◎ Third Update ◎ 

Liang Baozhen couldn’t help but laugh when she heard Xiaowei say, “Xu Gaokao.” This name really has a commemorative significance. Just like many people today are named after significant historical events that happened in the year they were born. 

However, naming her own child Xu Gaokao? She quickly reconsidered; she feared the child might start crying before it was even born. 

Anyway, there’s plenty of time to decide. If it turns out to be a girl, she’ll follow Xu Shengjie’s suggestion and avoid using the character “Gao” for the next generation. 

In the Liang family, her generation is the “Bao” generation, and all her siblings use this name. Xu Shengjie’s generation is the “Sheng” generation. If her daughter were named Xu Gao X, it just wouldn’t sound right. 

Since Xu Shengjie has already spoken, she’ll let him handle it when the time comes. The Xu family’s ancestors are gone, and with only Grandmother left, there shouldn’t be much of a problem. 

Soon after, Liang Baozhen announced her pregnancy. Since the first three months had passed, it was safe to share the news. Everyone in the courtyard congratulated her. Cheng Caili was the happiest, thinking that since she and Liang Baozhen would have their babies around the same time and perhaps, they can arrange a match for their children! 

She had some things she used during her pregnancy at home, but they were no longer needed, so she gave them all to Liang Baozhen. They were convenient and practical, and she also wanted to test the waters. “Baozhen, your belly isn’t visible yet. If you have a son, our two families can arrange a marriage.” 

Arranging marriages for children is still quite popular these days. It’s all about strengthening connections, especially since marriage in the past was mostly arranged blindly. It’s better to arrange something with someone whose background is known. 

Xu Shengjie and Liang Baozhen are both respectable people, and Cheng Caili thought having them as her daughter’s future in-laws would be great. She felt assured! It’s better than having her daughter end up with an unknown family. 

“Sure, I don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl yet. If it’s a boy, we can arrange the match with you.” Liang Baozhen had a good relationship with Cheng Caili and arranging a match for their children seemed like a good idea. 

The two mothers chatted about it excitedly, but little did they know that the two fathers were actually opposed to the idea! 

Cheng Caili went home and told Lu Yuan about this matter, only to be firmly rejected by Lu Yuan, who was holding their daughter. “No, no, my daughter can’t just marry anyone! When it comes to finding a son-in-law, I have to make sure he’s the right person. I can’t just let anyone marry my daughter.” 

Xu Shengjie, who didn’t have a child to hold yet, also disagreed upon hearing this. He touched his wife’s belly and said seriously, “I think it’s a girl, so this marriage can’t be arranged.” 

He had noticed how Lu Yuan often showed off their daughter, and honestly, the little Lu girl was quite charming. She smiles so sweetly at such a young age. Seeing this, Xu Shengjie also wants to have a daughter. 

Looking at his younger siblings, Xu Shengwei was playing energetically, with sweat-soaked hair and a loud voice. He accidentally bumped into a door frame but just rubbed his forehead and continued playing. Xu Shengya was playing jump rope with a few girls in the courtyard. 

Forget it, he decided he still wanted a daughter! 

 *** 

At the State Cotton Factory, colleagues in the office also knew about Liang Baozhen’s pregnancy and congratulated her. Xue Lijun, upon hearing this, even inquired about her health. After all, the previous broadcaster had to leave early due to pregnancy, and if Liang Baozhen were to do the same, they’d have to go through it again. 

“Thank you, Director Xue, for your concern. I’m in good health, and my child doesn’t bother me much.” 

It’s strange, in the past few months, Liang Baozhen is fine as long as she doesn’t smell the smell of fish and gasoline. No other smell can bother her. But as soon as she smells these two smells, she feels like vomiting and feels uncomfortable. Because of this, she can’t take the bus back to Damei Village this year and will have to stay at home.

“That’s good. If you can’t hold on any longer, remember to tell us.” Xue Lijun said to the other people in the office, “If Comrade Xiao Liang has any problems at work, please lend a hand if you can. Let’s help each other and make progress together.” 

“Director Xue, don’t worry.” 

“From now on, let Song Ming pour the water and serve us female comrades.” Zhu Jinyu teased Song Ming with a smile. 

“Sure, it’s my honor to serve my female comrades.” 

The previous broadcaster took the initiative to apply for a transfer after she had a baby. She took a less busy position and is now in charge of the archives room so that she can take care of her children more conveniently. Liang Baozhen has been the broadcaster ever since. She now broadcasts twice a day, mainly at noon and 5 p.m. If there are important events to be reported in the factory, she will make additional announcements. 

That day, she announced the newspaper notice about the restoration of college entrance examinations. This was the most concerning news lately; even high school graduates from the old generation could participate, and anyone could take the exam. 

Many workers at the factory were eager to participate. They have been borrowing books privately from everywhere recently. All their old high school textbooks are gone, and they heard that all the books in the flea market have been sold out. 

They work during the day and review by kerosene lamps at night. Some have even taken leave to prepare seriously for the exam. 

Factory Director Chen Yong, Party Secretary Tang Tiansheng, and Deputy Factory Director Wu Bingnian encouraged the workers to participate actively, as long as it didn’t affect the production. It was good to have a strong desire to learn. 

In recent years, various places have gradually recognized highly educated talents. In the past, everyone relied solely on experience and made a living by relying on the skills they had accumulated over many years. But now highly educated talents are gradually being valued, and they will probably become even more important in the future. 

The State Cotton Factory recently recruited several college students who graduated from the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University. Although they were recommended for admission, their university experience made a significant difference. 

“We need to make good use of this talent. These university graduates are hard to come by; we should fully utilize their advantages to help us refine our techniques and update our equipment.” 

After the meeting, Chen Yong and his secretary Xiao Fang returned to the office. As soon as they entered the room, Secretary Fang reported something to him. “Director, Siming is back.” 

“Why is he back?” Chen Siming still had a year and a half of labor reform remaining. 

“Sixian, help Siming. I heard that Sixian used his connections to let him leave the farm quietly for three days before going back.” Secretary Fang has known Chen Yong for more than ten years. Secretary Fang has been the factory director’s secretary for seven years and has a close relationship with the Chen family. 

“Sixian is really capable.” When Chen Yong heard that it was his eldest son who settled the matter, he stopped talking and let them sort it out themselves. 

After returning from the farm this time, Chen Siming had become a different person at home. He was quiet and well-behaved and spoke in a gentle and polite manner. Guo Mingli felt distressed when she saw this, especially because her second son had lost a lot of weight, so he must have suffered. 

She prepared a table of delicious dishes, including braised fish, braised pork, chicken stewed with mushrooms, pork and cabbage dumplings, white flour buns, and stir-fried cabbage. 

“Siming, eat more! Look how thin you are.” Guo Mingli glanced at her daughter-in-law Dong Jiayan, who was standing next to her son. She seemed to have lost some weight as well. This time, her daughter-in-law was kind and righteous. She followed her son to the farm. She rarely showed a good face to her, “Jiayan, eat more too.” 

“Thank you, Mother.” Dong Jiayan had indeed suffered a lot this time. She had finally escaped the countryside only to end up in another one. Even though she wasn’t undergoing reform herself, life was still tough for her. Fortunately, the Chen family had been helping behind the scenes so that she could breathe a sigh of relief. 

But it’s okay. The Chen family has been much kinder to her lately. Just now, her mother-in-law, Guo Mingli stuffed ten big unity notes into her pocket and told her to buy some good things if conditions allowed at the farm and not to let herself go hungry. 

Of course, she knew this money was meant to ensure she took good care of Chen Siming. 

“Father, Big Brother, I’ve thought a lot about my time at the farm. I realize now how many foolish things I’ve done. I’ve truly awakened and will definitely improve my thoughts and strive to be more aware in the future.” 

Chen Yong looked at his second son and felt somewhat relieved. After all, he was still his own flesh and blood; no matter how much trouble he caused, he couldn’t escape his family ties. If he could turn things around, that would be enough. 

“Learn more from your elder brother in the future. Our Chen family must be united.” As he said this, he picked up a piece of meat for his son. 

Chen Siming raised his glass and looked at his elder brother Chen Sixian. “Brother, I was ignorant before; please don’t take it personally. I will learn from you and make progress in the future.” 

Although Chen Sixian always felt envy and jealousy in his heart because his mother loved his younger brother more, he was his own brother after all, and he had to help him no matter what. “Siming, don’t be so polite. We are brothers; we should work hard together!” 

Guo Mingli almost burst into tears when she saw her husband and his two sons getting along so harmoniously. 

After lunch, Chen Yong and Chen Sixian went out to do some work. Guo Mingli talked to Chen Siming for a long time, with tears streaming down her face. She then felt tired and went to take a nap. 

Seeing that there was no one in the living room, Chen Siming finally sighed. His originally kind face suddenly changed, and a sneer appeared at the corner of his mouth. He quietly went to his father’s study. 

He had changed after spending half a year on the farm. He learned to be patient and think. He used to be too impulsive and reckless, so he needed to be careful with every step in the future. 

Gently twisting the door of Chen Yong’s study, he looked around for something in the cabinet. He searched carefully, with small movements. After moving some things, he immediately put it back to the original place. Then, he also opened the drawer, took out Chen Yong’s notebook, and flipped through its pages. The pages fluttered like a breeze. 

What’s stuck in there? 

Chen Siming returned to the page and saw an old yellowed photo inside. It was a photo of a beautiful woman with a beautiful face and a bright smile. She was wearing the work clothes of the State Cotton Factory and standing under a tree. He stared at the photo for a long time, but he couldn’t remember seeing this woman before. When he flipped it over, he saw some handwriting on the back: Wu Huacui, taken in May 1962. 

“Wu Huacui?” He felt the name sounded familiar but couldn’t recall where he had heard it. Why was there a photo of this woman in his father’s notebook?