After Zhao Mingyue returned home, she told Zhao Minglang the news. Zhao Minglang looked at his sister in surprise: "Are you telling the truth?" Could it be that his sister's prediction was about to come true again?

"Yeah, Shen Xuyue told me. So, bro, your chance has come, hurry up and study for the exam."

Zhao Minglang scratched his head: "But can I do it? I haven't studied much." Apart from math, he had only skimmed through the rest of the material.

Zhao Mingyue said, "Then let's hurry up and start learning now."

"When exactly is the exam?" Zhao Minglang asked anxiously. How could such a thing happen?

Zhao Mingyue said, "I'm not too sure either, but it'll be soon, so let's hurry." She knew the time, but she couldn't say it, otherwise how could she explain that she had the ability to foresee the future?

From that day on, the brother and sister began studying late into the night, devoting all their time to studying except when they were working. Their parents learned that the college entrance examination was going to be reinstated and were very excited. Although they didn't know if they could actually take the exam, they fully supported them. Every night, Hu Nianchun would make a late-night snack for his two children, placing a poached egg at the bottom of each bowl to supplement their nutrition.

Zhao Mingyue and Zhao Minglang felt embarrassed as they ate: "Mom, don't fry the eggs anymore, save them to exchange for oil and salt."

Hu Nianchun laughed and said, "This is nothing. If you can all pass the exam, it would be worth it for each of you to eat two eggs."

After listening to their mother's words, Zhao Mingyue and Zhao Minglang buried themselves even more in their studies.

Meanwhile, Shen Xuyue was also studying late into the night. He had been out of school for almost ten years. Although he read books and newspapers regularly, there was still a gap between his studies and those in textbooks. Fortunately, his foundation was solid, so it wasn't too difficult for him to learn again.

By late October, the enrollment documents were indeed released: "Workers, farmers, educated youth who went to the countryside or returned to the city, demobilized soldiers, and recent graduates are all eligible to apply. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent." Enrollment was not based solely on class background, and the exam was scheduled for December of that year—the sheer brevity was astonishing. Zhao Mingyue and her siblings felt incredibly fortunate; at least they had two more months to prepare, giving them a significant advantage.

Suddenly, all the educated youth were in an uproar. Everyone was trying to borrow books and review their studies in preparation for the college entrance examination. When Zhao Mingyue went to work, everyone laughed at her: "Mingyue, you stayed up late again last night. Your eyes look like they've been painted with charcoal. Are you really going to take the college entrance examination?"

Zhao Mingyue smiled and said, "Let's give it a try. Maybe we'll get lucky."

Yu Youfen asked Zhao Mingyue, "Mingyue, do you think our family's background is good enough for us to apply?"

Zhao Mingyue said, "Of course you can! Have you forgotten what the admission documents say? If you perform well, as long as you're talented, it doesn't matter what your background is. They select the best candidates. You have Sister Fen, are you going to take the exam too?"

Yu Youfen shook her head: "I won't take the exam, but Youqing wants to sign up."

"That's great! Sister Fen, why don't you sign up for the exam too? If you pass, you'll be free from rural life forever," Zhao Mingyue encouraged her.

Yu Youfen shook her head: "Forget it, I'm afraid I won't pass the exam."

"It's okay if you don't pass the exam. It's not like you'll lose anything by giving it a try." Zhao Mingyue didn't know what Yu Youfen was thinking. She had wanted to leave the countryside so much back then, but now that she had the opportunity, she was unwilling to seize it.

Yu Youfen suddenly laughed: "I think you've lost more than just a piece of flesh. Look at you, is there any flesh left on your face these days?"

Zhao Mingyue smiled and touched her face: "If you can pass the exam, it'll be worth it even if you drop a little. With Sister Fen by your side, why don't you give it a try?"

Yu Youfen shook her head: "No, it's been too long. I definitely can't start all over again. I'm not like Youqing, who studied for so long. There's only a little over a month left."

Zhao Mingyue said, "We're all in the same boat. You can try taking the vocational school entrance exam. Give it a shot, you have Sister Fen with you."

Yu Youfen didn't speak, she just kept her head down and worked.

Zhao Mingyue added, "With Sister Fen around, my brother will also take the exam. What will you do if he passes?"

Yu Youfen looked up at Zhao Mingyue: "Mingyue, I know you mean well. I've tried my best, but when I pick up the books, I find I can't concentrate at all. I guess I'm not going to pass the exam. Maybe it's just fate. Anyway, I'll believe in fate."

Zhao Mingyue looked at Yu Youfen, wanting to say: "As long as you want to change, you definitely can. I've been quietly helping you change your fate all along, so why are you giving up?" But Yu Youfen had already said she couldn't concentrate on her studies, so there was nothing more she could do.

Among those preparing for the exam, about half are junior high school graduates. While a high school diploma isn't always required for college entrance exam registration, equivalent academic ability is necessary. This ability is proven through school placement tests and local government certifications. As soon as the news of the resumption of the college entrance exam broke, middle schools across the country set up tutoring classes and various mock exams for students.

Shen Xuyue led everyone to the rural middle school to observe classes and take mock exams. Zhao Mingyue's mock exam results were excellent, the best among all the humanities students in the tutoring class; all that time spent studying was truly worthwhile. Surprisingly, Yu Youqing's mock exam results were also excellent, almost on par with Shen Xuyue's. Yu Youqing is a very quiet person, with a strong will, a somewhat stubborn nature, and a very diligent work ethic. Coupled with his natural intelligence, he truly is a promising student.

Yu Youqing was very worried when he registered, fearing that people would not allow him to register because of his family background. However, the registration went very smoothly, and his family background was not mentioned at all. The registration fee was only 50 cents, and all he had to do was fill out a form.

The school had teachers to tutor everyone, but it was in the evenings, and the round trip from the village took too long. After a few days, everyone decided to study at home so they could discuss their learning with each other and accumulate any questions they didn't understand so they could ask the teachers at school all at once.

The kind-hearted brigade director was very considerate of these young people preparing for the exam. When the exam was approaching, he gave them a break so they could focus on their studies. He waved his hand and said, "Go study hard. It's time to serve your country."

There were twelve people in Moon Bay who registered for the college entrance examination, including educated youth. To facilitate discussion and exchange, they all gathered together to review, and the location was the brigade office.

It was already winter, and winters in the south are very cold and damp. During review sessions, everyone's hands and feet were freezing. Someone suggested burning firewood indoors to keep warm. However, burning firewood produced a lot of smoke, making it difficult to open one's eyes, so how could one possibly review? Everyone pooled their money and went to the market to buy charcoal to make a fire. Charcoal was smokeless, and the fire burned brightly and warmly, finally providing a peaceful environment for the young people to study.

Zhao Mingyue and Shen Xuyue sat facing each other. When they got tired of studying, they would look up and see each other engrossed in their books. Feeling each other's gaze, they would look up and exchange a glance, and immediately feel refreshed and all their fatigue would disappear. This was more effective than any other remedy.

The only one suffering was Yu Youqing. Seeing the person he liked and the person she liked so in sync was naturally very unpleasant. He really wanted to go home and study, but among these people, he and Shen Xuyue had the best science grades. He not only had to study himself, but also teach others, so he couldn't leave. He could only secretly resolve to get into university and make Zhao Mingyue look at him with new eyes.

The fact that English was not included in the college entrance examination undoubtedly brought Yu Youqing a great sense of relief. Zhao Mingyue and her brother Zhao Minglang both chose humanities because they had not studied physics and chemistry. Shen Xuyue and Yu Youqing both chose science. Regardless of whether it was humanities or science, students needed to take Chinese, mathematics, and politics. Humanities students also took history and geography, while science students took physics and chemistry, making it four subjects in total.

They studied until late at night every day, and the nights were very cold. Every night, Shen Xuyue insisted on walking Zhao Mingyue home. Although they studied together all day, they hardly ever chatted. Only during this time could they relax and chat along the way, treating it as a rest. Shen Xuyue would tell many stories about his past, which Zhao Mingyue listened to with great interest. She had an extremely strong interest in Shen Xuyue, both the present and the past, and the more she knew, the better.

One evening, Shen Xuyue suddenly asked, "Mingyue, have you thought about where you want to go to school?"

Zhao Mingyue was taken aback for a moment: "What about you?"

Shen Xuyue laughed: "Does that mean you'll follow me wherever I go?"

Zhao Mingyue was embarrassed to say yes.

Shen Xuyue added, "Of course, it would be best if we went to school together. I want to go to Beijing, what do you think?"

Zhao Mingyue said, "Anywhere is fine, I'll go wherever you go. Actually, I think Haicheng is not bad either."

“Yes, Haicheng is closer to your home. But Beijing used to be my home, and I haven’t been back for many years. I want to go back and visit. Would it be okay to apply to universities in Beijing?” Shen Xuyue’s tone was somewhat pleading.

Zhao Mingyue nodded: "Okay."

Due to the tight schedule, each region conducts its own admissions process and sets its own exam questions, so the national exam dates are not uniform. In their province, the exams begin on December 10th and consist of four subjects: Chinese, Mathematics, Politics, and History and Geography (Physics and Chemistry), over a total of two days.

The exam questions were surprisingly easy. After finishing the last exam, politics, Zhao Mingyue walked out of the exam room feeling relaxed. She saw Shen Xuyue already waiting for her outside the exam room with his cart. The two smiled at each other, their understanding unspoken.

Zhao Minglang chased after them, letting out a sigh of relief: "Finally, the exam is over. I really didn't expect it to be so easy. You guys probably didn't find it difficult either."

Shen Xuyue nodded: "It's not difficult. What I'm worried about is that there are too many applicants. The real problem will be getting admitted."

Looking at Shen Xuyue, Zhao Mingyue couldn't help but wonder if he was also reborn. But he didn't seem like it at all. If he wasn't reborn, he was far too knowledgeable, considering all the issues very comprehensively.

The college entrance examination in 1977 wasn't difficult, but the admission rate was at an unprecedented high. A staggering 5.7 million people applied nationwide, but only a little over 200,000 were admitted, a ratio of 29 to 1. With such a low admission rate, even if you passed the cutoff score, you weren't guaranteed admission. Therefore, Zhao Mingyue couldn't guarantee she'd get in. The only thing she could do was try to get as many points as possible to increase her chances.

Yu Youqing came out from behind, his face serious. Zhao Mingyue looked at him with concern: "Youqing, what's wrong?"

Yu Youqing wiped her face: "It feels like I died once. I feel so sleepy, I want to go back to sleep."

Zhao Minglang laughed: "Then let's go, we'll come back to fill out the college application in a couple of days." This year, the college application was filled out after the exams.

Shen Xuyue said, "Mingyue, you sit in the back of my car. Youqing, sit in your brother's car." The examination venue was in the middle school in the township. Since it wasn't far away, they all lived at home and traveled back and forth every morning and evening. In the dead of winter, the wind was biting cold, and it was indeed not easy to stand facing the wind. However, for young people who had suffered enough, what was a little hardship?

Zhao Mingyue nodded, "Okay." She then jumped onto the back of Shen Xuyue's bicycle. Shen Xuyue steadied the bicycle, rang the bell, and pedaled away, carrying his happiness home. He hoped that this time, they could truly reach the other side they longed for.

Zhao Mingyue sat behind Shen Xuyue, gripping the bicycle seat with one hand, her face resting about ten centimeters away from his back. His broad back shielded her from the wind, and she could smell the clean, refreshing scent of his coat. A little bubble of joy bubbled in her heart. She didn't dare put her arms around Shen Xuyue's waist; that would be too shocking in this era. Shen Xuyue was clearly in a very good mood, whistling all the way. His playful, cheerful whistling infected the other villagers taking the exams on their way home, and everyone joined in with their own whistles.

Zhao Mingyue listened to his whistling with a smile on her face, feeling incredibly lighthearted. Suddenly, Shen Xuyue's whistling changed from "The East Is Red" to an exotic tune. Upon closer listening, Zhao Mingyue realized it was "Red Berries Bloom." She especially loved this song, and upon hearing Shen Xuyue whistle, she couldn't help but hum along, turning the solo into a duet.

This song perfectly reflects the feelings of the two people. Although they have already realized their feelings for each other, neither of them has confessed their love. They just naturally got together, so this song can be seen as a way of confessing their love to each other.

After the song ended, Shen Xuyue turned around with delight and asked, "You know this song too?"

Zhao Mingyue hummed in agreement.

Shen Xuyue was somewhat surprised. This song had been banned for many years. When relations with the Soviet Union broke down, Zhao Mingyue was only a few years old. "Who did you learn it from?"

Zhao Mingyue said, "I learned it secretly."

"I really like this song."

"I like it very much too."

The two of them couldn't help but smile knowingly, as if they had unconsciously developed a tacit understanding, without any deliberate prompting.

Before filling out his college application, Shen Xuyue came to Zhao Mingyue to discuss it. He decided to apply to Tsinghua University, one of the best universities in the country. Zhao Mingyue said, "Isn't that a bit risky?"

Shen Xuyue said, "I'm not afraid. Going to Tsinghua University has been my long-cherished wish for many years. I never thought I would have to apply to it. Even if I don't get in, it will still be a fulfillment of my wish."

"I'm a humanities student, which schools should I apply to?"

Shen Xuyue asked, "Do you want to go to Peking University or Renmin University? These schools are all in the same area."

Zhao Mingyue laughed: "It's not as simple as just wanting to get in. The key is whether I can even get in. I'd better fill in a safer one." Who wouldn't want to go to Peking University or Renmin University? The key is whether I can actually get in.

Shen Xuyue frowned and thought for a moment: "I don't know how you did on the exam. If you really want to play it safe, how about going to a teacher's college? It's a good option to become a teacher in the future."

Zhao Mingyue didn't care which university she attended; her future career would likely involve returning to her old profession and making money in the business world. She nodded, "Okay. Which school?"

"Beijing Normal University or Capital Normal University," Shen Xuyue said.

Zhao Mingyue asked, "Is there a difference?"

"The scores for Beijing Normal University are probably higher, while the scores for Capital Normal University are a bit lower."

Zhao Mingyue took a breath: "Then let's choose a lower one."

Shen Xuyue looked at her and said, "Mingyue, why don't you take a gamble and apply to Beijing Normal University? If you fill in 'accept assignment' in your application, and you don't get in, they can still get you into another school."

Zhao Mingyue thought about it and realized it made sense. No matter which school she applied to, there was no guarantee of admission. If she wasn't admitted to her first choice, she could be transferred to another university. Even if she couldn't get in this year, she could take the exam again next year, giving her more than six months to prepare. And even if she couldn't get in this year, going to university wasn't her only option.

"Mingyue, I have something I want to tell you." Shen Xuyue looked at her solemnly.

Zhao Mingyue looked up into his eyes, a slight smile in them. Shen Xuyue took a breath and said, "I want to say that if you pass the exam and I don't, your future path and all your choices will be up to you. I won't make any demands on you. If I pass the exam and you don't, or if we're not in the same place, wait for me. No matter how long it takes, I will come to find you."

Zhao Mingyue's eyes sparkled as she looked at Shen Xuyue. This must be his promise. A slight lump formed in her throat as she smiled and shook her head. "Xuyue, I also have something to tell you. I'll always be waiting for you, but I don't want to be a burden to you. Remember: you must be happy, don't force yourself. Always listen to your heart, and don't go against it." Zhao Mingyue touched Shen Xuyue's left chest. Her greatest wish was for him to be happy, even if it wasn't with her. Up to this point, Zhao Mingyue felt she had no regrets about Shen Xuyue; she had received far more than she had expected.

Shen Xuyue reached out and tightly grasped Zhao Mingyue's hand. This was the first time they had held hands. Shen Xuyue's hand was warm and dry, while Zhao Mingyue's hand was soft and delicate. The warmth traveled from their hands to each other's hearts. Their hearts raced instantly, as if drawn together by a magnet, unwilling to let go.

After a long pause, Shen Xuyue said, "Then it's settled." His voice was somewhat hoarse.

"Mmm." Zhao Mingyue withdrew her hand. The warmth on it came from Shen Xuyue. She put her two hands together, hoping that the warmth could last a little longer.