At this thought, Gu Baozhu’s heart swelled with excitement.
Gu Jianing, of course, couldn’t outright say that the college entrance examination would be reinstated in just over half a month.
She couldn’t state it explicitly and could only hint at it this way.
Seeing that Gu Baozhu had grasped her meaning, Gu Jianing felt relieved.
It was only during this trip to rescue Gu Baozhu that Gu Jianing recalled the events surrounding her.
She remembered that in her past life, Gu Baozhu had died—a tragic death involving both mother and child.
It was said she had died during a difficult childbirth.
Later, Yang Guangming remarried a woman from the city.
Wu Meili wanted to raise Niuniu, but the Yang family refused.
As for Niuniu…
He died at the age of seven.
It was said that he had drowned after falling into a river during the harsh winter.
Gu Jianing thought that in her past life, just like now, Gu Baozhu might have been killed by Yang Guangming and his mother.
But the truth had been covered up.
Now, Gu Baozhu had been saved by her.
The crimes of Yang Guangming and his mother had been exposed, and they would face punishment.
Having survived a near-death experience and now divorced, Gu Baozhu and her two children would embark on a new life.
Although her mother, Yao Chunhua, and Aunt Wu hadn’t gotten along well before,
Gu Jianing and Gu Baozhu had always maintained a good relationship.
So, if possible, she hoped Gu Baozhu could walk a different, brighter path in this life.
In the blink of an eye, the date arrived—October 22nd.
Today was also the final day of Gu Jianing’s free medical clinic.
After today, they would spend two more days at home before the family of four would set off for the eastern island.
“Wife, you seem especially happy today?” Sheng Zexi asked while driving her to the hospital.
After several years of marriage, Sheng Zexi knew Gu Jianing well.
So he could immediately sense any shift in her mood.
Gu Jianing smiled faintly. “Yes, I’m particularly happy today. I have a feeling something wonderful is going to happen.”
Sheng Zexi raised an eyebrow slightly. “Oh, really?”
He had the impression that his wife’s tone carried certainty.
Did that mean she already knew something good would happen today?
What could it be?
Sheng Zexi was very curious.
After dropping Gu Jianing off at the hospital and seeing her begin her clinic, Sheng Zexi left with peace of mind.
“I’ll come pick you up this afternoon.”
“Okay.”
Before leaving, Sheng Zexi glanced at the line of patients. Perhaps because it was the last day of Jianing’s free clinic, the crowd seemed even larger than on any previous day.
He had also heard that many people from neighboring counties had come.
Once Gu Jianing started seeing patients, she became completely absorbed in her work.
She had no idea how much time had passed when suddenly, a commotion erupted outside.
“Dr. Gu, I’ll go check,” said a female nurse assisting her before hurrying out.
Initially stern-faced, thinking someone might be disrupting the queue, the nurse rushed back in moments later, her face alight with excitement and astonishment.
“Good news! Incredible news!”
“The college entrance exam has been reinstated!”
“What? The college entrance exam is back?”
That’s right—the uproar outside was because the college entrance examination had been restored!
Gu Jianing arched an eyebrow. So, the announcement had come at this exact moment.
She figured her third brother must have heard by now too.
Gu Yunzhou had indeed heard.
He worked at the supply and marketing cooperative, where the broadcast played all day.
Suddenly, the broadcast, which had been airing a story, cut off abruptly.
Then, an urgent announcement began to play.
[We interrupt with an important message from the official broadcast station: From today onwards, universities will resume unified enrollment and examinations…]
For a moment, the entire supply and marketing cooperative fell silent.
When the announcement played the first time, some wondered if they were hallucinating.
But then the same message repeated three times.
That was proof enough—it was real.
“The college entrance exam is back! The college entrance exam is back!”
Everyone in the cooperative, young and old, erupted in cheers.
After a brief daze, Gu Yunzhou’s lips curled into a smile.
The college entrance exam had been reinstated!
So, after all this preparation, he could finally take the exam and go to university?
This was incredible! Absolutely incredible!
The same broadcast reached Huaihua Village, sending waves of excitement through the entire community.
Especially among the educated youth—many of them burst into tears of joy.
The college entrance exam was back! If they could pass, they could return to the city!
Those who had stubbornly refused to marry felt their persistence had finally paid off.
But some who had given up early and married locals now wore grim expressions.
They were not only married but had children.
Married educated youth could still take the exam, but if they passed—what would happen to their rural spouses and children?
In an instant, everyone’s thoughts grew complicated.
Gu Baozhu had just finished her postpartum confinement yesterday.
Though she was staying in her old room at her parents’ house, she knew her sister-in-law wasn’t happy about her long-term stay.
Sometimes, her sister-in-law’s words carried subtle mockery.
She had even mentioned introducing Gu Baozhu to a “suitable match” once her confinement ended.
Of course, her sister-in-law wouldn’t dare say such things in front of their mother—she’d get an earful if she did.
These remarks were only whispered to Gu Baozhu.
Gu Baozhu understood that in this household, apart from her mother, neither her father nor her brother and sister-in-law truly cared about her.
Prideful by nature, Gu Baozhu had spent her confinement thinking about work opportunities or ways to earn a living.
Ideally, she wanted to move out.
But before she could come up with a plan—
Suddenly, the broadcast announced the reinstatement of the college entrance exam.
As the message played on a loop, faint cheers from the village reached her ears.
Unconsciously, her eyes reddened.
Just then, her mother, Wu Meili, rushed home from the fields, still covered in dirt.
Her face was alight with excitement.
“Baozhu! Baozhu! Did you hear? The college entrance exam is back! It’s back!”
“Baozhu, you can take the exam and go to university!” Wu Meili was so overwhelmed that her eyes welled up with tears.
Gu Baozhu nodded. “Yes, I heard. The college entrance exam is back.”
“Mom, are my old books still around? I want to study and take the exam!”
“They’re here! They’re here! I kept all your books safe.” Back then, her husband, son, and daughter-in-law had wanted to sell Baozhu’s books, saying they took up space and could fetch a few cents.
But Wu Meili had refused.
She knew how much those books meant to her daughter—how much they represented her dreams.
She had guarded her daughter’s hope of attending university.
And now, it had finally come true.
“Mom, once I get into university and become a city dweller, once I make something of myself, I’ll bring you to live with me. I’ll take care of you in your old age.”
“Yes, yes.” Wu Meili, who had been holding back, could no longer restrain her tears. “I know you’ll pass! I believe in you!”
Who said raising a daughter was useless? She dared say her Baozhu was better than any son!
Leave a Reply