Chapter 180: High Hopes
The 20th day of the eighth lunar month is an auspicious day and also the day Ou Guofang gets married.
In later generations, cohabitation before marriage became common, making weddings more of a formality and naturally less emotional. Few brides cried during their weddings.
But in this era, at least nine out of ten girls would cry when they got married.
In this time, living together before marriage was unheard of. Even after obtaining a marriage certificate, couples didn't live together before the wedding banquet. As a result, brides often knew very little about their grooms, sometimes having only met a few times, making them almost strangers.
Marriage meant leaving one's family and starting a new life in an unfamiliar household. With a husband who was practically a stranger, not to mention new in-laws and others, it was natural to feel fear.
The reluctance to leave one's family, the fear and hope for the future, and various other emotions intertwined, making it normal to shed tears when saying goodbye to one's parents.
However, when Ou Guofang got married, she rarely cried during her farewell. Her reasoning was simple: women always had to marry, and her in-laws' family had her little sisters waiting for her. After marriage, she could see them every day, fulfilling her long-held dream. What was there to be sad about?
It must be said that when people are young, the influence of childhood friends is immense. Often, they might not listen to their parents but would follow their friends without hesitation.
They fought together, spent money together, and shared delicious food and fun times. Even when working in harsh conditions in Guangdong, as long as friends were around, they could endure. But if friends left, the remaining person would likely quit too.
In short, most friendships remain strong until marriage. Afterward, it depends on the situation...
Currently, the bond between Ou Guofang and her two sisters remained unchanged by marriage.
When Ou Guofang was taken to her husband's home by the wedding party, she immediately spotted her pregnant Ah Ping and her cousin Ou Guohua, both smiling at her. She responded with a bright smile of her own.
Less than three months later, the three sisters were reunited.
…
When Deng Changyuan married Ou Guohua, the matchmaker Deng Shirong gifted them a piece of khaki cloth, while Deng Yuntai and Zhang Xiuping gave them a quilt and a red envelope containing twenty yuan.
Now, as Deng Changdong married Ou Guofang, the gifts and red envelopes from the three remained the same. After all, they were all Zhang Xiuping's sisters, and favoritism was out of the question.
Of course, Deng Changdong's family was gracious. After receiving such generous gifts, they didn't skimp on the thank-you gifts for Deng Shirong. They gave a cash red envelope of thirty yuan, a pork butt weighing over ten pounds, braised pork weighing seventeen or eighteen pounds, and two pounds each of peanuts, beans, and sesame seeds—basically, everything was included.
The money received as a matchmaker's thank-you gift, after being multiplied tenfold by the system, totaled over eight hundred yuan, a substantial sum.
Deng Shirong's savings increased again, surpassing the 7,000-yuan mark.
Despite his lavish spending, Deng Shirong was pleased with how much he had saved.
…
That day, when his children returned from school for lunch, Deng Yunsong said with a frown, "Dad, our teacher said that starting this semester, we'll study for three years in junior high and three years in high school. It's not like my eldest and second brothers, who only studied for two years each!"
Having experienced this in his previous life, Deng Shirong wasn't surprised. "This is normal. In fact, Pine Mountain Commune is late in making this change. Some middle schools resumed the three-year system as early as 1978."
Middle schools in Bobai County had followed the "three-three system" since the founding of the People's Republic of China—three years of junior high and three years of high school.
Later, during a certain period, the Chairman proposed shortening the school system and revolutionizing education. As a result, Bobai County adopted the "two-two system" in 1968, reducing both junior high and high school to two years each.
After 1978, some middle schools in Bobai County reverted to the "three-three system," some implemented the "three-two system," and others, like those in Pine Mountain Commune, stuck to the "two-two system."
However, starting this year, all middle schools in the county adopted the "three-three system."
Deng Yunsong complained, "I thought I could go to high school next year, study for two more years, and go to Beijing before my second brother graduates. But now, with the change, I have to study for two extra years. By the time I go to college, my second brother will have already graduated."
Deng Shirong smiled. "Your second brother might not stop at university. He could pursue a master's degree. Don't aim too high now. Focus on getting into a university in Beijing first."
Deng Yunsong said confidently, "Dad, don't underestimate me. I admit my second brother is a good student, but I have one more year in junior high and one more in high school than he did. He got into Peking University after only two years. I believe I can get into Tsinghua or Peking University with two extra years."
Deng Shirong encouraged him, "It's good to have confidence. Work hard, and if you get into Tsinghua or Peking University, you can ask for anything within my power, and I won't refuse."
Deng Yunsong's eyes lit up. "Dad, you said it. If I pass the exam, don't go back on your word."
"Don't worry. As long as it's within my ability, I won't break my promise."
Deng Shirong looked at his third son, whom he had high hopes for, and said, "But it's too early to talk about the college entrance exam. Focus on getting first in the grade!"
Deng Yunsong nodded. "I know, Dad. Just watch. I'll take first place in the midterm exam this semester to show you. And the first place in our class is basically the first in the whole grade."
Deng Shirong smiled. "I believe in you. I'll wait for the good news."
In his previous life, Deng Yunsong, who only graduated from a technical secondary school, rose to the level of director through his political acumen.
If, in this life, he could get into a good university and choose to enter politics as he had before, his starting point would be entirely different, and his network would be a hundred times stronger.
Under such circumstances, Deng Shirong was eager to see how far his third son could go.
(End of this chapter)