The Daqiao Commune plans to build a primary school to make it easier for children from several nearby production brigades to attend school.
The address was chosen between Hongxing Brigade and the neighboring brigade. Because Hongxing Brigade was an advanced brigade, Uncle Bai managed to secure it.
Uncle Bai said with a smile:
"The school is built right at the entrance of the village, making it convenient for the village children to go to school."
Bai Xiaoyue asked her uncle, "Uncle, when will it be built?"
"We're not busy right now, so if we start construction now, we can start recruiting students in September."
Does the school hire teachers?
"Yes, the commune said they'll send a principal, and teachers will be recruited from several production brigades. Anyone who has graduated from junior high school can apply; it's an open exam."
"Uncle, please let me know when the time comes. I'll also take the exam. I'll make sure it's fair and won't make things difficult for you."
"Okay, okay, I'll let you know in advance," Uncle Bai readily agreed.
That evening, Yan Ci asked Bai Xiaoyue, "Wife, why do you want to become a teacher?"
Bai Xiaoyue thought for a moment: "One is that it's close to home, right at the entrance of the village, and there are also some subsidies."
Secondly, I'm not good at farm work and earn few work points.
The third reason is that Chang Le is also about to start school, and I can keep an eye on her while I'm at school.
Yan Ci nodded: "Go if you want to!"
"Many people take the exam, but it's not certain whether they'll pass."
"My wife will definitely be fine."
Bai Xiaoyue was amused by Yan Ci and nodded in a good mood: "I'll do my best."
August arrived quickly, the primary school was completed, and people from the commune came to organize teacher examinations.
Just as the school was holding an exam, the school built a row of mud-brick and tile houses and a large courtyard.
There are six classrooms, a cafeteria, and a teachers' office. A separate toilet for men and women was built in the corner of the courtyard.
The school was recruiting six teachers, and more than twenty people came to take the exam. People from several villages who had completed junior high school came.
Because each teacher is responsible for a class, teaching both Chinese and math, there's only one teacher per class. Therefore, the exams cover Chinese and math.
After receiving the test paper, Bai Xiaoyue glanced at it and, knowing what to expect, calmly answered the questions. Once finished, she handed it to the proctor and leisurely left the classroom.
I heard Chang Le's voice as soon as I stepped outside:
"Mommy, Mommy, here, here."
She looked up and saw a big boy and a little girl standing there, with Chang Le waving frantically.
Yan Ci took the bag of stationery from her and asked, "Was it smooth?"
Bai Xiaoyue smiled and said, "There shouldn't be any problem."
Chang Le hugged her leg excitedly and said:
"Mom, are you going to be my teacher? Uncle Yan said I'm going to go to school."
Bai Xiaoyue said to her daughter in a good mood:
"Yes, my son, Chang Le, will be a primary school student soon."
Mom doesn't know yet if she can become a teacher in Changle; it depends on the school leaders' arrangements.
However, Mom can accompany you to and from school every day.
"Okay, okay!" Chang Le jumped around happily, like a little monkey.
The exam results came out quickly, and Bai Xiaoyue passed without any doubt, much to the delight of her family.
Time flies and it's almost time for school to start.
Bai Xiaoyue said to Yan Ci:
"Aci, I'm going to the supply and marketing cooperative tomorrow to buy some cotton cloth. My eldest sister-in-law is about to give birth."
I plan to send a few feet of cloth.
I'll make clothes for the children. And while I'm at it, I'll go see Mingyue.
"Honey, do you want me to come with you?"
"Do you want to go to work, or I'll go by myself?"
"It's hot now, so go early and come back early."
...
The next morning, Bai Xiaoyue went to the supply and marketing cooperative and saw that Li Mingyue was beaming with joy, so she asked her:
"Mingyue, what's the good news? Why are you so happy?"
Li Mingyue whispered in her ear:
"Xiaoyue, I'm pregnant again."
"Oh, congratulations!"
“Ping’er will be 3 years old soon, and I thought it would be good to have a companion for him.”
"May your wishes come true, no wonder you're so happy."
"Xiaoyue, have you heard anything?"
"No, Yan Ci isn't in a hurry, we'll just let things take their course."
As soon as Bai Xiaoyue finished speaking, she felt a jolt of fear and remembered that her period hadn't come this month.
She used her cloth coupons from Changle to buy four feet of fine cotton cloth and rushed home.
She looked through the notebook where she kept track of her period dates, and realized that seven days had passed and her period still hadn't come, so she started to feel anxious.
If it really happens, it will be a heavy responsibility.
Yan Ci noticed that his wife seemed distracted all night, so he held her and asked:
"Honey, what's wrong? What happened?"
Bai Xiaoyue blinked:
"Aci, my period is late this month, you might be going to be a father."
Yan Ci's mind went blank for a moment, then he gently carried his wife to the kang (a heated brick bed) and laid her down before excitedly asking:
"It's true, I'm going to be a dad."
Seeing his silly look, Bai Xiaoyue laughed:
"I'm just saying maybe. It's only been a few days. We need to wait a few more days to get checked before we can be sure."
"Honey, don't worry, it's okay, it's okay. If you're not pregnant, we'll keep trying."
“I’m not worried about not having enough children, but I feel that having another child would mean an even greater responsibility, and I’m a little worried about that.”
"Honey, what are you worried about? I'm here for you. We'll get through this together."
"Aci, carry me on your back." Bai Xiaoyue climbed onto Yan Ci's back, wrapped her arms around his neck, and let Yan Ci carry her around in circles in the yard.
Yan Ci carried her around the courtyard a dozen times before she whispered in his ear:
"Aci, put me down, I feel a little better."
"Let's walk a few more laps," Yan Ci said casually.
Yan Ci knew that his wife was afraid of the future and didn't know how to comfort her, so he carried her on his back and kept walking.
He only gently placed his wife on the kang (a heated brick bed) when he heard her long, even breaths.
Then, Yan Ci stopped letting Bai Xiaoyue do anything and took care of all the household chores by herself, including teaching Chang Le to write.
Bai Xiaoyue found it both amusing and touching. Looking at the man in front of her who was talking incessantly, there was no trace of his aloofness left.
Another week passed, and the two went to the health center for a check-up. It was the same gentle female doctor again.
After taking Bai Xiaoyue's pulse, she said:
"Judging from your pulse, you are pregnant. It's still early in the pregnancy, so come back for a check-up later."
Bai Xiaoyue felt very conflicted. With such basic medical facilities, how was she going to give birth?
Yan Ci was very excited, thinking that he would soon have a child who was related to him by blood.
He was so excited that he lost his mind, buying a lot of food and supplies, spending all the money he had before he calmed down.
Bai Xiaoyue didn't try to persuade him, and followed Yan Ci at a leisurely pace.
Mr. and Mrs. Bai were very happy to find out.
Chang Le chattered incessantly around Bai Xiaoyue:
"Mommy, Mommy, I'm going to have a little brother, really?"
Bai Xiaoyue patted her daughter's head and said patiently:
"It could also be a younger sister."
Xiao Chang Le blinked her eyes:
"Mom, can't we have both a younger brother and a younger sister?"
Bai Xiaoyue sighed, "This wish is not easy to fulfill. Usually, people only have one baby."
Chang Le was still very happy: "Oh, one is fine too."
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