“Brother Jingze, I can leave now.”
Liu Jingze ignored Zhang Hongmei's slight struggle, thanked the driver and ticket seller again, and then turned and walked towards the school.
“Hongmei, don’t be stubborn. Didn’t you want to give the principal a New Year’s gift? We’ll do it today. There’s also a gift from the township women’s federation. I’ll help you deliver it in a bit.”
"Brother Jingze, I'm really fine now, please put me down. This is too embarrassing."
"What's so ugly about it? Okay, okay. Don't move around, I'll put you down right away."
Liu Jingze had no choice but to put Zhang Hongmei down. "Brother Jingze, I'm not that delicate or fragile. Shi Tou and San Ya haven't finished school yet. This way, I'll have some company."
"Zhang Hongmei, what's wrong? You look so listless."
"Grandpa, I'm fine, I was just scared while riding in the car."
"The principal is in his office. You should go directly to him."
"Brother Jingze, can you prepare ten jin of cornmeal and ten jin of corn husks for me? We don't have a scale, so just estimate."
"Go ahead, I'll come find you when I'm done."
"The small cloth bags are all in the baskets, and the same goes for the Women's Federation."
"Okay, go ahead."
The old principal was startled when he saw Zhang Hongmei's pale face. "What happened?"
"It's nothing, I was just startled while riding in the car, I'll be fine in a bit."
"This road is so slippery. By the way, isn't today the day for the results to be released and college applications to be filled out? Why are you back?"
"I found out my score the day before yesterday, and I filled out my college application yesterday afternoon. I scored 392 points and applied to Capital University."
"Hahahaha, I knew it, I knew it, good job, girl!"
I'm so excited, so thrilled!
"Sit down and have some water. You're getting old and you're not mature enough."
"Get out of here. I should also say, why are you so mature for your age? Did you come back today to avoid trouble?"
"Hehe, you know me best. I'm not used to being stared at by a group of strangers."
"I knew it. There are so many people who want to be in the limelight but don't have the ability or the opportunity."
"Forget it, I don't care. I'm here to deliver New Year's gifts, and I'll probably leave for the capital on the sixteenth. If I'm short on time, I won't be able to visit you at home. Don't worry, I'll remember to write to you!"
"Don't forget to write to me, and don't try to fool me."
"That's asking too much; I don't know how to write letters."
"So how did you write your essay?"
“That’s different. Anyway, I’ll write to you. Also, when are you retiring? I think you should just retire and go to Liujiatun. I’ll find you a place to live.”
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know. I've been reading the newspapers and it's all so confusing. It's easier to take Grandma to the countryside to work in the fields and earn work points."
"I'll go back and discuss it. I'll have someone from your village send you a message tomorrow or the day after."
"Okay, there are newly built houses next to me. I think it's unlikely that my uncle and his family will come back, so you can stay here for now. As for food, you'll get work points for every job you do, and that'll get you food."
"Now that the canteen has been disbanded, what about your village?"
"I don't know. I don't think they'll disband. Eating in the cafeteria is great."
"Okay, I think we'll come to your village. Will you accept us?"
"I'll go back and talk to the village chief. There shouldn't be any problem. Also, if you want to come to our village, hide all your treasures well. Or you can secretly transport them to our village; those houses have cellars."
"I understand, I get it."
At this moment, Liu Jingze pushed open the door and came in, giving Zhang Hongmei a meaningful look.
"This is a New Year's gift for you. We're leaving now; we still need to visit Aunt Li."
"Go."
"I'll go to the fourth grade first to tell the younger brothers and sisters in our village to wait for me to go back together."
"You still have more than two hours, so hurry back. Haven't you eaten yet? Why don't you go home and eat first?"
Zhang Hongmei glanced at Liu Jingze. Yes, it was time to eat; she'd completely forgotten. "No, I'll just grab a bite in your office."
Liu Jingze went out, took Zhang Hongmei's handbag from the basket, and handed it to her.
"I'll pour you two some hot water. What kind of rice is it? How about we roast it on the stove lid?"
"Make some pancakes, you can have one too, I brought a lot. Jingze, you bake the pancakes here, I'll go to the township government compound and be right back."
"Can you lift it?"
"It's only twenty pounds, don't worry."
"Okay, hurry back, the pancakes will be ready in no time."
"You can eat first once it's done baking, no need to wait for me."
Zhang Hongmei arrived at the Women's Federation carrying two bags.
Today, Li Juying was alone in the office, so Zhang Hongmei carried a bag into the office and said, "Aunt Li, I've come to see you."
"Hongmei, come back! Aren't you a sophomore in high school? Aren't you filling out your college application today?"
"I filled out the form yesterday. I scored 392 points and applied to Capital University."
"That's great, hahaha, I never expected my Hongmei to be so amazing."
“Aunt Li, I have something to do, so I won’t chat with you any longer. This is this year’s New Year’s gift, so I’m sending it in advance. I’m afraid I won’t have time to send it over later.”
"Okay, okay, I'll take it. Wait a moment." After Li Juying finished speaking, she took out her handkerchief, took out five one-yuan bills, and handed them to Zhang Hongmei. "Don't say anything, just accept it. It's a small token of my appreciation."
Zhang Hongmei was helpless; it was really hard to say. Finally, having no other choice, she took the five yuan and returned to school.
After Zhang Hongmei left, Liu Jingze took out a lunchbox, took out three rolled pancakes, and placed them on the stove lid.
"You're the one who got into Capital University's Liujiatun campus last year?"
"Yes, I am Liu Jingze. Thank you for taking care of Zhang Hongmei over the years."
"Hehe, I didn't take care of her; on the contrary, she was the one helping us out."
I can tell you have feelings for Hongmei. My advice to you is to be honest and respect her opinion.
Liu Jingze had overheard Zhang Hongmei's words to the old woman at the door and knew that she had feelings for the old woman, so she wasn't as cold to outsiders as she usually was.
"I will, I will treat her well. I heard what Hongmei told you just now, and I think so too. Liujiatun is still the safest place."
Is something really going to happen?
"I don't know, it's just a feeling. Also, Liujiatun is much better than here."
“I understand. I’ll discuss it with my wife tonight, and if she agrees, I’ll resign tomorrow.”
Liu Jingze stopped talking and focused on flipping the pancakes on the oven lid. Soon, the aroma wafted out.
The old headmaster took out his treasured tea leaves and brewed a large mug of tea, waiting for Zhang Hongmei to return.
Just then, the bell rang, and class was over. "You stay here, I'll go tell the children in your village that I'll go with you in a little while."
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