Although Niu Guang is dead, people think about it carefully and realize that Niu Guang does look quite different from Deng Yonggui!
The crowd murmured amongst themselves, and an older man scolded a young man who looked at him with suspicion, "Don't talk nonsense, Niu Guang just looks like his grandfather!"
Niu Guang's grandfather, Niu Aihua's father, Niu Dengrong, was a particularly burly man with very little hair, which always lay limply on his head.
Stimulated by the aunties and grandmas rubbing her back and pinching her philtrum, Niu Aihua finally regained consciousness. As soon as she woke up, she struggled to attack Deng Yonggui again!
Deng Yonggui glanced at her contemptuously, "You dare say Niu Guang isn't that guy from the province? You don't need to deny it. If he wasn't his son, would he be sending you money and gifts? Besides, when we got married, you were no longer a virgin!"
After saying this, he spat at Niu Aihua's feet!
At this point, the adults in the family all covered the child's ears, while they themselves stared intently at the gossip.
Niu Aihua nearly vomited blood. "Didn't my dad tell you that I had an affair with that guy from the city?! And now you're bringing up past grievances?!"
"And besides, Niu Guang is your son! You don't know when I got pregnant and when my son was born?"
The two of them were pulling and tugging at each other, completely disregarding their dignity, clearly trying to find the most painful spot.
Li Jin sighed inwardly and instructed Li Kang to clear out all irrelevant people.
Now that things have developed this far, he's at a loss for words!
Li Xiangdong had long suspected that Niu Guang was not Deng Yonggui's son, but he never expected that Deng Yonggui was no pushover either, having secretly kept such a grown son and his first wife right under everyone's noses.
Li Jin didn't get home until almost dinnertime, and his whole family stared at him expectantly, waiting for him to tell the rest of the story.
Li Jin, however, was in no hurry. He waved his hand and said, "Let's eat first—"
This meal was tasteless to everyone except for Li Jin, who ate with relish.
After the meal, a cup of fragrant tea was brewed for Li Jin, and only then did he speak.
In fact, it was pretty much what Li Xiangdong had guessed. Niu Aihua insisted that Niu Guang was Deng Yonggui's son, but Deng Yonggui refused to believe it no matter what.
If Niu Guang were still alive, we could verify it, but now that he's gone, there's no way to prove it.
The final decision was for the two to divorce, and Qian Daduo would not pursue the matter of Niu Aihua's arson.
In today's society, if ordinary people don't report it, the officials won't investigate. In later generations, arson would be a public offense, not something that could be settled privately!
Li Jin sighed, "Speaking of which, we grew up with Aihua. It's quite pitiful that she's ended up like this."
After saying that, he took a puff of his cigarette and added, "Aihua's family is better off. Her father had her late in life, so she was spoiled from a young age."
Li Xiangdong had absolutely no sympathy for Niu Aihua. If she could raise a child like Niu Guang, she was no good person.
Of course, Deng Yonggui was no good either; he was even more treacherous and cunning than Niu Aihua.
The only thing Li Xiangdong couldn't understand about this whole affair was Qian Daduo.
What kind of woman is she? She could watch her husband become someone else's man and then stay in Lijiapo for decades without any status or recognition!
Li Xiangdong was also amazed by this ability to endure humiliation and bear heavy burdens.
A few days later, Niu Aihua and Deng Yonggui divorced, and Deng Yonggui quickly got married to Qian Daduo.
Later, Li Xiangdong accidentally saw Qian Daduo once.
This time he finally saw her face clearly: small eyes and a wide nose. However, she was no longer timid and always looking down; this time she stood tall and confident.
After harvesting the wheat, they planted corn and watermelons. Day by day, the day Li Xiangdong predicted for the resumption of the college entrance examination was drawing ever closer.
Li Jin's family has been quite anxious these days, eagerly awaiting news of the resumption of the college entrance examination.
However, two people remained calm: Li Xiangdong and Li Yan.
October 21, 1977.
Li Xiangdong tore off the paper for October 20th from the calendar, revealing a new day.
He was about to wash his hands and have breakfast when he suddenly heard a rapid bicycle bell ringing outside the door!
"Xiang Dong, are you home?"
Li Xiangdong sensed something was wrong and hurriedly went outside. He opened the door and bumped into Liu Junbo, who was about to enter.
Have you read the newspaper?
Liu Junbo's face lit up with pride as he waved the newspaper in his hand.
At this moment, the rest of the Li family members were also drawn over.
"Did the newspapers publish news about the resumption of the college entrance examination?"
As soon as Li Xiangdong uttered those words, the room fell silent. Everyone stared intently at Liu Junbo and the newspaper in his hand.
Liu Junbo didn't keep him in suspense any longer; he nodded emphatically, "Yes!"
This single word carried immense weight, and Li Ping and the others cheered. Instantly, tears welled up in Li Zhen's eyes.
Li Xiangdong unfolded the People's Daily and saw the headline on the front page: "Major Reforms to College Admissions."
The article is quite long, providing a detailed report on the National College Admissions Conference, which concluded on September 25, 1977. It also includes a commentary: "Improving College Admissions is the Hope of the Whole Nation!"
Li Xiangdong pointed to the eight big characters on the newspaper, "Open up channels for communication, cultivate talents early," and said to Li Zhen, "Fourth Sister, you will definitely get into university!"
Li Zhen wiped away the tears in her eyes with her sleeve and smiled at her younger brother.
Liu Junbo had breakfast at Li's house and explained his purpose for visiting.
"What? You're going to take the college entrance exam too?"
Li Xiangdong was puzzled. He was already the mayor's secretary and his career was going smoothly, so why did he resign to take the college entrance exam?
Liu Junbo scratched his head. "I thought so too, but Secretary Liu advised me that my limited knowledge was simply not enough. If I don't seize the opportunity now, I'll be left far behind by wave after wave of college graduates!"
That's true!
Have you reviewed your studies?
"Uh, I came here this time to borrow some study guides from your fourth sister."
Li Xiangdong: ...
Li Zhen was very generous, handing over all her used study guides to Liu Junbo, including her own notes.
"Brother Liu, you can take this and use it first."
Liu Junbo happily accepted it, "Thank you, Fourth Sister! If there's anything I don't understand, I'll have to come back to you!"
Li Xiangdong pushed Liu Junbo out, saying, "If you don't understand, go ask my aunt. Don't disturb my fourth sister's studies!"
The document clearly states that this year's college entrance examination will be postponed to the fourth quarter, with the specific date to be determined by each province and city.
However, candidates in 1977 were required to enroll by the end of December, so by that calculation, the college entrance examination was already very close.
As a result, Li Zhen became a key figure under special protection in the days that followed. Not only was she waited on hand and foot, but everything that might interfere with her studies was also prevented from happening.
Despite such strict precautions, someone still managed to find a loophole!
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