Chapter 89: Going to College

In February, the year entered its coldest period. By the middle of the month, snowflakes drifted through the sky, and the bitter wind cut to the bone. After spending only a short time outside, one would be chilled through and left shivering, so everyone huddled indoors, warming themselves by the fire. It was truly a season most people disliked.

Yet this year was different. Though the cold made people’s teeth chatter, hearts everywhere burned with excitement. The reason was simple: the first university admission notices after the resumption of the college entrance examination arrived in this snowy season, carrying with them the hopes and dreams of countless families.

The Han family also welcomed great news. Han Aimin’s admission notice had been delivered to the army. With excellent results, he had been accepted into the provincial university. While the provincial capital’s university could not compare to Tsinghua or Peking University, it still ranked among the nation’s most prestigious institutions. Those fortunate enough to enter were regarded as Heaven’s favored children; admired and envied by countless others.

The moment Old Lady Han received the notice; she clutched it in her hands and wept with joy. Her voice trembled with excitement as she exclaimed, “I never dreamed our family would have a college student! I always thought the fourth child would farm in the countryside all his life, how could I have imagined he’d be admitted to a university? Your father surely wouldn’t have imagined it either. I must tell him that our family has produced a college student! The Han family is truly prospering. What a glory for our ancestors!”

Su Yue completely understood Old Lady Han’s joy. Not only was this the very first class of university students since the resumption of the exams, but in these times, college students were treasures of society. Upon graduation, they were guaranteed jobs and enjoyed excellent treatment. In the eyes of ordinary Chinese people, they were like golden phoenixes; rare and dazzling.

This was nothing like later generations, when college students were everywhere and no longer special. Back now, how could one not rejoice?

Old Lady Han first brought Han Aimin to light incense before Old Mraster Han’s memorial, sharing the good news with him. Then, she sent a telegram to Han Lao-san and Han Lao-er back in their hometown so they, too, could hear this happy announcement. Finally, she carried a small bench downstairs, sat with the neighbors in the compound, and told everyone the story in detail. Only after nearly the whole neighborhood knew of it did she feel her joy fully expressed.

Even then, she worried the admission notice might be lost. Guarding against such a calamity, she carefully placed the letter inside the cupboard, locked it, and carried the key with her everywhere to ensure its safety.

The rest of the family thought her caution exaggerated, but none of them said anything. It was rare to see her so happy, and they let her be.

In the days that followed, Su Yue received two letters from Hanjia village. The first was written by Hehua.

Her handwriting was neat and graceful, evidence of the effort she put into her studies over the years. She had taken learning seriously. When Han Aimin was in junior high school, he had tutored her during his visits home. After he left, with no one else to guide her, Su Yue mailed her complete sets of high school textbooks and practice books for each subject, urging her not to give up. Hehua had indeed worked hard. She loved school deeply, but her mother considered it a waste of money for a girl to study. She kept her home instead, assigning her housework and the care of younger siblings.

Now that the college entrance examination had resumed, Hehua’s hopes flared anew. After hearing that her uncle had been admitted to university, the seeds in her heart fully sprouted. She begged her mother to let her continue her studies, but her pleas were coldly dismissed. Her mother stubbornly believed that even if a girl earned a degree, she would only marry into another family, wasting the investment.

Desperate, Hehua could only write to Su Yue, hoping she and Old Lady Han might intervene. She truly wanted to study.

Su Yue read the letter aloud to Old Lady Han.

Old Lady Han was furious. She slapped the table, scolding angrily, “A child who wants to study is rare! To have such ambition is a blessing! How much money could it cost to keep her in school? And if she really got into college, what an honor it would bring the family! That second daughter-in-law must have no brains! No, I must write to the second child. If he dares not let Hehua study, I’ll sever our mother-son relationship and never acknowledge him again for the rest of my life!”

Hearing her determination, Su Yue believed there was hope. According to the old lady’s wishes, she drafted a letter to the second son. After some thought, she also withdrew one hundred yuan, enclosing it with the letter and explaining that it was for Hehua’s tuition. If Han Lao-er and his wife bore no financial burden, the chances of their agreement were much greater.

After finishing Hehua’s letter, Su Yue opened the second one. This was from Li Xiaoqing. In it, she shared wonderful news: she, Wu Xiaoxiao, and Mao Lin had all taken the college entrance exam. Both she and Wu Xiaoxiao had been admitted to the Provincial Agricultural University, though Wei Jia and Mao Lin had failed. At first, the latter two were dejected, but soon they regained their determination. They were already preparing to study hard and try again in the next exam, swearing they would pass.

At the end of her letter, Li Xiaoqing asked Su Yue whether she had also been admitted, assuming she had taken the test as well.

Su Yue couldn’t help smiling warmly. The days when they had all lived together in the educated youth spot came back vividly. Each of them had been strong, kind girls. Now that Li Xiaoqing and Wu Xiaoxiao had succeeded, Su Yue was sincerely happy for them.

Without delay, she picked up a pen and wrote her reply. She first congratulated Li Xiaoqing and Wu Xiaoxiao, then comforted Wei Jia and Mao Lin, encouraging them to persevere and succeed in the next round. Finally, she admitted honestly that she had not taken the exam and had no plans to.

Later that evening, Su Yue shared the contents of Li Xiaoqing’s letter with Han Aiguo. She then lay beside him at the table, finishing her reply by lamplight. Han Aiguo fell silent, his gaze fixed on her bowed head as she wrote. For a long while, he said nothing.

When Su Yue finally set down her brush and lifted her head, she caught his heavy, thoughtful gaze. Puzzled, she pinched his straight nose playfully and teased, “What’s with that look? Li Xiaoqing and Wu Xiaoxiao got into college, and Aimin did too. Isn’t it wonderful? Everyone around me is being admitted. Why are you staring like that?”

Han Aiguo pressed his lips together, his eyes deep and unreadable. After a long silence, he finally asked, “Yue’er… do you want to take the college entrance examination?”

Su Yue froze, caught off guard. “Why are you suddenly asking me that?”

Han Aiguo cupped her face gently, guilt and tenderness mingling in his eyes.

“All educated youths want to take the exam. I know how important it is for you. Even though you married me, you’re still an educated youth. Your knowledge is no less than Aimin’s; in fact, you’re stronger than he is. If he can pass, then you surely could too. But for the sake of our family and the children, you gave it up. I never persuaded you otherwise; that was selfish of me. Thinking back now, I realize it’s too unfair. You should do what you want to do.”

After a pause, he smiled softly, adding, “Yue’er, I married you because I wanted you to be happy and not to make you sacrifice yourself. Don’t worry. Even if you go to university, Mother and I will take good care of the children. When the time comes, I’ll rent a house near your school. Mother and the children can move there, so you’ll see them every day. And whenever I have time, I’ll come see you too. Four years will pass quickly. When you graduate, our family will be whole again. So you should take the exam.”

Su Yue heard what he said and for a moment didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. What on earth had this man been thinking about all this time? Why did he suddenly spin such a tragic story about her sacrificing for the family and reluctantly giving up the college entrance examination? Heaven and earth as her witness, she truly hadn’t taken the exam for her family’s sake but she simply thought it unnecessary.

Su Yue cupped his face in her hands, pressing in from both sides until his features were all out of shape, and laughed. Han Aiguo didn’t stop her. He let her play as she wished, but his gaze remained fixed on her with guilt and tenderness.

“Comrade Han Aiguo,” she teased, “I told you not to overthink, alright? I didn’t take the college entrance examination because I honestly felt it had no meaning for me. Spending four years away from you and the children would’ve been a waste of time. But it wasn’t because of you all that I gave it up reluctantly.”

“Really? You truly don’t want to go to college?” Han Aiguo still sounded doubtful. Since the resumption of the exams, he had seen countless people go mad over the chance. Many women had even abandoned their husbands and children to sit for the test. That alone showed how important it was to the educated youth.

Su Yue nodded firmly. “Comrade Han Aiguo, I’m not joking with you. I’m very serious. I really don’t want to go to college. My ambitions simply aren’t there. I don’t need university to improve myself or even to get a job in the future. If I ever decide I want to go, I’ll go. But right now, I have no desire at all.”

Seeing the seriousness in her eyes, Han Aiguo finally began to believe her. Curiosity flickered across his expression as he asked, “Then what is your ambition? Can you tell me?”

Su Yue’s eyes sparkled. Thinking about the reform and opening policy that would be introduced at the end of the year, she shared her plan with him. “What I really want is to open a private restaurant. I’ll cook whatever I feel like each day, only for three tables of guests at most.”

Han Aiguo raised his brows in surprise, and then hesitated. “Your cooking is indeed outstanding. If you opened a place, people would flock to eat. But right now, everyone can only dine in state-owned restaurants. Those with good skills who cook privately do it in secret, and if we follow that path, we’d have to do it secretly too. Wouldn’t that leave you on edge all the time? If someone grew jealous of your success and reported you, it could bring serious trouble.”

Su Yue smiled, slipped into his arms, and hugged his neck. “Of course I know that. Do you think I’ve forgotten the investigation last time? How could I open a private restaurant in secret? The only reason I said this is because the policy will soon change. When the economy opens up, private business will no longer be forbidden.”

Han Aiguo studied her closely. “Really?”

“Of course, believe me; the planned economy can’t last forever. If our country wants to develop and progress, we must develop the economy. The market economy is the only path forward. The country won’t cling to the planned economy forever. I’m certain the change will come soon.”

Han Aiguo was stunned, but he trusted her words without question. When she had spoken of the college entrance exam being reinstated, he had believed her. Now she said the economy would shift, and he believed that too. As he thought about the great changes awaiting the nation, his blood stirred with excitement.

It felt as though he could already see this struggling, patched-up country spread its wings, preparing to soar toward a brighter future. How could a man not be moved by that vision?

As they discussed her plan further, Su Yue explained, “I want to use the front of the yard we bought in the city for the restaurant. We could do business in the front and live in the back. But the space isn’t enough. I want to rebuild the front bungalow into a two-story building, renovate it, and turn it into private rooms. Once the economy changes, I’ll be ready to open.”

Although Han Aiguo didn’t fully understand these matters, he had always supported Su Yue’s ideas. She loved cooking, and her food was delicious. Opening a private restaurant was perfectly suited to her.

“Alright,” he agreed. “In two days, I’ll find some masons to start work on the yard. You think about the decoration style, and we’ll renovate it exactly the way you want.”

Su Yue nodded, already calculating. The timing was just right. Preparations could begin now.

—-

Two days later, Han Aiguo indeed found builders to renovate their house in the provincial capital. Since Han Aimin had nothing to occupy him for the time being, he took on the responsibility of supervising the construction, living there to keep watch.

Meanwhile, Su Yue heard new gossip from the compound. Apparently, Mao Xue next door had also been admitted to the Normal University.

Su Yue’s heart gave a small jolt. Mao Xue had never cared for Ge Jun in the first place. Even before confirmation of her admission, she couldn’t wait to move out, ignoring both husband and child. Now that she had truly gotten in, she would likely be even more eager to leave. Su Yue wondered uneasily if the thought of divorce might take root in her heart.

If it came to that, Ge Jun and little Maomao would be left to rely on each other. Su Yue wasn’t worried for Ge Jun as he was capable, hardworking, and would surely find another wife. But Maomao, that innocent child would lose his mother at such a young age. If a stepmother entered the picture, who knew whether he would live a good life?

Su Yue quietly shared her concerns with Han Aiguo. He comforted her, saying, “Ge Jun is a soldier, and military marriages are protected. Even if she truly wants to abandon her husband and son, it depends on Ge Jun’s will. If he doesn’t agree, Mao Xue won’t be able to divorce.”

Su Yue sighed. “That’s true, but if she’s determined to leave, Ge Jun may not hold on forever. Otherwise, what’s the point of forcing a woman who doesn’t want to stay?”

Han Aiguo fell silent, unable to deny her reasoning. At that moment, he felt incredibly fortunate; how lucky he was to have found a wife who cherished him and his children, never once thinking to abandon them. With such a wife, what more could a husband want?

—

Su Yue’s fears soon proved right. Just two days before reporting to the university, Mao Xue returned, clamoring for a divorce from Ge Jun. The entire compound was shaken, and everyone came out to watch the spectacle. Mao Xue didn’t care about the gossip. She was determined, repeating her demand to divorce.

But Ge Jun refused, and the two remained locked in a bitter standoff.

Not wanting to witness the farce, Su Yue turned instead to Maomao, who sat curled up miserably at the doorstep of the Ge household. She lifted the child into her arms.

The little boy wrapped his arms around her neck, rubbed his cheek against hers, and whispered timidly, “Auntie, can I sleep with Dabao and Xiaobao at your house tonight?”

Su Yue kissed him gently. “Of course, you’ll stay with Auntie tonight. You and Dabao and Xiaobao can play, eat, and sleep together. You can stay as long as you like.”

At her words, Maomao’s dim eyes brightened. He gathered his courage to plant a soft kiss on Su Yue’s cheek, and then laid his head on her shoulder, refusing to glance back at his own home.

Su Yue carried him back to her house, paying no further mind to the divorce turmoil next door. Whatever the outcome between the adults, she had already resolved to look after Maomao. He was such a sensible, pitiful child, it pained her heart. Since fate had placed him in her life, she would do everything she could to care for him. Perhaps her efforts might even change the entire course of his life.

That evening, Ge Jun came to the Han household, his face haggard. He solemnly thanked Su Yue and handed her a bundle of food stamps and money, saying it was for Maomao’s expenses. Su Yue accepted, which eased his worry. Training left him little time to care for the boy, and if something happened while he was away, it would be disastrous. With Maomao already motherless, his father couldn’t be allowed to fall too.

Afterward, Su Yue lost sight of the quarrel. Mao Xue left for university two days later and had no chance to return.

Soon enough, the day arrived for Han Aimin to report to school.

On that day, Han Aiguo took leave from work and borrowed a car. He loaded Han Aimin’s luggage, then brought Old Lady Han, Su Yue, Dabao, Xiaobao, and even Maomao; since no one else could watch him and together the whole family went to see Aimin off.

The provincial university wasn’t far from the city. They arrived quickly, first paying the necessary fees before proceeding to the dormitory. Eight people shared one room, each with a bunk bed and a single locker. The conditions were simple, but such was the norm now, no one could be picky.

When they arrived, the dormitory was already bustling. Among the students were some who looked close in age to Han Aiguo, and others in their thirties. It wasn’t unusual. With no age restriction this year, many in their thirties and even forties had taken the exam, some with children nearly as old as their classmates. The next round of exams would surely set an age limit.

While Han Aiguo and Old Lady Han busied themselves organizing Aimin’s things, Su Yue led the three children to explore the campus. She wanted to plant the idea of learning in their young hearts, letting them feel the sacredness of education.

Hand in hand, the three little ones ran along the campus paths, their eyes wide with curiosity. Xiaobao was especially talkative, constantly turning back to pelt Su Yue with questions about everything he saw. Su Yue patiently answered each one, painting college life in the brightest colors, before concluding with solemn earnestness, “You must study hard so that one day you can come here yourselves.”

The three children nodded with shining eyes, listening intently. At that moment, Su Yue had planted a seed within them; a yearning for knowledge. In the years to come, they would water that seed with diligence and perseverance, until it grew strong and bore fruit. Many years later, all three would pass into Tsinghua University and Peking University with excellent results.

But that was a story for the future.