Chapter 47
Second Aunt was making a fuss about being discharged from the hospital, saying that it was a waste of money and that she had things to do at home.
Tao Zhi was annoyed: "It takes a hundred days to heal a broken bone. You just had a cast on. Which doctor would dare to let you go back?"
"It was just an accident. I'm in good health."
"Your son and daughter-in-law have to work and help take care of your grandchildren. Who will take care of you when you go back?"
"And your second uncle."
"Could my uncle help you to the toilet?"
Second Aunt was speechless and started to compose a poem: "But I can't trouble you every day."
Tao Zhi quickly held her down and said, "Second Aunt, please come on. You've helped me take care of the baby for several years. It's only right that I take care of you."
"When Cheng Hui was little, I herded one sheep or a flock of sheep. It was just a matter of helping out. There's no reason why you should remember it for so long." Second Aunt still refused to accept it.
The old lady was stubborn and would not listen to advice.
"Aunt, I'm waiting for Cheng Man's notification letter. I can't sit still at home, so I might as well talk to you."
"Then how long do I have to stay?" Second Aunt began to soften.
"It will take at least a week."
Second Aunt's face was filled with regret, and Tao Zhi took the opportunity to persuade her: "You must not run away again in the future. Your little great-grandson has grandparents watching over him, so he won't get hurt. But you fell, and not only did you spend money, but you also suffered."
When Second Aunt saw the dark circles under Tao Zhi's eyes, she urged her to go back and rest, fearing that Tao Zhi would overwork herself.
Tao Zhi then hired a nurse to look after him only during the day. She told her second aunt, "This is Dachuan's filial piety."
In just a few days, Second Aunt was able to accept it. When she heard that it was her eldest grandson calling her, she was so happy that her teeth were grinning.
Tao Zhi went home first. Cheng Man was not at home, so she knew what was going on. She changed her clothes and set off for Cheng Man's alma mater.
Tao Zhi went up to the third-floor office, where Principal Jiang was already waiting for her. She took a closer look and saw that, aside from the school's leadership, no one from the TV station or newspaper was in the room. She breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing this, Principal Jiang couldn't help but tease her: "Don't worry, we didn't invite any reporters."
Tao Zhi pointed to a corner where dozens of boxes, large and small, lay unopened. "Is this the computer?"
"Yeah, I'll call you as soon as this machine is unloaded."
Tao Zhi circled the box, unable to figure out what was going on. "Why don't you put it in?"
"Although we are not inviting the media, we still have to go through the internal donation ceremony. Come here quickly, let's take some photos first," said Principal Jiang.
Everyone responded to Tao Zhi's request, and instead of any fancy tricks, a leader from the Education Bureau came and presented her with a hard-shell certificate of honor. With its bright red base and golden edges, it looked particularly festive.
After the ceremony, the technicians prepared to install the computer. Principal Jiang led them to a room at the end of the third floor. A sign was nailed to the door: "Computer Room, No Unauthorized Personnel Allowed. Please Wear Shoe Covers."
Principal Jiang opened the door, and the first thing that came in was a gust of cool air, which was in stark contrast to the sultry weather.
The floor was covered with green anti-static flooring, and the windows were closed, with thick crimson curtains hanging down. Ten computer workstations were arranged on either side of the room. A slogan was affixed to the white wall: "Computers are tools for humans." Under the bright lights, everything seemed tranquil, comfortable, and full of a modern feel.
Two technicians came in. They had checked the lines in advance. Now they put on white gloves and took the young teachers of the school to carefully take the host, CRT monitor, keyboard, and mouse out of the cardboard box one by one and placed them neatly on the table.
Next, connect the power and data cables, and then install the keyboard and mouse.
The hardware was installed, and the technician pressed the large, prominent power button on the computer case. The monitor lit up, and everyone held their breath. After a few whirring sounds of the hard drive reading and writing, the Windows 95 logo appeared on the screen, along with the pleasant startup music. Then, a desktop with a "Start" button appeared before everyone, drawing a wave of amazement.
The technician was particularly proud: "The twenty computers here are all installed with the latest Windows 95. Look at this 'Start' button, all the programs are there. From now on, I don't have to remember DOS commands to use the computer anymore. It's very convenient."
Everyone looked confused, except for the two young teachers, whose eyes were shining with excitement.
Principal Jiang introduced Tao Zhi: "These two teachers have learned a little about computers."
Tao Zhi looked at the small screen and asked, "Such a small machine costs over 10,000 yuan?"
The technician smiled faintly. "Auntie, don't underestimate it. It's expensive, not for the metal casing, but for what's inside. Think about it: if you buy a large color TV, you can't do anything except watch TV. If you buy a mobile phone, you can only make and receive phone calls. Our computer can do so much more. A hundred color TVs and mobile phones can't compare to it."
"First, it's a high-end printer. Second, it's a window to the world. Third, it's a mobile library. Fourth, it's a design studio..."
"Having this in our school is like giving our children a golden key to their future. Do you think this 10,000 yuan is worth it?"
Tao Zhi laughed heartily after hearing this: "It's worth it to listen to your words. It's definitely worth it."
The technician continued to work non-stop while he spoke. He pulled out a stack of floppy disks and began to install them while teaching the teacher. Tao Zhi was dazzled.
Principal Jiang arranged for the teachers to attend training to learn some basic computer operations. Other leaders were also interested and voluntarily stayed to learn with the teachers.
Everyone is thinking: What if I buy a computer one day?
Principal Jiang took Tao Zhi back to the principal's office, and when the door was closed, it was just the two of them.
The principal poured her a cup of hot tea and said, "You spent so much money, and then donated it and nothing happened. Don't you feel bad?"
Tao Zhi covered her eyes and said, "Half of the house in S City has been sold."
Principal Jiang beamed with joy: "On behalf of the students, thank you for your generosity."
Tao Zhi put down her hand, picked up the tea and blew on it: "I should thank you and Lao Qi. If it weren't for you, Cheng Man might have to repeat the year."
"Hahaha, you thanked Lao Qi, but I benefited from it. He would be furious if he knew about it."
Tao Zhi shrugged. "I can't help it. I didn't even know him before you introduced me." She changed the subject: "Were those calls to my home really from the school?"
Principal Jiang smiled slightly: "Some are, some are not."
Tao Zhi patted her and said, "Look, it's all because you deserve it."
The two smiled at each other, and everything was said without words.
**
As for Cheng Man, she made a slightly difficult decision after careful consideration.
She asked Director Qi, "Does the University of Political Science and Law also have supplementary enrollment quotas?"
"As long as you are willing, there will be a place."
Cheng Man's eyes widened: "Can you get into university through the back door?"
Director Qi smiled and said, "There's no such thing as a backdoor. The military district is conducting commissioned training."
Cheng Man could hear her heart pounding in her chest. She suppressed her emotions and asked, "Director Qi, if you say so, do I still have a chance to become a soldier?"
Director Qi replied, "That's right. You're going to the University of Political Science and Law to study law, commissioned by the military region. After graduation, you'll become a military law officer in our army, working in the military court, military procuratorate, or the military judicial office. You'll also be serving the cause of national defense. Cheng Man, are you willing?"
Cheng Man was overjoyed. She let the tears well up, tears of joy. She stood at attention, saluted, and answered loudly, "I do!"
Cheng Man sobbed and sobbed, unable to stop. She bowed deeply and said through her sobs, "Thank you, Director Qi."
Director Qi patted her shoulder and said, "It's your hard work that gave you this opportunity."
Cheng Xiangqian wanted to invite Director Qi to dinner, but Director Qi did not give him the opportunity and asked someone to escort them out of the military compound.
Cheng Xiangqian didn't feel relieved until he sat in the car. He thought it was lucky that Cheng Man could go to college because she stubbornly filled out the application form.
He said to Cheng Man, "You want to pinch me?"
Cheng Man looked at him warily, "Dad, please don't hurt me."
Cheng Xiangqian had no choice but to do it himself. It hurt a lot, but he laughed happily again.
He tutted his words and said, "I was worried that you wouldn't have enough books to read."
Cheng Man said casually, "There's nothing to worry about. At worst, I can just repeat the year."
If he had ignored her raised eyebrows, Cheng Xiangqian might have actually believed it.
Cheng Xiangqian said, "Cheng Xiaoman, you can do it. Your mother was right about you."
Cheng Man snorted: "What does this have to do with my mother?"
Cheng Xiangqian found it amusing: "You two, mother and daughter, are both tough on the outside but soft on the inside. She went to the Education Bureau for several days straight just to ask you what you were going to do about this."
Cheng Man was silent for a moment. "Dad, did Mom already know that I wouldn't pass the military exam?"
"Don't forget, I was the one who accompanied you to the physical examination. How could she know that you wouldn't pass?"
“…I shouldn’t have asked you.”
Tao Zhi said that she might have to stay in the hospital recently, so Cheng Xiangqian went straight to the hospital.
In the end, they only saw the caregiver and they turned around and went back home.
Cheng Man immediately shared the news with Tao Zhi, who was amused and distressed by her swollen face. She also responded cheerfully, "Congratulations on getting your wish come true."
Cheng Man put down the heavy stone in her heart and thought about other things: "Mom, I got into university. Is there any reward?"
Tao Zhi was a little short of money, so she turned around and asked Cheng Man, "What schools do your classmates go to?"
Cheng Man had good grades at the time, having been accepted by an earlier batch. She hadn't been in the mood to ask her classmates where they had gotten in, as some had failed to get in, and now she really had no idea.
She screamed, got up and ran upstairs, ready to call them one by one.
"Mom, let's talk about the reward later."
While Cheng Man was holding the phone, Tao Zhi pulled the old man into the room, closed the door and whispered to him how Principal Jiang had made the connection, how she had talked with Director Qi, and how she had impulsively donated 20 computers to repay the two of them.
Cheng Xiangqian smiled broadly: "I was wondering why it was so strange, it seemed like Director Qi was waiting for us, and it turned out to be true."
"You won't blame me for spending so much money, right?"
The old man smiled and said, "I can't thank you enough. Manman has such a good opportunity. We should give back to society."
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