Chapter 35

Thus, Su Ye watched helplessly as Gu Xiangqian took a set of bed sheets from his package and made a makeshift bed on the floor to sleep.

Su Ye rested her head on her hand, lying on the bed, confused as she looked at Gu Xiangqian. “Won’t something happen if you sleep like this?”

Gu Xiangqian covered himself with the blanket, closed his eyes, and said, “No, this is how we sleep when we’re outside. You sleep, too.”

Su Ye couldn’t help but complain. Losing his memory had turned him into a pure, virtuous man. Was she supposed to chase after him again?

Forget it, forget it. She pulled the blanket over herself. A big bed was much cooler and more comfortable when sleeping alone.

—

The next day.

Early in the morning, Su Ye taught Gu Xiangqian how to use food and meat coupons. She opened the cupboard where the grain and coupons books were kept and took out two coupons from inside.

“You need these coupons to buy food and things now. I won’t be home for lunch today since I’ll be at school, so you’ll have to go to the canteen yourself for lunch. Here, the family’s coupons are in the cupboard.”

She gave Gu Xiangqian five liang of meat coupons and one pound of grain coupons.

Gu Xiangqian was supposed to get two pounds of pork and half a pound of eggs per month to supplement his energy, so it wasn’t really allowed to spend so extravagantly. But Su Ye was being very generous, considering that he had just recovered from a serious illness.

Gu Xiangqian held the coupons, looking down at Su Ye, whose height only reached his shoulder, and he faintly curved his lips. “I understand.”

After Su Ye finished her bowl of bone soup noodles, she went to school.

Entering the classroom, she saw Qian Xiaohe and Yang Xue huddled together. The desks had been pushed together, and they were covered with many electronic components—motors, propellers, and batteries. Everyone was gathered around, eagerly watching them.

Yang Xue connected the wires, and the plastic propeller started spinning, blowing out a gust of cool air. The eyes of everyone present sparkled with surprise and excitement.

“Wow—this is amazing!”

“Only the teacher’s office has electric fans! Class monitor, hurry up and install one in our classroom so we won’t be afraid of heatstroke during the summer.”

At this time, electrical appliances were expensive, and it was impossible for classrooms to have them. But ever since they had started working with Su Ye and handling many old electrical appliances, the mysterious and expensive veil of these gadgets had been lifted.

The students didn’t think they couldn’t afford electrical appliances. In fact, some of the wealthier students already had a watch. Now, having made a fan, they immediately wanted one for themselves.

Yang Xue laughed and scolded, “Go away, where are we going to get money for batteries? If it gets hot, just go wash your face with a basin of water.”

Su Ye couldn’t help but smile when she saw this. She clapped her hands. “Alright, everyone, it’s time for class. Go back to your seats.”

Qian Xiaohe, upon seeing Su Ye, immediately grabbed the radio at her feet and rushed up, saying, “Teacher, I’ve fixed it. Should I move it to your office?”

The students of the entire grade had developed a strong interest in learning because of the “repair group,” and after class, they would gather together to explore scientific knowledge in physics, chemistry, and mathematics.

However, the enthusiasm was now a bit too high, bordering on excessive. Since Su Ye received government subsidy funds and as May arrived, she stopped letting the third-year students fiddle with watches and radios.

The class bell rang, signaling the start of a class meeting.

Su Ye spoke seriously in class, “Class, this month, you all need to focus. Those who are going to high school should prepare for the entrance exams. Those who want to attend a vocational school should study for that. These are the important things for the next two months. ^[1]“Don’t lose sight of the big picture” means to not get too caught up in small, immediate details or problems and to remember the broader, long-term goals or objectives. It’s a … Continue readingDon’t lose sight of the big picture.”

She cleared her throat and continued earnestly, “We need to set our sights on the long term and focus on more important things. Once you get into college and learn more specialized knowledge, you’ll realize that watches, radios, and fans are just child’s play. I don’t want you to be a repairman for your entire lives.”

“If possible, I want you to design airplanes, rockets, build bridges, repair highways, make machine tools… What our country lacks is this kind of talent.”

Before Su Ye could finish, pairs of eyes, like black grapes, stared at her intently. Designing airplanes, rockets, building bridges… How incredible these things sounded.

The classroom was silent, but a voice broke the quiet. “Can we really do these things? Teacher Su, are you joking with us?”

Su Ye responded with a question, “Why can’t you?”

She analyzed calmly, “You are attending the best middle school in the city. With some effort, you can get into the best high school, and eventually, you’ll enter the best university and graduate from a top-tier college. When that time comes, ask yourselves, ‘Is it not possible?’ The fact that you’re all sitting here already gives you many more opportunities than other children.”

“Now, the government is providing free education and subsidies for living expenses. You should seize this opportunity. Our whole class should aim to get into high school and continue all the way through college. Teacher Su hopes that none of you will stop at middle school graduation and go straight to work. This year, I want all of you to take the exams for school—don’t leave anyone behind.”

The students felt warmth in their hearts as they listened. They had never dared to think about such distant goals, but Su Ye had painted such a bright future for them. Getting into high school and vocational school?

It was something so incredible, yet it made people dare to imagine it. The airplanes, rockets, bridges, highways, and machine tools she spoke of… they all sounded like a dream.

Qian Xiaohe had originally planned to apply for the best vocational school in the city, but after hearing Su Ye’s words, she changed her mind. She wanted to go to high school and then to university. She didn’t want to be a repairman, she wanted to build airplanes.

A boy then asked, “Teacher Su, did you graduate from university too?”

Su Ye shook her head, “Teacher only graduated from elementary school.”

One sentence stunned everyone. Admiration flashed in their eyes as they all looked at Su Ye. Teacher Su is so capable and yet only graduated from elementary school? Then how much more amazing must a genuine university graduate be?

If it weren’t for Su Ye’s high level of competence, which had already completely won their admiration, those words might not have had the same impact. But now, they firmly believed everything Teacher Su said was true. They stretched out their hands, determined that with a bit of effort, they could get into high school and grow up to build airplanes and rockets.

Su Ye continued, “Teacher Su is currently studying high school courses, and this year, I will take the exam with you. While you’re preparing for the middle school exam, I’ll be preparing for the college entrance exam.”

She smiled and said, “Students, don’t let the teacher beat you!”

The students all responded, “That’s for sure!”

“We’ll beat the teacher!”

“We’re going to focus these next two months and all go to the top high school!” Yang Xue stood up and shouted firmly.

There were many boys and girls in the class who didn’t enjoy studying and just wanted to graduate quickly and work in a factory. After half a semester, however, under Su Ye’s guidance, they had been exposed to scientific knowledge and saw the dazzling brilliance of science. They earned money with their own hands and went through the experience of bringing back their classmates who had dropped out.

Now, they wanted to listen to Su Ye and go to university to see how airplanes and rockets are made, to become the talents the country needs!

This belief was like a seed planted in their hearts, waiting to be nurtured and grow with sweat and effort.

—

After class, Su Ye returned to the office.

As soon as she entered, she ran into Teacher Lu from the physics department, who was sweating and looked anxious. He turned to find Zhou Yi. “Teacher Zhou, could you cover my class? I have an urgent matter at home and need to go back immediately.”

Zhou Yi glanced at the schedule. “The next class is mine, I’m busy. Teacher Lu, try asking someone else.”

Teacher Lu asked around but couldn’t find anyone suitable. There were few teachers in the high school department, and everyone’s schedule was full, so no one had time to cover for him.

Su Ye stopped Teacher Lu and smiled, asking, “Teacher Lu, how about me?”

After more than a month, Su Ye’s 40 pounds of meat coupons had visibly reduced. The junior high students had been “exploited” by her to the point where the growth of their food stocks had slowed.

Su Ye thought about shifting to the high school department to improve her situation, but she had only been able to help with grading assignments until now, struggling to find an opportunity. And now, an opportunity has just presented itself!

Teacher Lu immediately asked, “Little Su, are you sure? It’s fine for you to teach middle school, but this is a high school class!”

Su Ye replied seriously, “Why not? I’ve been studying high school courses recently, and I can teach them fresh and hot! If you don’t need help, I’ll just go back to grading assignments…”

Teacher Lu, of course, was eager for the help and grabbed Su Ye. “Okay, okay, Teacher Su, you can cover for me for a few classes. I’ll deduct your pay later.”

Su Ye smiled brightly and said, “No need for that. It’s just a small favor. We’re colleagues, and we should help each other out.”

She didn’t pay much attention to a few bucks, her ambition was to conquer the stars and the sea.

Su Ye’s words deeply moved Teacher Lu. He quickly packed up his things with moist eyes and left the office in a hurry.

Zhou Yi, the class teacher, pulled out a form from his drawer and handed it to Su Ye. “The senior year students are preparing for their graduation exams. Su Ye, if you have time, you should also prepare. If you don’t pass this time, you’ll have to wait until next year to get your diploma. Also… are you planning to take the college entrance exam?”

Two forms were placed down, and Su Ye quickly filled in her name on both. “Of course, I’m taking it.”

The college entrance exam in those days was quite different from the future. Due to delayed information and still-usable computer systems, applicants needed to fill out their preferred schools first, and after the exam results came out, universities would then admit students based on their scores.

Su Ye filled in “Beijing University” and chose the major of Electronic Engineering. She considered going back to her old field and applying to the Computer Science department, but since China hadn’t even built its first computer yet, she had to settle for Electronic Engineering.

At first, everyone thought Su Ye was just supplementing her education, but now they were surprised to find out she was actually planning to take the college entrance exam?

Liu Qiu and Fang Zhou glanced at Su Ye. Fang Zhou even stood up and leaned in to look at the form Su Ye had filled out.

Zhou Yi’s expression remained calm, giving no indication of surprise as he put away the forms. However, Fang Zhou was genuinely stunned.

Beijing University was one of the top universities in China, and Fang Zhou was still a vocational school graduate. A vocational school diploma was considered equivalent to a high school diploma, and because vocational schools were more practical, vocational school graduates often looked down on high school graduates.

If Su Ye attended university, everything would change—she would immediately surpass them. In this era, university graduates were as rare as gold. He Meimei and Zhou Yi both earned 20 more yuan than ordinary teachers because of their higher education.

That extra 20 yuan a month was equivalent to saving up for two watches or a bicycle in a year.

Teacher He gave a thumbs-up. “Little Su, you have ambition. I never thought you were so driven. If you really get in, the principal will definitely keep a position for you. You can finish your degree and then come back to work here.”

The other teachers suddenly laughed, thinking to themselves that if she really did get into university, she probably wouldn’t return to teach in this small town. College graduates were guaranteed job placements.

Su Ye smiled and didn’t respond. She glanced at Teacher Lu’s textbooks, and when the class bell rang, she went to the high school department to teach.