Seeing this, the other educated youth quickly began to downplay themselves.
“My family doesn’t like me—we’ve basically cut ties. But if they found out I got married in the countryside, they’d probably demand a huge bride price.”
“I’ve always been sickly and have had to take medicine since I was little.”
“My family has already set me up with someone. I’m supposed to go back this year to get engaged.”
Excuses of all kinds poured out.
Immediately, some of the aunties rolled their eyes. “Alright, alright, don’t flatter yourselves. But if you still can’t return to the city in a few years, no one will want you for real.”
The educated youth smiled awkwardly.
“We’ll wait and see.”
It wasn’t until they left the crowd that they breathed a sigh of relief.
“That scared me to death. For a moment, I felt like several aunties were looking at me as if I were a prized pork bun.”
“Let’s all be careful lately. Even though most people in Ping’an Brigade are good, there might be a few with ulterior motives. Don’t go out alone.”
“Got it.”
They understood clearly that the more critical the moment, the more cautious they needed to be.
Gao Le and Zhao Su’s departure had lit a fire under them, making them take the upcoming college entrance exam even more seriously.
They, too, wanted to leave the countryside and return to the city. If their families couldn’t pull strings to get them back, they would rely on their own abilities to return with dignity.
From that day on, the educated youth studied even harder.
Even Lin Ping’an could feel the intense, competitive atmosphere of their studies.
In such a fiercely competitive environment, he, too, was influenced and began to devote more time to studying.
No one could have predicted that this would be the year countless students set sail toward new horizons.
Though Song Wei herself wasn’t taking the exam, she kept a close eye on the news about the reinstatement of the college entrance exam.
Their household was the only one in the entire brigade with a radio, and the educated youth at the educated youth compound were her friends. It felt right to keep an ear out for them.
By late September, the autumn harvest in Ping’an Brigade had concluded. Then, in mid-October, the news Song Wei had been waiting for finally came through the radio.
Lin Ping’an happened to be there at the time. When he heard the news, his expression shifted from disbelief to sheer joy.
As a student himself, he understood perfectly what the college entrance exam meant for students and educated youth alike.
“Sister-in-law, is it true? Has the exam really been reinstated?”
After the uplifting news last year about the removal of the “Four Olds,” this year had brought another heartening announcement.
Song Wei nodded. “It’s true!”
“That’s wonderful! I’ll go tell the educated youth right away!”
He knew that, more than anyone, they would be eager to hear this news.
Song Wei picked up one of the twins. “I’ll come with you.”
Lin Zhen wasn’t home, so the two of them, each carrying a little one, hurried toward the educated youth compound.
In the educated youth compound, the young men and women were studying intently in their communal dormitory when Song Wei and Lin Ping’an suddenly arrived, their faces beaming with joy.
Though they didn’t yet know what had happened, the educated youth felt their hearts suddenly begin to race.
“Great news! The college entrance exam has been reinstated this year! It’s scheduled for December 10th to 12th—that’s less than two months from now!”
Although the educated youth had been eagerly anticipating this, when the news finally arrived, it struck them like a thunderbolt, leaving them stunned and speechless.
The compound fell into a sudden silence, broken only by the sound of the wind.
It took a long moment before someone finally spoke up.
“R-Really? We… we didn’t mishear, did we?”
Song Wei replied with utmost seriousness, “You heard correctly. Lin Ping’an and I listened to the broadcast several times at home. The exam will be held over three days, from December 10th to 12th.”
Once the news sank in, someone covered their face and began to cry.
“Wuwu… It’s finally happened. I made it through…”
This was especially true for the older educated youth, who had resigned themselves to a life of tilling the land under the sun, a future that seemed predetermined and unchanging.
Now, with this sudden, joyous news, they realized they could leave this place, return to the city, and through the college entrance exam and their own efforts, carve out a life of their own. They had endured, and they had made it.
How could they not weep with happiness?
No one would dream of mocking those who hid their faces and cried.
They all felt like crying too; their eyes reddened with emotion.
After the tears of excitement subsided, everyone looked at Song Wei with profound gratitude.
“Thank you, Song Zhiqing. Thank you so much.”
Li Juan and several other female educated youth stepped forward and hugged Song Wei.
“If it weren’t for your reminder, we might have given up and hastily married someone.”
It wasn’t that they looked down on rural life—they simply didn’t want to settle for a fate decided in haste when better opportunities existed.
Song Wei smiled gently. “This is the result of your own perseverance.”
Finally, Song Wei wished them success in the college entrance exam.
Compared to other educated youth who would be caught off guard by the sudden news, those in Ping’an Production Brigade had been studying for nearly two years. They held a significant advantage.
Not wanting to disrupt their studies further, Song Wei took her leave.
But the group was too excited to focus on studying just yet. Someone suggested celebrating.
“Song Zhiqing has helped us so much and brought us such wonderful news. We must host a feast to celebrate!”
“Yes! I still have some cured meat—let’s stir-fry it.”
“I’ve saved quite a few eggs, and we can slaughter a rooster too.”
“I have dried mushrooms and smoked fish.”
“Then I’ll contribute the grain—all refined wheat flour.”
“I’ll provide the rice!”
The educated youth pooled their resources, bringing out foods they usually hoarded and rarely ate.
The best cook among them took charge of the kitchen, while the others assisted.
They were determined to prepare a lavish dinner and invite Song Wei’s entire family to share it with them!
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