Things indeed developed just as Nan Sheng had predicted. Before the news of the college entrance examination was released, a large number of sent-down teachers and experts in various fields had been rehabilitated and recalled.

The educated youths were also studying frantically. Even if there was only a glimmer of hope, they would not give up the chance to take the university entrance exams.

Finally, on October 21, 1977, the front page of the People’s Daily published the news of a Major Reform in Higher Education Enrollment, publicly announcing the resumption of the college entrance examination to society.

The exam dates were set for December 10 to 12 of the same year, with a total of 5.7 million candidates participating in the winter college entrance examination nationwide.

Nan Sheng remembered that the reform and opening-up policy would take place the year following the resumption of the college entrance examination. Later, special policies would be implemented, special economic zones would be established, and the countryside would also undergo significant changes, with land adopting the rural household contract responsibility system.

It could be said that after the reform and opening-up, the country changed rapidly with each passing day. Nan Sheng thought that Xiao Yi would finally welcome the opportunity to fully showcase his talents.

This Chinese New Year, Lin Han had annual leave and could go home for the holidays. Nan Sheng’s workload was still heavy, so she asked her husband to take the two children home.

How can we do that?

Lin Han disagreed. I will take the kids back for two days and then come back. No matter how important your work is, the research institute shouldn’t make you work overtime on New Year’s Eve, right?

He didn’t mind spending the New Year at the military district himself, as he had so many brothers to keep him company. But leaving his wife alone at home made his heart ache just thinking about it.

The two children felt the same way. They insisted on staying in Kyoto to accompany their mother for the New Year. Before leaving, Qiqi hugged Nan Sheng’s waist and said, Mom, I will come back to keep you company after I go back to see Grandpa and Grandma, Maternal Grandpa and Grandma, and Uncle and Auntie.

Nan Sheng straightened her daughter’s little braids. I know. Mom will wait for you here. Spend some good time with your maternal grandparents for me.

Due to the tight schedule, after Lin Han got off the train and met up with Mingli and the others in the county town, they took a bus straight back to the town.

Since Nan Sheng didn’t come back, Mingli looked quite disappointed while holding his son. He muttered, Mom and Dad are looking forward to it at home. They will definitely be sad if they know my sister isn’t coming back.

Lin Han couldn’t help it either. He and his wife were in the same city, yet they still had to endure living apart.

If you have time after the New Year, you can all go to Kyoto. Play for a couple of days and then come back. Our family will still be reunited just the same.

Mingli wanted to do that too, but the little brat in his arms was still so small. He would feel heartbroken if the baby got squeezed or bumped on a long trip, so he could only wait until the child was a bit older.

Lin Han hadn’t called ahead this time. By the time they arrived home, the fire had to be lit from scratch. When the Lin family heard the news, they hurried over. Fan Shuting was both surprised and delighted to see her grandson and granddaughter.

Second Brother, stop cleaning up. Take the kids to the old house to warm up, and let Third Brother Lin stay behind to watch the fire and clean the room. I am going back to cook right now!

Winter days were short, so they only ate two meals a day. It was already past mealtime, but fortunately, since it was close to the New Year, the family lacked nothing, and there was still time to cook something fresh.

Not seeing her daughter-in-law, Fan Shuting was concerned. Why didn’t your wife come back? Doesn’t she have time off for the New Year?

Sizhe answered for Lin Han, Mom is too busy with work to come back. We won’t be spending the New Year at home either; we are leaving after staying for two days.

After hearing this, the old couple clearly looked displeased. Why bother making the trip just to stay for two days? The round-trip fare is quite expensive. Is your wife so busy because she got promoted again?

Not exactly, Lin Han said. The workload in Kyoto is quite heavy, and Nannan still needs some time to adapt.

Fan Shuting stir-fried three dishes for them to eat first: pork stewed with glass noodles, cabbage stewed with frozen tofu, and stir-fried pork with chili peppers.

Not seeing Sizhong, Lin Han asked about him and learned that he had gone to work in the county.

Lin Jianshe said, It cost seven hundred yuan, but he can earn it back in a year and a half. We all think it is worth it.

Thinking of the conversations he had with his wife at home about the country’s future development, Lin Han knew that the so-called iron rice bowl wasn’t that ironclad. However, since the money had already been spent, there was no need to be a wet blanket. Being a worker was certainly more promising than earning work points.

After Third Brother Lin heated up the room, he brought out the bedding to warm it up. Only after everything was tidied up did he head to the old house, looking at Lin Han ingratiatingly.

Second Brother, after the New Year, can you take our family with you when you return to Kyoto? I want to see the flag-raising ceremony!

Lin Guozheng refused on Lin Han’s behalf. What is there to see? Besides, your second brother won’t even be home for the New Year.

Sun Qian was unhappy hearing this. Then we will go to Kyoto and spend the New Year with Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law. We are all family. Eldest Brother Lin and his wife can go, so are you just looking down on us as a couple?

Seeing Eldest Brother Lin’s family living more and more smoothly, Sun Qian grew anxious. Sicheng went to serve in the army, and Sizhong entered a factory. It was foreseeable that in a few years, only their family would be dirt poor. She had to find a way to change their current situation.

She thought it over and over again; she still had to rely on her second brother and sister-in-law. As long as Lin Han agreed to let them go, whether she had to cry or make a fuss, she would make her second brother find a job for Third Brother Lin. Even if her second sister-in-law beat or scolded people, she would shamelessly stay.

What Sun Qian said was not entirely unreasonable. They were all brothers, and differential treatment was inappropriate. Eldest Brother Lin’s family found it hard to speak up, and Lin Guozheng and Fan Shuting also kept quiet.

Lin Han didn’t want to spend the New Year with the couple, but he didn’t object to them visiting for a couple of days.

You two stay home for the New Year. If you want to go to Kyoto after the holidays, you can go anytime. I will leave you the address of the family compound, but I must say in advance, I am very busy with work and might not have time to take you out.

Third Brother Lin was just about to say they wouldn’t go then, wondering what would happen if they got lost, but Sun Qian anxiously agreed.

If you don’t have time, we will take the kids out for a stroll ourselves. We won’t cause you any trouble.

After staying at home for one night, Lin Han took the children to his mother-in-law’s house the next day. He let Qiqi sit on the crossbar, easily carrying three people on one bicycle.

Although the old Nan couple was a bit disappointed that Nan Sheng didn’t come back, they were still happy to see their son-in-law and grandchildren. The meals they prepared were not perfunctory at all.

After eating, Lin Han took some gifts to Xiaoling Village to visit Grandpa Zhong and Grandma Zhong. He went by himself. After explaining that Nan Sheng was too busy with work to come back, he stayed for about an hour before returning to the Nan family’s home.

Even though Lin Han had repeatedly invited the old couple to Kyoto, they refused, saying that he and Nan Sheng were too busy with work and their visit would only add to the chaos.

Zhong Yanyan had a lot of things for her daughter, and the Zhong family uncle also provided many mountain products. Mingli put on his clothes, wanting to see them off.

By the time they reached Xiangyang Village, it was already dark. Since Luotong and the child had their parents at home, Mingli simply decided to stay and sleep at his brother-in-law’s place.

Lin Han told Mingli, Now that the college entrance examination has resumed and the sent-down personnel are gradually being rehabilitated, the country will definitely vigorously support economic development in the coming years. You and Uncle Yu need to be prepared.

Mingli nodded in understanding. Both he and Yu Feng wanted to turn Huaishan County into a wealthy county, but it was not easy to achieve.

Our county has tried many projects before, like breeding farms and factories, but the revenue was barely enough to feed the workers, so they eventually just shut down.

Fortunately, Yu Feng had been doing an excellent job at the Agricultural Bureau. Word from the higher-ups had already leaked that he was likely to be promoted after the New Year to the position of Deputy County Chief.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep