Reborn in '77, I have a job panel!

Chapter 89 Going to University

In early September, the weather was cool in the mornings and evenings, but still hot at midday.

The corn in the fields is ready to be harvested, and the millet has turned yellow. The villagers are busy with the autumn harvest, working from dawn till dusk every day.

The Qian family was also busy, but not with acquiring land; they were busy packing their belongings.

There are only a few days left until September 10th.

Hou Yufen took out the new clothes she had made for Qian Cheng, looked at them again, folded them neatly, and put them into her bundle.

The new quilt has been aired out several times; it's soft and fluffy, and smells of sunshine.

"Chengzi, this bundle contains clothes, this bundle contains blankets, and this bundle contains books. Remember them all."

Qian Cheng watched her stuff things in one by one and laughed: "Mom, that's enough, you can't carry too many."

Hou Yufen said, "Even if we can't carry it, we have to bring it. Everything costs money outside."

Qian Cheng didn't say anything more and let her stuff it in.

Qian Lu came in from outside, carrying two packs of cigarettes.

"Chengzi, take this with you."

Qian Cheng took a look and saw that it was a large-scale production brand, 18 cents a pack, two packs would cost more than three dollars.

"Brother, why did you buy this?"

Qian Lu said, "Take this with you, so you can share it with your classmates at school and get along well with them."

Qian Cheng looked at him, and his heart warmed.

"Brother, save the money you earned yourself to buy your wife some nice food."

Qian Lu waved his hand: "I have some, you can take it."

Qian Cheng didn't refuse anymore, took it, and put it in his bundle.

The eldest sister-in-law, heavily pregnant, came out of the house carrying a red cloth bag.

"Chengzi, this is for you."

Qian Cheng took it, opened it, and saw that it was a pair of bright red pillowcases with mandarin ducks printed on them.

My sister-in-law said, "It was part of my dowry, and I've never used it. You can take it to school and use it to create a festive atmosphere."

Qian Cheng looked at the pair of pillowcases, then at his sister-in-law, feeling a mix of emotions.

"Sister-in-law, this..."

The eldest sister-in-law smiled and said, "Take it; you and Mingxi will need it in the future."

Qian Cheng blushed, said nothing more, and put the pillowcase away.

The Zhang family is also tidying up.

Deng Jingshu checked Zhang Mingxi's luggage again and again, afraid of forgetting anything. Zhang Mingxi watched from the side, feeling both sweet and bittersweet.

"Mom, that's enough, stop pretending."

Deng Jingshu said, "What do you mean 'enough'? Everything costs money outside, so bringing more saves money."

Zhang Changtian sat to the side, smoking a pipe, without saying a word.

Zhang Mingxi walked over and sat down next to him.

"Dad, I'm leaving. Try to smoke less."

Zhang Changtian hummed in response, without looking at her.

Zhang Mingxi added, "Mom can't manage all this by herself, so please help her out."

Zhang Changtian hummed in agreement again.

Zhang Mingxi looked at him and suddenly felt a lump in her throat.

Her father was a stubborn man who never said anything nice. But she knew he had everything on his mind.

"dad……"

Zhang Changtian finally raised his head and glanced at her.

"Study hard when you go, and don't bring shame to our family."

Zhang Mingxi nodded, tears welling up in her eyes.

Zhang Changtian stood up, put his hands behind his back, and went out.

He walked to the door, then turned back and said in a muffled voice, "Write back if you need money."

After saying that, he left.

As Zhang Mingxi watched his retreating figure, tears finally streamed down her face.

Deng Jingshu walked over and put her arm around her.

"Don't cry, that's just how your dad is."

Zhang Mingxi nodded and wiped away her tears.

September 9th, the day before.

That evening, Qian Cheng went to the Zhang family's house.

Zhang Mingxi was sitting in the room, staring blankly at the radio. A broadcast was playing, but she wasn't listening.

Qian Cheng walked over and sat down next to her.

"What are you thinking about?"

Zhang Mingxi snapped out of her daze and looked at him.

"Think about tomorrow."

Qian Cheng asked, "Afraid?"

Zhang Mingxi thought for a moment and nodded: "A little."

Qian Cheng took her hand.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Zhang Mingxi looked at him, her eyes a little red.

"Qian Cheng, do you think we can make it?"

Qian Cheng said, "It can be done."

Zhang Mingxi asked, "How did you know?"

Qian Cheng said, "Because we're together."

Zhang Mingxi lowered her head and leaned on his shoulder.

The room was quiet, with music playing softly from the radio.

After a long while, Zhang Mingxi suddenly said, "Qian Cheng, thank you."

Qian Cheng was taken aback: "What are you thanking me for?"

Zhang Mingxi said, "Thank you for being with me, thank you for helping me, thank you for being so kind to me."

Qian Cheng looked at her, his heart softening.

"No need to thank me, it's nothing."

Zhang Mingxi looked up at him, her eyes sparkling.

"From now on, we'll always be together."

Qian Cheng nodded: "We've always been together."

On September 10th, just as dawn was breaking, Qian Cheng got up.

Hou Yufen had already prepared breakfast: millet porridge, boiled eggs, and two pancakes.

"Eat more, you'll get hungry on the way."

Qian Cheng sat down, ate two eggs, drank a bowl of porridge, and ate half a pancake.

After finishing his meal, he shouldered his luggage, pushed his bicycle, and went out the door.

Hou Yufen saw him to the door, her eyes red-rimmed.

"Chengzi, write back when you arrive."

Qian Cheng nodded: "Mom, don't worry."

Qian Lu and his sister-in-law also came out. The sister-in-law, who was heavily pregnant, stood at the door watching.

Qian Lu patted him on the shoulder: "Drive carefully."

Qian Cheng nodded, got on his bike, and headed towards the Zhang family's house.

When they arrived at the Zhang family's house, Zhang Mingxi was already waiting at the door.

She was carrying a large bundle on her back and a net bag in her hand containing a washbasin and a toothbrush cup. Deng Jingshu stood beside her, her eyes red-rimmed.

Zhang Changtian didn't come out, but the door was ajar, and smoke was drifting out.

Qian Cheng stopped the car, took Zhang Mingxi's luggage, and tied it to the back seat.

Deng Jingshu held Zhang Mingxi's hand tightly, reluctant to let go.

"Mingxi, write back when you arrive."

Zhang Mingxi nodded, her eyes reddening.

"Mom, take care."

Deng Jingshu nodded and wiped away her tears.

Zhang Mingxi glanced at the door, then turned and sat on the back of the bicycle.

Qian Cheng got on his bike and drove off.

After riding for a while, Zhang Mingxi looked back. The Zhang family home was getting farther and farther away, gradually getting smaller, until it disappeared from sight.

She leaned against Qian Cheng's back and closed her eyes.

Qian Cheng didn't say anything, but rode even more steadily.

When they arrived in town, they took a bus to the county.

The train was packed with people. Qian Cheng shielded Zhang Mingxi, preventing others from crowding her. Zhang Mingxi leaned against him, clutching her bag, feeling both nervous and expectant.

It took a little over an hour to reach the county.

They got off the bus and then transferred to another bus to go to the city.

It takes more than four hours to get from the county to the city. The bus is one of those old-fashioned large buses with hard seats and a very bumpy ride. Zhang Mingxi gets carsick and vomited halfway through the journey, turning pale.

Qian Cheng wiped her mouth and handed her water to rinse it.

"Bear with you, we're almost there."

Zhang Mingxi nodded, leaned on his shoulder, and closed her eyes.

We finally arrived in the city around 2 p.m.

The city is much bigger than the county town; the streets are wider, the buildings are taller, and there are more people and cars on the roads.

They got off the bus and stood at the station entrance, looking at the unfamiliar street scene, all a little bewildered.

Qian Cheng took out his admission notice, which had the address: Liaoning Normal University, Huanghe Road, Shibei District.

He asked a passerby, who told him to take bus number 2 and get off at the last stop.