At the end of 1980, Liu Meiyu became the first outstanding graduate of Huaqing University since the resumption of the college entrance examination with excellent results of first place in both professional courses.
Spending three years taking two professional courses with two days off a week, and still graduating early, Liu Meiyun has established herself as a genius student, leaving no room for anyone to back off.
Moreover, the news that Liu Meiyu refused the job assigned by the school and insisted on becoming a self-employed person also caused quite a stir in Huaqing.
Everyone from professional course teachers to counselors to the principal, and even leaders from the Ministry of Economic Affairs came to persuade him, but to no avail.
Everyone thinks that Liu Meiyun is being willful and foolish, and that she is just unable to change her mind.
Can being a self-employed person be reliable and have a stable job in the government?
Why do so many people work so hard to get into college? Isn’t it so that they can get a decent job after graduation and eat state-funded food?
But Liu Meiyu is so good that she refuses to accept the rice even if the country feeds it to her.
"Student Liu Meiyun, why don't you reconsider it or ask your family to come to school. You can't be willful about such a big matter. This concerns your whole life."
President Zeng of Huaqing University almost talked himself into persuading Liu Meiyun to work in the Ministry of Economic Affairs. He really didn't want the country to waste such a good talent.
"Principal Zeng, thank you." Liu Meiyun held her graduation certificate and said with a smile, "My family also supports me to be a self-employed person. During my time in school, I am grateful for your care and support. No matter where I go in the future, I will never forget that I am a part of Huaqing."
"If you don't work, isn't that a waste of the country's cultivation of you?" Principal Zeng was still unwilling to give up, and advised earnestly: "Student Liu Meiyun, I know your family is well-off and your life is basically stable, but women can hold up half the sky. Since you have this ability, you should contribute more to the country and give full play to your talents. Moreover, your husband is a soldier, and as a military wife, you should have this awareness!"
Principal Zeng even lost his temper trying to persuade Liu Meiyu to be more clear-headed and make the right choice carefully.
If he said this in later generations, it would probably be considered moral kidnapping, but in this era, it is perfectly normal.
The ideas of the times are there, and Liu Meiyu does not expect to change everyone's views just by talking. All she needs is time.
The job assignment system for college graduates was reformed in the 1990s, and the group of self-employed individuals also expanded rapidly in the 1980s and 1990s, promoting the growth of the national economy with a force that cannot be underestimated. Moreover, Liu Meiyun's goal is not limited to being a small self-employed individual. If she can do well and expand her business, a self-employed individual can also become an entrepreneur.
There are many ways to contribute to the country. If Liu Meiyu had not been reborn, she would have accepted her graduation assignment and worked hard at her job. However, she has lived two lifetimes, and the little foresight she has about the future can only be fully utilized by doing business. If she went to a public institution, even if she talked big, she would not be able to change any historical trajectory.
Just like that, with Liu Meiyu's persistence, she officially graduated from Huaqing University despite many people's misunderstanding.
Before leaving, she invited her roommates to dinner at a restaurant near the school.
There were eight people in the dormitory. Song Qi had not been to school since he took a leave of absence due to illness, and Bai Ting never participated in group activities, so there were only six of us eating together.
"Meiyun, no matter where you go in the future, don't forget us in 301."
Zhou Yanhong, the big sister in the dormitory, is usually someone who takes other people's emotions into consideration. However, today she acted out of character. She picked up the glass of white wine on the table and drank it in one gulp without waiting for anyone's reaction.
"Then I will definitely not forget it." Liu Meiyu also drank a glass with her.
"Meiyu, thank you for lending me the books over the years." Wang Meihua, who lived in the shop below Liu Meiyu, had moist eyes and hugged Liu Meiyu's arm with a look of reluctance.
Liu Meiyun: "Why thank you? I've read a lot of extracurricular books because of you."
"Ah, if we talk about being competitive, who in our dormitory can be more competitive than you, Meiyun?"
"That's right. People say that our dormitory 301 is a hell of a dormitory. Almost half of the eight of us got scholarships, and there's even a genius student."
The word "curly" was brought into the dormitory by Liu Meiyun. Since others learned it, Liu Meiyun has deservedly become the "curly king" of 301.
"Then you have to thank me. I will take care of you today. Tomorrow, when you leave Huaqing, you won't have to worry about being taken care of by others."
Liu Meiyu lived two lifetimes, and the combined age of her two lifetimes would make her their grandmother. They spent the past few years together in college. Although they were busy with their studies and families most of the time and did not have the rich entertainment activities like in later generations, the days they spent together in the library at Huaqing were unforgettable.
"Meiyun, what do you think about me staying in Beijing to work after I graduate next year?"
Zhou Yanhong drank two glasses of wine, although she was not drunk, but she was still in a state of excitement. She could not help talking about the family matters that she usually kept in her heart: "Last time I saw your triplets in the park, I suddenly wanted to stay in the big city to work. I always feel that staying in Beijing and returning to my hometown will definitely be different in educating the children in the future. But none of my husband's family and my own family support me. They all hope that I will go back to my hometown directly after graduation and work while raising the children."
The capital is definitely different from the underdeveloped fourth-, fifth- and sixth-tier cities. If they are left in the future, most ordinary graduates will be treated like leeks and harvested one after another. In the end, they will be forced to return to their hometowns to engage in construction and pursue happiness due to high housing prices. Liu Meiyu will definitely not be able to give any good advice.
But now, with the same opportunity in front of her, the big pie in the capital is definitely better. Moreover, Zhou Yanhong, an educated youth who had been sent to the countryside for many years, got married and had children. She did not forget to study during her time in the countryside, and was admitted to Huaqing University as soon as the college entrance examination was resumed. She also keenly realized that staying in a place like Beijing would definitely make a big difference to her children's future. With such a brain, coupled with diligence and ambition, she would definitely have a bright future no matter where she is.
"Sister Hong, now the assignment of graduates is based on the household registration. If you want to stay in Beijing, you have to work harder on your major and show your achievements to the teachers. You are no worse than others. As long as you make up your mind, I believe you can do it. As for your family..." Liu Meiyu thought for a few seconds and said, "Hearing is deceiving, seeing is believing. I think you and your elder brother have a good relationship. He supports you to study in such a long distance and sends you living expenses every month. If conditions permit, you can ask your elder brother to bring the children to Beijing and show them around. Otherwise, when you graduate next year, they still don't know what your school is like."
In the stories that Liu Meiyun has heard and read, people like Zhou Yanhong, who went to the countryside as educated youth and married rural boys, settled down and had children in the countryside, and finally got support from her husband's family to go to college, are considered the lucky ones.
You should know that in the two years after the college entrance examination was resumed, with the large number of educated youth returning to the city, divorced families were everywhere. When Liu Meiyu was in her later life, she heard from an old educated youth that on the largest farm in their area, nearly three thousand couples were getting divorced in five days.
Zhou Yanhong was lucky enough to have her in-laws support her going to college. After she worked hard to get into college, she never thought about abandoning her family and staying in the big city to live a decent life. Instead, she was thinking about how to make her whole family live a good life in the future.
"Yes, why didn't I think of it! Meiyun, you have a really sharp brain!" Zhou Yanhong slapped her thigh and hugged Liu Meiyun excitedly, her eyes couldn't help but become red.
No matter how much she said in the letter, it would be better to let the father bring the child here to see what life is like. If their son can stay in the capital to go to school in the future, the starting conditions and the people he will come into contact with will definitely be different!
"I don't want to stay in Beijing. I don't know anyone there. If I go back to my hometown, maybe I can get a better job."
There is a sister from another province living in my dormitory. Although she has been very happy studying in Beijing in recent years, she still wants to go home more. Her parents have formal jobs and her uncles and aunts work in the government, so she will feel more confident when she returns to her hometown.
"Wang Meihua, what about you? Do you and your boyfriend plan to get married right after graduation? You two are not in the same place, what will you do in the future?"
In the whole dormitory, except for Liu Meiyu who was out of reach, the person that other single girls envied the most was Wang Meihua who lived downstairs from Liu Meiyu.
Although she usually only reads books and talks little, she is the one who got single the fastest in dormitory 301 and has a stable relationship. Her boyfriend is from the medical university next door. He is very handsome and they are in love. Their only date place is the library. Those who know them think they are a couple, while those who don't think they are competing for a scholarship together.
"We plan to take the postgraduate entrance examination together first, and then see after we finish our postgraduate studies." Wang Meihua said in a relaxed tone, and her usually serious face inevitably showed a blush of happiness at this moment.
Several people in the dormitory were talking about their future plans, some were melancholy and some were expectant, but Su Qinghe, who was always introverted, didn't say a word this time.
When Liu Meiyun finished paying the bill and was about to ride her bike home, Su Qinghe suddenly came back, stood in front of her, and whispered, "Meiyun, I saw Song Qi two days ago."
"What's wrong?" Liu Meiyu was curious.
Su Qinghe shouldn't have reacted like this just by seeing Miss Song.
Song Qi was on sick leave at Huaqing, and she should come to class when school starts after the New Year. She is a native of Beijing, so it is not surprising to meet her on the road.
Su Qinghe twisted her fingers and spoke hesitantly: "Something seems to have happened at her home. The last time I saw her, she wasn't doing well."
"I understand. I'll find time to go see her." Liu Meiyu nodded, stepped on the bicycle, waved goodbye to Su Qinghe.
Liu Meiyu originally had no intention of meddling in other people's business. As an outsider, she had no right to interfere in the cycle of cause and effect in Song Qi's family, and the grudges were from the previous generation.
But it would have been fine if she didn't know the situation. Su Qinghe had told her where she met Song Qi. She wanted to pretend she didn't know and ignore it, but in her heart she always remembered that although Miss Song was arrogant, she was a simple and delicate lady, and she had even helped her contact a foreign teacher before.
After all, they were living in the same dormitory, so Liu Meiyu decided to take some nutritional supplements with her and go over to take a look.
So the next day, she took some things from home and rode her bike to the shantytown that Su Qinghe mentioned.
The shantytowns in Beijing from the 1980s, although they now look run-down and dilapidated, with bricks and tiles loosely stacked together as if they could collapse at any time, especially after the rain the past two days, when mud puddles formed on the ground wherever one walked, leaving shoes, pants and legs in a state of disrepair, are bound to be demolished and rebuilt in the future, and the original residents here will each have a house and will be able to turn their fortunes around and sing in an instant.
Su Qinghe said that she met Song Qi on the street and followed her here secretly. She discovered that Sister Song, who used to live in the government compound, had taken sick leave and was washing dishes in a small restaurant in this shantytown.
In the winter of November and December in Beijing, the cold wind hitting the face was like ice knives. Liu Meiyu slowly pushed her bicycle and found the small restaurant that Song Qi mentioned. Before she could find it, she saw a fat woman in a big red cotton jacket. She quickly collected a pile of dirty plates and bowls and threw them into the plastic basin beside the sink at the door, and shouted loudly: "Xiao Song, hurry up, you are so slow."
"Right away."
A familiar yet unfamiliar gruff voice responded quickly, a pair of red and swollen hands lifted the curtain, and the girl carefully stepped on the slippery stone steps, holding a pile of empty plates and walking towards the sink.
"Song Qi."
Liu Meiyu called out tentatively.
There was a crackling sound, and Song Qi's hand slipped, causing several plates to fall directly into the sink and break into pieces.
"Tsk, Xiao Song, how many plates have you broken in this month?" The lady boss put her hands on her hips, pointed at Song Qi's nose and started to scold her, "I agreed to let you wash dishes here because you are a pitiful girl, but you have only been working for two months and you have broken twelve of my plates. You said you are not a rich girl, if you don't like washing dishes, then just don't do it. Don't act like you have a grudge against me and break one every time. I hired you to help, not to ruin my family."
Before the woman finished scolding, a man opened the curtain and walked out from inside, with a towel around his neck. He first glanced in Song Qi's direction, and then coaxed the woman and said nice things to Song Qi, looking soft-hearted and kind.
When Liu Meiyu was about to say something, she heard another rustling sound. Song Qi simply threw the bowl, turned around and stared at the proprietress angrily, "If you don't want to do it, then don't do it! Just deduct the broken plate from my salary. What's the big deal? I hate working for people like you!"
After saying that, Song Qi picked up a bowl from the basin and threw it directly at the person.
The woman didn't react in time, and the white porcelain bowl hit her husband next to her. Fortunately, it didn't hit his head, but only left a red and swollen mark on his chin.
"You're crazy! I'm calling the police!" The proprietress was so angry that her face turned red. She was about to rush towards Song Qi, but was stopped by her husband.
"Alright, alright, I'm fine. Don't bother with a little girl. We still have business to do." The man looked tolerant and generous. Not only did he take care of his wife, he also kindly took out a few small bills from his pocket and threw them to Song Qi: "Hurry up and leave. We can't afford you. These are your remaining wages."
Song Qi clenched and unclenched his fists, gritted his teeth, picked up the loose bills on the ground and stuffed them into his pocket, then ran out ignoring Liu Meiyu.
"Song Qi."
Liu Meiyu rode her bicycle and chased for a while, but seeing that the road was really difficult to travel on, she gave up without any patience and just wandered around in the alley for a long time looking for a way out.
But when she finally asked someone and was about to leave, her bike suddenly got stuck and couldn't move, as if someone was holding it from behind. She stomped her feet and looked back, and saw Miss Song with red eyes, obviously having just lost her temper and cried!
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