Translated by Serena Love

LF: editor~

The disappeared Hu Xianzhi did not return until night time.

In the evening, when Gu Huaijin was eating, he found that Hu Xianzhi, who often watched him eat in the cowshed, was not there. Gu Huaijin realized that he must have heard most of the conversation between him and He Songbai, and he must be running to his younger brother to inform him.

He was full of anger.

Gu Huaijin quickly went to He Songbai and said angrily, "That rabbit is going to tell his brother! Will this affect you?"

When Gu Huaijin discovered that Hu Xianzhi was not there, He Songbai also found out.

He Songbai said, "It doesn't matter."

He recalled the scene at that time. If he could not discover Hu Xianzhi, he must have been some distance away. At that time, he spoke very quietly, so probably Hu Xianzhi could not hear most of it. It might be that Gu Huaijin was too excited.

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He Songbai said, "The most important thing is to remove his post and his opportunity to do his tricks."

He paused and asked, "Is Headmaster Fu willing to listen to your opinion?"

Gu Huaijin assured, "You don't need to worry about this. He is a very decent person."

Gu Huaijin didn't write any letter at all. He went to the county post office the next day and sent a telegram to the principal. After sending the telegram, he walked out of the post office, and it happened to rain. He stood under eaves, and the desolate cold rain brought a blankness to his heart.

He suddenly felt that the past few decades were exhausting. Over the years, he had cultivated many students, some were outstanding, and some were unknown. But his direct disciples didn't make any achievements but instead harmed society. The first two didn't learn anything and blew up the mountain. The remaining disciple was punished with labor, and the other was suspected of bad behavior, which made him feel very uncomfortable.

In the trembling cold rain, Gu Huaijin's waist felt even more rickety.

---

In the Hezi village:

The news of the college entrance examination results finally crazily passed into the countryside. The villager, who was not studying, was doing nothing and was usually idle, was admitted to the university and the first place in the province!

This shocked the people in the surrounding ten miles and eight townships. Their poor and broken place actually came out with a sharp first.

A few decades ago, the first place in the whole province would be equivalent to a Jinshi. The villagers in Hezi village were astonished, and they all lamented that the ancestors of the landlord's family might have been proud.

[T/N: Jinshi was the highest and final degree in the imperial examination in Imperial China. The examination was usually taken in the imperial capital in the palace, and the recipients are sometimes referred to in English-language sources as Imperial Scholars.]

They had despised the old landlord's family quite a bit in their hearts and couldn't sit still at this moment. Everyone had such a complicated mood. When they talked to others, they were proud. But when they close the door, they can't believe it.

"Is this man's brain so clever? I remember He's family second never read a serious book!"

"Even second-raters can take the top spot. Isn't this college entrance exam too easy? Let my eldest try it next year."

"His result may have been copied!"

The educated youths in the brigade were dissatisfied, and they said, "This is a serious national college entrance examination. Cheating is not only illegal but also a crime!"

"If the college entrance examination is as easy as you said, everyone would be a college student!"

In the Li family:

The party secretary widened his eyes when he heard that He Songbai was the first of the X province.

He originally wanted to use the excuse that He Songbai was convicted of labor reforms for molesting and blaspheming a woman in the previous year to brush him down. As a result, he took first place, which made his plan difficult.

On this day, the brigade came to a reporter from a provincial newspaper. He asked He Songbai for a routine photo shoot. After all, he was the first of the province X since the recommencement of the college entrance examination. It was of great significance. This reporter intends to write a separate page of He Songbai's advanced deeds to encourage candidates to study next year.

But when he heard that this champion was actually a descendant of the landlord, the reporter's red-faced face suddenly became gray.

How could Zhao Lanxiang miss this opportunity to make He Songbai famous? She quickly caught the reporter's arm.

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She said, "Historically, there has been a saying that heroes don't ask for a way out. Comrade D, the country's leader, pays attention to educating strong countrymen and cherishes intellectuals. He let real talent stand out."

"Comrade He overcame the hardships and was admitted to the provincial champion without seriously schooling for a day. Isn't his effort in studying worthy of encouragement?"

Zhao Lanxiang's words caused the provincial newspaper reporter to stop,

She guided the reporter to sit down to interview He Songbai. Zhao Lanxiang asked him to write in the direction of the country respecting intellectuals and cherishing talents. She read the manuscript roughly and then let him go with satisfaction.

He Songbai saw her plan, and he wanted to cry and laugh.

Zhao Lanxiang said, "Brother Bai, this is an opportunity to make you famous. Only when others can see you, your problems can attract the attention of the society."

He Songbai heard the words and was silent.

He felt that she was very reasonable. He smiled and said, "You think really ahead."

But what He Songbai did not expect was because Zhao Lanxiang insisted on this article that allowed him to go to university.

---

Within a few days, Gu Huaijin quickly received a telegram reply from Mr. Fu, and he said to He Songbai, "After dismissal, Wu Yong has no job. I am afraid that he will return to Hezi village."

Gu Huaijin glared coldly at Hu Xianzhi.

Hu Xianzhi, who was burning wood, felt bitter and painful. He pressed down on his heart and brought out the boiled white porridge.

"Teacher, drink the porridge. I beat two eggs just like how you like it. It was delicious."

To not let Gu Huaijin alienate him, Hu Xianzhi honestly confessed and explained to Teacher Gu what happened that day.

Hu Xianzhi remembered Wu Yong had a smile on his face that day, and he couldn't help but shiver. He told Teacher Gu, "He asked me to bring a sentence to you."

He said, "I will pour back all the bitter water in my heart."

That day, Hu Xianzhi went to X University disappointedly to ask Wu Yong about the burning in the mountains last winter.

With a smile on his face, Wu Yong explained gently, "How could I do these things? Who told you this? You also know that I can't finish school without Teacher Gu. It was because of him there is me today. How can I do something to burn him?"

"If I did. I would not die peacefully."

Hu Xianzhi asked directly, "You don't have to lie to me anymore! I've already asked the old Wu who burnt ash that day. He said he had seen you in the mountain once, but he was sure everyone was gone before he sets fire. So why did you appear there at that time?"

Wu Yong's smile was stronger, and he said, "I did not see anyone at that time."

"But I insisted that Old Wu go to confirm it again. In the end, he didn't go, but I went up the mountain again and found Teacher Gu. If I didn't go up, Teacher Gu might not be able to live today. You think I am ungrateful?"

"Yes, if you didn't do it, explain to me why you ran there specifically that day?"

Wu Yong did not speak.

Hu Xianzhi looked at his smiling face and suddenly shivered. He left without saying much.

Before leaving, Wu Yong finally said, "Mr. Gu always prefers Brother Sun Xiang and never likes me. I wonder if it is due to my family's background that makes him hate me so much. I'm afraid I won't be able to do this job any longer. Help me give him a word."

"I will pour back all the bitter water in my heart."

The Hu Xianzhi heard this, and he jumped into the public transport with a snort. His fat body was clumsy and bloated, and the whole person was down like a rat in a gutter.

Wu Yong stared at the disappearing figure of his brother, and his eyes were profound.

Gu Huaijin listened to this sentence brought back by Hu Xianzhi and glanced at Hu Xianzhi with a disappointed look.

He scolded, "Sick, all bitter water! His brain seems to be broken."

Gu Huaijin wrote a letter telling Wu Yong that when he returned to Hezi village, he had something to explain, and he handed it to Hu Xianzhi. As a result, Gu Huaijin waited for half a month and did not see Wu Yong's reply.

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Time flies like running water, and after half a month, Laba passed during the busy spring preparations for farmers.

The New Year is coming, and the educated youths in the countryside were organized into teams to go home.

The day was grey and dark, and Sister He touched her belly and got up early. She poured a bowl of hot water for Granny and let her get up and moisten her throat in the morning.

She went to her own reserved land and picked a handful of vegetables to prepare noodles for breakfast. After picking the vegetables, she washed the crispy radishes one by one and cleaned them.

Suddenly she heard a slight footstep, and she said without looking back, "Brother Bai, did you come back so early today?"

As soon as she looked up, a man appeared in front of her. Soon, her mouth and nose were covered. Her neck was choked, her eyes were closed, and she fell beside the cold water well.

---

Jiang Li, who lived in the captain's house, was very excited this morning. She happily picked up her packed luggage and walked towards the He family's house with her small suitcase.

Zhao Lanxiang agreed to give her a bag of rice cakes and fritters. Jiang Li had eaten it. It was a sweet but not greasy, crispy, and delicious dessert.

Jiang Li has long coveted it for a long time. She only went to the Zhao family's house last year to eat two pieces cheekily. This year, she finally caught her a chance. She must make Zhao Lanxiang cook more for her to bring home.

However, Zhao Lanxiang said that this kind of thing would not last for too long, and it would be best if she made the food the night before. She asked her to come and pick it up today.

In order not to miss the bus, Jiang Li rushed to the He family early in the morning.

She saw Sister He washing the radishes by the well. This woman was the wife of the previous captain. People said that she had been pregnant for four months, and her belly bulged slightly, but she was squatting by the well.

Jiang Li wanted to shout to ask if she needs help, but she saw a man holding a handkerchief and quickly covered Sister He's nose and mouth.

Soon, she fell next to the well.

Jiang Li burst out cursing, "Motherf*****, what are you doing!"

She quickly threw down her luggage and rushed up like an arrow off the string.

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