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With reddened eyes wide open, the face of the still-growing girl was not yet tear-streaked like a pear blossom in the rain.
Gao Qingzhen saw this scene and vaguely understood what had happened. She sighed, feeling both sadness for her daughter and relief.
The sigh was for her daughter's disappointment; even though she favored sons over daughters, this was still her child. If she could pass the exams and do well, Gao Qingzhen could muster the resolve to support her through school. Now, it seemed, that hope was dashed.
The relief came from avoiding the embarrassment of their family's financial situation. Supporting a high school student might lead to college expenses, which would be a heavy burden, delaying her plans for life. Her son would have to wait several more years to marry and build a house; how long would it take to see grandchildren?
Now it was clear: her daughter had underperformed. This was not about being stingy; it was about seizing opportunities. If she had managed to score well enough for a scholarship that would reduce tuition by half, Gao Qingzhen would have supported her education. But now, failing to even get into Town High School meant there was no blame to place on her as a mother!
"Since you didn't get in, let's prepare for what's next!" Gao Qingzhen's mood was not as sorrowful as her daughter's; instead, she walked out of the kitchen with a lightness in her step. "I'll go borrow some soy sauce from the neighbors to make do!"
Sometimes, parents and children have completely different perspectives. At least Jiang Xiaoya was a strong-willed girl who dreamed of the outside world—not as a factory worker but as someone who would attend university and become an admirable figure.
In their remote and impoverished town, university students were seen as towering figures. Getting into a good high school, then university, or even securing a government-funded opportunity to study abroad in America—seeing the beauty of lighthouses—was what she had always aspired to achieve.
These aspirations were inspired by words from a Normal University Student who interned at their school as Jiang Xiaoya's English Teacher. Jiang Xiaoya had no idea what the big cities described by her teacher were like.
The largest place she had ever seen was just like the county town, far removed from the skyscrapers and bustling streets depicted by her English Teacher—scenes filled with people coming and going—let alone the vastly more developed America across the Pacific Ocean.
Even without ever hearing about or seeing those distant cities or America thousands of miles away, Jiang Xiaoya still held onto hope, striving to leave her hometown and reach one of the most prosperous places in the world.
But now, what could she do? At just fifteen years old, what could she accomplish? Even if she went out to work, it would take years to save enough for tuition, delaying her education further.
The only thing she could rely on, besides her hard work, was her family's support. She recalled her older brother's letter and their conversation during her last visit home...
"Er Ya, what are you doing? I told you to watch the fire! It's almost out!" Gao Qingzhen returned to the kitchen with a cup of soy sauce, just enough for this meal, only to find that her daughter had lost track of time and let the fire die down. "This girl!"
She quickly grabbed a pair of tongs and stuffed some straw into the stove, fanning it vigorously, causing a cloud of smoke to billow out.
Jiang Xiaoya returned to her room, moved a stool, took out her homework notebook, and lay on her bed, writing carefully. This was the environment she was used to studying in at home.
After tearing up one sheet after another, Jiang Xiaoya felt that the content of the letter wasn't quite right and wondered if she could persuade her brother to come back...
"Er Ya, what are you doing? Writing a letter to your brother?" Gao Qingzhen walked into her daughter's room and saw crumpled papers scattered everywhere. She stepped forward and pulled the letter from her daughter's hands; she still recognized most of the common words.
"Girl, it's not just about you. If you do well on your exams, even if I don't want to, I will spend money. But look at the situation now; it's not my fault! Think about it—how many people who get into high school actually make it to college? Help lighten the burden at home sooner. Your dad and I have to take care of your grandparents and your maternal grandmother too; we can't afford that much!"
Seeing her daughter silent, Gao Qingzhen didn't say more. "Clean up and come wash your hands for dinner."
There is a line in life; once crossed, it’s like rolling a snowball. Although there may not be that much snow, life at least becomes more prosperous. Below this line, no matter how hard one struggles, it merely delays the arrival of despair.
There are many reasons for being below this line—illnesses, terminal diseases, disabilities—that continuously drain a family's resources while clinging to emotions and a glimmer of hope.
However, the vast majority are due to poverty. Day after day of labor without any thought of breaking the status quo, planning for potential disasters in the coming year and an uncertain future. The greatest hope is merely to have enough food and clothing so as not to be homeless or without options.
This is why countless parents who remain trapped below this line eagerly hope their children can leap over the dragon gate by getting into college, moving to the city, obtaining urban residency, having a home in the city, and securing a job that doesn’t require exhausting effort. Their common phrase is simply "a desk job."
However, although their family is currently facing difficulties, the mother is solely focused on saving money for her son's marriage expenses, including the dowry and banquet, as well as funds for building a house. As for the daughter, Gao Qingzhen can only say sorry; that seems too far off. Three years, or even seven years—she does not want to wait and is unwilling to wait.
When Jiang Maoqiang returned and heard his wife calmly mention their daughter's grades, he was stunned for a moment. Looking at his daughter's tear-stained eyes filled with resentment, he suddenly said, "Oh, that's a bit of a pity."
Then Jiang Maoqiang acted as if nothing had happened. From any angle, he had no reason to speak up for his daughter; his wife had done nothing wrong.
He also did not have those thoughts. Although the busy farming season had passed and the fields were planted with seedlings, there were still many things to do, leaving him no energy to waste.
Country children are tough and not spoiled. Er Ya cried and fussed for a while but soon returned to normal when she realized it was useless. When the time comes, he would find her some suitable work for a girl to do.
At this time, the sun was blazing. After finishing lunch, Jiang Maoqiang lay down on the cool mat feeling somewhat tired and took a nap. During this time, it was best to avoid working during the hottest hours of one or two o'clock.
Gao Qingzhen skillfully tidied up the dishes without disturbing her daughter, allowing her to think slowly. She hoped that understanding would come naturally without needing to force anything.
Jiang Xiaoya quietly stayed in her room. This time she wrote without hesitation, putting down what she wanted to say, then looked at the piggy bank on her bedside...
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