting in the courtyard with a canvas shoulder bag.
The bag contained hot steamed buns and a water bottle.
He had even specifically borrowed a very sharp machete from the village hunter.
With the machete tied to his waist, Pei Yunzhou looked valiant and spirited, as if he were heading into the mountains for a hunt.
When Shen Nanchu saw Pei Yunzhou's outfit, her face was full of shock.
"Are you going hunting, kid?"
"Isn't this just to be safe?"
Pei Yunzhou stood up straight and even adjusted the machete to a more prominent position.
Shen Nanchu's mouth twitched.
"If there really is any prey, Meiqiu can handle it himself. Why would we need you?"
"Uh..."
Pei Yunzhou looked at Meiqiu, who was lying in his nest.
Fine!
The dog really is more capable than me.
After Shen Nanchu finished washing up and had breakfast, Zheng Tongwei arrived.
This time, Shen Nanchu had also invited Zheng Tongwei to join them.
Since Zheng Tongwei also wanted to join the Cultural Relics Bureau, this was a perfect opportunity for him to achieve something and add some color to his resume.
Once everyone was gathered, they set off.
Shen Nanchu walked with her hands behind her back, carrying nothing.
Meiqiu followed behind her, swaggering along.
Zheng Tongwei, on the other hand, carried a hoe—the kind used for farm work.
In contrast to the two of them, Pei Yunzhou's preparation looked overly solemn.
"Sister-in-law, are we just going like this? Without bringing anything?"
"Just like this. We don't need anything. If you master math, physics, and chemistry, you can travel the world without fear."
Shen Nanchu wasn't lying.
Why would excavating a small tomb require such a grand fuss?
Wouldn't it just be a matter of a few glances and a few minutes of time?
...
The path up the back mountain hadn't completely thawed yet. Everywhere were withered branches covered in frost and muddy paths hidden under fallen leaves.
Before they had walked very far, Pei Yunzhou's cotton shoes were covered in mud, making him slip with every step.
"Sister-in-law, how much longer? The road is too slippery; I've already fallen twice."
"Almost there. Another hour and we'll be there."
Shen Nanchu slowed her pace.
"What's wrong? You can't handle it?"
"No, no way."
Pei Yunzhou gritted his teeth and continued forward.
The destination this time was actually a place Shen Nanchu had discovered while she was on the mountain with Pei Zhengnian and the others earlier.
This tomb was hidden very deep.
Otherwise, Shen Nanchu really might have had to go elsewhere to find a grave to dig.
"We're here."
Half an hour later, Shen Nanchu stopped.
They had finally reached the destination.
Pei Yunzhou breathed a sigh of relief.
They were currently halfway up the mountain.
Pei Yunzhou looked around curiously, but he couldn't see anything special about the place.
There wasn't even a gravestone here. Were there really old artifacts?
"Look there!"
Shen Nanchu reached out and pointed toward a spot at the foot of the mountain.
There, green water circled around, and lush mountains served as a backdrop. It was truly a rare treasure trove of Feng Shui.
Combining that with the surrounding vegetation and conditions, Shen Nanchu was one hundred percent certain that there was a hidden tomb there, and not a small one at that.
This discovery would be enough to add a significant stroke to the resumes of the two people beside her.
The system silently scanned the direction Shen Nanchu was pointing and indeed discovered a tomb of considerable size underground.
Zheng Tongwei looked hard for a long time before finally spotting a few clues.
Pei Yunzhou looked for a moment, then stroked his chin and nodded in praise.
"Sister-in-law is right. That really is a good spot."
Zheng Tongwei and Shen Nanchu both looked at Pei Yunzhou in surprise.
"You can tell?" Zheng Tongwei didn't believe that Pei Yunzhou was smarter than him.
"How could I not? Isn't it simple?"
Pei Yunzhou pointed it out for Zheng Tongwei.
"Look at that spot where the two dragons are playing with a pearl. The pearl is the place, right?"
Shen Nanchu was slightly stunned for a moment, and then a flash of admiration crossed her eyes.
The river did indeed look like two dragons, and the raised portion was the "pearl."
This kid had potential!