Chapter 045

After Meng Li left the army, she didn’t return home but went to find Meng Xucheng.

Since Meng Xucheng had been reinstated and returned to work, he had been living in a staff dormitory assigned by his work unit. As a senior technical expert in the power industry, the apartment he was assigned was relatively nice.

Meng Li followed Meng Xucheng up to the staff building and reached the third floor, where he opened the door to their apartment.

Meng Xucheng had already prepared her room, having bought new bedding and blankets. Even the wardrobe and the three-drawer desk were new.

Meng Li put down the small amount of luggage she had carried and looked around with a smile. “Finally, I get to live in a room all by myself.”

Ever since she had crossed over, she had lived in the Cheng family’s home, in a shared room, which was slightly better than sleeping outdoors.

Later, she applied to live at school, and although she had to share with Ji Chen, it was still better than before.

Then, when she joined the army, she had to stay in a communal dormitory.

Meng Xucheng, seeing that she was satisfied, also felt happy. “This will be your room from now on.”

Meng Li smiled at him, “Thank you.”

Although Meng Li had the memories of her original self, to be honest, she still felt quite unfamiliar with Meng Xucheng.

She had only met him a few times while in the army, and each time, their interactions were brief.

Meng Xucheng would come to see her and bring her some food.

But after all, they were family, so there was no need to be overly concerned about formalities.

After a few words, Meng Li began to unpack her things.

She took out the clothes from her bag, and to be honest, she didn’t have much—mostly military uniforms.

After finishing with the clothes, she started pulling out books. One by one, they were either textbooks or exercise books.

Meng Xucheng saw her pulling out so many books and casually flipped through one. He looked at her in disbelief. “You still found time to read books every day while in the army?”

After finishing with the books, Meng Li hung up her clothes and replied, “Yes, I read for a little while every day. If I didn’t, I’d forget everything.”

By reading just a little each day without interruption, she was able to remember everything she needed to.

Meng Xucheng didn’t expect her to have such remarkable perseverance, but of course, this was a good thing.

She had completed her two years of compulsory service and came home specifically to take the college entrance exam. If she hadn’t prepared at all, it would have been a joke.

He set the book down. “With only a week left until the exam, do you feel confident?”

Meng Li spoke in a very relaxed tone, “I’ve already reviewed and completed last year’s test papers. There shouldn’t be any problems.”

The main challenge was the era’s limitations. The college entrance exam had been suspended for ten years, and it had only just been reinstated, so the exam papers weren’t as difficult as they would have been later on.

Compared to the test papers she had prepared with before crossing over, they were truly much simpler now.

Moreover, Meng Li had always been good at her studies before she crossed over.

In the past two years, she hadn’t abandoned what she had learned; she had been reinforcing her knowledge all along.

She thought to herself that unless something unexpected happened and she couldn’t make it to the exam, she was confident she would definitely get into college.

Seeing her completely calm, Meng Xucheng also felt that the matter was as good as settled.

He didn’t want to add any more pressure about the exam, so he changed the topic and asked, “What would you like to eat for dinner? I’ll cook it for you.”

After hanging up her clothes, Meng Li thought for a moment, swallowed, and asked softly, “How about braised pork?”

Seeing her like this, Meng Xucheng couldn’t help but think she was a completely lovable girl. As fathers often tend to favor their daughters, he smiled with a touch of affection, “Alright, I’ll go buy the ingredients later.”

Meng Li began organizing her books, stacking them one by one on the three-drawer desk. “I’ll go with you to buy the groceries.”

In the evening, Meng Li and Meng Xucheng went out to buy a lot of groceries, including plenty of fruits and snacks.

For the next few days, Meng Li still had to review her knowledge before the exam. Meng Xucheng figured that she would likely crave snacks after studying, so he bought quite a few.

Dinner was quite plentiful, and since there were only two people in the household, they didn’t finish all the dishes.

The dishes were all cooked by Meng Xucheng, and each one tasted pretty good.

After dinner, feeling satisfied, Meng Li went for a walk with Meng Xucheng. When they returned, she took a bath and went back to her room.

She sat by the desk with the desk lamp on, reading. She felt that this was the kind of life she truly enjoyed.

In the quiet environment, she read until she felt sleepy, then turned off the light and went to bed.

Just before falling asleep, she suddenly thought of Ji Chen. She realized he hadn’t come to see her off that day, and her heart felt a little heavy.

If they never met again, there would be no formal farewell between them.

Thinking of this, Meng Li couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness, once again realizing how painful goodbyes could be.

She could predict the development of the times and certain turning points, but she couldn’t foresee her own future.

She didn’t know if she would ever see Ji Chen again, and the likelihood was that this kind of separation usually meant going their separate ways forever.

The thought made her heart feel sour and cold. Then, imagining that they might never meet again, her heart ached just a little more.

Meng Li took a deep breath, squeezed her eyes shut, and made herself stop thinking about it.

…

With only a week left before the college entrance exam, Meng Li had no other plans during these few days.

Her main focus was on staying at home, reading, and sleeping, ensuring that her state of mind and body were in the best condition.

Every day, she woke up on time and went with Meng Xucheng to the canteen for breakfast.

After breakfast, Meng Xucheng went off to work, while she returned to the staff dormitory building, patiently continuing to study in her room.

A week passed by quickly, and by July 20th, Meng Li packed her things and headed to the exam venue.

There wasn’t much she could bring into the exam, just the necessary stationery and her admission ticket.

When it came to exams, Meng Li was no stranger.

Since she started primary school at the age of six, she had lived in an environment centered around exams—weekly quizzes, monthly major tests—she had long gotten used to them.

Although she felt confident, the fact that this particular exam could determine her future made Meng Li, to some extent, feel a bit nervous.

But the level of nervousness was just right, enough to keep her focused and alert as she worked through the exam paper.

As expected, the exam questions were relatively basic and simple overall.

Facing such a paper, as long as she was extremely careful and avoided any simple mistakes, there should be no problem at all.

The college entrance exam lasted three days and concluded on the 22nd.

After the college entrance exam ended, Meng Li walked out of the exam hall, letting out a sigh of relief as if she had finally completed a long-awaited mission.

Once the exam was over, she didn’t dwell much on the test questions anymore.

As long as she had performed normally, and with no major issues, she was confident her results wouldn’t be low.

After finishing the exam, Meng Li didn’t return home immediately. Instead, she bought some fruits and candies and went to the Cheng family’s house.

After all, Grandma Cheng was still there, and she had to go see her.

When she arrived at the Cheng family’s courtyard, the adults who worked outside hadn’t come home yet.

Aunt Dong didn’t have a formal job, so she was at home.

She, Grandma Cheng, Shao Jun, and Luo Yongmei were all sitting in the north room, picking vegetables and chatting casually.

Shao Jun and Luo Yongmei didn’t help with picking the vegetables; instead, they were talking about this year’s college entrance exam.

Before they had a chance to continue their conversation, they suddenly noticed someone walking in through the main gate.

The person was dressed simply in a light-colored floral waist-length jacket, the waist cinched tightly. She wore two thick braids that swept over her shoulders. Her face and arms were fair, almost milk-like in complexion, and her large eyes were bright and lively, giving off an aura of delicate beauty.

The four of them, including Grandma Cheng, froze for a moment, with Shao Jun being the most stunned.

They all thought the girl was both beautiful and familiar, but it was Grandma Cheng who recognized her first. Her eyes brightened, and she stood up, speaking with a slightly excited tone, “Meng Li, you’re back!”

Meng Li smiled lightly, a completely different person compared to two years ago.

She walked straight to Grandma Cheng, smiling as she greeted her, “Grandma, I’m back.”

Grandma Cheng was incredibly excited, almost unsure of where to place her hands and feet, as it had been two years since they last met.

She smiled broadly, joy evident in her voice. “Are you back to visit your family?”

Meng Li shook her head and placed the things she was carrying in front of Grandma Cheng. “I’ve been discharged from the army.”

Grandma Cheng froze for a moment, her smile faltering slightly. “Discharged?”

Meng Li nodded, unfazed. “Yes.”

Standing beside Shao Jun, Luo Yongmei had been feeling a tinge of bitterness. But upon hearing that Meng Li had been discharged, she felt a bit more at ease.

She smirked and said, “You were so full of yourself when you joined the army. We all thought you’d become an officer. But now, as soon as your two-year term is up, you’re back? Did someone kick you out?”

Meng Li remained calm, her tone gentle as she met Luo Yongmei’s gaze. “I’m back to take the college entrance exam.”

At the mention of the college entrance exam, Luo Yongmei’s expression shifted again. “Do you even have time to review? Don’t tell me you just joined in for the sake of it, like cannon fodder—it’s not worth it.”

It was clear to everyone that her words carried a hint of bitterness. Only Grandma Cheng spoke up in Meng Li’s defense, offering a warm smile. “Shao Jun and Yongmei took the exam too. When the announcement came last year that it was being reinstated, they returned from the countryside to study. But in the end, neither of them passed.”

Hearing this, Meng Li couldn’t help but laugh.

Luo Yongmei’s face turned pale for a moment before flushing with embarrassment. She glared at Meng Li and said, “What are you laughing at? Last year, we only had a month to study. Those who passed were all from the previous three years’ graduates. We didn’t study in middle and high school, so of course, we didn’t pass.”

Meng Li stopped smiling, her tone still gentle, “So this year, you’ll be able to pass?”

Before Luo Yongmei could respond, Grandma Cheng interjected, “Shao Jun and Yongmei enrolled in a tutoring class. They’ve been attending lessons every day, and they’ve studied for an extra year. They should be able to pass this year.”

Luo Yongmei straightened her back, as though Grandma Cheng had just said what she was thinking.

Meng Li wasn’t interested in this conversation and didn’t want to waste time on people who didn’t matter. She simply said, “Grandma, I came here specially to see you. I’ll stay with you for a while and then head home.”

Grandma Cheng had thought Meng Li was planning to stay, but after a brief pause, she asked, “Where are you living now?”

Meng Li smiled, “I’m staying at my dad’s place. I’ve been back for a week now.”

Aunt Dong, understanding that they might be in the way of Meng Li’s privacy, gave Shao Jun a gentle nudge and, while descending the stairs, said, “Come on, let’s go home and cook. Your dad will be off work soon.”

Shao Jun had remained silent throughout the conversation, but as he was about to leave, he turned to Meng Li and said, “Since you’ve been discharged, you should come back more often when you have time.”

Meng Li didn’t quite react, but nodded politely in response.

After Aunt Dong and Shao Jun left, Luo Yongmei didn’t linger either and, naturally, went back to her own home.

This left Meng Li and Grandma Cheng alone, sitting together outside, chatting and picking vegetables.

Back in the East Room, Aunt Dong began preparing dinner.

Shao Jun, nearby, was tending the stove, adding coal to the fire and fanning it to keep it going. As he sat by the stove, fanning the flames, he glanced at the glowing embers and softly said to Aunt Dong, “Mom, have you noticed? Meng Li seems like a completely different person now. She doesn’t have that tomboyish air anymore.”

Aunt Dong agreed with him, “Being in the army really makes a difference. Just look at her temperament. I never noticed it before, but now, she’s really become quite beautiful. There probably isn’t anyone in our alley who’s more attractive than her.”

Shao Jun suddenly seemed lost in thought, his voice taking on a wistful tone. “You know, Aunt Gu… how could she be so heartless to treat her that way?”

Aunt Dong’s voice softened. “Your Aunt Gu never liked her. And with both her and her father being a burden, it’s only natural she’d treat her like that.”

At this moment, Shao Jun sounded unexpectedly righteous. “If it weren’t for Aunt Gu, she wouldn’t have ended up in the army, and we wouldn’t have resented her so much. I remember when she first arrived—she looked like a boy, but her temperament and character were actually quite good.”

Aunt Dong leaned her head out to glance at Meng Li, still chatting happily with Grandma Cheng, her face glowing with a bright smile. She pulled her head back inside and whispered, “This is the Cheng family’s business; let’s not get too involved.”

Then, somewhat puzzled, she continued, “You say she’s doing fine in the army. Why didn’t she wait for a promotion? Why get discharged so early? Ten years ago, there were hardly any students in the schools. Back then, she didn’t even go to school and spent all her time outside. Now she’s back for the college entrance exam, what’s she thinking?”

Shao Jun stoked the fire, urging Aunt Dong to focus on cooking.

He stood aside, holding the fan to stir the air. “The army isn’t a place to take it easy. How many years does it take to get a promotion? Compared to that, going to college and securing a job is much more stable.”

Aunt Dong scoffed. “But getting into university isn’t easy. You and Yongmei know that best. In the army, at least there’s hope—just slog through and wait for the chance to make a contribution and get promoted. If you fail the college entrance exam, you’ve got nothing.”

Shao Jun’s voice rose slightly, “But that’s still their choice.”

Aunt Dong paused, looking at Shao Jun with a puzzled expression. “Why are you defending her?”

Shao Jun’s eyes flickered for a moment before he quickly shook the fan in his hand, saying, “I’m not defending her. I’m just stating the truth. The army isn’t a place where just anyone can make it. It’s even more selective than getting into university. You can use connections to get in, but if you want to become an officer, you have to rely on your own abilities.”

Aunt Dong stood her ground, “I think it would’ve been better if she stayed in the army. She could’ve found a commander to marry, that would’ve been a good deal. Coming back after being discharged to take the college entrance exam with just a week of revision—there’s no way she’s going to pass.”

Shao Jun actually thought the same—that Meng Li wouldn’t pass the exam.

But he didn’t say anything further. Instead, he simply remarked, “If she doesn’t pass today, she can just try again next year.”

Aunt Dong wasn’t interested in continuing the argument. She shooed him away and focused on preparing the meal.

Shao Jun didn’t insist on staying. He glanced at Meng Li in the yard before turning and walking out of the courtyard.

As soon as Shao Jun stepped out of the courtyard, he hadn’t walked more than a few steps when Luo Yongmei caught up with him.

She caught up and started talking to him, and, as usual, her words were all about Meng Li, dripping with sourness.

However, Shao Jun was acting strangely. He unexpectedly defended Meng Li, speaking a couple of words in her favor.

Luo Yongmei, feeling even more frustrated, glared at Shao Jun and said, “Since when have you sided with her? What’s this about protecting her?”

Shao Jun, casually, replied, “It’s not about protecting her, just speaking some truth.”

Luo Yongmei, her eyes reddening with anger, stomped her foot and turned back toward the courtyard.

…

Meanwhile, Meng Li had finished picking vegetables with Grandma Cheng in the front of the North Room. Afterward, she stayed with her to help prepare the meal.

When Gu Huijuan and Cheng Chunliang came back, Meng Li quietly stood up and left without even saying goodbye.

Gu Huijuan was momentarily stunned when she saw Meng Li, and she turned to Cheng Chunliang, asking, “Who’s that?”

Cheng Chunliang took a moment to think before replying, “Isn’t that Meng Li?”

At Cheng Chunliang’s reminder, Gu Huijuan finally recognized Meng Li, noting how much she had changed over the past two years.

She hadn’t expected such a transformation in such a short time.

During dinner, Gu Huijuan asked Grandma Cheng, “That ungrateful girl didn’t even call anyone, so why is she back?”

Tang Yuan’er, who had been out playing, was surprised to learn that Meng Li had returned as well.

Grandma Cheng, holding the just-awake Cheng Chen in her arms, was gently coaxing him as she spoke, “She’s back after being discharged from the army. She just finished the college entrance exam today and came over to visit. She really has changed a lot. At first, I almost didn’t recognize her.”

Gu Huijuan, picking up a piece of soybean with her chopsticks, put it in her mouth and said, “Discharged from the army? College entrance exam? She must be joking.”

Grandma Cheng took a bite of a steamed bun and responded, “Why would it be a joke? She took the exam today, and she feels like she did well.”

Gu Huijuan let out a derisive laugh. “How many days of schooling has she had? Going for the college exam… She doesn’t even feel embarrassed. Just look at Shao Jun and Yongmei. They signed up for tutoring classes as soon as they came back last year. They attended every class, but did they pass?”

Grandma Cheng wanted to say more in defense of Meng Li, but she didn’t want to argue with Gu Huijuan, so she decided to remain silent.

Whether Meng Li would pass or not would be clear once the results came out anyway.

Gu Huijuan didn’t discuss the matter further with Grandma Cheng. After dinner, she took Cheng Chen outside to cool off and chatted with a few neighbors. Only then did the conversation turn back to Meng Li.

She held Cheng Chen’s hand as they walked, saying, “I know my own child. She could join the army, but luck had a part to play in that. But look, even though she went to the army, she couldn’t make it as an officer. As soon as her service ended, she came back. What’s there to show for it? Now she’s trying to take the college entrance exam, thinking that if she gives it a shot, something might happen. But college isn’t about luck—it’s about real ability.”

Shao Jun, overhearing this, felt uncomfortable and spoke up, “Aunt, why are you looking down on Meng Li so much?”

Gu Huijuan shot him a glance, “I’m not looking down on her. I know her strengths and limitations very well. I’m just being honest. She’s never been someone with much promise.”

Shao Jun shook his head and gave a faint smile.

Beside him, Luo Yongmei shot him a look and whispered, “What’s wrong with you? Have you lost your mind?”

Shao Jun turned to Luo Yongmei and whispered, “What nonsense are you talking? Who’s lost their mind?”

Luo Yongmei, clearly angry, pursed her lips and stormed off to her house.

The adults continued their chat, but now they shifted the focus away from Meng Li and started talking about Shao Jun and Luo Yongmei.

Luo Yongmei’s father turned to Shao Jun, “You and our Yongmei, you two have to pass this time. You’ve been studying for a whole year again. If you don’t pass now, that’ll be really embarrassing.”

Gu Huijuan chimed in, “Shao Jun and Yongmei are so hardworking, attending big classes every day, doing practice problems. This time, there’s no doubt they’ll make it.”

Aunt Dong sighed, “Let’s hope so. If they don’t pass this time, they can’t stay at home anymore. We’ll have to find them a job.”

Shao Jun turned around and replied, “It’s just finished; don’t jinx it with such pessimistic talk.”

Gu Huijuan smiled and let go of Cheng Chen’s hand, “Shao Jun and Yongmei will succeed, no problem.”

Though everyone was saying reassuring things, they were just trying to make each other feel better inside.

“Success or failure isn’t something that can be determined just by what others say.”

After the college entrance exam, everyone who participated was waiting for their results.

As long as they managed to pass, they could go to university in September. It sounded quite promising.

Gu Huijuan went to work every day, and would chat with her colleagues at the school about this matter.

Her interest wasn’t because of Meng Li, but because of Shao Jun and Luo Yongmei. In her mind, Meng Li had nothing to do with the words “university.” However, she had always believed that Shao Jun and Luo Yongmei would amount to something.

Nearly a month passed in anticipation, and the time to release the results finally came.

Shao Jun and Luo Yongmei went together to the Education Reform Committee to collect their transcripts, but when they returned, their faces were filled with dejection.

Just looking at their faces, one could tell without asking—they hadn’t passed again this year.

Both of them had applied to the Normal College, but one was short by six points, and the other by eighteen.

When Gu Huijuan left for work in the morning, she knew that Shao Jun and Luo Yongmei would be going to collect their transcripts. So, as soon as she got home in the evening, she eagerly asked if they had passed.

When she heard they hadn’t, she laughed and added, “Stop kidding around, this isn’t something to joke about.”

Aunt Dong’s expression was despondent. “It’s not a joke.”

The smile on Gu Huijuan’s face froze completely. After a long pause, she managed a dry laugh and said, “It’s alright, they can try again next year.”

After saying this, she felt unsettled, as if her earlier laughter had been a deliberate mockery of the two.

During dinner, she still regretted her words, thinking she shouldn’t have asked like that.

Grandma Cheng had already heard about this earlier in the day and had sighed in her heart. At that moment, her thoughts were on Meng Li. After overhearing Gu Huijuan and Cheng Chunliang talk for a while, she asked, “I wonder if Meng Li managed to pass.”

Gu Huijuan had no doubt about the outcome and simply said, “If Shao Jun and Yongmei didn’t pass, how could she possibly have passed?”

Grandma Cheng sighed, no longer holding any hope for the situation.

Looking at the people around her, it was clear how few had actually passed. Despite all the effort, most still failed.

Gu Huijuan didn’t pay much attention to Meng Li’s situation either. That night, as she was about to go to bed, she quietly talked with Cheng Chunliang in their room. When the conversation turned to Shao Jun and Luo Yongmei, she suddenly started to lose her respect for them. She said she must have misjudged them; those two were probably never going to amount to anything.

Cheng Chunliang didn’t say much in response but remarked, “There are so many educated youths returning to the city now. It’s really hard to find work in the city. All the jobs that can be arranged have already been filled, even street sweeping has people competing for it. They’ve delayed for so long, finding a job will be a problem.”

Gu Huijuan turned to look at him, “Doesn’t your factory need people?”

Cheng Chunliang looked up at the curtain. “With the current situation, how could we be short on workers? If they want to come, I guess we can squeeze them in. But they’ll only be able to do the lowest-level work. There aren’t any decent positions available.”

Gu Huijuan thought for a moment. “Maybe their family has made arrangements for them. Let’s not worry about it for now.”

Cheng Chunliang nodded. “We’ll deal with it if the need arises.”

Gu Huijuan didn’t give it much thought. After all, they were just neighbors, not family.

The next day, Gu Huijuan got up early as usual, prepared her lessons, and went to class.

After finishing the second lesson of the morning, she returned to her desk and poured hot water into her white porcelain tea mug.

Just as she was about to blow on it and take a sip, Teacher Wen, who was sitting in front of her, suddenly turned around and asked, “Teacher Gu, did you see the newspaper today?”

Gu Huijuan wasn’t in the habit of reading newspapers. She took a sip of water and replied, “I didn’t. What’s going on?”

Teacher Wen glanced at her. “I remember your son… no, daughter—her name is Meng Li, right? Is she this year’s top scorer in our city’s college entrance exam?”

Gu Huijuan froze, her hand pausing mid-air with the teacup still in her grasp.

Teacher Wen continued, “‘Meng’ as in the pear tree, right?”

At that, the tension in Gu Huijuan’s body suddenly eased.

Her expression relaxed, and she sat down, replying calmly, “No, that’s not it. My daughter’s name is written with the character for ‘parting’—离.”

Teacher Wen nodded, “I thought so. You’ve always said that child isn’t doing well, and I was wondering how she could possibly be the top scorer. But this year’s top scorer is really impressive—only twenty years old, and she scored such high marks. You know, in recent years, not many young students have passed the exam, and there are even quite a few who are married with children, mostly from the old third tier. She’s not only young, but also really beautiful. You should see her photo in the newspaper…”

As Teacher Wen spoke, Gu Huijuan absentmindedly picked up the newspaper from her desk.

She casually flipped through a few pages until she reached the section about the local top scorer in this year’s college entrance exam. She had originally intended to just glance through it, but as soon as she saw the photo in the paper, she froze.

Her breath became shallow, and her heart felt as though it had lodged in her throat.

Gu Huijuan carefully read the text next to the photo, confirming the information over and over. Then, she suddenly remembered—Meng Li had changed her name before going to the army.

Her gaze lingered for a moment on the words “Beijing University Medical School” before moving back up to the photo.

Gu Huijuan’s hand, holding the newspaper, began to tremble. Her fingers shook one by one, and she pinched the base of her left thumb with her right hand.

After the pinch, she tried to tell herself it wasn’t a dream. She tightened her breath, trying to suppress the rapid beat of her heart, and forced out a few words, her voice unsteady, “It… it’s my daughter…”

Teacher Wen was still talking when she suddenly froze upon hearing Gu Huijuan’s words.

After a moment of confusion, she came back to herself, her brow furrowing as she looked at Gu Huijuan. “Huh?”

Gu Huijuan’s hand shook more intensely as she looked up at Teacher Wen. “Wh-what… what should I do? It really is my daughter…”

Teacher Wen blinked in surprise, clearly bewildered. “But shouldn’t you be happy?”

Gu Huijuan held her breath, glancing back and forth between Teacher Wen and the newspaper. Then, she suddenly grabbed the paper, quickly left the office, and walked out.

Teacher Wen sat there, still confused, furrowing her brows again, clearly not understanding what had just happened.