Zheng Xianghong watched Gao Jiaxing run back soaked in sweat and immediately panicked, "Son, weren’t you supposed to be taking the exam? Why did you come back ? Did you get into a fight? Where are your books, your pens, your lunchbox?"
"I lost them," Gao Jiaxing replied, heading straight to his room. Short on time and lacking the mood to discuss more, he swiftly returned to his room, took some money from under the bed, changed his sweatshirt, and ran out again.
Zheng Xianghong called out hurriedly, "There’s a bullock cart!"
But it was unclear whether Gao Jiaxing heard her or not, he just ran off, and the bullock cart wasn’t as fast as Gao Jiaxing anyway.
Zheng Xianghong could no longer see Gao Jiaxing and sighed, "What happened to this child now, fighting again? It’s the college entrance exams, and still fighting, it’s really worrisome."
That afternoon, Gao Jiaxing ultimately didn’t miss his exam but had skipped his meal. Coupled with a lot of physical activity from the morning to noon, hiding from those people with Ge Lai, getting involved in a fight, running back to the farm team and then back to the school, and buying exam tools before heading straight into the examination room.
Naturally, Gao Jiaxing was dizzy with hunger, and even extremely thirsty which greatly impaired his performance.
When the exams ended, Gao Jiaxing became silent and hardly appeared. The Gao family suspected that Gao Jiaxing hadn’t performed well and no one dared to ask him.
Xia Xiao asked Gao Jiaxing how the exam went, and Gao Jiaxing gave Xia Xiao a profound look. After a long pause, so long that Xia Xiao felt inexplicably nervous, Gao Jiaxing finally shifted his gaze but said nothing.
Seeing this, Xia Xiao guessed that Gao Jiaxing probably didn’t do well, so she didn’t ask further.
When the results were released, Gao Jiaxing’s scores were not high, not even reaching the university threshold.
Seeing the results, Gao Jiaxing felt terribly upset. Although he suspected his results wouldn’t be great, he felt deeply disappointed upon seeing them. He didn’t tell his family what had happened that day, but Zheng Xianghong knew Gao Jiaxing had gotten into a fight that day and was constantly worried about him.
Gao Guoqiang said, "If you want to go to university, study for another year. If not, rejoin the farm team or go with your brother to teach, or join the film crew, the large brigade, the commune..."
Gao Guoqiang listed a slew of options, and Gao Jiazhi said, "Perhaps you should study for another year, Jiaxing. The scores in your other subjects aren’t bad, consider retesting for military school next year." Gao Jiazhi still hoped Gao Jiaxing could fulfill both their dreams by attending military school.
In his lifetime, Gao Jiazhi would never be able to join the army or attend military school, so he still hoped Gao Jiaxing could.
Gao Jiaxing said nothing; his mind was still a mess, and he didn’t know how to choose.
Ge Lai came over to the Gao family to apologize to Gao Jiaxing for causing him trouble on the exam day when Gao Jiaxing saved him. Ge Lai felt extremely guilty.
Gao Jiaxing, not wanting Ge Lai to babble on, pulled him out the door. Ge Lai said, "Gao Er, I’m sorry. If it hadn’t been for me that day, you would have been admitted to university."
"It’s not your fault, don’t be such a woman about it," Gao Jiaxing retorted, and if it happened again, he would still save Ge Lai, unable to just stand by.
"Anyway, you are my brother, my true brother. Anytime you need help, I would go through fire and water, even at the cost of my life," Ge Lai asserted.
Gao Jiaxing was amused by Ge Lai’s words and said, "Alright, looks like I’ve even earned a life from you," and gave Ge Lai a look, "What do I need your life for? It’s not something that can help me get into university."
"I really mean it," Ge Lai insisted and then asked, "What do you plan to do?"
Gao Jiaxing kicked a small stone at his feet and said, "What can I do? I’ll try the exams again. There are fewer military recruits now, they don’t recruit from the rural areas anymore, only from the cities. If I want to join the army, my only option is to try for military school."
"Good, I support you, brother," Ge Lai said. "I’m not a book person, or else I’d like to try for military school too."
Gao Jiaxing responded, "Forget it, you used to copy my homework, you never listened attentively in class nor did you do your homework properly."
"That’s why I said I’m no scholar. Remember how you used to get the homework wrong and because I copied your answers, the teacher punished me?"
As they spoke of old times, once they had left, Xia Xiao emerged from hiding and learned that Gao Jiaxing hadn’t made it into university, and it was because he had saved Ge Lai and fought on the exam day.
Xia Xiao didn’t go to the Gao family, nor did she think of comforting Gao Jiaxing. Although Gao Jiaxing looked dejected, he wasn’t completely disheartened, which was a good sign.
Xia Xiao left the farm team and went to Black Bear Cave.
Sometimes when she had free time, Xia Xiao liked to come here. The world of animals was simpler than that of humans, and she felt more relaxed and happier here. However, she was human, and no matter how relaxed and happy she was here, it was temporary; she would eventually have to live among human society.
Xia Xiao didn’t go home, nor did Dong Meihua; Yang Xuehua and Sun Yuhua did.
Many from Youth Point returned, even Xu Mei and Yao Wangchun, but Gu Weiguo didn’t.
Although it was the start of a special period this year, in May, Xia Xiao sent a letter home, but since the special period hadn’t started yet, she couldn’t say too much.
That year, the He brothers had come home for the New Year, and seeing Dong Meihua thinner and darker, not as plump and fair as before, He Xuegang was distressed.
Li Shengmei was delighted when she saw her two sons return, but seeing He Xuebing’s unhappy face, Li Shengmei wasn’t afraid but just hinted at her older son He Xuegang.
He Xuebing turned around and walked out immediately. He Hongjun unhappily said to Li Shengmei, "Look at you, you’ve upset Bingzi so much he doesn’t even want to deal with you anymore, you’re always causing trouble."
Li Shengmei protested, "How am I causing trouble? I’m doing it for Bingzi’s good. That Xia Xiao is not worthy of my son."
He Hongjun started to say something, but He Xuegang said, "Yes, Dad, the female soldiers in the army aren’t bad, and Bingzi is quite popular there." He Xuegang engaged He Hongjun in discussing military training and finally distracted him.
Li Shengmei breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that her older son was supportive.
Outside Youth Point, He Xuebing came to see Xia Xiao. Wang Aihua said, "Xia Xiao, go out and talk to him. Don’t let him stand outside drawing attention."
Xia Xiao nodded and, looking at He Xuebing, who had become darker and leaner but no less handsome, managed a slight smile and said, "Mr. He."
"Xia Xiao, let’s talk," He Xuebing said.
Xia Xiao responded, "You can say whatever you have to say right here."
"I’m here to apologize on my mom’s behalf, my mom..."