When they arrived at school, Gu Zhixuan told her about his latest decision.
"What? You're going to take the college entrance exam this year? Bro, are you sure you can do it?"
Gu Zhixuan nodded. "I want to give it a try. I've finished studying all the textbooks for my senior year of high school. I don't want to waste any more time like this. I want to graduate as soon as possible and start working so that I can help my family."
Gu Zhixuan understood that although his father and second uncle were adults, their positions and their family's current social status restricted their actions.
The family is being supported by only the younger sister. He wants to start working as soon as possible so that he can help ease the burden on his sister.
Moreover, there are three elderly people in the family, and the younger sister is still young and in school. No matter how capable she is, it would be unbearable for anyone to carry the burden of this whole family on her shoulders for a long time.
Jiang Qiao sighed, "Brother, if you want to take the exam, then take it. If you don't pass this year, we can take it next year. But you need to be clear about one thing: going to university and getting a job is not for our family, but for yourself."
"Have you thought it through? Where do you want to take the exam? Should you discuss it with your uncle?"
As Gu Zhixuan walked, he said, "I've already discussed it with my dad. He said it's up to me. I want to take the college entrance exam in our province so I can go and be with my dad."
Jiang Qiao turned to look at her cousin. "If you just want to go and be with your father, you don't have to do this. Your uncle has worked hard all these years. Who do you think he did it for?"
I think he should want you to achieve greater things. Staying in this province is good, but right now, I feel it's still a bit of a loss for you.
Jiang Qiao knew her older brother's situation well; the boy was single-mindedly focused on his studies, and with his grandfather's guidance over the years, getting into a good university was definitely not a problem. The key issue was, however, that she didn't know what her cousin was thinking.
"Don't you want to go to university in Beijing?"
Gu Zhixuan sighed, "How could I not want to? I still want to see the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and admire the autumn leaves at Fragrant Hills. But, Qiao'er, do you think my background might become a burden in the future?"
I'm worried it will cause trouble for my family. That place is right next to the capital; it's full of officials. What if they do something inappropriate? Could it implicate my family and my father? He's already served ten years in prison; this shouldn't have been his punishment, but he endured it all. How much better life do you think he has left?
Jiang Qiao rolled her eyes at her older brother. "Is that all the courage you have? With this background, where you go or what the future holds is a question. You might as well be bold and go as far as you can. We can deal with the future later. Nobody dares to go ahead and see what's to come."
Besides, in my eyes, ingredients mean nothing. They don't represent a person's character or talent, and they don't explain anything at all.
It's just a status designation during a special period. Maybe in a few decades, nobody will care about this anymore, or maybe everyone will want to be a capitalist or a landlord?
So don't underestimate yourselves because of this. I've probably already told you what to do. Right now, just focus on your studies. If you want to go to Beijing for college, then apply. We'll take care of everything.
I believe my uncle thinks the same way. Why has he persisted all these years? You should know in your heart without me having to say it: it's for this family, for you, his child.
So, brother, don't worry, just focus on the exam. Nothing can stop you. I have friends there too; if anything happens, ask them for help. Just concentrate on your studies and take the exam when the time comes.
That's all I can say. Whether Gu Zhixuan can figure it out or not is not her problem.
Gu Zhixuan only had this one concern before, but now that his sister has spoken, what is there for him to be afraid of?
"Okay, then you wait for your brother for a few years. Once I'm out, we siblings will stand side by side and take on the responsibility of this family together."
By the way, Zhihong heard that I want to skip a grade and take the college entrance exam, and he also wants to take the middle school entrance exam. I went over today to discuss it with the teacher.
Jiang Qiao sighed, "Zhihong is still a bit young, but it's good that he's skipped a grade. At least I can mentor him for a while. You two have both skipped grades, so should I?"
This is indeed a troubling matter. Their family-oriented child is intelligent, a fact that even Jiang Qiao has to admit.
"If you want to jump, then jump. There are already two of us who have come out, so one more won't make a difference. Think it over yourself."
The brother and sister parted ways in the corridor and went back to their respective classes.
Even though she had been in school for almost a year, Jiang Qiao felt that she could never truly fit into the class. One reason was her personality, and the other was her mental age. Being with these passionate kids made her feel like she was already in her twilight years.
Sure enough, as soon as we sat down, the class monitor began announcing the May Day group activities, and those who wanted to go could sign up.
Jiang Qiao sighed. It wasn't that she didn't want to, but that she was now powerless to change her situation.
She has to go to the capital during the May Day holiday. She wonders what Song Shutian and Jiang Jinyu are up to.
Jiang Qiao's deskmate felt quite sorry that she couldn't participate in their group activity, mainly because Jiang Qiao rarely participated in such activities. However, the classmates all knew about Jiang Qiao's family situation, so they didn't force her to participate.
During the break, Jiang Qiao wanted to ask the teacher for leave. She estimated the time and realized that she would not be able to arrive on time for the holiday, so she had to leave early. This involved the issue of time, and she had to ask for leave.
Before Jiang Qiao could even speak, the teacher directly said that Director Song had already come over to ask for leave for her.
Jiang Qiao had nothing to say. The teacher didn't ask why, and she didn't say anything either. She didn't know why she went there at the moment.
When Jiang Qiao got back that evening, she contacted Song Shutian. But the guy wouldn't tell the truth, saying, "You'll know when you get here."
Jiang Qiao snorted, then rudely sent a telegram saying, "If you don't tell me, I'm not going."
Song Shutian was uncertain. This young lady had a bad temper, and if she really messed things up, who would he turn to? Besides, this was a big deal, and Jiang Qiao couldn't afford to act recklessly.
"Jiang Qiao, I have good news for you. We've applied for a first-class merit for you, so you absolutely have to come here in person and wait for the leaders to award you the medal."
Jiang Qiao looked at the words "military medal" and her mind started racing. Was this a good thing or a bad thing?
In the past, that would have been a great thing. Having such a thing would have been her asset. But now, she really doesn't want to be famous. It's already troublesome enough. If those enemy agents come knocking on her door again, how will she be able to live her life?
But then I thought, good will prevail over evil. She's already a thorn in the side of the enemy agents, so why should she be afraid of this?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com