"You've really had a tough time these days. This meeting lasted a long time, but there's extremely good news!"
Professor Wen looked radiant without a trace of fatigue. As soon as he came back, he went to find Yang Yufen. A group of kids had already eaten their fill and went out to play together. There were only half a month left until the end of the year.
"What good news has made you so happy? Come, sit down."
Yang Yufen quickly greeted him. Aunt Wang also moved over to make room. There were two kids inside the bed.
"Next year, our kids won't have to pay for school!"
After sitting down, Professor Wen couldn't wait to tell the two of them the good news.
"Really! That's great!"
Not only was Yang Yufen excited after hearing this, but Aunt Wang was too.
"Yes, the country is going to implement compulsory education. Although the news hasn't been announced yet, it has reached the most crucial stage and should be a sure thing. In the future, even kids in the mountains will be able to go to school."
After Professor Wen finished speaking, Yang Yufen had already tied on her apron.
"We have to kill a chicken. Oh, these days are really getting better and better. It's such a rare thing for kids to be able to go to school. Good thing, a really good thing!"
"Wait for me a moment. I'll catch the chicken and come back to listen!"
Yang Yufen turned around and was about to go out, then turned back and shouted. She walked so fast.
The rooster they raised this year hadn't been killed yet. They were thinking of keeping it for the Spring Festival, but now it was just right.
"Yufen is still so energetic. Little Baby, do you miss grandma? Your Granny Yang has taken such good care of you."
Professor Wen couldn't help laughing as he watched Yang Yufen disappear in a flash. Then he looked at his little grandson who had crawled beside him and reached out to touch the child.
"She's just happy. I have to say, I'll also add some extra dishes to my dinner tonight. This is a good thing that will benefit future generations. Unless someone has a narrow vision, otherwise, they'll be overjoyed."
Aunt Wang had been bringing the kids over to accompany Yang Yufen these days. The two of them would make shoe soles and insoles, look after the kids and chat. The older kids would do their homework, and Little Fang would help explain and check. The group of kids were very obedient.
"Grandma!"
Little Baby threw himself into Professor Wen's arms, showing that he really missed her.
Seeing her little friend go to her grandma, Miaomiao also crawled over to find her own grandma. The two kids sat in their grandmas' arms and started playing.
While they were talking, Yang Yufen came in carrying a big fat rooster. She casually picked out two nice feathers for the two kids to play with.
"I'll come and help you."
Aunt Wang was just about to get up and put the kids aside.
"No need. You just watch the kids. I'll be quick. The hot water is already ready."
Yang Yufen went into the kitchen, and soon the sound of the chicken flapping could be heard.
After a while, Yang Yufen came out carrying a basin.
"Keep talking. What's this... compulsory what?"
Yang Yufen kicked over a low stool and sat down. She didn't even need to look as she plucked the chicken feathers.
"Compulsory education. Now it's in the discussion stage. After the new year, when the big meeting is held in spring, it will be voted on and announced, and then it can be implemented."
Professor Wen said with a calm smile.
"That's soon. How old do the kids have to be to go to school for free, and for how many years?"
Yang Yufen nodded and asked what she wanted to know.
"Compulsory education means no tuition or miscellaneous fees, and all school - age children are required to enroll. Kids aged seven meet the requirements. The current proposed education period is nine years, but it still needs to be voted on at the meeting."
"So girls can also go to school?"
Yang Yufen suddenly looked up.
"Yes, regardless of gender. This is also to enable more girls to receive an education. If it weren't for the requirement to enroll, there might only be boys in the school in the end."
Professor Wen nodded slightly.
"That's great. It's good to study. If all kids were like Niannian, how promising they would be!"
Yang Yufen lowered her head slightly. She was an old woman who had always been strong - willed. But thinking about her own childhood experiences, the girls in the same village, and the young women she had watched grow up, who hadn't studied and weren't tough enough, they had suffered so much.
"It's good to study. It's good for girls to study."
Muttering to herself, Yang Yufen composed herself.
"Later, make some dried eggplant and stew it with the chicken and potatoes. Everyone will eat here today."
"I have some sweet potato vermicelli at home. I'll go and get it and put some in. The kids like it."
Aunt Wang stood up at once, put the kids on the bed, and Professor Wen watched them.
Yang Yufen plucked the chicken feathers clean and carried the basin into the kitchen again.
It was cold, so they made a big pot of stew. They also made pancakes and steamed rice buns. People could choose whatever staple food they liked.
"It's still lively at your place. Lao Hu and the others are all busy this year. How about having the New Year's Eve dinner here? There's enough space, and the kids all like it."
Looking at the group of kids burying their heads in eating, Professor Wen couldn't help making a suggestion.
"Sure, no problem at all. Let's have the three families together. It's more lively with more people. Isn't the Spring Festival all about the atmosphere?"
Yang Yufen had no objections at all.
"I'm willing! I'm willing!"
Hu Zhenghao raised his left hand high. After shouting, he didn't forget to stuff a mouthful of vermicelli into his mouth with the other hand. The vermicelli soaked in the soup was so delicious.
"Okay, we'll celebrate the New Year at Granny Yang's place this year. Tomorrow we'll start frying the New Year's snacks!"
Yang Yufen smiled cheerfully. She had been looking after the kids and hadn't had time to prepare the New Year's snacks. Now it was just right.
"Let the three families do it together. The meatballs you fried last time were really delicious. I still can't forget them even after a year."
Aunt Wang was also very happy.
"Granny Yang, I'll help too!"
"Okay, okay, okay. You help by eating and tasting the saltiness."
Professor Wen left with his two grandsons. Dabao and Erbao were very reluctant to part.
"Brother, won't you stay?"
"Then how about you go to your brother's grandma's place with him?"
Yang Yufen found it a bit funny looking at the kids' expressions.
"No. Brother's bed is too small. It can't fit so many of us. Goodbye, brother."
Dabao thought for a moment and shook his head. He still had Brother Wang Xing.
"Alright, you three should go to sleep soon. Tomorrow morning when I get up, I'm going to buy the meat for frying the New Year's snacks. You three stay at home. If you're scared, go to Aunt Wang's next door. Do you understand?"
"Okay!"
The three kids answered in unison. Wang Xing happily lay down in the middle of the bed first. He stretched out his arms, and Dabao and Erbao each hugged one of his arms. Yang Yufen covered the three of them with the quilt.
Yang Yufen went out early to buy meat and happened to meet Gui Xiang.
"You're buying so much. Haven't you prepared the New Year's snacks yet?"
Gui Xiang guessed almost right as soon as she saw what Yang Yufen was buying.
"Yes. The kids were all at home before. It's still not too late to prepare now."
"Then later I'll pack some of the date cakes and other things I've made for you to give to the kids. Since we started selling mutton soup, the business has been even better than before."
Gui Xiang now looked a bit plumper than before.
"That's great. It saves me the trouble of making them. You shouldn't keep the shop open too late. Take a few days off at the end of the year."
