Chapter 69 Asking for Help

"Why?"

"Why?"

As soon as Gu Qiuyue finished saying "I'm still not going to take the college entrance examination", Xie Shiyu and Wang Xiulan's surprised voices rang out almost at the same time, like two stones thrown into a lake that was just immersed in the great joy of the resumption of the college entrance examination.

The afterglow of the setting sun fell on Gu Qiuyue, but failed to dispel the hesitation on her face. She sat on a wooden chair, her fingers unconsciously twisting the corners of her clothes. She didn't dare to look at Xie Shiyu's eyes full of concern and confusion as he squatted in front of her and held her hands tightly, nor did she dare to look at her mother-in-law Wang Xiulan's anxious face next to her, which was full of "How could you think like this?"

"Yueyue," Xie Shiyu's voice was low and rapid, with a kind of disbelief, "This is unlike you. Haven't you always believed that the college entrance examination would be resumed and been looking forward to this day? Are you worried about the child? Mom just said that she fully supports it." He squeezed her hand hard, as if wanting to pass on his strength to her.

"Yes, Qiuyue." Wang Xiulan immediately sat down next to her and took her arm. "I heard from your mother that you have been a good student since you were young, with excellent grades. When you were little, you always said that you wanted to go to college and contribute to the country when you grew up. Now this great opportunity is right in front of you, how can you just say no? Don't worry, child, I'm here, and your father is here too. The two of us old people can't even take care of two little kids."

Gu Qiuyue's heart was a mess. She couldn't tell them that her deep-seated weariness about "going to college again" stemmed from a childhood and youth in another time and space that had already been filled with all sorts of elite courses.

Looking at the pure expectation for her in Xie Shiyu's eyes, and the unpretentious anxiety and support on her mother-in-law's face, the sense of alienation brought by her previous life collided with the truth of reality, making her feel sour and guilty.

She took a deep breath, avoiding their intense gazes. Her voice was filled with a weariness and emotion she hadn't even noticed. "Mom, Shi Yu, I know you're doing this for my own good. When I was little... I thought so too, thinking university was the best path forward." She paused, her voice softer. "But now, I think a peaceful life like this is good. The two children are still young and at their most clingy. I... I'm afraid I won't be able to take care of them all and end up neglecting both ends."

She gave a faint, wry smile, a look of indifference from someone who had seen through the world. "Besides, what's the big deal about going to college? Isn't it because you can get a job after graduation? But I already have a good job, and I'm quite content. I'm taking care of you and the children, and I live a stable life. Isn't that good too?"

"Yueyue!" Xie Shiyu frowned and wanted to say something.

Wang Xiulan suddenly stood up and rushed into the house: "No! You can't let your temper take over this matter! I have to find someone to talk to!"

She was so anxious that she walked around the main room twice, and finally her eyes fell on the half-worn radio in the corner. She sighed heavily. In this day and age, how could ordinary people have telephones? It was extremely difficult to communicate with her mother-in-law Xu Qin who was far away in Beijing.

Gu Qiuyue felt even worse when she saw her mother-in-law's anxious look.

Xie Shiyu gently pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head, his warm breath brushing her earlobe: "Yueyue, don't rush to make a decision, think about it again? This is a chance to change your destiny, and the key to restarting your dream.

I know you're not really willing to live like this for the rest of your life. Let's work together to find a solution for the child. Mom really wants to help you." His voice was steady and powerful, with a reassuring strength.

Gu Qiuyue leaned in his arms, feeling the vibration of his chest and the heavy trust and expectation, and the balance in her heart began to swing violently.

The persuasion work was not smooth.

Gu Qiuyue's inner "learning fatigue" and inertial dependence on a peaceful life are like an invisible barrier.

Xie Shiyu and Wang Xiulan took turns speaking, from the country's need for talents to personal ideals and future, from setting an example for children to the infinite possibilities of future development. However, Gu Qiuyue could feel their sincerity and understood the truth, but she just couldn't muster the energy.

Wang Xiulan was so anxious that blisters appeared on the corners of her mouth. In desperation, she thought of the only feasible solution - sending a telegram. Writing letters was too slow, and telegrams were faster.

The next day, Wang Xiulan found time to go to the post office outside the family compound and sent an urgent telegram to her mother-in-law, asking her to come over quickly.

The days of waiting seem especially long.

Just when Gu Qiuyue thought that the matter would slowly be put on hold, three days later in the evening, the gate of the courtyard was knocked "bang bang bang" with a familiar hurried sound.

Wang Xiulan opened the door and exclaimed in surprise, "Mother-in-law?! You...you came so quickly?!"

Standing at the door was the dusty Xu Qin. She was wearing a washed-out Lenin suit and carrying a bulging travel bag. Her hair was wet with sweat and a few strands stuck to her temples. Her face was tired from the long journey, but her eyes, which were very similar to Gu Qiuyue's, were surprisingly bright and revealed an unquestionable determination.

"Mother-in-law, I received the telegram!" Xu Qin stepped into the yard and instantly locked eyes with Gu Qiuyue, who had just come out of the house after hearing the noise. "Did something happen at home?"

Gu Qiuyue looked at her mother who suddenly appeared in front of her, and her nose felt sore: "Mom, why are you here?"

Seeing her daughter's rosy face, Xu Qin's heart finally settled down. Without bothering to exchange pleasantries, she threw her bag on the ground and hugged her daughter tightly. This hug was filled with a mother's warmth and strength, as well as a hint of imperceptible heartache. "Why can't Mom come to see my daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren?"

While her daughter was cleaning her room, Xu Qin found Wang Xiulan with her two children and asked, "Mother-in-law, I see everything is fine at home. What's the matter that you called me here so urgently? Could it be that something happened at home and they want you to go back? Then hurry up and clean up and go back. I'm here."

"No, no!" Wang Xiulan waved her hands repeatedly after hearing this. "It's not about the old man at home, it's about Yueyue."

"What's wrong with Yueyue? Isn't she fine?" Xu Qin didn't understand. Wasn't her daughter fine? Could there be something she was embarrassed to say?

But Wang Xiulan said, "Hasn't the college entrance examination been reinstated? Yueyue actually doesn't want to take the exam to go to university! Shi Yu and I tried to persuade her but failed, so we have no choice but to ask you to persuade her. Don't be foolish on such an important matter in life."

Then he quickly expressed his and his son's attitudes.

That night, Xu Qin pulled Gu Qiuyue into her room to sleep together. She stroked Gu Qiuyue's hair and said softly, "Yueyue, you're so smart. Duoer must have figured out why Mom came here, right?"