I was married off to a disabled hero in lieu of marriage; my in-laws doted on me and I aspired to gr

Back in the workshop, Yang Zheng asked nervously, "Master, you didn't get into a fight with Factory Director Tang, did you?"

"No, Master isn't that kind of person. Yang Zheng, come on, let's go on patrol."

"it is good."

Yang Zheng quickly grabbed his notebook. He would write down any problems he encountered during his patrol so that he could see how his master solved them and be able to handle them on his own the next time.

"Director Tang is still a man of honor. Your squad leader is gone, so be it. It's no big deal." Chen Yan said casually.

"Yes, I've only been working at the factory for a year, so I'm really not qualified to be a team leader."

"It's not that you're unqualified, it's just that the higher-ups are investigating employees who got in through connections recently, so it's best for you to keep a low profile. But don't worry about one thing, your master will definitely protect you."

"Master, I..."

"It's true that he got in through connections, and it's also true that he's hardworking. A factory this big can't be full of scoundrels who got in by taking over jobs, right? There have to be some educated people, right? Yang Zheng, let's work overtime and get Wenhui's prosthetic leg done as soon as possible. We'll do the cavity molding tonight, and hopefully there won't be any more problems."

"Master, will this affect my sister?"

"Who knows how fickle people can be? But I've observed that Fang Guangming, who usually mocks you, didn't step on you when it really mattered. Friends say a few words to your face, but never stab you in the back."

"Um."

"No matter what lies ahead, mastering skills is what truly matters. I think if the factory doesn't want you anymore, you can make prosthetics; you'll earn much more than you would working in a factory."

"That won't do, isn't that speculation and profiteering?"

"Speculation and profiteering? Let me tell you a little-known fact: Comrade Deng has taken full charge of the work. I heard that the first shot was the college entrance examination, and the second shot was the nationwide economic reform."

Yang Zheng's spirits lifted: "Master, is what you're saying true?"

"So, are you going to take the college entrance exam or participate in economic reforms?"

"Am I eligible to take the college entrance exam?"

"Sure, of course you can. It's quite tough to study while working."

"Master, I want to take the college entrance exam. Rather than relying on connections, I'd rather rely on my own abilities," Yang Zheng said excitedly.

"It sounds good, but I've only heard about it. As for when the exam will be held, I don't know."

"It's never wrong to start learning now."

"Good lad, you've got guts. If you pass the exam, you can get a temporary position at your workplace and come back as an engineer in the factory. But university takes four years, and by the time you finish, you'll be thirty. Don't you still want to find a wife then?"

"It's okay, as long as I can pass the exam, it doesn't matter if I'm forty years old."

"Okay, okay, from now on, your master will take care of more work-related matters, so you can save your energy for studying."

"Yes, thank you, Master."

After get off work, Yang Zheng went to the dormitory with his master.

Yang Zheng lives alone, and his dormitory has almost become a workshop, filled with tools and materials for making prosthetics.

Master Yang Zheng and his master have made it five times, and failed five times. Some times it wrinkled because the temperature was not high enough, and some times it broke because it was not tough enough. There were all sorts of reasons, and this was the fifth time.

Yang Zheng spent all the money he had saved last year, as well as his salary, on the materials. If he still didn't succeed, he would have to ask Qiaoqiao for help.

"Come on, come on, slowly peel off the film."

Yang Zheng's hands were trembling. He had failed too many times. If it weren't for his master's constant encouragement, he would have lost the motivation to move forward.

"Good, good, no wrinkles. Good, good, no damage."

"Yang Zheng, good, good, you succeeded."

Chen Yan shouted, startling Yang Zheng, who slowly removed the thorax from the plaster cast: "Master, it's done, it's done! Mine is also intact."

"Look, Yang Zheng, feel it. Isn't it very resilient? It's almost like skin."

"Yes, Master, we succeeded! We really succeeded!"

"Well, you're halfway there. We still need to have your brother-in-law try it on, and then make a calf support based on his weight."

"Master, I'd like to go to my sister's house today."

"It's too late, there's no shuttle bus back."

"It's okay, I'll take the morning bus back tomorrow."

"Alright, go ahead. I'll design the calf support properly tonight, and we can start construction tomorrow."

Yang Zheng found a travel bag, put the receiver in it, and ran away.

He was almost downstairs when he turned back: "Master, could I borrow a dollar?"

"Silly boy, here, two dollars."

"Thank you, Master."

Zhou Wenhui was going out to give a speech the next day, so Qiaoqiao and her mother prepared their luggage early in the morning. Three white shirts, two sets of brand-new military uniforms, three pairs of underwear, and a large bag of diapers.

"Qiaomei, Zhou Wenhui, open the door."

It was already dark, and the gate to the compound was bolted. Yang Zheng pounded on the gate.

"Why does this sound like your brother? I'll go check on him." Qiaoqiao's mother put down the clothes and hurriedly went outside.

"Mother, it's me!" Yang Zheng shouted as he saw his mother through the crack in the door.

"Why are you here so late, child? Have you eaten yet?" Qiaoqiao's mother asked as she opened the door.

"I haven't eaten yet, Mom. I'm eating noodles, two big bowls of them."

"Okay, Mom will make it for you. There will also be meat soup tonight, which is delicious with noodles." Qiaoqiao's mother said with a smile.

Yang Zhengfei ran into the house, and Zhou Wenhui, who was in a wheelchair, smiled and said, "You must be very busy with work. It's been a long time since you've been back."

Yang Zheng put the travel bag on the ground, took out two soft prosthetic limb sockets, and couldn't contain his joy: "Wenhui, look, the prosthetics are done."

"real?"

"Feel it, isn't it as soft as skin?"

Zhou Wenhui held a prosthetic leg in his arms as if it were a treasure trove of gold and silver.

"Good, very good, Yang Zheng, you really did it?"

"Come on, take off your pants and let's try them on. If the size is right, my master and I will make a calf support immediately."

"Come on, help me take off my pants."

Qiaoqiao came out of the house without disturbing her brother, and watched them carefully put on the prosthetic socket.

"Is it tight? Does it hurt?"

"It's not tight, it fits my thighs perfectly, it's very stable, I won't fall while walking, right?"

"After you get it installed, you'll need to practice walking. Once you're used to it, you'll be able to walk around everywhere."

Zhou Wenhui was so happy he almost cried: "Yang Zheng, you're amazing, you actually managed to do it!"

"Sincerity can move mountains. My mind is filled with thoughts of prosthetics, and I even dream about them. With my master's help, I'm sure I can succeed."

"Yang Zheng, thank you."

Qiaoqiao watched, tears streaming down her face.

Qiaoqiao's mother looked at it and smiled with satisfaction.

The son-in-law can walk now; his prosthetic leg was made by his son.

"Mom, I'm hungry. Is the noodles ready?"

"Alright, alright." Qiaoqiao's mother brought out a bowl of noodles, mixed with the leftover pork belly from dinner.

There's still some left in the pot; we need to eat two bowls.

"Okay, Mom's noodles are delicious, I can eat two big bowls."

Qiaoqiao's mother was heartbroken; this child must be starving.

While eating noodles, Yang Zheng said, "Wenhui, my master told me today that the country may be reinstating the college entrance examination."

"Do you want to go to university?"

"Yes, I think so. I also want Qiaomei to try." Yang Zheng looked at Qiaoqiao.

Qiaoqiao waved her hands repeatedly: "No, I can't, brother. I only graduated from junior high school. Besides, junior high school was just half a day of classes. I was just wasting my time."

"Qiaomei, if you can't do it, then nobody can either. Start studying now. If you don't pass, accept it. But what if you do?"

"Oh no, that won't do. Qiaoqiao is pregnant," Qiaoqiao's mother objected.

"It's not like the exam is tomorrow. You're at home, not able to move around freely, so it's a good time to study. Qiaoqiao, times are changing, you need to have your own career too. Are you going to stay at home and be a housewife forever?"

"But... Brother, this is taking the college entrance exam, not growing vegetables. You can't just say you can pass it."

"I'll come to your house every Sunday from now on. If you don't understand something, just ask me, and we'll learn together."

"I can't, brother, I really can't."

"I think it's a good idea. Brother is right. Qiaoqiao, this is an opportunity." Zhou Wenhui agreed.

"But I have to take care of my child."

"Didn't I say, brother? It's not like the exam is right away. There's no harm in trying. There hasn't been a college entrance exam for ten years, so everyone's knowledge level is low. You have Yang Zheng as your teacher, and you also have me. I can teach you too."

"I...I..." Qiaoqiao looked at her mother with difficulty, hoping that she could say a few words for her.

"If Qiaoqiao really wants to take the exam, I'll take care of her."

"mother……"

"That makes sense. Women hold up half the sky, so you need to have a job. Qiaoqiao may only have a junior high school education, but she's not bad at it. Your grandfather taught you arithmetic, right? You know it."

"Mother, the college entrance exam, what Grandpa taught us was just the tip of the iceberg."

"Qiaoqiao, just treat the college entrance exam like a small test. No matter how you do, no one will blame you. Reading books can enrich you, right?" Zhou Wenhui encouraged.

"Well, let's give it a try then."

"When I go to give a speech in another city, I will visit various bookstores to find some materials for you."

"Thank you, Wenhui. I'm counting on you. Oh, and I also need to write to Jintao so he can take the exam too."

"Brother, isn't it too early without official documents?"

"It's not too early. This is called being prepared. With knowledge in your heart, you won't be afraid of any exam, no matter when it is."