Chapter 284 Spirit
The second round of the exam was not as quick as the first. Five people were in a group, and each group had a 15-minute time limit. It took the forty-eight people nearly an hour and a half to complete the exam.
In fact, Li San Niang only prepared a few dozen questions. After the first few groups of women had finished answering them, if they were willing to communicate with others, the later people could actually gain some insights and methods from them.
However, since no one knows what the scoring criteria are?
The questions were also quite open-ended, which prevented them from "colluding".
Because the chairs and benches need to be removed in the middle, and people need to make time to relieve themselves, if this third round of exams is to be conducted, it will definitely take until dark and may not be possible.
It was already curfew time before dark, but those who lived in Changshoufang were fine, even if the curfew time had passed.
But those who aren't from Changshoufang have to rush home before curfew.
Li San Niang and her mother discussed what to do.
"If we are to proceed, we must shorten the time. Each person's introduction only takes the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. So, if we hurry up, it should be feasible."
As Li Erxiong said this, Li Sanniang calculated in her mind how long it would take for forty-eight people to drink a cup of tea.
"That won't do. The time is too short. If we're going to do it, then we'll do it well."
"If it really doesn't work, explain the situation now and come back tomorrow morning."
Ultimately, Li's mother decided that the third round would be held tomorrow.
After making the decision, Xiao Shilang rang his little gong again.
The women present all knew that when the gong sounded, it meant someone was about to speak, and it was time for them to be quiet.
In no time, the courtyard was filled with people.
Standing on the half-foot-high platform that had been put back on, Li's mother bowed to everyone before slowly explaining the reason: "...Therefore, the third round of the exam will be held tomorrow."
See you tomorrow at 9:00 AM!
Unexpectedly, even though it was said that the third round of exams was tomorrow, none of the women present said they wanted to leave. Instead, they gathered in groups of two or three, or even five or six, to talk.
At this point, Li San Niang and the others couldn't very well send them away, so they had the four little ones fetch water and put water on the two small stoves, thinking that the women had had enough of their conversation and it was about time for them to leave.
Li San Niang thought she would be able to find some time to discuss the scoring issues of the first two rounds with her mother and the others, but they wouldn't let her stay idle.
First, Xu Dalang came over with Li Erxiong. "Dr. Li, I've been bothering you for almost a day. Watching you take the midwife exam has made me even more eager to go to school. My wife is only three months pregnant, and I'm very anxious about it."
If Dr. Li allows it, I may sit in on the class, and I will definitely pay the tuition fee.
I'm so grateful to Dr. Li for granting my request, considering my sincerity.
Business people are good at talking. Li San Niang didn't know how to reply so as not to offend Xu Da Lang, avoid making an enemy of her, and appear reasonable.
Because she hadn't reached a conclusion yet, Li San Niang simply stepped aside to avoid Xu Da Lang's bow: "Xu Da Lang Jun, there's no need for that. Your desire to learn is commendable, but you know the reality. We'll have to wait until the exam results are out and we're done with this mess."
"I will definitely give you an answer regarding your matter," Li Sanniang thought for a moment, then continued, "Two days, just two days from now. Come again, and I will definitely give you an answer, okay?"
"Thank you, thank you."
Just after Xu Dalang left, Yao Qingqing and her mother Su Hui rushed over from the side.
"Dr. Li, this exam is very well organized. I am really looking forward to the third round of exams tomorrow."
Su Hui smiled and continued, "I knew Dr. Li's intention in opening this school from his words about the midwifery profession."
Regardless of others, I must pay my respects to Dr. Li.
After saying that, Su Hui bowed her head and greeted Li San Niang. Before Li San Niang could react, the greeting was already complete.
Su Hui looked up at Li San Niang's slightly open mouth in surprise, laughed, and continued to say to Li San Niang: "I became a midwife by chance, while Qingqing became a midwife after giving birth to Xiao Lang."
Dr. Li might not have thought much of what he said, but to me, those words were priceless.
Li San Niang was still confused, not understanding what she had said, which aroused Su Hui's gratitude.
Su Hui and Yao Qingqing, mother and daughter, didn't waste any time. After finishing their conversation, they left directly.
As darkness approached, with only a quarter of an hour left before the gates were to close and the drums had already begun to beat, the Li family finally sent the seventy or eighty people out the door.
"I'm exhausted from this day. I've never seen so many women before. Their constant chatter gave me a headache."
Li Erxiong's complaints made Li Sanniang feel both amused and somewhat worried about his health.
Li Erxiong noticed Li Sanniang's concerned gaze, so he sat up straight on the stool, waved his hand at Li Sanniang, smiled and said, "It's alright, it's alright. Although I usually deal with women, this is the first time I've talked to so many women. It's just a little tiring, but it's nothing."
After eating the food ordered from the street, Li San Niang's favorite dish was the mutton soup with lots of pepper, which was really delicious and flavorful.
After finishing the last bit of soup in her bowl, Li San Niang hugged Lu Zhu'er and enjoyed the quiet and peaceful night.
"Alright, now that everyone's finished eating, Third Sister, go and check today's scores. Calculate them, and when the results of the third round are out tomorrow, add them up as soon as possible. It would be best if the results could be out sooner."
Mother Li's words carried the most weight. With the highest command of the Li family giving the order, Third Sister Li kissed Luzhu'er on the head before letting her go to play with Little Fourth Brother.
"Si Lang, play for a while and then go inside. It's getting quite cold."
"Oh, Auntie, I know."
In the main hall, five lamps were lit. When Sister-in-law Li came in and saw Li San Niang looking at the rating sheets by candlelight, she felt that the light was not bright enough.
Sister-in-law Li called Li Dalang and Li Erlang, and they took two lamps from the side room, lit them, and placed them near Li Sanniang.
"Sister-in-law, I can see."
"You can see it, but it's not bright enough; if you're careful, it will hurt your eyes."
...
Regardless of what the women who took the exam at the Li family yesterday or those who merely watched from the sidelines thought, as soon as dawn broke and the drums in the neighborhood began to sound, some people got up.
At Sun the midwife's house, Chunlan combed her hair with hot water, and finally used her hand to moisten the stray hairs on her head with a little water.
"Is this the final day? Will there be a result?"
"Yes, judging from what Dr. Li said, once the score is calculated, the results will be available immediately."
Knowing that the results would be available today, Grandpa Sun stopped asking and returned to his usual taciturn self.
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