Chapter 264: Chapter 256: Going to College
Tian Xinhua went to a remote rural area in Henan, Dengfeng City, to become an educated youth, along with several other young people from Beijing, both male and female, all older than him. Life in the countryside as part of a sent-down youth team was certainly tough, but Tian Xinhua, being from a rural background himself, found the fieldwork effortless and thus managed it quite comfortably.
Because transportation was inconvenient in the countryside, what was once a weekly letter between the two turned into one every half a month. However, the thickness of the letters increased, with each letter stretching to six or seven pages before they would stop writing. If not for the fear of overweight, the pair would probably have written ten or so pages!
In August 1976, Tian Xinhua was recommended to attend Tsinghua University, majoring in humanities and socialism, and it seemed he also studied Marxism-Leninism. It sounded very grand, but it was uncertain if Tian Xinhua, who usually got a headache at the sight of textbooks, could keep up with the studies.
When the news of Tian Xinhua going to university reached Yuequan Village, the Tian Bajin family could hardly believe it. They never imagined that the Tian Family, who had always scraped a living from the soil, could produce a university student. This must truly be the blessing of their ancestors!
The Old Man was also very happy, realizing that his grandnephew might be embarking on a path wholly different from Ai Guo and Guanghua. The Old Man was deeply moved; he had originally thought that the men of the Tian Family would end up either in military or farming, yet he never anticipated such a turn of fate for Xinhua. He knew all this was thanks to Mr. Yun; without him, with Tian Liu Jin’s capabilities alone, Xinhua wouldn’t have gone far on this path, nor would he have let Xinhua pursue it.
From the Tian Family members, those who should go into politics did, and those who should join the military did. The old gentleman had said that a century of prosperity might just be around the corner. The Old Man felt very proud internally, his gaze towards his granddaughter increasingly affectionate. Ah Nan truly was blessed with good fortune!
Tian Xinhua hadn’t come back yet; he was still in Henan completing the final formalities before heading straight to the university. However, this did not dampen the spirits of the Tian Family. Tian Bajin boldly decided to slaughter a pig and hold a grand banquet, wanting to invite everyone from the village.
Tian Bajin’s decision received unanimous agreement from all members of the Tian Family, even Zhu Qingping, Tian Jinhua’s wife, was cheerful about it, not minding at all that the pig, which could have been sold for money during New Year, was being used now. The family’s cohesion at this time was very strong; if one person achieved success, the entire family would share in the joy, all taking pride in it.
The people from the Tian field in Yuequan Village were also happy since, after all, Tian Xinhua was one of their clan. Tian Xinhua’s success brought honor to the whole clan; even when they walked outside, they could hold their heads high.
The banquet that day was exceedingly lively. Tian Bajin bought about a dozen very loud firecrackers, setting them off continuously. The entire Yuequan Village was permeated with the acrid smell of gunpowder. The feasts stretched from the Tian field to Zhongjia Bay, and everyone in the village, regardless of age or gender, came to drink. Even the town leaders came to celebrate, which made the villagers respect and fear the Tian Family even more.
Tian Sisi noticed that the table where Tian Shouhua and several others were sitting seemed somewhat quiet. Although they all wore genuine smiles, the melancholy in them was apparent. She understood that the friends who grew up together and played together were now worlds apart; one became a university student in a high-level institution, while the others were still struggling bitterly in the countryside. This disparity would be hard on anyone!
Tian Sisi sat next to Tian Shouhua at a table where Zhong Anping, Zhong Ankang, Tang Qiubai, and other good friends were seated.
"Sister Xiaomi isn’t here to drink with us?" Tian Sisi teased Tian Shouhua.
Tian Shouhua’s delicate and fair face immediately blushed, and he glared at Tian Sisi, warning her not to speak carelessly.
Tian Shouhua and Mo Xiaomi had become very close recently. According to an uncle who taught at the same school, he had seen Tian Shouhua and Mo Xiaomi walking by the small river behind the school several times in the evening, and on two occasions, they were even holding hands!
Since the uncle often stayed in the school due to late work correcting homework, he was well-informed about Tian Shouhua’s matters and often came back to gossip. The Tian Family was just waiting for Tian Shouhua to bring the young lady home to prepare for a wedding!
"Brother Shouhua, I think Sister Xiaomi would make a great fourth sister-in-law for me, I really like her. Brother Shouhua, when are you going to marry her and bring her home?"
Tian Sisi continued to tease Tian Shouhua, seeing his blushing face made her want to laugh.
"Yeah, Brother Shouhua, when can we celebrate your marriage with Teacher Mo?" Zhong Ankang also joined in the teasing.
After Tian Sisi’s joke, the atmosphere around the table livelier, everyone started pestering Tian Shouhua about when the wedding banquet is happening, Tian Ping’an was the most eager among them, suggesting they enjoy this feast and slaughter another pig next month for another big meal!
Tian Ping’an and Tian Shouhua were the same age and had been working in the village since graduating from high school, just like his brother, he was a clever young man. Tian Chusheng had thought about finding him a wife so he could settle down early, but Tian Ping’an was unwilling. He felt dissatisfied, he couldn’t accept spending so many years studying only to spend a lifetime in this small mountain village.
The group laughed and teased for a while, giving Tian Shouhua a big red face, and only then did they let him off and turned back to drinking and eating.
"Xinhua is really lucky! How wonderful it would be if I could go to university too!"
After a few drinks, everyone became more talkative, and suddenly Zhong Ankang said this thoughtfully, making everyone pause. Indeed, how great it would be if they could all attend university!
"Why think so much? There are 365 professions, each can lead to greatness. Life isn’t just about going to university, there are many paths to take, and every road leads to the Capital!"
Tian Ping’an glanced at Tian Shouhua, worried he might overthink things, and quickly spoke to lighten the mood. Tian Shouhua had always been a better student than Xinhua, yet somehow the Tian Family had given the university spot to Xinhua, it was puzzling what the Tian Family was thinking.
Originally, everyone in the village thought that the university spot for Tian Xinhua was arranged by the Old Man, as after all, in these times, who could get recommended for university without connections and background?
"Yes, every road leads to the Capital. As long as we’re not afraid of hard work or getting tired, why fear that we can’t reach the Capital?"
Tian Shouhua also laughed heartily, displaying a calm expression. His disappointment from his younger brother going to university was long gone, everyone has their own fate, perhaps Tian Shouhua’s fate was yet to come!
"Come, let’s toast to reaching the Capital soon, cheers!"
Inspired by Tian Shouhua’s bold words, the young friends were spirited, lifting their glasses and clinking with a crisp sound, filled with confidence about the future.
Tian Sisi watched her friends with a smile, perhaps she could secretly share some hints. These shouldn’t count as changing someone’s fate, right? After all, getting into university would still require their own effort!