All the members are good people, only the host is a pervert

Chapter 163 The Young Widow 14

In the blink of an eye, it was 1977, the year when the college entrance examination was resumed.

Lin Ruan was relatively lucky. She had started studying six or seven years in advance at Lin Cuilan's suggestion. Furthermore, this wasn't her first time taking the college entrance exam in this era, and even with the help of the system, she was confident and calm. She even had the energy to chat leisurely with Lin Cuilan.

Lin Cuilan didn't know how confident Lin Run was. In her heart, even if Lin Run had studied for so many years, he might not be able to pass the college entrance examination - after all, it was the college entrance examination, and it was the first college entrance examination after a break of more than ten years. It was no exaggeration to say that it was like thousands of troops crossing a single-plank bridge.

She comforted Lin Ruan, and it seemed like she was also comforting herself: "It's best if you can get in. It doesn't matter which university you go to. It's okay if you can't. You're still young, and we can take the exam for several more years. As long as we can get in in the end, that's all that matters."

Lin Ruan smiled, but didn't give Lin Cuilan any guarantees. After all, before the admission letter came, everything she said was empty talk.

Since the date of the college entrance examination was set, Lin Cuilan has been paying even more attention to Lin Ruan. She stays up even later than Lin Ruan and studies recipes every day, aiming to strengthen her body and nourish her brain. If Lin Ruan hadn't stopped her, Lin Cuilan would have wanted to take a leave of absence to take care of Lin Ruan until the exam was over.

Even if the college entrance exam was reinstated, registering wouldn't be easy. Lin Ruan, with only a junior high school diploma, couldn't apply directly; she needed a recommendation from her employer. Lin Cuilan, not stingy, gave Lin Ruan ten "Da Tuanjie" tickets, or 100 yuan, and instructed her to give them as gifts to her superiors, smoothing the way for a recommendation.

Lin Ruan took the money and picked out some things from his space. After all, as a leader in the supply and marketing cooperative, he didn't need common things, so he chose to give them something rare. So, in addition to the meat and eggs, he also gave them an imported fountain pen, a carton of foreign cigarettes, and two bottles of foreign liquor—all available at the Friendship Store in those days, requiring foreign exchange coupons. He rushed to give them to the leader of the supply and marketing cooperative while on vacation.

The system had gotten her the foreign cigarettes and liquor. Ever since she'd agreed with the system, Lin Ruan had been asking for help regularly, asking for help selling some of the food stored in her space. The system had a lot of external skins, and she'd sold some on black markets all over the place. Besides asking for cash, she'd only asked for national bills and foreign exchange certificates. The cash alone was worth over three hundred thousand.

Lin Ruan also felt the weakness in his soul after letting the system attack multiple times in a short period of time. He absorbed more than ten energy balls before he recovered.

However, she also learned an unexpected piece of news through the system, a piece of news that caused the system to crash and cry for three days and three nights, saying that it had lost a lot of money:

The energy of this circular world is actually reduced by nine-tenths!

When Lin Ruan heard the news, she inexplicably remembered that when the world restarted, her soul was enveloped by a strange yet familiar feeling, allowing her soul to remain unscathed in the time flow that could strangle everything.

What exactly is that strange yet familiar feeling?

The director of the supply and marketing cooperative's personnel department was in charge of the recommendation process. Seeing Lin Ruan coming in with the items, he quickly refused, saying, "It's a good thing for young people to know how to make progress. I'll recommend anyone who wants to apply this year. Take these things back quickly. I can't accept them."

That was the truth, but beneath it all came human feelings. After a lot of arguing, Lin Ruan finally put down her things and left the director's house. When it came time to register, except for a few high school graduates and Lin Ruan, all those with junior high school education, except for the third batch, were rejected.

Others asked the director something, saying that if anyone could register for the college entrance exam, the burden on the academic affairs system would be too heavy. Since the notice stipulates that, then everyone should follow the regulations, without favoritism or partiality.

As for Lin Ruan, he is a family member of a martyr. Isn't it normal for him to receive preferential treatment?

Since receiving the recommendation letter, Lin Ruan took a short vacation, taking it until the end of the college entrance examination. It was already mid-to-late November, and the college entrance examination was in mid-to-early December, so it was only a little over half a month away. The supply and marketing cooperative readily approved Lin Ruan's leave.

Lin Ruan arrived at the County Education Bureau's admissions office to register, her recommendation letter and prepared photos in hand. The office was surprisingly quiet, perhaps because she wasn't early. A middle-aged official was in charge of the paperwork. Sure enough, he said almost everyone who needed to apply had already registered, and casually remarked that most applicants were applying for science and engineering programs.

Lin Ruan stuffed a few White Rabbit candies into the cadre's hand and, with a smile, inquired about the enrollment situation for the arts and science programs. The cadre squeezed the candies in his hand, smiled, and patiently said, "Logically, arts programs are easier, so there should be more applicants. Perhaps it's because of what happened a few years ago, so everyone's still a little worried. Even those who apply for arts programs are either junior colleges or teacher training programs. There are fewer candidates like you applying for arts majors at comprehensive universities. However, the fewest applicants are those who apply for English majors, and there are only a handful."

The cadre registered Lin Ruan and handed her the university application form. Lin Ruan looked at the few comprehensive universities that admitted literature majors. There were only two or three in her province, and no institutions of higher learning in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai.

Lin Ruan looked at the English department again. There were even fewer colleges and universities that recruited students for the English department. Apart from the teacher training colleges, the only good universities left were the two major foreign language colleges in Shanghai and Beijing.

She thought about it and decided not to be a writer in this life. It would be better to be a translator.

Lin Ruan took out a pen and filled out the application form. Without hesitation, she chose Shanghai University of Foreign Languages as her first choice. Beijing University of Foreign Languages and the Provincial Normal University were her second and third choices, both majoring in English.

After registering, Lin Ruan walked down the street. Everyone in the city could sense a strange excitement stirring. A break from the lazy, slow pace of life, the city was abuzz with news about the Gaokao. Whenever they met acquaintances or strangers, the first thing they'd ask was, "Are you taking the college entrance exam?"

Furthermore, numerous review classes were set up in the city, offering a wide range of courses, all free. This was the only year in the history of the Gaokao (National College Entrance Examination) that free review was offered to the entire public. In the previous era, Lin Ruan had once gone to join in the fun out of curiosity. Review classes were generally held in various middle schools, and they were packed, with people bustling around, even the aisles and entrances were packed. Seeing this, Lin Ruan chose to stay home and review.

It's the same in this world. When I'm tired at home, there's a warm kang to lie on. When I'm hungry, there's rice warmed in the pot by Lin Cuilan, and snacks bought from the supply and marketing cooperative. Why would I be so upset that I have to squeeze into the review class?

Just like that, Lin Ruan sat in the examination room smoothly. It wasn't difficult, not at all. She was sure she could get into the university she wanted without even needing the system to help her.

Linruan also applied for the English department, so it would take two and a half days. After taking exams in politics, mathematics, Chinese, history and geography, he also had to take an additional English test.

After the exam, Lin Cuilan's anxiety intensified. Although she frequently reassured Lin Ruan that everything was fine, the blisters on her lips perfectly reflected her feelings. This anxiety left Lin Cuilan feeling miserable for years, counting the days and eagerly checking her door several times a day for mail. She even made a point of stopping by the post office on her way to and from get off work to inquire about mail. As a result, the staff there knew her and memorized Lin Ruan's name, promising to deliver any mail to her home immediately.

It was not until mid-February that the news Lin Cuilan had been waiting for for a long time finally arrived. However, it was not an admission notice, but a notice that Lin Ruan had to go to the test center in the provincial capital to take an English interview.

Lin Cuilan asked anxiously, "Why does your university still need interviews? What's the point of interviews? Do you want to buy new clothes? I think they're just making things difficult for me. The interview is next week. When are you going to the provincial capital?"

Lin Cuilan's chattering didn't bother Lin Ruan. She consoled her, "Don't worry, Mom. I knew about the interview a long time ago and have already arranged everything. I'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative to ask for leave tomorrow. I'll be in the provincial capital the day after tomorrow, so I'll definitely make it in time. I know everything about the interview, so just relax and make me something delicious."

On the day of the interview, Lin Ruan, who had been staying in a guesthouse in the provincial capital, got up early in the morning. She washed up and had breakfast in her room. It was still hazy when she went out.

When I arrived at the testing center, there were already three or four candidates waiting. The teacher in charge was interviewing the candidates in a room inside. A female staff member outside the room sternly reminded each candidate that they were not allowed to bring any books.

The interview progressed slowly, and by the time Lin Ruan arrived, it was almost noon. She straightened her clothes and walked in.

Three or four teachers and two staff members sat in the exam room. They first had a brief conversation in English, then pointed to a small blackboard on the left floor with some phonetic symbols and asked Lin Ruan to read them. After she finished, the staff member came over and handed her a box with some cards inside, asking her to pick one. There was a short English story on it, which Lin Ruan read again.

This wasn't the end of the conversation. The final part was a free conversation, where the teacher asked about Lin Ruan's career, family background, and academic progress. The conversation lasted about ten minutes before stopping. After Lin Ruan left the exam center, she checked her watch. It was already past one in the afternoon.

She didn't delay, having a meal before rushing back to the county town the next day. However, there was no other way. The college entrance examination process in this world was extremely complicated. Those who passed the exam had to take their certificates to the hospital for a physical examination. Some people had unsatisfactory results and had to change their choices. Lin Ruan saw several people wiping tears outside the hospital.

After the physical examination, Lin Cuilan began to wait anxiously for the admission letter. She waited for more than half a month until the beginning of March. Finally, Lin Cuilan received a brown paper envelope from the postman. Lin Ruan's name was written on it, and the signature was "Shanghai University of Foreign Languages". She took out the white hard paper inside, and saw a line of black big words "College Admission Letter" on it.

Lin Cuilan was reading this line of words. Before Lin Ruan could do anything, Lin Cuilan started to sob.

She didn't know why she was crying. Was it because all her hard work had finally paid off? Or was it because she was reluctant to let Lin Ruan leave her for a better future?

It seems like both, but also like neither.

It was as if she just wanted to have a good cry.

Lin Ruan quickly comforted Lin Cuilan: "Mom, don't cry, this is a good thing." Lin Cuilan wiped her tears and scolded with a smile: "I'm happy. You, little girl, have made me proud."

In the following days, she was busy preparing for Lin Ruan's schooling in Hai City. First of all, there was work. The college entrance examination could not admit so many people, and the educated youth who did not pass the exam would face the problem of being unable to find a job when they returned to the city. Lin Ruan's job at the supply and marketing cooperative was sold for 800 yuan.

She had originally intended to give Lin Cuilan 400, but Lin Cuilan refused, letting Lin Ruan keep it for herself. Not only did she not ask for Lin Ruan's money, she even bought a lot of things for her out of her own pocket, packing up a bunch of large and small bags for Lin Ruan to take away when the time came.

On the day of departure, Lin Cuilan got up early, packed Lin Ruan's luggage again and again, and gave her many instructions. After Lin Ruan got on the train, Lin Cuilan looked at her through the window, feeling more and more reluctant to let her go. She said to her loudly: "Things are expensive in Shanghai, don't be frugal, eat what you need and wear what you need. If you don't have enough, tell me. Remember to come back for the New Year. I'll be waiting for you at this house. If you find a suitable young man, remember to write to me and tell me. I will bless you. My Ruan Ruan, my daughter..." Finally, watching Lin Ruan go away, Lin Cuilan squatted on the ground and burst into tears.

Those who came to see her off were all people whose children had been admitted to universities. Seeing how sad Lin Cuilan was, they hurriedly comforted her kindly: "The child is going to university, it's not like he won't come back. University also has winter and summer vacations. You will see him again in less than half a year."

Lin Cuilan suppressed her sadness and thanked him, wiped her face, and walked out of the train station. She knew that she was different from those parents. After all, Lin Ruan was not her child. One day, she would have a new family and a new mother-in-law.

Lin Ruan may not be able to come back again.