The neighbors acted as if they didn't know anything, asking the old man every time they passed by his house. The old man was so ashamed that he hid at home and dared not go out.
What angered him even more was that Granny Chang acted as if nothing had happened. When she went out to buy groceries and neighbors asked her about it, she would stand at the door and chat with them, her voice clearly audible even through the walls.
Old Chang turned and went back to his room, his lungs aching with anger.
What use is a grandson like that? He's a disgrace!
That evening, Old Man Chang gave a firm order that Chang Hongbing and his wife must return home.
When Old Man Chang told her that his son had failed the exam, Chen Zhaodi was completely skeptical.
"Dad! You believe what people outside are saying! There's still a chance until the very last day! Yaozu studied with Huaying, and Huaying got into Capital Normal University. Yaozu isn't bad either!"
Old Man Chang nearly died of anger after hearing this. Didn't he say the same thing when he failed the exam last time? He still failed!
"You won't shed a tear until you see the coffin!"
He turned to look at Chang Hongbing.
"Hongbing, you can't reason with your wife anymore. What are your plans now?"
Chang Hongbing sighed. Although he had good grades in school, he was still much worse than his second brother. After finishing junior high school, he took over his father's job at the factory to support his family.
Chen Zhaodi was barely literate and had spent most of her life tightening screws in a factory, so it was no wonder that their son couldn't get into university.
As for Hua Ying getting into Capital Normal University, that was an unexpected turn of events.
"Yaozu, do you still want to take the exam? If you're confident, then keep trying. If you can get into university at your age, it'll be easier for you to get married. Otherwise, with your circumstances, you might have to wait forever!"
Everyone looked over, even Chen Zhaodi, who was always quick to jump around, opened her mouth wide, waiting for Chang Yaozu's reply.
Chang Yaozu shook his head decisively: "I'm not taking the exam, I can't pass!"
Chang Hongbing nodded, indicating that he understood: "Then I'll talk to the factory leaders in a few days and arrange for you to come to the factory as an apprentice."
Chen Zhaodi thought to herself, "This is not bad. I can work under my own father. Once the job is settled, I must hurry up and arrange to get married."
Chang Hongbing continued, “You have no education and you’re getting old. After all these years of delay, it will definitely be tough for you to be an apprentice in the factory. Although I’m your father, we’re only in a superior-subordinate relationship in the factory. You absolutely cannot expect me to bail you out. On the contrary, because you are my son, I will be even stricter with you. You’d better be prepared!”
“Hongbing! This is your son! Your only son!” Chen Zhaodi said anxiously.
Her son was going to suffer, and it broke her heart as a mother. Was there no better way?
Chang Hongbing said sternly, "A doting mother spoils her son. He should have worked hard long ago if he didn't have the ability to get into university. If he, as a man, still can't learn how to support a family, I advise him never to get married in this life, lest he harm himself and others!"
Chang Hongbing was dissatisfied with his good-for-nothing son.
Because Chang Yaozu is the eldest son and grandson in the family, everyone has high hopes for him. He has wasted so many years, and now it seems that he is the most useless. He doesn't even have the ability to support himself. How can he shoulder heavy responsibilities in the future?
Sensing his father's anger, Chang Yaozu pursed his lips.
Chen Zhaodi was determined to speak up for her son: "Doesn't the child feel bad hearing what you're saying? He's already heartbroken because he failed the exam, and you, as his father, are rubbing salt into his wounds. Are you out of your mind!"
"Chen Zhaodi!"
"Don't yell at me! My son will definitely get into college! If you won't support him, I will! I have plenty of money!"
Chen Zhaodi spoke with a strong and clear voice, and for a moment she suddenly felt that her work was not so hard, because the money she earned through hard work could fulfill her son's wish!
“Mom…” Chang Yaozu wanted to refuse.
Every time he failed the exam, he felt discouraged. However, back then, Yu'er was there to encourage him, and he gritted his teeth and continued. Now, Yu'er has long since left him. He must be a useless person!
Chen Zhaodi waved her hand and said, "Yaozu, don't be afraid. Go ahead and take the exam. You must get into university to prove them right! My son was born to be a university student!"
Old Chang stood to the side, shaking his head and sighing. His words were eloquent, but they were useless!
You have to pass the exam; otherwise, it's completely useless!
Old Man Chang, unusually calm, said, "Hongbing's wife, I advise you not to get too agitated. What's the use of Yaozu taking the exam again next year? He's taken it so many times and still hasn't gotten a result. It's just another year wasted."
Chen Zhaodi exclaimed, "They'll definitely pass next year! My Huaying got into Capital Normal University after a year of studying! Yaozu isn't bad either!"
Blindly confident and optimistic, unsure of what to say.
Old Man Chang glanced at Chang Yaozu, whose face was full of dejection, and shook his head fiercely.
Taking the exam again next year won't help; you're not that capable. It's a waste of time!
Chen Zhaodi came up with a terrible idea: "If you're worried and think that taking the exam again for another year is a waste of time, then let Huaying accompany you for another year!"
"Huaying was able to get into Capital Normal University after only one year of review, which shows that she is a natural at studying, so Huaying has to help her brother!"
"If Huaying accompanies her brother for a year, at worst she can still get into Capital Normal University, and she did this time! It would be best if she could also tutor her brother and get into Capital Normal University together! On the bright side, Huaying might even be able to compete for Tsinghua or Peking University!"
When Tsinghua and Peking Universities were mentioned, Old Man Chang immediately woke up from his sleepiness.
"Tsinghua and Peking University are great! They're the best of the best! Graduates can even become county magistrates!"
My old fishing buddy has a son who took the college entrance exam in 1978, got into one of the universities, and after graduation became the county magistrate of a small county in a neighboring province.
Chen Zhaodi was bubbling with happiness, and the more she thought about it, the better she felt her idea was.
I've taken good care of both my son and daughter, especially my son!
When Chang Huaying returned from the student's home, Chen Zhaodi told her about the matter, and Chang Huaying firmly opposed it!
Chang Huaying: "I won't do it! If you're unwilling to support my university education, I'll save up my own tuition fees. I don't need you to tell me what to do!"
Chang Huaying was really angry and said some harsh words.
Because she knew she wasn't a genius, her high scores were partly due to her relentless efforts, and partly due to a combination of luck and circumstances.
She couldn't guarantee she'd get the same score if she repeated the year.
She wants to study at Capital Normal University.
Seeing his granddaughter's objection, Old Man Chang immediately changed his tone and chimed in, "We should still do as Huaying wishes. Capital Normal University it is. After all, she's the first college student in the family, and it'll be a source of pride!"
"That won't do!" Chen Zhaodi was extremely angry.
What about her son?
This attitude seemed very biased, and Chang Hongbing reached out and tugged at Chen Zhaodi.
"Alright, stop making a scene. Everyone has their own destiny. Huaying got in because she worked hard. Yaozu didn't get in, and that's his own fault! Yaozu wasn't cut out for college!"
Chen Zhaodi shook her head: "Don't pull me back! Huaying has the ability, but she doesn't care about her brother at all. She's too selfish! I don't have a daughter like that!"
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