Chapter 165: New Generation's Normal College Admission

Zhao Jianguo had just steadied his bicycle against the wall when a commotion erupted at the gate. Mail carrier Lao Li rode in on his bike, holding a kraft paper envelope aloft, his voice booming: "He Yushui! Who is He Yushui? The admission notice from the Provincial Capital Normal College has arrived!"

The people in the Courtyard all gathered around at once.

He Yushui was squatting by the well washing clothes, her hands still soaking in the basin, when she heard her name and froze for a moment, looking up to see Lao Li smiling at her, as if she were rooted to the spot. The second aunt beside her yanked her up from the ground: "Oh my dear girl, why are you standing there dazed? Go get it quickly!"

She slipped a foot, nearly falling into the water bucket, but Little Fat was quick‑eyed and steady‑handed and gave her a hand. Blushing, she ran over, her hands trembling so much that taking the letter was a struggle. Lao Li laughed and thrust the letter into her hand: "Congratulations, we have a female university student in our Courtyard!"

The crowd erupted.

"So she's really a university student?"

"This is a respectable state‑assigned job!"

"Yushui has been sensible since she was little; her studying wasn't wasted!"

Someone patted her shoulder, others slipped candy into her hand, and a few children gathered around her shouting "Teacher, teacher." He Yushui lowered her head, a tear plopped onto the envelope; she quickly wiped it with her sleeve, but her mouth stayed turned upward.

Zhao Jianguo stood beneath the locust tree, watching the scene, and smiled as well. He patted his trouser pocket; his sign‑in card had just vibrated, popping up a new notification: 【Civilization Inheritance Degree Achievement Reward: University Student Survival Pack (includes one fountain pen, three notebooks, one enamel cup)】. He took it out and looked; the items weren't valuable, but they were quite practical.

He walked over and shoved the items into He Yushui's arms: "Take these; they'll come in handy at school."

He Yushui was startled: "Brother Zhao, this… is too precious."

"Not precious," Zhao Jianguo waved his hand, "just some common school supplies. Go to school and study well, then return to teach more people to read; that's worth more than anything."

When he said that, the surrounding fell silent for a moment. Several people lowered their heads to contemplate, their faces showing expressions they hadn't had before.

San Daye had been squatting at the doorway smoking a dry cigarette, silent all this time. He then stood, brushed the dust off his trousers, and sauntered over. His granddaughter Niu Niu followed behind, clutching half a piece of candy in her hand.

San Daye coughed twice, his voice a bit awkward: "Um… Yushui."

He Yushui promptly nodded: "San Daye, please go ahead."

"My granddaughter, Niu Niu," he said, pointing at the child, "is six this year, should know a few characters now. Do you think… you could teach her?"

When he said that, even Zhao Jianguo glanced at him in surprise.

In the past, San Daye often said, "What good is it for a girl to read so much? Can knowing a few characters feed you?" Now not only has he changed his tune, but he's also actively seeking instruction—it's like the sun rising in the west.

He Yushui was stunned for a few seconds, then nodded vigorously: "Yes! Of course! Every afternoon when I return, I'll teach her half an hour, starting pinyin from the beginning!"

"Then I'm truly grateful," San Daye grinned, his facial wrinkles all relaxing.

Unexpectedly, He Yushui added, "But San Daye, if you're willing, I can also teach you a few things."

"Huh?" San Daye was taken aback, "What would I still need to learn?"

"ABC," she said, "the English alphabet. There's a foreign language class in the textbook now; getting an early start won't hurt."

The whole place was silent for two seconds, then burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, San Daye learning foreign language?"

"If you can recognize 'A Miao A Gou' that's already good!"

"Yushui is being kind; don't turn your face away!"

San Daye's face flushed bright red, his fingers gripping the cigarette trembling. He originally wanted to wave his hand and say 'forget it,' but seeing Niu Niu looking up with bright eyes, and then glancing at He Yushui's sincere face, he finally clenched his teeth and said:

"Study! Why not study! I'm not afraid of embarrassment. My granddaughter will become a teacher someday; I, as a grandfather, can't be unable to understand what she teaches!"

The crowd erupted in another round of cheers.

Jia Dongxu, at some point, had entered the Courtyard, holding a ruler, drawing something on the stone pedestal at the doorway. Several children gathered around him, craning their necks to watch. He looked up at this side, smiled, and then bent his head again to teach them how to use the ruler to draw straight lines.

Zhao Jianguo walked up to San Daye, patted his shoulder: "Your progress hasn't been easy; it's worthy of respect."

San Daye waved his hand: "I don't understand all those principles either. I only know that I used to think studying was futile, but look at Xu Da Mao, who tried to be clever, went down the wrong path, and ended up in prison. Then look at Yushui, who studies earnestly; her road keeps widening. My old bones can't stay foolish any longer."

"You're not foolish," Zhao Jianguo said, "you understand best now."

Just then, Little Fat ran over shouting, "Brother Zhao! The board is nailed!"

Everyone turned to look; on the Central Courtyard wall a Wooden Sign had already been hung, its crooked characters reading: **First Session of the College Entrance Exam Paper Exhibition**. Though the calligraphy was poor, the red lacquer was bright, and it swayed in the wind.

"We need a glass cabinet," Zhao Jianguo said, "and we should put Yushui's admission notice inside as the first exhibit."

"I have an old biscuit box at home!" the second aunt said immediately, "just clean it and we can use it!"

"I have a mirror at home!" Aunt Liu added, "take it off and frame it, it'll be bright!"

"I'll provide the nails!" Elder One came out carrying a small Cloth Bundle, "and also a hammer!"

More and more people gathered, each offering suggestions. Someone moved a Desk, another fetched lumber; even the usually homebound deaf old lady shuffled in on a cane, pulling out a yellowed certificate: "This is my son's elementary school graduation diploma from back then; can we display it?"

Zhao Jianguo took it, examined it, and nodded: "Yes, of course. Every piece of paper holds a person's fate behind it."

Sunlight bathed the Courtyard, shining on the swaying sign. Children ran about, laughter continuous. He Yushui cradled the admission notice and the gifts from Zhao Jianguo, standing amid the crowd, suddenly feeling a warm heat in her chest.

She lifted her head, looking at Zhao Jianguo: "Brother Zhao, when I graduate, I want to set up a Night School back at our Courtyard. Not only teaching children, but adults can come to learn as well."

Zhao Jianguo smiled: "Sure, when the time comes I'll be your teaching assistant."

"Don't just fool people," she glared at him, "the lessons must be taken seriously."

"That's a must," he raised his hand, "I promise, I won't overrun the class, and no one may skip lessons."

The two exchanged a smile.

Jia Dongxu came over, handing the ruler to Little Fat: "Remember, keep things straight and level; that's how you should be as a person." Then he turned to Zhao Jianguo, "What's the next step?"

"First, set up the exhibition properly," Zhao Jianguo surveyed the surroundings, "so everyone knows that knowledge isn't anyone's private loot; it's something that can be passed down."

San Daye suddenly interjected: "Then… shall I start learning pinyin tomorrow?"

"We'll start the class tomorrow," He Yushui said with a smile, "First lesson, a—ah—open your mouth wide."

San Daye cleared his throat and read along: "a—ah—"

His voice was soft and a bit halting, but each syllable was deliberate, especially earnest.

The children nearby covered their mouths and giggled, but no one dared speak loudly. Zhao Jianguo watched this scene, pulled a sign‑in card from his pocket. The line at the bottom of the Screen still read: 【Detected unregistered voice signal, source: northwest direction, approximately twelve kilometers away】

He stared at it for a few seconds, then slipped the card back into his pocket.

At this moment, this bustling scene mattered more than anything.

He turned and walked toward the freshly hung sign, reaching out to steady its crooked corner.

The wooden plaque swayed twice, then slowly steadied.