The 1970s: Married First, Fell in Love Later-Chapter 132 - 131: Everyone Is Waiting to See a Joke

Chapter 132: Chapter 131: Everyone Is Waiting to See a Joke

Xue Yue and Xue Xingzhou were both taking the college entrance exam, so He Lang took a full month off work. He stayed home to take care of the two of them and cook their meals.

In He Lang’s words: "I may not be able to help much, but I’m your rock. I’ll always support you."

Xue Yue was incredibly moved. Sometimes she would wonder, ’Am I too soft-hearted?’ Even at her age, a single look at He Lang could still make her heart flutter. Just a word or a small gesture from him was enough to fill her with happiness.

The month flew by. Everyone was practically pulling all-nighters to study. Xue Yue and her brother were doing okay, but the lights at the educated youth station stayed on all night, every night. Soon, the day of the college entrance exam arrived.

He Lang brought their two children to see them off at the exam site entrance.

Ruanruan gave both Xue Yue and Xue Xingzhou a kiss on the cheek. "Mom, Uncle, Ruanruan has given you all my good luck! You’ll definitely pass. You can do it!"

Two-year-old Shiyi, in He Lang’s arms, also stretched his head out for a kiss. "Mommy, Uncle, Shiyi kiss, good luck."

Xue Yue smiled and let Shiyi kiss her cheek. "Okay, you two be good and listen to Daddy. Mommy will be out soon."

He Lang looked at Xue Yue, his eyes smiling. "Just do your best."

"Mm, I know."

He Nan was also there to see He Ziqing off. "Don’t be nervous. Just do well on the exam. Dad will be waiting for you outside."

He Ziqing clenched her fists. "Dad, wait for my good news."

But not far away, Yang Xiaoxia was in a completely different situation.

Her younger child had been left at home, but An’an insisted on coming with them.

Now, just as Yang Xiaoxia was about to enter the exam hall, An’an clung to her leg and started crying. "Mommy, I don’t want you to go! Mommy—"

The wailing drew a lot of attention, and many people turned to look their way.

Yang Xiaoxia was so exasperated she covered her forehead. She nodded at He Zhendong. "Get this embarrassing little thing away from me."

He Zhendong’s lips curved into a smile as he picked up his son. "Stop crying. If you keep crying, your mom’s going to spank you again."

An’an’s mouth snapped shut instantly. He just stared with wide eyes, a teardrop lingering at the corner of his eye, about to fall.

Seeing him like that, Yang Xiaoxia couldn’t help but laugh.

As she watched everyone file into the exam hall, Xue Yue also spotted Gu Yuwei, though her expression seemed off. Almost all of the educated youths had come.

The two-day exam was finally over.

The villagers knew Xue Yue was also taking the college entrance exam, and quite a few were waiting for her to fail. There was no shortage of gossip behind her back.

"Other people taking the exam graduated from high school. She didn’t even attend high school and she’s just joining in for the fun of it. Isn’t she afraid of becoming a laughingstock when she fails?"

"I tell you, the He Family’s Third Son just spoils his wife too much. They’d have been better off using the registration fee to buy some meat. And that little wife of his is so lazy. How many times have you seen her working in the fields? Tsk tsk. It’s one thing to not work the land, but to join in on the exam fun too? Has she no shame?"

"I’m not so sure. I often see He Lang’s wife getting letters. I overheard the mailman mention that she’s a writer and even got published in the newspaper."

"For real? If she was really in the newspaper, how come they haven’t been showing it off?"

"You think everyone’s like you, making a big deal out of every little thing? That’s called getting rich quietly."

"Tch, I don’t believe it."

People said all sorts of things about Xue Yue taking the exam. Since she didn’t go out much, she didn’t hear the gossip, and even if she had, she wouldn’t have cared.

After the exam, the New Year was just around the corner.

Before then, Zheng Guofeng sent them a large package filled with food and other necessities.

Xue Yue wrote him back, telling him that she and her brother had taken the college entrance exam.

On New Year’s Eve, Xue Xingzhou went with Zhang Qian to her family’s home. This was the first time he would spend the New Year with her family. The two of them had been dating for a few years, but their relationship was lukewarm. Xue Yue was getting anxious just watching them. She hoped they could take things to the next level tonight and get married soon.

Since both Xue Yue and He Ziqing had taken the exam, Mr. He wanted the families to celebrate the New Year together this year. He wanted it to be lively because if they really got into university, who knew when they would all be able to get together again.

So on New Year’s Eve, Xue Yue and her family simply brought all their ingredients to the old family home to cook there.

That evening, the men and children were laughing and chatting in the main room while Xue Yue, Mrs. He, and Gao Cuiyun cooked in the kitchen.

Gao Cuiyun had changed so much that Xue Yue almost didn’t recognize her. Her hair was streaked with gray, her face had many more wrinkles, and standing next to Xue Yue, they looked like they were from two different generations.

She didn’t talk much, just kept herself busy. Mrs. He would occasionally tell her to chop some vegetables or slice some meat, and she would do it quietly. Watching her, Xue Yue felt a wave of complicated emotions. She remembered fighting with Gao Cuiyun over a bite of food, but it felt like a lifetime ago.

He Ziqing also wanted to come in and help, but Mrs. He shooed her out.

"You’re still a child. As long as your grandma and your aunts are here, we don’t need you."

"But Grandma, I can learn to cook from my aunts, so I can cook for you in the future," He Ziqing said coaxingly.

Mrs. He smiled and poked her between the eyebrows. "Today is New Year’s Eve. You don’t need to learn now. We’ll talk about it some other time."

"Okay," He Ziqing agreed reluctantly. Since she couldn’t help, she went into the main room.

In the room, He Lang, He Nan, and Mr. He sat on the kang, watching the children play on the floor.

He Ziming, the third child from the second brother’s family, was there. Aside from him, Ruanruan and Shiyi were the youngest. Several of the older boys were gathered around, teasing Shiyi.

"Shiyi, who am I?"

"You’re Brother Xiao Yang."

"Shiyi, Shiyi, then who am I?"

"You’re—you’re Brother Xiao Nian."

Tuanzi was now a fourteen-year-old young man. He had been chubby as a child, so everyone called him Tuanzi, but now that he was older, he absolutely refused to let the family call him that anymore. He insisted everyone use his proper name, Xiao Nian.

Ruanruan pouted. "You guys are so boring. Shiyi already knows your names. Can’t you ask him something he doesn’t know?"

He Ziqing sat down next to Ruanruan and pulled her onto her lap, asking with a smile, "Then what is it that Shiyi doesn’t know?"

Ruanruan pursed her lips. "Oh, there’s a lot! For starters, Shiyi can’t tell morning from night, let alone the difference between morning, noon, and afternoon. Go on, ask him if you don’t believe me."

Hearing this, Xiao Yang quickly leaned down and asked Shiyi, "Shiyi, what time of day is it now?"

Shiyi clapped his hands happily. "I know! It’s New Year’s now!"

He Ziming chimed in, "My brother is asking you if it’s morning or noon."

"HA HA HA—" The room erupted in laughter.

He Ziming didn’t know what everyone was laughing at, but he laughed along anyway.

Xiao Yang gave his younger brother a light smack on the head. "Dummy, you’re supposed to ask it like this: Shiyi, is it morning or night right now?"

Shiyi looked up at the light bulb. "Night."

Everyone was surprised. "Hey, Shiyi knows!"

Shiyi looked at them proudly. "My daddy said when the lighty-light is on, it’s nighttime."

"HA HA HA—So that’s how he knows."