The first year after the resumption of the college entrance examination, school started in December. The Northeast was already bitterly cold. Aunt Tian had more gray hair at her temples, but she was still cheerful and generous. Liu Jiandong also took a special leave to come back and spent two days hunting a wild boar with his father and brother on the mountain.
She was in a good mood; her mouth hadn't stopped smiling since Song Qing received the admission notice. Several other educated youths from the village had also passed the exam this year, and the village was happy for them. The students who passed the exam could go back to school and didn't have to stay in this place anymore.
The young people who passed the exam had already returned home a month or two early to prepare for the start of the semester. Zhao Hui went to Guangzhou, Fang Ruo went to Wuhan, and the couple Lin Haiping and Zhou Shuyi were even more dramatic, one in the Northeast and the other in the far south.
"...Why did you fill out your college application like this?"
They choose to apply to universities after taking the exams. Couples like them usually choose cities that are relatively close to them.
Lu Ronghui said calmly, "It's normal. They all chose the cities that best suit them."
In the past, some educated youth divorced as soon as they returned to the city. Who can predict the future? Of course, they should choose the future that best suits them.
The comrades at the educated youth settlement had lived together for nearly 10 years. Regardless of any initial conflicts, they had practically become family. In addition, the distillery's business had been booming in the following years. Life was no longer as impoverished as before, and there were fewer things to fuss over.
Those who pass the exam are happy, and those who fail encourage themselves by saying they'll try again next year and they're determined to go to university.
The road ahead was no longer shrouded in mist; everyone could clearly see the direction they wanted. Before they went home, the comrades at the educated youth settlement held a gathering. Everyone drank the wine brewed by the factory and cried their hearts out. Lu Ronghui's eyes also reddened. This was a place where she initially had no sense of belonging.
They gradually became true friends.
"Let's get together whenever we have time. Even if we're far apart, we've been together for so long. Send me an invitation when any of you get married, no matter how far away it is, I'll go."
"If anything happens in the future, let each other know. If we can't solve it, we'll work together to find a solution."
...
Zhao Shuyi and Lin Haiping, a married couple, sat among the group, a few seats away. They had been married for several years but had no children, and now they were glad they didn't have any.
The educated youth settlement suddenly lost a few more people. The remaining people were happy for their friends but also worried about themselves. They knew they had to work hard for next year's exams.
Jianqiu is engaged to an accountant at a glass factory, a round-faced young woman. Aunt Tian hosted a banquet at home today, inviting not only Song Qing, but also Zhao Qin, Ye Man, and Guan Lian.
The whole yard smelled of meat. An'an, who used to run around everywhere, clung to her third aunt all day. Even while cooking, she sat next to her on a small stool. Aunt Tian sighed and hugged the little girl.
"How did you grow so big all of a sudden? You're almost up to my chest now. When you first came here, you were only up to my thighs. I even tripped and fell while being chased by the geese in the yard..."
"Third Aunt..."
An'an's eyes were red, and she was clutching Aunt Tian's clothes tightly.
"Don't be sad, come back during the holidays. Don't worry, Auntie will take good care of Little Goose and Little Cat."
Chen Junliang also came back. He had been in the countryside for more than a year, and he had become much darker and stronger. He got into a very good university this time, and Guan Lian immediately called her parents in tears.
Seeing that no one was watching them, Liu Jiandong took out a cigarette from his pocket and offered it to them, "Want one?"
Life in the countryside was tough, and Chen Junliang also learned to smoke. After taking the cigarette, the two went outside, lit it in silence, and stared blankly at the street.
"...That's great, you've gone to university and you're still coming back here for holidays?"
"Yeah, my mom is here."
Liu Jiandong suddenly laughed, "Then when you come back, we'll go hunting in the mountains again, make cured meat, and send it to An'an."
After finally calming An'an down, she went to play with Zhuangzhuang and Suisui in the yard. Xiaoting kept crying, and He Zhangcheng was holding her at that moment.
From now on, they will truly be separated into three places. Song Qing went to Beijing, and Zhao Qin did very well in her exams and returned to Shanghai. Now they don't have to worry about who will take care of the child. Her parents have already cleaned the house. She usually lives at school and her parents take care of the child. As for the man, he will stay here for now and see if there is a chance to be transferred back in the future.
Song Qing plans to find a house near the school so that An'an can transfer there. The child can eat in the school cafeteria with her and cook for herself.
Lu Yang also intends to stay here temporarily. The man is currently holding back his ambition, eager to find an opportunity to make a contribution and see if he can be transferred to be with his wife and daughter.
"...Will we ever see each other again?"
Song Qing patted Ye Man's hand, "Yes, we can go somewhere to play together sometime. The children's eyes have been swollen like peaches these past few days. How about we go next summer?"
"good"
The wild boar they hunted was very big, and Aunt Tian invited the neighbors and comrades from the educated youth settlement over. At first, everyone in the courtyard was caught up in the sadness of parting, but as more and more wine was drunk, not only the women but also the men's eyes turned red.
"Today is a joyous occasion, and we invited everyone to come and celebrate together. Why are you crying?"
Let's all raise our glasses and toast our village's educated youth first. Thanks to you, Yanghe Village's liquor has become famous and brought us so much income.
Even if you go home in the future, you will still be children of Yanghe Village. Come back whenever you want; the village will always welcome you!
"...Okay, as long as everyone doesn't mind, I'll check it again later."
"You're acting like a stranger before you've even left! What's there to complain about? Aren't we all kids from our village? Come back if you want!"
...
Song Qing took all the things she couldn't take from the house and gave them to her third aunt. Director Zhang called her over and said with a smile, "We all thought you were capable. Little Song, you really passed the exam. Study hard. Our country's future industrial development will need technicians like you."
"Thank you, Director Zhang, for taking care of me all these years. I will work hard."
Director Zhang patted her shoulder several times, feeling both sad and regretful. Over the years, Song Qing had become a very important cadre in the textile factory. Now she was going to Beijing, and in the future, she would definitely be involved in more than just one textile factory.
Lu Yang sent most of the items back to Xin'an first, and then carried a small package to see the mother and daughter off on the train. An'an hugged her father's neck and cried.
"...Don't cry. Don't be nervous when you go to school in a new place. Dad will try his best to transfer to your area as soon as possible."
The family stood at the gate. The yard had been cleaned up again, and the vegetable gardens on both sides had been leveled. The apple tree, stripped of its leaves, stood in the yard like an old man, watching them leave.
"Gone"
...
(End of text)
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