Starting a new chapter in life

Another year has passed, and Jingyan is twenty-two years old. She plans to have a child when she is twenty-three. In her memory, her daughter was born in 1982, which coincided with the one-child policy, which only allowed one child per family. Having more than one child would result in fines or even the cancellation of some government-affiliated positions. If she had given birth in 1977 or 1988 and then took some time to recover, she should have been able to have another child before the one-child policy was implemented.

Her biggest regret in her past life was having only one child. After she passed away, her daughter had no companion and grew up with Ronggang and Rongqiang. However, the two children were nine and eleven years older than her, which was too big an age gap. Since this life was about making up for her regret, she couldn't miss out on this regret that had been weighing on her heart all her life.

In her memory, later generations seemed to practice eugenics and good prenatal care, so she should be able to start preparing to take care of her body now. Unfortunately, when she went to see a doctor from a supposedly very skilled family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, he said that she was as strong as an ox and that as long as she didn't mistreat herself, she didn't need any special treatment. But she had heart disease in her previous life. Well, it was after she gave birth to her daughter that she had a heart attack. If she takes care of herself in this life, she can live longer.

Her plan to improve her health fell apart halfway through, which made her daily life even more comfortable. She has been living independently for over a year and is no longer as flustered as before. The monthly market is her regular source of income, and she spends the rest of her time tending to the yard and tidying up the house. Housework, which she used to dislike the most, is now done with ease. Indeed, life shapes people.

By August, she had stopped going to the market and stayed home to practice her cooking skills. Her cooking level improved rapidly. Time flew by, and in October, a bombshell dropped, causing a nationwide uproar. Some were shocked, some were confused, but most were overjoyed. The college entrance examination was reinstated, and the exam was scheduled for a month later, in the middle of winter.

Jingyan didn't take this news to heart. In her previous life, she hadn't paid attention to when the college entrance examination was reinstated. The only time she paid attention to the college entrance examination was when Rongqiang took it, which was back in 1991. She hadn't paid attention to it in this life either. But the fact is, although she didn't pay attention, her husband told her when he came back from vacation that she should prepare for the college entrance examination.

"What? You're going to take the college entrance exam? You're already a college graduate, why do you need to take it again?" Jing Yan was shocked.

He Zhijun chuckled: "Who told you I graduated from university? I graduated from high school. Actually, to be precise, I didn't even finish high school. But back then, schools didn't teach much anymore, so I joined the army. Because I wasn't physically strong enough, my dad used his connections to get me into a technical unit. He put in a good word for me at high school, and I got my diploma. So, I barely qualify as a high school graduate. Now that the college entrance exam has been reinstated, and I'm not too old, I'm thinking of taking it once. If I pass, great; if I don't, I won't regret it. I just want to have no regrets."

Jingyan had no objection: "When is the exam? Do you have textbooks? Where can you buy them? Your work makes it inconvenient for you, but I have more time. I'll go and help you get the books. However, my education level isn't high enough, so I won't pass the exam. I won't get involved."

He Zhijun smiled: "Thank you, Jingyan, thank you for always supporting all my decisions. You don't need to worry about the teaching materials, Battalion Commander Gao has already found them all. Four of us in the technical department want to take this exam, so we study together on weekdays. However, I probably won't be coming home for the next month or so. You'll be all alone at home, and I'm actually a little worried about you. Winter is coming, and there's a lot to prepare at home. I'm afraid you won't be able to manage it all by yourself."

Jingyan said calmly, "Just focus on your studies. I can't help you with your own things, but I can take care of things at home. Don't worry about me. Study hard and try to get into university. Once you're a university student, you can take care of our children's studies."

He Zhijun nodded repeatedly: "Don't worry, leave our children's studies to me in the future."

"By the way, has the exam venue been decided? What is the specific exam date? Your exams are already in December, the weather is cold and the ground is slippery, so it's best if we know in advance where the exams are held and how many days they last. I'll go and check it out first. The exam schedule is already very tight, I can't let you suffer any more because of these things." Jingyan was very concerned.

"I heard the exam venue will be a high school in Jiang City. They've already started cleaning and tidying up there. The exam will be on the 10th and 11th." He Zhijun actually knew this news.

“Alright, let’s go. Let’s go to the supply and marketing cooperative to buy paper, pens and stuff, so we can prepare in advance and bring them directly to the exam venue. That way, we won’t have to buy all sorts of things at the last minute. We’ll be in a rush and forget to buy anything. This is a rare opportunity, so we can’t be unprepared.” Jing Yan dragged He Zhijun to the supply and marketing cooperative to make the purchases.

After the college entrance examination information was released, bookstores, garbage stations, and supply and marketing cooperatives were filled with people who wanted to take the exam. Some were employees, some were students, and many more were educated youth sent to the countryside. The college entrance examination was the best shortcut for them to return to the city, and no one wanted to give up.

Jingyan bought a bundle of pencils, ten erasers, two fountain pens, a bottle of ink, ten notebooks, and three stacks of blank paper. He Zhijun tried several times to stop her, telling his wife that this was too much and that it was really unnecessary to buy so much. But seeing her serious expression, he swallowed his words. Oh well, his wife cared about him, so he would just accept it.

After everything was prepared, Jing Yan didn't let He Zhijun return to the army the next day. On the evening of the 22nd, she sent him back to the army dormitory and told him to study hard. He Zhijun returned to the dormitory with a pile of paper and pens with a wry smile, which startled the people in the dormitory: "Zhijun, weren't you supposed to come back tomorrow night or the day after tomorrow morning? Why are you back so early this time?"

He Zhijun patted the package he was holding: "I told my wife when I got home that I was going to take the college entrance exam. I only have a month to prepare for it, and she was worried that it would interfere with my studies. So today she took me to buy a bunch of paper and pens and sent me back." Although his tone was full of helplessness, it would be more convincing if you ignored the smile he couldn't suppress at the corners of his mouth.

His roommates, seeing his sly display of affection, scoffed, "Alright, stop showing off. Now that you're back, hurry up and come study with us. Don't let your wife's urging for you to come back go to waste."

He Zhijun happily put his things in his locker and sat down at the table to join the study group...

The next day, Jingyan had nothing to do, so she asked around and went to find Jiangshi High School. Because she didn't know the exact location, she walked there, and it took her more than an hour to get there. She thought that whether it was her current residence or the military dormitory, it was quite far from the examination venue. In the summer, it would be fine, as she could borrow a bicycle, but in the winter, the roads were so slippery, and even if she could borrow a bicycle, she wouldn't feel comfortable letting He Zhijun ride it.

After confirming with the gatekeeper that this was indeed the examination site after the resumption of the college entrance examination, she asked him if there was a guesthouse nearby. Fortunately, the school was in a very good location, with a guesthouse just a seven or eight-minute walk away. That guesthouse was close to the municipal government and was mainly responsible for receiving people who came to work.

When Jing Yan arrived at the guesthouse, she hesitated for a moment before finally going inside. The receptionist at the door looked up and saw her with some curiosity. These days, most of the people coming here on business were men; there were women, but very few. Moreover, Jing Yan didn't have any luggage. However, out of professional courtesy, she still asked, "Comrade, is there anything I can help you with?"

Jing Yan smiled at her and walked to the counter: "Comrade, I'd like to ask if it's possible to book a room in advance? What procedures are required?"

"Reservation?" The receptionist was a little confused. She had worked there for several years and had never heard of the word "reservation." "We do not offer reservation services."

"Could I meet your manager?" Jing Yan pleaded.

The receptionist was surprised by her audacity in wanting to see the manager. She was reluctant, but her job was respectable, as she usually served government officials. Unlike other service staff, she wasn't arrogant. She suppressed her discomfort and said, "Please wait a moment."

A moment later, the manager came over from behind, saw Jing Yan, and smiled: "Comrade, you were looking for me?"

Jing Yan nodded: "Hello, I came to inquire whether your guesthouse accepts advance reservations?"

The manager thought for a moment and smiled, "No one has made reservations before, so we haven't offered this service. But just because we didn't have it before doesn't mean we can't offer it. What kind of room would you like to book, when you'd like to check in, and for how many days?"

"I'd like to book a room for three days from December 9th to 11th. I don't know if there's anything different about the rooms here. I'd like a single room. Could you do me that? I can pay in advance." Jing Yan immediately spoke up as soon as she heard there was a chance.

The manager, being a seasoned professional, immediately understood the purpose of the room reservation: "Comrade, are you staying here in preparation for taking the college entrance examination?"

Jing Yan nodded: "Yes, I live in Hongqi Community, which is more than an hour's walk from the college entrance examination site. According to previous years, there will definitely be snow on the road during the two days of the college entrance examination, and there may also be ice. If I slip and fall and get injured, it will be a big loss. So I want to come and book the room in advance. I am worried that when it gets closer, there will be a lot of people booking rooms here, and I will not be able to get one."

"Are you the one taking the college entrance exam?" The manager was genuinely curious.

Jingyan shook her head: "He's my husband. He's a soldier, currently working as a technician in the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. He wants to try taking the college entrance exam this year."

"Ah, he's a soldier. Since you, as a military family member, are so considerate of him, our guesthouse can't be too heartless. Here's what we'll do: take a look at the rooms at different price points, and decide which one you want to book first. When the time comes, we'll definitely reserve the room for you, okay? However, you might need to pay the room fee upfront. If you don't come to stay, we won't refund the fee. Is that alright?" The manager felt it was important to be upfront about the unpleasant aspects.

Jing Yan nodded repeatedly: "That's no problem, that's a reasonable request."

The manager personally led her to see it: "This is a shared room, a large dormitory-style room. Six people can sleep in one room, and it costs six cents per person per day." Opening the door to a room on the first floor, they saw beds connected from east to west, forming a heated kang (a traditional Chinese bed). At the head of the kang was a stove opening for adding firewood and starting a fire. Jingyan frowned and shook her head: "I don't want this."

The manager, with an air of knowing full well that this woman clearly doted on her husband, otherwise she wouldn't have come to book a room so early, led her to the second floor: "From the second floor onwards, it's all central heating. Don't be fooled by the fact that there are only beds in the rooms; they're very warm in winter, and you don't have to light a fire yourself. It's clean and comfortable."

Jing Yan nodded and followed the manager to the second floor. "This is a standard room, which can accommodate two people. It costs 1.2 yuan per night." Opening the door, there were two single beds inside, as well as a wardrobe, which wasn't very big. There was also a wooden table at the back, which was probably for eating. The room was small and looked a bit cramped. Jing Yan shook her head and said, "This one isn't very good either."

The manager's smile widened as he quickly led her to the third floor and opened the door: "This is the best room in our guesthouse, two yuan a night." In the middle of the room was a large bed, which looked no smaller than her own at home. There was a desk at the head of the bed, a large wardrobe, and a separate bathroom.

Seeing Jingyan looking at the bathroom, the manager stepped forward and explained, "This is a suite. Our guesthouse only has three rooms in total. This bathroom has a washbasin, a shower, and a spittoon for using the toilet. Our staff cleans the room every day, and the service is excellent in every way. Of course, the room rate is also very high, three yuan a day."

Jingyan stepped forward and touched the bed. Hmm, it was still quite soft. She nodded in satisfaction: "Then this suite will do. It's nine yuan for three days? Is a deposit required?"

The manager's smile grew even more genuine. Heaven knows, people nowadays take pride in being frugal and simple. These suites might not even be occupied for a year, and they need to be cleaned every week, which is actually not cost-effective. But this level of room must be kept. In case a particular leader comes someday, the comfort level must be maintained. But now that three days have been booked, it's finally open for business this year.

"The deposit is three yuan, which is one day's room rate. The deposit will be refunded when you check out. I can give you a receipt now, one for the deposit and one for the room rate. The check-in date will be recorded. Your husband can bring the receipts when you check out. Our room rate is calculated from noon on the first day to noon on the second day. Please be aware of this." The manager was friendly.

Jingyan nodded: "Okay, do we need a letter of introduction or anything when we come to stay? My husband will need to focus on the college entrance exam at that time, so I will prepare these materials in advance if possible."

“Don’t you live in Hongqi Community? Do you have a grain ration certificate? Or a local household registration would also be fine. With these, we don’t need a letter of introduction,” the manager said.