"Dongxue, I won’t let you be without books. In fact, I have enough money for one person’s tuition, but I’m not sure how to explain to dad where this money came from. So I’ve decided to wait until I come back from C Province and put this money I have into the reward. Don’t worry, even if we have no money left, I can borrow from my friends. They will lend me."
Seeing that He Dongxue quietly changed her clothes without saying a word, He Zhilan revealed her financial situation.
"Sister-in-law, money for one person’s tuition? Where did you get so much money?" He Dongxue was shocked.
"Haven’t I mentioned it before? During the Spring Festival this year, Gu En burnt my hand. This money was given to me by the Gu Family as compensation. I haven’t used it at all. I also make and sell handicrafts at school. Your brother gives me living expenses every month, and I save all of it," He Zhilan patted He Dongxue’s shoulder, "Plus the salary your brother would send, it should just about cover the semester’s tuition. As for next semester, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. You must go to school!"
"Thank you, sister-in-law! Neither my brother nor you mentioned this money. You could have kept it for yourself, but you chose to tell me." He Dongxue felt grateful, "Sister-in-law, you’re awesome."
"Am I awesome? I used to be ignorant and did a lot of absurd things. Are you not holding a grudge against me for that?" He Zhilan laughed softly.
"Not at all, especially after you told me about your birth parents. I feel so sorry for you. If I were in your shoes, I might not have been able to handle it either. Most importantly, you’ve changed for the better, much better!" With these words, He Dongxue hugged He Zhilan’s shoulders with teary eyes, "I just want to thank you!"
"Go to sleep," He Zhilan gently patted He Dongxue’s back to soothe her emotions. She could understand He Dongxue’s feelings. Originally, she had given up on going to school, but now there was new hope again.
For someone who desired higher education, this kind of hope could indeed trigger uncontrollable emotions. She could empathize with these emotions, just as she had felt when she was in the desert and caught sight of an oasis the previous year.
The news that He Dongxue had been admitted to the First Military Medical University in the capital spread throughout the township in no time, making He Family infamous for having two daughters in university but facing destitution at home.
One day, He Zhongguo and his two daughters were having dinner together when the town matchmaker suddenly pushed open the door of the He’s compound and came in.
"Old He, are you home? Oh, you’re having dinner? And both of your daughters are here?" The matchmaker heard voices in the hall and walked straight in. Seeing the family of three having dinner, she was not embarrassed at all. While talking, she glanced at He Zhilan and then at He Dongxue.
He Zhongguo did not recognize the matchmaker. They didn’t use her when his son He Teng got married. So seeing this woman coming in and greeting him so familiarly, he was confused for a while.
"Don’t tell me you don’t recognize me? That would be strange. Few people in these villages do not know me. I’m from your sister He Hongmei’s town, you know Chatty Matchmaker? That’s me." The matchmaker laughed heartily as she spoke, then asked, "Which one of you is your younger daughter, Dongxue?"
"This one, over here." He Zhongguo pointed to He Dongxue on his left. When the woman mentioned she was a matchmaker, he became even more confused, "Sister, did you come to my house for something?"