Chapter 110: As Long as You

The day after Li Ye received his acceptance letter, he drove the Dongfeng 140 to the Qingshui County Traffic Supervision Station with Master Huo.

At this time, vehicle registration and driver’s license issuance were still not under the Public Security Department; it wasn’t until around 1985 that the staff at the Traffic Supervision Station changed their uniforms and transitioned roles.

“Old Gao, give me a student permit.”

Master Huo, familiar with the place, found the right person and handed Li Ye’s photo inside.

The man inside saw Li Ye and smiled: “I just got the notice—I was wondering! Will the top scholar be driving himself now?”

Li Ye replied modestly: “We’re all public servants; the more skills you have, the better. Who knows when I might need to drive to serve the people?”

“Hahaha, that’s a good answer—unlike that guy who just came to the county.”

“Cough cough cough~”

Master Huo quickly coughed, signaling Old Gao to watch his tongue.

Back then, the Traffic Supervision Station wasn’t the powerful department it would become later; when soldiers returned home and heard they’d be assigned as “road pegs,” they’d cry and refuse to go.

Standing on the highway all day, baked black as coal, it was hard to find a wife.

So, walls have ears; in this small temple, don’t provoke the big gods—better safe than sorry.

Old Gao smirked: “I’ll get it done right away—do you want a formal license now, or...”

Li Ye smiled: “Just give me the study booklet first. I’ll come back for the exam in a few days.”

Old Gao waved it off: “What exam? Just come back in a few days and pick up your license.”

Moments later, Li Ye received a red booklet for learner drivers.

With this booklet, as long as you’re accompanied by a licensed driver, you can drive anywhere in the country.

After getting in the car, Li Ye couldn’t help but smile.

He’d heard stories like this in the future, never imagining it would happen to him.

“Xiao Ye, what are you smiling at?”

“I just think going through back channels is kind of fun.”

“What do you mean, ‘going through back channels’?”

Master Huo frowned: “Your grandfather’s been careful enough—every procedure is in order, your driving skills are solid—who dares complain? If it were me, I’d get the real license today.”

Li Ye nodded: “True, my grandfather is indeed cautious.”

Going through back channels has its own way: all procedures are legal, documents complete—even if everyone knows you’re cutting corners, they can’t find any legitimate fault.

“Let’s go, Master Huo. While we’ve got time, let’s practice some more. I’ll treat you to braised pork later.”

“Alright, go wild! Drive all the way to the horizon.”

Master Huo was pleased—this student was easy to teach: skilled, and generous with food and drink. If possible, he’d love to train him for a year or two.

Actually, Li Ye wasn’t in a hurry to get his license, but Principal Chang said that starting tomorrow, they’d begin a several-day “touring lecture circuit.”

They’d visit nearly every middle school in the county and townships to inspire hardworking students.

Principal Chang also insisted Li Ye must drive, to show people that cadres and workers were one family.

Li Ye couldn’t understand Principal Chang’s logic—a driver was a skilled worker, a college student was a state cadre—how were those connected?

But Li Zhongfa had sternly demanded Li Ye take it seriously, so Li Ye had gotten the legal paperwork first.

After driving all day, his waist, legs, and arms ached; he didn’t get back to the Li household until nearly nightfall.

But when he walked in, the courtyard was full of people.

Hu Man, Han Xia, Yan Jinbu, and Jiang Xiaoyan’s families were all bustling about.

Fried fish, fried meat—even a whole pig’s head.

“Nai, are you throwing a banquet? Why so many dishes?”

Li Ye’s stomach was growling—he reached for a pork knuckle.

Wu Juying slapped his hand away: “That’s for Old Huai. Eat later.”

Only then did Li Ye notice Han Xia’s mother, grandmother, and even his aunt Li Mingxiang all busy preparing offerings.

He sighed: “Nai, this isn’t right—it’s collective feudal superstition.”

“Get lost~”

“Ah, alright.”

Li Ye slunk to a corner of the courtyard and joined Li Dayong and the others, who were giggling.

Since getting the acceptance letter, everyone had changed—mothers at home were bustling, no need for their help.

“Bro, you’re always out of sight—how come you’re busier than my master?”

“When you have to care for a whole group someday, you’ll be just as busy as me—don’t you dare complain.”

“Hehehe, you’re right, Bro. Sorry for making you worry—sit down, sit down.”

Li Dayong brought Li Ye a seat and set out watermelon and peanuts.

Hu Man, Han Xue, and Fu Yingjie also gathered around Li Ye. Though they didn’t speak heartfelt words, their eyes brimmed with sincere gratitude.

Today, their families came to thank Li Kaibian and Li Zhongfa, showering Li Kaibian with praise.

But the adults’ gratitude was one thing; their children’s thanks were another.

Han Xia handed Li Ye a large bag of lotus seeds.

Then she said: “Li Ye, these are from my dad—he insisted on coming today to thank you personally. Should I call him over?”

Li Ye immediately replied: “I should go to him—how can you make your father thank me?”

“No, no need.”

Han Xia stood and waved—immediately, a man talking with Li Kaibian in the main room rushed over.

This had to be Han Xia’s father—same mold, same face.

He came over, gripped Li Ye’s hand tightly, and after struggling for a long time, said only one sentence.

“I’m Han Dawang—I’ve only got three daughters. Everyone laughed at me. But since the day before yesterday, I’ve laughed back at every household—they all smiled, offered me cigarettes, poured me tea!”

Li Ye quickly said: “Uncle, this is just the beginning. In a few years, you’ll see—Han Xia alone is worth more than three sons.”

Han Dawang’s eyes welled up, nodding repeatedly—a forty-year-old man nearly lost control.

Over the past half-year, Li Ye had learned much about Han Dawang’s family.

Han Dawang wasn’t a coward—he was capable, the team’s mechanic in Hanjia Village, responsible for water pumps, electric grinders, and maintaining the team’s tractor.

In this era, that was solid skilled labor.

Though he never worked the fields, at year-end work-point evaluations, he always tied for first.

If you don’t assign me properly, when spring irrigation comes, I’ll make over a hundred villagers wait three days.

If you shortchange me on festival rations, when it’s time to plow, I’ll make sure the tractor breaks down.

Technology is productivity—why shouldn’t skilled workers be respected?

Whether or not he was “proper,” Han Xia’s family lived well.

But the one problem: Han Xia’s mother had given birth to three daughters, no sons.

By 1982, having more children was banned—Han Dawang’s only weakness was this, and he was mocked constantly.

Han Xia held in her anger, vowing to prove: “Why should a good girl be inferior to a boy?”

She failed the exams two years in a row; neighbors’ gossip made her father even more ashamed.

But Han Dawang was a man—he never let his daughter suffer. Like a great tree, he gave Han Xia her own sky.

Han Xia had once told Li Ye: if she wanted to keep taking the exam, her father would support her until the end of time.

That attitude had made Jiang Xiaoyan envious—and bitter—countless times.

Today, Li Ye fulfilled Han Xia’s lifelong wish—how could Han Dawang not come, not thank him?

“Li Ye, do you know?” Han Xia wiped her nose. “My dad has been repairing the village tractor for years—but he’s never been allowed to drive it.”

“The previous drivers got jobs at the agricultural machinery station or the transport team—all of them were hired. But my dad just wants to drive a tractor—and he can’t.”

“The day before yesterday, when my acceptance letter arrived, the team notified my dad that same night—he could be the tractor driver. He spat back:”

“Before, I wanted to drive and you wouldn’t let me. Now? I won’t drive it anymore. My daughter will buy me a car!”

“Pfft~”

“Hahaha~”

The young people burst out laughing—this inspiring story had turned into a joke.

Li Ye laughed too, but then he turned and saw his sister Li Juan squatting in a corner, head down, silent.

Li Ye knew: Han Xia’s words had struck a raw nerve in the girl.

Han Chunmei had also given birth to two daughters, but she didn’t have a husband like Han Dawang—over the years, she and her two daughters had endured countless sneers and humiliations.

Seeing Han Xia finally shine, the little girl couldn’t help but feel pain.

Li Ye sighed: “Sometimes you need to change your perspective—every hardship you’ve endured is your wealth. Take me, for example—I’ve come to see it too.”

“.”

Hu Man and the others stayed silent, but their minds churned, wondering what Li Ye meant by “hardship.”

Li Ye continued: “When you enter university, or later start working, you’ll face more challenges, more trials.

In your workplace, not everyone will flatter you or cater to you—you must remember one thing: only when you’re strong enough will every difficulty dissolve on its own.”

“.”

Seeing everyone silent and downcast, Li Ye had to break the mood with his sister.

He ruffled Li Juan’s hair: “Did you hear me? After I leave, be strong. Don’t be scared of everything. You’re not missing a nose or an eye—you’re no less than anyone else.”

Due to her upbringing, Li Juan’s personality was like Jiang Xiaoyan’s—even worse in some ways.

Since the little girl called him “Bro,” Li Ye felt responsible for raising her into a girl who walks with her head high.

Li Juan lowered her head, sniffling, “I remember, Brother. As long as I’m strong enough, no one will dare to bully me.”

At midnight, Grandma Li led Li Ye, Jiang Xiao Yan, Li Juan, Zhao Meiwen, and a group of women and children, moving silently like guerrillas, toward the old locust tree in the northern part of town.

Li Ye had originally thought walking was tiring and saw no reason not to use a vehicle.

But Wu Juying scolded him sharply: “Your Wenquxing’s literary aura is limited—if others see it, they’ll steal it away, and won’t your sisters suffer?”

Li Juan, Li Ying, and Zhao Meiwen all gazed at Li Ye with wounded looks, as if they’d burst into tears if he dared to be “selflessly generous.”

Li Ye had no choice but to comply. When they reached the old locust tree, he even cooperated fully, bowing and praying.

Then a clap of thunder rang out, and fine rain began to fall.

Grandma Li and the others rejoiced, muttering that Old Locust Lord had manifested his spirit.

Only Li Ye sighed wryly, unsure what karmic debt he’d incurred or how much merit he’d gained.

August 19, 1982, Thursday.

Thanks to last night’s light rain, today’s weather was pleasant—not nearly as scorching.

On the playground of Qingshui County No. 1 High School, students and teachers sat densely, waiting for this year’s college-bound students to give their reports.

Lu Zixue, now a sophomore, stared at the red banner on the stage and found it painfully glaring.

A college student report session is one thing—but why add “Number One in the Province”?

Why hold the report at County No. 1 High School, yet let County No. 2 steal the spotlight?

Doesn’t County No. 1 have any students who got into college?

At this thought, Lu Zixue felt a pang of guilt.

Of course, County No. 1 had students admitted to college; in total, they still outpaced County No. 2 year after year.

But one provincial number one, eight students going to the capital—these were simply too dazzling.

Just last year, when his sister got into the capital, he’d been so proud—how had things turned so fast in just a year?

“Now please welcome the students from County No. 2 High School to the stage.”

“Clap, clap, clap~”

Lu Zixue clapped listlessly, cursing himself for not being able to take a day off.

Li Ye, as the first in line, stepped onto the stage, shook hands with each official, then sat down to be “admired.”

When he shook hands with Yao Renhua, the vice principal of County No. 1 High School, their eyes met with complex expressions.

Just over half a year ago, Li Ye had crossed paths with this Yao principal at the gate of County No. 1 High School.

At the time, Li Ye had said: “County No. 1 rejecting me is your loss.”

Principal Yao had sneered, calling Li Ye a “bad apple” and saying County No. 1 didn’t want such a poor student.

The backlash came faster than expected.

The so-called “bad apple” had ranked first in the entire province.

Soon, last year’s old incident was dug up.

The principal learned then that Yao Renhua had dared to turn Li Ye away.

Li Ye had even used connections to try to enroll at County No. 1!

And you just threw him out?

Are your eyes so clouded you can’t tell talent? Shouldn’t you be moved to a quieter post?

In short, Yao Renhua had suffered through these past half-months.

“Principal Yao, we meet again.”

“.”

Li Ye’s sudden words nearly made Yao Renhua clamp a hand over his mouth on the spot.

What are you trying to do?

In front of everyone, what are you trying to accomplish?!

Today I’m late returning from errands, so I’m posting first—I’ll fix typos later. Also, I didn’t have time to copy today’s tip list; Old Feng will thank everyone tomorrow!

(End of Chapter)