In the evening, the family alley of the cotton spinning factory.
Song Ying and Huang Ling were restless in the small courtyard until they heard a loud voice shouting: Dad, Uncle Zhuang, hurry up, I'm starving to death.
"Back."
"They're back."
Soon, Lin Dongzhe and Xiang Pengfei chased each other into the small courtyard. Song Ying and Huang Ling secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Lin Dongzhe, where are your father, Uncle Zhuang, and Xiao Ting?"
"They are all behind. They are walking too slowly. Mom, is there anything to eat? We are starving on the road."
Song Ying and Huang Ling hurriedly went to the kitchen to serve the food, and soon Lin Wufeng and the others arrived home. They were all very hungry, so they sat down and started to eat.
After they had almost finished eating, Song Ying and Huang Ling hurriedly asked Qin Hao and Zhuang Tunan about their situation in Shanghai.
Lin Dongzhe was quick to talk and was the first to break the news: "Brother Hao and Brother Tunan live in Shanghai very well. There are four people in the dormitory, and the food in the cafeteria tastes very good. They eat all kinds of things from all over the world."
Xiang Pengfei added: "Auntie, Tongji University is very big. The playground is as big as ten of the attached middle schools. There are also basketball courts, football fields... and by the way, there is also a volleyball court."
Zhuang Xiaoting also joined in: "There are also cinemas and libraries, where you can watch movies directly in the school. There are also a lot of books in the library. I used to think that there were enough books in No. 1 Middle School, but compared with the library in Tongji
Come on, it’s just a drop in the bucket.”
"Yes, it is indeed a famous university." Song Ying and Huang Ling's eyes lit up when they heard this.
Zhuang Chaoying took the opportunity to say to Zhuang Xiaoting and Xiang Pengfei: "Now you know the benefits of key universities. If you work harder and get good grades in the college entrance examination, you can also enjoy these."
"Well, Dad, I will work hard." Zhuang Xiaoting nodded obediently.
Xiang Pengfei could only sit down and eat. He couldn't even think about going to a major university.
When Song Ying saw this, she also looked at Lin Dongzhe: "You and Xiao Ting should learn from each other and don't just think about having fun all day long."
"Mom, I know, I will study hard." Lin Dongzhe lamented, from now on he will say goodbye to the little book and video hall.
Lin Wufeng secretly winked at Song Ying, not going too far, for fear that his wife would push her too hard and make Lin Dongzhe rebellious.
After dinner, the children all complained that they were tired, so they washed up early and fell asleep.
Only then did Song Ying have the opportunity to ask Lin Wufeng about the specific situation.
"Haozi talked to Dongzhe alone for a while. I don't know exactly what he said, but Dongzhe's attitude has indeed changed. We might as well watch his actual actions and find a way if it doesn't work."
Song Ying sighed: "Well, I have tried my best anyway. If it doesn't work, it will only mean that Dongzhe has no hope of studying."
Just when Song Ying was about to lie down and sleep, she was pulled up by Lin Wufeng and peeked into Lin Dongzhe's room like a thief.
"What do you want to do? Aren't you tired after the long journey?" Song Ying patted Lin Wufeng a little embarrassedly.
Seeing that Song Ying was thinking wrongly, Lin Wufeng burst into laughter: "Don't make trouble, I have something to tell you about Haozi."
Only then did Song Ying realize that she had made a mistake, and her face turned even redder: "You should have told me earlier."
Lin Wufeng chuckled and said, "But if you are interested, it's not impossible."
"Hate it, do you still have a straight face? Let's get down to business." Song Ying rolled her eyes at Lin Wufeng angrily.
Lin Wufeng then sat up straight and lowered his voice and said, "Haozi seems to be in love."
"Really? Where is that girl from, what does she look like, is she pretty?"
Facing Song Ying's series of questions, Lin Wufeng burst into laughter: "You have so many questions, which one do you want me to answer first?"
"Stop talking nonsense, answer one by one, and speak quickly."
Lin Wufeng had no choice but to describe Li Jia's appearance. The more Song Ying listened, the more regretful she became: "If I had known better, I shouldn't have saved the ticket and just went with you."
"There will be opportunities in the future. I think Haozi is quite serious about that girl."
Song Ying raised her chin proudly: "Of course, our Haozi has been the most responsible since he was a child."
While talking, Lin Wufeng suddenly remembered something and took out the women's watch he bought for Song Ying from his bag.
"Isn't this watch expensive? Where did you get the money to buy this?"
"The factory gave me some bonuses on New Year's Day, plus what I save in normal times, it's just enough."
Song Ying looked at the light again and again, feeling very happy in her heart, but she said: "Don't buy these things in the future. They are not suitable for eating or drinking. If Lin Dongzhe is admitted to university in the future, he will have to support him for many years.
Save some flowers."
Lin Wufeng agreed wholeheartedly, and then took out a colorful silk scarf from his bag as if by magic.
"This scarf..."
"Haozi bought it for you. He hid it from me at first. I only saw it when Lin Dongzhe was rummaging through his bag on the train."
Song Ying held the silk scarf and her eyes were full of emotion: "Last time, Xiao Ting received royalties for her composition and bought a silk scarf for Sister Ling. I mentioned it to Hao Zi, but I didn't expect that he would always keep it in mind..."
As he spoke, he burst into tears. Lin Wufeng comforted him for a while, and the couple hugged each other and fell asleep.
Time flies, and the final exam is coming soon. For two weeks in a row, the other three people in the dormitory have been working hard at night. When the lights are out, they light candles or use flashlights to review. Zhuang Tunan is particularly hardworking.
One week after the final exams, college students begin their vacation.
In the last class, the head teacher gave everyone an assignment to think about the relationship between space and people, and asked everyone to complete it carefully, and then announced the official holiday.
Zhuang Tunan was about to take Qin Hao back to pack his luggage, but saw him and Li Jia quietly leaving the classroom through the back door.
For some reason, Zhuang Tunan felt a sour feeling in his heart.
"Zhuang Tunan, don't be influenced by that guy. He can take the first place in his major after being absent for a month. If you fall in love, you will be useless. Are you worthy of your parents working so hard to support you in school?"
On the other side, Li Jia leaned on the railing, looking at the desolate scene in front of him, and said with some sadness.
"It should be very cold in the Northeast now, right?"
"Aren't you going home to celebrate the New Year this year?" Qin Hao asked softly after approaching.
Li Jia shook his head and smiled bitterly: "My parents asked me to celebrate the New Year at my uncle's house. I will save the money for the round-trip ticket to buy some New Year's goods for my uncle and aunt."
"Give me a call and I'll come find you after the New Year."
Qin Hao's tone was a bit domineering, as if he could not tolerate Li Jia's refusal. Li Jia wrinkled his nose slightly, but still said a number.
"Do you want to make money?"
"?"
"Anyway, it's annoying to live under someone else's roof at your uncle's house. Why not make some pocket money with me." Qin Hao spread his hands.
Li Jia was a little hesitant: "You must be speculating, right? If you are caught by the school..."
"Don't worry, it's absolutely legal."
"Oh well."
Looking at Qin Hao's retreating figure, Li Jia was very curious as to how he could make money.
After returning to the dormitory and packing up his luggage, Qin Hao and Zhuang Tunan got on the train to Suzhou together. The tickets were purchased by the school. Not only did they not have to queue up at the ticket office in the early morning in winter, they could also enjoy the discount on student tickets. They were considered college students.
One of the hidden benefits.
After getting off the train, Qin Hao and Zhuang Tunan squeezed onto the bus, transferred twice and got off at the entrance of the family alley of the cotton spinning factory.
"Hey, the two college students from our alley are back."
"Haozi and Tunan are back, now Song Ying and Huang Ling are happy."
As soon as they arrived at the alley, Qin Hao and Zhuang Tunan were recognized, and they were watched like mascots for a long time before they squeezed out of the way.
The familiar small courtyard at the end of the alley gradually became clear before their eyes. Qin Hao and Zhuang Tunan looked at each other, feeling as if they were in another world.
"Brother Hao, Brother Tunan, you are back."
Xiang Pengfei was the first to notice them, and his voice also alarmed everyone in the yard.
Song Ying and Huang Ling ran out of the kitchen immediately. Because they were in a hurry, one of them held a kitchen knife and the other a spatula.
"Aunt Song, I'm back."
"Mom, I'm back."
Song Ying and Huang Ling hugged Qin Hao and Zhuang Tunan respectively, their eyes moistened with tears.
It took a while for the two of them to calm down and let Qin Hao and Zhuang Tunan into the house.
"Haozi looks a little fatter than before?" Song Ying asked Huang Ling with some uncertainty.
Huang Ling nodded in agreement: "Tunan looks good too. It seems that Tongji's food is really good."
"Mom, let me tell you that the dishes made by the master chefs in Tongji's cafeteria are very delicious. Next time you come to Tongji, I will take you to eat them all."
Even just listening, Huang Ling seemed to smell the aroma of famous dishes from all over the world, and her eyes narrowed with laughter.
Song Ying pulled Qin Hao aside and asked her the question she was most concerned about.
"Do you have any photos of the girl named Li Jia?"
Qin Hao was happy: "Aunt Song hasn't developed to that stage yet. When we confirm our relationship later, I will definitely ask her to take a group photo and send it back to you as soon as possible."
When Song Ying heard this, she felt regretful but also became happy: "Okay, you should also treat others well, don't be like your Uncle Lin, making others angry like a piece of wood."
"Why did Uncle Lin make you angry?" Qin Hao's gossip was also aroused.
Song Ying thought of the scene when she first met Lin Wufeng, and a smile unconsciously appeared on her lips.
"Don't mention it. It was winter when I first met your Uncle Lin. He invited me out to watch a movie, but I froze on the way back. He was wrapped in a thick coat and didn't know how to put it on me.
Yes, I asked him later, and he said confidently: You didn't say it was cold, and besides, I was cold too when I gave you my coat."
Qin Hao was overjoyed. This was the 1970s. If it were the 21st century and a straight man like Lin Wufeng was like him, it would be difficult to find a girlfriend.
While they were talking, Lin Dongzhe and Zhuang Xiaoting also came back, and the courtyard became more lively.
After dinner, Lin Dongzhe consciously went back to his room to do his homework. Song Ying pulled Qin Hao and asked in a low voice.
"Haozi, what on earth did you say to Dongzhe? Since he came back from Shanghai last time, he has become a completely different person. This time he got into the top 30 of his grade in the final exam. The teacher said that if he continues like this, he will be promoted directly.
The high school section of No. 1 Middle School is very promising.”
Qin Hao smiled: "Aunt Song, I promised Lin Dongzhe to keep this matter secret, but don't worry, it must be a good thing."
"Okay, then I won't ask. As long as Lin Dongzhe can get into college, I will do anything you ask me to do."
After chatting, Qin Hao told Song Ying and Lin Wufeng about applying for a passport.
"Applying for a passport? Do you want to go abroad?"
"Well, there is a Sino-Japanese Go Tournament this year, and I am going to Japan. The Chess Academy asked me to come back and apply for a passport first, and they will arrange to apply for a visa later."
Song Ying and Lin Wufeng were so excited that they didn't know what to say. Going abroad was a rare thing in the 1980s. Many people, let alone going abroad, might never leave the city in their entire lives.
Early the next morning, Lin Wufeng and Song Ying took leave to accompany Qin Hao to the police station to apply for a passport. Applying for a passport is not that easy these days and requires a letter of introduction from the employer.
The chess academy had already opened a letter of introduction for Qin Hao. When the police officer at the police station heard that Qin Hao was going to Japan to participate in the competition, he immediately encouraged him.
"Come on young man, you can't lose to little Japan if you lose to anyone."
"Um."
In the next few days, no one knew who leaked the news. The news that Qin Hao was going abroad to participate in the competition soon spread throughout the family alley. From time to time, people would ask about Song Ying's specific situation.
After Zhang Amei heard the news, she was so jealous that she yelled at Xiao Min: "Look at your worthless appearance. Look at Hao Zi who is going to go abroad soon. He is also a college student. He is no better than those in your class."
Are your classmates much stronger?"
Xiao Min pursed her lips: "Mom, don't be blind. Don't you think about why that college student likes me?"
"You...you make me so angry!"
After Zhang Amei left angrily, Wu Shanshan said to Xiao Min in an incomprehensible tone: "Do you really have no idea at all?"
"Do you want it to be useful?" Xiao Min smiled contemptuously: "I am different from you. You and Xiaojun have lived in this family alley since childhood. Aunt Song and Aunt Huang will sympathize with you. My mother and I are both familiar with this alley.
I am an outsider, so I never expect them to accept me."
"However, you are actually the same. Sympathy is sympathy, but if something happens, everyone will still put the interests of their own family first. Otherwise, with your grades, you are already in the first middle school, right?"
The thorn in Wu Shanshan's heart was pressed hard.
As the Spring Festival approaches, the streets and alleys of Suzhou become extremely lively. Qin Hao occasionally gives Lin Dongzhe extra lessons and goes to some gardens in Suzhou with Zhuang Tunan. For this purpose, Zhuang Tunan also borrows a camera from Li Yiming. For a few days
I took six or seven rolls of film, which made Huang Ling sigh: Learning architecture is really expensive.
Zhuang Chaoying felt inexplicably guilty when she heard similar words. Although Zhuang Tunan did not need to pay tuition after he was admitted to university, and the school subsidized his living expenses, he had to pay for teaching materials and some consumables at his own expense.
In order to learn painting, Zhuang Tunan used hundreds of pencils in one semester, and the textbooks in the Department of Architecture are not cheap.
Several times, Zhuang Chaoying thought about getting his salary back, but in the end he found it difficult to bring up the idea.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Zhuang Chaoying took her family to Zhuang Ye and Zhuang Nai's place to pay New Year greetings. At the dinner table, Zhuang Ye's words instantly solidified the lively atmosphere.
"Pengfei, isn't there still an empty room in the house you live in? I'll clean it up later and make it available for Zhendong and Zhenbei to live in after he leaves."