Chapter 167 Back to Kyoto!
Taotao got a very strong black horse.
Song Zhi saw that it was completely black and named it Wuzhui.
Everyone in the village praised Song Zhi for his culture.
Of course, when praising Song Zhi in person, he always had a blank expression on his face. Only Taotao knew that he just picked this name... randomly.
Wuzhui was very tall, but it looked like it had been hungry for a long time, and the ribs on its belly were very obvious. He is also silent and timid. People of all ages in the village were very curious about it and came to watch it for several days in a row.
It just stood there with its head lowered and eyes closed, allowing anyone to touch it.
Some naughty kids also touched the snow and hit or threw it...
It stood there quietly, with its head lowered and motionless.
Taotao felt sorry for Wuzhui, so she asked Honghong to take her brothers, Niuniu and Xiaofeibai to protect it together. Normally, villagers want to hire it to do some work like carrying things or pushing a millstone. That's fine, but after the work is done, they have to feed the black horse well.
At the same time, Taotao herself was also trying to find suitable fodder for horses.
This year, Oasis tried growing corn. Taotao traded potatoes with the villagers for the corn cobs and corn stalks after removing the kernels. She then smashed the corn cobs with a hammer and fed them to Wuzhui.
Wuzhui really likes eating these sweet corn stalks.
In addition, Taotao also got some ice leaf grass for Lai Wuzhui to eat. It seems that it likes to eat it, but the problem is that the ice leaf grass produced in the greenhouse is only enough for the people in the research station to eat as a vegetable. Occasionally, it is cooked with leftovers to feed chickens and dogs...
Feed the horse?
If you want to feed Wuzhui, that's not enough.
So Taotao ate less ice grass and saved the food to feed the horses. She also planted more ice grass in the greenhouse. Fortunately, the growth cycle of ice grass is very short. It usually grows in three weeks. If you mix some fertilizers, it can be grown in two weeks.
In addition, when Taotao eats vegetables, she will leave some of the vegetables she doesn't like to eat for the horse to eat. Occasionally, Taotao would add water to the leftover noodles and pancakes and cook them into a pot of paste, and then add some torn vegetable leaves and cook them together. After they cooled down, she would feed them to the dog, chickens, and horses.
Taotao also built a nest for Wuzhui in the greenhouse.
——She asked Yu Bai to build a fence. There was no way to mend the clothes that had been torn by the bandits' knives, so Taotao spread the torn clothes and a blood-stained blanket (although it had been washed and dried before, Yu Bai refused to take it back) on the fence.
Over time, Wuzhui seemed to like this place. He would lie down in the soft nest and sleep every night. I heard that horses are very alert and they would only lie down and sleep in an absolutely safe environment.
The greenhouse was warm and padded with cotton wool, so Song Zhi trained it every day to prevent it from defecating in the nest...
So Wuzhui learned not to poop in the nest. He would wait until Taotao or other people let him out early in the morning, and then he would carefully go to the territory specially designated for him by Song Zhi to poop.
Gradually, Wuzhui became bolder, gained more flesh, and his fur began to look slightly oily.
After having Wuzhui, Taotao's family's life has changed a lot.
Mainly, it became more interesting.
Because this black horse will also play with the other dogs and its little master Feifei.
It was this little game that Taotao taught them.
For example, Feifei and Dahei are in a group, and Niu Niu and Dahuang are in a group. When it was Feifei's turn to dribble the ball, Dahei covered Feifei. As for Niuniu and Dahuang, Niuniu can only chase Dahei, and Dahuang can only chase Feifei...
Feifei needs to dribble the ball, break through the blockade of Niu Niu and Da Huang, run to Wu Zhui under the cover of his teammate Da Hei, and run a circle around Wu Zhui, then Feifei wins!
So the function of Wuzhui lies in... whether it is willing to let you go around it.
Of course, Feifei and Niuniu are still very young, and most of the time they can’t make it to the last level... but there are times when they can make it to the last level.
At this time, the importance of Wuzhui can be seen.
But it is very smart and won't let them get around! Moreover, it knows that it is tall and can easily step on the children, so it will be very careful to avoid them, and sometimes even make a tactical comeback!
The kids were having fun.
And on the second day after the horse bandits were captured, Xiao Qingjuan avoided people and found Taotao.
She looked coy and a little embarrassed, twisting the corners of her clothes with her hands, and asked hesitantly, "Fei Fei's mother, yesterday, yesterday...yesterday you talked to Wang Zhuizi about that thing, do you think...it will really work?"
Taotao glanced at Xiao Qingjuan, held back her laughter, and said nothing.
Until Xiao Qingjuan pulled her sleeve and shook it a few times...
Tao Tao deliberately asked her, "Wang Zhuizi asked you... whether you were planning to remarry Hua Fugui?"
"Bah! No way! Who wants to remarry him? I'm not that cheap!" Xiao Qingjuan said angrily, "I want to ask you, that day you said that I, I can take the college entrance examination, take the normal school exam, and become a teacher!"
"oh--"
Tao Tao suddenly realized what was going on, and she put on a stern face to tease Xiao Qingjuan, "Don't get me wrong, there is no such thing at all! I was just saying it casually to piss off the king!"
Xiao Qingjuan was stunned, "Ah..."
There was a look of loss on her face, and she lowered her head deeply.
Tao Tao suppressed her smile and said calmly, "However, Chunni will take the exam."
Xiao Qingjuan's eyes instantly lit up again!
"Really? Chunni can take the exam...she seems to have never been to school before? Well, since she can take the exam, can I, can I? Feifei's mom, tell me, do I have a chance?" Xiao Qingjuan said excitedly.
"Of course!" Tao Tao stopped teasing her and smiled, "As my sister said, you should start learning early! Now that the college entrance examination is open, other new ways of education are also being tried out. The sooner you join, the better!"
Tao Tao comforted Xiao Qingjuan, "I have already written to ask about this matter. Don't worry, I will tell you everything after I find out the situation!"
Then Taotao explained the teaching method of "correspondence course" to Xiao Qingjuan.
Xiao Qingjuan's eyes were sparkling and she was very surprised!
——Oh my God, can it be like this? I usually study at home, and then go to a fixed place to take the exam at a fixed time. If she can pass the exam and pass all the subjects, she will have a college diploma?
Xiao Qingjuan was so happy that she almost fainted!
However, she quickly came to her senses and thought, how could such a good thing be possible? I couldn't help but feel a little worried again, "Fei Fei's mom, do you think...will the test be difficult? I, I..."
Taotao encouraged her, "You have to have confidence in yourself! However, you and Chunni should really get more exposure to study materials."
Xiao Qingjuan still didn't quite believe it, "Fei Fei's mom, do you think I can really get into a normal school and become a teacher?"
Tao Tao, "You can choose any major you like. Chunni told me that she wanted to be a teacher because she has many children... There are about 70 to 80 children in the two production teams in the village. It is no problem to learn simple characters and get rid of illiteracy through winter vacation classes. But it is far from enough to achieve the goal of 'knowledge changing destiny'..."
Xiao Qingjuan was stunned and murmured: "Knowledge changes destiny..."
At this moment, she thought a lot.
So I felt very confused.
I have absolutely no idea what I should do.
It took her a long while to come back to her senses and asked Taotao, "Fei Fei's mom, generally speaking, what can you learn in this 'correspondence course'? Please take the trouble to talk to me so that I can be mentally prepared."
Tao Tao smiled and said, "I am a professional tree planter, and Song Zhi is a professional mechanical repairman. Our subjects are not suitable for correspondence courses because they are too professional and require a teacher to guide us. But other subjects, such as accounting, law, and education, are liberal arts. You can understand and learn by reading books, and you can get recognition and a diploma if you pass the exam."
Xiao Qingjuan bit her lip, "I... I also want to apply for a normal school, so I'll major in Chinese!"
Taotao chuckled and corrected her, "The full name of the language major is 'Chinese Language and Literature'."
Xiao Qingjuan widened her eyes.
Taotao patted her shoulder and comforted her, "Don't worry, I will help you and Chunni sign up after I find out everything! And if you don't know anything, you can also ask me. If I can give you some advice, I will definitely not keep it secret!"
Xiao Qingjuan was so excited that she almost cried, "Thank you Taotao!"
Taotao waved her hand, sent Xiao Qingjuan away, returned to the research station, and saw Zheng Yamei walking out.
Zheng Yamei has been feeling a little depressed these days.
Or it was because of the bandits who broke in a few days ago. Those people disgustingly rummaged through Zheng Yamei's underwear from the closet. Not only were they thrown on the floor and stepped on until they were dirty, but they were also covered in a lot of strange and disgusting liquid.
Zheng Yamei has never even had a boyfriend, how could she have suffered such an injustice!
She was so angry that she couldn't sleep for several days and nights.
But the oasis is located in a remote area, and these things in underwear...
It is impossible to buy it at the moment.
Later, Taotao gave Zheng Yamei some soft cloth, which Taotao had saved up to make clothes for Momo in the summer. Since Zheng Yamei needed it, she took it out and gave it to Zheng Yamei.
But Zheng Yamei doesn't know how to make clothes.
Taotao taught her how to do it step by step, which temporarily relieved Zheng Yamei's urgent problem.
However, Taotao provided Zheng Yamei with a new idea, "…You can take this opportunity to ask Fang Ying to go shopping in the city! You see, the snow has stopped, and this is probably the last time it will stop snowing before the New Year. It would be good for you to go shopping in the city, and you can buy some things for me."
Zheng Yamei was very tempted, but she looked embarrassed, "But I... don't have any money."
Tao Tao, "Didn't the bandits take your thirty dollars? Once the army has finished their investigation and found the money, they will return it. If you are in a hurry, I will advance it to you, and you can pay me back when you get the money back!"
Zheng Yamei readily agreed.
So a day later, Zheng Yamei took the money Taotao gave her and the list she made, and went shopping with Fang Ying.
Originally, Taotao also persuaded Yu Bai to go for a stroll in the city with Zheng Yamei and the others.
——Because Song Zhi has been staying in the oasis these days, Yu Bai can relax and go around and have some fun.
Yu Bai refused, saying that his mission was to protect Taotao, and that he would be wherever Taotao was...
Taotao was both amused and confused.
She guessed that this elder brother was probably in a sullen mood - was he feeling guilty that he did not play a big role when the horse bandits invaded?
As long as everyone is safe and sound, even if there is a small loss of property, for Taotao, it is already a victory.
Yu Bai refused to go out, so Taotao had to give up.
She started to do other things step by step.
Now that there are only a few days left until the Chinese New Year, Taotao has focused most of her energy on her thesis.
The teacher and senior students are making rapid progress, so she also has to hurry up.
——This year, she, Deng Gaoyun and Shi Yuxi successfully graduated and became the first batch of master's students to graduate under the teacher.
——Professor Fu obtained the qualification of doctoral supervisor, and Taotao and Deng Gaoyun chose to continue to follow Professor Fu without hesitation.
——Shi Yuxi has changed her job and her file has been transferred back to her hometown. Less than three months later, she secretly sent a telegram to her teacher, saying that she wanted to come back to continue her studies.
The teacher sent Deng Gaoyun to Shi Yuxi's hometown to find out the situation, only to find out that Shi Yuxi's father and brother wanted her to get married, and that it was for political purposes. Shi Yuxi has experienced a dark and miserable marriage and is unwilling to marry again. So with the help of his teacher, Shi Yuxi had a battle of wits and courage with his father and brother, and finally returned to Kyoto smoothly to continue his doctoral studies under his teacher.
What Taotao has to do now is to take stock of various data at the end of the year.
Since she came to Lingxi two years ago, she has never left, and all the data is very complete.
However, due to the invasion of horse bandits, some logs were damaged. She needed to restore the diary based on other records... Later, seeing Song Zhi and Yu Bai doing nothing all day, she simply captured them to help.
The three of them worked together for four or five days and finally completed the scientific research log.
Since Taotao had finished her work, Song Zhi asked her to take the children to the satellite city.
After experiencing the invasion of horse bandits, Song Zhi has become a little neurotic. As long as Taotao was out of his sight, he would feel anxious and unable to do anything.
Taotao didn't want to.
Firstly, she was a little reluctant to go to the satellite city to celebrate the New Year. For no other reason than spending the New Year in a satellite city and getting tired of eating in the canteen every day.
Secondly, Yu Bai and Zheng Yamei are her "colleagues" in name only, but they are here to protect her. If she went to Satellite City, could they follow her? Even if the leaders of the satellite city have no objection, others will find it strange. It is even more likely that this will set a bad precedent for the reception of family members in satellite cities.
Thirdly, there is now a horse at home, and the children are very happy! Taotao herself also likes Wuzhui very much.
Taotao didn't want to go to the satellite city with Song Zhi to celebrate the New Year, and Song Zhi was confused.
He confirmed again and again...
In the end, we can only compromise.
It’s not that Song Zhi can’t accept the short separation from Taotao.
What he couldn't accept was that her personal safety was seriously threatened.
So he went to Jiang Hongzhi to discuss the matter.
Jiang Hongzhi was also frightened by the invasion of horse bandits this time - he had already determined that Taotao was the key person to change the fate of the 500 people in Lingxi Oasis. She has only been here for two years, but she has already brought about tremendous changes in the lives of the villagers in Production Team 1. As long as you give her a little more time, Lingxi Oasis will get better and better!
Therefore, protecting Taotao means protecting the future of all the villagers in Lingxi Oasis!
Jiang Hongzhi immediately patted his chest and assured Song Zhi: he would definitely protect Taotao! He had already agreed with Lan Caizhu, the captain of the Second Battalion, to build a joint defense office next to the research institute. At night, the two battalions would take turns sending people to conduct joint defense patrols, with the joint defense office as the center.
Each team patrols for one day, and each team must have at least seven men.
In this way, each man in the village only takes turns on night patrol once every month and a half on average, which is acceptable to the villagers.
Song Zhi was relieved and hurried back to the satellite city to catch up on his work.
It was not until the day before New Year's Eve that Song Zhi finished his work and hurried to Lingxi Oasis alone in a pickup truck filled with New Year's goods.
Yu Bai came over to help Song Zhi unload the goods and move the things in the truck bed to the research station.
Song Zhi asked, "Where's Taotao?"
Yu Bai replied, "Wuzui's belly is frighteningly big, it feels like she's about to give birth. Sister Bai hired a veterinarian, who just arrived... She's in the stable right now!"
Song Zhi and Yu Bai unloaded all the New Year's goods into the warehouse, then opened the back door and went to the greenhouse.
——Taotao and a middle-aged man in an apron were standing in the stable. Zheng Yamei was standing aside holding Momo. Xiao Feibai and Niuniu were running around the stable like crazy.
Xiao Feibai was the first to discover Song Zhi. He excitedly shouted "Dad" and ran towards Song Zhi.
Song Zhi smiled, picked up his son and threw him into the sky!
The moment Xiao Feibai was thrown high into the air...
He felt like he could touch the roof of the greenhouse!
The little one screamed with excitement.
Then he fell steadily into his father's arms!
Taotao turned around and saw Song Zhi and his son. She couldn't help but smile and continued talking to the veterinarian.
Song Zhi played with his son for a while. Seeing Niu Niu looking at him eagerly and timidly, he picked up Niu Niu and played with her for a while.
The little girl also screamed with excitement.
Song Zhi stopped playing until he was sweating a little, and then he took his little son from Zheng Yamei's arms...
At this time, Taotao finally finished her talk with the veterinarian.
She sent the veterinarian away, then walked over to her husband and children, and asked Song Zhi, "Have you finished your work there? Can you take a few days off?"
Song Zhi, "After you finish your work, you can rest for 20 days. By the way, I asked the logistics department over there to buy some New Year's goods... There is half a sheep. You can go and see how to pack it later."
Then he asked her, "Is Wu Zhui pregnant?"
Tao Tao nodded happily, "Horses are just like humans. They give birth to foals after eleven months of pregnancy... Wu Zhui is already five months pregnant. We will have a foal next June!"
Xiao Feibai rushed to say, "Mom, mom! Is Wuzhui's baby also black?"
Niuniu, "It's possible that Wuzhui's baby is white! It's not pure black, its four hooves are white!"
"Black!"
"White!"
"Black! Black! Black!"
"Huh, I just think its baby is white!"
Taotao closed the fence of the stable, then plucked a small basket of tender green and juicy ice grass and poured it into the stable.
Wuzhui walked over slowly and put his head close to Taotao's hand.
Taotao stroked its fur and said with a smile, "Thank you for your hard work! You should rest more in the future, but you should also do some proper exercise..."
Then he returned to the research station with Song Zhi, who was holding little Momo.
Taotao went to see the New Year's goods that Song Zhi brought and was very satisfied.
——There were at least twenty pounds of pork belly, as well as ribs, shanks and two pork trotters; a pig's liver; and half a sheep. There were also two 50-kg bags of rice and two 50-kg bags of flour. And a large net bag of various candies and snacks. Then there are milk powder, malted milk, brown sugar, white sugar and sugar tablets. There are also various kinds of grains, oil, salt, sauce and vinegar...
Tao Tao commented with a smile, "It looks like this year's bonus is quite a lot... maybe my rank will be raised again."
Song Zhi smiled and said, "I have also been promoted to a doctoral supervisor."
Taotao's eyes lit up, "Congratulations!"
Song Zhi smiled and said, "It cost some money to buy these things. I will give you the rest of the bonus tonight."
Taotao knew that he hadn't seen the children for several days, so she asked him to play with them; she called Yu Bai and Zheng Yamei to come over and deal with the New Year's goods.
——Cut the pork belly into pieces, spread salt on it, and freeze it outside. That large rib had to be chopped into small pieces with an axe and then salted. The same goes for lamb. Only the pig liver looks quite fresh. We have to eat it quickly, otherwise it will go bad if we eat it the next day, and it will not taste good even if it is pickled with salt.
Yu Bai and Zheng Yamei were directed around by Taotao.
Taotao went to prepare dinner.
Just take half a pig's liver and stir-fry it with fresh garlic leaves and dried chilies.
However, she and Xiao Feibai don’t eat spicy food, so they soaked some bamboo shoots and made braised bamboo shoots and pork liver. Leave a little bit to make a light pork liver and wolfberry soup.
Fry some cabbage and steam a bowl of egg custard for each of your two sons, and you’re done!
At dinner time, the four adults and two children enjoyed a comfortable pork liver feast.
The fresh garlic leaves and dried chilies are fragrant and stimulate the taste buds. They are so fragrant that even Xiao Feibai couldn't help but eat a piece. Then he praised the taste, but was so spicy that... tears and snot were running, and he desperately drank the pork liver and wolfberry soup. In the end, I still think fried pork liver with dried bamboo shoots is delicious...
Taotao fed Xiao Momo a bowl of egg yolks.
Xiao Momo is eight months old and has already grown two teeth. He is still breastfeeding, but he can eat steamed eggs, meat porridge, soft noodles... these are all okay.
He quite likes to eat.
After dinner, Taotao asked Zheng Yamei to boil water, and everyone took turns to take a bath and wash their hair.
——According to the rules, you have to take a bath and wash your hair during the Chinese New Year. This year it is the 29th day of the lunar year, so you can wash your clothes one day in advance. You have to be busy preparing the New Year’s Eve dinner all day tomorrow, so don’t use up the pot or stove to boil water.
The four adults took turns washing their hair, taking a bath, and doing laundry...
The two children will wash it tomorrow.
By the time Taotao woke up, little Momo had already been fed a cup of fragrant hot milk by his father and was soundly asleep in his own little bed.
Xiao Feibai was still holding on, waiting to hug his mother and say goodnight.
After Taotao hugged him and said a few words to him with a smile... the little guy couldn't hold on any longer. He lay on the thick and soft little bed, covered with a soft quilt, and fell asleep in just three or five minutes.
Taotao laughed.
Song Zhi moved the screen over and placed it in front of the children's beds.
He made the screen himself - he nailed a simple wooden frame, tied a hemp rope on it, and then put the curtain on the hemp rope.
Placing it in front of my sons' beds can block out the light from the kerosene lamps, allowing the children to sleep well. Secondly...
Taotao covered her mouth and chuckled.
Of course she knew what he wanted to do!
Song Zhi went to get a dry towel and rubbed Taotao's wet hair dry.
Fearing that she would be cold, he simply carried her to bed and covered her with a quilt...
The two of them didn't speak for a long time.
Tao Tao asked him, "What's wrong? Is there something on your mind?"
After a long while, Song Zhi sighed and whispered, "Professor Dong and Professor Huang took turns to do work for me... The current situation is better than before, so the country has opened up to studying abroad..."
Tao Tao said: "But haven't you already applied for a doctoral supervisor?"
Is it possible to study abroad?
Song Zhi said: "They want me to be a visiting scholar, that is, to teach in the United States for two years."
Tao Tao asked curiously, "Are you going to teach the foreigners how to repair the engine?"
——Isn’t it possible? This is the core technology. The United States’ technology is already capable of supporting the return of the space shuttle. But our country does not have this technology. Whether Song Zhi goes abroad to teach or study, I believe the United States will not agree.
Song Zhi said: "I will teach physics and mechanics."
Tao Tao turned her head in shock and looked at Song Zhi, "Do you still understand this?"
"It's also a kind of engineering!" said Song Zhi.
Tao Tao asked again, "When are you going?"
This time, Song Zhi remained silent for a long time.
Taotao knew him too well and understood quickly, "You don't want to go?"
He sighed, "There was an incident with horse bandits..."
Tao Tao, "I'm safe enough now! The village's joint defense station is right next to our yard! I don't usually go far away... Why are you worried?"
"But--"
Tao Tao, "Don't say but! This is such a great opportunity! In the past, due to policy issues, we could only work behind closed doors. Not only did we not know the gap between us and Ouzhou and the United States, we didn't even know what the outside world was like... Now you have such a good opportunity, you can go out and take a look, how great!"
Song Zhi lowered his eyes.
Tao Tao, "Song Zhi, you must go! We need to understand the gap between us and others. If we are better than others... never mind, the possibility is very small. In short, we are not as good as them, that's okay, but we must know where the gap is and why their technology is worse than ours... come back after you figure this out!"
Song Zhi, "I..."
Tao Tao was a little anxious, "I don't want to be the one who holds you back!"
She then began to give examples:
"Fei Fei and Mo Mo are both very obedient, and I have a good relationship with the villagers. Look, Niuniu and Fei Fei will be together. In a few years, I will build a school here. Fei Fei will go to elementary school here, and when he is older, I will send him to junior high school, high school, and university..."
"Momo is still young, but I was also the one who brought up Feifei. I am confident and experienced in bringing up Momo. When you come back in two years, you can get along well with Momo. The father-son relationship between you and him will not change."
"I have my own job, and my job is recognized and supported by the entire village. There is no problem for me to stay here. And I can go back to Beijing twice a year. I have teachers and seniors to help me on the way, so there will be no problem. When I return to Kyoto, Feifei can go to kindergarten and Momo can always follow me. Don't you think it's appropriate?" Taotao asked back.
Song Zhi was speechless for a long time.
Although Taotao can arrange everything properly...
But he just felt uncomfortable.
She can always arrange things properly and smoothly, as if she has never encountered any trouble in her life.
This would make him...feel less present.
Tao Tao continued, "Song Zhi, let's compete! You go abroad as a visiting scholar, and I stay here to plant trees and study for a doctorate... When you come back, my progress will not be worse than yours! On the contrary, you have to be more careful... Don't let me overtake you!"
After saying that, Taotao tilted her head and looked at Song Zhi, with a bit of provocation.
Song Zhi burst out laughing and hugged her. Smelling the sweet fragrance of her hair and feeling the softness of the big white peach, I felt grateful and happy, as well as an indescribable sense of grievance and discomfort.
He was silent for a long time, then said, "The final registration deadline is March 1st. I'll think about it for a few more days!"
After a pause, he added, "Once I sign up, I'll have to leave in mid-August."
Taotao giggled, "Come back and tell me what the United States is like!"
Song Zhi rubbed the big white peach into his arms and took a bite.
Deep in love, Tao Tao panted and said, "Song Zhi, I...I don't want to have any more children!"
Song Zhi was stunned.
He hugged her even harder, bit Da Baitao's ear, and whispered, "Don't worry...you won't get pregnant again."
Taotao was stunned.
She didn't have time to think about what he meant by this.
It’s obvious that he is... not a eunuch!
He brought her to the peak of bliss.
On New Year's Eve in 1978, Taotao's family, Yu Bai and Zheng Yamei stayed in the research station and spent a great year comfortably.
So much so that by the beginning of the next spring, everyone had gained weight.
==
After the spring, Taotao wrote to her trust teacher to inquire about the study methods for the adult college entrance examination and correspondence courses, and received a reply.
Professor Fu directly sent Taotao several application forms, which were correspondence application forms for Kyoto Normal University. In addition, a series of information was attached, such as the choice of correspondence course major, the time and place of the exam, the credit system, the name of the reference professor, etc.
Taotao quickly asked Zhou Chunni and Xiao Qingjuan to fill out the application form, and took out 20 yuan and gave it to Jiang Hongzhi, asking him to take the application form to the county town to send a registered letter, and then remit the 20 yuan to Professor Fu, asking her to help buy the textbooks and send them over.
Soon, Professor Fu sent over a dozen books on Chinese language and literature.
Taotao suggested that Zhou Chunni and Xiao Qingjuan share a set of books. After all, there are more than a dozen different courses to apply for this. Moreover, each year is divided into upper and lower semesters, and each student can only apply for four subjects at most in each semester. So they just need to study at different times and there won't be any problem.
In the blink of an eye it's June.
Taotao has never returned to Kyoto since she came to Lingxi Oasis.
She wants to go back this year.
After all, she still has teaching duties at the Agricultural University, and Feifei and Momo should also be brought back for her family and relatives to see and get familiar with them...
In addition, Taotao persuaded Song Zhi to go to the United States as a visiting scholar at the end of August this year.
But before leaving, Taotao discussed a lot with Jiang Hongzhi and Lan Caizhu.
——Jiang Hongzhi asked Taotao to make demands to the people of Lingxi Oasis. Because Taotao has left, she will not come back until the spring plowing season next year. Jiang Hongzhi was worried that without Taotao around, the villagers’ enthusiasm for learning would slacken and they would go back to their previous ways, and all their efforts would be wasted!
——Of course, Jiang Hongzhi will continue Taotao’s scientific research according to Taotao’s diary requirements. He even promised to help her take care of Wuzhui and the two dogs.
——Taotao has developed very strict and rigorous scientific research habits. So she also designed the content of this year's winter vacation courses for the Oasis villagers, and even wrote the lesson plans, and then she would let Jiang Hongzhi and several educated youth teach them.
——Tao Tao also made a planting log for agricultural and sideline products and gave it to Jiang Hongzhi and Lan Caizhu to remind them what to plant and when…
It took the three of them several days to complete the handover of work.
The day before Taotao's family left, the three held their last meeting.
Tao Tao asked Jiang Hongzhi, "Will you take the college entrance examination?"
Lan Caizhu immediately looked at him eagerly.
Jiang Hongzhi fell into a daze.
To be honest, even he himself couldn't believe it...
In the past, he missed his hometown in the mountain town so much and hated rural life so much! So much so that he was always thinking about ways to leave the countryside and return to the city!
He also wanted to have electricity, running water, and a comfortable and decent life.
But now, he has been in this desert and with the people here for ten years! He has been farming here conscientiously and earnestly for ten years and has already developed an affection for this desert.
Now, Taotao is just coming home to visit her relatives, but Jiang Hongzhi is still a little worried... He is still a little afraid that Taotao will dislike life here because it is too poor and too hard, and when she goes back in the future, she might find reasons not to come back!
So, if he leaves too——
What would the villagers here think?
Jiang Hongzhi smiled bitterly and asked instead of answering: "Taotao, please help me when you go back!"
"you say."
Jiang Hongzhi said, "I want to study, but I won't take the college entrance examination. I'll take the correspondence course, and I want to study the same major as you."
Taotao looked at Jiang Hongzhi and smiled, "Brother Jiang, you really are...completely different from before!"
Jiang Hongzhi was silent for a long time, then said, "I always wanted to go back to the city. After all, I came from a place with running water and electricity... I'm not used to living in a more difficult place."
“Actually, I’m not used to it now!”
Jiang Hongzhi said frankly: "Even if I can never get used to it, I have developed feelings for this place... I have worked hard here for ten years. Even if I have no credit, I have worked hard... Besides, I have indeed revived some of the trees."
"Since this place is poor, let's use our hands to build it up and make it prosperous... In this way, won't I be able to live a good life too?" Jiang Hongzhi said.
Taotao smiled and said, "Yes! It will always get better!"
When Taotao and Jiang Hongzhi were talking just now, Lan Caizhu remained silent.
Until then, Lan Caizhu suddenly stood up.
The noise was so loud that Taotao and Jiang Hongzhi were shocked!
Lan Caizhu bowed to Jiang Hongzhi with red eyes, then bowed to Taotao, and then she choked up and said, "Thank you! Thank you..."
Then she ran away crying.
Taotao and Jiang Hongzhi looked at each other and found that there were tears in each other's eyes.
Neither of them spoke, but they knew they had the same dream.
The next day, Taotao and Song Zhi said goodbye to their fellow villagers, Yu Bai and Zheng Yamei, and took the children to Kyoto.
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