085 Book Snatching
On the day the news of the official resumption of the college entrance examination came out, the Zhuoyue Garment Factory was in an uproar.
There are quite a few workers in the factory, and now that they know they meet the requirements to take the college entrance examination, they've started to make their own plans.
The next day, in the planning department office.
Section Chief Long studied the latest recruitment documents. "All applicants must be workers, farmers, educated youth, demobilized soldiers, or recent graduates, and must possess a high school diploma or equivalent... This requirement alone will eliminate many applicants. However..."
Section Chief Long adjusted his glasses and said, "Compared to the previously announced enrollment plan, the requirements have been relaxed considerably. Look, it says here: age, marital status, and educational restrictions have been relaxed. In provinces with too many applicants, even junior high school graduates can apply. We should also be aware of recruiting high school graduates from the classes of '66 and '67, with the age limit extended to 30, and marital status is not a restriction. We should also be aware of recruiting worker-peasant-soldier college graduates... Hey, Section Chief Guan, you completely meet the requirements!"
Section Chief Xiao Guan felt a sense of relief. The college entrance examination admission documents had been revised again and again, but now they were finally finalized. The restrictions on education, age, and marriage had been relaxed. According to the requirements in the document, her sister and her family fully met the application requirements.
Shortly after the first science and education conference held in August, a version of the enrollment plan was made public.
However, many students who were looking forward to the college entrance examination wrote to the central government requesting the relaxation of various restrictions. At that time, her sister and her classmates were worried while reviewing their studies. It wasn't until now that the revised admission documents have been issued.
Guan Yuehe waved her hand in refusal, "I won't join in the fun."
Yesterday, her university professor sent her a telegram asking her to call back.
During the phone call, the teacher mentioned postgraduate admissions. Currently, the focus is on restoring college entrance examination admissions, and postgraduate admissions have not yet been finalized. She was told to wait for further news.
Guan Yuehe decided to wait until next Sunday to go back to school and talk to her teacher to learn more about postgraduate studies.
Seeing that she had no idea, Section Chief Long didn't care and even said happily, "That's great. I was worried that you would also have to sign up for the exam. The department can't be left without anyone to do the work."
The previously announced enrollment plan required applicants to be reviewed by their employers, but the final enrollment document states that applications are voluntary and that employers will not be required to review applicant qualifications.
In other words, if the people who registered don't say so, no one will know the exact number of people in the factory who registered for the college entrance examination.
Moreover, when the latest enrollment documents were released, everyone discovered that although the documents stated that "high school or equivalent education level" was required, in reality, junior high school graduates, or even elementary school graduates, could also apply.
Suddenly, the number of people wanting to try their luck at the college entrance examination venue increased significantly.
The complete liberalization of the college entrance examination is a good thing for most people. But for factories that are rushing to meet production targets, it's causing some concern.
It's obvious to the naked eye that the workers' minds have wandered over the past two days, and the workshop foreman has caught some slacking off several times. But now the factory has heavy production tasks, and the workshop foreman is in a state of panic.
Soon after a meeting, the factory leaders decided:
First, we will fully support the factory workers who are registering for the college entrance examination and cooperate with Wuxing Automobile Factory so that they can attend college entrance examination review classes at the Wuxing Automobile Factory's affiliated high school in the evenings.
Second, the factory personnel department approved the workshop workers to find replacements and recruit temporary workers...
Ten years later, this college entrance examination and enrollment work, which was fully supported by the state and the institutions, has been launched in full swing.
As an outsider to this college entrance examination and admission process, Guan Yuehe can still feel the country's and society's thirst for talent.
Amidst this frenzy, while some were busy searching for high school textbooks, the "Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry Series" was already selling like hotcakes.
You can either queue up at a bookstore to buy it, or buy it on the black market at several times the price. But to buy it on the black market, you need to know how to get in.
In any case, most people don't know the way in and can only obediently line up in front of the bookstore. Even if the book is sold out, they don't dare to leave and continue waiting for the bookstore to restock.
As Guan Yuehe was getting off work, she saw Bao Ning rushing home with a small bundle of vegetables. As he ran past Guan Yuehe, he didn't forget to greet her: "Hello, Sister Yuehe!"
When Aunt Bai heard Bao Ning's voice, she hurriedly came out of the house, her hands still wet, and called out to her, "Bao Ning, your mother has to work the night shift today. Bring your lunchbox over, eat, and then hurry up and queue up for your sister."
Bao Ning hesitated for a moment, and after Aunt Bai urged her twice more, she took the two lunch boxes and went over.
After Bao Ning ran out again with the heavy lunchbox, Guan Yuehe returned to Courtyard No. 2 and asked Aunt Bai, "Didn't Bao An and Bao Ning get any books either?"
"It should be soon." Grandma Bai was unaware that none of her family members had taken the college entrance examination, but her eldest granddaughter, Jinhua, had good grades at school, and Grandma Bai was hoping that her granddaughter could also go to university in the future.
Guan Yuehe didn't say anything more. She went home, put her things down, and then went to the bookstore on Changhu Street to guard the two small stools at her house.
The bookstore requires each person to buy only one book, and a small stool in the queue is equivalent to one person in line.
At this time, no one dares to provoke public anger by cutting in line. Anyone who does will be beaten and scolded, and may even be taken to the police station.
Guan Yuehua and Ding Xuewen failed to buy the "Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry Series". Originally, only Jiang Guiying and Lin Yufeng, the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, planned to take turns queuing up, but later Aunt Fang joined in.
When Guan Yuehe rushed over, she unexpectedly saw Mo Zhinan, who was giving money to one of the people in the group and then going over to guard the small stool.
As soon as Mo Zhinan sat down, he looked up and met Guan Yuehe's gaze.
He nodded, then turned his head away.
He Shuangshuang and Mo Zhinan argued for a while about job transfers. Now that He Shuangshuang has registered for the college entrance examination, the two are still ignoring each other.
Guan Yuehe only asked He Shuangshuang today and was relieved to learn that she had hired someone to queue up to buy the materials. She wondered who Mo Zhinan was queuing up for.
Without thinking twice, she quickly ran forward to find her family.
Upon seeing Aunt Fang, I quickly ran over and we each took a small stool.
“Your mother just went back, your brother-in-law will come over and keep watch over her later.”
Suddenly, the line in front cheered. Aunt Fang exclaimed with delight, "You've come at the perfect time! A truck just arrived carrying books; it must be the 'Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry Series'!"
Aunt Fang felt much more at ease. If she were queuing alone, she was afraid of being pushed aside by the people behind her. Now that Yuehe had arrived, she felt relieved.
They even have the leisure to gossip about others.
Aunt Fang gestured for Guan Yuehe to look at the front of the next line, "Look at her, she really doesn't know where her brain is. Expecting Ding Xuewu and Ding Xianguang to get into university? Buying this book is a waste of money."
Guan Yuehe looked over and, sure enough, saw Aunt Ding and Sister-in-law Ding queuing up.
When Ding Xianguang came back to visit his family last time, he insisted that he couldn't move his legs. After making a fuss for half a year, he was finally arrested by the police and sent back to the place where he was sent to work in the countryside.
The visit period specified on the letter of introduction had passed. If he didn't return to his hometown, he would have to go to a labor camp. Ding Xianguang could only cry and waile as he was sent away.
Aunt Ding is truly determined to be biased and prejudiced.
"I'm too lazy to talk about her anymore," Aunt Fang sighed. "If it weren't for the fact that Xuewen has always been close to you and Sitian since childhood, I wouldn't bother queuing up here."
Guan Yuehe immediately grabbed her arm and laughed, "That's right! He's benefiting too much from me and Sitian! He should send us lots of pork sausages this year!"
Aunt Fang was amused by her words, and the pent-up frustration in her heart dissipated. Oh well, they were children she'd watched grow up; lending a hand at this crucial moment would be a way for her to accumulate good karma for her three children.
Just as I finished thinking about it, the person at the front of the line bought the book and ran out excitedly.
The people behind started to get restless, afraid of not getting a turn, and couldn't help but push forward.
Guan Yuehe stood behind Aunt Fang like a small wall, firmly blocking the people who were about to rush up from behind.
When it was finally their turn, Guan Yuehe quickly slapped down the hands reaching out from behind her, stuffed the money into the sales clerk's hand, pointed to Aunt Fang and herself, and said, "The two of us, two sets of books, thank you, comrade, you've worked hard!"
She was very experienced in queuing up to pay for things: you have to firmly grasp the salesperson's hand and stuff the money in, and you also have to be polite and thankful to the hardworking salesperson. When they see you smiling, their irritable mood will be soothed a little.
Sure enough, they quickly received two sets of books.
Gu Mannian was still searching for people behind them, so Guan Yuehe quickly waved her hand.
"Finally got it!" Gu Mannian breathed a sigh of relief and thanked Guan Yuehe and Aunt Fang repeatedly.
"You guys go back first, I'll go help." Guan Yuehe handed the book in her hand to Gu Mannian, and rushed towards the chaotic group at the back as if she were about to fight.
Upon closer inspection, Guan Yuehe had picked up the small stool that the twins in courtyard number two had been guarding, and the people behind her who tried to push forward were held down by her with one hand.
After reading it, Gu Mannian thought to himself: Comrade Guan Yuehe still can't stand seeing others bully children.
Thankfully he didn't say it aloud, otherwise the people from Ginkgo Hutong who were queuing up next to him would definitely have objected: But she's a grown woman and she still likes to scare children!
When Lin Yiku returned home, the door was locked, but Guan Yuehe's bicycle was parked outside.
When he went to the neighbor's yard, he saw his parents at the Guan family's house, busy setting the table and setting out dishes, but he didn't see Guan Yuehe.
When Weiwei saw his uncle looking around as soon as he entered the house, he reminded him, "Auntie is still in line and hasn't come back yet."
Still in line? Lin Yiku glanced at the brand-new "Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry Series" on the stool. Hadn't they already been bought?
"Yiku, have you gone to check if Yuehe has gotten her turn yet?"
Lin Yiku responded and started walking out. As soon as he stepped out of the No. 3 courtyard, he saw a smug figure with its tail wagging so high it was almost touching the sky walking towards him from the alley entrance.
At this moment, Guan Yuehe walked forward with her head held high and chest out like a victorious general, with her twins carrying books following her happily like her two little puppy legs.
Upon seeing the people waiting directly in front of her, Guan Yuehe immediately quickened her pace, not even paying attention to the twins behind her.
"I just managed to snag the last set of books for Bao'an and Baoning today!"
To be precise, it can't be considered robbery.
They were supposed to be in line, but the person behind them insisted on rushing forward. Luckily, she reacted quickly, grabbed the person by the back of their collar, pulled them back, and then stuffed the money into the sales clerk's hand.
No wonder he's so arrogant.
Seeing her smug little face, Lin Yiku really wanted to pinch her cheeks.
His hands moved faster than his brain, but before they could touch her face, they were slapped away.
She solemnly reminded him, "Comrade Lin Yiku, be mindful of the impact!"
The person who reminded him to be mindful of his behavior returned to their small home after dinner, slammed the door shut, pushed him onto the sofa, and quickly showered him with kisses before rushing to turn on the TV.
She was allowed to touch him, but he didn't care whether he lived or died.
"Don't move, watch TV." Guan Yuehe lowered her voice and snuggled up next to Lin Yiku.
Many people in Yinxing Hutong have registered for the college entrance examination. The staff of the neighborhood office went from house to house to remind those with TVs and radios to keep the volume down during this period so as not to disturb the students' studies.
Actually, even if the neighborhood committee staff didn't remind them, families preparing for the college entrance exam would bring it up anyway, asking those living nearby not to turn on the TV for the time being.
In the past few months, several more families in Ginkgo Hutong have bought television sets, so it's not just the three channels in courtyards No. 2 and No. 3 anymore.
In Courtyard No. 2, Chang Zhengyi and Cao Lili both signed up, saying they wanted to give it a try.
So, Aunt Zhao stopped turning on the TV and wouldn't let the neighbors watch TV at Guan Yuehe's house for a while, saying she was afraid of making noise.
Guan Yuehe's family lived nearby, so they turned the TV volume down and watched it with the door closed.
This time slot is mainly for listening to the news. Guan Yuehe and Lin Yiku listen to the news every day without fail, as long as they are at home.
I had just finished watching and was waiting for the next program when a commotion broke out outside.
Aunt Zhao rushed out with a rolling pin, yelling, "What's all the noise about? Don't you know it will disturb other people's studying?"
Guan Yuehe wasn't very interested in the next program, which was a play, so she ran outside to see what was going on.
Lin Yiku, who had been left behind, turned off the TV and followed them out.
"Ding Laowu is back. He said he asked the brigade for leave and wants to stay home to study."
"Is he the only one who came back?" Upon hearing this, Sister-in-law Luo immediately thought of Zhou Baoyu.
Currently, various organizations are setting up review classes, with those run by high schools being the most popular. In addition, there are also free review classes open to the public in the city, with dedicated teachers to answer questions or bringing together students to study together.
In the countryside, resources for remedial classes were scarce. People either went to tutoring classes run by the commune after work every day, or they could only have the educated youth from the educated youth settlements pool together to run a class.
But compared to the city, it's definitely much worse.
Aunt Ding's idea was to have Ding Laowu come home to study. During the day, he could attend the high school review class at the factory, and in the evening, he could ask Xie Zhenhua for help with tutoring.
As soon as Ding Laowu returned, the others immediately got excited and kept asking him how he got the letter of introduction. They were waiting to send a telegram from the post office or call their children in the countryside the next morning to let them know if they could return to the city to continue their studies.
As soon as the national college entrance examination was reinstated, Xie Zhenhua, a former college student, immediately became popular and sought-after, even more so than when he first became a vocational school teacher.
Aunt Xie was both smug and disgusted. Just as she was about to speak, Liu Axiu immediately covered her mouth, glared at her, and forbade her from talking nonsense outside.
Aunt Xie was furious but couldn't vent her anger.
It's understandable that Xie Zhenhua used to have to rely on Liu Axiu's family connections when he was unsuccessful, but now college students are so popular!
The factory secretary personally brought gifts to invite her son to his home for lessons. The country has proposed to value and respect talent. Will we still need to consider the opinions of Liu Axiu's family in the future?
But only she thought that way. Xie Zhenhua remained the same as before, ignoring everything and letting Liu Axiu make all the decisions about the household.
In Xie Zhenhua's heart, she, as a mother, might not be as important as Liu Axiu, otherwise she wouldn't have to listen to Liu Axiu in everything she did.
Tingting glanced at her grandmother, who was secretly pouting, and rolled her eyes helplessly: her grandmother really wanted to meddle in everything.
Xie Zhenhua remained silent, but Liu Axiu made the decision: "Here's what we'll do. From now on, when my husband Xie comes home from get off work, he'll give a lecture to the students in our alley between nine and ten o'clock in the evening. The location will be at the entrance of the alley. Anyone who wants to participate can bring their own stool."
Everyone else looked at Xie Zhenhua, who simply nodded in agreement.
Aunt Ding was so angry that she slapped her thigh. She wanted to find Xie Zhenhua to tutor her youngest son so that she would have a better chance of success. Now that everyone in the alley has come, she has no advantage!
Grandpa Lin immediately clapped his hands and said, "Teacher Xie, it's such a great help that you were able to take the time to tutor us!"
Although many people wanted to get extra tutoring from Xie Zhenhua, he had already started the course, so they couldn't do anything about it and joined in the applause to thank Teacher Xie.
Guan Yuehe watched the commotion for a while, thinking to herself: Teacher Xie is now in a difficult position. If she doesn't teach, she'll have to deal with neighbors coming to her door asking for help. If she agrees to anyone, she'll offend people; if she doesn't agree to none, she'll offend everyone...
Zhang Desheng looked enviously at Xie Zhenhua in the middle of the crowd: It's good to be educated, but unfortunately he won't have that opportunity.
After lamenting his fate for a while, Zhang Desheng suddenly turned his gaze to his son Zhang Quanbin inside the room. Seeing him happily engrossed in a children's comic book, he felt a surge of anger.
"Still reading these books! Go back to your room and show me your school textbooks. If you don't get into high school, how will you get into university?"
Zhang Quanbin didn't take it to heart at all, and said nonchalantly, "So what if I don't pass the exam? Dad, you graduated from junior high school, and so did I. We're not that different."
"The country has reinstated the college entrance examination now, and these good-for-nothings only know how to focus on graduating from junior high school. What can you do with a junior high school diploma? It's hard to even get a job in our car factory!"
"I'll just take over your job... Ouch! Why are you hitting me again?" Zhang Quanbin felt that his father had really gone crazy lately, suddenly going insane for no reason.
Zhang Desheng got angry just looking at him, so he picked up his youngest son, who had just learned to walk, and coaxed him, "Dad will take you to class tomorrow too, let's start from a young age!"
Now things are really messed up. Not only does Zhang Quanbin think he's gone mad, but Zhang Ersao also thinks her husband's brain has been damaged by the stimulation.
—
The next day, a group of temporary workers who had signed up for trial work arrived at the Zhuoyue Garment Factory. These were almost all children of factory workers or relatives of factory workers.
Not everyone wants to squeeze into the college entrance examination route, so in less than a day, the temporary workers at Zhuoyue Garment Factory were all hired.
Guan Yuehe also informed the elderly people in the alley about the job openings, but she didn't know if anyone in Ginkgo Alley had applied.
She sent the materials she bought to the Northeast. At lunchtime, she learned that Xu Cheng had also lined up to buy a set and sent it over.
The two clapped their hands in exasperation, "Next time, please let us know in advance, otherwise we'll send duplicates."
Fortunately, sending too much won't go to waste, since Chen Lizhong is still in Northeast China and hasn't returned yet.
Xu Chengcai laughed and said, "If they don't bring back more pork sausages this year, then let them treat us to a state-run restaurant."
Guan Yuehe laughed in agreement.
Actually, it doesn't matter whether the things are there or not, as long as the person comes back. If they can come back, then they've passed the exam.
Xu Cheng-cai whispered, "Master Dong's wife secretly bought some talismans for their daughter, saying they'll help her get into university. Should we...?"
"Stop! Stop!" Guan Yuehe said sternly, "Reject feudal superstition!"
Then, looking at Qin Zilan next to Xu Cheng, she said, "Zilan, you need to give him more ideological lessons!"
Qin Zilan smiled shyly, "To be honest, a lot of people in the family compound went to buy it, and I'm a little tempted myself."
Seeing that her neighbors were all buying them, she couldn't resist anymore. Her eldest nephew had also registered for this year's college entrance examination, and she was just looking for some peace of mind.
Guan Yuehe was speechless. No wonder everyone says that two people can't sleep in the same bed; these two are both superstitious.
Sunday.
Guan Yuehe and Lin Yiku finally had a day when they were both resting at home.
Taking advantage of his free time, Guan Yuehe took him back to Peking University to visit the teachers.
We passed a state-run store on the way and even went in to buy some gifts.
But when they arrived at the teachers' dormitory building, only two teachers were home.
"They went to set the exam papers, and the students haven't finished their exams, so they can't come back."
The teacher invited them into the room, first looking Lin Yiku over, and then nodded with great satisfaction.
A little while later, the teacher went into the room, rummaged around, and brought out a stack of books. "Take these back and look at them first. I don't know what the requirements for graduate school admissions will be like, but English will definitely be required."
Not only that, the teacher also said, "Write to your classmates and talk to them about helping them improve their academic qualifications."
"This year's class of worker-peasant-soldier college students is the last one; they say they won't be recruiting anymore."
Now that the college entrance examination has been reinstated, worker-peasant-soldier college graduates are in an awkward position, as there is still no clear answer as to how their academic qualifications are determined.
As the "commander of the communications company," Guan Yuehe was responsible for liaison with the first cohort of worker-peasant-soldier students majoring in English at Peking University. The task of writing letters to the students could only be entrusted to her.
After finding out what graduate students study, Guan Yuehe finally had a clear idea.
The teacher was busy rushing to finish the textbooks for future classes. If she hadn't said she had to go to the car factory, the teacher would have wanted to keep her here to work.
After leaving the school, the two rushed to the Five Star Automobile Factory. There was no other way; Zhang Xinbi had told Guo Xusheng many times to bring her boyfriend so they could see what he looked like.
Otherwise, Comrade Xiao Guan would always say that her boyfriend is good-looking, which makes them very curious.
Upon meeting Guan Yuehe in person, Zhang Xinbi quietly praised her, saying, "You have a good eye for choosing a partner."
No wonder he couldn't stand the men at the car factory. They were a bit lacking in presence compared to Lin Yiku. Xiao Guan just liked the energetic ones.
On her way home, Guan Yuehe hummed a song happily, "My teachers are great, aren't they?"
"You're great too, Xiao Guan." Lin Yi, following her teacher's example, also called her Xiao Guan.
"I was also the communications company commander of my class," Guan Yuehe said with emotion. "If my classmates had acted faster over the years, and had started families and had children, plus their families, this communications company could probably have been upgraded to a communications battalion, right?"
Lin Yiku didn't understand why she was so interested in being a "battalion commander," even though she had mentioned it several times already.
"If you become a battalion commander, you can accompany the troops!"
Lin Yiku: "Should I be considered a military dependent now?"
Everyone moved into her house.
Guan Yuehe was even happier. "Teacher Zhang said you don't seem to know how to say nice things. I'll prove it for you next time. Comrade Lin Yiku has a really sweet tongue."
Not only is she sweet-talking, but she also has beautiful handwriting.
Guan Yuehe was in charge of writing letters to her classmates, and Lin Yiku was in charge of writing the addresses on the envelopes for her.
I wonder if her roommates, upon receiving letters with unfamiliar handwriting, will wonder: which other classmates are in Beijing?
As she was writing, Lin Yiku suddenly asked, "Should I put a ginkgo leaf in your classmate's paper too?"
Guan Yuehe said without looking up, "I'm not dating them, why would I send them this stuff?"
Lin Yiku pouted and wrote a thick stack of envelopes.
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