After Qin Yuanzheng and Qiao Lanshu discussed it together, Qiao Lanshu initially settled on a school: she would apply to the Normal University in the neighboring city of Wencheng.
Wencheng was a fairly important city, being a provincial capital with promising future development.
Moreover, the Normal University in Wencheng had been established for many years and housed many highly respected senior scholars.
More importantly, Wencheng wasn't far from Longcheng. If Qin Yuanzheng's job didn't get transferred anytime soon, he wouldn't have to drive too long to commute back and forth.
Once the decision was made, Qiao Lanshu set this school as her first choice.
Time flew by. In December, Qiao Lanshu, along with thousands of young people, took the college entrance exam.
The exam results came out quickly, and Qiao Lanshu performed excellently—she achieved the highest total score in the entire province.
Before Qin Yuanzheng had even gotten off work, many people came to congratulate him: "Commander, we heard your wife is the provincial top scorer—impressive!"
Another comrade-in-arms said, "Brigade Commander, this might make you a bit unworthy of Ma'am now. With her being so educated, you can't lag too far behind, right?"
Qin Yuanzheng was in a great mood and didn't mind these remarks. He said, "This is my fate. I'm lucky, and you guys can't be jealous of that."
As he spoke, he drove out of the military base and headed straight to the headquarters.
He then went directly to Commander Li's office.
Commander Li was busy and was a bit surprised to see him. "Why are you here?" he asked.
As soon as Qin Yuanzheng entered, he started looking around, saying, "Commander, a provincial top scorer has come out of our military families. As the district commander, shouldn't you offer something to show your appreciation?"
Upon hearing this, Commander Li put down his pen.
He looked astonished. "Oh? Is that so?"
Qin Yuanzheng nodded. He wandered around the office for a bit, then casually opened a box on Commander Li's desk to take a look.
The box contained pastries—at a glance, there were green bean cakes, red bean cakes, and purple potato cakes, all shaped like flowers.
Qin Yuanzheng's eyes lit up, and he reached out to grab one.
Commander Li immediately slapped his hand away, annoyed. "What do you think you're doing? Acting like a bandit? Robbing me outright!"
Qin Yuanzheng stared at the box of pastries, reluctant to let go. "Commander, it's just a box of pastries. Think of it as a reward for the provincial top scorer. That's the province's top scorer—how many years has it been since we've seen one around here?"
Commander Li snorted. "Yes, it's been many years. After all, the college entrance exam only resumed this year."
Qin Yuanzheng said matter-of-factly, "So, giving the top scorer a little gift shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Commander Li watched Qin Yuanzheng's smug behavior and slowly caught on. He looked at Qin Yuanzheng suspiciously and said, "Judging by how cocky you are, could it be that the provincial top scorer is your wife?"
Qin Yuanzheng coughed a couple of times, barely able to hide the gleam in his eyes. "That's right—it's Comrade Qiao Lanshu. As a military family member, she's been proactive and diligent in her studies, taking care of her husband and children while still achieving such outstanding results. Commander, the military district should reward her as a gesture of encouragement."
Commander Li: "..."
Commander Li was thoroughly exasperated with Qin Yuanzheng.
He pointed a finger at Qin Yuanzheng, intending to scold him, but then again, the provincial top scorer was indeed exceptional.
Still, he said, "There's no precedent for this sort of thing. Rewards should be handled by the neighborhood committee. The military isn't really supposed to get involved. However..."
Qin Yuanzheng quickly interjected, "However, you could give it as a personal gift from you—send a box of pastries to the excellent Comrade Qiao Lanshu as a token of encouragement."
With that, Qin Yuanzheng grabbed the box of pastries and turned to leave. "On behalf of Comrade Qiao Lanshu, thank you, Commander."
Commander Li: "..."
Commander Li fumed, "Get out! I don't want to see you for the next few days!"
The box of pastries had only been in his office for less than two hours before Qin Yuanzheng whisked it away.
That rascal Qin Yuanzheng had clearly come to scope out his place because he couldn't find anything nice to delight his wife.
It was just like when he first got married—he'd swept through the office, taking a bunch of rice and sweet potatoes.
Commander Li paced around his office in irritation a few times, then walked to the door and asked the guard on duty, "Have the college exam results come out? Is Qin Yuanzheng's wife really the provincial top scorer?"
News of this had already spread throughout the military district as soon as it broke.
Now, countless people were envious of Qin Yuanzheng.
Before, when he was nearly thirty and unmarried with rumors of infertility, everyone pitied him.
But now? He had both a son and a daughter, his wife had gotten into university, and she was even the provincial top scorer—such good fortune made others green with envy.
The guard nodded. "Yes, Commander. Reporters from Longcheng Daily have already gone to interview her."
Commander Li had been stuck in his office all day, so he'd heard the news a bit late.
Now that he knew, he rubbed his nearly bald head and said, "Yuanzheng really is a lucky guy."
...
Qin Yuanzheng carried the box of pastries he'd taken from the commander's office and couldn't wait to drive home.
As soon as he arrived, he saw a crowd gathered at the entrance of the compound. He drove in and asked the guard, "What's going on at the gate? Why so many people?"
The guard quickly replied, "Brigade Commander, they're all reporters. They want to interview our provincial top scorer."
Since this was a military compound, the guard couldn't let them in, so he had them wait outside while he reported inside.
Qin Yuanzheng thought for a moment. An interview could be a good thing, but he wasn't sure if Qiao Lanshu would be willing to appear publicly.
He said, "I'll go back and ask my wife. Have them wait a little longer."
The guard nodded and hurried back to the gate.
When Qin Yuanzheng got home, he saw Qiao Lanshu and Auntie Shi sitting in the yard, looking at the score report.
Niuwa and An'an were playing in the yard, while Xiaxia was sleeping in a cradle.
It was a peaceful, idyllic scene.
Qin Yuanzheng stood at the door watching for a moment. Then Qiao Lanshu spotted him.
She jumped up excitedly and ran over, saying happily, "Brother Zheng, look! I got into university!"
Qin Yuanzheng crouched slightly, then suddenly scooped up the running Qiao Lanshu and spun her around twice. He laughed and said, "I know—I got the news! I never thought an illiterate guy like me could marry a top scorer. My ancestors must have blessed me."
Of course, Qin Yuanzheng wasn't entirely illiterate—he had joined the army early and attended a military academy there. But if he hadn't enlisted, he wouldn't have gone to university, and he didn't believe he could have passed the exam.
Yet his wife was incredibly capable.
Absolutely amazing!
After spinning her around, he suddenly said, "Sweetheart, let's go eat out today. I want to treat my friends!"
With a wife as impressive as his, he had to tell everyone.
Qiao Lanshu nodded happily and said, "We should. I'll invite my friends too. It's rare to get together, so let's treat everyone to the state-run restaurant."
Now that she'd gotten into university, Qiao Lanshu would soon be heading to Wencheng to study.
They would surely have to relocate the whole family there.
A helicopter airport was being built in Wencheng, and Zhao Jiannong and his wife Huang Erling were already over there.
Qiao Lanshu also planned to meet with Huang Erling once she arrived in Wencheng.
Ever since Huang Erling moved away, Qiao Lanshu couldn’t find anyone to help her make quilts and cotton-padded jackets anymore.
Qin Yuanzheng handed Qiao Lanshu the box of pastries and said, “By the way, this is a gift from our Commander. You’ve never had anything like it before—come on, try some.”
Qiao Lanshu looked a little surprised and said, “Is it from Commander Li? He’s too kind, even sending such beautiful pastries…”
Inside, there were five different flavors, each with five pieces, shaped like little flowers in various colors—absolutely lovely.
Qiao Lanshu put the pastries on the table, gazing at them again and again, reluctant to eat them.
Seeing her like this warmed Qin Yuanzheng’s heart. He knew Qiao Lanshu would like them.
He’d just have to ask Commander Li to part with them for now. Next time, he’d see if he could find any rare goods to send over to Commander Li, so the old man wouldn’t keep fussing.
Auntie Shi also took a look and sighed, saying, “These pastries definitely aren’t cheap. They’re beautiful, and they look delicious too.”
Niuwa perked up the moment he heard about food.
By then, he had already dashed over carrying An’an on his back: “Mom, what’s good to eat?”
He reached out, but Qiao Lanshu slapped his hand away: “You little black cat, go wash your paws first before you come eat.”
So Niuwa took An’an and ran off to wash their hands.
The whole family sat together and tasted the pastries.
After finishing the pastries and tea, Qin Yuanzheng accompanied Qiao Lanshu outside to be interviewed by reporters.
This time, the interview even involved taking Qiao Lanshu’s photo, with plans to publish it in the newspaper.
A total of three newspaper agencies interviewed Qiao Lanshu.
Then, staff members from the local street office also arrived, handing Qiao Lanshu a two-hundred-yuan bonus. They said that the top three spots at the provincial level each received money—the top scorer got two hundred, the second one hundred, and the third fifty.
This reward was meant to support their studies, as a great number of people had registered for this year’s college entrance exam.
Among them, most were sent-down youth and factory workers, and some even included those previously labeled as the “Five Black Categories”.
Although college tuition, room, and board were all covered after they were admitted, these students might not even have enough money for the train tickets to school.
Thus, this bonus was also called “travel expenses.”
But not everyone who got into college was eligible.
Only provincial top scorers like Qiao Lanshu received this. Other admitted students probably didn’t, though their local street offices, production brigades, or sent-down youth stations might offer some encouragement and support.
Qiao Lanshu took the two hundred yuan and said, “Thank you.”
The street office staff were very excited: “Comrade Xiao Qiao is really outstanding! With so many people registering for the exam this year, who would have thought the top scorer would come from right here?”
The 1977 college entrance exam was arguably one of the most competitive rounds ever. Over 5.7 million people took part, but only 270,000 were admitted—the admission rate was extremely low.
Wencheng Normal University, where Qiao Lanshu had applied, admitted only seven hundred students across its fifteen majors.
Under such circumstances, every student who got into college enjoyed a high social status and was almost guaranteed a good job in the future.
Passing the exam was nearly equivalent to passing the imperial examinations in ancient times—a future full of promise.
So, many people came to see Qiao Lanshu that day—delegates from various departments.
Qiao Lanshu felt a bit overwhelmed, so Qin Yuanzheng helped fend them off.
After three days like this, Qiao Lanshu was finally able to rest in peace.
One evening while resting, Qin Yuanzheng hugged Qiao Lanshu and let out a sigh.
Qiao Lanshu looked at him: “Why sigh? Aren’t you happy I got into college?”
Qin Yuanzheng replied, “How could I not be? I’m very happy.”
But he was thinking that Qiao Lanshu would be going to college now, and she was only twenty years old—at her most vibrant and beautiful age.
And she was so pretty.
If, on campus, she met other young, educated male classmates who shared her interests, would her heart waver?
Qin Yuanzheng was usually very confident.
Only in matters of the heart was he insecure.
What could he do? He was married to such a beautiful, young, and educated wife.
He held Qiao Lanshu tighter and said softly, “Wife, when you go to school, will you be staying in the dormitory?”
Qiao Lanshu thought for a moment and responded, “If it’s not mandatory, then I won’t. But if we haven’t moved yet, I can stay there for a while first. After you’ve found a house, we can slowly bring the kids over.”
Hearing that, Qin Yuanzheng got very uneasy.
Qiao Lanshu alone in Wencheng for her studies, sleeping away from home every night, while he stayed home with the children?
Absolutely not.
He couldn’t live without his wife.
He immediately couldn’t sleep anymore and sat up abruptly, saying, “I’ll call Zhao Jianlin and ask him to help find a house.”
Qiao Lanshu quickly pulled him back: “Oh, it’s the middle of the night! Let’s wait a couple of days. There’s no rush—we still have until March before school starts.”
But Qin Yuanzheng couldn’t sleep. After thinking it over, he added, “Or I could apply for a transfer to Wencheng. There’s a military garrison over there—I could go just in time.”
However, if he were transferred, it would be as the garrison’s regional commander. Although it was a lateral move, it meant becoming the top person in the branch, and there would be plenty of competition.
Over the past two years, he’d been busy taking care of his wife and children, neglecting to pursue such positions. Before Qiao Lanshu decided to take the college entrance exam, he had started trying again.
But he still hadn’t found an opportunity.
Qiao Lanshu saw that it was late at night, and he was still not sleeping—now even getting dressed.
She got up as well and scolded him, “It’s already past midnight, and it’s snowing outside. Where do you think you’re going?”
Qin Yuanzheng, while putting on his coat, came over and kissed her, rubbing her cheek and saying, “I’m going to the Commander’s place. You go to sleep first—don’t wait up for me.”
With that, he hurried off.
Qiao Lanshu was speechless.
She muttered to herself, “Why be in such a rush?”
Honestly, staying in the dormitory for a while wouldn’t be a problem. After all, school management was fairly strict back then, and not just anyone could enter the campus.
The dormitory was quite safe.
After Qin Yuanzheng left, Qiao Lanshu couldn’t sleep either.
She got up and took out her transcript, gazing at it over and over again. The happier she got, the more she smiled.
Regrets from her past life—aside from not having children with Brother Zheng—included never being able to attend university.
She had always wanted to go to college.
Now, in this life, her dream had come true.
She placed the transcript by the desk and began writing a letter to her father far away in Yangcheng.
She told him she had been admitted to college, and that she planned to become a teacher in the future.
She also asked about the family’s situation.
At the end, she enclosed the transcript in the envelope, sealed it with wax, and affixed a stamp, planning to mail it the next day.
She had never mentioned Zhong Mei’s matter to her father, afraid that Zhong Mei’s family might track her down through him, and end up ruining her peaceful life.
Qiao Lanshu stared out the window at the swirling snowflakes, full of anticipation for her university life ahead.
