Yan Xiaoqiang helped carry the luggage onto the oxcart. In the midst of the commotion, Ma Mingchun handed a pair of shoes to Yan Aidang: "Brother Aidang, Sister Chen'er asked me to give these to you secretly. Keep them safe."
Yan Aidang's heart was so warmed. He carefully stuffed the shoes into the pocket of his military overcoat, patting them to make sure they were packed tightly before he felt at ease. Looking at the happy smile on Yan Aidang's face, Ma Mingchun understood.
Cuihua and Yan Xiaonan also helped pack the food and other items into the luggage. Yan Xiaonan even carefully tied a hair tie to the handle of the luggage to indicate that the luggage was full of food.
Yan Daqiang patted Yan Xiaonan's head and said, "Nannan, if the college entrance examination is really reinstated next year, do your best. Your uncle is waiting for you in Beijing, waiting for you to come and reunite with us."
Yan Xiaonan nodded: "Uncle, if you've finished everything, write to us so that Grandma and my parents can be happy."
Yan Daqiang laughed heartily: "Uncle promises to handle this matter well. Also, thank you for the gift you gave me last night; it was very precious."
This little girl is such a good child; she never forgets her mother and is very filial.
Southwest and Tang Xiaoling also got on the oxcart. Today they were enjoying their uncle's good fortune. Yan Xiaoqiang told Ma Mingchun to stay at his house and play. "It's so cold. You're just a little kid. Don't let the cold wind get to you."
Ma Mingchun was overjoyed: "Thank you, Uncle Qiangzi. Uncle Qiangzi is so kind. No wonder he was able to raise a daughter like Nannan."
Yan Xiaoqiang was so happy he could hardly see his eyes. Yan Aidang exclaimed that everyone who hangs out with Nan Nan is a shrewd person.
The oxcart moved slowly forward. Yan Daqiang envied his younger brother for having a good daughter. Yan Xiaoqiang proudly puffed out his chest: "Big brother, what Mother said is true. It's because of me and Cuihua, and of course, Mother accumulated a lot of good deeds in her past life that we have Nannan."
Yan Daqiang looked around and, seeing that no one was paying attention, relaxed: "Qiangzi, be careful what you say. There are some things you can't just say carelessly."
Yan Xiaoqiang was startled. How could he have let something slip? He deserved a beating. He quickly shut his mouth and focused on herding the cattle.
After seeing Yan Daqiang and Yan Aidang off, Southwest and Tang Xiaoling went to work. Yan Xiaoqiang went to his junior high school, where he knew the teachers. Bei Nan had studied there, and in that era of food shortages, he had given the teachers a lot of help.
Upon entering the school, as expected, many teachers recognized Yan Xiaoqiang: "Uncle Qiangzi, you're here. What can I do for you?"
"My daughter wants to take an exam. Is it possible for her to get a junior high school diploma?" Yan Xiaoqiang asked.
"What's your daughter's name? Has she graduated from elementary school? Has she registered at school?" the teacher asked kindly.
Yan Xiaoqiang took out Yan Xiaonan's graduation certificate from Mushroom Village Elementary School, and then handed the teacher a piece of paper that Southwest University had registered Yan Xiaonan back then. The teacher smiled as soon as he saw it.
“Okay, there are very few students coming to class now. Have Yan Xiaonan take the test before the holiday. If she passes, she can get a junior high school graduation certificate.”
Yan Xiaoqiang was very satisfied and quickly took out four hard-boiled eggs wrapped in a handkerchief from his pocket: "Thank you, teacher. I will bring my daughter to take the exam tomorrow. Please prepare accordingly."
The teacher, who had been given an egg, wanted to push it back. How could she accept something from someone else? But the thing she received made her realize immediately that it was an egg. After a slight hesitation, Yan Xiaoqiang had already turned and left.
The teacher quickly stuffed the eggs into her cotton-padded coat pocket. Goodness, four eggs! How long has it been since her children had eaten eggs? She'd rush back at noon to give one to each of her children, and her husband needed two as well. As for herself, she'd skip it.
Also, hurry up and prepare the graduation exam papers. That's easy; there are ready-made ones in the resource room. Just tell the principal when you get back in the afternoon. These days, the principal is happy as long as someone is willing to take the exam, let alone the graduation exam.
Yan Xiaoqiang also bought some snacks and pastries, a few pairs of cotton shoes, and scraps of cloth in town. This time, Daqiang gave himself a lot of coupons so he could buy more scraps of cloth for Cuihua to practice with.
Now, Cuihua and I have saved more than two thousand yuan. If Nannan can get into a university in Beijing, we won't have to worry. With so much money, we can make a living for a while. Then we can see if there are any jobs in Beijing and find a job to support our family.
Humming a tune from the radio, he felt incredibly happy. He had bought cotton shoes for Nan Nan and his mother, scraps of cloth for Cui Hua, and snacks for his two grandsons. He had even bought several bottles of strong liquor today, so he had enough for the New Year.
Yan Xiaonan, who was waiting for news at home, told Zhongzi to wait at the door. Sure enough, as soon as Zhongzi made a loud noise, Yan Xiaonan rushed out, with Ma Mingchun following behind. They saw Yan Xiaoqiang driving the oxcart back home.
Ma Mingchun quickly led the ox away, and after Yan Xiaoqiang took it down from his basket, he drove the oxcart to the cowshed: "Uncle Qiangzi, Nannan, I'm leaving now. Thank you for the breakfast."
Nan Nan tried to give Ma Mingchun five cents, but Ma Mingchun refused. Nan Nan got angry and said, "If you keep acting like this, you can forget about being my friend."
Ma Mingchun was also stubborn: "Nannan, you're being unreasonable. How can you eat and take at the same time? What do you take me for? If you insist on giving it to me, then I won't be your friend anymore."
Yan Xiaoqiang took out a dime and handed it to Ma Mingchun: "This money isn't for you, it's for the cow. If any kids bring over fodder in the future, you'll have to give them some money."
Ma Mingchun was taken aback by what he said. It seemed to make sense, but something was off.
Yan Xiaoqiang didn't care about him and told him to hurry up and drive the cattle back. What was he doing standing in the snow on such a cold day?
Ma Mingchun realized something was wrong only after Yan Xiaoqiang closed the courtyard gate. The fodder the child had gathered was paid for with work points by the village, so why should he have to pay for it himself? Sigh, Uncle Qiangzi tricked him. Oh well, he can just take it. He'll do more work for the Yan family if they need it in the future.
The next day, Yan Xiaoqiang rode his bicycle and took Yan Xiaonan to the town's middle school. Yan Xiaonan had an exam, and Yan Xiaoqiang had nothing to do, so they strolled around the town. The town's security was much better than it had been a few years ago.
As Yan Xiaoqiang strolled around, he carefully observed every place in the town. Every time he came to town, he did the same thing, hoping to run into Bei Nan and ask her to come home soon. Unfortunately, he never did. Even a strong man can be heartbroken. Yan Xiaoqiang felt tears welling up in his heart. Bei Nan, when will you come home?
Three days later, Yan Xiaonan graduated from junior high school with excellent grades. The principal personally checked Yan Xiaonan's exam paper and liked it more and more. He was a real academic star, scoring over 90 points in every subject.
The observant principal even noticed that Yan Xiaonan had deliberately lost points in those areas, probably because she was afraid of being too conspicuous. What a clever little girl!
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