Chapter 199: Changes
After New Year's Day in 1982, the festive atmosphere grew stronger with each passing day.
Compared to the previous year, most families in Thatchfield Village had at least doubled their income this year. Several large blue brick and tile houses had been newly built, and the village was filled with a celebratory mood.
After the fifteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, the school began its winter break, and Deng Shirong finally saw his children's report cards.
Overall, Deng Shirong was satisfied, especially with his third son, Deng Yunsong, who had secured first place in his grade as hoped, beginning to show his academic prowess.
His younger son's grades remained stable. While he hadn't made significant progress, he hadn't regressed either, maintaining a level where he could earn rewards but not too many.
As for his youngest daughter and fourth son, these two struggling students were indeed hopeless, and Deng Shirong didn't push them too hard.
As he often said, studying truly requires talent.
When faced with a problem they didn't understand, a talented person would grasp it immediately and even apply the knowledge to other situations. But for someone without talent, even if you explained the answer, they would remain confused, their lack of understanding frustrating to witness.
After rewarding his third and youngest sons with some money, Deng Shirong said to his third son, "Xiaosong, you'll be going to Double Prosperity for junior high school next year. Being first in your grade at the village school is one thing, but to get into Broad High or even Jade Pole, you'll need to be first at Double Prosperity Junior High. So, your next goal is to top your class there. Do you have the confidence?"
Deng Yunsong smiled and said, "Dad, don't worry. I've already figured out a set of study methods. I'll secure the top spot at Double Prosperity Junior High next semester and show you."
"Good, I'll be waiting for your good news."
Deng Shirong nodded in satisfaction, then turned to his youngest son and encouraged him, "Xiaoheng, you need to keep working hard. I'm not asking you to be first in your grade, but you can aim for first in your class!"
Deng Yunheng scratched his head and said, "Dad, that's a bit difficult. Don't get your hopes up yet."
Deng Shirong replied, "It's definitely challenging, but just do your best!"
Deng Yunheng nodded, "Alright, I understand."
Deng Shirong then looked at his two struggling students and said, "I won't make any demands on your grades. Your only goal is to successfully obtain a high school diploma. The rest will take care of itself."
Deng Yunzhu and Deng Yunhua exchanged glances and could only lower their heads in response.
If their brothers had mediocre grades, they might have had something to say, but with their brothers outperforming them, they didn't dare to argue.
Once the students were on break, most families in the village began preparing for the New Year.
The Spring Festival is the grandest traditional festival in China. In the past, no matter how poor the villagers were, they would buy some small New Year's goods, such as a piece of cloth to make new clothes for the children or a pound or two of melon seeds and candies.
Now, with improved conditions, most families, though still poor, were much better off than before. Life was getting better, and when buying New Year's goods, everyone was naturally more generous.
For example, where they once only dared to buy three feet of cloth, they now bought five feet. Where they once bought one or two kilograms of melon seeds and candies, they now bought three or even five kilograms.
In comparison, Deng Shirong's family saw no change, as the New Year's goods they bought last year were already the best in the village. Buying more would just be wasteful.
...
Capital City.
Peking University Campus.
Peking University had already gone on holiday, and most students had left the campus, embarking on the long journey home.
However, some students chose not to go home for the Spring Festival for various reasons. Among them were two Peking University freshmen, Deng Yunheng and Huang Shengjun.
Knowing that Huang Shengjun wasn't going home either, Deng Yunheng couldn't help but ask, "Old Shengjun, why aren't you going home for the New Year?"
Huang Shengjun smiled and asked, "Brother Heng, aren't you also not going home?"
Deng Yunheng smiled and said, "I'm not going home because it's too far from Beijing. It takes four days and three nights by train to get to Nanning, and another day to get home from there. When my dad sent me to school, he told jiu me to stay here for the Spring Festival. There's no need to rush back during the travel rush. It's too exhausting. If I want to go back, I can wait until summer vacation."
Huang Shengjun was surprised and said, "Your journey is indeed far. My home isn't that far from the capital, but the round-trip fare is still a significant expense. If I go back, there'll be one more mouth to feed. To avoid burdening my family, I decided not to go back. I can find something to do here and earn some extra money!"
The two had become close friends who could talk about anything. Deng Yunheng knew his friend's family situation well and nodded, "It's better not to go back. I was worried I'd be bored staying here alone!"
Huang Shengjun asked, "Have all the people from your Guangxi Hometown Association gone back?"
Deng Yunheng said, "Yes, they've all gone back. Only they're willing to make the trip."
Huang Shengjun smiled, "After all, it's the Spring Festival. Who doesn't want to go home and celebrate with their family?"
Deng Yunheng sighed, "That's true. I received a letter from home some time ago saying my sister-in-law gave birth to a niece in October. I really wanted to go back and see her, but it's a pity the round trip takes more than ten days. It's just too time-consuming."
Huang Shengjun said enviously, "You're already an uncle. My eldest brother is actually old enough to get married, but he's been delaying it due to our family's poor financial situation. Fortunately, I've been admitted to Peking University and can send some money home every month, which has eased the financial burden a bit.
Recently, I received a letter saying the matchmaker in our village has found a date for my eldest brother. I don't know how it's going yet. I hope the other party won't look down on us because we're poor!"
Deng Yunheng smiled, "Don't worry about that. After all, you're a Peking University student. You'll have a bright future once you graduate. As long as the other party isn't foolish, there's no way they'll look down on your family's financial situation."
Huang Shengjun said with emotion, "I hope so. My brother is a very honest person, but he's quite insecure. If the girl rejects him, it'll be a big blow to him."
Deng Yunheng said, "I don't understand marriage, so I won't comment on it. Anyway, you can't help with this kind of thing now, so there's no point worrying about it."
Huang Shengjun laughed, "That's true. Instead of worrying, I might as well go out and find a suitable job."
(End of this chapter)