Colorful years

In that remote, impoverished, and little-known place, forgotten by time, stories quietly unfold, like miraculous flowers tenaciously growing in the desert. Here, educational resources are scarce, information is limited, and people have made a living by farming for generations, knowing very little about the outside world.

However, on this seemingly hopeless land, two brilliant stars broke through numerous obstacles and successfully entered university, bringing unprecedented glory and hope to this once silent land.

One of them is Zhang Cong, a household name and widely praised; the other is Zhang Ying, who is relatively low-key but equally dazzling. His story is like a piece of history that has been sealed away, waiting to be revealed by the world.

Zhang Ying and Zhang Cong are not only geographically close, but also share a deep blood connection.

Zhang Ying was a descendant of Zhang Xianghuai, the elder brother of Zhang Xiangsong. Zhang Xiangsong and Zhang Xianghuai were brothers, but they chose completely different paths in life at a crossroads of fate.

Zhang Xiangsong passed the imperial examination with high honors and entered officialdom, becoming a local official. Zhang Xianghuai, on the other hand, resolutely took over the family's responsibilities and became a prominent figure in Yongding County, as well as the helmsman of the family business.

In those days, Zhang Xianghuai's name was like a golden signboard, known to all and feared by all. Every appearance of his was accompanied by people's awe and admiration.

Zhang Ying, a descendant who inherited the wisdom and courage of her ancestors, displayed extraordinary talent from a young age.

In his studies, he seemed to be a natural genius. Whether it was classical Chinese literature, history, philosophy, or mathematics and chemistry, he could quickly grasp and integrate them. His academic performance was always like the brightest star in the night sky, leading the way for his classmates, firmly occupying the top spot, and becoming an object of admiration for everyone.

Therefore, he and Zhang Cong were hailed as the pride of the Zhang family and even the entire commune. Their names, like a spring breeze, swept across every corner of this land, inspiring countless young students to strive for excellence.

However, Zhang Ying's path to education was not smooth sailing. Because his family was classified as rich peasants, in an era where "class background" determined everything, his dream of pursuing education faced unprecedented challenges.

Even before the college entrance examination system was reinstated, he had already returned to his hometown to farm, watering the fields of hope with his sweat and writing an indomitable chapter with his youth. But his thirst for knowledge and pursuit of dreams never died out.

Two years of working in the fields did not diminish his will; on the contrary, it strengthened his determination to change his destiny through knowledge.

1978 was a year to remember, marking profound changes in Chinese society and bringing a turning point to Zhang Ying's academic journey. As the wheels of time rolled forward, the shackles that bound people's thoughts and destinies were gradually broken, social atmosphere became increasingly open, and people's ideas began to change.

Against this backdrop, Zhang Ying's long-suppressed heart was rekindled, and he resolutely decided to prepare for the college entrance examination again to prove his worth with his abilities.

During his exam preparation, Zhang Ying put in more effort than most people. He used every spare moment to absorb knowledge voraciously, and the lamplight at night became his most loyal companion.

When the night is deep and quiet, that is when his mind is most active and his memories are most vivid.

After countless days and nights of hard work, he finally ushered in the moment to test his results—the college entrance examination.

In the examination room, Zhang Ying remained calm and composed, carefully considering each question before putting pen to paper. He knew that this exam was not only a test of his knowledge but also a pursuit of his dreams. When the bell rang to signal the end of the last exam, he walked out of the examination room with a sense of relief, feeling both apprehensive about the unknown results and boundless anticipation for the future.

The wait for the results was long and agonizing, but for Zhang Ying, it was filled with hope. Finally, the good news arrived as promised—he once again topped the list!

This time, the commune did not hinder him because of his family background; on the contrary, it gave him its full support. At that moment, Zhang Ying seemed to see the light of his dream coming true, and he knew that all his efforts and perseverance had been worthwhile.

Although Zhang Ying and Zhang Cong's homes were very close, they rarely interacted due to the division of production teams.

Although Zhang Cong's village, Diaolan, and Zhang Ying's village, Baiheping, are geographically close, their age difference and the separation of production team management mean that although they are aware of each other's existence, they are like two parallel lines, silently moving forward on their own life tracks.

However, fate always likes to create surprises unexpectedly. During a chance encounter while chopping wood in the mountains, their destinies quietly intersected.

That day, the sun shone brightly, a gentle breeze blew, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of earth and grass. Zhang Ying and Zhang Cong, two talented young men, met unexpectedly in the mountains. At that moment, they seemed to find common ground, and a feeling of mutual appreciation arose spontaneously between them.

Moreover, due to the unexpected turn of events that followed, and the measures and methods they adopted in dealing with these events, they forged an unbreakable, lifelong, and unwavering deep friendship...

This friendship shines like a bright star, radiating warmth and trust. No matter how time flows or how the world changes, it steadfastly maintains the close connection between the two people's hearts.

What exactly is this change that has such great appeal?