Bringing Good Luck to your Husband in the ’70s

    A few days later, Han Aimin came back from school. When the children saw that his uncle was finally back, they happily climbed on his legs and crawled up to him.

　　Han Aimin picked them up and bumped them left and right, making the two children giggle.

　　After taking his two children out to play, Han Aimin put them down, opened his schoolbag, took out a few high school textbooks, and said to Su Yue: “Sister-in-law, I don’t understand many questions. My classmates don’t know it either, so I brought them back to you and ask you to tell me.”

　　Su Yue went over to take a look and found that they were all questions about physics and chemistry, and couldn’t help but ask: “How are you doing in other subjects?

Han Aimin: “I have no problem with Chinese, politics and mathematics. It’s just that I have a hard time learning physics and chemistry. I don’t understand many parts. The classmates around me don’t study at all, so I can’t ask.”

　　Su Yue patted his shoulder. She encouraged: “It’s okay. It’s normal for you to be like this. You had little exposure to physics and chemistry before, so it’s normal for it to be difficult to learn. But you can’t give up. You have to understand it slowly. If you don’t understand, ask the teacher. If you still don’t understand, bring it back and ask me, you must not let it go if you don’t understand, and you must not give up studying, you know?”

　　Ever since Han Aimin came here to attend high school, Su Yue had been telling him to study hard, so that he must not follow the crowd and not take study seriously.

　　Han Aimin nodded, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry. I know it. My classmates don’t study, and the teacher doesn’t take class seriously. But I didn’t learn from them. I read and wrote the questions carefully by myself. I won’t be sloppy.”

          He is such an old man. If he was left in someone else’s house, he would have already made money independently to reduce the burden on the family. But his eldest brother and sister-in-law created such good conditions for him to study, and even bought a house opposite the school. If he didn’t study , he would really be wasting the efforts of his eldest brother and sister-in-law. Although he didn’t know what benefits studying would bring, and although he was often laughed at by his classmates behind his back, he still studied seriously and did not dare to slack off at all.

　　Su Yue felt relieved knowing that Han Aimin was studying hard, and it was not in vain that she emphasized studying in his ears over and over again. She didn’t want to be so annoying, but the college entrance examination would be resumed soon, and the first class of the resumed college entrance examination had 500 students. More than 700,000 candidates took the college entrance examination, but less than 500 were admitted in the end. The admission rate could not even reach 5%. It was cruel. Without real talent and practical knowledge, you would not be able to pass the college entrance examination. And Han Aimin happened to be a recent high school graduate and is within the reference range, so she asked Han Aimin to study hard. When the news of the resumption of the college entrance examination is released, he will know the benefits of studying hard.

　　Later, Su Yue explained to Han Aimin in detail what he didn’t understand. Although it was many years ago that she took the college entrance examination, she was still a top student when she was in school, and she still remembered a lot of high school knowledge , even if you forget some of the content, you will understand it immediately after reading the textbook. It is much higher than Han Aimin’s comprehension, so there is no problem in teaching him.

　　At this moment, Xiaobao ran in from outside and ran to Su Yue.

　　He said to her very worriedly: “Mom, Maomao was beaten by his mother. Go and have a look.”

　　”Ah?” Su Yue was stunned, and after listening carefully, there seemed to be a faint cry of a child next door. She thought Maomao looked like he had no flesh on his body, so she was a little worried, so she got up and went next door to see what was going on.

　　But the door next door was closed, and Mao Xue’s scolding and Mao Mao’s whimpering sounds came from inside, as if Mao Xue was lecturing the child.

　　Su Yue hesitated for a moment, then knocked on the door.

　　Mao Xue opened the door from the inside and saw Su Yue. She felt unnatural for a moment and asked, “Sister-in-law, why are you here?”

　　Su Yue looked inside and happened to see Mao Mao huddled in the corner crying, and couldn’t help but ask: “Why did you beat Maomao? I got worried so I came to have a look.”

　　Mao Xue couldn’t just block Su Yue from the door, so she had to open the door and let Su Yue in, explaining: “This child is too noisy. The books I was reading were made all wet. I slapped him a few times when I was angry, and it was because I was too impatient.”

　　Su Yue looked at the book on the table, which vaguely seemed to be a collection of poems, and was wet by the water. It was a little wet, and next to it was an overturned cup. Maomao must have accidentally knocked it over while drinking water and made the book wet. She went to see Maomao again and found that the child’s face was red and swollen, and a clear slap mark was particularly obvious on the cheek.

　　Su Yue frowned, feeling a little dissatisfied with Mao Xue’s approach. It was normal for children to be unable to hold the cup firmly. It would be fine if the book got a little wet and dried. Why did you beat the child like this? Moreover, Maomao is really well-behaved and obedient. Compared with ordinary children, he is already very worry-free. How could Mao Xue bear to beat like this?

　　She walked to the corner and picked up Maomao. Although Maomao shrank a little, he didn’t refuse. Instead, he held on to her clothes tightly, as if he had found a harbor, and nestled in her arms like a thin kitten. Not to mention how distressing it is.

　　Su Yue patted his little back to tell him not to be afraid, and then looked at Mao Xue and said, “It’s normal for children to be naughty. Maomao is already very well-behaved. Those two boys in my family have damaged so many things in the house till now. So, don’t worry, tell him properly, he will understand.”

　　Mao Xue’s expression was a little unnatural, and she nodded awkwardly, “It’s my fault, I got impatient for the moment.”

　　Su Yue couldn’t say anything else, so she asked: “It just so happened that my brother-in-law came back from school today. I made a lot of food. I will take Maomao to my house to eat something and play with Dabao and Xiaobao. OK?”

　　Mao Xue tucks her hair and said, ” Sister Yue Iis embarrassing to eat your food again and again .”

　　”What’s this? How much can he eat as a child? Then I’ll take him there and bring him back to you after the meal.”

　　Mao Xue could only nod.

　　Su Yue hugged Maomao and returned home.

　　When Mrs. Han saw the slap mark on Maomao’s little face, she immediately felt distressed, “Why did she hit him so hard? He’s such a young kid, why did she hit him like that? Even if you want to hit him, you can’t hit him in the face. Just spank him on the butt. Did it happen?”

　　Dabao and Xiaobao felt very distressed when they saw Maomao being beaten. Xiaobao went up and blew on the slap mark, and said: “It doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t hurt, it won’t hurt if you blow it.”

　　Dabao was one step faster than Su Yue, he ran into the room and collected the medicine box.

　　He took the medicine box over and said to Su Yue: “Mom, apply the medicine.”

　　Su Yue took the medicine box, found the ointment, and applied the medicine to Mao Mao. The little guy bit his lip and didn’t moan even if it hurt, which was heartbreaking to see.

　　Old Mrs. Han asked Su Yue: “Why did his mother beat him like that? What mistake did this child make?”

　　Su Yue explained the cause and effect.

　　Mrs. Han became angry when she heard this, “Just because the child accidentally wet the book, you beat him like this? If I didn’t know, i would have thought she was not his biological mother but his stepmother. Why are you so cruel!”

　　Su Yue also felt that Mao Xue had gone too far , the child is a piece of flesh that fell off the mother’s body, and it hurts deeply. Although the child must be disciplined when he makes a mistake, knocking over the cup is just an unintentional mistake of the child. Just educate him, and he will not be moved. Such hands.

　　Old Mrs. Han frowned and muttered to Su Yue: “I always feel that the kid next door doesn’t look like he’s going through life.”

　　”Huh?” Su Yue was confused, “Mom, why do you say that?”

　　Old Mrs. Han pointed out quietly. Pointing to the next door, “Do you see any daughter-in-law who reads books all day long but doesn’t work? Maomao doesn’t go to work, so she takes care of the children at home, but she reads books all day long. Maomao is often alone. Crouching and playing at the door, I have never seen his mother take Maomao out for a walk. Not only that, she also doesn’t tend to his vegetable stall. It’s been how many days. Is it possible that she doesn’t want to eat vegetables? Which small family? Is this how your daughter-in-law lives?”

　　After hearing what Mrs. Han said, Su Yue also felt that something was wrong. Mao Xue seemed to often read books at home, and also read those words, poems, etc., which was a bit sad for spring and autumn. It feels like, while serious children are not taken care of and housework is treated carelessly, it does seem to be putting the cart before the horse.

　　Logically speaking, a young daughter-in-law in this era shouldn’t be like this. This Maoxue gave her the feeling that she was incompatible with her current life and that she was immersed in her own world.

　　Soon after that the news of the resumption of the college entrance examination came out that Su Yue understood why Mao Xue was like this.

　　In September 1977, the Ministry of Education of China held a national college admissions conference in Beijing and decided to resume the national college admissions examination that had been suspended for ten years and select talents through the unified examination and merit-based admissions.

　　On October 21 of the same year, China’s major media announced the resumption of the college entrance examination, and revealed that this year’s college entrance examination will be held nationwide one month later.

　　This news spread across the country, the whole country cheered, and millions of students cried with joy. This news was like a drop of sweet rain, falling into the hearts of many students who could not see hope in the desert. How could they not be happy, this is their hope in a desperate life.

　　Therefore, those who are going to take the college entrance examination are getting ready, buying books, buying materials, and overcoming all difficulties to start reviewing and preparing for the college entrance examination. Although there was not much time to prepare, they did not want to miss the slightest opportunity.

　　After Han Aimin learned the news, he ran home happily and said excitedly to Su Yue: “Sister-in-law, the country is resuming the college entrance examination, and I can take it too!”

　　Su Yue smiled and nodded, “Sister-in-law knows take the time to review and try to get into a good university. “

　　Han Aimin nodded solemnly, “Sister-in-law, thanks to you for letting me study hard in the past few years, I have already finished learning high school knowledge, and now I can review it again. I am very confident now, thanks to you sister-in-law! You told me that learning will definitely be useful. I couldn’t understand it all these years, but now I finally understand. “

　　Su Yue patted him on the shoulder, “Then you can’t relax. There will definitely be many people applying for this exam. You have many competitors, so you have to work hard. “

　　Han Aimin nodded heavily. He didn’t even have time to play with his two little nephews. He rushed into the room and started studying.

　　Su Yue asked Dabao and Xiaobao to be obedient and not to disturb the uncle. The two little guys probably also knew that their uncle’s study was very important, hence nodded obediently and really didn’t bother him.

　　But at night, a very loud quarrel came from the next door. The sound was so loud that Su Yue couldn’t ignore it.

　　The noise was getting louder and louder. It was fierce, and there was the sound of smashing things. Su Yue was afraid that Maomao would be frightened by the quarrel between the two adults, so she was going to persuade Maomao and take Maomao over. When she walked next door, she saw the door of their house wide open and the house was in a mess. They were all objects broken. Mao Xue and her husband Ge Jun were standing in the living room arguing.

　　Ge Jun: “You are already married to me, and we have Maomao. How can you bear to abandon your husband and son just to go to University? what do we do? “

The expression on MaoXue’s face was very cold, “You were the one who forced me to marry you in the first place. We are not from the same world at all. You don’t understand me at all. Now that the college entrance examination is resumed, this is my only chance to turn around. I won’t give it up for anyone!”

　　Ge Jun roared: “Okay! ” You haven’t taken me to heart yet. I know you look down on me, but what about your son? He is your own flesh and blood, can you bear leave him ? What will he do if you leave? “

MaoXue didn’t even look at Mao Mao, who was shivering in the corner, and said with a cold face: “I didn’t want him at the beginning. It was you who forced me to get pregnant, and it was you who begged me to keep it, so I kept him. It will only drag me down! Sure enough, now you want to use him to hold me back? I tell you, no way! None of you can stop me from taking the college entrance examination, otherwise we will get divorced now! “

　　” You! ” Ge Jun was shaking with anger, his eyes were red, but he finally gave in, “I can’t stop you from taking the exam, but can’t you review at home? Why must you leave? “

Mao Xue was unmoved at all, ” Is there anyone who can study at home ? I have to take care of child and housework at home, so how can I concentrate on studying? You are simply trying to hold me back from letting me go. “

　　Ge Jun was so angry that his hands were shaking and he couldn’t say a word.

　　Su Yue understood everything after hearing this. It turned out that Mao Xue married Ge Jun unwillingly and wanted to go back to the city. She didn’t even want maomao. No wonder she didn’t care about Mao Mao.

　　It seemed that after the college entrance examination was resumed, many educated youths chose to abandon their husbands or wives and children in order to return to the city. Unexpectedly, she encountered a real case. Although MaoXue didn’t explicitly abandon her husband and son now, but looking at her attitude, it would be a mystery when she really went to college.

　　Su Yue felt a little disappointed, but if she intervened now it would inevitably hurt Ge Jun’s face, so she returned home silently, thinking of going to see Maomao the next day.

　　With this matter in mind, Su Yue got up early the next morning to see Maomao. At this time, Ge Jun was not at home. Maomao was huddled at the door in a daze as usual. She went in and saw that Mao Xue was packing her luggage at home.

　　Su Yue didn’t want to meddle in other people’s business, but she still couldn’t help asking: “Are you leaving?”

　　Mao Xue paused for a moment, then said firmly: “I must take the college entrance examination. This is my only chance.”

　　Su Yue didn’t know what to say. Everyone had different ideas. She was not the person involved and couldn’t comment. She just felt sorry for Maomao in her heart.

　　Seeing that Su Yue was silent, Mao Xue said: “Sister-in-law, I heard that your family is also from the city, and you married your husband as an educated youth who went to the countryside. Aren’t you going to take the college entrance examination? This is a good way to go back to the city. What an opportunity.”

　　Su Yue shook her head, “I have no plans to take the college entrance examination.”  This is the truth. She has never thought about taking the college entrance examination. Apart from the fact that her children cannot live without her, she also feels that she does not need to take it because She has already planned her future, and does not need to go to college to improve her status. Going to college may be an opportunity for others, but it is nothing to her.

　　Mao Xue didn’t seem to expect that she would say this. She opened her eyes wide in surprise. After a few seconds, her eyes gradually turned into faint contempt, “Sister-in-law, family is not everything. You can’t be willing to do everything for the sake of family. We intellectual women should pursue advancement instead of just serving their children, husband and parents-in-law like rural women. What’s the point of such a life?”

　　Su Yue felt funny in her heart. Mao Xue probably thought she was an  typical wife, hence she didn’t explain, maoxue wouldn’t understand it anyway.

　　Su Yue looked at Maomao and made sure that the child was okay. After saying something to Mao Xue, she took the child back to her home for breakfast. Mao Xue had no intention of cooking for the child now. If she didn’t take care of him, Maomao would starve to death.

　　Mao Xue didn’t care about Maomao’s affairs, just waved her hands, without even looking at her son.

　　————

　　Thinking of Mao Xue packing her things at home, Su Yue was still worried the next day, so she went to see MaoMao again, but this time she didn’t see Mao Xue, only Ge Jun and MaoMao were at home.

　　Ge Jun’s eyes were red, as if he hadn’t slept all night. Maomao huddled beside his legs and hugged his little body in a daze, looking extremely pitiful.

　　Su Yue knocked on the door hesitantly. Ge Jun looked up and saw that it was her. He forced a smile, stood up and said, “Sister-in-law, you are here.”

　　Su Yue did not mention what happened yesterday, but just said, “Dabao, Xiao Bao wants to play with Maomao. Can I take Maomao to my house to play for a while and have breakfast?”

Why didn’t Ge Jun know that Su Yue was kind-hearted and wanted to take care of Maomao? He felt grateful and understood that Su Yue could have known what happened yesterday, wiped his face, and said tiredly and apologetically: “Sister-in-law, Maomao’s mother has left. Could you please help me take care of Maomao during this period? I will pick him up when I come back.”

Su Yue didn’t expect Mao Xue to leave. Su Yue was surprised that it was so fast, but she didn’t ask any more questions. She just nodded and said: “Maomao is very well-behaved. I like him. Don’t worry if you leave him at my house. You can just work and train with peace of mind. “

　　Ge Jun raised his head and said gratefully: “Thank you, sister-in-law. “

　　Su Yue waved her hand, walked over, picked up Maomao, and kissed his little face, “How about Maomao and aunt go home and play with Dabao and Xiaobao? “

　　Maomao paused for a moment and nodded slightly.

　　”Then say bye to daddy. “

　　Maomao waved to Ge Jun as Su Yue said.

　　Seeing that his son would wave goodbye to him, Ge Jun showed a happy smile.

　　Su Yue took Maomao back home, and Mrs. Han knew that Mao Xue had left. After that, she felt sorry for this woman’s cruelty and took more careful care of Maomao. Because Maomao had become familiar with the Han family during this period, he was not afraid of strangers, so he felt more comfortable staying with the Han family than at his own home.

　　Dabao and Xiaobao regarded Maomao as their little brother, takes him to play with them in everything, and takes good care of him. Over time, under the influence of Dabao and Xiaobao, Maomao gradually becomes cheerful, and occasionally speaks a few words to Su Yue, Han Aiguo and Mrs. Han. He was no longer afraid to speak, was very comfortable.

　　They don’t know if the child had forgotten his mother or didn’t dare to ask. He never mentioned his mother once, nor did he clamor for anything like other children. When he came to them, Su Yue and several other adults did not mention anything about Mao Xue in front of him.

　　Time flashed by, and it was December in the blink of an eye. The day of the college entrance examination officially arrived. Su Yue and Mrs. Han brought Dabao, Xiaobao, and Maomao went to the exam centre for Han Aimin in person.

Before entering the examination room, each of the three children kissed Han Aimin and said a blessing to him for the college entrance examination. Han Aimin stepped into the examination room with the blessings of the whole family.