Chapter 32: The innocent educated youth who was deceived 14 ...
In October 1977, major media outlets in mainland China announced the resumption of the Gaokao (National College Entrance Examination), declaring that this year's exam would be held a month later and open to all, regardless of social status or age. Countless people across the country spread the news and rejoiced, especially the educated youth who had been sent to the countryside, who saw it as a ray of hope and a ray of hope for their return to the city.
When the educated youth from Green Water Bay heard the news, they all cried and laughed. Thanks to Qiao Yin, most of them had started reviewing half a year ago, so they had a better chance of success than those who started studying now.
At this moment, they were both happy and grateful. Several people, including Xu Suyuan, came to the Shen family with eggs, brown sugar and other things to find Qiao Yin, wanting to thank her properly.
They came after work, and Qiao Yin happened to be at home, teaching Shen Anan.
Mother Shen was also at home. Seeing this group of cheerful educated youth, she warmly welcomed them in. She even made each of them a cup of malted milk and gave them a handful of rice crackers. Her generous and friendly attitude impressed them very much.
"You guys sit down first, I'll go call Yinyin."
Mother Shen walked to the main room with a smile and shouted to it, "Yinyin, come out quickly, a friend is looking for you!"
Qiao Yin responded and walked out slowly. As soon as she came out, Shen's mother held her hand and said with a frown:
"Why are your hands still so cold? I'll go make you a bowl of the milk powder I brought back to warm your hands. In a couple of days, I'll have Xiannian take you to the town hospital and get some supplements."
Qiao Yin’s hands and feet are always cold, even colder than Shen’s mother’s body, and dysmenorrhea may be due to this reason.
Moreover, she doesn't like to drink malted milk. In comparison, she prefers to drink milk powder, which is sweet and milky but not overly sweet. Shen Xiannian brought back several cans this time. Shen's mother knew that she liked to drink it, so she made it for her every day.
The people who were drinking malted milk nearby were amazed when they heard this. Malted milk was already a rare and precious commodity, but the Shen family actually had milk powder. Just because Qiao Yin had cold hands, Shen's mother made some for her. Shen's mother was really good to Qiao Yin. Her natural and intimate tone made it no exaggeration to say that she loved her like her own daughter.
Shen's mother was generous. It was very kind of her to give them malted milk. They would not be ungrateful and keep thinking about other people's milk powder. That thing was not easy to buy. Shen had only brought back a few cans this year, and Shen's mother was reluctant to give it to others.
While drinking the sweet malted milk, Xu Suyuan observed Qiao Yin. Seeing that her complexion was rosy and shiny, she thought to herself: It seems that the Shen family is indeed living a better life. No wonder Qiao Yin has gained weight.
Shen Anan also came out at this time. When she heard her mother was going to make milk powder to drink, she also shouted that she wanted to drink it. Shen's mother laughed:
"I know, I know. You've never been left out. Just sit there and let Mom make you some. Don't disturb your brothers and sisters."
After Shen's mother entered the room, Qiao Yin sat on a chair, and Shen Anan moved a small stool and leaned close to her. She held the prepared milk powder in her hand and blew it slowly while drinking it mouthful by mouthful. She was quiet and looked very well-behaved.
At this time, Xu Suyuan spoke excitedly:
"Yinyin, have you heard? The college entrance exam has really been resumed! Luckily, we listened to your news and started studying early. You've really helped us a lot. We don't know how to thank you enough!"
Qiao Yin smiled and said, "I wasn't sure at the time either. I just heard that the college entrance examination might be reinstated. I didn't expect it to come true. By the way, how are you guys studying?"
"During this period, after finishing work, Brother Ye asked us to get together to study for an hour, supervising and helping each other. If nothing else, at least we have read all the high school textbooks and have a basic understanding of them."
The female educated youth who took over the conversation was full of relief in her words. She had been a good student before and had reviewed seriously. With only one month left, she was confident that she could be admitted to university.
"Luckily, I didn't listen to Nie Hongxia. You don't know. Yesterday, she came to borrow my high school textbooks. It was she who vowed that the college entrance examination would never be reinstated. Now she's eager to borrow books again. I need them myself, so I didn't lend them to her. She even gave me the cold shoulder. Seriously, what were she doing before? She must be regretting it now."
"Hey? Is Nie Hongxia also going to take the college entrance examination? I passed by the Ge family's door two days ago and heard her mother-in-law tell people that she would not take the college entrance examination." Another female educated youth asked in confusion.
"Who knows? Maybe she's hiding it from her husband and mother-in-law. There was a male educated youth in the second production team who also wanted to take the college entrance exam, but his wife's family wouldn't agree and even locked him up. They were determined not to let him take the exam, saying they were afraid that if he passed, they would abandon his wife and children."
After he finished speaking, there was a burst of sighs, and everyone felt sad and powerless. This opportunity to change their lives was ruined just like that.
Xu Suyuan glanced at Qiao Yin, seeming to hesitate to speak, but after thinking for a moment, she finally spoke:
"Qiao Yin, I heard that you are also going to marry Shen Xiannian? Are you...are you still taking the college entrance examination?"
In their opinion, the college entrance examination has been resumed. Given Qiao Yin's conditions, if she is admitted to university, her future will be limitless. There is no need to get married at this juncture.
No matter how good Shen Xiannian is, he is still a rural person and cannot compare with city people. Moreover, Shen Xiannian married Qiao Yin, so is he still confident in letting her take the college entrance examination?
"Of course, why not?"
"Will Shen Xiannian prevent you from taking the college entrance examination?"
Just like the family of the educated youth's wife, if they locked him up and didn't let him out, he would have to spend the rest of his life in the countryside.
A hint of doubt appeared in Qiao Yin's clear eyes, as if she didn't understand why she thought this way:
"No, I've made an agreement with Brother Xiannian. He said that after I finish my exams, if I pass, he'll come with me and he'll find a job near the school."
At this point, Xu Suyuan and the other female educated youth were speechless, not knowing whether to say that Chen Xiannian was bold or affectionate.
Looking at Qiao Yin's eyes full of trust and innocence, she has become even more charming despite the difficult conditions in the countryside. Her fair skin has not been tanned at all, and there are no calluses on her fingers from work. Her fingers are slender and even in better condition than when she first came to the countryside.
Looking at what she wears and uses, I'm afraid all the good things of the Shen family were given to her. Even the idiot Shen Anan next to her listens to her very much. It is obvious that she is valued by the Shen Xiannian family.
At this moment, they finally understood what it meant to "love someone like growing flowers" and they inexplicably believed that Qiao Yin would live a good life and that Shen Xiannian and Qiao Yin would definitely spend a long life together.
Seeing this, Xu Suyuan said no more. The female educated youth sat and chatted for a while and then went back. Their study time was very precious and could not be delayed for too long.
Before leaving, Qiao Yin asked them to take back the things they brought with them, but they refused to do so. Xu Suyuan also said:
"Jiang Yan asked me to bring you that bag of brown sugar. She said thank you for your high school textbook."
There were not enough textbooks at the educated youth center, so Qiao Yin borrowed a few for them to read together. Jiang Yan also started studying and seemed to be making quite fast progress.
Qiao Yin was a little surprised. It seemed that Jiang Yan had really changed a lot after being with Ye Zhicheng. Perhaps it was the difficult environment that changed her, or perhaps it was the influence of her lover.
Not only Jiang Yan has changed, each of them has changed to varying degrees.
Only Qiao Yin met Chen Xiannian as soon as she arrived in the countryside. She was so well protected and was as clear and beautiful as when they first met.
*
Ever since Qiao Yin agreed to marry Shen Xiannian, Shen Xiannian has become more and more bold. Every night after Shen's mother and Shen Anan fell asleep, he would secretly run to Qiao Yin's room, hug her and kiss her endlessly.
Rural people do not get a marriage certificate when they get married, thinking that a wedding banquet is enough to make them married. This also makes it easy for educated youth to abandon their wives and children or husbands and daughters when they return to the city. The current legal concept is not yet popular, and most rural people do not realize that only those who obtain a marriage certificate can be legally recognized and acknowledged as a couple.
As for Shen Xiannian, of course he wants to get married with Qiao Yin. The date is set for tomorrow, and even the time for the wedding banquet has been set, which is on the 8th of this month.
When he thought about getting the marriage certificate with Qiao Yin tomorrow, Shen Xiannian couldn't calm down. The late autumn wind brought a bleak chill, but his heart was getting hotter day by day.
Even when he was working, the corners of his mouth never fell, and he seemed to have endless energy to work. Others were wondering why Shen Xiannian was so excited today, but even Liu Dazhi could see the excitement and joy of his endurance.
"Brother, has anything good happened to your family recently?"
Shen Xiannian was waiting for him to say this. At this moment, his eyebrows were full of smugness. He stopped the work in his hands seemingly calmly and raised his voice to say:
"Nothing special, except that Qiao Yin and I plan to get our marriage certificate tomorrow, and have the wedding banquet on the 8th of this month."
While speaking, he tried to hold back but still couldn't help grinning with his big white teeth. The dogtail grass in his mouth swayed with his bulging cheeks, and his smile was very enviable.
Liu Dazhi was really shocked this time. He didn't think too much about it. He was just surprised that his brother acted so quickly and was sincerely happy for his brother.
"Brother, congratulations, why did you just tell me such big news?"
He said that what the villagers said was wrong. His brother and Qiao Zhiqing had a good relationship. How could Qiao Zhiqing stop being with him after the college entrance examination was resumed? They were just jealous!
Thinking of this, he felt relieved for his brother. His brother had lived a hard life before, but now he can finally enjoy his happiness after all the hardships.
Other members who had a good relationship with Shen Xiannian also smiled and said congratulations. Shen Xiannian responded one by one, with a hint of smile in his dark eyes.
The next day, news of the couple getting their marriage certificate spread everywhere. Some people still didn't believe it, thinking Qiao Yin was just trying to fool Chen Xiannian. On the 8th, many people squatted at the village entrance, waiting to see Chen Xiannian's joke. Only when the couple returned from the Civil Affairs Bureau with their red certificates did they finally fall silent.
On the day of the wedding banquet, Shen Xiannian invited almost all the villagers to come and have a feast. There were dozens of tables, each with fish and meat. The villagers' eyes were all shining green.
With delicious food and wine, everyone's face was filled with joy, and blessings came one after another. The scene was a grand occasion that had not been seen in the village for a long time. People from the educated youth point also came, and together with the relatives and friends of the Shen family, the house was crowded with people.
Shen's mother smiled and took Shen An'an to greet the relatives and friends who came to drink. Her face was flushed and she looked ten years younger.
Although Shen Anan didn't understand the true meaning of marriage, she knew that Sister Qiao Yin would be a member of their family from now on, and she had to call her sister-in-law Qiao Yin.
She was so happy that she repeated whatever Shen's mother said, which amused many people and the atmosphere was full of joy.
"The bride is so beautiful, the groom is so lucky!"
Qiao Yin was caught and dressed up early in the morning. With the makeup on, she looked even more stunning. The bright red dress made her skin look whiter than snow, her hair was black and her lips were red. Her eyes were a mixture of purity and charm, which caused a burst of exclamations.
Shen Xiannian was also wearing a red dress with a bright red boutonniere on his chest. He smiled and walked around the banquet to entertain the guests. He drank a few glasses of wine during the banquet. His sharp and deep eyes were as bright as stars at this moment.
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The author has something to say: When I look back at the world after writing the manuscript, it is really sweet and rustic, a country love style hahaha
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