Then he turned around and walked towards the gate of the compound with heavy steps.
He took slow steps, each one weighed down with memories. His thoughts drifted back to those distant days when he went to the countryside, a time filled with hardship yet immense happiness.
Life back then was hard, but every day was filled with joy and fulfillment. In the morning, we woke to the crowing of roosters, breathed in the fresh air, and began our day's work. In the evening, as the sun set, we sat around the simple dining table, sharing a simple meal.
However, fate took a different turn. He followed his mother's advice, abandoned his three-day-old son, and returned to the city to marry the director's daughter. He thought this would be the beginning of a glorious life, but reality dealt him a heavy blow.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but stop, look up at the sky, and let out a long sigh.
…
Time flies like a white horse, and in a blink of an eye, we have arrived at the important moment of announcing the college entrance examination scores.
On this particular morning, the sun hadn't yet fully risen, but Wang Xiaolan had already awoke. She stepped out of bed quietly, afraid to wake the children who slept beside her. After washing up, she went into the kitchen and began meticulously preparing breakfast. She fried eggs, cooked noodles... before long, a hearty breakfast was on the table.
After finishing breakfast, Wang Xiaolan hurried back to the bedroom and gently woke her two adorable children. She expertly and gently helped them dress neatly, then led them hand in hand as they walked to the dining room. Meanwhile, the rest of the family had also risen and gathered around the table.
Just as everyone was enjoying a delicious breakfast, Yu Wenlin, who was sitting opposite Wang Xiaolan, smiled and said, "Nannan, your father and brother have taken a special leave today. Our whole family will accompany you to No. 1 Middle School to watch the results. What do you think?"
Wang Xiaolan said while eating noodles, "It's snowing heavily and it's too cold. Don't let yourself get frozen because of me. Besides, the announcement date is uncertain. We might have to wait for several hours! My brother and I can go, and you and Dad can just wait for our news at home."
Zeng Cheng stuffed his mouth with a steamed bun and slurped down his noodle soup, grinning as he said, "Mom, my little sister is absolutely right! Dabao and Xiaobao are still young and weak. It would be troublesome if they catch a cold! It's enough for me to accompany my little sister. Besides, my little sister is such a good student. I have a strong feeling that my little sister will get a very high score this time!"
Yu Wenlin listened to his son praising Wang Xiaolan, his mouth wide open, and said happily, "Okay, okay. I'll listen to you. Our daughter is smart and the pride of our family. You little brat, you need to learn more from your sister and stop being so stupid all day."
Wang Xiaolan, who was standing by, said, "Mom, I'm an adult now. I feel a little embarrassed when you keep praising me like this."
Yu Wenlin smiled and said, "No matter how old you are, in my eyes, you are my precious daughter. You are good at studying, have strong business skills, and are smarter than your brother."
Zeng Cheng put down his finished bowl and chopsticks and said with a smile, "It doesn't matter if I'm a little stupid, as long as our little sister is smart. I'm willing to be her foil."
Yu Wenlin, smiling, urged, "Alright, stop talking nonsense, brat. Hurry up and pack up, and go with your daughter to check the scores!"
At this time, Wang Xiaolan put on her cotton-padded jacket and walked out of the house with Zeng Cheng.
The two of them went to the bicycle shed to pick up the bicycles.
Zeng Cheng said, "Little sister, don't ride the bike anymore. I'll take you with me."
Wang Xiaolan responded: "Okay."
The brother and sister had just pushed their bicycles out of the bicycle shed when they ran into Aunt Tian.
Wang Xiaolan and Zeng Cheng shouted at the same time, "Hello, Aunt Tian."
Aunt Tian smiled and said, "You two brothers and sisters are so happy so early in the morning. Is there something happy?"
Zeng Cheng didn't wait for Wang Xiaolan to reply, and said first: "Aunt Tian, today is the day when the college entrance examination scores are announced. My younger sister and I are going to see the results."
When Auntie Tian heard this, her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open in surprise. She cried out, "What? Today is the day the results are announced, and why didn't he tell me that Xiaodong also took the exam? He's still lying in bed, refusing to get up no matter how much I call him. It's really pissing me off! No, I have to go home and pull him out of bed and tell him to go see what his score is."
After saying that, Aunt Tian hurriedly said goodbye to Wang Xiaolan and Zeng Cheng, then ran towards her home with big strides.
Looking at Aunt Tian's figure gradually walking away and soon disappearing, Wang Xiaolan and Zeng Cheng couldn't help but smile at each other.
Wang Xiaolan pursed her lips, smiled slightly, and said, "Aunt Tian is really anxious!"
Zeng Cheng smiled and nodded, saying, "Yes, but it's human nature! As a parent, who doesn't want their child to get into college? Parents are the most nervous at this time."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zeng Cheng swiftly mounted the old but immaculately clean bicycle. He bent his left leg slightly and placed his left foot firmly on the left pedal, while his right foot rested lightly on the ground, as if ready to push forward at any moment.
He said loudly, "Little sister, come and sit up, let's go and see the results announced."
At that moment, Wang Xiaolan, who was standing nearby, nimbly walked to the back of the bicycle and carefully sat on it sideways. She placed her hands gently on Zeng Cheng's waist and whispered, "Brother, we're going there so early, maybe the list hasn't been posted yet?" There was a hint of uncertainty and doubt in her tone.
Zeng Cheng pedaled his bike happily, muttering, "Not too late, not too late! Maybe we'll be the last ones to arrive!"
Before long, the brother and sister arrived at the gates of No. 1 Middle School. Even before they entered the campus, the sight before them stunned them—wow! The sheer number of people was beyond imagination, so bustling! Everywhere they looked, they saw students coming to check their scores.
At this moment, the school has not posted the list yet, but those anxious people who arrived early are already waiting here impatiently.
Due to the cold weather, many people's noses were frozen red, like ripe red peppers. They kept stamping their feet on the spot, trying to warm their bodies a little.
Some people crossed their arms in front of their chests, exhaling white mist from their mouths from time to time; others simply retracted their necks and buried their heads deep in their collars to resist the cold.
Despite this, everyone's eyes were always fixed on the direction of the school office, waiting for the person who posted the list to come out of that door.
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