The day after returning home, Tian Xiang made a call to Meng Cheng’an’s school to let him know she was safe.
Last year, with the reopening of the college entrance exams, many universities expanded enrollment. After the number of students increased, the dorm management office also installed phones, so Tian Xiang could contact Meng Cheng’an at the dorm in the future, not just at the Meng family.
Tian Xiang: "I asked the admissions teacher there. The results will be out in two weeks. By then, find some time to help me check."
The professional exam results from the Drama College would be available in two weeks. Although the school would send notifications to the recommending units, Tian Xiang wanted to know the results early.
Meng Cheng’an: "Okay. By the way, yesterday afternoon I went to the bookstore again and bought some college entrance exam books for you. I’ll mail them to you later."
After Tian Xiang finished her professional exams, she went to the theater troupe less often, only going when there were events and joining a couple of performances.
Next, she had to dedicate all her energy to the college entrance exams in July, striving for a good score without relying on the Meng family’s connections.
About ten days later, Meng Cheng’an sent a telegram to Tian Xiang, asking her to call him.
Tian Xiang guessed that it was probably about her results, so she went to the post office at noon to call Meng Cheng’an’s school.
Indeed, the results were out. Tian Xiang ranked fifth in the professional exam, with a perfect score on the written test.
She had anticipated the perfect score on the written test, but being fifth in the interview and professional composite surprised her a bit.
Meng Cheng’an: "The results were inquired by grandpa. Your theater troupe might have to wait a while to receive the notice."
Tian Xiang: "Alright, got it."
Meng Cheng’an could hear the excitement and joy in her voice and said with a smile, "There’s still the final hurdle, give it your all."
Tian Xiang: "Yes, yes."
After hanging up the phone, Tian Xiang patted her flushed cheeks, taking a deep breath.
Indeed, she needed to push hard. According to the newspaper predictions, this year’s college entrance exam participants would exceed last year’s, and the questions would also be relatively harder.
Last year, the timing was too rushed, and many people weren’t prepared, performing poorly. This year, they would certainly try again, and many educated youths returning to the city without job positions were focusing all their energy on university entrance exams.
Back in school, Tian Xiang’s grades were only average. Her language arts were fine, but she used to be too lazy, lacking diligence. Now, she was catching up and it wasn’t too late.
But mathematics was troubling. Mere hard work wasn’t enough; she needed someone to teach her.
Seeing her daughter struggling with her studies, Hu Honglian suggested having her son and daughter-in-law come back to teach her, as both had passed their exams.
However, when they discussed it over the weekend, Tian Chenhui and Wang Shanshan both said they couldn’t.
They were studying at a junior college, and Tian Xiang’s Drama College had higher requirements, beyond their capabilities.
There was no solution to this.
Hu Honglian didn’t just sit around; she took her more than a year-old grandson around to inquire, hoping to find a good teacher for her daughter.
Through such efforts, she finally reached Tian Xiang’s former high school math teacher.
After the reopening of the college entrance exams, these high school teachers were in high demand, frequently being solicited, with people offering gifts and money for tutoring.
Hu Honglian also gave gifts—alcohol, cigarettes, various supplements, you name it.
The math teacher recalled Tian Xiang’s study attitude and grades from back in the day, which were quite average. Even with hard work, she might not pass, but out of respect for the Meng family, he decided to tutor Tian Xiang.
Tian Xiang went three times a week, focusing on questions, having the teacher explain instances she didn’t understand.
Since she had plenty of practice books, her grades improved considerably.
Initially, the math teacher just wanted to take a look, but later he got serious, figuring that if Tian Xiang passed, it would also bring him prestige.
As May approached, Tian Xiang registered and informed Meng Cheng’an with a call.
What followed was even more intense and rigorous study.
During the last month, she took a long leave from the factory, halting work to focus solely on her studies.
Once she finished reviewing and learning all her materials, the day before the exam, Tian Xiang completely cleared her mind and had a good night’s sleep.
The next day, the whole family saw her off. Since it was the weekend, Tian Chenhui and Wang Shanshan also came to send her.
As they entered the school gate, Hu Honglian clutched her daughter’s hand and instructed, "Relax, it’s best if you can rely on yourself. If not, we have backup options."
As long as the old man was around, getting into this university wasn’t a problem for Tian Xiang.
Tian Xiang: "Mom, don’t worry." She was very confident now, determined to rely on herself for the university admission.
Hu Honglian nodded, feeling gratified, "Alright, my good daughter is the best." She also had good luck.
For the next three days, Tian Xiang didn’t study and focused on relaxing her mind.
Her family didn’t inquire about her situation until after the exams were over when Hu Honglian finally asked her daughter, "How do you think it went?"
Tian Xiang: "I feel pretty good about it, but we’ll only know for sure once the scores are released."
It was really hard to say for sure.
Hu Honglian: "As long as you feel good about it, then it’s likely steady. Come on, let’s go to the market to buy some meat and make dumplings to celebrate in advance."
The mother and daughter happily pushed the stroller to the market.
In the late 1970s, the concept of reform had just been introduced, and there were already many changes in the market. The supply of daily necessities wasn’t as tight anymore, quantities were available, and there were various coupons. Sometimes, one would encounter some private stalls selling vegetables and meat. Although there were still regulations, they weren’t as strict as before.
With the exams over, Tian Xiang returned to work at the factory, and now it was just a matter of waiting for the results and notification letters.
One day, just as Tian Xiang returned to the office after starting work, Chen Yong sighed and came over.
"I guess my exams this time are probably dicey again."
This year, Chen Yong took the exams again. He was quite persistent, as this was his second attempt.
Tian Xiang: "Battle again next year. With determination, an iron pestle can be ground into a needle."
Chen Yong chuckled, shaking his head, "Forget it, if I don’t pass this year, I’ll just work hard in my job from now on."
Tian Xiang: "You’re giving up just like that."
Chen Yong smiled and said, "My wife is pregnant. Before long, I’m going to be a dad, so I’ll leave these opportunities for my son in the future."
Tian Xiang’s jaw dropped, "Congratulations!"
Chen Yong scratched his head, "I’ll send you an invitation for the full month’s banquet."
After saying that, he paused and added, "But that might not be possible, as you might be in university by then. Well, let’s meet up when you come back during the holiday."
The two were recruited into the factory together, yet their futures diverged significantly.
Tian Xiang: "Alright, when I come back, I’ll visit everyone at the factory."
While they were chatting, there were loud laughs and surprises from the square outside. Chen Yong stretched his neck to look out the window and turned to Tian Xiang, "Lu Feng is back from his vacation."
Last year, Lu Feng got into a university in Beijing, enrolling in the spring, and had already completed half a year of courses.
Tian Xiang nodded, not bothering to glance, just listening was enough.
He was a troublemaker; whether he came back or not didn’t matter to her.