55: Chapter 55 News at Last 55: Chapter 55 News at Last With Chuxia’s strong objection, Zhao Yulan had no choice but to give up on asking Jiang Yuesheng for help; however, one look at her worried face revealed the bitterness in her heart.
Lin Baohe sighed deeply, his head hanging even lower.
He was consud by self-bla—if it weren’t for his incompetence, neither his wife nor his daughter would have to endure such humiliations.
Since parents are, after all, one’s elders, it was difficult for Chuxia to advise them in a preaching manner.
After so thought, she decided to seek out Luo Gangshun and his wife.
Maybe talking to them would make her parents feel a bit better.
Luo Hongqi had already been taken to the army by Zhou Hanliang, so Luo Gangshun and his wife were now more than satisfied.
When Chuxia ca by and explained the situation, the couple dropped their work and imdiately went to the Lin Family.
Chuxia didn’t know exactly how they had persuaded her parents, but when she returned ho again, she finally saw her parents smiling.
Seizing this opportunity, both families gathered together for a al, formally warming the kang for Chuxia’s family.
Early the next day, Zhao Yulan went to Xiaolin Village and didn’t return until the evening, her face again clouded with gloom—her elder brother, Zhao Yushan, indeed had no chance of becoming the secretary anymore.
Chuxia didn’t accept it easily, but she understood that many things in this era couldn’t be resolved by acting righteously on impulse.
Her uncle had been implicated by them.
The favor owed could only be repaid later.
“Xue Guohong was recomnded for university admission.” It wasn’t until they were going to bed that Zhao Yulan finally shared the news in a faint voice, “There’s only one spot in the town, and Xue Ligang kept it quiet.
Today, the notice ca; in one more month, it’s off to university.
Why is life so unfair?
Why does soone like him get all the good fortune for his family, while us honest folks get bullied by them?
How can Heaven be so blind?”
Chuxia softly encouraged, “Mom, Heaven will see; it’s just not the ti yet.”
The room was damp, and the family still slept together on the sa kang.
“I heard that university admissions won’t be based on recomndations anymore; this is the last batch.
Your uncle has a classmate who is in charge of education…”
There’s news already?
Chuxia sat up excitedly: “Mom, if there are no more recomndations, maybe we can try for the university entrance exams.
Then, wouldn’t I have a chance too?”
“Ah!” Zhao Yulan pulled her daughter back into the bedding, “Silly child, even if it’s true that university entrance exams are possible, the registration will surely have to go through the commune, not to ntion the admission notice—won’t all of that have to pass through Xue Ligang’s hands?”
“Ah?” Chuxia’s voice instantly beca gloomy, “Mom, are you serious?”
“I can’t be certain right now, but I think it’s very likely how things will be done.” Zhao Yulan’s voice was also filled with dejection, “Chuxia, if it doesn’t work out, maybe I should still go ask Jiang Yuesheng.
Just this once, for your future, it’s worth it.”
“Mom, no!” Chuxia firmly refused, “Didn’t you say that Xue Guohong was getting into university on a recomndation?
Wang ihua was already displeased with , and now she’s going to be even less satisfied.
Instead, I think we could try talking to her privately.
What do you think?”
“No way!” Lin Baohe instantly voiced his rejection without a second thought, “That woman is too rash; if it cos to blows, you two are no match for her.”
“How could she be a match for ?”
“You dare to fight her?”
Zhao Yulan was at a loss for words; indeed, put that way, she really wasn’t a match for Wang ihua.
If the negotiations failed, she would truly be at a disadvantage in every aspect.
That night, the family of three slept restlessly.
When they got up in the morning, each wore dark circles under their eyes.
Chuxia couldn’t help but give a wry smile, “Dad, Mom, we don’t know what the outco will be until we reach the very end.
We can’t let ourselves fall apart with worry before we even face the problem.”
“By the way, Mom, I want to visit Grandma’s house today to see if I can borrow so textbooks.
Also, Brother Qiliang should be sending a letter; Xiaoqiong is waiting eagerly.”
“Alright, go ahead.
I forgot about Xiaoqiong’s matter yesterday.
It’s been tough on your grandparents too; they didn’t even bring it up,” said Zhao Yulan as she deftly got off the kang, “Starting today, Chuxia, eat an egg every day.
Whether you go to university or join the army, we need to prepare in advance.”
Chuxia didn’t make a fuss, “Whatever you say, Mom.”
She indeed needed to start getting in shape urgently.
These past couple of days, she had been jumping rope in the yard every morning, along with doing frog jumps.
When she had lived with her eldest uncle’s family, she had never dared to do such things.
With her sister-in-law’s sharp tongue, it wouldn’t have taken long for gossip to spread.
Not working in the fields, yet idly jumping around at ho was highly looked down upon in the countryside.
She could ignore it, but could her parents?
After breakfast, before Chuxia could even step outside, her aunt Lin Baojuan arrived, her cart bearing two bulging big sacks.
“Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, it’s not much, and I can’t help much else, but these flour and dried sweet potatoes are my small gesture, consider it as my contribution to your new ho.”
“Your family isn’t well-off either; don’t…” Lin Baohe quickly tried to stop her, “I appreciate your sentint, sister, but I can’t let it cause trouble between you and your husband’s family.”
“That’s right, Baojuan.
We know you care about us,” Zhao Yulan joined in while handing over a basket to Lin Baojuan, “I made so stead corn bread mixed with white flour this morning, and even boiled an egg for Chuxia.
Don’t always worry about us.
Dajiang and Xiaoxiang are at the growing age; they shouldn’t be neglected.”
“Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, I’m not foolish.
How could I offend my in-laws for your sake?” Lin Baojuan giggled, “When I get back, I’ll talk to them about Second Brother and Sister-in-law’s situation.
My parents-in-law are reasonable people.
They were the ones who asked to bring these things over.
Initially, I thought to co over in a few days, but they insisted I deliver it now, saying you’ve just moved out and that this is when you need things the most.”
Checking the ti, Chuxia bid farewell to Lin Baojuan, “Aunt, I’m heading to Grandma’s so I won’t keep you any longer.
I’ll visit you at your place another day.”
“You’re getting sweeter by the day…
wait a second…” Lin Baojuan turned to Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan, “Second Brother, Second Sister-in-law, if you think of as a close sister, please accept this.”
With the conversation having reached this point, Zhao Yulan and Lin Baohe felt it would be improper to insist further, so they reluctantly accepted, thinking they would repay the favor later.
“That’s more like it.” Seeing that her brother and sister-in-law had finally stopped declining, Lin Baojuan quickly unloaded the bags and handed them to Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan, then turned her cart around, “Chuxia, let your aunt give you a ride.
Let’s go.”
Zhao Yulan hurried forward to intercept, “Baojuan, rest a while.
Eat lunch with us before heading back.
Chuxia can walk to Xiaolin Village by herself; it’s not far.”
“Second Sister-in-law, I still have work at ho, and it’s on the way to drop off Chuxia,” Lin Baojuan said, pointing to the rear seat of the cart.
“Chuxia, hurry up and get on.”
Chuxia felt distinctly uncomfortable.
She was over one ter sixty-five, and her aunt barely reached one ter fifty.
Having soone so much shorter give her a bicycle ride was just too…
embarrassing.
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