Bai Fumei in the 70’s

"Originally, you still have a chance. You have a good temperament and are also really great at handling social relationships. If the people voted, surely you'd have been chosen. But just then, when the leader was standing right over there, what were you doing?"

Zhou Jiazhen felt both indignant and regretful.

Zhao Lanxiang couldn't laugh or cry, because it turned out that there was still such a thing.

But when she thought about it carefully. It seemed that in her previous life, Jiang Li did not go to university anytime soon.

The so-called "college students" who attended the workers, peasants, and soldiers university were also selected from local residents, whether they were workers, farmers, or part of the People's Liberation Army. Afterward, those students would then return to farm production after received several years of proper education.

But looking at Zhou Jiazhen who appeared so disappointed, Zhao Lanxiang couldn't help but comfort her. "It's okay, I don't care."

She truly was not interested in the selection of college students of the workers, peasants, and soldiers university, and had never even thought of applying in the first place.

Zhao Lanxiang knew that in the year 1977, the college entrance examination would resume. From then on, they would no longer require a recommendation in order to get into college. People would be able to attend college through their own efforts.

Although there were many outstanding talents among the workers, peasants, and soldiers college students, as well as many students who finished college, because of the increasing occurrence of people going through the backdoors, the quality of the students was uneven. This would make it so that later on, the qualifications of the workers, peasants, and soldiers university would not be recognized. One was given a recommendation to attend college, while the other was admitted to college using their own strength. It was needless to say which one was more impressive.

The workers, peasants, and soldiers' university was so popular at this time that some people would dedicate all their blood, sweat, and tears to get in, but this did not appeal to Zhao Lanxiang. For now, it was a very bright road to exit rural household registration and eat commercial grain. In order to grab such an opportunity, the price paid by ordinary people was unimaginably heavy.

[T/N: "commercial grain" refers to the food that was sold in the market, thus they don't plant it themselves, a.k.a. they have moved up in the world and no longer need to work in the field.]

She took a sip of water, smiled, and said, "Of course, this opportunity must be reserved for people who are truly struggling, in order to create a positive effect. Would you dare think that I'm in such a position?"

Zhou Jiazhen was about to scream, but she went silent for a long time before replying, "I dare not think about it."

Zhao Lanxiang fiddled with her dry hair, and her apricot eyes flashed, "Although I was also expecting to be elected, it is not worth it for me to study. Even if I don't have a college degree, my dream will one day be achieved. The road is tortuous but the future is bright."

Zhou Jiazhen yanked Zhao Lanxiang's ponytail and smiled while pretending to scold, "Pei pie pei, they are all old girls anyway, who dares to think about studying at university."

Zhao Lanxiang handed the kettle to Zhou Jiazhen, "Come drink some water before we have to go back to work."

After the break, everyone started to work again. Zhao Lanxiang's head was facing the ground as she began to dig the trenches. She worked so slowly that when everyone else was finished with their work, she was still digging.

Suddenly Zhou Jiazhen appeared, shoved Zhao Lanxiang's arm, and asked in surprise: "Look over there, why has He's second son come?"

Zhao Lanxiang looked up. He Songbai came down from the mountain for some reason, and was currently standing behind her.

He nonchalantly said, "I finished my work."

Zhao Lanxiang said, "If you are done, what are you doing here?"

Her lips were tilted upright.

He Songbai said, "My sister told me to come and help you ."

Zhao Lanxiang's hands clenched up, and the smile on her lips also faded.

"Oh, then I would like to thank elder sister for caring about me... but she already helped me once in the morning, there is no need to help me again in the afternoon."

When He Songbai heard that, his thick black eyebrows knotted. As if in his heart, he was wondering why this woman was such a troublesome creature. 

Zhao Lanxiang turned away, gripped her shovel, and bent over to continue digging the soil.

He Songbai quickly glanced around, lowered his voice, and said, "You are weak. Don't try to act tough. Just wait for me. Later, when there are more people, I won't be able to help you."

After he finished talking, he grabbed Zhao Lanxiang's hoe and bent over to dig up the soil. His hoe fell into the ground, and the soil around him splashed up swiftly and easily. Zhao Lanxiang had spent an entire afternoon digging, but he had finished it in just a half an hour. The pit was deep and neat, and the leftover soil was neatly stacked into two piles.

He Songbai's forehead was covered in sweat. He said, "I will come to help you later, be obedient this time."14

After he had dropped this sentence, he left. His soft voice echoing in the wind.

The word "obedient" made Zhao Lanxiang slightly stunned.10

Her old man had often said this word, and every time he would say it, he said the word gently and his face was endlessly indulgent. She finally found a little bit of similarity between them.1

Zhao Lanxiang placed her hand over her thumping heart.

Zhou Jiazhen couldn't help but yell in surprise. In her mind, only people who were dealing with their girlfriend would do their work in such a fair and honest manner.

Zhao Lanxiang hurriedly covered her mouth and said, "The children of the He family are very nice. You should not be prejudiced against them."

Zhou Jiazhen looked as if she'd been struck by lightning. She said, "You have also been deceived by them. The people who are close to a cinnabar become red, and the people who are close to an ink become black. The old saying was actually true."

Zhao Lanxiang also said, "I believe what I see and feel. I won't blindly believe the gossip. You live in the branch secretary's house, you also help with household chores, and you always pay rent on time. But do they come to help you work?"

Zhou Jiazhen said a few words, "They are busy people, how could they be so free as to do these tasks."

However, Zhao Lanxiang said, "The secretary's house does not have to worry about not eating or drinking enough. If the children of the He family do not work, they cannot eat, but they still chose to help me finish my work."

Zhou Jiazhen couldn't find any more words.

Zhao Lanxiang sighed and said, "Get back to work."1

Zhou Jiazhen said, "Good!"