"I won't tell you, I won't tell you. Who told you not to apply for the advanced placement test with me?"
"Brother, I'm just afraid of failing the exam! Just tell me, okay?"
"Okay! Come chase me! I'll tell you when you catch me."
As Xiao Youchen said this, he ran away, and Xiao Shuangning chased him desperately and shouted at him.
"Brother, wait for me! Your legs are so long, how can I outrun you? Slow down, wait for me..."
"Hurry up! We're almost there, hurry up, come on!"
Xiao Youchen ran for a while, and seeing the distance between him and Xiao Shuangning widening, he stopped and waited for a while, waving to cheer Xiao Shuangning up.
Seeing that Xiao Shuangning was about to catch up, Xiao Youchen sped up and ran. The two of them chased each other, laughing and shouting as they ran, and they returned home half as fast as usual.
When they returned home, Shumei had already finished work and was washing clothes in the yard. With the advancement of the times, every household now had running water, so they no longer had to crowd around the village's only ancient well to wash clothes, except during water outages. Seeing the two of them return laughing, Shumei felt happy too.
"Mother!"
"Mother!"
The two of them called Shumei at the same time.
"Hey! It seems like you came back later than usual today! Usually, when I come back, you are already doing your homework at home." Shumei chatted with the two of them while washing clothes.
Xiao Shuangning grumbled, "Isn't it my brother? Why do I have to go to the teacher to apply for a grade-skipping exam?"
Xiao Shuangning couldn't keep things to herself and would always confess without being asked. So Xiao Youchen couldn't be naive. If he made even the slightest mistake, she would tell Shumei every word.
Xiao Youchen was originally going to discuss this matter with Shumei. He didn't think of hiding it, so he didn't interrupt Xiao Shuangning to speak.
"Grade-advancing exam? What grade-advancing exam?"
It was obvious that Shumei had never heard of such a high-sounding term before, and her face was full of confusion. She stopped what she was doing and looked at the two children intently, waiting for them to explain it to her.
"Oh my! Mom, you don't even understand this! It's about skipping grades. As long as I do well in the exam, I don't have to go to sixth grade and can go directly to junior high school."
"What? Not attending sixth grade? How can that be possible? I may not understand profound principles, but I do understand the principle of taking one step at a time and not becoming a giant in one go."
Little Youchen, who had been silent the whole time, finally spoke, "Mom, come, sit down, I'll explain it to you slowly."
He helped Shumei sit on a stool under the eaves. While massaging her legs, he said, "Mom, I've already learned all that sixth-grade stuff on my own during my free time. Why waste another year of tuition? It would be much better to go straight to junior high school. It would save you money and time, and you can enter society a year earlier, helping to help support the family a year earlier."
"Youchen, I know you're sensible, but since the country has established six years of elementary school, there must be a reason for it. You don't have to gamble your future just to save money for your family. You have to know that for us poor people, studying is the best way out. When you become successful, I can also benefit from your achievements and live a good life with you."
"Mom, I really already know all of that. If you don't believe me, just ask Ningning."
Shumei shifted her gaze to Xiao Shuangning. Before she could ask, Xiao Shuangning blurted out, "Mom, this is what's going on. Every day after school, my brother goes to the library to read. He even exchanges his old books at the scrap yard for sixth-grade books. He's really done a lot to prepare for skipping a grade. I believe he's no worse than those older sixth-grade brothers and sisters."
"Can--"
Xiao Shuangning also tried to persuade her, but Shumei was still hesitant and conflicted.
"Mom, I've worked so hard for this exam. I can't bear to give up now. Backing down without even trying is a sign of cowardice. Since the teacher agrees with me, it means I'm not doing wrong. If I don't do well on the exam, I won't mention skipping a grade anymore. I'll just study hard, step by step."
"This really won't affect your future?"
"Mom, if you're still worried, go to school tomorrow and ask the teacher to explain it to you in person. The teacher said they'll also ask for your opinion."
"Do I still have to go to school?"
"Yeah! But I want you to go to school, not to stop me, but to support me. Mom, I need your support."
Shumei looked at the pleading look in Xiao Youchen's eyes, and her heart softened. She reluctantly nodded and agreed, "I promise you, but I have something important to do tomorrow. Can I go to school to see your teacher the day after tomorrow?"
"Well - okay then! As long as mom agrees, it doesn't matter if it's a day earlier or later." Little Youchen thought about it and replied with a smile.
"Okay, then it's settled. I'll go to school to meet your teacher the day after tomorrow."
"Yeah!" After giving Shumei a deep hug, Xiao Youchen happily flew into the air, and his low voice echoed in the yard for a long time.
"Brother, congratulations. I wish you good grades and successful entry into junior high school."
"Well! Ningning, I will definitely not let you and mom down. I will definitely get good grades."
Xiao Youchen stepped forward and grabbed Xiao Shuangning's hand. The two held hands tightly and jumped happily together in the yard.
Seeing the two children so happy, Shumei couldn't help but smile with relief.
Skipping a grade is no small matter. Although she knows that Xiao Youchen is sensible and will not do anything bad, she still needs to inform Boyi about this matter.
The next day, she packed up and set off for the prison.
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