Chapter 148

When Su Xiaoxiao cried, the whole family panicked.

The four cubs all gathered around their mother and comforted her with their chatter:

Xiao Fantuan said, “Mom, we’ve been waiting for this day for so long. Why are you still crying?”

Clumsily, Xiao Doubao wiped away his mother’s tears and said, “Don’t cry, Mom, please don’t cry.”

Xiao Roubao handed his mother a boiled egg, saying, “Mom, eat this. Eating eggs will make you happy.”

Xiao Tangyuan, not understanding what was going on, hugged her mother, looking like she might cry too.

Han Cheng sighed and stood up, embracing his wife and children. He rubbed his chin against Su Xiaoxiao’s head and said, “Don’t worry, your Mom is just happy. She has been waiting for this day for ten years. Let her be happy for a while.”

Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t argue. She didn’t have strong feelings about the college entrance examination herself. After all, she had experienced it in her past life and had spent many years in university. These emotions were from the original owner, and she couldn’t control them. Furthermore, she empathized with the historical significance of witnessing the transition from darkness to light, a feeling she couldn’t explain.

“It’s okay, Mom is just happy. Has the official notice been released?” Su Xiaoxiao asked Han Cheng.

Han Cheng said, “This kind of major news should be announced simultaneously. Even if the official notice has reached the military district earlier, it will only be made public today, including on television and in newspapers. We should see a flood of news later.”

As expected, in an area of the military district where the broadcast had been silent for a long time, the announcer’s voice suddenly boomed, filled with excitement: “Attention comrades, attention comrades! We are about to announce a major news. The Ministry of Education has decided to reinstate the unified enrollment system for college entrance examinations starting this year…

Comrades, in summary, it’s just four words: the college entrance examination is back! Let me repeat: Comrades, we finally have the college entrance examination back after ten years! We, ordinary people, finally have the opportunity to receive a higher education and to go to university! Wuwu…”

The announcer, overcome with excitement, started speaking in dialect, as he too was from the third batch, eagerly awaiting the chance to take the college entrance examination and go to university. As he spoke, he couldn’t help but cry in the broadcasting room.

The crowd that heard the broadcast was boiling:

“Did I hear correctly? Did the broadcast just say the college entrance examination is reinstated?”

“Yes, you heard right! I heard it too, the college entrance examination is back!”

“The college entrance examination is back!”

…………

At the same time, Sujia Village.
Su Weimin’s hands were shaking uncontrollably after receiving the official document. It took him a long time to calm down, and even then, his hands trembled as he sat in the broadcasting room and turned on the radio. His voice quivered as he announced, “Attention, all members of the community, please temporarily halt your activities. I have an important announcement to make…

Comrades, I’ll say it once again, the college entrance examination is reinstated! Comrades, knowledge truly has the power to change one’s destiny. Those who have no issues with their political reviews, who are willing and eager to study, and who aspire to change their fate by entering university, please gather at the designated spot for further discussion on our future work and study arrangements.

I understand more than anyone how precious this opportunity is, because my daughter, Su Xiaoxiao, also waited for ten years for this chance. Just like you, she will participate in this year’s college entrance examination. The production team will ensure that everyone has sufficient time for studying without affecting production. Make good use of this time to review and seize this opportunity.”

The members of Sujia Village are also boiling, especially the educated youth who had no connections to return to the city, they were already weeping in despair. This was their only path back to the city.

“What does Secretary Su mean? The college entrance examination is reinstated? Does it mean we can go to university?”

“Hold on, did Secretary Su say that Su Xiaoxiao is going to take the college entrance examination? If I remember correctly, isn’t she almost thirty years old? No way, at such an age, having already given birth to two children, she’s still going to take the college entrance examination?”

“That’s right, aside from the question of whether she can pass the exam or not, even if she does, is she going to attend school with a bunch of kids much younger than her? Oh my, isn’t she afraid of being ridiculed?”

“I can’t say that for sure. I remember Xiaoxiao started studying early, she should be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight this year.”

“What’s the difference between twenty-seven or twenty-eight and thirty? Who at that age still goes to school? In my opinion, she’s just obsessed. Who’s going to take care of her kids at home if she goes to school? Remember how she refused to marry anyone for years just to study and then ended up marrying an educated youth? And do you remember she even jumped into the well to marry him?”

“I remember, how can we forget such a big event? But she’s been lucky, hasn’t she? In the end, she married Director Han and gave birth to twins. Maybe she might actually pass the college entrance examination.”

“Daydreaming, I really don’t believe someone who put down books for ten years to become a mother can surpass a bunch of kids who go to school every day.”

(T/N: these hateful aunties need to stfu.)
…

These gossiping busybodies, always full from eating and having nothing better to do, always missed the point. They turned serious matters into gossip and spent their days joyously chewing on rumors. To them, every piece of good news turned into a sour taste in their mouths.

As Xiao Bao was passing by after school and overheard these gossiping women talking about his aunt, he felt the urge to pick up a corn cob and throw it at them.

However, he had grown into a well-mannered and sensible young boy. He decided not to stoop down to the level of these ignorant women. Carrying his schoolbag, he hurried home, calling out “Grandma” as he entered. After teasing his little brother, he set down his bag and immediately started studying.

Li Yufeng was taking care of Yaobao at home today. After listening to the radio, she was also stunned for a long time. Her eyes were red, and she turned to the side to prevent Yaobao from seeing her. Her daughter had said in the letter that as long as the college entrance examination resumed, she would take the exam and go to college. She felt sad for her daughter and, at the same time, was happy for her. Although she had waited for ten years, her perseverance was worth it, right?

“Why is Xiao Bao so diligent today?” Xiao Bao usually doesn’t study much during lunchtime. He would finish his homework during breaks spend time feeding chickens, or play with his younger brother. At most, he would practice calligraphy, draw, or write letters to his aunt and teacher, Yang, and Fantuan. Today, it was unusual to see him opening his textbook at this time.

Without looking back, Xiao Bao replied, “Grandma, your eyes are red. You must have heard the radio announcement about the resumption of the college entrance examination, right? Aunt and Teacher Yang have always said to study hard and be prepared. I used to not understand what we were preparing for or what we would do when we were ready. But now I know. I want to study hard like my Aunt and prepare for the future. Maybe we’ll have the opportunity to go to the same university as Fantuan and the others in the future. Don’t you think so, Grandma?”

It was Xiao Bao’s wish from childhood to the present to attend classes and play with Fantuan, Zhuzi, Xiao Yu, and the others, and now he truly sees hope.

Li Yufeng nodded and said, “Xiao Bao is right. Grandma supports you. Study hard and prepare for the college entrance examination, and you’ll have the chance to go to university with Fantuan and the others in the future!”

Xiao Bao actually wanted to tell his grandma about the gossip he heard earlier. But then he thought better of it. People who were determined to go to college wouldn’t stoop to the level of those gossipers, right?

………………

The radio had only been broadcasting for a short while when Su Xiaoxiao’s doorstep was crowded with people. There were former teachers from her school, comrades from the propaganda department, employees from the supply and marketing cooperative, and even some unfamiliar individuals from various walks of life, bustling and squeezing at the entrance, livelier than a vegetable market.

“Comrade Su, we beg you, can you take us to study together?” 

Su Xiaoxiao was speechless. She wasn’t running an adult training class, how could she take them all to study together?

“Yeah, we really want to go to college. We’ve seen that brochure, and if you can teach your children so well, there’s definitely no problem teaching us.”

Teaching them is certainly a big problem. Her children are naturally very intelligent, so, she doesn’t need to teach them much, right?

“Yes, yes, we can pay you. We know Zhuzi’s mother is also studying with you. Can you take us along? We’ve been away from textbooks for too long, we have no idea where to start. Please, please!”

“Comrade Su Xiaoxiao, if our military region can produce more college students, it will also bring credit to you, won’t it? The leaders will surely support it.”

“That makes sense…”

………

They nagged Su Xiaoxiao until her head throbbed. She was alone at home now and couldn’t dare let so many people in.

The twins were with their older brothers attending classes today. When they came back, Fantuan and Zhuzi each carried one on their backs, while Han Cheng happened to be cycling back. From a distance, they saw a crowd gathered at the entrance. Fantuan and his father exchanged a glance. What’s going on? Has something happened at home?

Fantuan didn’t care much, he put down Xiao Roubao to let him walk by himself and dashed towards home. By the time he arrived, Han Cheng was there too, ringing the bicycle bell loudly.

Fantuan shouted, “Move aside, what are you all doing crowding at my doorstep? We’re not selling vegetables!”

Everyone turned around and saw a handsome young man with white clothes, black pants, red lips, and white teeth. Someone recognized him as Fantuan and approached him, saying, “Hello Fantuan, I am the sister of Xiao Shitou. I want to participate in this year’s college entrance examination. Your mother has taught you so well, she’s an excellent teacher. We sincerely hope your mother can help us review our studies. Could you please persuade your mother for us?”

Finally understanding the situation, Fantuan blinked and retorted, “This is strange. Is my relationship with my mom the same as your relationship with my mom? How does your participation in the college entrance exam have anything to do with my mom? Why are you bothering my mom?”