Gu Shizhao held Baozi and then Mantou, saying it was fake not to be envious. But as soon as he thought about taking Xia Xingchen back to Jing City this time, getting the certificate, and having one or two kids with her in the future, he couldn’t help but be happy.

Gu Shizhao helped Xia Xingchen resign from her job and transfer her household registration. On April 23rd, the two returned to Jing City. Yi Roujing, Ding Anmin, and several others specially went to the station to see them off. The three women hugged and cried for a while, agreeing to meet in Jing City in the future.

Yi Roujing gave birth to a child, and upon returning to the ward, she entered the operating room. Although pregnancy and childbirth delayed her for over ten months, her skills hadn’t diminished at all. She received Director Zhong’s approval and found time to read while working.

On May 25, 1977, Feng Lishu delivered a pair of twins by Caesarean section: the elder son weighing five pounds and one ounce, nicknamed Dumplings, and his full name being Ding Muzhen; the daughter weighing five pounds and three ounces, nicknamed Tangyuan, and her full name being Ding Muqing.

The names continued the ’Mu’ character from Xu Muyi, so others immediately knew they were siblings upon hearing them.

The Feng Family was overjoyed upon hearing that their daughter had given birth to twins. They brought all sorts of good things, and Ruan Qingru even personally took leave to help Feng Lishu during her postpartum period. After all, Li Hongying was just one person, the Ding family had only Baozi as a child, and now there were two more. Ding Anmin also had a son, so it became quite hectic.

In September, Xu Ancheng received news about the possible reinstatement of the college entrance examination. He promptly purchased the "Self-Study Series of Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry" and gave a set each to Yi Roujing, Ding Anguo, Ding Anmin, and Huang Xiaobao.

On September 16th, Xie Chenyan gave birth naturally to a son weighing seven pounds and five ounces in the hospital, making Liu Huilan and Yi Weiliang very happy, but of course, Xie Chenyan was the happiest.

On October 21st, radios across the nation were broadcasting this great news, and for a time, regardless of whether they were high school graduates, educated youths who had gone to the countryside, workers, farmers, or grassroots staff, as long as they had studied before and had a passionate spirit, they all threw themselves into study.

Li Hongying, knowing that Yi Roujing and Feng Lishu were preparing for the college entrance exam, directly took over the task of looking after the children, and Ruan Qingru often came to help.

Now, Baozi is eighteen months old and can confidently walk alone. He’s at a curious stage, wanting to touch everything close by wherever he goes, and he’s unwilling to be held, preferring to walk on his own.

The only reassuring thing is that Baozi is a picky eater and won’t casually pick things up to eat. Even when he sees something, he evaluates it with his eyes before reaching for it. Yi Roujing sometimes wonders if this child is precociously mature since kids of this age usually chase chickens and dogs and put anything they see into their mouths.

Even in speaking, Baozi is lazy and casual. He often gives you a look and smiles when happy, calling you "Dad, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma..." only when needed, cherishing each word like gold.

Yi Roujing once suspected this child might have an adult mind inside, but seeing his curiosity about things like any other child, and hearing Li Hongying talk about how Xu Ancheng was like this as a child, not calling people much, just glancing at them, but loving to talk more as he grew older, especially after Ding Anguo and Ding Anmin were born, often playing with his younger siblings.

Yi Roujing blinked, wondering if this was a subtle hint to have a second child.

Li Hongying realized her words might be misconstrued and quickly explained with a smile, "Roujing, don’t get me wrong, I just mentioned it. Now you’re preparing for the college entrance exam, having a child would be inconvenient, and you’re still young, you can wait until you graduate to have another.

"Besides, you already have Baozi, so even if you don’t have more children, it’s fine, it’s entirely up to you." Li Hongying sincerely meant what she said, having given birth only once herself, but she was lucky to have twins. Women know best the hardships of childbirth, and she would never force her son and daughter-in-law to have more children.

Dumplings and Tangyuan are almost five months old now, a time when they eat well, sleep well, and love to turn over. Placing barriers around the bed doesn’t require much effort, just occasionally checking on them.

After learning that Ding Anguo was going to take the college entrance exam, Feng Lishu decided to join him. Ruan Qingru was surprised at the news, as her son-in-law and daughter had steady jobs in great work units and seemingly had no need to take the college entrance exam.

However, Feng Guolun strongly supported the idea, as having a higher education level allows for more job choices. Besides, he knew Xu Ancheng wouldn’t stay in Huaixi County, and since the Ding Family was taking the exam, it indicated that the Xu Family was planning something, perhaps moving to a bigger city would be better.

After Feng Guolun shared his analysis with Ruan Qingru, she felt a bit conflicted. They only had one daughter and naturally hoped she’d stay close, but if she went far away, how long would it be until they could see each other?

"Children and grandchildren have their own lives," Feng Guolun comforted her. "If things don’t work out, when we retire, we could follow our daughter." Ruan Qingru kept this thought in mind.

On October 24th, Monday, Yi Roujing had just arrived at the hospital when she saw Wang Qiushuang standing at the stairway on the second floor of the inpatient department. She appeared to have gained weight but looked a bit downcast. Upon seeing Yi Roujing, she lifted her head and walked over.

Wang Qiushuang looked radiant, or rather more so than before, which made her self-deprecate. Sometimes, one really can’t help but yield to fate. Some people are just blessed, with a good birth, a good marriage, a good husband, and in-laws.

But she wasn’t ready to give up so easily.

Wang Qiushuang had her child around the same time as Yi Roujing, but she gave birth to a daughter. Hupozi kept urging her to get pregnant again. However, she hurt herself during the first delivery as the baby was quite large, weighing eight pounds. Now her daughter is one and a half years old, and she hasn’t had any signs of pregnancy.

Hupozi is somewhat displeased with her now, but since she has a job and Ding Jianshe likes the daughter, being the first child, they haven’t acted out.

But upon hearing the broadcast and learning about the reinstatement of the college entrance exam, Wang Qiushuang was motivated. Working as a temporary worker in a food factory, getting into college would change things, forcing Ding Jianshe and Hupozi to treat her differently.

"Roujing, do you have books? I want to take the college entrance exam. I figured you wouldn’t miss this opportunity, and I don’t want to either. You’re resourceful, could you sell me a book?" Wang Qiushuang directly stated her intention.

Yi Roujing was a bit surprised but didn’t refuse, "Come again tomorrow morning, I’ll give you the book."

These past couple of years, Wang Qiushuang has been quite well-behaved, and Yi Roujing hasn’t missed her change. She won’t stop someone who’s aspiring, and for just a book, whether she passes or not depends on her own effort.

Wang Qiushuang was extremely surprised; she thought she would have to say more good words or visit several times, but she didn’t expect Yi Roujing to be so straightforward. "Thank you."