The Fat Wife of the 1980s Awakens

The envelope also thoughtfully included the review materials needed for exam preparation, and every page was filled with the parents' heavy love and expectations.

Time flies, and half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

In the capital city, inside the Xu family courtyard, the kitchen was filled with the enticing aroma of rice.

Xu Xiufang gently placed the steamed buns that had just come out of the pot into a bamboo basket, and fried a plate of golden eggs and a dish of fragrant pickled mustard greens. Then, she turned toward the main house and called out in a gentle voice, "Old Xu, it's time to eat."

Hot meals were neatly placed on the dining table. Xu Xiufang took off her apron and prepared to invite her family to dinner, but she found that everything was quiet and her husband did not come as usual.

She was a little surprised, and while wiping her hands she walked into the house to look for him, but still could not find Lao Xu.

"Where has this old man gone again?"

Xu Xiufang whispered to herself, with a hint of anger in her tone, "Old Xu!"

At this time, Lao Xu was leaning against the door frame, wearing a neat Zhongshan suit and a pair of glasses on his nose.

Although his physical condition has improved significantly after several years of fighting hemiplegia, his gaunt face still retains a sickly paleness, and his temples have a few barely noticeable silver strands.

However, his regular facial features and the scholarly temperament he exudes make him stand out from the crowd. Even now, he can be regarded as a model of a "charming uncle". The cane in his hand became his solid support, and his eyes, across the narrow alley, seemed to be looking for something, full of expectation.

Hearing his wife's call, Lao Xu tilted his head slightly and responded in an almost imperceptible voice.

As soon as Xu Xiufang heard it, she knew that her husband must be looking forward to the young postman who showed up on time every day, hoping to get a reply from their daughter.

"Are you waiting for our daughter's letter again?"

Although Xu Xiufang complained helplessly, her heart was full of warmth. "It will take at least a month for our letter to be sent back and forth. We have to wait a little longer."

Hearing this, Lao Xu glanced at his wife with a faint smile on his face, "I just came out to get some fresh air."

Xu Xiufang would never believe what he said, her eyes were full of understanding and doting.

In the early spring, in the quiet village of my hometown, an unexpected spring breeze seemed to bring a breath of change earlier than in previous years.

One morning, under the old locust tree at the entrance of the village, several elderly people sat together, whispering about an exciting news - the college entrance examination, a system that had been interrupted for a time, was said to be about to be resumed nationwide.

The news spread quickly into the Xu family's courtyard as if it had wings. When the old Xu couple heard the news, they felt an indescribable excitement in their hearts.

Lao Xu, an old man in his sixties, had an unprecedented light in his eyes when he heard the news.

His daughter, who was smart and clever since childhood but had to stay in the countryside due to the times, finally had the opportunity to return to the city! He made the decision almost instantly. On the same day, he spread out the yellowed letter paper, and with trembling hands, he wrote down his expectations and encouragement for his daughter word by word, and the words were full of longing for the future.

He even went through all the boxes and cabinets to find old friends he hadn't contacted for many years.

I found the address of a retired teacher and begged for help. I borrowed several precious review materials, packed them in an envelope, and sent it to my daughter far away.

From that day on, Lao Xu seemed to have become a different person. Every morning and evening, he would appear at the gate of the yard on time, holding the cane that had accompanied him for many years in his hand, looking through the ridge of the field at the path leading to the outside world.

Whenever Xu's mother asked him about it with concern, he would always answer with a smile: "Come out for some fresh air."

But Xu's mother knew very well that this was not a breath of fresh air at all, but rather the father's endless longing and expectation for his daughter.

Although Xu's mother also hoped that her daughter could change her fate through the college entrance examination, she was more worried.

After graduating from high school, my daughter has spent countless days and nights in the countryside. Are those formulas and theorems still clear in her mind?

The notification of the college entrance examination was so sudden, and there was only one month left for review, which was undoubtedly a difficult challenge.

She didn't want to pour cold water on Lao Xu, so she just comforted him softly: "The food is cold, go back to the house and eat first. The postman just came this morning and he probably won't come again this afternoon."

When Old Xu heard this, a hint of subtle disappointment flashed across his eyes, but with the support of Xu's mother, he slowly walked into the house.

However, at this moment, a crisp shout broke the afternoon silence: "Director Xu, there is a letter for you!"

Lao Xu's body trembled, and he turned around almost reflexively, giving an expectant response.

He gripped his cane tightly and walked towards the young postman with a staggering but determined step.

Xu's mother followed behind him. Seeing the handwriting on the envelope, she guessed something and asked softly, "Is it from Chunyan?"

Lao Xu gratefully took the letter, confirmed the address, and a bright smile suddenly broke out on his face: "It's from Xiufang!"

The two of them opened the envelope carefully under the porch with a nervous and excited mood.

Every word in the letter is like a jumping note, playing the melody of hope.

"Xiufang said she wants to take the college entrance examination!"

There was excitement in Xu's mother's voice.

Lao Xu's face was filled with pride and joy as he gently closed the letter: "She also said she would bring the children back with her and asked us to help find a school for them!"

After a brief moment of joy, Xu's mother regained some of her rationality and expressed her concerns: "Is she really so sure that she can pass the exam? After all..."

Lao Xu's eyes were firm and unquestionable: "Why not? Xiufang's grades in high school were among the best. Besides, the threshold for the college entrance examination is not high this time. As long as she tries her best and combines her previous foundation, she should be able to get into a college."

After thinking about it carefully, Xu's mother felt that what Mr. Xu said made sense.

Although my daughter has not read a book for many years, this is not an isolated case. As long as we work hard, there will always be a glimmer of hope.

"Then I will start to inquire about the colleges and universities in Beijing," Xu's mother took action immediately. "We don't have to pick the best ones. The key is to get the child back to the city first and have a good starting point."

"Schools in neighboring provinces are also good choices. They don't have to be in Beijing," Lao Xu added. "After all, they are closer, so it will be convenient for us to visit them in the future."

Xu Xiufang nodded in agreement. She was so anxious that she didn't even have time to eat. She hurried out, leaving only one sentence: "I'll go collect information right away!"

"It's not too late to go after dinner!"

Old Xu called out from behind, but Xu's mother had already gone away like a gust of wind, leaving only one sentence: "I'm not hungry, you guys eat first."

At the same time, Xu Xiufang, who was far away, also received good news about the enrollment of the junior class - the school replied, suggesting that Dabao take the college entrance examination first, and then someone will come to evaluate Dabao's learning ability and open a special door for him.