Wang Xiuzhi only half-understood and opened her mouth, “So we just ignore him? Let him do whatever he wants?”
Lin Zhilan laughed, “You want to control him, but you can’t. Don’t make things hard on yourself or the child.”
Wang Xiuzhi thought for a moment, “Alright, I’ll take your advice. Next time Liang Ping comes back, I won’t bring it up.”
Lin Zhilan smiled and praised her, calling her an enlightened mother.
After years of being neighbors, Wang Xiuzhi still wasn’t used to Lin Zhilan’s blunt compliments.
She sat for a little while longer, then made an excuse to leave.
At 6:30, Su Lang turned on the radio. China National Radio was broadcasting the news.
Without the children’s chatter, the couple brewed a pot of tea and sat in the courtyard, drinking leisurely.
The steady male voice from the radio carried the distinctive tone of news reporting.
“The Xinhua News Agency reports on August 21st that the State Council has approved the Ministry of Education’s ‘Opinions on Higher Education Enrollment Work for 1977,’ implementing major reforms to university admissions. Effective immediately, the cultural examination system for higher education enrollment will be reinstated…”
The broadcast continued, and Su Lang and Lin Zhilan held their breath.
“Zhilan…”
Lin Zhilan’s eyes widened, “I heard it.”
Even though she had known for a long time that the college entrance exams would resume, hearing the official announcement made her finally feel at ease.
Su Lang stood up and paced, “This policy won’t be limited to just this year. Chengzhou is lucky. He’ll finish his two years of high school next year, just in time for the second round of exams.”
Lin Zhilan gently pushed him, “Don’t get too carried away with excitement. Go ask Division Commander Qin’s family if we should nudge the propaganda office to spread the news as soon as possible. Anyone interested in taking the exams needs to start preparing.”
The broadcast had already mentioned that the first exam would be held this winter—there weren’t many months left.
Su Lang nodded and went out to handle things.
The radio had switched to the next news story. Lin Zhilan was pondering how to tell Jiang Chengzhou the great news when footsteps approached from outside.
Jiang Chengzhou pushed open the door and walked in.
“Aunt.”
“Chengzhou.”
They spoke at the same time: “I have something to tell you.”
Lin Zhilan, assuming he’d already heard the news outside, smiled, “Let’s say it together.”
“The college entrance exams are back.”
“Su Li has a girlfriend.”
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
Both of them wondered if their ears were playing tricks.
Lin Zhilan blinked and took two seconds to process, “The news broadcast just said universities are reopening enrollment, with the exam scheduled for December.”
“Really?” Jiang Chengzhou was overjoyed.
Su Lang was a college graduate.
Chengzhou had always looked up to his uncle Su Lang as a role model. Though he’d already planned out his future, being able to take the college exam gave him even more options.
“Of course it’s true,” Lin Zhilan laughed. “Tomorrow, when the postman delivers the newspaper, you can read it for yourself.”
“But,” Lin Zhilan’s tone shifted, “what’s this about Su Li having a girlfriend? How old is he? Just a little kid.”
Earlier, Wang Xiuzhi had been complaining about Liang Ping refusing to go on blind dates. Now, her own first grader was dating.
Lin Zhilan covered her face, her head spinning.
Jiang Chengzhou chuckled and explained the whole story.
He’d noticed Su Li had been saving money for a while and suspected something was off.
But then he thought back—he’d done the same thing as a kid.
Back then, he hadn’t told anyone about saving up to buy a camera for his aunt.
So Jiang Chengzhou assumed Su Li was being thoughtful this time, maybe saving to buy a gift for the family.
But earlier, when he took his siblings to deliver hand-made bead bracelets to various homes, Su Li had suddenly disappeared.
Linlin stayed with her Sister Shen Man; the two had endless things to chat about.
Jiang Chengzhou left his little sister with Shen Man and secretly followed Su Li.
Su Li stopped at a small yard with bougainvillea planted by the gate. He leaned against the doorframe and called out.
Soon, a little girl with two braids ran out.
“Su Li, you’re back.”
“Yeah. Did you miss me?”
“I did! Why were you away so long this time?”
“Oh, I was keeping my brother and sister company,” Su Li said, pulling a bracelet made of Job’s tears seeds from his pocket. He handed it to the girl, “This is for you. When you grow up, remember to marry me.”
The girl took it, “Okay.”
Su Li nodded with satisfaction, “It’s a deal. Wait for me—tomorrow I’ll come find you, and I’ll treat you to a milk popsicle.”
“Sure!”
Jiang Chengzhou, leaning against the wall behind him, was stunned.
Who taught Su Li all this?!
After hearing the story, Lin Zhilan’s head throbbed.
Just then, Su Lang returned. Lin Zhilan gave him a sharp look and went into the house.
Su Lang was confused and turned to Jiang Chengzhou, “Did you make your aunt angry?”
“…” Jiang Chengzhou was speechless. “It was your son.”
“My son?” Su Lang realized, “What did Su Li do now?”
Jiang Chengzhou held back a laugh, “He got himself a girlfriend.”
Su Lang: “…”
Lin Zhilan had already changed her clothes and come out, holding a box of pastries. Her face was grim as she looked at Su Lang in the yard, “Alright, let’s go. Clean up the mess your son made.”
Su Lang rubbed his nose and obediently followed his wife out.
Jiang Chengzhou led the way.
After twisting and turning for over ten minutes, they stopped in front of a courtyard gate.
Su Lang pointed at the gate, “This one?”
Jiang Chengzhou nodded.
“Oh no,” Su Lang’s expression turned odd. “Zhilan, this is Commissar Zhuang’s youngest son’s house.”
Lin Zhilan paused and turned to look at him.
Su Lang continued, “Commissar Zhuang has four sons and nine grandsons. His youngest son only has one daughter—the whole family treasures her. Su Li’s legs might get broken.”
Lin Zhilan had lived on the island for years, but aside from occasionally hosting meals for Su Lang’s subordinates in the early days, she’d later buried herself in work, and Su Lang had been transferred to Goose City. She didn’t really know the social dynamics of the family compound.
Hearing this, she already felt a sense of doom.
Jiang Chengzhou also felt a chill run down his spine, “Uncle, what’s the youngest son of Grandpa Zhuang’s name?”
“Zhuang Yi.”
“…” Jiang Chengzhou gave a bitter smile. “Aunt, Zhuang Yi is my current homeroom teacher.”
Lin Zhilan: “…”
Su Lang: “…”
Just then, the courtyard door opened from the inside.
A man in a white shirt and glasses stood behind it, holding an enamel cup. Seeing the three people at the door, he froze for a moment, then his gaze landed on Jiang Chengzhou. “Jiang Chengzhou, what are you doing here?”
“Teacher…”
Lin Zhilan took a deep breath and stepped forward, “Hello, Teacher Zhuang. I’m Jiang Chengzhou’s aunt, and this is his uncle.”
