Chapter 144

The time was the summer of 1977.

In just two months, Xiao Fantuan, who had just turned ten, and Xiao Zhuzi, who had just turned eleven, were about to enter the final year of their primary school careers. 

If Fantuan hadn’t only attended half-day classes and spent the other half taking care of his younger siblings, concentrating all his energy on studying, he would probably have graduated from junior high school by now. 

However, in doing so, he would miss out on the best years of his childhood. A child without a happy childhood wouldn’t have a fully fulfilling life.

Xiao Fantuan was much smarter than the average child. Fortunately, his parents were his best life mentors, making the best life plans for him. 

Since entering school, he has consistently held first place in his grade, without fail. At the same time, he was also the happiest and most playful student in the whole school. 

He never missed out on anything that children his age could try or play with, and he excelled in chess, books, and drawing, setting an example among his peers. 

Only Zhuzi, who had always been diligent, could compete with him.

They were a group of children who grew up in love. In this turbulent time, they were all growing up well while enjoying the joy of growing up with their younger siblings. Xiao Tangyuan and Xiao Roubao were just like Xiao Doubao when they were young. Their older brothers would occasionally carry them on their backs to class.

Xiao Roubao, who was over three years old, was still the epitome of mischief. He ate anything he saw—chubby and adorable, but very mischievous, especially compared to Xiao Doubao, who was sweet and obedient at the age of three. 

Sometimes, he would make his older brothers so angry that they would spank him, but Xiao Roubao didn’t hold grudges. With just a piece of candy, he would happily follow behind Fantuan, calling him “Big Brother.” 

Fantuan used to worry the most about someone trying to take away his sweet and lovely sister, but now he worries more about someone tricking his youngest brother away with candy. So now, he kept a closer eye on Xiao Roubao than Xiao Tangyuan.

The only place where Xiao Roubao behaved well was probably in class. It was strange because anywhere else outside the classroom, he was a little troublemaker, often causing chaos at home. But as soon as he entered the classroom, he sat more upright than anyone else, listening attentively to the teacher’s lecture, looking as if he understood every word of the fifth-grade math problems.

Xiao Roubao sometimes goes to class with his second brother and sometimes goes to class with his Eldest Brother. It all depends on whether his Big Brother Fantuan brother gave him biscuits to eat or if his Second brother Douabo gave him candy. In short, he followed whoever gave him food.

Fantuan’s main focus now is on Xiao Roubao. Every day, he worries that their Xiao Roubao at home might be deceived with sweets if they’re not careful. 

Xiao Tangyuan is mostly taken care of by Xiao Zhuzi, who is gentle and caring. He looks after his sister much more attentively than Fantuan, so the lively and beautiful Xiao Tangyuan always accompanies her Brother Zhuzi to class. 

Xiao Zhuzi protected her closely; his classmates could only glance at her, but if anyone dared to lay a hand on her, he would lose his temper.

Xiao Tangyuan is sweet and cute, especially when she smiles, revealing shallow dimples and tiny white teeth. Who wouldn’t want such a beautiful little sister?

Once, a male classmate sitting behind Xiao Zhuzi couldn’t resist reaching out and pulling the small bun on Xiao Tangyuan’s head. Perhaps he didn’t notice his strength, as Xiao Tangyuan cried out in pain, her eyes turning red. Xiao Zhuzi felt heartbroken and immediately pinned the person to the ground and punched him.

Fantuan, Zhuzi, Xiao Yu, and the others have been training with their father since childhood, especially after the age of ten. The intensity of their training is comparable to that of the new recruits under Zhao Xianfeng and Zhang Hongtu. 

When they really get into action, not only are they unmatched by peers of the same age, but even older middle or high school students wouldn’t stand a chance against them. 

That was the first time their classmates realized that Zhang Zhu, no, Zhang Xiuyuan, actually had a temper. It’s one thing to provoke him, but if someone messes with the cute Tangyuan on his back, they will truly regret it.

After that incident, no one dared to touch Xiao Tangyuan again.

Xiao Doubao, who is seven years old, is about to become a third-grade student. Unlike his brothers, he’s quieter and more studious, a scholarly type. Due to his excellent foundation acquired from accompanying his brothers to class since childhood, many pieces of knowledge are already imprinted in his mind without much effort. He skipped kindergarten and second grade and went directly to third grade when school started.

Xiao Doubao’s favorite thing to do is to study with his younger brother. He has already passed on the small blackboard he used for years to his brother, allowing him to use it for writing and drawing. 

Xiao Roubao also likes to draw, but he has his own style and persistence in drawing things. He only draws food and likes to draw anything that can be put into his mouth, but he firmly refuses to draw anything that cannot be eaten.

Xiao Roubao, who is over three years old, already knows most foods and has an absolute talent for eating. Some foods may not be remembered by his brothers, but as long as he has eaten or seen them, he will definitely remember them.

His favorite thing to do is go to the kitchen and watch his mother cook. No matter what dish his mother makes, he always becomes the first taste tester. Surprisingly, no matter how salty, light, sour, or sweet it is, he eats it right away, which has led Su Xiaoxiao to develop the habit of letting Xiao Roubao taste a bite before the dish is served.

On this particular day, Han Cheng returned home for lunch, bringing along with him some significant news. He held his wife tightly, a rare excitement in his voice as he said, “Xiaoxiao, the college entrance examination might be coming back soon.”

Today it was Xiao Roubao’s turn to pick the dish, and the little one wanted honey-glazed BBQ pork. Su Xiaoxiao was in the midst of slicing the BBQ pork when she instinctively cut a piece and offered it to Xiao Roubao to taste. Han Cheng’s embrace interrupted her feeding, and Xiao Roubao, with his mouth wide open, waiting eagerly, closed it displeased and tugged at his father’s trousers, “Daddy, you’re blocking my meat!”

Han Cheng didn’t react and looked down at the little one, who was barely taller than his knee, pinching his chubby cheeks, “Where did Daddy block your meat?”

Xiao Roubao pulled off his father’s hand and said, “It’s not my meat, it’s the meat Mommy wants to give Xiao Roubao to eat!”

Su Xiaoxiao chuckled and handed a piece of BBQ pork to his mouth, “Here, our little taste tester, try it and tell Mommy if it tastes right.”

Xiao Roubao ate the meat handed over by his mother with satisfaction, chewed it slowly, and savored it carefully for a while before finally swallowing it down. He said seriously to his mother, “Mommy, this is too little. I might need another bite to truly taste it.”

Su Xiaoxiao didn’t believe him for a second. She knew his tricks to get more meat, having used them countless times before, but still found them amusing. She said with narrowed eyes, “Children who lie to Mommy won’t have any meat in the future.”

Xiao Roubao tilted his head cutely and said, “Okay Mommy, I lied to you. Actually, the meat is super delicious, and Xiao Roubao wants another piece.”

Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but cut another piece, handing it to him, “You can only have one more piece, we’ll eat the rest together later.”

Xiao Roubao is not greedy. He was already satisfied to have two pieces of meat in advance. He danced happily and said: “I love you, Mommy, Mommy’s BBQ pork is the best in the world!”

Han Cheng couldn’t handle the overly affectionate little one, so he put him down and patted his chubby bottom, “Go call your brothers, it’s time for dinner.”

Xiao Roubao was always eager when it came to food. He toddled off to call his big brothers and ask them to help set the table for dinner.

Su Xiaoxiao resumed their previous conversation, “You said the college entrance examination might be coming back soon? How did you get this news so quickly? Wasn’t it supposed to be in October… cough cough…”

Su Xiaoxiao almost let it slip, remembering that the notice for the first restoration of the college entrance examination seemed to have been issued around October 1977. The announcement was followed by the examination, which started just over a month later. Because it was the only winter college entrance examination in history, Su Xiaoxiao had some impressions of it. 

Due to the rushed timeline, the admission rate that year was abysmally low, earning it the nickname “crossing a single-log bridge amid a thousand troops and ten thousand horses,” making it the college entrance examination with the lowest admission rate in history. At that time, with much work to be done, the country was eager for talent. Half a year later, they welcomed the second college entrance examination. So, the college entrance examinations for 1977 and 1978 were particularly close in timing. It was only July now, how could there be news so soon?

Han Cheng thought Su Xiaoxiao had choked on her own saliva, as he didn’t quite catch her question. He turned around to pour her some water.

Su Xiaoxiao breathed a sigh of relief and asked again, “Is there news?”

Han Cheng handed the glass of water to Su Xiaoxiao. “News from the capital. The great leader proposed this suggestion immediately upon returning to office. It has already been arranged on the agenda and relevant meetings are about to be held. Although it hasn’t been officially announced yet, I think at the latest by next year, this will definitely happen. It might even be this year. Smile, we’ve been waiting for this for so many years. You’ve never put down your books all these years. Your dream of going to university can soon be realized. Your perseverance will surely pay off. I’m happy for you!”

Han Cheng was getting excited, almost incoherent. He had known that someday this would happen, but it was the first time in many years that he had such specific news. After a certain group was disbanded, Han Cheng had been closely following related news every day. This time, he finally saw hope.

No one understood better than Han Cheng how much Su Xiaoxiao wanted to go to college. It had been ten years since Su Xiaoxiao graduated from high school. Except for the days when she gave birth to children, she hadn’t put down her books for a single day. His wife had studied hard for twelve years, ranking first every year and diligently reviewing for ten years. She had been waiting for this delayed opportunity to take the college entrance examination for a full decade. Could Han Cheng not be excited?

Su Xiaoxiao was originally fine. She had already completed her postgraduate studies in her previous life and wasn’t particularly longing for college life. However, this was the original owner’s dream, the wish of the entire Su family, and also a way to slap those ignorant people who had said that her studying was useless and waited to see her make a fool of herself. So, she really had to go to university.

Seeing Han Cheng so excited, she couldn’t help but feel excited and said, “That’s great, really great. Han Cheng, from today, we need to revise our study plan and strive to get into the top university in the capital.”

Su Xiaoxiao’s previous school was a decent university. She had completed both her undergraduate and master’s degrees there. But compared to the top universities, there was still a certain gap. In this life, if she had the opportunity, she wanted to experience the atmosphere of studying at top-tier universities.

Han Cheng hugged his wife and kissed her forehead. “Xiaoxiao, you’re good enough. You’ve been reviewing the knowledge of junior and senior high school for ten years. You just need to have confidence in yourself. As long as you relax and take the exam, you have nothing to fear.”

Su Xiaoxiao nodded. “Hmm, by the way, do many people know about this news? Those who want to take the college entrance exam could use a bit of extra time to prepare. They could gain an edge over others if they knew earlier. Can I tell Dad and the others about this news? So that the commune’s candidates, especially the educated youth, can start preparing?”

Han Cheng shook his head. “Let’s wait a bit longer. This is just a small rumor. What if the proposal doesn’t pass? It might cause unnecessary chaos. Besides, people like you, who haven’t abandoned their books, aren’t afraid to take the exam at any time. But for those who have left their books behind for years, even a month earlier or later doesn’t make much difference. It’s not something that can be done by panicking at the last minute. However, we can help them prepare more textbooks for high school. When the time comes, we can send them to Dad. I’m worried that once the news spreads, everyone will rush to grab the textbooks.”

Su Xiaoxiao nodded. “Okay, I’ll listen to you.”

Han Cheng hugged his wife and rubbed her hair. 

Fantuan, who came in to help prepare dinner, saw his parents cuddling together in the kitchen. Although he was used to it, Fantuan couldn’t help but sigh. His parents were truly the most affectionate couple he had ever seen. “You’re already an old married couple, yet you’re still so lovey-dovey? Okay, ignore me, continue, continue…”

Su Xiaoxiao blushed and let go of Han Cheng.

Han Cheng glanced at his eldest son, who was already as tall as his wife. “You brat, go set the table.”

As Fantuan grew older, he became more humorous. He clasped his hands together and bowed to his father. “Alright, Master Han, I’ll serve your meal immediately!”

Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but laugh. “What story did the radio talk about today?”

Since they could receive more channels on the radio, especially channels that told stories, the children in the family were particularly happy. They would squat and listen every day at the scheduled time, sometimes even imitating a few lines.

Han Cheng laughed and scolded him. “You rascal, always so mischievous. I wonder who you learned it from.”

Fantuan replied, “Master Han, don’t worry. Both of my parents are intelligent. I inherited their intelligence and wisdom from a young age and became self-taught.”

Han Cheng thought to himself, “…….” Today his hand is itching to spank his son.