Chapter 626
After spending a few comfortable days in Ning County and meeting all the friends they needed to meet, the father and daughter packed their bags and returned to Yongcheng.
The store had not yet opened, so Su Miao specially invited a few good high school classmates to come to his house for a small gathering.
Meng Jiajia, Hu Xiaodie, Lin Wang and Lin Guodong all agreed to come. After making a round of phone calls, Su Miao thought about it and invited Zhang Yan as well. Although there had been conflicts before, they resolved the knot later.
It just so happened that my fat uncle called my father to go for a drink, and the whole yard became the world of young people.
A pile of food was placed on the table, and a pot of jasmine tea was brewed. The warm winter sun shone obliquely into the yard, adding a bit of warmth to this long-awaited reunion.
As we chatted with each other, it seemed as if we were back in high school, except that the topic had changed from past exercises and exams to the latest experiences in our respective universities.
Everyone went to different universities and wanted to share anything new they saw with their friends.
Su Miao also did not forget to ask Lin Wang how his business was going.
Lin Wang smiled with ease and said:
"Thank you for bringing me into this business. Now my family can earn more than 200 yuan a month from setting up the stall, and that's not even every day.
This was equivalent to the wages of two extra workers, and things at home got better all of a sudden. I bought a large freezer specifically for this purpose, so that I could make rock sugar water conveniently in the summer.
The weather is cold now, so we sell hot sweet soups. I plan to make some fried food to sell along with it in the next few days, so it should be okay.”
Su Miao agreed with his idea: "This is a good combination. Everyone likes to eat fried food in winter, but eating it makes you thirsty, so it's just right to go with sugar water."
"Business should be the best during the New Year period, right? Then you're going to lose a lot today." Hu Xiaodie teased while eating the sugar water he specially brought in a thermos.
Lin Wang smiled brightly:
"Making money is important, but seeing you guys is more important! And because of school, it's usually my mom who sets up the stall, and I take turns with her when I'm on break.
I didn't go back to join the class, but attended a repeat class. The schedule was more flexible, with only four days of classes a week. The rest of the time I could review on my own."
Su Miao didn't know much about the repeat class situation, so he asked:
"Repeater class? Isn't that a cram school for No. 1 High School? Is it a supplementary class outside?"
Lin Wang explained: "It can be considered a high school, but the teaching is separate and the teachers are different. It was only opened this year, and I am considered the first class.
Because the progress of repeating students is different, this class is opened separately so that we can accept more repeating students.
There's only one class now, and after you register, you have to take an exam to select the best candidates. I studied according to the knowledge points you summarized, and I actually got third place. Even my homeroom teacher said I have a good chance of getting into university next year."
When Lin Wang was talking about this, his eyes were full of light. He felt that as long as he kept working hard, he would be able to catch up with his classmates next year.
As everyone chatted, they talked about their respective schools. Others were most interested in University A, after all, it was a place that was out of their reach.
However, the schools they were admitted to also had their own characteristics. Meng Jiajia and Lin Guodong both went to Xi'an University, Hu Xiaodie went to the Normal College, and although Zhang Yan had her essay scores deducted, she was eventually admitted to the University of Geosciences.
However, Hu Xiaodie said her mother still hasn't given up the idea of sending her abroad.
Lin Guodong said in confusion: "Why do you have to go abroad? It's not an easy thing to do."
Hu Xiaodie shrugged and said, "Maybe it's because of the idea that the moon is rounder in foreign countries.
You see, foreigners who come here to invest and travel enjoy preferential treatment, and each one is very valuable. So my parents think that being able to go abroad and visit a valuable place is a great thing.
Su Miao said pertinently, "Western countries are indeed ahead of us in economy and technology. It's normal for uncle and aunt to hope that you have a better platform for development."
Hu Xiaodie held her cheek and said:
"I used to think so too. After all, when it comes to going abroad, everyone thinks it's amazing. Especially my mother has been talking about it in my ear since I was a child, so I am full of yearning to go abroad.
But now that I'm in college, those expectations have diminished. I feel like our country's cultural heritage is unmatched by anything foreign. There are so many great things in my own country, so why should I go abroad to learn anything?
Su Miao picked up the teacup, took a sip, thought for a moment and said:
"Studying abroad does have its advantages, but we need to look at the issue dialectically. We have experienced a long period of feudalism and the Anti-Japanese War, and the advantages accumulated over thousands of years have been lost. We are indeed lagging behind in many areas.
Take computer technology for example. Foreign countries have built a mature computer industry ecosystem, while China is still solving the basic problem of "creating something from scratch".
Core components rely on imports, with significant performance gaps, a blank software technology ecosystem and simple functions. Foreign computer technology has undergone 30 years of commercial iteration, while domestic computer development has been restricted by blockades and economic systems, and only entered the civilian exploration stage in the 1980s. The gap is really not small.
However, we should never underestimate our intelligence and talent. If we can learn advanced technology and concepts abroad and then return to build our motherland, it will be a very meaningful thing."
Su Miao finished a long speech in one breath, and then found that her friends were staring at her in a daze.
Hu Xiaodie said with a look of difficulty understanding: "Su Miao, I haven't studied much about the computer you are talking about. I only had a little exposure to it this semester, so I really don't understand it very well.
However, I understand what you mean. Studying abroad is indeed a good thing. You can learn things that are lacking in China."
Zhang Yan also agreed with Su Miao's point of view: "Yes, Xiaodie, your family has the means and resources to send you abroad. This is an opportunity that many people can't even ask for. It will broaden your horizons, allow you to see different scenery, and stand higher."
After listening to everyone's words, Hu Xiaodie's hesitation throughout this semester disappeared.
"Okay! Got it! It's not that I don't want to go, it's just that I just started college and got familiar with a new environment, so I'm a little hesitant. Actually, I've never slacked off. I've been studying English hard since I was a child, and I'm still doing it now."
Su Miao said half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Speaking of which, Comrade Hu, when you go out into the world of feasting and drinking, don't become complacent and forget your mission! Sugar-coated bullets may be sweet, but you must stick to your original intention!"
Hu Xiaodie said firmly, "Don't worry! How could I not come back? I'd rather give up everything else than our delicious food! Speaking of which, Su Miao, your family isn't bad either. If I could find a way out, I could introduce you to study abroad. Would you like to go?"
Su Miao pretended to think seriously for a moment, then said with a smile, "Go! But I'm afraid I can't resist the sugar-coated bullets of capitalism. Short-term exchanges are fine, but long-term study abroad might mean I'd betray the revolution!"
A burst of cheerful laughter suddenly rang out in the yard, and the sunlight shone through the branches of the sycamore tree, casting mottled shadows on the ground.
The laughter of several young people startled the sparrows in the treetops. On this ordinary afternoon, all kinds of possibilities for the future were quietly sprouting in their hearts.
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