Sometimes people just talk about what's to come. The passing of Grandpa and Grandma Shen gave more people hope, and the villagers stopped rejecting the people in the cowshed. Some even went to help them, but it didn't really work.
Soon, as the people in the cowshed slowly left, the person with the number collapsed, and the New Year arrived. Every household bought couplets and firecrackers.
Even the Zhou family rarely gathered together. Zhou's father and mother have aged more and more in the past two years, especially Zhou's father. Since he stopped being the brigade leader, he has lost his ambition. He used to want to control Zhou Mingqian, but now that the family has split up and scattered, he no longer wants to make a fuss.
He knew that if he squandered the last bit of goodwill, the Zhou family would be truly finished.
It was New Year's Day, so Zhou's father cheered up and said, "In the new year, I wish everyone good food and drink, and I hope everyone has a bright future." He even drank some wine, which was unusual for him.
As the wine went down his throat, he couldn't help but cough. "Cough cough, I'm just happy."
Shen Banxia sighed, wondering how the once-great Zhou family had come to this state.
Even Zhou's mother, who used to cause trouble, was as quiet as a chicken now. It was unclear whether Zhou Mingjiao's departure had affected her, but now she no longer cared about family matters.
The Zhou family has completely separated. Neither of Zhou's father and mother's sons stayed with them. The elderly couple lives alone. A few days ago, they invited the new brigade leader and the former accountant Zhang to witness the settlement. All four sons paid their living expenses, and those who didn't pay in cash were paid in grain.
This time, Mr. and Mrs. Zhou did not cause any trouble. They followed the average level of elderly care in Zhoujiazhuang, which will naturally increase over time.
Because Su Yin wasn't married yet, she lived with them, and the house was still divided according to the original arrangement of each person living in their own room.
However, because Shen Banxia and the others went out to build a house to live in, their house was given to the two elders.
As for Zhou Laosi, he is now living alone and has separated from the family. The old couple are now only worried about Su Yin's affairs.
According to Su Yin herself, Zhou's mother had actually secretly contacted Zhou Mingjiao, but she ignored her completely. Now, because she was hurt, she no longer cared about family matters.
Soon, 1976 passed and 1977 arrived.
That year, a major event occurred: in August, the college entrance examination was reinstated and would be held a month later.
Hearing the announcement of the resumption of the college entrance examination on the radio, Shen Banxia, who had been mentally prepared, regained her memory later. She had also been saddened by the suspension of the college entrance examination. Now, she had finally recovered.
Shen Banxia then realized that she had even forgotten to breathe.
Not only did she lose her composure, but everyone at the educated youth settlement also cried out in despair. After the outburst, they silently shed tears, having waited for this day for far too long.
They had all thought there was no hope left, but now it was like seeing an oasis in the desert.
That parched heart was instantly nourished.
Inspired, the villagers couldn't help but shed silent tears. Although they had no hope of going to school, their children could—it was an opportunity to climb the ladder to heaven.
Everyone started laughing and then started crying.
The toddler, who was already over two years old, saw his mother crying and reached out his little hand, saying, "Mommy, don't cry, let me wipe it away."
"Mom is happy," Shen Ban said, unaware that tears had started flowing.
Stroking the little one's head, "Little one, the college entrance exam has been reinstated. You should become a college student."
"College student," the kid follows along.
Soon, a month passed. During this time, Accountant Zhang, or rather, Captain Zhang, was a man of good character. He made a point of setting aside time for the educated youth to study.
As for Shen Banxia, she remained the same as always. It wasn't that she was arrogant; ever since she regained her memories of the entire city, she had never put down her books.
Aunt Zhu caught a cold, and while she was at the doctor's, she couldn't help but advise her, "Banxia, I think you should just stop going to the doctor. Look at those girls and boys in the educated youth compound, they're all still up all night. If you don't hurry up, how will you catch up?"
She genuinely cared about Shen Banxia.
The little one somehow took it all in and said, "Mommy, you're amazing!" while giving a thumbs up.
Aunt Zhu chuckled, "My little darling~".
As she entered the examination room, Shen Banxia did not see any familiar faces. This time, her goal was Peking University's biological sciences program.
After thoroughly studying the box of medical books that Zhou Mingqian had found, she had another idea.
She felt that simply being a doctor was not her goal.
Since we've started over, we should choose something different.
She only shared these ideas with Zhou Mingqian. As for him, he was focused on scientific research. Shen Banxia didn't understand what he was researching, but she respected it.
It's unclear whether he was influenced by the "light screen script," but he was determined to create a new one.
Shen Banxia told him to keep up the good work.
After the exams ended, Shen Banxia began preparing for the future. First, she sent back the things she usually used at home. As for the house, since her grandparents had gone back in 1976, all those things had already been returned.
When the admission notices arrived, the people of Zhoujiazhuang were astonished to find that both Shen Banxia and Zhou Mingqian had been admitted to Peking University and Qingdao University, respectively—both top universities. Everyone was very envious.
After they left with Su Yin, they only regretted that they weren't Su Yin.
The Zhou family, on the other hand, had been together since the Spring Festival, and now they were finally reunited.
Zhou Lao Si looked at his father with dissatisfaction, "Father, how could you let my little sister leave? I've already arranged a good marriage for her, what am I supposed to do now?"
Zhou's father said with a dark face, "Your mother and I are not dead yet, it's none of your business what your little sister does."
It's ridiculous, really. Ever since his wife died, the fourth brother has completely changed. At first, he ignored everyone, but later he became even lazier than the laziest good-for-nothing in the village. Now, he doesn't go to work and just clings to Zhou's parents.
This matter caused an uproar among the third son and his wife, who said that the money they gave was for their parents' retirement, not for supporting their younger brother.
Old Zhou, that stubborn rascal, didn't care at all.
Instead, they set their sights on Su Yin. Over the past two years, Su Yin had frequently eaten at Shen Banxia's house and had long since recovered.
The Zhou family members are all good-looking, and Su Yin is no exception.
Following his reputation for laziness, Zhou Laosi, who had become addicted to gambling, set his sights on Su Yin. Fortunately, Su Yin's paparazzi instincts hadn't disappeared, and she sensed it in advance.
And so, she went to Kyoto with Shen Banxia and the others.
What about Zhou Laosi? He was about to get a large sum of money, but the cooked duck flew away. How could he not be furious?
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