The street outside Yuzhou No.4 Middle School stretched on for quite a distance, packed with snack vendors, street peddlers, and bustling crowds.
Ever since Evergreen Liquid Company had risen to prominence, Yuzhou No.4 Middle School had benefited enormously. Both enrollment and staff numbers had increased greatly, and the street outside its gates had prospered along with it.
Walking down the street and taking in the vibrant surroundings, Shan Kaiquan remarked, "The high school in our town has one fewer first-year class this year."
Guo Kunnan understood. "There'll be fewer and fewer people in the towns. When I was in third grade, there were ten first-year middle school classes in town. By the time I got to first year, there were only seven."
"Yeah, they've all gone to study in the county seat or the city," Shan Kaiquan said wistfully. "A lot of people from our village who work away from home have bought houses in the county seat."
Unlike schools in remote areas, Yuzhou No.4 Middle School had always been improving, full of vitality.
"Nan Bro, they're selling Thermos Liners over there. Want to ask the price?" Shan Kaiquan suggested.
Guo Kunnan looked over and indeed saw an Auntie running a general-goods stall stocked with everyday necessities.
"How much is the liner?" Guo Kunnan asked.
"Seven yuan."
That was pretty cheap. Guo Kunnan decided, "Alright, I'll take one. Let me look at the other stuff too."
He bought a towel, a Shoe Brush, and other miscellaneous daily necessities from the stall. The prices were all quite reasonable. Finally, he took a liking to a pair of cotton shoes.
It was November now, and the weather was turning cold. Winter was just around the corner. No.4 Middle School still had no air conditioning, and Yuzhou winters dropped several degrees below zero.