Qingshan Village has produced a total of thirteen college students this year.
Jiang Yilu was not only the top scholar in Yuchuan County, but also the third in J Province. It was a foregone conclusion that he would go to Huaqing University. Like him, Mo Xiangdong also chose this top university in China and chose to major in law.
Jiang Erni received an admission letter from her ideal China Medical University, Sanni was admitted to the Department of Economics and Management of China Business University, Guangpiao, Tiezhu and Meng Xiangxue were admitted to the National Defense University, and as long as they pass the physical fitness test, they can report there in March next year. Mo Xiangfang dreamed of becoming a people's teacher and wanted to reunite with his friends in the capital, so he took the risk and applied to Capital Normal University, and fortunately received an admission notice.
Yu Xiaocao secretly applied for the same major as Jiang Yiliu, the Finance Department. Her score was dangerous, so she was transferred to the Chemistry Department. Nowadays, people know little about the chemistry major, and don’t know what they can do after graduating from this major. Before Yu Xiaocao’s aunt could get excited about her niece being admitted to this prestigious school and about to make a name for herself, she began to worry about her niece’s stubbornness and insisting on choosing a major that her score was destined to be too high for.
However, Yu Xiaocao's attitude remained the same as before, silent and timid, and it was impossible to tell what she was really thinking.
Jiang Sini is only one year older than Xiaobao, and her grades this year were not very ideal, so she finally chose to repeat a year. As for Mrs. Miao’s dissatisfaction, it was suppressed by Jiang Yilu’s coquetry.
This year, the Jiang family has three college students, one of whom is the old lady’s most beloved grandson. As long as it doesn’t touch the bottom line, the old lady can turn a blind eye and get away with it.
The only exceptions were the two Jiang Aiguo brothers, especially Jiang Aiguo. His grades were higher than those of Meng Xiangxue and Tiezhu, but even Tiezhu went to the difficult National Defense University, while Jiang Aiguo, who only chose a university in the province, had not received an admission letter yet.
Jiang Aidang made the same choice as his brother. Because they were worried about the lame Jiang Dachuan, they both chose universities within the province. This way, they could go home once a week, and the round trip only took three or four hours. Moreover, the majors they chose were all subsidized by the state, so the family did not have to spend a penny.
Nowadays, university tuition fees are paid by the state, and each student is responsible for his or her own living expenses, which are generally between 25 and 35 yuan per month, except for special majors, such as military academies and normal universities. The state will give students a subsidy every month, which is enough to cover all expenses in college. If students are frugal, they can save some money and food coupons to supplement their family expenses.
Seeing that people from the same village and even neighboring villages who scored more than 200 points were admitted to the university they applied for, the Jiang family gradually became restless and began to use their connections to inquire.
Especially Jiang Dachuan, he already had some vague guesses in his mind, and his whole heart felt like it was being boiled in a pot, with regret, guilt, and hatred.
"Brother Ruan, have you found out any news?"
Jiang Cheng looked at Ruan Yuanjiang as he entered the house and asked anxiously, Jiang Dachuan also put down his work in the fields and waited in the old house today, just to know the result that Mr. Ruan had found out by contacting his former colleagues.
"Hey——" Ruan Yuanjiang glanced at Jiang Dachuan and shook his head.
Suddenly, everyone knew that there was probably no hope for the two brothers Jiang Aiguo and Jiang Aidang, and the root of the problem lay with Jiang Dachuan.
It is not long since the Cultural Revolution ended. In this catastrophe that has just ended, except for the old leaders headed by Deng Xiaoping, the thoughts of other leading cadres have not completely broken away from the extreme left ideology.
When implementing the college entrance examination documents, the muddy currents of "the uselessness of studying" and "class background" still remained in their hearts. Therefore, even if the superiors had made clear instructions, some cadres who were implementing the government orders still had resistance and opposition, which was reflected in the college entrance examination admissions.
Those with bad family backgrounds, those whose immediate family members have committed mistakes, and those who are too old will not be admitted even if their scores are very high. The principle of fairness that "everyone is equal in front of scores" has not been truly implemented.
Jiang Aiguo's grades were higher than others, but his biological father Jiang Dachuan had a stain of labor reform, so he could not pass the political review. The same was true for Jiang Aidang.
After Ruan Yuanjiang explained the reason, the Jiang family fell silent.
"It's okay. I have hands and feet. I won't starve to death even if I can't go to college. Tomorrow, Ai Dang and I will go to the fields together."
Jiang Aidan's voice broke the silence: "The chickens at home haven't been fed yet, Aidan, come home with me to cook feed.
Before Jiang Aidang could recover from the sadness of his shattered college dream, he was taken away by his eldest brother.
The figures of the two soon disappeared on the path in front of the courtyard. Everyone could see that Jiang Aiguo was not being sincere. After all, everyone had seen how hard he worked in the months before the exam.
"This is only the first year of the college entrance examination. The admission requirements will definitely be more standardized in the future. Now that Chief Deng is in office, he supports the policy of selecting the best for the college entrance examination. Let my eldest and second brothers repeat a year. Next year, they should not be blocked by the political review."
Jiang Yilu didn’t know about the college entrance examination in his previous life, but in his memory, after 1978, no one would bring up political background anymore.
"Xiaobao's words make sense. This year's college entrance examination system still has many imperfections. Next year's college entrance examination will definitely be adjusted and improved. I think we can let the two brothers repeat a year."
Ruan Yuanjiang confirmed Jiang Yiliu's guess, and was also amazed at his keen political talent. He had thought about what he had just said for a long time, and wanted to comfort everyone. He didn't expect that a fourteen-year-old child could see these from a few newspapers without any guidance.
"Uncle Ruan, is what you said true?"
Jiang Dachuan can only hold on to this piece of duckweed now, otherwise, he doesn't know what he will do. It's all because of that bitch Fan Xiaojuan. If the future of his two sons is ruined, he will not let him go even if he risks his life.
"I'm not sure, but it's better than not trying at all."
Ruan Yuanjiang's words touched the hearts of Jiang's family. Jiang Aiguo is only 19 this year, and Jiang Aidang is only 17. A boy is better than a girl, so there is no need to rush to get married. They can still afford to wait for one or two years.
Now that things have come to this, there is nothing we can do but let it go.
*******
"For such a big thing as getting into college, Mom didn't even mention giving the kids half of the banquet?"
When she returned to her room at night, Gu Dongmei asked her man tentatively.
Jiang Dahai was half asleep and half awake now. When asked by Gu Dongmei, he was a little stunned.
"Mom and Dad can't be so partial. Xiaobao is the top scorer in Yuchuan. Erni and Sanni also did well. Look at those people in the village who didn't do as well as the three siblings, and they also held a big banquet. These days at work, many people asked me about this, saying that our family has three college students this time, and we can't just not treat everyone to a meal."
Gu Dongmei complained: "It's not our fault that the two children in the second child's family can't go to college. Why can't we let our children have a chance to shine."
Gu Dongmei had been holding this in her heart for a long time. Her blessing in this life was just around the corner. She could only look at the children she had and see whose children were as promising as hers. She knew that before Xiaobao was born, those women were talking behind her back. She just wanted to let those people see that even if she was a girl, the daughter she gave birth to would be a hundred times better than theirs.
Gu Dongmei said a lot of things and successfully pulled Jiang Dahai out of his half-sleep. "What nonsense are you talking about? Don't you know how important Xiaobao is to our mother? But we have to consider the second son's family's opinion. Our mother has already said that we will choose a good time in the future to invite relatives and friends to come over for a gathering, but we can't have a big party."
Jiang Dahai also felt a little uncomfortable, but he had a good relationship with the second brother's family over the years, so there was no need to make them feel awkward because of these trivial matters.
"Okay, we have to go to work tomorrow morning, go to bed early."
Jiang Dahai pulled the quilt and said something vaguely to his wife. Not long after, he fell into a deep sleep with a snore.
Seeing how heartless he was, Gu Dongmei wanted to pull him up and ask him whether his own child was more important or the feelings of those irrelevant people were more important.
But he reached out his hand several times but failed to do anything. He could only hold back his anger, pulled most of the quilt covering Jiang Dahai over, closed his eyes, and could not fall asleep for a long time.
*******
"Mrs. Mo, what brings you here today?"
Gu Dongmei was mixing rice bran and sweet potato peels in the yard to feed the chickens and ducks, when she saw Mo Dashuan's wife walking hurriedly towards their house.
"It's nothing. I just came to tell you that Xiang Hong is getting married. Please come to the wedding on the 15th." There was no joy on Mrs. Mo's face, but instead a hint of sadness.
"Xiang Hong is getting married. This is a great event. Don't worry. When my old lady comes back, I will tell her and give Xiang Hong a big red envelope."
Gu Dongmei said enthusiastically that it was strange that the girl of Mo Dashuan's family was already 26 years old and still not married. Look at Qingshan Village, which girl is like her, marrying so late? Even if there are, they are those who are not good-looking or have difficult family conditions. Now that Mo Xianghong is getting married, Gu Dongmei, who is on good terms with Mo Dashuan's wife, is so happy for her.
"Where is Xiang Hong's boyfriend from?" After being overjoyed, Gu Dongmei couldn't help but inquire out of curiosity.
"I am an educated youth from Hongqi Village, and now I teach at Hongqi Primary School."
Mrs. Mo didn't seem to want to talk more. She said a few simple words and left: "I still have to notify the next family, so I won't talk to you any more."
After saying that, he left in a hurry. Gu Dongmei wanted to ask more questions, but she didn't have the chance.
When it was time for lunch, Gu Dongmei brought up the matter at the table. When Jiang Yilu heard the man's conditions, she couldn't help but frown, feeling that she had a bad premonition.
The educated youth from Hongqi Village was still teaching at Hongqi Primary School. As far as he knew, it seemed that the only one was that man.
But isn’t Rong Jing dating Meng Xiangwen? He even ranked third in the college entrance examination. How could he be willing to marry Sister Xiang Hong?
Is this true love or is he mistaken?
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