Chapter 164: Well Done, As Expected of a Descendant of the Deng Family
Under the longan tree, Deng Shirong and his children were enjoying watermelons chilled in well water. On a hot June day, biting into a cool, sweet slice of watermelon was pure bliss.
The watermelons were grown on their lychee mountain. Deng Shirong's niece and her husband had planted them between the lychee trees while tending to the orchard. Except for the ones they kept for themselves, the rest were sold to the supply and marketing cooperative. The earnings weren't huge, but they covered two months' wages for his niece and her husband—a pleasant surprise.
After finishing his slice, Deng Yunsong said, "The college entrance exam ended two days ago. I wonder how Second Brother did?"
Deng Yunzhen chimed in, "Didn't he say before the exam that as long as he performed normally, he'd definitely get into university? Whether he gets into his ideal university depends on luck."
Deng Shirong puffed on his pipe and said, "Luck is just as important as skill in the college entrance exam. It's like the scholars of ancient times—no matter how talented they were, if luck wasn't on their side, they could still fail the imperial exams.
Yunheng has already proven his ability through previous exams. Now, it's all up to luck."
Just then, sharp-eyed Deng Yunhua jumped up and shouted, "Look, Second Brother's back!"
Everyone turned to see Deng Yunheng cycling toward them, his luggage strapped to the bike.
Soon, drenched in sweat and flushed from the sun, Deng Yunheng parked his bicycle in front of the family.
"Dad!"
"Sister-in-law!"
"Sister!"
"Yunheng!"
"Second Brother!"
After exchanging greetings, Deng Yunheng grabbed the towel hanging around his neck and wiped the sweat from his face. Riding for over an hour under the scorching sun with luggage was no easy feat.
Deng Shirong immediately ordered, "Azhu, go get another watermelon from the water tank."
Since the watermelons on the mountain had ripened, Deng Shirong had been chilling them in a water tank. Whenever they wanted one, they could fish it out. Honestly, the taste was even better than watermelons frozen in a modern refrigerator.
Deng Yunzhu hurried off to fetch the watermelon.
Deng Shirong had been anxiously awaiting news of his second son's exam results. Seeing him now, he cut to the chase. "Yunheng, how did you do?"
Deng Yunheng grinned. "I did pretty well."
Deng Shirong pressed, "Which university did you apply to?"
Deng Yunheng's eyes sparkled. "Peking University."
Deng Shirong's eyes widened. "How confident are you?"
"At least 90%."
Deng Shirong was instantly thrilled and exclaimed, "Well done! As expected of a descendant of the Deng family!"
Having lived two lives, Deng Shirong was rarely moved to such excitement. Even when his children achieved smaller milestones, it didn't stir him much. But his son getting into Peking University, one of the country's top universities, was a different story.
The rest of the family was equally delighted. While they didn't fully grasp the prestige of Peking University, they understood one thing: attending the best university in the country meant a bright future.
After a moment of excitement, Deng Shirong calmed down and said seriously, "Listen, don't spread this news yet. Wait until the scores are out and the admission letter arrives before saying anything."
Though his son sounded confident, Deng Shirong wanted to be prepared for the worst. If word got out and things didn't go as planned, their family would become the laughingstock of the village—something he couldn't allow.
His children and daughters-in-law nodded solemnly in agreement.
Just then, Deng Yunzhu returned with a watermelon.
Deng Shirong said no more and began slicing the watermelon with a knife.
Deng Yunheng taking the college entrance exam this year was common knowledge in Thatchfield Village.
First, his academic performance was outstanding, and he had the potential to become the village's first college student, so naturally, everyone paid attention.
Second, before Deng Yunheng left for the exam, Deng Shirong had slaughtered chickens and ducks, prepared offerings, and visited the ancestral hall to pray for his son's success. Many villagers had witnessed this, and news of it spread quickly.
Thus, Deng Yunheng's college entrance exam had become a village-wide topic of interest.
Now that he was back, villagers began flocking to ask about his results.
"Yunheng, how did the exam go? Did you do well?"
"Uncle Yunheng, how many points did you get? Can you get into university?"
"Uncle Yunheng…"
The questions were all similar. Keeping his father's advice in mind, Deng Yunheng didn't boast about being admitted to Peking University. He simply replied that he had done well and was waiting for the scores to know more.
Although Deng Shirong had warned the family not to disclose his son's results, fearing the worst, he himself trusted his son deeply. While waiting for the scores, he began planning a university celebration.
In his previous life, none of his seven children had been college students (excluding those like his third son, who studied while working). If his second son really got into Peking University this time, Deng Shirong was determined to throw a grand celebration.
He wasn't afraid of the spotlight for such an honorable occasion.
If he was going all out, he'd invite not just relatives and friends but the entire Deng clan in the Double Prosperity area. He even planned to invite one family from each of the neighboring villages to keep the numbers manageable. He estimated about 60 tables, which would make it an unprecedented event.
At 10 yuan per table, the total cost would be 600 yuan—a staggering sum for most families but just one month's income from Deng Shirong's tile factory.
With such a grand celebration in mind, Deng Shirong considered going even bigger. He thought about hiring a projection team to show a movie or inviting a theater troupe to perform. He'd decide after checking the prices.
In short, if his second son got into Peking University, Deng Shirong would throw a celebration unlike anything the village had ever seen.
(End of Chapter)