Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 420 The foundation of one’s life
Before leaving, Sister Zhou asked Chen Fan a question.

"You're busy running around doing things, always thinking the worst. Is it really necessary? While some people are indeed stubborn, there are also many who are happy to help others."

Besides, the admission brochure clearly states, "Admission is based on individual performance and the best candidates will be selected." Otherwise, your sister Zuo wouldn't have agreed to help so easily. What are you still worried about?

Chen Fan had already stood up. Upon hearing this, he lowered his head and thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "There are two kinds of people in this world: those who try their best to make things difficult for others, and those who try their best to make things right for others."

The college entrance exam is a lifelong event. I dare not gamble that I will only encounter the latter situation. If I sit at home and do nothing, what if I encounter the former situation? Wouldn't that be very sad?

They are now like frightened birds, afraid to do anything, and even if they wanted to do something, they are powerless to do so.

Since I've met them and have the opportunity to do something, I'll do what I can.

Sister Zhou nodded thoughtfully. After a moment of silence, she looked up at Chen Fan meaningfully and smiled, "So, you belong to the latter category?"

Chen Fan chuckled and said, "I'm the kind of person who repays kindness with kindness and settles scores with scores."

After saying that, he waved and left gracefully.

Sister Zhou stared at the empty doorway for a few seconds, then suddenly shook her head with a smile and murmured, "You brat, always acting all old and smug. Now that's what a young man should do."

……

The National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) lasts two days, or two and a half days including additional subjects.

All the students in Lujiawan signed up for the additional test, most of them in English, a few chose biology, and those who chose biology all wanted to apply for medical majors.

Including veterinarians.

Lujiawan is not short of money now. In order to help them achieve better results in the exams, the brigade specially funded their accommodation in the county town guesthouse. Although several people are crammed into one room, it is still much better than most other people.

Candidates from the communes who went to the county town to take the exams, no matter how poor they were, would not go through the trouble of returning home to stay, but their accommodations varied greatly.

Those who had relatives in the county would go to stay with them, where the environment was better and they could also get a few free meals.

Those from well-off families or those with jobs would stay in guesthouses. Although they slept in shared rooms, the conditions were acceptable. With the cost of food, the daily expenses were about two yuan, and for two days it would be more than four yuan. Including the round-trip transportation cost, it would be five yuan.

This amount of money is nothing to urban families with working members, but it could be a huge burden for ordinary production team families.

Now, a pound of rice costs only 12 cents, and 5 yuan can buy more than 40 pounds of rice, enough for a strong laborer's food supply for more than a month. Except for Lujiawan, this is not a small amount for most other production team families, so they can only try their best to save money.

So some people chipped in to share a bed, while others shamelessly followed their classmates to their relatives' homes to sleep on the floor—it was a case of everyone using their own unique methods.

They would save money on food as much as possible. They would either bring a few rice balls from home and ask someone for some hot water to last them two days, or bring their own pickled vegetables and only buy rice. They would do whatever it took to save money.

After enduring two days like this, by the third day, almost all the candidates from Nanhu Commune had left.

Only the people from Lujiawan who were to take the additional test remained.

For the final exam, Secretary Yang, Captain Zhang, and Ye Shubao made a special trip today, leaving only Xiao Liewen on duty at the team.

Chen Fan was the one who brought them here.

Unlike others who live in the county, Chen Fan, relying on his boat, travels between Lujiawan, the prefectural committee, and the county town every day. Today, Secretary Yang and the others came by his small yacht.

Across from the gate of Gufeng County No. 1 Middle School, several people sat in a row on small stools, including those who had not registered for the additional test.

He silently smoked his cigarette, staring at the school gate with a dazed look in his eyes, and said softly, "I have a classmate who was sent to work in the countryside in Inner Mongolia. There, you fill out your college application first and then take the exam. You fill out your application at the same time as you register for the college entrance exam. He originally wanted to apply for chemistry, but he heard from the admissions office that not many people apply for English, so he changed it to English."

Zhang Wenliang immediately asked curiously, "Did he pass the exam?"

Anquan turned to look at him, "Brother, their exams are from the 13th to the 15th, and they haven't started yet."

Zhang Wenliang tossed his head and said, "Then why are you talking about this? I haven't even passed the exam yet."

Then, curiously, she asked, "Why is it that here we take the exam first and then fill out the college application?"

Chen Fan dusted off his cigarette ash, wondering if he should move to the upwind side to avoid being bothered by their smoke, but then he remembered that the upwind side would block the wind, so he silently gave up.

Actually, I'm just too lazy to move.

Hearing Zhang Wenliang's words, he said, "Even the college entrance examination time is different, so what's the problem with different procedures?"
Besides, Inner Mongolia is so vast. I've heard it takes one or two days to travel from a remote pastoral area to the county seat, and some places don't even have bus service. You expect them to make them travel once to register, once to take the exam, and then again to fill out their application forms? Isn't that exhausting? I think it's much better to just fill out the application forms during registration; that way, you get two things done at once.”

It's actually better to fill out college applications later, at least you can estimate your score. Filling out applications before the exam is just guessing, and it's even more exciting than opening a blind box.

Hearing their conversation, Secretary Yang turned around and asked curiously, "When it comes to filling out college applications, can you just choose whichever university you want?"

Safety was closest to him, so he immediately nodded and said, "I can apply to any university that has an enrollment plan in Jiangnan Province."

Captain Zhang immediately bent down and looked at him, "Then how do I know which universities are recruiting in Jiangnan Province?"

Zhang Wenliang had been here for two or three days and had already figured out the situation. He immediately laughed and said, "Uncle, if you can think of this problem, how could the officials not? The Education Bureau has a list at the place where you fill out the application form. It shows which universities, majors, and how many people they recruit. You can find out at a glance. Just fill it in on the application form and you're done."

Captain Zhang hesitated for two seconds, then swiftly flicked his pipe. "Why don't you just say it directly? How dare you laugh at me for being ignorant? You have no manners!"

After being tapped on the head, Zhang Wenliang didn't dare to utter a sound, shrinking back and silently smoking.

Secretary Yang squinted thoughtfully, "Then could we take a look at that list beforehand and study it carefully when we get home?"

Chen Fan immediately shook his head, "No need, there are only a few universities. I've already arranged them for our team. I'll give them a list of key universities later, and they can choose from it according to the major they want to apply for."

Upon hearing this, Secretary Yang and the others were relieved.

Xiao Chen is reliable and there will be absolutely no problem with him!

Anquan was immediately dumbfounded and turned to look at him, "They're all applying to top universities?"

Chen Fan glanced at him. "You think their scores aren't high enough to get into a top university?"

Anquan hesitated for a moment, "With their scores, they should be able to get into top universities, but..."

He paused for two seconds, looking uneasy. "What if a lot of people sign up? The friend I mentioned earlier only signed up for English because no one else was doing it. Fewer people means less competition, right? Should we play it safe?"

Chen Fan glanced at him and said, "Only those who lack strength and confidence need to play it safe. Do you think you need to play it safe? Can't you be as confident as me and stop worrying about gains and losses all the time?"

Anquan stared wide-eyed. "You didn't even take the college entrance exam. How can you call that confidence?"

Before Chen Fan could speak, Zhang Wenliang couldn't hold back any longer, "Didn't I tell you that he applied directly for graduate school?"

Safety,"……!!!"

I hadn't thought of it just now. Time always flies when you're chatting. Before I knew it, the loudspeakers on campus blared, announcing the end of the last class. The once quiet campus quickly became noisy.

The iron gate opened, and dozens of candidates who were taking the additional test came out one after another. Half of them were students from Lujiawan and educated youth from other places in Nanhu.

Zhang Cuie took the lead as usual, rushing towards Chen Fan, followed closely by Huang Ying and her two companions, and then by the other students from Lujiawan and the educated youth from other places. The hierarchy was well-organized, which corresponded perfectly to their overall academic performance.

Before long, all the candidates left the campus.

Chen Fan glanced at the exam paper that Zhang Cuie had copied, but instead of grading it like he had done for the previous subjects, he handed it back to her and said loudly, "Secretary Yang has something to announce. Please speak, Secretary Yang."

Everyone was stunned for a moment, then all looked at Secretary Yang, followed by a belated burst of applause.

Secretary Yang's face was flushed, and he smiled broadly, holding up his rough hands. "No, no, it's just that we saw that everyone has been working hard on the exams these past few days, so our team prepared a banquet for you as a way of showing our appreciation."

He paused for a moment, then waved to the other educated youth from other places, saying, "Come on, all of you, let's celebrate!"

As for the candidates from Nanhu Commune Town, none of them registered for the additional test; they all went back yesterday. So those who are still here today can be considered "one of us," which is why Secretary Yang is being so generous.

Upon hearing his words, everyone raised their hands and cheered, and applause rang out again, attracting countless gazes from the surrounding crowd.

Surrounded by the crowd, Secretary Yang led the way to the riverside dock.

The large wooden boat that delivered goods this morning hasn't returned yet; we're waiting to pick them up.

Chen Fan lagged behind, slowly handing the small stool to the food workshop employee standing by, and walked forward with his hands behind his back.

Zhang Cuie, Huang Ying, and the others remained around him, all smiles, waiting to ride on his small yacht later.

On such a cold day, with so many people, sitting on the big wooden boat means being crammed onto the deck, which is nowhere near as warm as being covered with an oilcloth on a small wooden boat.

Just then, a loud wail came from not far away.

Chen Fan turned his head and saw a girl sitting on the ground, covering her face with a scarf, crying her heart out.

Zhang Cuie was stunned. She stared at her blankly and murmured, "Did she get a zero?"

Huang Ying said, "Or maybe they submitted a blank paper."

Yang Ju and Liu Dan also looked at the man with sympathetic eyes.

Chen Fan pursed his lips, turned to look at them, and said softly, "Think back to a year ago when the veterinary students were being selected. You all scored high marks, but someone else took your spots."

He then turned to the girl who was still crying and said, "Before the college entrance examination was reinstated, she must have been a hundred times more desperate than you were back then."

Upon hearing this, the four girls' faces instantly changed color. Looking at that girl again, they immediately understood what it meant to empathize.

She was just one of countless students seeking to change their fate.

……

Back in Lujiawan, the brigade headquarters had already prepared a banquet.

Five large round tables were set up. The veterinary students sat at one table, the girls sat at another, the out-of-town educated youth who stayed to take the additional test sat at two tables, and finally, Secretary Yang and his group sat at one table with Chen Fan and An Quan.

After everyone was seated, Chen Fan said to Secretary Yang, "Uncle Yang, would you like to say a few words to everyone?"

Secretary Yang quickly waved his hand, "Never mind, I don't know how to say anything."

He looked at Captain Zhang and said, "Why don't you tell us, Lao Zhang?"

Upon hearing this, Captain Zhang shook his head so hard it could be used as an electric fan. "Spare me, I'm not cut out for that."

He then looked at Ye Shubao and said, "Old Ye, you come here, you come here."

Ye Shubao wasn't much better than him. "Just because you can't do it doesn't mean I can!"

Seeing that he was looking at him, Xiao Liewen immediately pointed at Secretary Yang and said, "Old Yang, don't refuse. You are the leader of the organization, so it is definitely your turn to speak. It is not appropriate for any of us to speak."

Secretary Yang clicked his tongue, his face beaming as he looked at everyone. "Well then, shall I say a few words?"

Without saying a word, Chen Fan clapped his hands and said, "Welcome Secretary Yang to speak to everyone."

Applause immediately erupted in the small courtyard.

Even the educated youth from other places were clapping enthusiastically.

They studied here for more than a month and received a lot of care from Lujiawan. From any perspective, they should thank Lujiawan. There's no reason not to give them face.

Seeing so many candidates who were "about to become cadres" applauding him, Secretary Yang smiled so broadly that his mouth was crooked.

Of course, the most precious people are the 23 people in their own production team, all of whom are teenagers. Once they graduate from university, they will be in their prime and will have many years of development ahead of them.

Youth is an asset; with such a long time, you could probably produce several high-ranking officials!

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but glance at Chen Fan, his heart filled with emotion.

Back then, many people, including himself, speculated that Chen Fan might come from a high-ranking cadre family, and if so, they might be able to gain some advantage.

Unexpectedly, without needing any prominent family members, Chen Fan alone allowed Lujiawan to gain a great deal.

Thinking of this, he suddenly felt enlightened, stood up and said loudly, "Students of Lujiawan, you have taken the college entrance examination. Teacher Chen has confidence in you and believes you will achieve good results."

Once you get into university and study hard, you will be assigned to different organizations after graduation. Some of you may become engineers, some technicians, and others teachers, cadres, or leaders...

I'm not very good with words, but I know one thing: you all have bright futures ahead of you.

Everyone looked at him and heard his words, and a sense of pride welled up in their hearts.

Absolutely! Graduating from university meant starting as a cadre, earning a salary of just over 50 yuan a month—what could be more promising than that?!

At this moment, Secretary Yang changed the subject and continued, "However, I hope you remember that what made you become cadres and leaders was your ability. So, in the days to come, don't be blinded by those messy things. You must remember your roots, which is the ability you learned."

Skills are the foundation of your livelihood.

After a brief silence, the applause erupted once again.

(End of this chapter)