The news of the reinstatement of the college entrance exam appeared as headlines in major newspapers on a Friday in October.
The factory’s loudspeakers cycled through the announcement about the exam’s return, and Sister Liu noticed that Fei Ni’s eyes were unusually dark and bright.
At lunch, Fei Ni was especially generous, buying the only two meat dishes available in the cafeteria for Sister Liu and their group.
“Fei, why are you so happy today?”
“It’s because of the college entrance exam. Fei knows a lot—I bet she’ll pass in one go. The rules say that if you have five years of seniority, you can study with a salary. The factory will still pay you while you’re in school, and after graduation, your salary will be adjusted to match that of a university graduate. Your pay will go up after you finish studying—what a great deal! If I didn’t have kids, I’d take the exam too.”
Fei Ni said, “You can still take the exam even if you have children. It’s fine.” She couldn’t give up this hard-won opportunity just because she had a home.
The female worker chuckled. “You know how little I know, right? I haven’t studied properly since elementary school. I’ve even forgotten what I learned back then. I’m not afraid of anything except exams.”
Sister Liu said to Fei Ni, “How about I approve two days off for you so you can focus on studying?”
Fei Ni thanked her but replied, “No need. I won’t neglect my work at the factory for even a day.”
“Look at Fei’s dedication,” Sister Liu praised her in front of the others before adding, “Let me know if you need anything.”
As soon as her shift ended, Fei Ni rushed to the cafeteria to grab some quick-boiled meatballs. Carrying her lunch box, she headed toward the main gate and spotted Fang Muyang before even leaving the factory grounds. He was waving a newspaper at her.
The headline was about the reinstatement of the college entrance exam.
A week earlier, Fang Muyang had told Fei Ni that the exam would be reinstated and had brought her a stack of books from Teacher Mu, urging her to study hard. At the time, Fei Ni hadn’t seen any official news and found it hard to believe. But today, hearing the announcement over the loudspeakers, even the tips of her hair seemed to radiate joy.
She quickened her pace toward Fang Muyang and hopped onto the back of his bicycle.
“I got you some quick-boiled meatballs,” she said, her voice brimming with happiness. She had waited years for the exam’s return, and now she finally had a chance to prove herself. If her scores were high enough, she could go to college. She no longer envied the Worker-Peasant-Soldier University Students—though they had university diplomas, they hadn’t received much education. If Ling Yi Feng Lin, the daughter of the finance department head, could go to college, so could she. And she would rely on no one but herself.
In the days leading up to the exam’s reinstatement, watching Fang Muyang’s life improve had made her happy for him, but it also heightened her anxiety about her own stagnant career.
Now, with the college entrance exam, she finally had a chance to prove herself. She was tired of people saying how lucky she was to marry Fang Muyang. He was wonderful, but she was not unworthy of him.
“Isn’t such good news worth celebrating at a restaurant?”
“Yes,” Fei Ni replied without hesitation. The autumn breeze brushed against her neck as she adjusted the sweater she had knitted for Fang Muyang.
They went back to the Russian restaurant, and Fei Ni ordered generously. But when Fang Muyang tried to order alcohol, she stopped him.
“Let’s not drink today. I need to study when we get back.” Fei Ni wasn’t too worried about herself—she was worried Fang Muyang might not pass."With your level, missing one day of review won't matter." Fang Muyang was well aware of Fei Ni's capabilities and wasn't worried about her college entrance exam.
Fei Ni shook her head, "Let's drink after the exams. We can drink as much as you want then."
"As much as I want?"
"Would I lie to you?"
"Do you remember? Last time you told me if you could leave the hat factory, you'd do anything I said."
"Did I?"
"Think about it again."
Fei Ni fell silent. Back then, she had thought Fang Muyang was joking.
"If you don't want to hear it now, I'll tell you when we get back tonight."
"How do you remember so clearly?"
"I remember everything you say clearly."
"I don't believe you." He had asked her out to a movie, and she waited for him all day, but he stood her up.
"What have I ever forgotten that you said?"
Fei Ni didn't want to bring up old matters. Remembering such trivial things from so long ago would make her seem petty.
"Even if you're applying to the Art Academy, you still have to take the exams with us. Quit your job at the restaurant and focus on studying at home."
Fang Muyang laughed, "You have too much faith in me." He didn't even believe he could pass the cultural subjects exam.
"Your specialized subjects are fine, it's just the cultural subjects that are a bit troublesome. I can tutor you. Even if you don't get in this year, you can try again next year. You'll get in eventually. We have savings at home, so not earning that restaurant salary won't affect our livelihood."
"What if I fail every year?"
"Impossible, you're not that stupid." Fei Ni's eyes remained fixed on Fang Muyang, "Listen to me, quit your job and prepare for the college entrance exam, okay?"
Even if Fei Ni hadn't said anything, Fang Muyang had already planned to resign. The restaurant management intended to promote him, but he didn't think he was leadership material. Besides himself, he didn't want to lead anyone. Moreover, after working at the restaurant these past days, his enthusiasm had largely worn off. He preferred spending most of his time painting.
Fang Muyang said to Fei Ni, "Alright."
Fei Ni thought it would be nice to have some alcohol now, but there was none. Still, sometimes even drinking borscht could be intoxicating.
"After you quit, focus on studying at home. I'll go to the bookstore tomorrow to see if there are any new books."
"You focus on your own review, don't worry about me. Don't let me hold you back." For Fang Muyang, getting into the Art Academy would be nice, but if he didn't, it didn't matter either. One didn't necessarily need to attend the Art Academy to learn painting.
Fei Ni felt Fang Muyang's words were too distant, "When I tutor you, it's like reviewing the knowledge myself. There's no such thing as you holding me back."
On the way home, Fei Ni held Fang Muyang tightly, her face pressed against his back, "Tomorrow I'll go to Xinhua Bookstore to see if the exam outline is out. Let's review math today." Fei Ni was quite confident in herself. She guessed the first year's exam wouldn't be too difficult. Her family still had her elder brother Fei Ting's high school textbooks hidden away. Her brother's textbooks were printed before the college entrance exam was canceled, and she had self-studied them once. That knowledge should be enough for the exam. She planned to first go through the key points in the textbooks with Fang Muyang before returning them to her brother.Fei Ni very much hoped her older brother could take the college entrance exam. He had received formal secondary education before the exams were canceled, was a top student from a key high school, and had no problem getting into university. The issue with Fei Ting wasn’t whether he could pass, but whether he would take the exam. The years spent as an Educated Youth didn’t count toward seniority. Her brother had only been working for a year and couldn’t attend school with a salary like she could. Moreover, his wife was pregnant, and there were expenses everywhere. Fortunately, she and Fang Muyang had some savings and could lend part of it to her brother and sister-in-law. Once her brother graduated from university and his salary increased, their situation would improve significantly.
On the way, Fang Muyang asked Fei Ni, "Do you remember the bet you made with me? You said if you lost, you’d listen to me. You can’t go back on your word."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Would you do whatever I ask?"
Seeing Fei Ni remain silent, Fang Muyang added, "Don’t worry, this is something you can easily do."
Fei Ni didn’t believe him. "What is it?"
"Apply to a local university. I want to see you every day."
Fei Ni hadn’t expected Fang Muyang to say this—not because it was simple, but because she had been thinking the same thing.
She wanted to attend university with Fang Muyang, preferably at schools right next to each other, so they could see each other every day.
"Alright, let’s both apply to local schools."
Fei Ni’s excitement carried into the bedroom. It was the most passionate she had been while fully conscious. Yet before, once was never enough.
But this time, after it was over, Fei Ni rested her head on Fang Muyang’s arm, the shyness on her face gone. The faint blush that spread across her cheeks wasn’t just from Fang Muyang—it was also because of the front-page news in the newspaper.
Fei Ni imitated Fang Muyang, occasionally pressing her lips to his. But in between kisses, she talked only about the college entrance exam—what might be tested in math, what to review for Chinese. Carried away by excitement, she even threw on her clothes and sat up, walking to the desk to organize the knowledge points she thought would be on the exam.
The Fei Ni before him once again became Fang Muyang’s creative material.
As Fei Ni flipped through books and organized study notes at the desk, Fang Muyang sketched her doing just that.
"Can you wait until after the exam to draw? Right now, studying is the most important thing. If you’re not going to study today, you should go to sleep."
"But I can’t control when inspiration strikes. When it comes, I can’t just say no to it."
Author's Note: Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated with nutrient solutions between 2021-10-19 15:04:20 and 2021-10-19 23:39:10~
Thanks to the little angels who cast landmines: Lin Zeyuan 2; 39424192, Patrick Star, lda, Blue Cat’s Thousand Questions, sabraps, echo, deer 1;
Thanks to the little angels who irrigated with nutrient solutions: Tian Zhi Cang Cang 50 bottles; Yitang 30 bottles; 20700624 14 bottles; don small grapes, , daddadada, melon-eating masses, riding the north wind, Wang You Xi, this time I’ll be careful with my words 10 bottles; Lin Zeyuan 9 bottles; solo, happy big bun 5 bottles; third rib 4 bottles; confused leaf, anonymous netizen friend, happy candy, superru, lighter, lei11505 2 bottles; two cats one dog, lda, Mumu Jun!, lily, good luck to you 1 bottle;
Thank you all very much for your support. I will continue to work hard!
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