Chapter 81 Final Sprint for College Entrance Examination
After Lu Tingxiao accompanied Jiang Ruoxi to complete the college entrance examination registration and got the admission ticket, he found that Jiang Ruoxi was assigned to the examination center of Danshi No. 1 Middle School. Danshi No.1 Middle School was quite far from Lu Tingxiao's unit, and the round trip took more than two hours. In order to have a convenient place to rest during the exam without having to travel back and forth, they decided to book a room in a guesthouse near the exam site in advance.
Fortunately, Lu Tingxiao had already taken leave that day, so the two of them drove to the area around Danshi No. 1 Middle School to look for a suitable place to live. After arriving near Danshi No. 1 Middle School, they were very lucky to find a guesthouse very close to the school. It took less than five minutes to walk from the guesthouse to Danshi No. 1 Middle School.
The two walked into the guesthouse and saw a middle-aged woman in her thirties sitting at the front desk. Lu Tingxiao walked forward and asked politely, "Hello, sister! Can I book a room here in advance?"
"Sure, what time do you want to book a room?" the eldest sister responded with a smile.
"My wife is going to take the college entrance examination, and we want to book a room from December 9th to December 12th!" Lu Tingxiao explained.
When the lady at the counter heard that they were booking a room for the college entrance examination, she became more enthusiastic and said, "Okay, I'll arrange a quiet room for you. Is it for one person or two people?"
"Two people. I will accompany my wife to take the exam!" Lu Tingxiao said.
"Then could you please show us your letter of introduction and marriage certificate?" the elder sister asked politely.
Lu Tingxiao looked embarrassed and said sincerely, "Big sister, can you please be flexible? I was in a hurry to leave today. I just came out to register, but I didn't expect my wife to be assigned to the Dan City No. 1 Middle School, which is too far from home. We didn't want to travel back and forth during the exam, so we decided to book a room here on the spur of the moment. That's why I didn't have time to bring the letter of introduction and marriage certificate!"
"Comrade, without a letter of introduction and a marriage certificate, I really can't book a room for you!" said the eldest sister with some embarrassment.
Lu Tingxiao quickly took out his military ID and said, "Sister, I have my military ID here. Please help us book a room first. When we check in, I will bring the letter of introduction and marriage certificate with me. Is this okay?"
The eldest sister hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded and said, "Okay, but don't forget it. If it weren't for your wife's college entrance examination, I can't make this exception!"
"Thank you so much, big sister!" Lu Tingxiao said gratefully.
Lu Tingxiao was filled with gratitude and nodded his thanks. After completing the booking procedures, he and Jiang Ruoxi left the guesthouse hand in hand. After successfully booking a room, Lu Tingxiao and Jiang Ruoxi hurried home to make the most of their time for their final sprint review in preparation for the upcoming college entrance examination.
When they got home, the light in the house cast a soft glow on the two of them. Jiang Ruoxi gently put down her bag, "Tingxiao, thanks to you this time. I didn't bring my ID. What if I get into trouble then..." Lu Tingxiao gently held her hand, his tone firm, "Don't worry, I'll get the letter of introduction and marriage certificate ready tomorrow morning. I won't let you get in trouble. You should hurry up and study. There's still a month left!" His hands were broad and warm, and Jiang Ruoxi's heart instantly settled down.
In the following days, Lu Tingxiao got up early every day and prepared a nutritious breakfast for Jiang Ruoxi in the kitchen, including fried eggs, hot milk, steamed dumplings, egg pancakes, etc. The aroma of food filled the small room every morning.
A month passed in the blink of an eye, and it was December 9, 1977, the day before the college entrance examination. In the early morning, Lu Tingxiao asked for leave from the army early. Today, he accompanied Jiang Ruoxi to drive to the guesthouse near Danshi No. 1 Middle School. Aunt Chen and Aunt Lan were at home taking care of the three babies.
"Tingxiao, I think the weather is going to change. We should set off early, so as not to delay our trip due to the snow!" Jiang Ruoxi looked up at the sky with a hint of worry in her eyes.
Lu Tingxiao followed her gaze and saw clouds gradually gathering and lowering in the sky, as if a snowstorm was about to hit. "Okay, there are signs that the weather is going to change. Let's go quickly and don't miss the time. Don't forget to bring your thermos. I'll ask Aunt Chen to help cut some ginger and bring some brown sugar to warm you up and keep the cold away.
Also, Xixi, please check your admission ticket carefully again. Bring two more pens if you can, and make sure not to forget any draft paper or other things. "He gave detailed instructions, his eyes full of concern.
"Got it. I'll check it again. Grab two thick clothes and we'll be ready to go." Jiang Ruoxi's lips curled up slightly, with a relieved smile, and she began to carefully organize her college entrance examination supplies. Lu Tingxiao looked at her focused look, his heart full of tenderness, and turned around and walked quickly to the kitchen.
"Aunt Chen, could you please help me cut some ginger and pack some brown sugar for Xixi to keep away the cold during the college entrance examination!" Lu Tingxiao said politely but eagerly. Aunt Chen was quick and efficient, and soon handed him the shredded ginger and packed brown sugar.
Everything was ready, and Lu Tingxiao and Jiang Ruoxi drove to Danshi No. 1 Middle School. The car sped along the road and the scenery outside the window passed by quickly like a slide show. On the way, fine snowflakes began to fall, hitting the car windows and melting in an instant. Jiang Ruoxi's expression gradually became a little nervous, and her fingers unconsciously clenched the corners of her clothes.
Lu Tingxiao noticed her uneasiness, and while driving, he freed one hand to gently cover her hand, and said softly, "Don't be nervous, I'm here, just treat it as a normal mock exam and perform normally!" Jiang Ruoxi took a deep breath and nodded, feeling the warmth from his palm, her heart gradually calmed down.
Because of the snow and slippery roads, when they arrived at the guesthouse, the sky had already darkened, the snowflakes were getting heavier, and a thin layer of snow had accumulated on the ground.
Lu Tingxiao parked the car and got out quickly. He opened the door for Jiang Ruoxi and escorted her into the guesthouse. The receptionist was still the same lady who had received them that day. Lu Tingxiao walked quickly to the receptionist and handed the letter of introduction and marriage certificate to the lady with a smile. "Sister, thanks for your leniency. Here are the documents. Can you take a look?"
The elder sister took the documents, checked them carefully, and nodded with a smile, "Okay, everything is ready. Seeing that you two have prepared so hard, the girl will definitely have no problem with the exam! The room has been cleaned and it's very quiet. Don't worry. Our guesthouse provides hot water before 12 o'clock at night. There is a hot water room on the right hand side at the left end of the first floor. Opposite the hot water room is the bathroom, which also provides hot water before 12 o'clock. If you eat in the guesthouse in the morning, it is from 6:00 to 8:00 in the morning. If you eat in the guesthouse, I will reserve it for you. If you don't want to eat breakfast in the guesthouse, there are breakfast stalls outside the guesthouse. If you eat outside at the breakfast stalls, you may have to go earlier. These days, the breakfast stalls outside may be very busy due to the college entrance examination, and it is not easy to buy breakfast!"
Jiang Ruoxi and Lu Tingxiao looked at each other and said to their elder sister. "We'll have breakfast at the guesthouse!" said the eldest sister. "Okay, I'll book it for you!"
After confirming their reservation information and checking their lessons and marriage certificate, they took the two to a quieter room on the second floor. After thanking the eldest sister, the two entered the room. Lu Tingxiao and Jiang Ruoxi observed the surroundings of the room and found it to be relatively quiet and clean.
Lu Tingxiao carefully placed the shredded ginger and brown sugar on the table, and helped Jiang Ruoxi pack the things she would need for tomorrow's exam. Then he said, "It's still early. If you're tired, take a rest. I'll be here with you. If you want something to eat, I'll go downstairs and buy it for you!"
Jiang Ruoxi looked at him busying himself, her heart filled with emotion, she said softly, "Tingxiao, thank you for always being with me, I feel much more at ease with you around!" Lu Tingxiao sat down beside her and gently embraced her in his arms, "Silly girl, we are husband and wife, why are you being so polite to me? This is what I should do, just concentrate on preparing for the exam and don't worry about anything else!"
Outside the window, snowflakes were still falling, but the house was warm and cozy. Jiang Ruoxi leaned in Lu Tingxiao's arms, feeling his solid chest and steady heartbeat. Her nervousness slowly dissipated. She secretly encouraged herself and prepared to face tomorrow's college entrance examination in the best condition.
"Tingxiao, let's eat outside. I want to take a walk outside!"
After putting away their luggage and finishing their meal at the state-owned restaurant, Lu Tingxiao accompanied Jiang Ruoxi for a walk around Danshi No. 1 Middle School, observing the surrounding environment and relieving her nervousness.
Looking at the candidates coming and going, Jiang Ruoxi took a deep breath, "Tingxiao, I'm a little nervous!" Lu Tingxiao gently put his arm around her shoulders, "Don't be afraid, I'll be outside with you, just treat it as a normal practice and perform normally!" His voice was deep and powerful, like a magic needle that stabilized Jiang Ruoxi's tense nerves.
Lu Tingxiao was filled with worry, fearing that Jiang Ruoxi would get cold if she stayed outside in the snow for too long. After they had only walked outside for a short while, he gently put his arm around Jiang Ruoxi's shoulders and led her to the guesthouse.
Just as I returned to the door of the guesthouse, the snowflakes that had been gradually getting smaller began to flutter again. In a flash, the sky and the earth were filled with white. Lu Tingxiao raised his hand and gently brushed off the snowflakes that had accumulated on Jiang Ruoxi's coat. Those snowflakes seemed to carry his deep concern for her.
When I walked into the guesthouse, I saw it was crowded with people. More and more candidates came to book rooms, and the noise was intertwined. The two looked at each other and sighed at the same time, fortunately they came early enough and the room they booked was not only quiet but also away from the crowded and noisy place. If you come to book a room now, it will probably be difficult to find a comfortable place to stay.
After returning to the room, Lu Tingxiao picked up the thermos and the mug filled with ginger and brown sugar, and said to her gently, "Wife, read a book and review first. I'll get you some hot water!" Then he picked up his things and hurried downstairs.
After a while, Lu Tingxiao came back in a hurry, with a layer of fine beads of sweat on his forehead. It was unclear whether it was because he was running too fast or the heating in the guesthouse was too strong.
He panted slightly, looked at Jiang Ruoxi and said, "Wife, go take a shower first. I see that the candidates are still checking in. There must be no one in the bathhouse right now. You should hurry up. There is enough hot water now. When there are more people later, the hot water supply may not be able to keep up!"
When Jiang Ruoxi heard this, she thought it made perfect sense. She really wanted to take a comfortable hot bath before going to bed to relax her tense nerves, so she picked up the toiletries she had prepared long ago and walked quickly towards the bathhouse.
When Jiang Ruoxi came out of the shower, the scene before her made her secretly thankful for Lu Tingxiao's reminder. There was already a long queue at the entrance of the bathhouse, and the crowd was bustling. Everyone was anxiously waiting for their turn to take a bath. Jiang Ruoxi quickened her pace and hurried back to the room upstairs. As soon as she entered the room, she said to Lu Tingxiao, "Go take a bath quickly. There are so many people queuing outside!"
Lu Tingxiao responded, picked up his things and walked towards the bathhouse. He always took a quick shower, and after a while, he came back refreshed, with his hair still a little damp, and he looked completely new.
During the days before the exam, Lu Tingxiao got up early every day and went to the canteen of the guesthouse to get the breakfast he had ordered. After Jiang Ruoxi finished eating, he packed up and checked Jiang Ruoxi's exam supplies. After watching her walk into the examination room, he waited for Jiang Ruoxi nearby with a thermos cup of ginger and brown sugar water.
At noon, he would return to the guesthouse on time with carefully prepared meals, and the two would eat together and encourage each other.
Finally, on December 12, the bell rang to signal the end of the last exam. Jiang Ruoxi walked out of the exam room briskly and saw Lu Tingxiao standing at the door from a distance, his eyes full of expectation and concern.
She ran over quickly and threw herself into his arms, "Tingxiao, I've finished the exam!" Lu Tingxiao hugged her tightly, a happy smile on his face, "Thank you for your hard work, you're great!" The afternoon sun shone on the two of them, reflecting their happy outlines. The days ahead seemed to be as full of hope as this warm sun.
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