Chapter 245: Resuming the College Entrance Examination

Xu Ning and Xu An stood quietly on the main road, watching as Old Chen’s ox cart slowly moved away into the distance.

Lu Xiaotang, seated on the cart, turned back and waved at them, calling out, “Go back now!” His voice echoed faintly as the cart rolled further down the path, the clattering of the ox’s hooves growing softer with each step.

The triplets, having woken up a bit earlier, noticed their father was missing, but didn’t think much of it at first. They assumed, like usual, that he had simply gone out for a moment and would return shortly. Their young minds didn’t linger on the matter, and they continued playing without a care.

However, as the sun dipped below the horizon and night began to fall, the absence of their father became harder to ignore. The triplets started to search for him, moving from room to room with worried looks. Their initial nonchalance had turned into concern, and the longer they searched, the more anxious they became.

Tang Tang, her usual cheery demeanor fading, was the first to show signs of distress. Tears welled up in her big eyes, and she looked up at Xu Ning, her voice trembling as she asked, “Where’s Dad? Why hasn’t he come home yet?” Niu Niu and Pi Pi, who were normally the bold ones, also looked on the verge of tears. Their faces, usually bright with mischief, now reflected uncertainty and fear.

Meanwhile, Xu An had stayed home that day instead of going to Jianmin’s place to study. He was lying on the kang with Xiao Mo, trying to distract the triplets by giving them rides on his back, playing the role of the horse.

After the kids played until they were tired and wanted to sleep, they started looking for their dad again, and in the end, even Xiao Mo couldn’t be calmed down.

Tang Tang sat on the kang, crying loudly and calling for her dad. Xu Ning’s eyes turned red as well.

After what felt like hours, the triplets finally began to tire themselves out from all the crying. Their little bodies, exhausted from both their emotions and the earlier games, were starting to give in to sleep. Xu Ning and Xu An took this moment to act, she and Xiao An each picked up a child and managed to soothe them to sleep.

Finally, after much effort, the kids drifted off to sleep, their tear-streaked faces still wearing traces of their earlier distress. Xu Ning, though physically and emotionally drained, was relieved to have calmed them down. She tucked them into bed, planting soft kisses on their foreheads as they settled into a deep, peaceful slumber.

…

Xu An didn’t go to work, and Xu Ning also didn’t go to the fields. The two siblings stayed at home every day to study.

Xiao Mo took a break for the autumn harvest and helped take care of the little ones at home. During the day, he took them to the cow shed to play and returned only for dinner.

This year, Jianmin and Da Lin also didn’t go for the autumn harvest and came over during the day to study with Xu An.

When the autumn harvest ended, Xiao Mo also started school. Grandpa Qi came over every day to take Niu Pi Tang to the cow shed, bringing them back during lunchtime.

Wei Lanlan and Yang Xiaomei frequently visited Xu Ning to discuss schoolwork, but they had been away from school for several years and hadn’t studied much.

It was only after Xu Ning reminded them last year that the two of them occasionally flipped through their books in the evenings.

With the two of them also busy taking care of children, they didn’t pay much attention to their studies, and now the gap between them and Xu Ning was quite significant.

In October 1977, the weather had been gloomy for several days, with a sudden drop in temperature. Today, the little ones didn’t go to the cow shed to play; instead, they sat on the kang listening to the radio.

Xu Ning glanced at the sky, realizing it might snow soon. She chopped a piece of mutton and prepared to simmer some mutton soup on the stove.

As the news of the resumption of the college entrance examination came through the radio, Xu Ning was in the kitchen chopping bones.

Central People’s Broadcasting Station… Anyone who meets the enrollment criteria, including workers, farmers, youth who went to the countryside, returning young intellectuals, demobilized soldiers, cadres, and this year’s high school graduates, may voluntarily register…

Xu Ning paused the knife in mid-air. Although she had known for a long time that the college entrance examination would resume, hearing the news now made her heart race with excitement.

Xu An rushed out of the room, barefoot and with red-rimmed eyes, and ran into the kitchen.

“Sister, they’re bringing back the college entrance exam!”

Xu Ning set down the knife, turned around, and smiled. “Xiao An, we can go back now.”

Cheers of joy erupted from the nearby educated youth compound, and Xu An smiled as he glanced in that direction.

“Xiao An, why don’t you go over and see if Da Lin and Jianmin have heard the news?”

“Sister, I’m going right now.” Xu An replied as he dashed out.

Only then did Xu Ning notice he was barefoot and quickly called out, “Xiao An, where are your shoes?”

Xu An looked down at his feet and, feeling embarrassed, hurried back into the house to put on his shoes and warm clothes.

The news of the resumption of the college entrance examination quickly spread throughout Yushu Village. Since it wasn’t the busy farming season, everyone was at home, hunkering down for the winter. Those eligible to take the exam were each holding a book and studying at home.

Wei Lanlan and Yang Xiaomei came to thank her, their eyes red. If it hadn’t been for Xu Ning’s reminder, they wouldn’t have thought to study at all.

Now, they couldn’t even think about reviewing; they might not even be able to buy books at this point.

“Let’s not bother with the pleasantries right now. There’s just over a month until the exam. Focus on your studies!” Xu Ning urged.

She then asked Yang Xiaomei, “Is Sun Hao still working?”

Yang Xiaomei looked troubled. She had just discussed this with Sun Hao.

“He wants to work during the day and study at night. He’s worried that if he doesn’t pass the exam, he might lose his job, and that wouldn’t be worth it.”

Xu Ning fully understood their concerns. It was not easy for them to get into the machinery factory, and this year they had just transitioned to full-time positions.

Although the college entrance examination had resumed, whether they would actually pass was still uncertain. They had children to take care of, so it was wise to be cautious.

Wei Lanlan suggested, “Why not find someone to fill in for Sun Hao? Didn’t Xiao An find someone from the village to cover for him?”

“If he gets into college, he can pass the job to that person. If he doesn’t, he can just continue working!”

Yang Xiaomei’s eyes brightened at this idea. “Right! How did I not think of that?”

“Then I’ll go back and discuss it with Sun Hao,” she said before dashing out the door.

Just as she reached the door, Yang Xiaomei turned around and asked, “But who should we find to fill in? We rarely interact with people in the village, so we don’t know their character. What if they don’t return the job later?”

Xu Ning thought her concerns were quite reasonable. If she didn’t know Aunt Dashuan’s family well, she wouldn’t have let Xiao An give his job away so easily.

Yang Xiaomei’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Xu Ning. “You’re familiar with people in the village; could you help me ask around?”

Xu Ning pondered for a moment and replied, “I can’t make any guarantees, but I can help you make some connections. The final arrangements will need to be worked out among you.”

“Thank you so much, Xu Ning.” Yang Xiaomei trusted her judgment. With that, she dashed back to discuss the idea with Sun Hao.