Their college application choices were finalized. Shen Xuyue applied to Tsinghua University for the Precision Instruments and Mechanical Engineering major, while Zhao Mingyue applied to Beijing Normal University for the History Department, with both indicating that they would accept any assigned major.
Zhao Minglang and his sister compared their answers and found a slight discrepancy, but not a major one. He didn't dare fill in a school in Beijing and instead, to be on the safe side, filled in a medical school in their own province. This was the result of their family's discussion and Zhao Mingyue's suggestion. No matter the era, people need to eat and get sick, and doctors will never be unemployed. Although many old doctors were persecuted during the movement, they are gradually returning to work, and such a mistake is unlikely to happen again in the future.
Yu Youqing and Shen Xuyue compared their answers, and they were almost identical. When filling out his college application, he also chose a university in Beijing, specifically Beijing Institute of Technology. Upon hearing his application, Shen Xuyue suggested, "Youqing, why don't you choose Beijing Institute of Technology? Why don't you choose another school?"
Yu Youqing looked at him: "Why?"
“Beijing Institute of Technology is a university under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and it has many national defense students. I’m worried that the political review will be quite strict. Your grades are already very good, so it’s better not to take any risks.” Shen Xuyue had considered everything very carefully.
Zhao Mingyue also advised him, "Youqing, to be on the safe side, why don't you change schools?"
For some reason, Yu Youqing suddenly blurted out: "Didn't we say we shouldn't be so focused on class background?"
Shen Xuyue said, "Theoretically, that's how it is, but what if it happens? Wouldn't you have wasted your time taking the exam?" In the class of '77, many excellent candidates were held back by the political review process, but this problem was finally eliminated in '78.
Yu Youqing said, "Shall I change it?"
Zhao Mingyue nodded: "Let's switch. I hope we can both go to school in Beijing. There will be many people from our hometown there, so we can take care of each other."
Shen Xuyue turned to look at Zhao Mingyue. Did this girl even understand Yu Youqing's feelings? Yu Youqing's intentions were already very obvious, yet she was still so enthusiastically inviting him.
Yu Youqing's feelings for Zhao Mingyue weren't very obvious. He was a reserved person with an introverted personality, and it was difficult to detect his emotions from anything other than his eyes. Zhao Mingyue's mind was entirely on Shen Xuyue, and she rarely paid attention to other people's gazes. In particular, in her mind, Yu Youqing was just a little brother who needed to be taken care of, and she never thought about a romantic relationship with him.
Shen Xuyue discovered that Yu Youqing liked Zhao Mingyue unintentionally from the way Yu Youqing looked at Zhao Mingyue. However, he could only pretend not to know this. He couldn't interfere with Yu Youqing's thoughts, so he could only do his best to prevent anyone from having the opportunity to steal Zhao Mingyue away.
When Yu Youqing went to change his college application, he looked at it for a long time and still felt that the school and major he had initially chosen were the best. He felt that no matter which one he chose, it was not good. This is a typical case of preconceived notions. The first thing he saw was the best. He thought that the application process had gone so smoothly, so the political review should not have any problems. Therefore, he took a chance and did not change it.
The admissions process was quick, as school was about to start after the New Year, leaving very little time. On New Year's Day, a red list was posted on the streets, listing all the students in the county who had met the cutoff scores. Shen Xuyue and Zhao Mingyue were among the top performers; Zhao Mingyue ranked fourth in the county for humanities, Shen Xuyue second for science, and Yu Youqing third for science. Zhao Minglang's score was slightly lower, ranking outside the top seventy. Two other students from Moon Bay also met the cutoff.
Everyone was overjoyed; with such excellent results, they were sure they wouldn't fail the exam. About two weeks later, all the candidates who met the cutoff score received a medical examination notice, requiring them to undergo a physical check-up. This was a sign that they were about to be admitted, and everyone went for the medical examination with great excitement.
This was the envy of everyone; they actually managed to get into university, especially the Zhao family, who had two members admitted to university in one go! It was simply too enviable. Moreover, Shen Xuyue was their daughter Zhao Mingyue's boyfriend, which meant that the family had three university students. So the news spread very quickly, and the Zhao family became practically the first in the entire county to achieve this.
Yu Youqing's family suddenly felt proud and could finally hold their heads high. After so many years, they could finally be proud and hold their heads high.
However, Zhao Mingyue wasn't blinded by joy. She knew that until she received the acceptance letter, the deal wasn't finalized, and besides, admission wasn't solely based on grades. Shen Xuyue and Zhao Mingyue were both lucky; they were admitted to their first-choice universities. Shen Xuyue was assigned to Environmental Engineering, a major he'd never heard of before, but getting into Tsinghua University was already a great achievement, regardless of the major. Zhao Mingyue, on the other hand, was admitted to the History Department at Beijing Normal University.
Yu Youqing and Zhao Minglang's admission notices were delayed, and both were mentally prepared to fail, a bittersweet situation. Zhao Mingyue and Shen Xuyue could only comfort them, telling them that they would have another chance to take the exam this summer, and that they shouldn't be discouraged, but should prepare fully for another six months and try again this year. However, the two remained depressed.
On New Year's Day, the Zhao family received another letter—an acceptance letter from a local medical college. Zhao Minglang had been rejected from his first choice, but he had been accepted into the local medical college, which was an overwhelming surprise. During the New Year, almost the entire family shed tears of joy, especially Zhao Minglang, who squatted in the corner and sobbed.
Zhao Mingyue breathed a sigh of relief, finally feeling a huge weight lifted from her heart. She had strongly opposed her third brother going to work in the coal mine because she wanted him to seize the opportunity of the college entrance examination and escape rural life. However, the process had been full of twists and turns, which was really frustrating. Fortunately, she was able to achieve her wish in the end, and her dream could finally be fulfilled.
The fact that the Zhao family produced two college students at once quickly became a local legend. Moreover, Zhao Mingyue was admitted to a university in Beijing—a city that represents the sacred dream of countless ordinary people. During the Spring Festival, relatives flocked to the house, including many who hadn't visited in years, practically wearing down the doorstep.
Zhao Mingyue was a little worried about whether the family had enough food to entertain the relatives. Hu Nianchun whispered to his daughter, "Don't worry, you and Minglang are both going to university. You'll eat at school, so we'll save on food at home. Your dad and I won't have to eat sweet potatoes anymore. Besides, your uncles, aunts, and other relatives have all brought money over. They also received a lot of money from selling tea last year. Our family is neither short of money nor food now. It's enough for your travel expenses and living costs."
Zhao Mingyue said, "Mom, just give me some money for the bus fare. I don't need to pay tuition at school, and I even get a living allowance. I don't need any money."
“Why wouldn’t you want it? You’re going to Beijing, where it’s very cold in winter. You’ll need to wear more clothes and shoes there. I’ve already made you a new cotton-padded coat, and the quilt was made a long time ago, prepared for your wedding. They’re all new. You can take them to school for now, and we’ll make new ones for you after you get married.” Her daughter is going to university for four years, which is plenty of time for her to prepare her dowry.
Zhao Mingyue scratched her head in embarrassment, unaware that her mother had prepared a dowry for her so early.
Hu Nianchun then said, "Go ask Xiao Shen if he needs a blanket. If he does, I'll prepare one for him too." On New Year's Day, Shen Xuyue was invited to celebrate the New Year together. He also came to pay his respects during the Spring Festival, which was considered a formal recognition of his family. Therefore, Hu Nianchun naturally included him as one of his own.
Zhao Mingyue thought for a moment and said, "He probably doesn't need it." His home is in Beijing; surely he has a bed and blankets?
"Whether he needs it or not is up to him; whether we give it to him or not is our intention. Didn't you say that no one in his family is left in Beijing? He might not even have a place to stay when he goes back, and he'll have to stay at the school. Didn't the admission notice say that we have to bring our own daily necessities? It's so cold in this weather; what do you want him to cover himself with? Go ask him." As a mother, Hu Nianchun was meticulous and had considered everything.
Zhao Mingyue nodded: "Alright then. I'll go ask him." It's really hard to say; no one's been home for so many years, who knows if his house is still there?
Even before the Lunar New Year was over, the festive atmosphere was still very strong. People wore new clothes and wore satisfied smiles. Last year's tea harvest was good, and people's average annual income was about double that of the year before. Of course, those who worked hard earned more, and those who were slower earned less, but it was still much more than in previous years. The people of Moon Bay had a comfortable and happy New Year. Because of this, Shen Xuyue's prestige in Moon Bay became very high. If it weren't for his insistence on not cutting down the tea gardens, how could people have had such a good harvest?
However, at the end of the year, people held a new village party secretary election with regret. Shen Xuyue was going to university, and it was a pity that such a capable village party secretary could not be retained. However, he had a better future, and people would sincerely wish him well.
The weather was still cold. Zhao Mingyue stepped out of her house and stood in the frigid air. She sniffed and caught the delicate fragrance of plum blossoms. Spring had finally arrived; the air already carried the scent of spring. She was in a good mood. Everything was like the life of early spring, quietly dormant underground, waiting for the spring breeze to call it forth and sprout. Their lives, even the whole of China, were like this early spring, everything quietly waiting on the edge of bloom. In 1978, the land of China would be rejuvenated.
After the Chinese New Year, Zhao Mingyue and Shen Xuyue will be going to Beijing to study. Their start dates are different, but only a few days apart, and they will go together. Zhao Mingyue has never been to university. Although she tried to "gild" herself in her previous life by attending MBA or similar executive programs, it wasn't really for academic purposes but rather for networking. So, she still longs to go to university.
Before even reaching the brigade's courtyard, Zhao Mingyue encountered Yu Youqing, who seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. Yu Youqing hadn't had a good New Year; while everyone else had gained weight, he had become terribly thin, making him look like a frail bamboo pole, as if a gust of wind could topple him. Zhao Mingyue called out to him, "Youqing!"
When Yu Youqing saw Zhao Mingyue, his first reaction was to turn around and try to avoid her. Zhao Mingyue frowned. What did this mean? "Yu Youqing, you stop right there! Tell me, what have I done to offend you that you run away when you see me?"
Yu Youqing had no choice but to stop and slowly turn around. His eyes were a little red, and he was clearly agitated.
Zhao Mingyue walked over and said, "Youqing, I have something to tell you. It's good that I ran into you; it saves me the trouble of looking for you."
Yu Youqing calmed himself down, looked up at Zhao Mingyue, and remained silent. His eyes were blank; he looked at Zhao Mingyue as if he were not seeing anything at all.
Seeing his expression, Zhao Mingyue sighed and said, "You haven't received your acceptance letter yet, have you?"
Yu Youqing remained silent. Zhao Mingyue said, "Your grades are very good, it's a real pity you weren't admitted. It's definitely because of the political review. But you don't need to be too sad. Prepare for another six months and take the exam again in July."
Yu Youqing's eyes finally lit up, but his expression was one of utter disdain. He said blankly, "What's the point of taking the exam again? You still won't get in."
Zhao Mingyue said, "The policies are different every year. Last year, a political background check was required, but this year it might not be necessary. If you trust me, prepare well for half a year and take the test again."
Yu Youqing looked at Zhao Mingyue, his expression still blank, lost in thought. Zhao Mingyue waited quietly for his reply. After a long while, he finally spoke: "Are you telling the truth?"
Looking at this old classmate, Zhao Mingyue knew that he had been discriminated against and considered inferior since childhood. He had a very strong sense of self-esteem and was extremely sensitive. His desire to stand out was stronger than anyone else's. He had done so well on the exam this time and thought he could finally change his fate. However, he was once again fooled. This kind of mental journey from being full of hope to having his hopes dashed is something that most people probably couldn't bear. Yu Youqing must have been hit hard.
Zhao Mingyue was filled with sympathy. She nodded, "Everything I said is true. Youqing, I know you've always been very ambitious and refused to succumb to an unfair fate. Now, the era of class distinctions is coming to an end, and no one can use that to strangle us anymore. So we must seize the opportunity and strive to change our own destiny. We can't let this little setback defeat us. Life is long, and the future holds endless possibilities. You're so smart; I've always believed you're not an ordinary person. You'll definitely make a name for yourself."
Upon hearing Zhao Mingyue's words, Yu Youqing was overwhelmed with emotion. Zhao Mingyue's statement that she believed he was no ordinary person nearly caused him to burst into tears. His nose tingled, his eyes reddened, and he quickly lowered his head to hide his feelings. Zhao Mingyue's belief in him was far more powerful than any encouragement or eloquent words of comfort.
After a long while, Yu Youqing raised his head, his expression finally returning to normal. He said earnestly, "Thank you for believing in me. I will definitely not give up. I will try again."
Zhao Mingyue smiled and said, "That's right. When school starts, take some time to visit the school and ask the teachers if there are any changes in the new admission requirements. Don't just bury yourself in your studies; keep up with the policy requirements. Do you remember how much Teacher Liao at school admires you? Now that we're not home, there'll be no one to discuss things with. If you encounter any problems, just ask Teacher Liao for advice. We'll write to you when we get to Beijing. If you have any difficulties, you can tell me and Shen Xuyue. We'll do everything we can to help." Zhao Mingyue gave him these instructions like an older sister. Yu Youqing was introverted and not good at interacting with people. Zhao Mingyue worried that he was too closed off and wouldn't pay attention to new information, which would be a waste of effort and might even cause problems.
Hearing her words of advice, Yu Youqing was deeply moved. She was so kind to him. They were not related, and no one had ever cared for him like this before. He could no longer hold back his tears and quickly lowered his head.
Zhao Mingyue looked at him: "Youqing, what's wrong?"
Yu Youqing sniffed hard and shook her head: "I'm fine. Thank you for your concern, I will definitely continue to work hard." She must get into a university in Beijing in the future, even if she has no idea that she likes her, she will still want to see her doing well.
Zhao Mingyue nodded: "Okay, it's settled then. Good luck! Also, don't overthink it. Take care of yourself; health is the foundation of everything. I have to go now."
Yu Youqing nodded, and only after Zhao Mingyue left did he dare to turn around and look at her back. Although her back, dressed in a cotton-padded coat, looked a bit bulky, it was the most beautiful sight in Yu Youqing's eyes.
Shen Xuyue was somewhat surprised to see Zhao Mingyue and happily came out to greet her: "What brings you here?"
Zhao Mingyue saw him packing his things: "You're already packing? Aren't there still three or four days left?"
Shen Xuyue said, "It's time to tidy up. I've been living here for almost ten years without realizing it. I thought I didn't have much stuff, but when I started tidying up, I found that I have a lot of things. Please sit down. The room is a bit messy. You can sit on the bed."
Zhao Mingyue looked at the messy room: "Do you need my help?"
"Never mind, I'll do it myself. You can just sit here." Shen Xuyue said, opening a bag and stuffing in a pair of cloth shoes, which were the cloth shoes Zhao Mingyue had made for him.
Zhao Mingyue turned her head to look at the quilt on Shen Xuyue's bed, and reached out to touch it. It was very old and felt hard. How could it be warm? "Is your quilt thin? Won't you be cold?"
Shen Xuyue looked up: "It's alright. We've put straw underneath, so we can get through the winter here."
Zhao Mingyue said, "Did your school's admission notice also say that you should bring your own personal belongings?"
Shen Xuyue nodded: "Yes, you have to bring it yourself."
"My mom asked me to ask you if you want to bring a new quilt over. My mom made it." Zhao Mingyue felt a little embarrassed saying this. Her mother meant that she was treating Shen Xuyue as her son-in-law.
Shen Xuyue turned to look at her, then smiled: "I don't think we need to. If we don't have one at home, I'll just go to a relative's house to get one. I'm afraid it will be inconvenient to carry two blankets."
"You're going to bring this with you?" Zhao Mingyue asked him in surprise, pointing to the old quilt on the bed.
Shen Xuyue said, "I'm not bringing it, I'm talking about yours."
Zhao Mingyue realized what was happening and blushed, saying, "I can carry it myself."
"It's okay, I'll help you carry it. It's inconvenient to walk with a blanket on your back. Besides, we're going together, so we'll definitely have a lot of luggage. Let's keep it as light as possible. The journey is too far," Shen Xuyue said.
Zhao Mingyue nodded: "Alright, whatever you say. Now that you're packing, I should go back and pack my things too."
Shen Xuyue straightened up, looked at her and said, "If you're not in such a hurry, why don't you sit here a little longer?"
Zhao Mingyue was about to get up, but then blushed and sat back down. When the two of them were together, even if they did nothing or said anything, just being in the same space was enough to make them feel a unique sweetness.
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