Chapter 94: The Educated Youth Who Abandoned His Wife and Child – 25

Shen Xiuyan nodded. “Of course it’s true. Didn’t my brother just get promoted recently? So he’s got some connections now. He wouldn’t say something like that unless it was real.”

Brigade leader Su frowned deeply. “What are you planning to do?”

“Now that the National College Entrance Examination is being reinstated, of course I’ll take it. If I pass, I can return to the city. Naturally, I need to give it my all.”

But that wasn’t what Brigade leader Su meant. What he really wanted to ask was—what about Mingyue?

Although Shen Xiuyan had mentioned before that if he returned to the city, he’d take Mingyue with him, this was university. It would cost money—and not a small amount. If he took Mingyue along, expenses would only increase. He might not even be able to afford it.

But letting a young couple be separated for so long… would their feelings really survive?

He turned his head, only to see hope shining in his son-in-law’s eyes.

Forget it, forget it. A young man this talented shouldn’t be trapped here for life.

Though he hadn’t intended to help at all, Brigade leader Su finally spoke: “Mingyue’s uncle is a primary school teacher in the county. I’ll go ask if he has any books you can use.”

Shen Xiuyan’s eyes lit up. “Thanks, Dad. I really appreciate it.”

Su Mingyue came over slowly after washing the dishes. “Dad, what are you talking about?”

Brigade leader Su fell silent—he didn’t want to say anything upsetting and spoil his daughter’s mood.

“I just asked Dad if he could help us get some textbooks.”

But Shen Xiuyan had already opened his mouth, and there was no stopping him now.

“Textbooks?”

Su Mingyue tilted her head in confusion. Wasn’t Brother Shen already a high school graduate? Why would he need textbooks?

Shen Xiuyan patiently explained again, “I heard news that the National College Entrance Examination is coming back, so I want to start reviewing early.”

“Really?” Su Mingyue wasn’t nearly as discouraged as Brigade leader Su had feared.

Her eyes sparkled, her expression full of joy for Shen Xiuyan.

“You’re so smart, Brother Xiuyan. You’ll definitely pass.”

Shen Xiuyan ruffled her hair. “I think I can pass too.”

Brigade leader Su: “…”

Tired. No words.

Where did these two get their mysterious confidence from? Did they think the National College Entrance Examination was easy?

Back in the day, only one in ten thousand could pass.

And as for his daughter—could she maybe have a little more sense of urgency? She looked like a silly girl with zero awareness of crisis. Did she not realize her man might leave her once he got into college?

But thinking about it more carefully, his mood suddenly improved.

Right—everyone knew the National College Entrance Examination was hard.

Even if it was really reinstated, there was no guarantee Shen Xiuyan would pass. Why worry now about things that hadn’t happened yet?

With no more worries, Brigade leader Su quickly got things done.

After locking the door to their house, he pulled out a bundle of books from the basket.

They were tightly wrapped in cloth—impossible to see what they were from the outside.

As he undid the knots, he said, “Your uncle didn’t have many, but I brought everything he had once he heard they were for you. Be careful with them—don’t let anyone see, and especially don’t mention anything about the exam being reinstated. Got it?”

Shen Xiuyan nodded. “Got it. We’ll be careful.”

“Good.” Brigade leader Su sighed. “Check if they’re useful. There weren’t many high school books, so I grabbed some junior high ones too. Look through them. If they’re not helpful, I’ll return them.”

Shen Xiuyan flipped through a few casually and nodded. “They’re all usable. Thanks for going through the trouble, Dad.”

“Good. You two look them over. I’m heading out.”

After Brigade leader Su left, Shen Xiuyan stared blankly at the stack of books.

Having gone through so many worlds, Shen Genius Xiuyan had grown even more monstrous.

The National College Entrance Examination? He could honestly say it didn’t even faze him. These books were just for show—otherwise, he’d look too out of place.

More importantly, now Mingyue would have access to them too.

In his heart, Mingyue deserved better. She should go to university.

After leafing through the books a few times, he tossed them aside, then took out paper and pen and started writing a test.

Su Mingyue assumed Shen Xiuyan had already dived into studying and quietly sat down nearby to do some needlework, not wanting to interrupt him.

A moment later, Shen Xiuyan called out, “Mingyue, come here.”

Though confused, Su Mingyue obediently walked to the table and sat down. “What is it?”

“You said you went to junior high before?”

Su Mingyue nodded.

“How were your grades?”

“They were okay…”

She still didn’t understand what Brother Shen was getting at.

Then Shen Xiuyan handed her the test paper. “Great. Try doing this one.”

“Huh?”

Su Mingyue’s brain froze. She pointed at herself. “Me?”

Shen Xiuyan smiled. “Yes, you. Surprised?”

Su Mingyue clutched her sleeve nervously. “Why me…”

“Mingyue, you’re smart. Don’t you get it?”

Su Mingyue suddenly looked up and met his smiling eyes.

“Y-Yes…” she stammered, unable to string a full sentence together.

Shen Xiuyan didn’t tease her anymore. He cut in firmly, “It’s just as you think—I want you to take the National College Entrance Examination with me.”

Su Mingyue: “!!!”

Nothing could be more direct than hearing it straight from him. She was dumbfounded.

The National College Entrance Examination. The real deal…

Her man was really daring.

She hadn’t even gone to high school—how could she possibly take the exam?

But it wasn’t that she was unwilling.

Shen Xiuyan was getting better and better—of course she wanted to keep up with him.

Besides, going to college with her husband? Who could resist that?

Just the thought made her giddy. She covered her face and let out a silly “hehehe” laugh.

Shen Xiuyan chuckled helplessly. Who knew what she was imagining to make her so happy?

But when Su Mingyue lifted her head again, he noticed something different in her eyes.

From her initial lack of confidence, a dazzling resolve now shone there.

She picked up the pen with determination. “I’ll do it. I want to take the National College Entrance Examination too. I want to go to university with you.”

Shen Xiuyan curled his lips into a smile. “That’s more like it. From now on, study with me.”

“Okay!” Su Mingyue nodded hard.

Studying was tough—preparing for college even more so.

Watching Su Mingyue frown over the test paper, Shen Xiuyan worried she might give up halfway. He thought for a moment, then decided to give her a little extra motivation.

So he said casually, “By the way, I heard that after graduation, college students get assigned jobs. Even if it’s just a small factory, they make at least forty or fifty yuan a month.”

“!!!”

That hit hard. Su Mingyue gasped.

How much?!

Forty or fifty yuan?

Per month?!

She was fired up. She had to study hard and get into college. Then maybe, just maybe, she’d be able to support Brother Shen after graduation.

Su Mingyue feared neither hardship nor exhaustion.

She was burning with fighting spirit.

Let’s do this.