The cadre nodded; that was true. But… “Comrade Su Yu, it’s like this, those going to school now are mostly children of factory workers. You know, we should try to give educational opportunities to the children as much as possible…”
“That’s right, that’s what I think too. So I’m going to learn it myself and educate my own children so I won’t cause trouble for the factory. Every family has three or five children. If we send them all to work, the factory will be so busy. Self-reliance is the way to go.”
"..."
"Most importantly, as Chairman Mao said, the working class must constantly learn new ideas and new knowledge, and contribute their strength to the better construction of the motherland."
The senior staff member looked bewildered and asked, "Did the Chairman say that?"
"Yes, I remember hearing that from someone last time, and it's been stuck in my head ever since. Officer Gao, you haven't heard it before, have you? I thought everyone knew it."
Chairman Mao has said a great deal in his life.
Officer Gao: "...Of course I know, I'll just test you."
Su Yu said excitedly, "Therefore, Officer Gao, I must respond to the call of Comrade Chairman and be a working-class child who is always learning!"
Officer Gao scratched his head, feeling a little dizzy, but still handed Su Yu a copy of the application form, which Su Yu quickly filled out. Finally, Officer Gao stamped the form.
After Su Yu left with the application form stamped by the factory committee, Officer Gao was still in a daze. Should he have given the school place to Comrade Su Yu?
Forget it, it's already been given, there's no point in asking for it back.
Ahem, workers need to learn new knowledge; this is Chairman Mao's teaching. We need to study Chairman Mao's spirit properly; it's too shameful for a factory committee member like myself to know less than a textile worker.
Having received the application form, Su Yu was overjoyed. Once she received the money from the Liu family, she would register. Then she could go to school.
Back then, night school wasn't as strict as it would be later, with fixed durations. As long as you studied well and passed the exams, you could get a certificate of completion.
From now on, her academic record will show a vocational high school diploma. Although it's a night school diploma, it's officially recognized and quite valuable. It's not much worse than a high school diploma.
However, the thought that I, a graduate of a prestigious university, was now smug about getting a place in a night school or vocational high school made me feel worthless.
"I'll have to go to college someday."
It's 1959 now. There are still a few years before the major changes happen, so maybe I can manage to graduate from university. Otherwise, I'll have to wait more than ten years. I'm twenty-six now, so I won't be able to take the university entrance exam in more than ten years.
The workday ended when the bell rang, and Su Yu went out to the factory gate with her bag to wait for Su Dazhi and Su Zhi.
As soon as I stepped out of the workshop, I saw Su Zhi and Su Dazhi waiting at the workshop entrance.
"Sister, we're going out with you this time. Let's see if the Liu family dares to bully you again," Su Zhi said, clenching his fist.
Anyway, Lao Liu's family is just a tax in front of his sister.
Su Dazhi couldn't speak to Su Zhi, so he could only squat down and prepare to carry Su Yu back.
"Never mind, you've all worked hard too." Su Yu slung her bag over her shoulder and walked away. This was really affecting the image of the main gate.
Su Dazhi looked at his sister with immediate emotion. "Sister..."
Su Yu rubbed her arms. "Alright, let's go back for lunch. Let's see if the Liu family comes to deliver the money at noon. If they don't, I'll have to go check out the police station."
Trying to renege on your debt? No way!
Upon hearing Su Yu's words, Su Zhi immediately perked up, "Sister, I'll go with you then."
Su Dazhi said, "Sister, I'll go too."
Just as Su Yu was about to nod, she looked at Liu Mei and her sister-in-law at the door.
She smiled and turned to look at her younger brother, "Dazhi, Liu Mei is here."
"Huh? Where is she, sis? What should I do?" Su Dazhi tensed up immediately. After all, he hadn't seen Liu Mei since their last argument. The shadow of that incident was still lingering. However, seeing Su Yu's ambiguous smile, he quickly calmed down. "Sis, I'll do whatever you say."
Su Yu said, "Listen to me, don't say anything later. I guarantee Liu Mei will listen to you in everything from now on."
When Liu Mei saw Su Yu and her two siblings arrive, she bit her lip, not intending to go over, but was pushed by her sister-in-law, Liu Dasao, and only then did she grit her teeth and walk over.
"Father-in-law, you're off work? I just finished work and brought Meizi to pick you up," said Sister-in-law Liu with a smile.
Su Yu laughed and said, "Don't be so polite, it's just some money for nutrition. By the way, have you settled the hospital bill? The police guarantor guaranteed my hospital bill. You can't go back on your word."
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