"When my old man and I go to the underworld, we can hold our heads high in front of our ancestors."
She raised three college students; which ancestor wouldn't praise her?
Xie Xiuying rode her bicycle straight to town, and Ruan Qiushui couldn't stop her.
"Hey Gu Lao Er's wife, how did your wife, son, and daughter do on their exams this time?"
Xie Xiuying arrived at the entrance of the brigade, where the aunties who were gossiping together immediately surrounded her.
"I don't have time to chat with you guys, I still have to go to town to buy meat."
Xie Xiuying said something and quickly rode away on her bicycle.
If we delay any longer, we might not even have any pig offal left.
"Oh, Xie Xiuying still has the mind to buy meat. It looks like she's got it in the bag."
"I don't think so. Getting into university isn't that easy."
…
The aunties got more and more excited as they talked, and immediately split into two factions, arguing endlessly.
On one side were those who were on good terms with Xie Xiuying and believed that Ruan Qiushui and the others would be able to get into university.
On the other side were those who were jealous that Xie Xiuying's family had produced several workers, and they mocked Xie Xiuying for being unrealistic, saying that even if her ancestors' graves were emitting auspicious smoke, she wouldn't have such an ability.
Regardless of the outcome, whether Ruan Qiushui and her two companions will receive their university admission notices has become a topic of national discussion.
As for the Li brothers, Haonan and Haobei, who also took the college entrance examination, they weren't part of the Red Flag Brigade, so they wouldn't worry about them.
Lucky Xie Xiuying managed to buy the last piece of meat at the butcher's stall, although it wasn't the large, fatty cut she preferred.
That evening, Gu Guangrong specially gathered his family together to celebrate in advance that three of them were about to become college students.
"Old man, you'd better keep this a secret. Don't tell anyone until the acceptance letter arrives."
Xie Xiuying believed what her third son's wife said, but that didn't mean the other people in the brigade thought they were dreaming.
After she returned, Wu Guihua spoke with her, and she learned about the rumors circulating in the brigade.
Only by providing compelling evidence can she slap them in the face. She can afford to wait this long.
"Do I seem like an unreliable person?"
Gu Guangrong feigned composure, speaking in a flat tone.
That was close; he almost went to the broadcasting room and bragged to the whole brigade.
"I don't know when the acceptance letter will arrive."
Gu Xiaoxiao took a sip of soup, already eager to receive her acceptance letter.
"It'll probably be in February."
In Ruan Qiushui's memory, the college admission notice for the 1977 college entrance examination was not issued until February 1978.
"There are still two months left."
Gu Xiaoxiao sighed.
It really took quite a long time.
"I heard that 5.7 million people took the exam this time, but only 270,000 will be admitted."
Gu Changshu was somewhat worried.
Despite having confidence in my abilities, I was still taken aback by the acceptance rate of only 4.74%.
"Don't worry, you can do it."
Ruan Qiushui nodded to Gu Changshu in affirmation.
…
The college entrance examination fever continues unabated, and every day, aunties come to Xie Xiuying's door to inquire about the situation.
Xie Xiuying was able to handle it calmly at first, but later she got annoyed, shut herself away from visitors, and hid at Ruan Qiushui's place.
That afternoon, Xie Xiuying was helping Ruan Qiushui take care of the children.
Suddenly, Zhou, the matchmaker from the neighboring brigade, showed up at the door.
"My dear sister, I have some good news coming your way."
The matchmaker, Zhou, sat down next to Xie Xiuying as if they were old friends, and held her hand affectionately.
"Get to the point, don't try these tricks."
Xie Xiuying withdrew her hand, feeling a bit uncomfortable. Touching her hand like that made her very uneasy.
"Oh, my dear sister, I heard about your son and daughter getting into university. That's why I've come to congratulate you."
Matchmaker Zhou showered Xie Xiuying with compliments, praising the two of them to the skies.
Ruan Qiushui, who was standing to the side, understood Zhou the matchmaker's purpose. She called to Gu Changshu and Gu Xiaoxiao, and then carried the child upstairs.
This person is obviously here to arrange a marriage for her younger brother and sister-in-law; let Mother handle it herself.
"Oh my, these must be your son Gu Changshu and daughter Gu Xiaoxiao. Look at them, they're really good-looking."
When the matchmaker saw the two about to leave, she quickly stepped forward to stop them.
"Aren't you going to look for me? Just tell me what's wrong."
Xie Xiuying also figured it out, so she pulled Zhou the matchmaker away and quickly told the two of them to follow their third daughter-in-law upstairs.
"Look at my old sister, she's still so impatient."
The matchmaker was embarrassed for a moment, but then she smiled again.
"I've come here to propose marriage for the young men and women of our Red Army brigade."
"The Liu family in our brigade are the best of the best..."
Matchmaker Zhou launched into another awkward boasting session, while Xie Xiuying listened with her toes practically tearing her shoes apart.
"In short, it's a perfect match for you to marry your daughter to his family and bring his daughter into your home."
After Zhou the matchmaker finished speaking, she looked at Xie Xiuying's reaction.
The Liu family gave a fifty-yuan thank-you gift to the matchmaker; if these two couples are successfully matched, she'll be rich.
"They're completely blind and have no sense of right from wrong. I thought the Liu family were all good people, but I never expected them to be so shameless."
Xie Xiuying sneered, rolled up her sleeves, and stood up.
Not long ago, there were rumors that the Liu family had a son who acted bravely and righteously, but I never expected the whole family to be like this.
The siblings from both sides married each other.
The Liu family doesn't offer any dowry or bride price.
When they arrived at the Gu family's place, they not only had to provide a dowry for the girl, but also a bride price for the daughter-in-law.
Xie Xiuying just wanted to ask one question: Are her sons and daughters unable to get married? Or are they determined to stay with the Liu family? Why are they being treated like this, even being paid to send them away?
"Matchmaker Zhou, please go back and tell the Liu family that my son, Gu Lao Er, will never be able to find a wife in his entire life, and my daughter will never be able to get married, nor will she ever marry into the Liu family."
Damn it, Xie Xiuying was thinking of carrying a bomb and blowing up Old Liu's house.
Let him treat people like this.
"I, I'll go back and tell them right away."
Matchmaker Zhou was intimidated by Xie Xiuying's imposing manner and was afraid that Xie would take her anger out on her.
She had thoroughly researched Xie Xiuying's heroic deeds before coming, and estimated that she wouldn't last a single move against her.
"By the way, you know my son and daughter are very outstanding. So, please don't spread any false rumors."
"You've come all this way, it must have been tiring. Go back and buy some candy to sweeten your mouth."
Xie Xiuying took ten yuan and put it into Zhou the matchmaker's pocket, then sent her away.
Although it hurt to spend those ten yuan, Xie Xiuying cared more about her son and daughter's reputation.
If Matchmaker Zhou goes back and twists the truth, her son and daughter's reputation will be ruined.
They are future college students, and Xie Xiuying cannot allow them to be tainted.
"Yes, yes, I will definitely say more good things about them."
Fearing that Xie Xiuying might change her mind, the matchmaker Zhou grabbed the money and ran away.
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