Chapter 80

When Qiao Xinyi returned, Minister Zhu said, “Comrade Qiao Xinyi, have you considered taking next year’s college entrance exam? You’re only nineteen this year, and you have extraordinary abilities. I admit you’re a genius. Your future path should be much broader and higher.”

Minister Zhu continued, “As long as you want to, come to the city. I will handle your school enrollment and you won’t have to worry about textbooks or tuition. You just focus on studying and taking the college entrance exam on time.”

Qiao Xinyi had been writing all day, her hand aching and trembling. Upon hearing Minister Zhu’s words, she almost wanted to shake her head immediately.

“Minister Zhu, thank you for your help, but I don’t have that plan for now,” she replied politely. Qiao Xinyi respected Minister Zhu’s talent appreciation, so she declined gently.

Minister Zhu felt regretful, but just then Qiao Xinyi’s Chinese exam results came in. Unsurprisingly, she passed—her essay was well written and the score was quite good.

“The person you’re with said you’ll take the train back to the provincial city tomorrow evening. How about this—you come to school before you leave to pick up your high school diploma,” the high school principal said, glancing at the late hour. “Everyone’s worked hard all afternoon, especially Comrade Qiao Xinyi. I’ve told the cafeteria to save some food. Let’s first reward our stomachs.”

Qiao Xinyi’s ID photos were already ready—taken on a previous trip back to the provincial city. Because she was bald then, she borrowed a wig from the photo studio for the pictures. The short student-style haircut photo—one copy had been submitted to the police station, and the rest she slipped into a compartment in her bag and always carried with her. She never expected to need them today.

After eating, Qiao Xinyi sincerely thanked each person, memorizing their names and the sincere, warm faces of each of them.

“Minister Zhu, Director Qiu, Minister Wu, when you come to the provincial city, be sure to visit me. I’ll take you around!” Qiao Xinyi enthusiastically invited them. “Bring your spouses and children with you—I’ll be waiting for you.”

She gave each of them her address. Today was a fruitful day—no effort wasted. From illiterate to high school graduate.

Qiao Xinyi had no family or connections with Minister Zhu and the others—they were strangers—but they had helped her a lot and stayed with her this whole time. She felt the simplicity of this era in them, as well as their sense of responsibility and mission. These were qualities seriously lacking in many people in later generations.

Qiao Xinyi and Fu Qingshan watched the leaders leave. After everyone was gone, she turned and hugged Fu Qingshan tightly.

“Today was such a lucky day!” Qiao Xinyi said, smiling happily. When she looked up, she suddenly saw Liu Yun not far away—she didn’t even know when Liu Yun had come to watch her.

Qiao Xinyi waved toward Liu Yun and called out, “Comrade Liu Yun, thank you! Not only did I get my elementary school diploma, but I also got my middle school and high school diplomas! Why don’t you come closer and congratulate me?”

She shouted, “Why do you look so unhappy? Why aren’t you happy? Hey! Don’t leave! We haven’t even had a proper chat!”

Liu Yun walked faster and faster, eventually running away. The darkness well concealed the tears streaming down her face.

At this moment, she had to admit that today she was nothing but a clown. She tried to make Qiao Xinyi lose face and force her to leave Fu Qingshan. But in the end, she had made the wedding dress for Qiao Xinyi—giving her the elementary school diploma and the chance to build good relations with Minister Zhu and the other leaders. She even got Minister Zhu to personally help Qiao Xinyi make an exception.

The most infuriating thing was that Qiao Xinyi really was a genius! She actually got both her middle school and high school diplomas!

Liu Yun had spent the whole afternoon waiting for Qiao Xinyi to fail and make a fool of herself. But in the end, she was the biggest joke—she was the one who handed such a great opportunity directly into Qiao Xinyi’s hands.

Furious, Liu Yun slapped herself. Why had she meddled so much today? Look at how arrogant Qiao Xinyi was just now! If she hadn’t given Qiao Xinyi this chance, how could Qiao Xinyi have been so lucky to meet Minister Zhu and the others?

Liu Yun hated Qiao Xinyi for making her a joke, and she also resented Minister Zhu and the others for meddling. Liu Yun could only comfort herself that, fortunately, Qiao Xinyi and Fu Qingshan would leave Tong’an County tomorrow, and after that, no one would remember the foolish things she did today. 

“Trying to steal a chicken and ending up losing the rice,” she thought bitterly, “she actually raised an illiterate who didn’t even have an elementary school diploma to a high school graduate! I really hate it!” 

Liu Yun had already run far away, but Qiao Xinyi was still standing there laughing loudly. 

“Today, I only planned to make a little profit, but unexpectedly, I hit the jackpot!” Qiao Xinyi hugged Fu Qingshan and kept laughing, “Fu Qingshan, oh Fu Qingshan, I told you—you bring me nothing but good luck!” 

Every time she was with Fu Qingshan, good things happened! 

Since the times were generally conservative, after her burst of happiness, Qiao Xinyi quickly let go of Fu Qingshan. She patted his arm, “Brother, we’re going to be good for life, okay?” 

Fu Qingshan watched her smile and tease him, and how she deliberately called him “brother” to annoy him. He laughed along with her, ruffled her head through her sun hat, and said, “It’s because you’re outstanding yourself that the opportunity came and you grabbed it.” 

He took Qiao Xinyi’s right hand, massaged it a couple of times, and asked, “You’ve been writing all day, your hand must be sore?” 

“Super sore. When I was writing that last essay, I wanted to just throw the pen away,” Qiao Xinyi nodded. 

“I’ll give you a hot towel compress and a massage when we get back—that will make you feel better.” 

Fu Qingshan knew well how hard Qiao Xinyi had worked today. Writing so many exams in one day—he doubted even he could do it. It was not just a physical challenge but a mental one; her brain had been running at full speed all day. 

Qiao Xinyi nodded, “Tomorrow we’ll come to the county early. I want to go to the bank and withdraw some money. I want to buy some specialties from Tong’an County, bring some back, and also send some to Chen Dachuan and the others.” 

She added, “Tong’an County has its own canning factory. The canned goods here are easier to buy and more affordable.” 

Suddenly, she slapped her thigh. 

“I should have asked Liu Yun to help us find someone inside the canning factory to buy canned goods at internal prices. But if I go chase her now and ask for help, do you think she’d strangle me in anger?” 

Fu Qingshan, of course, knew Qiao Xinyi was joking. If she really did that, she would definitely end up crying instead of getting help. 

“Comrade Qiao Xinyi, your passbook can’t be used to withdraw money in Tong’an County,” Fu Qingshan reminded her, “You can only withdraw money where you originally deposited it.” 

Qiao Xinyi took more than ten seconds to understand what Fu Qingshan meant. 

“Going dumb on me?” Fu Qingshan laughed and touched her forehead. 

“Then how could you withdraw money in the provincial city from the county where you deposited it before?” Qiao Xinyi asked. 

“I withdrew the money again before coming back to the provincial city with you. I put it in my luggage bag, wrapped in clothes, and after we separated in the provincial city, I deposited it again,” Fu Qingshan explained, “At the bank near the Public Security Bureau.” 

“Even if you hadn’t said you wanted to go to a bank farther from the textile factory’s staff compound, I would’ve taken you to the bank where I deposited money that day.” 

Qiao Xinyi blinked; she really hadn’t known the passbook she handled that day wasn’t the same one. 

“I have money. If it’s not enough for you, I’ll borrow some from friends first and send it back after I return,” Fu Qingshan said. 

“I have to go to the train station first to refund the ticket and buy a new one. We won’t make it back to the provincial city tomorrow—we have to change to the day after tomorrow.” 

“Do we have other plans for tomorrow?” Qiao Xinyi asked. 

“Yes, I want to take you to meet an elder and also to meet my mother and family,” Fu Qingshan explained.