Chapter 56 — IAVD (QT) Chapter 56

By the time Ji Xiu finished explaining everything from beginning to end, half an hour had already passed.

Huang Taohua was half-convinced. “You’re saying you already knew this year’s college entrance exam would be restored, so you’ve been studying with Shiyue all along?”

Ji’s sister-in-law looked as though she half understood. “You’re saying you found a really good teacher to guide you, and you’re ninety percent confident about the exam?”

Ji’s elder brother frowned. “So… you can really get in?”

Ji’s father slapped his thigh. “If you can get in, that would bring honor to our ancestors!”

Ji Xiu was helpless. He exchanged a glance with Li Shiyue and finally realized just how unreliable the Ji family could be.

No wonder Huang Taohua was the head of the household, and no wonder his sister-in-law was her most capable lieutenant—because aside from those two, the other pair’s intelligence really needed more polishing.

Ji Xiu patiently explained his thoughts to Huang Taohua.

Huang Taohua hesitated, then looked into her son’s eyes and made up her mind. “Then go try. As long as you don’t come back with a big fat zero and embarrass the Ji family, do whatever you want.”

The corner of Ji Xiu’s mouth lifted, confidence showing. “That won’t happen.”

He was usually all grins and roguishness, never serious. Seeing him suddenly straighten up felt oddly unfamiliar.

Huang Taohua gave a dry laugh, looking at him with a trace of emotion. My son has grown up, she thought.

One month later, the college entrance exam was held in the county seat.

Ji Xiu, Li Shiyue, the other educated youths from Chunxi Village, and countless others all took part in this momentous exam.

As they entered the examination hall, everyone looked spirited. When they exchanged glances, the dark circles carved by sleepless nights still revealed a resilient light.

No matter what petty disputes they had before, no matter what grudges once existed, in the face of the college entrance exam, everything could dissolve into a gentle spring breeze.

They shook hands and made peace, becoming companions on the road ahead.

Some even came specifically to apologize to Ji Xiu for their past behavior.

People often say harsh lands breed harsh folk—but it isn’t that people are born vicious. It’s that when life is impoverished, when survival consumes everything, the heart has no room to be broad.

When everything is pitch-black ahead, some can hold fast to their principles, while others stray into inner demons for a time.

Back in Chunxi Village, the educated youths felt their futures were hopeless. They couldn’t return to the city anyway, so resentment festered. They banded together with Guan Jia’an, breathing through the same nostrils, caring little about right or wrong—only about clumping together and using crude, irrational means to secure a foothold in the village.

The reappearance of the college entrance exam finally made them calm down, made them settle. They no longer framed and fought over wounded pride, but focused all their strength in one direction.

For a whole month, they hunted everywhere for textbooks and materials, studying day and night. Each of them lost more than ten pounds, yet the hope of the exam supported them, letting them face everything with resolve.

And at last, they found the courage to apologize to Ji Xiu.

Though from start to finish they’d never gained the upper hand—every time they confronted Ji Xiu, they’d been soundly beaten.

Still, it was their fault, and they didn’t deny it.

Hearing the apologies, Ji Xiu lifted his head and swept his gaze over them, scrutiny in his eyes. After a long moment, he returned to that careless, roguish look and grinned. “We’ll be classmates now.”

With one smile, old grudges vanished.

The educated youths’ hanging hearts finally settled. Smiling, they took their numbers and separated, each heading into the examination hall.

After the exam, all that was left was to go home and wait for news.

Their choices had been filled out before the exam. Wanting to return to the city through the exam, both Ji Xiu and Li Shiyue listed Huaqing University as their first choice, with their second and third choices also universities in the capital.

The others were similar—most chose universities near their hometowns.

But to know the results, they still had to wait for the scores.

Waiting was undoubtedly the most tormenting part. Over the long twenty days, Ji Xiu remained calm and unhurried, but Li Shiyue tossed and turned every night, unable to sleep.

It wasn’t until the scores were announced over the village loudspeaker by Captain Lin that Li Shiyue jolted awake.

The results were out!

Ji Xiu: first place in the entire city, perfect scores in every subject. Li Shiyue: eighth place citywide, having lost more than ten points on the math section.

As for the other educated youths, some did well, some didn’t. Everyone had their results, but the gaps were large, and none ranked.

Li Shiyue didn’t even notice the rest. From the moment she heard her and Ji Xiu’s scores, she had frozen.

After a long while, she came back to herself. Her eyes reddened with excitement, shock and joy mingling together. She suddenly threw her arms around Ji Xiu and shouted her exhilaration.

“We got in—we got in—we got in…”

Even if Huaqing University didn’t accept them, the other two universities were practically guaranteed.

After so many years, she could finally go home.

Yingzi didn’t understand what the news meant, but seeing how happy her parents were, it had to be a good thing. She beamed and clapped her hands. “Got in! Got in!”

Li Shiyue wiped her tears, pushed Ji Xiu away, rushed over to hug her daughter, and kissed her. “Yingzi, Mommy and Daddy got in! We can take you to see Grandma and Grandpa!”

Yingzi tilted her head and smiled. “See Grandpa and Grandma!”

Her daughter’s innocent smile let Li Shiyue release all her pent-up emotions. Smiling through tears, years of waiting were finally soothed by this opportunity.

Elsewhere in Chunxi Village, the shockwaves of the news were no less intense.

At the educated youth compound, there was excitement, regret, remorse, congratulations, anticipation…

The two female educated youths, having started reviewing early, ranked near the top and had the highest chances of getting into university. After them came several male educated youths, their scores gradually dropping.

At the very bottom was an old acquaintance—Sun Yue.

These past few years, she’d lived too comfortably in Chunxi Village, never worrying about food or clothing, harboring no resentment.

While others occasionally studied and dreamed of one day returning to the city, she devoted all her energy to chasing men, forgetting everything she’d learned.

So when everyone else united to study together, she couldn’t keep up. By the time others hit their stride, she was still frantically trying to pick up the basics.

Being last was only natural.

Her one small consolation was that she was only last among the educated youths, not in the entire village.

After all, a few villagers had also taken the exam—and some came back with a big fat zero, salvaging a shred of dignity for her.

Though in her eyes, that consolation was worse than none at all.

Several villagers had taken the exam; her score could only beat the zero-scorers, while the rest far outstripped her.

She felt utterly miserable.

Of course, no one was more miserable than Guan Jia’an.

Registering for the exam required Captain Lin’s approval, and going to the county seat required a recommendation letter. Guan Jia’an had exposed his ambition, treating Lin Ying as nothing more than a tool, and had offended her.

Lin Ying said nothing, and Captain Lin was already sick of this son-in-law. As a result, Guan Jia’an didn’t even have the资格 to sit the exam. He could only rage uselessly at home, smashing things and making threats.

After a month, it had achieved nothing.

By now, Lin Ying was eight months pregnant, her belly high and round. Pregnancy was hard on her; she slept poorly every night. Guan Jia’an showed no consideration at all, as if the child were something she alone could produce, throwing tantrums every day.

Even if she wanted to keep up appearances and comfort him, she no longer had the patience.

Thus, Guan Jia’an awkwardly discovered that no matter how much he raged or threatened, not a single person in the Lin family paid him any attention.

Even Lin Ying—the only one once on his side—now showed impatience.

Isolated and helpless, he felt his life had been wasted. Hearing others’ exam results broadcast over the loudspeaker only added fuel to the fire, making his heart ache with anger. He didn’t even dare go outside to face people.

Once the undisputed leader among the educated youths, basking in glory—now he was like a rat hiding in a dark corner, able only to spy on others’ achievements.

Compared to him, even Sun Yue seemed rather fortunate.

…

When the results were broadcast over the loudspeaker, the Ji family was eating dinner.

Huang Taohua froze mid-motion. Her chopsticks wobbled, and a piece of fragrant twice-cooked pork fell to the ground.

In the past, the Ji family would have been heartbroken, quickly picking it up, washing it, and eating it anyway.

But at that moment, no one reminded her.

Ji’s sister-in-law broke the silence first. “Little brother… did he really get in?”

Her voice brimmed with disbelief, like seeing an ant overpower an elephant—utterly unreal.

Ji’s elder brother nodded hesitantly. “If I heard right, he’s first.”

Wasn’t that… the top scorer?

The thought flashed through their minds, and their breathing grew unsteady.

No one cared about the meat on the floor anymore. They all jumped up and ran toward the production brigade.

They arrived just as Captain Lin came out of the broadcast room.

Before they could speak, villagers passing by swarmed around him, asking excitedly, “Captain, is Ji Xiu really first?”

They’d heard the broadcast but couldn’t believe it. Citywide first—wasn’t that the equivalent of the ancient zhuangyuan?

No one dared believe it.

Including the Ji family themselves—that was why they’d rushed over to ask Captain Lin in person.

Captain Lin grinned, as if he’d expected their disbelief. He nodded and emphasized three times that the scores were correct.

Even he hadn’t believed it at first and had personally checked with higher authorities. The reply had been clear: no mistake—Ji Xiu was first citywide.

With Captain Lin’s confirmation, the crowd finally erupted.

The Ji family’s ancestral graves must be smoking green—eight lifetimes of incense burned! A top scorer had come from their family!

Noticing the Ji family nearby, people snapped back to themselves and crowded over, offering congratulations nonstop.

In the middle of the crowd, Huang Taohua was overwhelmed with joy. From the moment Captain Lin repeatedly confirmed the accuracy of the news, she’d nearly fainted from excitement.

Once she finally calmed down, her heart felt as refreshing as drinking cool water on a June day.

Seeing everyone gather around, she didn’t mind at all. Animated, she told them how Ji Xiu had been self-studying all along.

“My son is truly smart—self-taught, and he still came out first…”

She said this with purpose. If she didn’t explain, outsiders might think Ji Xiu had no foundation and somehow miraculously took first place.

Even if higher authorities didn’t question it, the village gossip could still twist white into black and fabricate all sorts of accusations.

She knew that all too well.

Fortunately, with her explanation, no matter what people thought privately, Ji Xiu’s achievement looked far more credible on the surface.

Everyone wore expressions of sudden understanding, saying things like “So that’s how it is” and “No wonder.”

After the congratulations, they even escorted the Ji family together to congratulate Ji Xiu in person.

This truly was a once-in-decades event for Chunxi Village, worthy of being recorded in the clan genealogy. It was perfectly normal for the whole village to go celebrate.

Captain Lin stood to the side, chuckling, sharing in the pride.

But since he’d had a conflict with Ji Xiu not long ago, he didn’t plan to join everyone just yet.

After everyone else went, he could visit Ji Xiu alone.

For now, he wanted to go home and have a good talk with Guan Jia’an.

Ji Xiu’s success had changed his thinking about Guan Jia’an taking the exam.

Previously, he’d refused because Guan Jia’an had been too cold, showing no concern for his daughter. He’d feared that if Guan Jia’an got into university, he’d abandon her and leave.

But Ji Xiu and Li Shiyue had shown that there was another path.

If his daughter also got into university and went together with Guan Jia’an, then with matching status and education, there’d be no fear of him abandoning his wife and child.

This year was missed—but there was still next year.

In seven months, there would be another exam.

By then, the baby would be born. Let the couple take the exam together. His daughter had just graduated high school; her knowledge wouldn’t be much worse than Guan Jia’an’s.

With hopeful thoughts, Captain Lin headed home.

Before he even reached the door, he heard sharp screams and frantic curses from inside.

His heart jolted. He rushed in.

Lin Ying lay on the ground, a pool of blood beneath her. Her eyes were closed—life or death unknown.

The rest of the Lin family clustered around her in panic. It had happened so suddenly that no one knew what to do, fumbling as they tried to lift her.

Not far away, Guan Jia’an stood with a vicious look in his eyes, staring at the unconscious Lin Ying without saying a word.

Captain Lin froze in place.

Rage and icy dread surged from his heels to the back of his head.

That attitude—was Guan Jia’an trying to kill his daughter?

Without time to think, Captain Lin rushed forward, shouting for everyone to calm down. He pushed people aside, ordered someone to fetch the village’s lame doctor, then lifted his daughter, intending to carry her inside.

But up close, he saw just how much blood there was.

Could she really be saved?

Fear gripped him.

“This won’t do—we have to go to the hospital!”

A large crowd had appeared in the courtyard without him noticing. Ji Xiu, at the front, spoke up and snapped Captain Lin out of it.

Captain Lin repeated blankly, “To the hospital?”

Ji Xiu glanced at the blood on the ground and answered firmly, “If you don’t, it could be two lives lost.”

Captain Lin’s eyes turned red. Without hesitation, he turned around. “Let’s go—to the hospital!”

In the 1970s, attitudes were still conservative. Many women gave birth at home, too embarrassed to go to the hospital. If they did, people would gossip afterward—calling them delicate, pretentious, lacking virtue.

If Ji Xiu hadn’t said that, Captain Lin—loving his daughter—might have chosen to call a doctor and have Lin Ying give birth at home, for the sake of her reputation.

But the situation was already so critical.

Ji Xiu had already been considered cold-hearted for not stopping Lin Ying’s marriage back then.

Faced with life and death, to stand by indifferently would have been less than human.

So he spoke up, unafraid of the consequences.

And it was precisely because of that reminder that Captain Lin finally made the decision to send Lin Ying to the hospital.

As the production brigade leader, Captain Lin controlled village affairs. As long as he insisted, the trip to the hospital could be made.

Ji Xiu stood where he was, watching the Lin family somehow procure an ox cart, loading Lin Ying and the lame doctor onto it. As they staunched the bleeding, they rushed out of the village.

Only then did he let out a small breath. Please be safe. Li Shiyue seemed to understand his mood. Standing beside him, using her body as cover, she reached out and held his hand.

Ji Xiu froze and looked down at her.

She whispered, “Don’t worry. Nothing will happen. You don’t need to be afraid.”

Afraid?

Had he shown fear?

Li Shiyue continued softly, “She’ll be safe—just like I was.”

Ji Xiu was momentarily dazed, memories surfacing of Li Shiyue’s childbirth five years earlier.

She’d had a difficult labor too—an entire day without delivering.

The original Ji Xiu had been terrified and wanted to take her to the hospital.

The midwife helping at the time—whether feeling her livelihood threatened or simply disliking hospitals—had quickly brainwashed him, telling him to think carefully: once they went, his wife would be seen naked by doctors and nurses.

By then, his feelings for Li Shiyue weren’t as deep. Ten months of pregnancy meant ten months of no intimacy, and his affection had gradually faded.

So he hesitated.

And in that hesitation, Li Shiyue couldn’t hold on any longer and passed out.

Only then did he panic and rush her to the hospital, throwing the midwife’s words out of his mind.

Afterward, Li Shiyue was deeply moved. In Chunxi Village, his decision had been extremely unconventional.

If not for that choice, she would have died in childbirth.

Because of that, she treasured their hard-won daughter Yingzi immensely, and she tolerated him in many ways—even when he amounted to nothing, she rarely complained.

Now that Li Shiyue said this…

She must have been thinking of herself.

Understanding the full thread of it, Ji Xiu nodded and said with certainty, “She’ll definitely be safe—just like you were.”