Because Tie Yanming did not show up, Xu Xiaoyun collapsed for a while, wondering why everything was different from her previous life. 

At this time, she continued to fall into self-doubt and could not trust the people around her. 

Upon hearing the news that Gu Chengze and Tang Momo were about to get engaged, she also lost her desire to cause trouble. She tried hard to calm her emotions. After all, the college entrance examination was getting closer and closer, and that was the most important thing. 

But although she tried to convince herself not to pay attention to other things, 

Xu Xiaoyun’s mindset still was still affected. 

The news of their engagement surprised not only the people outside but also Zhang Xiaoli, who looked at them in shock, “Have you finally thought it through?” 

Tang Momo turned her head, quite proudly. “It’s not that I’ve thought it through; it’s that he passed my test.” 

“Okay then, you two just focus on preparing for the exam in peace and leave the rest to me.” 

After Zhang Xiaoli said that, she started thinking about the dowry. 

“It’s just an engagement; the two families can just have a meal together.” 

Tang Momo didn’t want anything too extravagant. 

“It can’t be too casual. We don’t have relatives to support you, and if we do it too casually, won’t that give others something to talk about?” 

Zhang Xiaoli didn’t want anyone to have that opportunity. 

Tang Momo sighed, knowing that Zhang Xiaoli was doing all this for her. She nodded and said, “Okay, then Mother, thank you for taking care of it.” 

“Mm, you should concentrate on preparing for the exam. If you really pass the exam, our family will be separated again.” 

At the end, Zhang Xiaoli couldn’t help but sigh. 

“Mother, you have so much confidence in me?” 

Tang Momo looked at Zhang Xiaoli with a smile. 

Zhang Xiaoli suddenly patted her shoulder, “What nonsense are you talking? You will definitely pass.”  

“Yes, yes, I will definitely pass the exam and become the first college student in our Tang family to bring honor to my father.” 

Hearing Tang Momo mention Tang Dajun, Zhang Xiaoli couldn’t help but pause for a moment. Now that life is getting better and better, she has less and less time to think about Dajun. After a moment of silence, she slowly said, “Find a time to take Xiao Gu to your father’s grave to pay respect.” 

The atmosphere suddenly became a little sad, and Tang Momo nodded slightly, “Mm, I understand.” 

Tang Momo was a woman of action, so she returned to the Qingshui Brigade with Gu Chengze the next day, planning to pay respect to Tang Dajun. 

When they got to the brigade, they heard everyone talking about the educated youths who were preparing to move and take the college entrance examination. They also heard that many married educated youths regretted it, but there were some who refused to give up and planned to study hard this month to participate in the exam. 

What surprised the others the most was Xu Xiaoyun; this girl, who had only graduated from middle school, was also moving to take the exam. Everyone was not optimistic about this. 

It was also at this time that Tang Momo remembered that according to the timeline, the educated youth who eloped with Xu Xiaoyun should have appeared, and she didn’t know if she was being retaliated against by Xu Xiaoyun now. 

“What are you looking at?” 

Seeing her eyes looking toward the Educated Youth House, Gu Chengze came over and asked in a low voice. 

Tang Momo shook her head, “It’s nothing, I was just thinking about how many college students our team can produce this year.” 

Tie Yanming and Xu Xiaoyun had nothing to do with Tang Momo, so Tang Momo quickly forgot about them. 

“We should strive to pass the exam, come back together, and hold a banquet.” 

After Gu Chengze finished speaking, he couldn’t help but raise the corners of his lips. 

Soon someone noticed them and asked about their engagement with a smile. 

Hearing that they also had to take the college entrance examination, everyone else looked disapprovingly. “You all have jobs; why are you messing around?” 

“We have a job anyway, so it doesn’t matter if we don’t pass the exam.” 

Gu Chengze knew that they all had good intentions and replied lightly 

After talking with these people, Gu Chengze and Tang Momo went to Gu’s house first. Zhao Xiuli was very happy to see the two of them back for a while. After that they proceed to Tang Dajun’s grave 

This was Gu Chengze’s first visit. So, he took care of the weeds nearby while Tang Momo set up the items she brought. In the end, she softly said, “Father, don’t worry. Our lives are getting better and will be even better in the future.” 

Gu Chengze stood beside her and waited for her to finish speaking before expressing his promised as well, “Uncle, don’t worry; I will take good care of Momo.” 

The two of them didn’t stay much longer. With the college entrance examination getting closer, time became more precious. 

The two returned to the city and started studying after work every day. Except for a few people in the dormitory, Tang Momo did not tell anyone else that she planned to take the college entrance examination. 

Yang Jianlin, on the other hand, came to the Publicity Department specifically to ask her if she had any plans to take the college entrance examination. 

Tang Momo naturally didn’t hide it from Yang Jianlin.  

With a smile in his voice, Yang Jianlin said, “I guessed you would participate. I have some materials sent by relatives, and I’ve already looked over them. You can take a look.” 

“Thanks, Brother Yang. I also have some materials I summarized myself. If you don’t mind, you can take a look too.” 

Tang Momo felt a bit touched that Yang Jianlin remembered her at this time. 

“Sure, let’s exchange them tomorrow.”  

The college entrance examination arrived, bringing everyone’s nervousness and anticipation. On this day, Tang Momo felt more anxious than she had during the exam in her previous life, but Gu Chengze beside her remained calm. 

Tang Momo patted her heart and comforted herself. After all, she had taken the college entrance examination. So, she shouldn’t be so afraid. 

After the college entrance examination, before Tang Momo and Gu Chengze could relax, they had to busy themselves with the engagement preparations. 

Since Tang Momo’s house in the city is small, they decided to hold their engagement banquet at the Gu family’s home for more convenience. 

Not many relatives came from the Gu family, and with Tang Momo’s family, there were only about three tables. 

Although there were few people, the dishes were well prepared. Probably because Zhao Xiuli had made arrangements in advance, the two aunts of the Gu family were particularly quiet and only speak up occasionally. 

Zhang Xiaoli felt even more relieved about this. It seemed that the Gu family was well aware of the situation. She thought that life would be easy if Momo married in. 

In short, the engagement went very smoothly because of the common understanding between the two families. 

*** 

After Xu Xiaoyun was kicked out by the Xu family, she had been living in the Educated Youth House and, since she needed their help, she became quite well-behaved. 

At that time, the news of the college entrance examination came, and everyone in the Educated Youth House was excited to take the exam. With their help, Xu Xiaoyun managed to finish reading the high school textbooks. For the remaining month, she got up early and stayed up late every day, just to review more. 

When she heard the news that Gu Chengze and Tang Momo were also taking the college entrance exam, she couldn’t help but sneer. Neither of them had gone to high school. They dared to sign up in just one month. They really thought the college entrance examination was that easy. Thinking of this, Xu Xiaoyun’s previously gloomy mood brightened a bit. 

She was looking forward to hear the news that the two of them failed.  

However, after the exam, Xu Xiaoyun was a bit frustrated. After all, she had never taken high school seriously, so she was not sure about many questions. 

But remembering that Tang Momo and Gu Chengze were participating, she felt less worried. She estimated that a lot of people taking the exam shared the same mindset with Tang Momo and the Gu Chengze —that even if they failed, they would still have their jobs. Also, they only started preparing after the news was announced, leaving them with just one month to get ready. Since they had to work and prepare at the same time, Xu Xiaoyun felt more confident because she had been studying for over a year compared to them.  

After the engagement, the two were officially recognized as a couple. So after returning from the Qingshui Brigade, Gu Chengze took Tang Momo to a photo studio.  

Tang Momo was a bit confused: “We’re not getting married, why are we taking photos?” 

“Who said you can only take photos when you’re married?” 

Before he changed his career, Gu Chengze was so envious when he saw Yang Dajun holding the photo of his partner. 

The photos from this time were all black and white, so Tang Momo didn’t like them. However, seeing the excitement on his face, she held back from ruining his mood. 

*** 

The days of waiting for the exam results were tough. Tang Momo often wondered what would happen if one of them didn’t pass—should they continue next year or not? 

Gu Chengze noticed Tang Momo’s worries. He placed his hands on her shoulders and said gently, “If I don’t pass this time, I’ll just continue next year until we both get in together.” 

Tang Momo blinked and asked, “What if it’s me who doesn’t pass?” 

“That’s impossible.” 

Gu Chengze replied without hesitation. 

Tang Momo laughed at his tone, “How can it be impossible?” 

“You will definitely make it.” 

He has seen Tang Momo’s efforts these days. Hard work pays off, and she will definitely be able to passed it. 

Moved by the determination in his eyes, Tang Momo nodded, “Don’t worry, we will both pass.” 

“Then what are your plans after passing the exam?” 

Gu Chengze asked carefully. 

Tang Momo knew he was asking about marriage indirectly. She smiled and said, “I have a lot of plans. You will know when the time comes.” 

“Your plans are my plans, so I want to know early.”  

What Gu Chengze said was very sincere, and he didn’t say it just to trick her into getting married quickly. 

This was his genuine thought. Before this, he had never considered what he wanted to do in the future, so her dreams became his dreams, and he would do everything he could to help her achieve them. 

“That’s not right. Think about your dreams. Didn’t you have something you really wanted to do?”  

Tang Momo felt that everyone had their own dreams, and he had just become stuck. Fortunately, there was still time, and he still had a chance to realize it. 

“Dreams?” 

Gu Chengze felt a bit confused. When he was young, he dreamed of being a teacher, but it was just a passing thought because he wanted to help kids like him who struggled with their education. 

“Yes, there’s no rush if you can’t think of it now. You still have a lot of time to think about it. I will tell you my plans later.” 

Tang Momo patted his shoulder, hoping he wouldn’t give up on anything because of her. 

Tang Momo’s previous plan was to set up a factory in Qingshui Brigade to produce fruit tea, dried fruits, juices, and cans. But she realized that she needed a significant amount of money. So she decided to continue her clothing business next year.   

Perhaps she could develop this area first? Tang Momo got lost in her thoughts, realizing she wanted to do too many things. 

Just when Gu Chengze was still confused about what his dream was, the results of the college entrance examination came out. With their scores, they should be set to go to university. 

However, the originally confident Xu Xiaoyun was surprised when she saw her scores. 

***

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