Ch 17: The Unfilial Children Trembles in Fear (QT)

Yun Xi was very curious about the knowledge of this era, so she studied together with Xiao Zhang.

Xiao Zhang admired his godmother’s thirst for knowledge from the bottom of his heart, so he was not impatient at all when Yun Xi asked him about elementary school material. He slowly explained it to her according to the books. When they ran into something he could not explain clearly, the two of them went to Sister Qin’s house to ask.

Sister Qin was puzzled.

“Old Li, why are you learning this stuff? You don’t usually need it.”

Yun Xi said casually,

“Don’t I like borrowing books from the library? Sometimes I feel like I can’t understand what’s written inside. I figured it must be because I never went to school! My eldest at home used to laugh at me for being uneducated. Now that I have such good conditions, I might as well study properly.”

The moment Sister Qin heard this, she felt terribly sympathetic. In private, she cursed the Dong family again and told her husband that he absolutely had to explain things well to Yun Xi.

Just like that, Yun Xi quickly studied elementary school knowledge. After finishing elementary material, she studied middle school material. The textbooks of this era were simple. Only when she reached high school did they begin to have some difficulty.

Xiao Zhang also followed along and reviewed all the textbooks with her.

He had been clever since childhood and had been quite good at school. When he graduated from middle school, he had even gotten full marks.

But he had not known what continuing to study could do. All he saw around him was that people who finished school became teachers and did not earn much. His family had also been unwilling to pay his tuition, so he simply went to work as a laborer, then learned how to drive.

Now his salary was already forty yuan. Who knew how many people envied him? No one thought his low level of education was a problem at all.

However, studying everything again this time, with a solid foundation, truly made him feel enriched inside and gave substance to his words.

He also agreed with Yun Xi’s words. Whether useful or not, whatever one could learn became nourishment for oneself.

In the past, he had no conditions, so forget it. Now that he had the conditions, he had to nourish himself properly.

Before, he had always felt resentment toward his parents and family. Late at night, when everything was quiet, he would feel very upset and could not understand why he was the most promising among the brothers, yet his parents had always ignored him the most and favored his slippery, lazy brothers.

After hearing Yun Xi say these things, he let it go.

He no longer blamed heaven or earth. He released himself, cherished himself, and used his energy to nourish himself and make himself happy. Life became much happier that way.

He finally understood why Yun Xi could let go of her children and live her own life happily.

When someone asked Xiao Zhang whether he had felt family warmth after recognizing her as his godmother, Xiao Zhang would answer,

“Family warmth is only the most basic part. The greatest thing I gained from following my godmother is learning to cherish my own life properly.”

Xiao Zhang indeed seemed to smile more and look more energetic.

This silenced those who had originally thought the Dong children had been spoiled rotten by Yun Xi’s teaching.

Yun Xi clearly knew how to teach children very well. It was those ingrates who had been born with bad natures.

Just as Xiao Zhang was a good bamboo shoot growing from rotten bamboo, Yun Xi was good bamboo that had produced rotten shoots!

When the village chief came to the city for a meeting and heard about this, he even brought a bag of walnuts for Yun Xi to nourish her brain.

Because of policy changes, the brigade had now changed back into a village. Their village was called Yangliu Village, and he was still the village chief.

Every time he came to the city government for a meeting, the village chief came to see Yun Xi. First, because they were fellow villagers and it felt close. Second, because the more people interacted, the more affection and connections would develop.

The village chief sighed to Yun Xi.

“If not for seeing you develop so well, who would have thought someone in their forties could still begin learning characters and studying?

The more I think about it, the more I feel your talent was wasted. If you had been supported through school when you were young, who knows how much you might have achieved.”

Yun Xi waved her hand.

“Everything depends on the right timing, place, and people.

If I had really been made to study when I was young, I might not necessarily have liked studying.

It’s also because I’ve experienced so much and understood many things that I can now shut out outside distractions and calm down to study.

So there’s nothing to regret. Things are very good now. Other people even say I’ve become younger. Let’s not treat ourselves as old people.”

The village chief looked at her closely.

Wasn’t that true?

Yun Xi had been in the city for a year now, and she looked at least ten years younger overall. Now, if someone said she was in her thirties, people would believe it.

The village chief was actually about the same age as Yun Xi. Before, Yun Xi had called his wife sister-in-law. Original translation at HololoNovels dot com. Later, after Yun Xi became successful, they had begun calling her Sister Li.

But looking at her now, he really could not bring himself to call her “sister.”

The village chief touched his own aged face.

“Outsiders would think we’re from two different generations. You’re right. You’re doing very well now. You’ve made it through. Everyone in the village envies you.”

“What’s there to envy me for? If they want to change, they should start changing today.”

Yun Xi handed him a box of vanishing cream.

“Take this back and use it with sister-in-law every day. This thing isn’t expensive. You can buy it by smoking a few fewer cigarettes. If the two of you take good care of yourselves and look younger, you’ll be happy when you look in the mirror too, won’t you?

If anyone in the village envies me, tell them to read more.

Reading brings wisdom, and reading can also help people find work.

If our village all becomes cultured people, will we still have to worry about poor development in the future?”

Yun Xi lowered her voice and said,

“Let me tell you, contracting production to households is a good beginning. If our country wants to develop, there will definitely be movements in all kinds of areas.

Although we can’t guess exactly what they’ll be, opportunities are always left to those who are prepared.

Study culture, train your body, and ask around for information. When there’s any movement, we’ll be able to seize the opportunity and develop vigorously.

Think about it. If factories in the city expand and recruit people, won’t they choose the good ones?

By then, sharpening the spear right before battle will be too late. If you wait around for everything, even the daylilies will have gone cold!”

The village chief listened in a daze, but he felt that Yun Xi’s words made a great deal of sense. He could not help nodding.

“You’re right. It seems that reading more and learning more really is useful. Even your way of thinking is different now.

It’s also because you’ve seen more at the city government that you can think of these things.

All right. When I go back, I’ll urge everyone to be diligent and strive forward. If our village develops well in the future, everyone will have to thank you.”

Yun Xi laughed.

“What’s there to thank me for? I’m only moving my mouth.

If things develop well, thank yourselves more. Eat something better and wear something better.

What do people work hard their whole lives for? Isn’t it just food, clothing, housing, and transportation?”

“Right!”

The village chief laughed.

“You’ve truly gained great understanding now. Comrade Li, you are my role model. I have to learn properly from you, raise my awareness, and do a good job building the village!”

After Yun Xi sent the village chief away, Sister Qin beside her said,

“You really are kind-hearted. You were born with a warm heart. You’ve been away for so long, yet you still think about the village people so much.”

Yun Xi smiled and said,

“They think about me too. Look, who comes to the city without bringing me something?

Let’s not talk about whether it’s valuable or not. It’s all goodwill from fellow villagers.

I should show some goodwill too.

In any case, learning more is never wrong. If you understand more, even watching television in the future will be more interesting.”

Sister Qin burst out laughing.

“They’re in the countryside. Where would they watch television?”

Yun Xi slowly fanned herself with a fan and smiled.

“Ten or twenty years ago, we couldn’t listen to radios or ride bicycles either. Now how many workers have them at home?

Then who can say what things will be like in another ten years?

Maybe once everyone’s lives improve, every household will have a television.

One should still have dreams, shouldn’t they?”

She was sitting by the window. Sunlight streamed in from outside, and together with her smile, she seemed full of vitality.

As Sister Qin stared absentmindedly at her, she suddenly remembered the first time they had gone to the supply and marketing cooperative together.

Back then, Yun Xi had complained that the things she was carrying were heavy and said, “It would be nice if I knew how to drive.”

What had she replied then?

She had laughed and said Yun Xi really dared to dream. Even the mayor didn’t have a private car.

Yet Yun Xi had actually learned to drive.

Yun Xi still didn’t own a car now, but she worked part-time as a delivery driver and got to drive regularly. It wasn’t much different from having a vehicle of her own.

Was it because she carried dreams like this that she was so full of hope and vitality?

Something deeply rooted inside Sister Qin seemed to crack apart. A seed called “dreams” took root and began to sprout within her.

She was about the same age as Yun Xi. Her children were grown and no longer needed her constant care.

Perhaps she, too, could think about what dreams she had and work toward making them come true.

Yun Xi was something of an unconventional person in her surroundings, but she was successful in every aspect, and her influence was tremendous.

Not only were people close to her, like Sister Qin and Xiao Zhang, affected by her, but after hearing her words, the village chief immediately called a village-wide meeting upon returning home.

“Ever since the land was divided at the beginning of the year, everyone has thrown all their energy into farming.

“Farming is important, but studying is important too!

“Comrade Li Yunxi came from our village. The more successful she becomes in the future, the more often our village will be mentioned.

“We can’t let people think our village has nothing besides Comrade Li Yunxi, can we?”

“That’s right!”

“Village Chief, what should we do?”

“If you’re telling all of us to study, I can’t learn that stuff!”

“Yeah, I can’t even read!”

The village chief pressed his hands downward and waited for everyone to quiet down before smiling.

“When I went to the city for meetings this time, I consulted Comrade Li Yunxi. She gave us some suggestions, and I think they make a lot of sense. Everyone, listen carefully.”

He then repeated Yun Xi’s advice, emphasizing that no matter how difficult life was, everyone should make sure their children received an education and at least mastered basic knowledge.

As for the adults, the educated youths would organize literacy classes to teach everyone common characters and simple arithmetic. The village would pay the educated youths for teaching.

Anyone in the village who possessed a skill and was willing to teach others would also be paid by the village.

Even for farming, everyone would hold monthly meetings to discuss cultivation techniques, and anyone who contributed effective methods would receive a cash reward from the village.

The moment everyone heard this, heated discussions broke out.

Many people responded enthusiastically, shouting that they wanted to learn from Yun Xi.

But quite a few people found it troublesome. They didn’t want to attend literacy classes or participate in experience-sharing meetings.

The village chief replied,

“This is a matter of progress for the whole village.

“But if someone doesn’t want to participate, that’s fine too.

“When everyone else improves, just don’t complain about it afterward.

“The opportunity is being offered equally to every one of you.

“You’re being given free education and still don’t want it?

“If you miss this chance, it won’t come again.

“In a few years, once everyone has learned enough, these programs might be canceled.”

The moment they heard that, those who had been unwilling immediately changed their minds.

Why object to something that was essentially free?

The village chief wasn’t forcing anyone. If they weren’t feeling well someday, they could skip it. Normally, they could just go and join in.

Otherwise, if everyone else went and they didn’t, wouldn’t they be the ones losing out?

And so Yangliu Village enthusiastically established literacy classes and vocational skills classes.

The educated youths had finally found a job that paid wages. They worked incredibly hard.

They searched for textbooks, prepared lessons, and designed teaching plans, putting in tremendous effort to help the villagers learn as much as possible.

There were also three instructors for the skills classes.

They were older men whose health no longer allowed them to farm. Their families worked the fields while they earned wages through teaching.

One was skilled in carpentry.

One excelled at house construction.

The third was talented at making clothes and shoes.

None of them were true master craftsmen with family-secret techniques, but within the village they were among the best in their respective fields.

Being able to earn money from their skills made them very happy.

Many young men and women in their teens and twenties were eager to learn.

Even if they couldn’t earn money from it, learning how to make things for their families would still be useful.

And since it was free, why not learn?

The village chief was truly investing heavily in this effort.

After hearing Yun Xi’s words, he became convinced that as the country developed, cities and villages would each have their own paths of growth.

That meant villages would also become competitors with one another.

If Yangliu Village wanted better resources, it would need to stand out.

There wasn’t much else they could do for now, so they might as well cultivate their people properly.

What if another talent like Yun Xi emerged?

Wouldn’t their village become famous throughout the city?

Yun Xi had already provided a successful example.

They absolutely couldn’t waste such a good opportunity.

They had to use it to build Yangliu Village’s reputation.

The village leadership team strongly supported him.

Several of them were ambitious themselves and always had books in hand.

Whether they truly learned much or not, at least their attitude was excellent.

Even the doctor at the village clinic felt a sense of urgency.

Whenever there were no patients, he read medical books and studied diagnoses and prescriptions.

Suddenly, the entire village developed a spirit of positivity and self-improvement.

Every day seemed full of energy and laughter.

The only exception was the Dong family.

After learning that these suggestions had come from Yun Xi, they dismissed them with contempt.

They refused to attend literacy classes.

They didn’t participate in experience-sharing meetings.

Learning skills seemed too tiring, so they wouldn’t do that either.

While working in the fields, they even gossiped:

“What’s the use of literacy?

“Our old lady just got lucky and happened to save the mayor’s family. Otherwise, would she have had this kind of fortune?

“If we’re talking about education, wasn’t Second Brother a teacher before? Doesn’t he have more learning than the old lady?

“And now he’s farming too, isn’t he?

“What opportunities? Dream on.”

“Farming all day is tiring enough already, and now we’re supposed to learn trades?

“If those trades were really useful, why are the instructors still stuck in our village?

“Why haven’t they gotten rich?

“They’re only teaching because they want the little bit of salary the village chief is offering.

“If those skills were really that great, why aren’t their own children learning them?”

“The old lady rambled on about a bunch of nonsense, and the village chief took it seriously.

“I think the village chief is just giving her face because she’s doing well now. He’s sucking up to her.”

In the entire Dong family, only the two educated youths who had married into the family were willing to learn.

As outsiders, they lacked a sense of security.

They wanted more skills and more options for the future.

They also understood the importance of seizing opportunities.

So even after having major arguments with the family, they still went to attend the classes.

They also encouraged Dong Zhiyong and Dong Zhizhi to find ways to improve their relationship with Yun Xi.

But the siblings had been scolded so badly before that they refused no matter what.

The two educated youths could only regret it in private.

Such an impressive elder, yet they couldn’t gain any benefit from the connection.

Several months passed.

Everyone learned quite well.

The characters they recognized were enough for reading newspapers and books.

Their speech had become more refined and civilized than before.

The atmosphere and appearance of the entire village changed dramatically.

The children followed the example of the adults.

More of them became interested in studying.

Those attending high school worked harder than students from other villages.

Their classmates mocked them.

“There isn’t even a college entrance exam now.”

“After high school you’ll just find work somewhere.”

“Most of the kids from your village will probably end up coming back to farm anyway.”

“So why are you working so hard?”

The moment they heard that, they replied:

“You know Grandma Li Yunxi, right? She’s from our village! She became so amazing because she loves learning. She never had the chance to go to school and taught herself everything. We have the opportunity to attend school now, so of course we should study hard.

“That’s called learning as long as you live. Besides, there’s not much else to do at school anyway. Wasting time is worse than studying.”

Some people thought they were putting on an act. Others said all that studying was useless and called them foolish.

But with Yun Xi as an example, they all felt that at the very least they had to master their textbook knowledge the way she had. They had heard that Yun Xi could now tell stories in Russian. They were at an age when their minds were sharp and learning came easily. Surely they couldn’t lose to a grandmother, could they?

So they threw themselves into their studies with all their might.

One day, Yun Xi happened to be giving a lecture to teachers at their high school. During a break, several children from Yangliu Village ran over and listened through the window.

As they watched her, their eyes sparkled like stars.

It was the gaze of pure admiration.

“Grandma Li looks so young. We should call her Auntie Li instead!”

“Grandma Li wears a wristwatch and little leather shoes. She looks so energetic. I want to be like Grandma Li someday!”

“I wish Grandma Li taught our classes. Look how well she speaks.”

“That’s impossible. Grandma Li teaches teachers. Look how attentively all those teachers are listening.”

Yun Xi was the most remarkable example of someone changing their destiny within dozens of nearby villages. Original translation at HololoNovels dot com. Everyone wanted to learn from her experiences, so naturally they listened with great attention.

When the lecture ended, one of the teachers noticed the children and smiled at Yun Xi.

“Teacher Li, these kids are all from Yangliu Village. They’ve admired you for a long time. They’re incredibly hardworking students and always say they want to learn from you. See? They even came to listen to your lecture.”

Yun Xi looked over.

The children immediately blushed with embarrassment.

In truth, she had only been living in the city for a year and a half and still remembered them.

Smiling, she said,

“Lili, Chunxia, Xiaodong, Liqiang, Daxin, you’ve all grown so tall! Your teacher is praising you, so it sounds like you’ve been doing very well. Grandma Li is proud of you!”

The children had never expected Yun Xi to remember them, much less call each of them by name.

They immediately became excited.

Surrounding her, they asked about life in the city and eagerly shared stories about their studies and amusing happenings in the village.

Yun Xi chatted with them for a long time.

Then she asked,

“What dreams do you have?”

Influenced by both Yun Xi and their parents, they had already spent time thinking about that question.

Lili said,

“I want to work at the city government like Grandma Li.”

Xiaodong said,

“I want to learn to drive. I heard that both Grandma Li and your adopted son are amazing drivers. I want to be that capable too!”

Chunxia said shyly,

“I like making clothes. I ranked first in the village skills class. Someday I’d like to make clothes for people in the city. I guess that means working in a garment factory or textile factory.”

Each child had different aspirations.

Yun Xi was pleasantly surprised.

She had never expected the village chief’s efforts to encourage learning to have worked so well.

Seeing her surprise, the children quickly explained that everyone worked so hard because she had set such a good example.

In the past, everyone had been ordinary people living similar lives.

Then suddenly someone worked hard, struggled forward, and achieved so much.

That made others feel that they, too, could change their lives through effort.

Because of that, Yun Xi occupied a very special place in Yangliu Village.

She constantly inspired everyone.

Hearing this, Yun Xi felt genuinely touched.

After all, she didn’t think she had done very much.

She had simply lived her own life well and occasionally offered suggestions.

She had never gone out of her way to help them.

In the beginning, she had only offered advice because she knew the Dong family would automatically oppose anything she said. When successful people emerged from the village, the Dongs would inevitably become jealous and regretful.

Her original goal had simply been to get back at the Dong family.

Yet the villagers had always remembered her kindness and treated her as a role model.

For the first time, she felt that perhaps she could do more for them.

Yun Xi made more than a dozen extra copies of the workbooks and practice exams she usually prepared for Xiao Zhang.

She gave them to the children.

“Work through these carefully,” she said. “And share them with everyone back in the village.”

The college entrance examination would soon be reinstated.

She hoped this small contribution might help some ambitious young people.

The materials Yun Xi provided were treated almost like treasures in Yangliu Village.

Everyone cherished them.

Even elderly men and women who had never attended the literacy classes came over to touch them and look at them, as though simply seeing them broadened their horizons.

The students valued them even more.

They carefully copied every question into notebooks.

If they didn’t understand something, they asked teachers at school or educated youths in the village.

Of course, asking educated youths for tutoring required bringing a few eggs or other small gifts.

As a result, the educated youths were extremely enthusiastic about helping.

Indirectly, they ended up reviewing and strengthening their own knowledge as well.

In October, just after the autumn harvest was completed, Yangliu Village received earth-shattering news.

The national college entrance examination had been restored.

Lili and the others, who had recently graduated from high school, could hardly believe it.

“What?”

“The college entrance examination is back?”

“Does that mean… we can go to university?”

The village chief laughed.

“Yes! You can!”

“This time the requirements have been relaxed. As long as you’re under thirty years old, it doesn’t matter whether you’re married or unmarried, whether you’re a student or not. You can register.”

“You don’t need a recommendation.”

“You don’t need anyone’s approval.”

“If you want to take the exam, you can take it.”

The educated youths in the village instantly exploded with excitement.

Some even burst into tears.

They had come from the cities to the countryside.

Only they knew how hard it was to spend every day facing the dirt fields.

They had long believed they would be trapped there forever.

The only thing that had given them hope was Yun Xi’s encouragement.

They had thought that if they learned more skills, perhaps someday they could find work in the city.

Even temporary work would have been enough.

Yet now, so suddenly, the college entrance examination had returned.

They could register too.

They had already relearned so much of their old knowledge.

Could they actually get into university now and leave with pride?

The two educated youths who had married into the families of Dong Zhiyong and Dong Zhizhi were ecstatic.

The Dong siblings themselves, however, were stunned.

They had forgotten nearly everything they had once learned.

When the village held collective study sessions, they had sneered and refused to participate.

And now the college entrance examination had returned?

Had they just missed a golden opportunity?

Thinking of how Yun Xi had urged everyone to study, Dong Zhiyong erupted in anger.

“She remembered to remind outsiders, but not her own sons! Is something wrong with her brain?”

The villagers immediately became furious.

“Say one more word of nonsense and I’ll smack you with my shoe!”

“The village chief already said everyone had the same opportunity. If you didn’t study, whose fault is that?”

“You were the ones running around saying studying was useless and learning trades was useless.”

“You even influenced my nephew and kept him from studying properly.”

“You ruined his future!”

The more the man spoke, the angrier he became.

He actually took off his shoe and started hitting Dong Zhiyong in the face with it.

Dong Zhiyong didn’t dare fight back against an elder. If the old man fell, he could end up blamed for it.

He endured several hits before others finally stepped in to separate them.

After that, he didn’t dare say another word.

The rest of the Dong family remained silent as well.

Back inside their home, each of them became increasingly depressed.

Dong Zhijie finally said,

“At least I used to be a teacher. I still know more than most people.

From now on, I’ll focus entirely on studying.

If I work hard enough, maybe I can still get into university.”

Wang Xuefen believed in him completely.

“Leave all the work to me. You don’t need to worry about anything else.

“Get into a good university and show all of them what you’re capable of.

Let’s see who dares laugh at us then.”

Dong Zhihong and his wife weren’t capable students themselves, so they focused entirely on pushing their son.

“The college entrance exam is back. You have to become a university student and bring honor to your parents.”

Their son, however, wasn’t interested.

Impatiently, he replied,

“Why don’t you study yourselves?”

“If the old lady can do it, why can’t you?”

“Didn’t they say anyone under thirty can take the exam?”

“You two should hurry up and take it yourselves.”

“Stop bothering me.”

The couple was furious.

“How dare you talk to your parents like that? Say one more thing like that and see if I don’t beat you?”

Their son sneered.

“Go ahead and hit me. When you’re old, I’ll throw you out. If you’re not afraid of having nobody to take care of you or arrange your funeral, then try it.”

The two of them trembled with rage.

But they truly were afraid their son might refuse to support them in old age, so neither of them actually dared to strike him.

Wang Huijuan cried as she cursed him for being unfilial.

Dong Zhihong, however, stared blankly at his son and suddenly saw a reflection of himself.

So this was how Yun Xi had felt every time he mocked her?

Yun Xi learned the news as well.

Xiao Zhang came running over, panting so hard he could barely catch his breath. Bracing himself against the office doorway, he shouted excitedly,

“Mom! The college entrance examination has been restored! Mom, I can take the exam! I can become a university student!”

Yun Xi slapped the table and laughed.

“This is wonderful news! When you become a university student, Mom will personally see you off. Oh, and we’ll have to hold a banquet too. We’ll invite all our brothers and sisters at the municipal government office and celebrate properly!”

Sister Qin and the others all crowded around to congratulate Xiao Zhang.

His academic ability was genuinely outstanding.

The difficult problems he and Yun Xi discussed on a regular basis were completely beyond everyone else’s understanding.

Sister Qin’s husband had said more than once that the mother-and-son pair were truly gifted. They learned things at an astonishing pace.

Now that there was finally a chance to attend university, nobody doubted Xiao Zhang would succeed.

In fact, many believed that if anyone in the entire city could get into university, it would definitely be Xiao Zhang.

Sister Qin sighed regretfully.

“What a pity the age limit is thirty. If it were fifty instead, Sister Li could take the exam too. She might even become the city’s top scorer.”

Yun Xi burst out laughing.

“What would I do going to university at my age? By the time I graduated, I’d be fifty and ready to retire!

“Such a good opportunity should be left to young people. I’m not going to compete with them for it.”

Everyone thought about it and laughed along.

At the same time, they finally understood that Yun Xi truly studied for the sake of learning itself.

She had no ulterior motive.

She didn’t even feel regret about missing the chance to attend university.

Her outlook was genuinely broad and open-minded.

Of course, Yun Xi didn’t care about degrees or credentials.

She had only started studying because she was curious about the knowledge of this era.

Now she devoted herself entirely to helping Xiao Zhang prepare for the exam.

She invited the most knowledgeable teachers in every subject to answer his questions.

The mayor even ordered that any employees applying for the college entrance examination be granted leave so they could focus on studying.

Their positions would remain waiting for them.

If they failed, they could simply return to work.

If they succeeded and graduated from university, they could still come back afterward.

University graduates were desperately needed talents.

If they returned to work at the municipal government office, the city would gain even more capable people.

Regardless of everyone’s reactions, the examination arrived on schedule.

Standing outside the examination hall, Xiao Zhang found himself unusually nervous.

Yun Xi smiled.

“Believe in yourself. You can do it.

And besides, what university we attend isn’t the measure of our lives.

I never had the chance to take the exam, yet my life is still fulfilling.

You study hard, work diligently, and conduct yourself with integrity. I’m proud of you. This exam is nothing more than a small test in your life.”

“Relax.”

Xiao Zhang immediately felt much lighter.

A smile spread across his face.

“Mom, thank you.Don’t worry. I’ll do my best and leave no regrets.”

He understood exactly what Yun Xi meant.

There was no need to obsess over a perfect outcome.

As long as he gave everything he had and left no regrets behind, that was enough.

With the most relaxed mindset possible, he walked into the examination hall.

Members of the Dong family had also come to take the exam.

Whether they stood a chance or not, they had all registered.

They didn’t approach Yun Xi, but they overheard her conversation with Xiao Zhang.

Watching how close the two of them were filled them with resentment and bitterness.

They were her biological children.

Why was she so good to an outsider?

At the same time, they found it absurd.

The college entrance examination was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity capable of changing a person’s destiny.

How could Yun Xi call it merely a small test in life?

Surely Xiao Zhang wasn’t actually that capable, and Yun Xi was simply trying to save face.

If he failed, she could always say that experiencing the process mattered more than the result.

What a convenient excuse.

The other examinees from Yangliu Village slowly calmed their nerves.

Led by Lili, they came over to greet Yun Xi.

Yun Xi smiled and encouraged them.

“Don’t be afraid. Just do your best. For questions you know, make absolutely sure you answer them correctly. For questions you don’t know, think carefully and patiently. You’ve studied all this material before. If you stay calm, you’ll remember far more than you think. Simply having this opportunity already makes you luckier than many people. And even if this path isn’t right for you, the country will continue introducing new policies. Look, people aren’t being arrested for setting up street stalls anymore. There will be many more opportunities for development in the future. So don’t be afraid.”

Everyone was surprised.

From what she was saying, it sounded as though ordinary people might one day be able to start with a street stall and eventually build their own business.

But the people of Yangliu Village had always trusted Yun Xi.

Whatever she said, they believed.

There wasn’t time to discuss it further, but knowing there would be other opportunities beyond the college entrance examination greatly eased their anxiety.

Especially the educated youths.

They had placed far too much importance on the exam.

Now that they had relaxed, they would likely perform much better.

During the examination period, the entire city became noticeably quieter.

People instinctively lowered their voices, afraid of disturbing the examinees.

Even public security improved.

At last, the examination ended.

After a long, agonizing wait, admission notices finally began arriving.

One day, a postal worker came running while shouting excitedly:

“Xiao Zhang! Xiao Zhang!”

“You got into Qing University!”

“You’re the provincial top scorer!”

The entire municipal government office exploded with excitement.

Qing University was one of the finest universities in the country, among the most prestigious institutions in China.

Not only had Xiao Zhang been admitted, he had outperformed every student in the province and become the provincial champion.

It was a tremendous honor for the entire city.

The moment Xiao Zhang received his admission notice, the grown man burst into tears.

He threw his arms around Yun Xi.

“Mom!”

“If you hadn’t pushed me to study, I would have forgotten everything in those textbooks.”

“I never could have gotten into university.”

“This admission letter belongs to you, Mom!”

Yun Xi laughed.

“Good boy.”

“I knew you were smart.”

“Look at that. One serious review session and you scored this well.”

“You’ll accomplish even greater things in the future. Now stop crying before people laugh at you.”

Xiao Zhang wiped his eyes and grinned.

“Crying in front of Mom isn’t embarrassing.”

The coworkers laughed.

“That’s right. Not embarrassing at all.”

“Meeting Sister Li was Xiao Zhang’s good fortune. Even a thousand-li horse needs someone to recognize its talent before it can truly shine.”

“Good heavens, Xiao Zhang is incredible!”

“And Sister Li is incredible too!”

“I’m starting to want Sister Li as my mother too! Hahaha!”

“Sister Li really knows how to raise a child. Xiao Zhang is so capable. He’ll definitely be a devoted son to Sister Li in the future.”

“Remember all those times people tried introducing matches to Xiao Zhang? Sister Li’s standards were unbelievably high and rejected every one of them. Now that he’s gotten into Qing University, won’t he have to find a Qing University sweetheart? Oh my, Sister Li’s blessings are only going to grow from here!”

Yun Xi cheerfully accepted all the congratulations and praise. She handed out the candies and pastries she had prepared beforehand, urging everyone to take extra home so their families could enjoy some sweetness too.

Everyone was delighted.

It wasn’t just about eating a piece of candy.

This was the joyous occasion of someone being admitted to Qing University and becoming the provincial top scorer.

Their children absolutely had to share in that good fortune.

There were several other coworkers in the office who had also been admitted to universities. Although none had performed as brilliantly as Xiao Zhang, they had all been influenced by the studying atmosphere created by Yun Xi and Xiao Zhang. They had worked hard and gained admission to excellent universities as well.

Many of them even brought gifts to thank Yun Xi.

Their city wasn’t small. Every work unit had people who had gotten into university, and the total number was quite impressive.

Among the students, however, the highest achievers were Lili and her group.

For more than a year, they had studied with incredible diligence and completed countless practice problems.

The universities they entered were all nationally renowned institutions.

When those numbers were applied to a village, the results were astonishing.

Seven high school students from Yangliu Village had been admitted to prestigious universities.

Eleven educated youths had also been admitted.

Eighteen university students.

Eighteen university students from a single village!

And Yun Xi herself had come from Yangliu Village.

The adopted son she had raised had even become the provincial top scorer.

Yangliu Village became famous overnight.

Nearby villages even started calling it “Top Scorer Village.”

Everyone wanted to know why Yangliu Village’s results were so extraordinary.

When they learned that it had all begun with Yun Xi’s influence, they were stunned.

They admired Yun Xi for achieving so much after the age of forty.

They admired the village chief for investing so much effort into encouraging education.

And once the nationwide statistics were compiled, Yangliu Village was officially praised by higher authorities for its emphasis on cultivating talent.

The village was featured in newspapers across the country.

For the first time, Yun Xi’s name appeared in print and became known nationwide.

Many village chiefs envied Yangliu Village for producing someone as remarkable as Yun Xi.

Some even envied the mayor for recognizing her potential and promoting her, leading to all the good things that followed.

But the person everyone admired most was Yun Xi herself.

She had gone from a forty-five-year-old illiterate farm woman to where she stood today.

Her life proved that there were countless possibilities in life.

No obstacle was truly impossible to overcome.

No pain was impossible to let go of.

As long as a person refused to give up, they could always find a path of their own.

While everyone else was congratulating the university students and admiring Yun Xi, the homes of the Dong siblings became the quietest and most miserable places in the village.

Not a single one of the four siblings had passed.

They hadn’t merely failed. Their scores weren’t even close to the minimum admission line.

There was no way to blame it on carelessness or bad luck.

Naturally, they became the village’s biggest laughingstock.

Dong Zhihong snapped,

“Third Brother, Little Sister, you two studied the longest. Weren’t you always saying higher education had ruined your futures? So why couldn’t you pass now that they actually let you take the exam? What a joke.”

Dong Zhiyong exploded.

“Then why didn’t you pass if you’re so capable?

“And what about Second Brother? Didn’t he fail too?

“He’s always talking about being a teacher and how his talent was wasted. Bah! What talent? The village school was right to fire him. He’s good for nothing!”

The argument quickly turned into a physical fight.

By the time everyone was bruised and battered, Dong Zhihong declared that from now on they would cut off all contact and never associate with one another again.

Dong Zhizhi sneered.

“Fine. Let’s cut ties.”

“Who wants anything to do with you anyway?”

“Do you have a single quality worthy of being an eldest brother? My husband got into university. I’m going to enjoy a good life with him. I wasn’t planning to associate with you anymore anyway.”

Wang Huijuan let out a mocking laugh.

“He got into university, sure. But whether he’ll take you along for that good “life is another matter. You’re just a village girl. No education. No reputation.

“Do you really think a university student will still want you?”

“You’re pregnant too.”

“Be careful you don’t end up abandoned.”

Dong Zhizhi was startled.

The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

She immediately ran home and hid her husband’s admission notice.

She wanted a better life, but what if she really was abandoned?

At that point, she’d rather stay in the village and farm.

Dong Zhiyong’s expression darkened as well.

His wife had also been admitted to university.

She had always refused to have children, insisting they wait a few years.

Could it be because she had been planning to leave all along?

Now that she was going to university, what if she no longer wanted him?

No.

He had to think this through carefully.

If she went, she would have to take him along.

After all, he had spent quite a bit of money on her.

The gathering broke up unhappily.

The restoration of the college entrance examination was a blessing for countless people.

For the Dong family, however, it felt like a storm cloud hanging over their heads.

They couldn’t help thinking of Yun Xi again.

If they hadn’t fallen out with her back then, would she have supervised their studies?

Would they have gotten into university too?

Unfortunately, there were no second chances.

They couldn’t even see Yun Xi anymore.

The last time they had seen her had been outside the examination hall.

And now the distance between them seemed greater than ever.

Suddenly, Dong Zhiyong remembered something.

Hadn’t Yun Xi said that the government was becoming more lenient about things like street vending?

He was good with words.

He could start a business selling things from a stall and make money himself.

╰───♡───╯