In the early summer of 1985, a warm breeze carrying the fragrance of ripe wheat swept through Hongqi Commune. The playground of Hongqi Elementary School was packed with people. Colorful paper flowers hung in front of the school building, creating a charming contrast with the red scarves on the children's chests. The air was filled with the jubilation and anticipation of graduation season. Shen Nian'an, wearing a faded blue school uniform and carrying a canvas schoolbag newly sewn by his mother, Lin Wanqiu, stood in the graduating class. His posture was as upright as a sapling, but his eyes held a calmer look than those of his peers—today was the day his elementary school graduation exam results were released, a crucial day for him to be admitted to the county's key junior high school.

"Nian'an, do you think we can get into a top junior high school?" Wang Xiaopang, his deskmate, tugged at his sleeve, his voice full of nervousness, clutching half a sesame biscuit made by Lin Wanqiu in his hand. "My mom said if we don't get in, we'll have to go to the commune's junior high school. I heard the teachers there are really strict!"

Shen Nian'an glanced down at the review notes his mother had prepared for him the night before, which were tucked into his schoolbag. The handwriting was neat and clear, and each math problem had a detailed solution marked next to it. Lin Wanqiu had specially compiled these notes, referring to the teaching materials in her spatial storage, in case he wouldn't understand them. He gripped his schoolbag strap tightly, his tone resolute: "I'll definitely get in. We've worked so hard lately, and my mom said that as long as I get the questions I know right, there won't be any problems." Even as he said this, his heart was beating faster than usual—he knew that getting into a top-tier junior high school was not only a responsibility to himself but also a reward for his mother's hard work.

Just then, the principal walked onto the podium with a red admission list in hand. The playground instantly fell silent, with only the rustling of paper flowers in the wind. "Students, today is a day to celebrate! Fifteen students from our Hongqi Primary School have been admitted to the county's key junior high school this year. Now, those whose names I call, come up to receive your admission notices!" The principal's voice echoed across the playground through the loudspeaker. Shen Nian'an's palms instantly became sweaty, and his ear was pressed tightly against the direction of the loudspeaker.

"Wang Xiaopang!" Upon hearing his deskmate's name, Shen Nian'an subconsciously patted Wang Xiaopang's shoulder, watching him run happily onto the stage, while his own heart leaped into his throat. Half the list had been read, but the name "Shen Nian'an" was still missing. His fingers unconsciously fiddled with his backpack strap, and a sudden image flashed through his mind of his mother staying up late to explain problems to him—several times, he had woken up in the middle of the night and seen his mother organizing materials under the lamp, the fine lines around her eyes particularly noticeable in the light.

"Chen Nian'an!" When the principal called out the name, Shen Nian'an almost thought he had misheard. It wasn't until a classmate next to him nudged him that he realized what was happening and quickly ran to the podium. The principal smiled and handed him the admission notice, patting him on the shoulder: "Nian'an, you're the top student in our school! You got a perfect score in math, and even the principal of the prestigious junior high school asked about you!"

The words "Number One Middle School in the County" on the admission notice burned his fingertips. He clutched the notice tightly, ran quickly off the stage, and wanted to tell his mother the good news as soon as possible. The cheers and laughter on the playground gradually faded away in his ears. His mind was filled with the smile on his mother's face when she saw the notice, and the road beneath his feet seemed to become lighter.

When Lin Wanqiu returned home, she was drying newly harvested sesame seeds in the yard. The golden sesame seeds spread out on the bamboo tray like scattered gold dust. Hearing the sound of the gate opening, she looked up and saw the red notice in Shen Nian'an's hand. Her wooden rake froze in mid-air, and her voice trembled slightly: "Nian'an, this is..."

"Mom! I got into a top-tier junior high school! And I'm the top student in the whole county!" Shen Nian'an handed the admission notice to Lin Wanqiu, her eyes instantly reddening. "The principal said I got a perfect score in math, and the principal of the top-tier junior high school even asked me about it!"

Lin Wanqiu took the notification letter, her fingertips tracing the three characters "Chen Nian'an," and tears fell unexpectedly—she remembered when she first transmigrated, this child was as thin as a bean sprout, afraid to even speak loudly. Now, not only had he grown tall and straight, but he had also become the top student in the entire county. All the hardships had turned into heartfelt joy at this moment. She reached out and hugged Shen Nian'an, her voice choked with emotion: "My good child, you've worked so hard, you are truly my pride!"

When Shen Tingzhou got home from work, he saw the mother and son embracing, and a bright red college acceptance letter on the table. He put down his briefcase, walked over quickly, picked up the letter and looked it over carefully. A rare, hearty smile appeared on his face: "Nian'an, well done! You truly are my son, Shen Tingzhou! Tonight, let's go to the commune's restaurant and order your favorite braised pork to celebrate!"

Shen Nianxi also came over, tugged at Shen Nian'an's clothes, and said in a childish voice, "Brother is so amazing! I want to be like brother and get into a good school!" The family's laughter echoed in the yard, and even the morning glories on the wall seemed to bloom more brightly.

At the celebratory dinner, Shen Tingzhou specially ordered a table full of dishes, including braised pork, sweet and sour pork, stir-fried shrimp, and Shen Nian'an's favorite tomato and egg stir-fry. He picked up a piece of braised pork for Shen Nian'an and said solemnly, "Nian'an, when you get to a top junior high school, you need to study even harder, but don't overwork yourself. If you don't understand anything, come back and ask me and your mother anytime."

Lin Wanqiu smiled and said, "Mom packed you a new notebook and pen, and also put some sesame brittle and jujube cake in your schoolbag. Eat some if you get hungry. The junior high school in the county is far from home, so you can only come back once a week. If you miss home, just call us." As she spoke, she stuffed the pocket money she had prepared in advance into Chen Nian'an's hand. "Take this money. If you want to buy some study materials or eat something, don't deprive yourself."

Shen Nian'an took the pocket money and nodded vigorously: "Mom, I know. I will definitely study hard and get into a good university so that you and Dad can live a good life." He lowered his head and ate his rice, but his eyes quietly reddened - he knew that the family's money was earned by his mother bit by bit from the food shop, and every penny was hard-earned.

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