Chapter 78
◎In the quiet alley, where only the cicadas chirped, people who were sleeping at home poked their heads out of the windows to see what was going on◎
In the quiet alley, where only the cicadas chirped, people who were sleeping at home poked their heads out of the windows to see what was going on.
Bei Bitang’s reputation in Shikumen was reversed in less than half an hour.
Miao Xiuxiu, who was originally playing poker at an old sister's house, was pushed home by a group of old sisters behind her with an unbelievable look on her face.
"Xiu Xiu, you are so lucky."
"Xiu Xiu, your Bitang has the appearance of a high-ranking official."
"Xiu Xiu, my distant relative has a nephew who graduated from high school. His parents are both cadres. He works at the power supply bureau. Do you want to ask your Bitang to make a friend with him?"
"Xiu Xiu..."
“Xiu Xiu…”
Miao Xiuxiu's head was dizzy and confused. How did she pass the exam? If she had known her youngest daughter had this ability, she would have supported her even if she had spent all her money.
But the coffin hadn't been taken out, and Bei Bitang had also passed the exam. Miao Xiuxiu laughed heartily, her smile as bright as a chrysanthemum, even happier than when the little boy was born.
After all, the little boy is her daughter's child, so there is a layer of distance between them. At the critical moment, of course her daughter is more important than her grandson.
Even though Miao Xiuxiu doesn't treat Bei Bitang well and loves her dearly, if someone puts a knife to her neck and forces her to choose one, she will definitely choose Bei Bitang.
She was incredibly kind to Huang Dashan, but it would have been absolutely impossible for her to donate a kidney or bone marrow to him. But when it came to Bei Bitang, she didn't hesitate at all. Before donating, she even went to Jing'an Temple to pray for success.
Human nature is complex. Miao Xiuxiu's bad attitude towards Bei Bitang is simply due to the old ideas of her parents' generation. You came out of my belly, so you have to accept whatever I do to you.
But how many people will encounter the extreme situation of donating kidneys or bone marrow in their lives?
A large group of people poured into the small house. Bei Bitang was shy and could not stand the enthusiasm of the neighbors, so she could only take out the admission letter from Jiaotong University and hand it to them one by one.
Miao Xiuxiu stared at it with sharp eyes. If anyone wanted to touch it or take it for a look, she would say, "Be careful! If you break it, can you afford to pay for it?"
Everyone laughed and joked about it.
The room was filled with such joy that one couldn't tell that perhaps half an hour ago, one of them was saying bad things about Bei Bitang.
Everyone sees each other every day, and Miao Xiuxiu and her family will be living here for decades. Shikumen is a society where favors are concentrated. Today I have an argument with you, and tomorrow I have a wedding or funeral at home and need your help, and you have to agree warmly.
If Bei Bitang couldn't even stand this little bit of human indifference, she would have fallen out with her elder neighbors and never had any contact with them again because of a few contemptuous words from them.
You look down on me, right? Humph, then I will ignore you.
This is something only children do, or your family has given you the confidence to be a child your whole life.
Bei Bitang blushed as she accepted the praises. It was almost sunset when she sent away the last wave of neighbors who came to congratulate her.
Lin Bilan hurried back home after work and bumped into her neighbors who had left. Everyone smiled and congratulated her on having a younger sister who was a university student.
Lin Bilan smiled dully and walked into the house like a wandering soul.
She leaned close to Miao Xiuxiu's ear, looked at Bei Bitang sweeping the melon seed shells, and whispered, "Did you really get in, and it was Jiaotong University?"
Miao Xiuxiu shouted, "Bitang, take out your notice and show it to your elder sister."
Miao Xiuxiu's words were filled with indescribable joy and pride, and Lin Bilan felt a pang in her heart.
But when Bei Bitang handed her the university admission letter, she wiped her hands, took it, and read it carefully twice.
She forced a smile and said, "Little sister, you are so lucky. God has blessed you."
Miao Xiuxiu said, "Bilan, go buy some cooked food and some plum wine. We can have a drink together tonight."
Lin Bilan agreed with a stiff expression, took out her wallet from her bag, took out a five-yuan note, thought about it hesitantly, gritted her teeth and took out another ten-yuan note.
Just consider it as a way to ward off disaster!
Before Lin Bilan left, she looked at Bei Bitang intently and asked, "Where's Bili? Does she know the good news? Do you want me to give her a call and let her know?"
Before Bei Bitang could answer, Miao Xiuxiu spoke first, "You don't need to worry about Bili. Bitang is closest to her. Bitang called her right away. She's going back to her parents' home this weekend, and maybe the second uncle will come back with her, all to honor Bitang."
After hearing this, Lin Bilan felt even more upset and left in a depressed mood.
After buying the cooked food, Lin Bilan had already adjusted her mentality. The small room was filled with her exaggerated voice.
"Mom, before the holidays, my little sister is going to ride a horse and wear a big red flower and parade around the streets... My little sister got into Jiaotong University. Oh, my little brat is counting on her from now on. My little sister, please teach him more..."
When Huang Dashan came back from get off work, Lin Bilan immediately rushed over, pulled his shoulders, and whispered in his ear.
Huang Dashan was silent for a long time before he said to Bei Bitang, "Little sister, congratulations."
Bei Bitang turned her head away indifferently, pretending not to hear the congratulations.
Lin Bilan's face instantly turned angry. She opened her mouth to say something to Bei Bitang, but suddenly she remembered something and closed her mouth again.
Miao Xiuxiu was right next to them, but she didn't say anything about Bei Bitang.
According to her previous attitude, Miao Xiuxiu and Lin Bilan could not tolerate Bei Bitang's indifference to Huang Dashan.
The accusations she had expected did not come. Bei Bitang found it funny that even family members could be snobbish towards each other, putting down those who are inferior and praising those who are superior.
At the dinner table, Huang Dashan raised his wine glass and toasted Bei Bitang. He began with a humble tone, "Little sister, your brother-in-law is offering you some wine to apologize. I was blind to recognize you! Don't hold grudges against me. Don't take my previous words to heart. Your brother-in-law is just worried that you'll waste your youth."
After saying that, he raised his head and drank it all in one gulp.
Bei Bitang remained silent, her lips curled up, and she thought to herself, "What kind of apology is this? Huang Dashan loves drinking the most? And he uses an idiom he knows but doesn't know how to use it."
Miao Xiuxiu waved her hand and said, "A harmonious family brings prosperity. Not to mention my son-in-law, even I, as her mother, believe that my daughter has the ability to get into university. Bitang has been admitted. Let's not talk about unhappy things and let the past be the past. Let's eat!"
Lin Bilan and Huang Dashan hurried down the stairs and nodded, saying, "Yes, yes."
The atmosphere at the table was fueled by the harmonious chorus of Lin Bilan and Huang Dashan. Bei Bitang, the host, didn't seem particularly happy, and her attitude towards Miao Xiuxiu and the others remained the same. She would only respond when they called her "life," and if they didn't want to respond, she would simply put on a cold expression.
After dinner, Bei Bitang was pushed directly by Miao Xiuxiu to lie down.
Lying on the bed with a magazine on her knees, Bei Bitang was turning the pages while gently waving a palm-leaf fan.
Suddenly, Bei Bitang put the magazine and the palm-leaf fan aside in frustration, puffed up her face, and buried her head in the quilt.
The room was quiet, as if no one was there. A firefly flew in from the window and approached the low-hanging mosquito net.
Bei Bitang turned over, crossed her arms over her chest, and stared blankly at the top of the mosquito net.
After a while, she discovered the firefly that had strayed in.
To Gu Wangxi, she was just a firefly that broke into his world. She was insignificant, but it was pleasing to the eye to watch her occasionally.
Bei Bitang knew that she was beautiful. If she wasn't, would Gu Wangxi have been willing to marry her?
If I ask myself honestly, even if Gu Wangxi looked like He Dafei, I wouldn't agree to that either.
Thinking of this, Bei Bitang instantly kicked out the sadness in her head.
Bei Bitang cursed in her heart and shook her head. She couldn't think about it anymore. She couldn't put He Dafei's face on Gu Wangxi's head!
Bei Bitang stared at the firefly, not knowing how long she had been looking at it and how long she had been troubled.
The room darkened for a moment. The lights across the street had dimmed, and the family was about to go to sleep. Suddenly, Bei Bitang figured it out, jumped out of bed, and put on her coat.
The fireflies were startled and flew away in panic. Before Bei Bitang went out, she stretched out her hand.
The firefly seemed to sense Bei Bitang's kindness, flew towards her, and landed in her palm.
Bei Bitang stretched her hand out of the window, and the firefly flew into the darkness that belonged to it.
The night is deep and the lights are twinkling.
People downstairs were wearing loose shorts and thin vests, gathered together. There was a radio in the open space in the middle, playing Shan Tianfang's storytelling.
The mosquitoes buzzed closer, and the man frowned. He stretched out his hands and slapped them on the neck, legs, and hands without mercy. With a "pop", there was a dead mosquito in each hand.
Bei Bitang seemed to be walking in the center of a crowd of people. Everyone turned around, looked at her, smiled at her, and watched her go to the phone room.
Bei Bitang felt a little regretful and thought that maybe she shouldn't have left the house. She couldn't cope with such a situation and was not used to it.
She gritted her teeth and didn't turn back.
Bei Bitang dialed the number, then suddenly realized she wondered if Gu Wangxi had returned. Perhaps he was still in another country. But she didn't put the phone back, and continued to wait.
Gu Wangxi picked up the phone and asked, "Who is it?"
Bei Bitang glanced at the old lady with a burning gaze, turned her back, and whispered, "It's me."
Gu Wangxi paused slightly and said calmly, "Oh, it's Comrade Bei."
He looked at his watch. It was already past ten o'clock in the evening. Bei Bitang should have received the admission letter today. Why couldn't she wait any longer?
This year, the first time she took the initiative to call him was to tell him it was over. Well, their relationship started with a phone call and ended with another, so it had a beginning and an end, echoing each other from beginning to end.
Bei Bitang frowned slightly. Why did she feel that Gu Wangxi was sarcastic?
Bei Bitang thought for a moment and said, "Mr. Gu, are you back?"
As soon as the words came out of her mouth, Bei Bitang felt annoyed in her heart. Isn't this nonsense? How can I answer her call when I haven't returned to China?
Gu Wangxi didn't pay any attention to him and didn't notice that Bei Bitang said something stupid. If it were normal, he would definitely tease Bei Bitang a few words, regardless of whether the cold Miss Bei accepted it or not.
Gu Wangxi said coldly: "Come back."
He's been back for two weeks now, but actually, there was no need for him to leave the country. He was just trying to escape.
When Gu Wangxi thought about the fact that he didn't contact Bei Bitang and Bei Bitang didn't contact him in the past two weeks, he wanted to grind his teeth.
Bei Bitang breathed a sigh of relief silently, cleared her throat, and said with some joy: "Mr. Gu, I passed the exam!"
Gu Wangxi couldn't help but smile and said happily: "Congratulations."
She had nothing to say. What else could she say? She called Gu Wangxi just to tell him that she had been admitted to Jiaotong University.
Gu Wangxi only mentioned once that he graduated from Harvard University, and the name of Harvard University was firmly imprinted in Bei Bitang's mind. Once, Bei Bitang went to the city library to look for a book and borrowed a directory of famous universities around the world. At the very top, she saw the name of Harvard University.
Roosevelt was also Gu Wangxi's schoolmate, and there were hundreds of Nobel Prize winners. Bei Bitang was stunned.
After the college entrance examination, Bei Bitang never talked about or discussed her results with Gu Wangxi. How she did in the exam was like showing off one's skills in front of an expert or waving a sword in front of Guan Gong.
But since I have received the admission letter, I should also tell Gu Wangxi.
Bei Bitang suddenly had an idea and asked, "What about Mr. Gu's sister?"
Gu Wangxi said happily, "She was also admitted to the Architecture Department of Tongji University. Double happiness."
Bei Bitang felt that what Gu Wangxi said was wrong, but she couldn't figure out what was wrong.
Gu Wangxi then asked, "What about you? What major were you admitted to?"
Bei Bitang put her doubts aside and replied, "Department of Vehicle Engineering."
Gu Wangxi slowed his voice and said soothingly, "Physics and mechanical manufacturing are very popular majors. For science majors, physics and chemistry are almost always their first choice, mechanical engineering their second, and electrical engineering and the like their third. Vehicle engineering is also a good option. After graduation, you could join the First Automobile Works, which marked the birth of China's automotive industry."
Bei Bitang's ears itched, and she opened up and said, "Actually, I don't care what major I choose. I chose physics as my first choice just to have an easier time. If Mr. Guagua says so, doesn't that mean I'll go to Changchun after graduation? That shouldn't be the case. My registered residence isn't in Jilin Province, and the Shanghai automobile factory isn't bad either."
Gu Wangxi smiled and said, "You don't want to leave Shanghai?"
Bei Bitang said, "Who would be willing to leave their hometown? Didn't Mr. Gu come back from the United States?"
Gu Wangxi opened the curtains with one hand, looked up at the moonlight outside the window, and said softly, "My sister is still in China, and I came back to find her. What about you? You don't want to leave Shanghai. Why is it?"
Bei Bitang answered without hesitation, "It's probably because of the taste of the food in the cafeteria."
Gu Wangxi gave a fake smile, lowered the curtains and remained silent.
Bei Bitang smiled and said, "Thank you, Gu Wangxi, for giving me the college entrance examination materials from your sister's school and explaining the questions to me."
Gu Wangxi immediately asked, "Then how do you thank me?"
Bei Bitang's face froze, and she hesitated before saying, "Then how do you want me to thank you, Mr. Gu?"
She had spent all her money, but luckily there was no tuition fee for college and she received a monthly subsidy, so she didn't have to worry.
Gu Wangxi said in a low mood: "It's okay, no need to thank me, I was just joking."
Bei Bitang was silent for a while, thought about it, and decided to save money in the first month of college, deduct some money from the subsidy, and treat Gu Wangxi to a meal.
After thinking about how to thank Gu Wangxi, Bei Bitang said, "That's okay, Mr. Gu, I'm hanging up now. Goodbye, good night."
Gu Wangxi slapped his head in regret, thinking there was something wrong with him. He couldn't talk properly. Look, the other person was about to hang up. With Bei Bitang's superior looks and education, she was sure to be chased by countless suitors after she went to college. Would she care about a man she needed to coax?
"Wait!" Gu Wangxi called out to Bei Bitang.
Bei Bitang asked doubtfully, "Mr. Gu, what else is there?"
Gu Wangxi closed his eyes and spoke quickly, "Miss Bei, now that you've been admitted to university, you won't have to worry about your livelihood anymore, right? So what about us?"
Bei Bitang lowered her head and looked at her toes for a while.
Gu Wangxi said: "Since Miss Bei is silent, I understand what she means. Let's..."
At this moment, Bei Bitang also spoke. She whispered, "Mr. Gu, let's just do it as usual."
"What?..." Gu Wangxi suddenly lost his voice.
Bei Bitang raised her head, took a deep breath, and said, "If you don't want to, just break up if you want."
There was a struggle between two little people in Gu Wangxi's head. He wanted to clarify what was going on between them, but he was also afraid that if he missed this opportunity, he would never get it again.
Gu Wangxi, who has always been radical and enterprising in the business world, chose the most conservative strategy this time.
He nodded and said, "Okay, Miss Bei, then come see me once a week as you said."
Bei Bitang bit her lip and said hesitantly, "Mr. Gu, I can't guarantee once a week. After I go to college, I want to focus more on my studies. On weekends, I want to study in the library or stay in the dormitory to read."
What else can Gu Wangxi say? Books contain beautiful women and golden houses. Books are the ladder of human progress.
At least he lost to the book, a non-human object, and did not lose to any man in the world.
And given Bei Bitang's single-minded focus on studying, if a boy in her class flirted with her, she'd think there was something wrong with his eyes. Given her cold exterior and inner self, she wouldn't have the good grace to suggest someone go to the infirmary.
Gu Wangxi thought positively, feeling a bit happier. He said gently, "Well, you should study hard in college and explore knowledge with a thirst for knowledge. The four years of college will pass quickly, and you'll miss your time there terribly after graduation. I was the same way when I was in college, but some ruthless people wouldn't even leave the campus once a semester. I couldn't compare to them. Now that I think about it, I kind of regret that I was so playful in college."
Bei Bitang listened carefully to the experience of the experienced person, nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, and replied like a good student: "Mr. Gu, I will remember what you said. I will study hard and try not to leave the school as much as possible. Don't let my mind wander."
Gu Wangxi choked, as if he had said something wrong.
Bei Bitang added, "Then let's leave it at that, Mr. Gu. We'll maintain our previous relationship. If you meet someone you like, you can tell me. We can part ways amicably."
She and Gu Wangxi were both single, and neither of them was hurting or bothering anyone. It was quite joyful and relaxing for a man and a woman to do that kind of thing. It was the most primitive joy, so why resist it?
No, she was wrong. It should be a love affair between a man and a woman.
Bei Bitang thought secretly.
If her future husband can't accept it, then be clear: a clean slate finds a clean slate, and someone with experience finds someone with similar experience. Besides, whether she'll ever get married isn't certain, so getting into college gives her confidence. And for someone who's already gotten into college, the thought of marriage is not only awkward but also downright depressing, like being showered with cold water.
Bei Bitang spoke and thought freely. Gu Wangxi was speechless and could only say yes.
Bei Bitang hung up the phone and walked back into the alley. The crowd that had gathered to listen to the storytelling had dispersed, and no one was looking at her. Bei Bitang breathed a sigh of relief.
Above the starry sky, the moon is bright and clear, and the moonlight is as clear as water.
The moon waxes and wanes, and the moonlight in midsummer is warmer than in other seasons, so it doesn't freeze people.
"Hey! Bitang!" Feng Guangmei, who had just finished watching a movie with her classmates, rushed out from around the corner.
Bei Bitang covered her chest, looked at Feng Guangmei unhappily, and said, "You scared me."
Feng Guangmei stuck out her tongue and said in a low voice, "I'm sorry, I'm too excited."
Bei Bitang said with concern: "Don't come home so late next time."
Feng Guangmei said, "Don't worry, my brother came to pick me up. He went to lock the car."
Feng Guangmei continued, "It's like a dream. Bitang, are you used to it?"
Bei Bitang was confused and asked, "What are you used to?"
Feng Guangmei spread her arms wide, swishing them back and forth. "Everyone's eyes," she said. "Every move your neighbors make is watching you. It feels great, doesn't it? If I could experience that before the college entrance exam, even in my dreams, and then experience the spotlight after getting in, I might be able to work hard and get into Tsinghua or Peking University!"
Bei Bitang smiled, smoothed her hair that was messed up by the night wind, and said, "But, Guangmei, I feel very ashamed. I feel like there's something wrong with me."
Feng Guangmei's smile faded, and she then took her arm around Bei Bitang's shoulders, rubbed them, and said with a smile, "Everyone has their own unique personality. Bitang, don't think that way. If you're embarrassed, it just means you're thin-skinned. Being thin-skinned isn't a flaw. When you get your Jiaotong University diploma, your work permit from a large factory with 10,000 employees, or your work permit from a certain bureau, department, or ministry, people will say you're unfathomable and humble."
The knot in Bei Bitang's heart was slightly untied. From childhood to adulthood, not only had Lin Bilan always criticized her for not being able to speak and make friends, but even her second sister would privately tell her to get closer to people and not be so introverted.
Feng Guangmei shook her head, raised her hand to the sky, spread her five fingers, and said, "We will definitely be better in the future!"
Bei Bitang was also full of confidence. She put her hand on him and said, "Well, tomorrow will definitely be better."
Feng Guangmei put her hands down and said with a smile, "When I go to college, I will definitely wear makeup, perm my hair, wear skirts, and wear shoes with high heels..."
After a pause, Feng Guangmei chuckled and gently touched Bei Bitang's head with her head. She said with a smile, "Let's have a campus romance! Bitang, do you want to have a relationship? The university is full of outstanding young men from all over the country."
Bei Bitang blushed inexplicably, and Gu Wangxi's handsome face appeared in her mind. She pursed her lips and shook her head.
Feng Guangmei came closer, stared at her, and pointed at her and said, "I don't believe it. The way you looked just now, it was obvious that you were in love."
Bei Bitang retorted, "I didn't."
Feng Guangmei said, "I don't believe it."
Bei Bitang said, "It's really useless."
The two of them argued back and forth all the way. When Bei Bitang returned home, Miao Xiuxiu and the others were already lying on the bed, ready to turn off the lights and rest. She quickly picked up the basin and went to take a bath.
When I came back from the bathhouse, Bei Bitang's bed had been made and the others were already asleep.
Bei Bitang turned off the lights and lay on the floor, listening to the chirping of crickets, and had a good night's sleep.
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