Chapter 37 Passerby A in the 1970s Rural Life Story 11

After the spring planting was completed, summer weeding began not long afterward. They would gather before dawn and by the time the team leader assigned the farm work, the sky was already slightly bright. Then the day's work would begin. It was the first time that Li Mengqi and Liu Ruyan knew exactly what they had to do in each of the four seasons. They were so tired that they had to stop their recent tutoring sessions.

Spring sowing, summer weeding, autumn harvesting, and winter storage—time passed by year after year, and before we knew it, it was 1977. At the beginning of the year, Liu Ruyan bought a lot of past exam papers for the three of them to do, ostensibly to strengthen their training and study together. By April, two of the educated youth at the settlement were also studying with books in their hands every day: one was Feng, and the other was Wang.

Feng, the educated youth, was not surprised by Jiang Yue. Based on her observations over the past few years, Jiang Yue knew that Feng's family was indeed unusual and that they were likely a family of high-ranking officials seeking refuge. Wang, on the other hand, was unassuming and showed no signs of such behavior.

As October drew closer, the three dared not relax. Li Mengqi and Liu Ruyan did not neglect their studies during the autumn harvest, and Jiang Yue also reviewed everything for them from the beginning. During this time, something happened. Feng Zhiqing and Wang Zhiqing somehow found out that the three were studying together, and they exchanged the news that the college entrance examination was about to be reinstated for Jiang Yue to help them review for a few months.

Jiang Yue had no objections. Whether it was two sheep or four, it was all the same, and she could also gain favor. So she agreed. Feng Zhiqing was a little suspicious that Jiang Yue and the other two knew about it earlier than she did, but when Jiang Yue took out the test questions she had given to Li Mengqi and Liu Ruyan a few years ago, her suspicions were dispelled.

Wang, a former educated youth, remarked with emotion, "Have you never given up on learning all these years?"

Jiang Yue nodded and said, "Yes, otherwise what would we do when we're free? Learning knowledge is still useful even if the college entrance examination is not reinstated."

After saying that, Wang and Feng, the educated youths, were also ashamed of their own shortcomings. So, for the next few months, Jiang Yue led the four of them in studying. From before dawn until the moon was high in the sky at night, the four of them did not relax at all. In late October, Jiang Yue gave them a test paper, and all four of them did it. Li Mengqi and Liu Ruyan got almost full marks, while Feng and Wang, the educated youths, were a little worse, but still did very well.

"If I don't have the wrong mindset, I should have no problem getting into university."

A few days later, while the group was still studying at Jiang Yue's house, the village loudspeaker announced the resumption of the college entrance examination. Even though they already knew about it, they couldn't help but burst into tears at this moment. The educated youth outside were almost going crazy, and many of them were crying uncontrollably.

After everyone calmed down, the loudspeaker announced that the exams would officially begin on November 21, 1977. Those who wanted to register should do so as soon as possible. To support the educated youth taking the exams, the production brigade would not assign them any work for the month, and each person would receive two work points per day. Those who passed the university entrance exams would have their qualifications invalidated.

These words caused an uproar among the educated youth. After calming down, they went to register, only to find that the reference books were no longer available. At this point, the educated youth also thought of Feng and Wang. After Feng and Wang met with the educated youth, someone questioned them: "Feng and Wang, did you already know?"

"You're overthinking it. I don't have the ability to know about such important national events in advance."

"Then why did you start studying so early? How do you explain that?"

Feng Zhiqing showed them the letter, which said that his mother's factory was recruiting workers recently and that he should seize the time to study so that he could come back to participate when the recruitment came: "I am studying so that I can go back to the city. The recruitment exam requires a high school diploma. I have a diploma, but I haven't studied for a long time. I have been reviewing recently."

After these three blows, the others fell silent. Someone even said, "Feng Zhiqing, could I borrow one of your books? Just lend me the one you've finished reading."

“Mine isn’t complete either, but don’t worry, I’ve already called home, and someone will deliver a few sets of books in a few days. I only need one set, and I’ll give the rest to you.”

He then took out a stack of books and handed them to the person in charge of the educated youth, saying, "These are the books I've read. Could you arrange for them to be copied or something? I'm contributing them."

When Wang, a former educated youth, saw Feng take out the books, he quickly grabbed a stack of books and handed them to the person in charge. The person in charge took the books and, with tears in his eyes, said to them, "Thank you."

Seeing this, everyone else thanked the two of them. Li Mengqi and Liu Ruyan had also come back with them. Liu Ruyan was touched when she saw this and wanted to buy some things to give to them, but Li Mengqi stopped her. After taking Liu Ruyan home, Li Mengqi looked into her eyes and said, "I know you have some secrets, but you can't do this anymore. If Jiang Yue and I aren't around, and someone finds out about this, you'll be eaten alive."

"I didn't want to say this, but if we break up after the college entrance exam, you must be careful not to use it in front of others, and you must not let anyone know."

Liu Ruyan's eyes widened in shock, and she was speechless for a long while before she stammered, "You...you all..."

Before she could finish speaking, Li Mengqi nodded and said, "Yes, we! We both know." Li Mengqi emphasized the word "we" to indicate that they both knew.

"That..."

Why don't we expose you? Because we don't care, we don't mind. Do you think you're the only one with secrets?

Li Mengqi waved her hand, and a car stopped in the yard. After Liu Ruyan came to her senses, she put the car away: "Did you see that?"

Li Mengqi's decision to confront Liu Ruyan today was out of necessity. The college entrance exam is just around the corner, and what if the three of them don't get into the same university? What if no one covers for her and Liu Ruyan gets discovered? Over the years, the three of them have developed a bond stronger than family. As for what will happen if Li Mengqi is exposed, you're overthinking it. Even if she is exposed, Li Mengqi isn't afraid. Not to mention that her superpowers have recovered considerably, and she has nuclear weapons in her spatial storage.

Li Mengqi pulled the zombie-like Liu Ruyan into the house, poured herself a glass of water and slowly drank it. When Liu Ruyan finally came to her senses, she recklessly told Li Mengqi about her background. Li Mengqi nodded and said, "I guessed pretty much right. I also read novels before the apocalypse."

After telling her about his background, he told Liu Ruyan about it. Liu Ruyan was also incredulous. After calming down, she asked about Jiang Yue: "Mengqi, you said that Yue'er also has secrets, just like us?"

Li Mengqi nodded and then shook her head: "She is definitely not from this world, but she doesn't seem to be a modern person either."