Originally, Qiao Lu just wanted to give Fang Youwei some advice, hoping that the mother and son could communicate well and stop arguing.
It's fine during the day, but it's noisy all the time at night. How can the neighbors rest?
I never thought that this child is such a talented person! Not only does he have talent, but he also has perseverance and interest!
"Youwei, with your level...if you take the art exam, you might be able to get into college."
She was smiling as she said this, her expression serious, without any sign of mockery.
"Sister Qiao Lu...you are not kidding..." Fang Youwei couldn't believe it, and his hands hanging at his sides trembled slightly.
His ultimate goal is actually a junior college. As for an undergraduate degree, he has never thought about it, nor dared to think about it, because his foundation in cultural subjects is a bit weak.
"No, I'm serious." Qiao Lu's eyes were sharp, not joking at all: "I think maybe you can give it a try. After all, the requirements for cultural subjects will be lower for art exams."
"Sister Qiaolu..." Really, no one knew how much pressure he was under. The more he loved painting, the more he was afraid to tell others.
Painting has always been his spiritual comfort. When he tells others about it, all he gets in return is ridicule and insults.
Now, suddenly, there is someone who firmly encourages you and affirms you... This is too magical, how can he believe it?
"Go sign up for a training class or something, and make a final push in the last few months... I mean no harm, Youwei. I heard that you missed the college entrance exam by three points this year, which means your academic foundation is not that good. So in this case, since you have a talent for art, wouldn't it be more effective to take the art exam?"
Fang Youwei's eyes sparkled, and he was obviously persuaded.
However, what lies before him is a realistic problem.
The 17-year-old boy was very concerned about his reputation. It took him all his life’s effort to muster up the courage to say: “But…but my family’s conditions…”
There was no such thing as art training classes back then, and if you wanted to take the art college entrance examination, there were only two training options.
One is the art training group spontaneously organized by high school teachers, and the other is the art training at the Youth Palace where only those who pass the selection can participate.
Both of these require money, and neither is free. The expenses are not too expensive for ordinary working-class people, but for the family situation of a successful person, it is still quite difficult.
Thinking of the financial difficulties at home, Fang Youwei's face became increasingly embarrassed.
"And my mom wouldn't approve." That's the key.
His current tuition is paid by his girlfriend, who not only has to pay for his tuition, but also has to give his mother 30 yuan of "salary" every month to deceive him...
If he asked her to support him to study art now, Fang Youwei couldn't bring himself to say it. He was also afraid that the girl would think that painting was a waste of time and that she would not understand him.
He was also afraid that his mother would find out and scold him.
"How much money do you need? I'll lend it to you." Qiao Lu said without thinking.
"Sister Qiao Lu..." Fang Youwei simply didn't know what to say. His eyes were red and tears were shining.
I was depressed for several days in a row. At this time, what Fang Youwei needed most was understanding and encouragement, nothing more.
Even if he fails to learn art in the end, her words can brighten his lonely and frustrated path of studying.
That's enough.
Qiao Lu laughed and took out a tissue: "Why are you so moved? I said I'm lending it to you, not giving it to you for free. When you become successful in the future, you can return it to me, right?"
She took the tissue and wiped away her tears, her lips trembling a little: "I, I am just a little surprised, a little surprised, and a little embarrassed."
Qiao Lu smiled and said, "Don't be embarrassed. Have you forgotten that your mother is the matchmaker between me and Haizhou? Without your mother, there might not be Haizhou and I now."
"These are two different things." Fang Youwei burst into laughter.
This happened so long ago. Qiao Lu usually made delicious food and sent it to their house. He felt that he had repaid her kindness long ago.
"How can they be two different things?" Qiao Lu was too lazy to talk to him and directly took out five big group notes from her pocket: "Is that enough? Find a pen and paper to write an IOU, so you don't have to feel embarrassed."
She knew better than anyone the pride of young people. Her mother's "insult" some time ago had made it impossible for Fang Youwei to ask his girlfriend for money. If she wanted him to accept the fifty yuan, she could only rely on Qiao Lu to take the initiative to give him a step.
Nowadays, the cost of studying art cannot be compared with that in later generations.
No matter what is said in later generations, the minimum cost is at least 10,000 or 20,000. Now it is the 1980s, and the tuition and materials cost at most 50 or 60 years. Is this a lot?
For Qiao Lu, it was just the profit from selling two coats.
But what is more valuable than these fifty dollars?
What a talent!
It would be fine if she didn't know, but now that she knew, how could she have witnessed with her own eyes a talented player being crushed in a cradle before he could even show his talent?
"Sister Qiao Lu, it's already December. Is it still in time for me to take the art exam?" At this time, Fang Youwei was already shaken.
But the professional skills test is in early March, and the month is already halfway over. Is it still in time?
“Has the registration period passed?”
Fang Youwei shook his head: "It seems not yet."
"Then it's still in time. Not to mention three months, even if there's only one month left, with your level, a sprint will be enough." She smiled and asked one last question: "What do you think? Are you willing? If you are willing, I'll find a way with your mother."
As soon as these words came out, Fang Youwei's sky became bright.
At this moment, what Qiao Lu threw to him was not only a guiding stone for a confused future, but also a heavy life-saving straw.
He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, a firm and powerful light flashed in his eyes: "I do!"
…
Today Fang Youwei changed her previous decadent attitude and took the initiative to help her mother wash vegetables, dishes and clothes. Her attitude was sincere and diligent.
Liu Xiaohong didn't quite appreciate it and didn't say anything to him, but her expression looked much more relaxed than before. She occasionally glanced at him, wanting to say something, but ultimately stopped herself from saying anything.
After dinner, men, women, old and young gathered in the yard to chat. The children laughed and played, waiting for six o'clock to arrive so that they could go to Qiao Lu's house to watch TV.
"Where's Youwei? I haven't seen him go out for many days. Didn't he say he was going to review his grades? Why isn't he going to school?" Someone started talking, and a pair of fiery eyes stared at Liu Xiaohong.
What is the hottest topic in the courtyard recently? If it’s not Song Qingping returning to her parents’ home, the conflicts between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law are not new!
It has to be Fang Youwei, the one who had the audacity to repeat his studies without telling his mother and grandmother, and he also had a 20-year-old girlfriend who was a street vendor. The gossip is that his girlfriend even gave him tuition and salary!
As soon as we sat down, we started chatting non-stop.
"He has been feeling unwell recently, so let him rest at home." Liu Xiaohong replied without raising her head while her hands continued to sew insoles.
"Are you going to stop me from repeating?" Everyone looked at each other. Aunt Tian suddenly poked her with her elbow, signaling Liu Xiaohong to answer.
"No, I've already paid the tuition. It would be a shame if I don't review." Things have come to this point, the die is cast, there is nothing that can be changed. Regardless of whether I pass the exam or not, the money cannot be wasted.
"What's the loss? No, I still earned ninety, haha." Auntie Tian said, looking at the lively atmosphere.
Everybody burst out laughing, looking at each other, the expressions in their eyes were obvious, it was obvious that they wanted to have a taste of the melon too.
But this Auntie Tian really went too far. She knew that Liu Xiaohong attached great importance to face, so now she was poking at her pain points and asking for trouble!
They had been chatting for several days in a row. Despite how good-tempered Liu Xiaohong was in front of her neighbors, she couldn't help but feel annoyed now, frowning and clicking her brows.
"It's so annoying. It was bothering me yesterday and it's bothering me today! Will it ever be healed? If it can't be done properly, just break it off! I spent so much time trying to untie it!" He was so angry that he threw the messy ball of string in his hand onto his legs.
After saying this, the whole audience fell silent for a moment, all staring at the two balls of wool on Liu Xiaohong's thighs. They tried to untie them for a long time but still couldn't, so they might as well just cut them off...
In fact, he is just blaming someone else for something else, and everyone knows who he is criticizing.
Aunt Tian shrank her neck in dismay as she was stabbed by her man.
She didn't dare to ask any more questions now, and she kept on laughing and turned the conversation back to Qiao Lu.
"Qiao Lu, um... when are you going to have another child with your husband?" She smiled brightly, even happier than Maitreya Buddha.
Hearing this, Qiao Lu was stunned for a moment, and she shyly slowed down her knitting movements: "Let it go, and continue whenever it comes. Don't force it. Besides, Haizhou and I are still young, there's no rush."
"You are young, but Haizhou is not young. He must be almost twenty-six or twenty-seven, right?" he said with a smile.
"Well, about the same. After the Chinese New Year, it will be the twenty-seventh in May."
"Oh, by the way, where is your second sister? I saw she was pregnant some time ago. Has she given birth?" Aunt Chen suddenly remembered and asked.
Qiao Lu was awakened and slapped her head, "Oh, Aunt Chen, thanks for reminding me. I guess she's about to give birth. Her in-laws take her seriously and she was admitted to the hospital a few days ago. I have to go to the department store tomorrow to buy some supplements for my sister and check on her."
"Yes, yes, this is your second sister's first child, right? Buy her some nourishment, such as maltose, canned food... By the way, are your second sister's in-laws treating her well?" It was Aunt Chen who asked.
Qiao Lu glanced at her and said with a smile, "Okay, it's really good. I'm afraid it will melt if I hold it in my hands."
"Oh, that's great."
"Yeah." Qiao Lu suddenly had an idea, "There's nothing I can do. My sister is outstanding. She's a college student. Outstanding people are praised wherever they go."
As he spoke, he glanced at Liu Xiaohong's red face. She was still struggling with the ball of wool.
"I'm so jealous! College students have it so good. They get a guaranteed job after graduation. They work in an office right after they enter the factory. It's easy and well paid. But my two kids are not up to the task and can only help the college students."
Qiao Lu nodded in agreement: "Yes, the treatment of college students in my sister's factory is quite good. Just a few months ago, a new college student came and was assigned to the technical department as soon as he came in. He sits in the office and draws drawings every day. How easy it is, seventy yuan a month!"
"Just sitting in the office for a month and you can get 70 yuan?" Liu Xiaohong was puzzled and asked in disbelief.
In her impression, those who work in the factory offices are leaders, have the easiest jobs and earn the highest salaries.
Before Youwei took the college entrance examination, she had fantasized that her son would be admitted to university one day and assigned to work in an office in a factory after graduation. Unfortunately, later... Alas.
"Drawing drawings? It sounds easy. Is it just drawing? Can all college students draw?" asked Auntie Tian.
"No, no, no, not all college students can go there. They have to start learning art in high school, then get into college through painting, and then systematically study painting or design in college..."
After hearing the long speech, everyone seemed to understand it half-heartedly. They understood it, but also seemed not to understand it.
"After graduation, you will be assigned to a corresponding position based on what you have learned, and the salary is generally not bad."
"What are you painting? Can you earn so much by painting?" Liu Xiaohong asked.
"Sister, don't underestimate painting. If you are good at painting, you can become a talent needed in all walks of life! The salary is first-class!"
Qiao Lu enumerated them in detail: "For example, product research and development departments, food packaging, the National Academy of Engineering... those design drawings actually need painters to complete. Nowadays, no industry can be without designers! Painting is a panacea! Do you know what panacea is?"
Everyone moved in unison, shaking their heads: "What do you mean?"
"It's a profession that you can always find a job in, no matter where you go! It's like... like a stable job! If anyone can learn this art well, they won't have trouble finding a job no matter where they go!"
"Oh, there is such a profession? How smart does one have to be to learn it?"
Qiao Lu suppressed her laughter: "No, you don't need to be very smart. As long as you are willing to learn and you like to learn... it's not difficult. But why are designers so rare nowadays?"
"Yes, why?" everyone asked in unison.
"Alas." Qiao Lu pretended to be regretful and sighed, "How many parents nowadays pay attention to cultivating their children's painting skills? Do they only focus on cultural subjects, such as Chinese, mathematics, etc., right?"
"Yeah, that's not a big deal." Aren't these things part of the college entrance exam? If not this, what should I focus on?
"Really? That's the problem. People are smart. If they don't do well in academic subjects, they can change their path and study art. After graduation, they can still be college students, work in offices, and earn high salaries."
"My sister knows that designer who works in an office and earns 70 yuan a month. When he was in high school, his academic performance was about the same as Youwei's. He could have been admitted to a junior college at best. But later he switched to studying fine arts and was admitted directly to a university!"
This is not something Qiao Lu made up; it is a case that happened in her class when she was in high school.
Originally, with that student's usual grades, he could only go to a junior college. However, four months before the art exam in his senior year of high school, he suddenly switched to studying fine arts. After four months of intensive training, he did very well in the art exam and got a high score. Even though his academic performance was poor, he still made a comeback from the junior college level and was admitted to an undergraduate program.
Can you say that they are not at the undergraduate level? I can only say that everyone has their own strengths.
"Oh, really? Learning painting can help someone who is admitted to a junior college get into a university?" Liu Xiaohong admitted, she was really moved!
I remember Youwei often drew on notebooks and loved it so much that when he was little, he would pester her to buy watercolor pens and art books. It was a mess. At that time, we couldn't afford to buy those useless things.
Now, does he still like it?
"Yes, our country has opened a special college entrance examination for the arts since 1978. Arts include vocal music, musical instruments, fine arts, dance... There are many. If you choose to go down the art path, you don't have to have very good academic scores. With scores like Youwei, you can try. But it depends on whether you like it. If you don't like painting, you won't be able to learn it."
"Hurry up, Guifang, listen carefully. You two girls have good grades. Maybe you can follow this path in the future." Aunt Tian hurriedly called for help.
Wu Guifang smiled modestly: "What good grades are there? They are just so-so. It's still too early for me to enter university."
Even though they say this, we still have to listen carefully. There is no parent who doesn't want their child to get into college. That is a matter of honor for the family!
"That's great. It means that as long as you learn to paint, you won't have to worry about finding a job in the future. You can also work in an office and get a high salary." Liu Xiaohong said enviously.
"Xiaohong, didn't you hear what sister Qiao Lu said? It's not enough to just learn painting, you have to rely on painting to get into university! Only after you get into university will you not have to worry about finding a job. Oh, the salary is high!" Aunt Tian corrected.
"Oh, yes, I want to take the college entrance examination. If I get in, that would be great." I won't have to worry about anything for the rest of my life.
As she was about to ask something, a small steel cannon suddenly rushed in from the gate and slammed straight into Qiao Lu's arms.
"Mom! Dad and I are back! The water is a little hot today. Look at my hands, aren't they red?"
I just came back from the bathroom with Xu Haizhou. My whole body smelled of mint soap and my hair was half dry. I felt cold in the wind after running back like that.
"Oh, really, why didn't I boil you little piglet?" Qiao Lu laughed and asked while pinching his face.
Qiao An laughed and broke free from her restraints and went into Xu Haizhou's arms: "Because my dad is here to protect me."
As it spoke, one little foot rose up, like a puppy wagging its tail.
"Oh, so you rely on your father to protect you."
Xu Haizhou bent down and picked up his son. Qiao Lu laughed and patted his little butt gently. "Let's go home and watch TV."
After that, all the children in the inner courtyard swarmed behind the family of three, lined up neatly, and prepared to go to the Xu family's cottage to watch TV.
The adults also packed up and prepared to move, as it was warmer inside than outside.
…
Tonight's Huo Yuanjia is coming to an end, and adults and children are excitedly discussing what TV show will be broadcast next. It's very lively.
The cold wind howled outside, and the rustling of leaves made the house even warmer. After the people left, the house became cold and the temperature dropped sharply.
"Has everyone left?" Qiao Lu had just come back from taking a shower. When she left, the house was full of people. When she came back, the main room was empty and no one was around.
Xu Haizhou took the towel and wiped her hair, and replied softly: "Well, An An has gone to bed."
"So early?" Xu Haizhou said as he walked towards the bedroom. He paused and waited for Qiao Lu to sit down in the room before continuing to wipe her hair.
"Mom, Mom, you're back." The little guy curled up in the quilt, his voice was small and gurgling, and he sounded very sleepy.
"Are you sleepy so early today?"
Rubbing his eyes, Qiao An answered: "Well, I went to many places to play with Brother Kang Kang today. I played hide-and-seek, hopscotch, and skipping rope with Xiao Mai. I came back to watch TV. I'm so sleepy."
"You're not that old, but your schedule is even busier than your dad's." She tucked the corner of his quilt and patted his chest soothingly: "Go to sleep. Mom will leave after you fall asleep."
The boy opened his mouth and yawned, then closed his eyes. His thick eyelashes fluttered in the dim light, and then there was no movement for a few moments.
Qiao Lu smiled, stood up, slowly put her head close to Xu Haizhou's chest, and said coquettishly: "I'm so tired, carry me up."
The man laughed and kissed her cheek soothingly: "Your hair is still a little wet, wait a minute."
"Hmm..." Qiao Lu sat down lazily and leaned against him crookedly.
He used his fingertips to gently massage the top of her head, allowing the towel to fully absorb moisture. The massage made her feel so comfortable that she felt drowsy.
"Can we sleep well tonight, right?" Qiao Lu suddenly asked in the silence.
After a pause, Xu Haizhou put his arm around her earlobe and pinched it. The faint minty scent penetrated her nostrils from his wrist.
His voice was soft, but his words were hard: "Just once."
Qiao Lu: ...one time is as long as two times.
I can’t bear it. I really can’t bear it.
Qiao Lu was just thinking about how to get him to stop tonight when she heard a crisp sound coming from the door:
Knock knock——
"Someone, go check it out."
Pushing and shoving, Xu Haizhou went out.
After turning it on, the air-conditioned air rushed into the room crazily, suffocating me for a second before I could see the person in front of me clearly.
"What?"
The person who came was Fang Youwei. Due to the darkness of the night and the backlight, his face could not be seen clearly.
"Hai, Brother Haizhou, I'm looking for Sister Qiao Lu." He intertwined his hands in front of him, his tone a little awkward.
"Looking for Qiao Lu?"
"Um."
"Wait a minute."
Xu Haizhou turned and entered the bedroom. Qiao Lu wiped her half-dried hair, tilted her head, and asked curiously: "Who is it? Why didn't you close the door when you came in?"
"Fang Youwei, looking for you."
Hu Luan pulled his hair out and hurried out: "Youwei, why are you here?"
Following closely, Xu Haizhou came out holding a thick cotton jacket and covered Qiao Lu's back: "Why are you in such a hurry? You are so careless."
Qiao Lu kissed him on the cheek gratefully, and the man left the room contentedly. Before leaving, her eyes lightly fell on Fang Youwei, and after a glance at each other, they quickly looked away.
"Can we go inside and talk?" It was cold outside, and seeing that Qiao Lu was only wearing a thin autumn outfit, Fang Youwei was afraid that she would catch a cold.
"Come in." Qiao Lu took a step back to make way for him.
"What's wrong? Do you want to talk to me about something?"
"Yeah." Fang Youwei turned around and watched her close the door. He suddenly reached into his trouser pocket and grabbed a stack of bills.
"Sister Qiao Lu, I'll give it back to you."
It was the five big reunion tickets she gave me this morning.
"What are you doing...?" Qiao Lu's heart suddenly skipped a beat, thinking that he regretted agreeing to study art.
"Sister Qiaolu." But his expression was joyful: "My mother said she would send me to study art!"
I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, thinking to myself that this child spoke too slowly, it was really scary.
I slapped him on the arm and said, "Okay, that's great, congratulations!"
"Thank you, Sister Qiao Lu. I know, I heard you talking this afternoon. My mother must have listened to you, so she..." After she finished speaking, her eyes suddenly turned red.
He was glad that it was night time and that the light bulb in Xu Haizhou's house was not bright enough to illuminate his red eyes.
"I will work hard, I will definitely work hard!" If he doesn't get into college, he will be too ashamed to face all those who support him!
"Well, be more confident. You can do it. Don't quarrel with your mother recently. If you have anything to say, talk to her in a friendly manner. You two have depended on each other for so many years. Don't hurt your relationship over such a small matter."
Fang Youwei smiled and replied: "Well, I told my mom that before the exam, neither of us would talk about my partner or money. We can talk about it after I finish the college entrance examination."
"Okay, go back. If you have any questions, you can ask me."
"Thank you, Sister Jolu."
…
"What's wrong?"
She unlocked the door with a click, stepped onto the bed with cold feet, and snuggled into the man's arms.
She found a comfortable position in his arms and then told him the story of Fang Youwei.
After listening to her, Xu Haizhou was silent for a while, as if he did not agree with her approach.
"The college entrance examination is not a trivial matter. Besides, he is repeating the exam, so the pressure is higher than the first time. What if he fails again and you are the one to blame?"
"Blame me? Why blame me?" Qiao Lu perked up, got up from his arms and looked at him.
Xu Haizhou took a deep breath, put his arms around his wife's shoulders and pulled her into his arms, stroking her shoulders again and again.
"Originally, she chose to repeat the course, and if she didn't pass, she can blame herself. Now you want her to change her track and take the art exam. If she doesn't pass, don't you also have a share of responsibility?"
"Ah? It seems..." After Xu Haizhou said this, Qiao Lu realized that she had never considered this problem at all.
After a long silence, he coughed awkwardly: "If he blames me, then I'll just treat it as a lesson for me..."
Such comfort, the tone is not as cheerful as before.
Things happened so suddenly at that time, Qiao Lu had no time to think so much and carefully...
Xu Haizhou paused, as if to sigh, and patted her shoulder: "Think carefully before doing anything in the future."
From Xu Haizhou's purely rational point of view, it is better to avoid trouble as much as possible. No matter how mature Qiao Lu is, she still has too many emotional thoughts in her heart and sometimes cannot be absolutely rational.
Qiao Lu felt that she had not handled this matter carefully and felt a little regretful.
She was obviously very rational before, how come, after staying in the honey pot for too long, she has no sense of crisis anymore?
"Well, isn't this too sudden today? I originally wanted to go over and persuade him and his mother to stop arguing, but who knew that he also had a talent for painting. Oh, I couldn't hold it in." She drew circles on his chest in distress, "I really didn't think too much at the time... Do you think I can watch a talented child fail the exam again? Well, in fact, he might have a chance to be admitted to a junior college, but it's such a pity."
Xu Haizhou laughed softly and pinched her nose: "How many years older are you than him? Child?"
Qiao Lu slapped his hand away in annoyance: "It's just a random nickname, but...if he did well in the art exam but did poorly in the academic subjects, you can't blame me...who made her fail to live up to expectations?"
After two seconds of silence, Xu Haizhou said: "Well, it's okay. Let's wait and see. We will know whether it is right or wrong in half a year."
The author has something to say:
The time for the art exam is personal, please do not take it too seriously*^_^*