Back to 1979: Sending the Educated Youth’s Wife Back to the City

Chapter 79 College Entrance Examination Volunteer

It's May now, and it's time for those who want to register for the college entrance examination to fill in their application forms.

After closing the stall and having dinner that day, Fang Mingche called his cousin's boss.

As agreed before, my cousin would bring Fang's father to answer the phone. This is much more convenient than queuing at the post office.

Originally, he was going to ask his elder brother Fang Minghua to handle this matter, but later he thought that his elder brother was really unreliable.

In his previous life, he mentioned that outsiders could impersonate someone else to study and it would only be discovered decades later. It would be even harder for a brother to be discovered. He also said that he had read so many books and he didn't want to go to college, so why not help him take the exam?

Fang Mingche was worried about entrusting him with the exam. When he went back at the end of June, he saw Fang Minghua's name on the admission ticket. By then, it would be too late!

It’s still the old man’s job to make a trip.

Three months had passed since his youngest son left for the capital. No matter how angry Mr. Fang was, he had almost calmed down.

When he heard that it was about registering for the college entrance examination and filling out applications, he followed his cousin Fang Mingfeng to the county town to answer the phone.

The old man has always believed that "all classes are inferior, only education is superior". If you study and get a formal job, you can change from farming to non-farming and eat commercial grain.

That's why he was so angry because Fang Mingche insisted on quitting his job as a public teacher in the village primary school.

For children from farming families, that may be the only chance in their lifetime to change their fate and eat government food.

Fortunately, the college entrance examination has been resumed. I can still try to enter university.

If it wasn't for something serious like this, he wouldn't bother to make this trip. He also had to pay 60 cents for the round trip fare. 60 cents was hard-earned money even for an old farmer who worked hard to make a living.

"Dad, are you and mom okay?"

Father Fang said, "What can be wrong with us? Let's talk business. Long distance calls are expensive."

Fang Mingche knew the old man's temper, so he told him his intentions.

"Well, I can use my household registration booklet to register for you at the school's repeater class. But you teach math, so why do you want to apply for the Chinese department?"

"I actually like poetry and songs. But teaching Chinese in primary school is really boring. Teaching mathematics is easier. Besides, I taught more than just mathematics. Principal Wu pushed all the subjects that no one else taught to me."

Since he graduated from a regular secondary school, his basic skills must be up to par.

Village primary schools are in dire need of teachers, and there are no quotas to fill them, which results in many subjects being left untaught.

He taught music classes for two semesters.

At first there was not even an organ, so he played the accordion to teach his students.

Father Fang looked at what he had written down. His first choice was the Chinese Department of BJ Normal University, and his second choice was the Chinese Department of Capital Normal University, both of which accepted transfers.

He can read and write, having studied with a private school teacher for several years.

"Isn't your aspiration a bit too high? Don't let it get you rejected because you applied too high and end up being unable to leave again this year."

This is the third year that my youngest son has taken the college entrance examination, so he still has some understanding of it.

Fang Mingche said, "Dad, the information and teachers at the restudy schools in the capital are much better than those in our small place. I applied to the school based on the mock test questions from the best restudy school in the capital and my own test scores. My teacher also suggested that I apply this way! Please don't change it on your own."

"You don't even have a hukou in the capital, how can you take revenge and attend classes?"

"There is a high school teacher in our compound. I asked Ayan to sign up, and then we shared the review materials. I also did the test papers, and asked my neighbor to take them to the teacher of the review class to mark them. They are all based on the test scores. Can the teacher harm me for no reason? We live in the same compound, so we are very familiar with each other."

Father Fang was quite convinced by the teacher's words. He nodded immediately, "That's good. I was also worried that you applied for a higher score, which would result in another year of hard work being wasted. What about Yan?"

"Her first choice was to apply for the junior college program at Capital Normal University."

Mr. Fang nodded, "Okay, I'll report it as the teacher said. Remember to bring some gifts to thank the person who graded your paper and gave you advice." "Yes, I know."

"Is Yanyan okay?"

"She's fine, and has adapted well. If I pass the exam, Dad, if you miss us, go to the Party branch secretary to get a letter of introduction and take the train to Beijing to see us. I'll give you the travel expenses!"

Father Fang asked, "I heard that you set up a tea stall in Tiananmen Square. Is your business going well?"

"Yes, there are 20,000 people in the square every day. Drinking it warms the body in winter and quenches thirst in summer. This business is about small profits but quick turnover. Even if many people set up tea stalls later, they still make more than the two of us who are village primary school teachers."

"Okay, let's stop here."

"Dad, remember to go there in person."

"understood."

A few days later, Fang Mingfeng called Mingche and told him, "Well, uncle has done everything for you. It's exactly according to your request. When will you be back?"

"Planning for the end of June."

"Do you want me to find a driver to pick you up?"

Fang Mingche said, "Forget it. Asking someone to pick me up might not be a good time."

In late May, we dealt with a batch of unsalable products from the supply and marketing cooperative. This month's income was barely one thousand.

Lin Yan looked at the savings book that had just reached 6,000 yuan in total, "I feel like I have lost a lot of income all of a sudden this month."

Although the round number of 6,000 seemed quite comfortable, she felt a little upset when she thought that it was 900 yuan less than last month!
Fang Mingche laughed, "Then when school starts in September, the tea stall won't be open anymore. What should I do?"

Lin Yan's face changed. Yes, if they all go to college, they will definitely not be able to do business.

I’m so reluctant!

Fang Mingche touched her head. "Not really. I'll figure it out when I get to university. It's just that I can't run the tea stall business near Tiananmen Square anymore. I'll decide what to do after I get admitted. Anyway, no matter what I do, I'll have the capital."

Lin Yan nodded and looked at Fang Mingche with conviction.

In February, she and many other educated youth who returned to the city were at a loss, but Mingche still had so many ideas. He would definitely not stop there after going to school.

On Children's Day, she dressed Yanyan in a beautiful dress and put a plastic water bottle on her back. She wore the first pair of rubber sandals that were sold. Although the style was not very good, the advantage was that the little girl was good-looking.

She also changed into a new skirt and leather sandals.

A few days ago, my aunt, who had been angry with her mother for three months, finally came to visit again. She happened to be riding a women's bicycle back home.

At that time, my aunt said that she had become much more Westernized.

What's the point of becoming fashionable? It's just that I have more money and am more willing to spend it on myself.

The three of them were all well-off, and they bought their clothes at big malls. She was even brave enough to ride a bicycle with Yanyan to the Friendship Store.

It used to be a place for foreign guests and overseas Chinese. Some things only accept foreign currency.

But now ordinary people can also go in. It is okay to go in and see things that do not require foreign exchange.

She bought some clothes for her family of three there.

Well, I left it here and didn’t dare take it back to my parents’ home.

However, she also bought milk powder, malted milk and other things for her parents.

(End of this chapter)