Chapter 106: Open Universities?

"I'll cook the dumplings. I'm afraid of the cold, so you all go outside and watch the firecrackers," Li Xiue said with a gentle smile.

The dishes were already prepared, the wine was on the table, and the firecrackers were popping and crackling, bringing a unique liveliness to this quiet night.

In the snow-white, frozen world, intense light flickered.

In the pitch-black world, there was only the sound of firecrackers and the light.

Chen Xun whispered in An Yinan's ear, "You're eighteen now. Please, don't avoid me."

An Yinan's body stiffened for a moment, a surge of heat rushing from the soles of her feet to her head, and then she turned her head and lightly pecked Chen Xun on the cheek.

As a woman who was nearly thirty in her past life, how could she be teased by this young man?

If she didn't tease him back, would she be doing justice to all the meals she'd eaten over the years?

Now it was Chen Xun's turn to go completely stiff, as if he were standing at military attention.

Ever since he saved Yun Shen that time, Chen Xun's salary had arrived every month without fail; there had never been a single time it didn't arrive.

This was his attitude, and it was also his promise to An Yinan.

"Time to eat dumplings." An Yinan tugged at Chen Xun's sleeve to bring him back to his senses, the arc of her smile so wide.

Zhang Qian curled his lip; love was so troublesome, it actually affected a person's intelligence.

Was that man, acting like a fool, really his wise Battalion Commander? Could he have been possessed by some spirit?

The lively feast began, featuring stewed venison, dry-fried rabbit head, pork stewed with vermicelli, spicy stir-fried pork intestines, braised pig's head meat, and a cold dish of fresh vegetables.

In summer, these dishes would be nothing, but this was winter.

Xie Yuanyuan thought of the few pots of fresh vegetables on An Yinan's kang and had to admit, Nan Nan could do anything.

"In the new year, let us get better and better," An Yinan said, raising her hawthorn juice and looking at the smiling faces around the table.

"Better and better." The young men and women—everyone would have a bright future.

"In the new year, let's learn new knowledge. Partners, the times are progressing, and the future will surely be different. Let us pick up our books and prepare to contribute to the country." An Yinan had thought about it for a long time before finally saying it.

It was 1974; there were still more than three years left, so there was enough time.

"Study?" Zhao Qiu Hua was a bit dazed. How did the conversation turn to studying again?

An Yinan looked around at her partners. Everyone sitting here today was someone she truly recognized in her heart, especially for their character.

"The country is currently adopting a lot of foreign technology, and the motherland is progressing and developing day by day. Our motherland needs talent, and from the news in the newspapers, we can see that high-level talent is becoming increasingly scarce. So, if it were you, what do you think the country would do?"

An Yinan did not state the result, but instead threw out a brick to attract jade, hoping they would accept this idea from their hearts; only then would it become their own, and only then could they endure three years of difficult study and strive for it.

"If we can't import it, we'll enter a vicious cycle, so the only thing left is..." Zhao Qiu Hua said, though she already knew the result in her heart, she still couldn't believe it.

"The country will cultivate it itself, so there will be... open universities." Li Xiue guessed it too.

An Yinan nodded. "Although Worker-Peasant-Soldier Universities can cultivate talent in various fields, the number of people is limited, and it's too small. For the country, these university students simply cannot maintain the country's reserve of excellent talent."

"Then there is only one path: open universities."

"Perhaps in one year, perhaps three, perhaps five, but this is the direction of the country, and it is also our hope and the direction for which we will strive."

Li Xiue hesitated and sighed. "Five years? I'll be twenty-five by then. What university would want a twenty-five-year-old?"

An Yinan smiled. "Twenty-five? Is that old? In our lives, does it take up that much weight? Sister Xiue, there's an old saying: heroes don't ask about their origins, so why ask about their age?"

"Perhaps there might be restrictions in the future, but for a country in urgent need of talent, at the very least, the first batch shouldn't have any restrictions."

Zhao Qiu Hua clenched her fists. "I don't care if it's five years or ten. Since there's this opportunity, I will work hard. This is my only way out. I am not willing to just find someone in the village to marry, nor do I want to live a muddled life as someone who only revolves around the kitchen stove."

"Then add me to the list." Li Xiue also made up her mind. Her parents hadn't given up on her, so why should she give up on herself?

Compared to so many others, she was already living very well.

Xie Yuanyuan pouted. "I'm not good at studying, you all have to help me."

Chen Xun looked at An Yinan; her eyes were shining with starlight, and in this dim room, she was so mysterious and firm.

This was his girl, his treasure, the person he would cherish with his whole life.

"What's your education level?" An Yinan nudged the person beside her who was lost in thought with her elbow.

Chen Xun smiled and lowered her arm. "Graduated from a Worker-Peasant-Soldier University."

"Oh, so you're a university student," An Yinan smiled.

Chen Xun nodded. "Are you satisfied?"

"It'll do, it'll do," An Yinan nodded.

The two spoke in very low voices, and no one else heard their private conversation; everyone present was shocked by this information.

Beibei's gaze was even more firm. He knew what his sister was doing, and he had also developed the habit of reading the newspaper; he knew that his sister's analysis was likely correct.

He would work hard to keep up with his sister's footsteps.

Zhang Qian looked at the people within his sight; every one of their faces carried hope. This was the faith of a nation, wasn't it?

Isn't the reason a nation is strong because these people all have hope?

He had become a soldier, and he would certainly protect these hopes, let their hopes take root and sprout, and let them have a safe environment in which to grow.

That night was exceptionally quiet.

Everyone could only hear their own breathing; everyone had insomnia.

Zhao Qiu Hua and Li Xiue were both lying in the darkness with their eyes open. "Qiu Hua, can we really do it?"

Li Xiue was very gentle, but her personality was also a bit indecisive.

But Zhao Qiu Hua complemented her perfectly; she was straightforward and sometimes a bit impulsive, but she would also be reined in by Li Xiue.

An Yinan had once evaluated them as the best partners.

"How will we know if we don't try? Xiue, are you willing to just settle?"

"Sigh! How could I be willing?"

Zhao Qiu Hua smiled. "Then let's go for it. We'll bet on these five years."

Xie Yuanyuan didn't want to go back to her room; she was going to stick with An Yinan no matter what today, and even Chen Xun's cold, icy glares didn't make Xie Yuanyuan back down.

"Nan Nan, can I?"

An Yinan turned to the side, "I am going to the capital, to experience the center of the country, to enjoy the feeling of winning glory for the nation. Yuanyuan, what about you? Do you want to stay in Quanshui Village? Or do you want to depend on Lao Xie for the rest of your life?"

"Or, your childhood sweetheart."

Xie Yuanyuan thought about the days ahead, "No, relying on oneself is the most reliable, and I can't bear to leave you all."