Chapter 137 Regret "You regretted your marriage after seeing Yunsheng become a writer...

The Gaokao (National College Entrance Examination) is reported on TV and radio every day. In real life, you can hear people talking about it everywhere you go.

Every day when Wang Ying went to the cafeteria to eat, she would see employees carrying textbooks. Xu Lili and Tian Yulan also got textbooks and studied a little during lunch. Luo Wenshu also joined the ranks of candidates. Zhou Qianjin and Wu Haiyang had completely given up.

As more people from Zhao Yunsheng's unit applied for the exam, Qiu Zhenhua also applied and persuaded Zhao Yunsheng to take the exam.

"Yunsheng, you should take the exam with me. Not only will you gain academic qualifications, but you'll also be able to broaden your horizons and meet more like-minded comrades. How great is that," said Qiu Zhenhua.

Zhao Yunsheng said: "I have met my most like-minded lover, and I can't bear to leave her."

Qiu Zhenhua was speechless. This Zhao Yunsheng was showing off his lover every other day. Everyone knew that his lover was excellent!

"Yingzi definitely understands you. If you want to take the exam, she will definitely support you."

"She supports me in everything I do, so I won't take the exam, and she supports me too." Zhao Yunsheng said with a smile, "You should do your best. I really won't take the exam."

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Zhao Yunsheng, Qiu Zhenhua had to give up and fight on his own.

Starting on December 10th, the two-day college entrance examination was held in Beichong. Many companies took holidays during these days to support the candidates.

Wang Ying's workplace wasn't on holiday; not only were they not given a day off, they were even required to work overtime. Business at the directly-operated store has been booming lately, with orders from all over the country increasing. Digital cookies, in particular, have seen an inexplicable surge in demand since the news of the resumption of the college entrance exams.

Wang Ying has been pregnant for more than seven months and still insists on going to work. Every day Zhao Yunsheng walks Wang Ying to work and then rides his bike to the company himself.

After two days of examinations, Wang Ying asked her subordinates how they performed in the exams.

Luo Wenshu was slightly pleased with himself and said, "I think I did OK on the test."

Tian Yulan said, "I definitely won't pass the exam. My foundation is too weak and I don't have enough time to review. But it doesn't matter. I'll take the exam again next year!"

"I'm definitely not going to make it. I've forgotten everything I learned, and I haven't reviewed for the test yet," Xu Lili sighed. "Besides, there are so many people taking the test. I definitely don't have a chance. I'll wait until next year. I'd better finish the job at hand first."

"That's right. Only by doing the job at hand well can you be stable," Zhou Qianjin said. "Even if you go to college, you still have to work after graduation. Our current jobs are already very good."

A few days after the exam, Qiu Zhenhua came to Wang Ying's house. He was quite confident that he would pass the exam. However, he was worried about whether his cooperation with the non-staple food factory would continue after he went to university.

He designed most of the packaging for the food factory, and now that the factory was doing so well, he certainly didn't want to lose this big client. The design fees he received from the food factory far exceeded his regular salary.

After Qiu Zhenhua expressed his concerns, Wang Ying smiled and said, "Don't worry. As long as I'm at the non-staple food factory, we'll definitely continue to cooperate with you. Just go to the provincial capital to study. When you become a great artist, you can charge us less for your design fees."

Qiu Zhenhua applied to a school in the provincial capital, which was not too far away. If he went to somewhere far away, there might be no way they could cooperate.

"I feel relieved when you say that," Qiu Zhenhua said with a smile. "You always have the final say on my design fees!"

"With your words, I feel relieved." Wang Ying said with a smile.

On the third day after Qiu Zhenhua arrived at Wang Ying's house, Gu Mei and her brother also came. They came after work and had dinner. They both looked relaxed, and it was obvious that they had done well on the exam.

"There will definitely be no problem for you two. Which school did you apply to?" Wang Ying asked.

The Gu Mei siblings are indeed a bit confident, and neither of them is modest.

"We did do well in the exam and both applied to schools in Beijing. But it will be difficult for us to meet you in the future," said Gu Mei.

"We can write letters. My office will soon be getting a telephone, so we can keep in touch by phone," Wang Ying said. "There's an old poem that goes, 'A bosom friend afar brings a distant land near.'"

"She just loves home," Gu Xuan said. "I thought she might not pass the exam, so she started saying she didn't want to leave home."

"I'm sure I'll pass the exam." Gu Mei glared at her brother. "By the way, Yingzi, when are you going to give birth to your baby? It would be great if you could give birth before we go to school. I want to see the baby."

Wang Ying said, "I guess it will be after the New Year, during the first month of the lunar year."

"That should be enough. I want to be the baby's godmother!" said Gu Mei.

"Okay!" Wang Ying said with a smile.

"Then what am I, uncle?" Gu Xuan said.

"Yes, uncle, I don't have any brothers, and my biological uncle doesn't have any either. I really appreciate you as my uncle." Wang Ying and Gu Xuan joked.

Gu Xuan smiled and said, "That's rare."

"What schools did you apply to? There are many schools in Beijing." Wang Ying asked.

"I applied to Peking University, and my brother applied to the Film Academy," Gu Mei said. "My brother got scolded by my parents and grandfather. He had agreed to apply to Qinghua University, but he changed his application to the Film Academy. I don't know what he was thinking."

Wang Ying's eyes lit up. "Film Academy is great! You can make movies and become a great director in the future. Oh, and let's make movies of our writer's novels in the future."

"Whose?" Gu Mei asked, "Is there a writer in your family?"

Zhao Yunsheng had been silent the whole time, but now he smiled and said, "I've serialized a novel in a monthly novel magazine, and it will be published as a standalone book after the new year."

"Really? You're so awesome!" Gu Mei exclaimed.

Gu Xuan said, "Do you have the magazine? I'll take it back and have a look."

"Yes, I'll go upstairs and get it."

Zhao Yunsheng took down a stack of magazines from downstairs. Six of them contained his novel, "New Life," and two contained his short stories. He handed the books to Gu Xuan and said, "My pen name is my real name. I'll give it to you when the book comes out after the New Year."

Gu Xuan flipped through it and said, "Okay, I'll go back and take a look."

Gu Mei tutted her words and said, "I didn't expect that, Zhao Yunsheng. I originally thought you weren't worthy of our Yingzi, but now it seems that you are also working hard!"

Zhao Yunsheng smiled calmly and said, "That's right. I will work hard to catch up with Yingzi and never let her leave me behind."

Gu Xuan looked at Zhao Yunsheng, then at Wang Ying. He didn't say anything, flipping through the magazine in his hand until he came across Zhao Yunsheng's novel. After just one page, he was captivated...

"Brother, Yingzi is asking you a question! Are you so engrossed in what you are watching?" Gu Mei pushed Gu Xuan.

"I'm really fascinated by it. It's a very well-written novel." Gu Xuan said, "What did Yingzi ask me?"

"I asked you why you wanted to apply to the Film Academy," said Wang Ying.

Gu Xuan patted the book in his hand and said, "Maybe it's to make Yunsheng's book into a movie."

Seeing them all rolling their eyes at him, Gu Xuan smiled and said, "Because I think the film industry will definitely have great development in the future, it's that simple."

Wang Ying felt that Gu Xuan was very visionary, but she seemed to have never heard of a great director named Gu Xuan in her previous life... She hoped that Gu Xuan could become a great director in this life.

The Gu siblings stayed with Wang Ying until after nine o'clock before leaving.

After the two left, Wang Ying and Zhao Yunsheng sighed, "I wonder how many lives this exam will change."

"That's right, there are many more stories to write." said Zhao Yunsheng.

Wang Ying laughed at Zhao Yunsheng: "Everything in the world is material for your writing."

"That's right! This is the basic quality of a writer." Zhao Yunsheng said with a smile.

"We're hoping that Gu Xuan will become a famous director and adapt your novel into a movie," Wang Ying said. "Maybe we don't have to wait for Gu Xuan, someone has already taken a fancy to your novel."

After Zhao Yunsheng's serialization in the monthly novel magazine ended, he published two more short stories, and had already made a name for himself in the literary world. However, this information is unknown in the lives of ordinary people.

Zhao Yunsheng's colleagues knew about this. They subscribed to a monthly novel magazine, and when they saw Zhao Yunsheng publish his novel there, many of them submitted their works, but without exception, they all received rejection letters.

When they saw in a magazine that Zhao Yunsheng's serialized novel was going to be published as a single volume, some were envious and some were jealous. Even Zhao Yunsheng's station manager called him in for a talk and asked him to order a signed copy!

A few days after New Year's Day, the list of college entrance examination preliminary candidates came out. A total of six people from Wang Ying's unit passed the preliminary selection, including Luo Wenshu.

Just as they expected, Tian Yulan and Xu Lili failed the exam.

Tian Yulan has been studying for the Gaokao since her exam, preparing to take it again next year, unaffected. Xu Lili, on the other hand, is a bit discouraged, and with her family urging her to get married, she's considering giving up.

Qiu Zhenhua and Gu Mei had both passed the preliminary selection process. Next up was the political review and physical exams for the re-selection. The final list of admitted students wouldn't be announced until after the Lunar New Year.

By the end of the year, Wang Ying's belly was growing larger and larger, and she was already eight months pregnant. Thanks to her experience in her previous life and the attentive care of her family, Wang Ying's pregnancy was not too difficult. Despite the heavy workload at the factory at the end of the year, Wang Ying persisted in going to work.

On the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month, a heavy snow fell. Chen Xiuqin refused to allow Wang Ying to go back to work. So Wang Ying started working from home...

Chen Xiuqin scolded Director Zhao several times, saying that their unit was exploiting Wang Ying.

Director Zhao said, "You don't understand Yingzi's ambition. Do you think she feels tired? Does she feel hardship? If you let her do nothing, she will be bored and worried."

"I don't care. You are not allowed to bring the documents back tomorrow. There are no rules in your factory that allow you to take the documents home!" Chen Xiuqin was afraid that Wang Ying was too exhausted and wanted to let her have a good rest. She was busy all year round.

"Why can't I explain this to you? You don't know how many people are watching her. They wish she wouldn't come back to the unit after giving birth so they can take her place." Director Zhao said.

"That's impossible... Yingzi has made great contributions to your factory. If it weren't for Yingzi, your factory would have reached its current scale?" Chen Xiuqin said.

"Because of this, there must be someone who wants to take advantage of the situation! Not only is Yingzi's position being watched, but mine and Yingzi's leader, Director Xiang, are also being watched," said Director Zhao.

Chen Xiuqin was silent for a while: "Forget it, just keep it in mind."

Wang Ying, standing on the upstairs balcony, overheard Director Zhao and Chen Xiuqin's conversation. Suddenly, she understood: Why had Director Xiang kept putting it off? Even after so many visits, he refused to relent. He must have been waiting until she had the baby. He was protecting her, not giving anyone else the chance to take advantage of her.

Director Xiang has worked really hard these days.

After dinner, Wang Ying said to Director Zhao, "Dad, when you see Director Xiang tomorrow, please thank him for me."

Director Zhao didn't ask why, but just agreed.

The next day, Director Zhao arrived at the unit and upon seeing Director Xiang, he said, "Comrade Wang Ying asked me to thank you."

Director Xiang was stunned: "What are you thanking me for?"

Director Zhao said, "She didn't say anything, but Director Xiang should know."

Director Xiang thought about it and thought that Wang Ying had finally come to his senses and understood why he stayed in the factory. He hummed and said, "I understand."

Director Zhao knew it all. People kept coming to the factory to ask Director Xiang to come out, and many people knew about it. Director Zhao and Director Qian had even privately discussed why Director Xiang hadn't left yet. They had initially assumed Director Xiang was frightened by the □□ in front of him, but then Director Zhao realized he was waiting for Wang Ying.

Director Zhao was a little dissatisfied that there was someone in the factory who treated Wang Ying better than him, but he was also happy for Wang Ying. Wang Ying was lucky to meet a leader like Director Xiang.

Li Fengju has been visiting Wang Ying every few days lately, bringing either food or daily necessities, but never empty-handed. The cotton shoes Wang Ying is wearing this year were also made by Li Fengju. They have a non-slip outer sole and a hand-knitted, multi-layered inner sole, making them comfortable and warm.

It was New Year's Eve again. When the family was having their New Year's Eve dinner, Zhao Yunfei said with a smile, "Yunsheng, you can't drag Yingzi to dance and watch the stars this year."

Everyone at the table laughed. Chen Xiuqin said, "He dares! He'll get a taste of his own medicine."

"I'm already 30 years old during the Chinese New Year, why am I still fighting?" Zhao Yunsheng said.

"If you do something wrong, just beat him." said Chen Xiuqin.

"I'm not a fool. Yingzi is almost full-term. Why should I dance with her? You really are..." Zhao Yunsheng was helpless. It's just a dance. Next year, the three of them will dance.

On the second day of the Chinese New Year, Wang Ying was pregnant and did not go back to her parents' home.

This year, only Wang Hui's family of three came from Old Wang's family.

"Mom, have you gone to see my eldest sister? When will she give birth?" Wang Hui said.

"Can't you take Huanhuan to see your elder sister by yourself?" Li Fengju said.

"I don't want to make trouble for myself. She doesn't welcome me and might even get angry if she sees me," Wang Hui said. "Is your belly pointy or flat?"

"I can't tell." Li Fengju said, "I saw your eldest sister and Yunsheng kept calling her a daughter. It seemed like their family wanted to have a daughter, so I didn't say anything."

Li Fenju has learned to be smart now. She just shows her abilities and doesn't talk too much. Yingzi has become much softer towards her recently.

Wang Hui curled her lips and muttered, "Pretending." In her previous life, her elder sister was so proud after giving birth to a son. Now she pretends to want a daughter. She is probably saying this on purpose because she is afraid that she won't be able to give birth to a son.

Li Fengju was feeding biscuits to Huanhuan and didn't hear what she said.

"Mom, where are the shoes you made last time? They were for me, right? I need to change my feet. These leather shoes are a bit tight for me." Wang Hui said.

"I made this for your elder sister and gave it to her a long time ago," said Li Fengju.

Wang Hui was a little unhappy. She had noticed a long time ago that her parents were treating her older sister better, and it felt like they were treating her better than her. She said with a stern face, "Her mother-in-law is retired, so she can't do it for her, and yet she still wants you to do it for her? She's a big boss, and she's afraid she won't have shoes to wear."

"Her mother-in-law has a lot of things to do, and she also has to take Dongbao to and from school. As a mother, what's wrong with me making shoes for her? Didn't I make shoes for you when you were pregnant?" said Li Fengju.

Wang Hui was unhappy anyway, and turned back to her room in a huff. Seeing Du Jianguo half lying on the bed reading a book, she asked, "What are you reading? Is it interesting? Let me see."

"A novel," Du Jianguo said. "I saw it on the side. The author's name is Zhao Yunsheng, the same name as my brother-in-law."

Wang Hui's heart skipped a beat, suddenly remembering a past life in which Zhao Yunsheng had indeed written a novel, hidden at home by her. She'd discovered it, believing it was some kind of reactionary publication. Fearing he might implicate her, she complained to Zhao Yunsheng's parents and burned the manuscripts together. Since then, she and Zhao Yunsheng had barely spoken. Every time Zhao Yunsheng looked at her, his gaze was filled with contempt.

"Let me see it." Wang Hui snatched the book.

"Tsk! I haven't finished reading it yet!" Du Jianguo sat up and said dissatisfiedly.

Wang Hui couldn't remember what Zhao Yunsheng had written in her previous life, but she had a hunch that this was what Zhao Yunsheng had written. Her parents weren't exactly educated people and had never bought books before. Suddenly, there was a book in the house, so it had to be Zhao Yunsheng's.

Wang Hui took the book and went to the main room and asked, "Mom, where did you get this book?"

"Your eldest sister's house." Li Fengju said.

"Is the novel here written by my eldest brother-in-law?" Wang Hui asked again.

"Yes, he wrote it." Li Fengju didn't hide it after being discovered by Wang Hui. "He has written quite a lot. He took home several hundred yuan in royalties last time, and he's going to publish a book this year. I heard from Xiuqin that many people like Yunsheng's books now. He's a serious writer now."

Wang Hui felt her head buzzing, unable to explain the feeling. So, in her previous life, if she hadn't burned Zhao Yunsheng's manuscript, would he have become a writer? And she would have been a writer's wife?

My eldest sister is so lucky! In her previous life, she was a rich wife with Du Jianguo, and in this life, she is a writer's wife with Zhao Yunsheng! Why? Wang Hui's jealousy of Wang Ying turned into anger, and she suspected that Wang Ying knew something in advance, so she agreed to the marriage exchange.

"Huihui, what's wrong with you?"

Seeing that Wang Hui looked unhappy, Li Fengju stopped and asked her.

Wang Hui's face was filled with jealousy and anger, and she said to her mother, "Let's go to my eldest sister's house today."

Seeing Wang Hui's expression, Li Fengju couldn't believe she was going. She frowned, looked into the room, and motioned for Wang Hui to take care of Du Jianguo. She added, "I went there just the day before yesterday. I'm not going today. You should go home early, too."

"Is it okay for me to go to my eldest sister's house and see how she is? Didn't you just ask me to go?" Wang Hui wanted to find Wang Ying to find out if she knew something that she didn't know.

Li Fengju fed the last bit of biscuits in her hand to Huanhuan, told Huanhuan to go to the kitchen to find grandpa, then pulled Wang Hui to her room and closed the door.

"What do you want to do? Your eldest sister is almost full-term, and you still want to bother her?" Li Fengju said in a low voice, "Do you regret your marriage after seeing Yunsheng become a writer?"

"I didn't!" said Wang Hui.

"Then why do you look like that? What do you think Jianguo will think when he sees you? It was you who wanted to change the marriage in the first place. No matter how much I try to persuade you, it's useless. Have you forgotten everything?" No matter how much Li Fengju favored Wang Hui, she would never let her go to Wang Ying's house and mess around at this time.

Wang Hui felt that she couldn't explain it clearly to her mother. There was a fire in her heart that was about to burn her.

"Huihui, Huanhuan?" Du Jianguo called out in the main room.

Li Fengju grabbed Wang Hui's arm and said in a low voice, "Don't be confused. Think carefully about who you are living with now! Whether your eldest brother-in-law is good or not, it has nothing to do with you! Now that your eldest brother-in-law is well, you are causing trouble for your eldest sister. But what if Jianguo is well again? Will your eldest sister cause trouble for you again?"

"She won't." Wang Hui blurted out.

"Then you should be quiet too!" Li Fengju felt uncomfortable suddenly when she heard Wang Hui blurt out this. She figured out one thing: Wang Hui had always known that her elder sister had a good temper and would not argue with her, so she kept taking advantage of the situation, bullying her elder sister and stealing her things.

She and Wang Yongren also knew that they had condoned and tolerated Wang Hui until Yingzi was heartbroken.

"If you dare to make trouble, I will tell Jianguo!" said Li Fengju.

Wang Hui's eyes widened: "Mom! Are you afraid that I will have a good life?"

"If you want to live a good life, don't go and make trouble in front of your elder sister!" Li Fengju warned Wang Hui, "If you dare to go behind my back, I won't want you anymore!"