"Teacher Liu, Pandi, how is it? Did you manage to talk your mother around?"
In the afternoon, Chen Yang, as usual, had Zheng Weiguo and Liu Maosheng call the fishermen over to collect their money. The accounts were almost settled when Shen Pandi hadn't shown up.
Chen Yang was just about to go to Shen Pandi's home when Liu Shiyun and Shen Pandi arrived.
"Comrade Chen Yang, your prediction was correct. Pandi's mother, sigh."
As a high school teacher, Liu Shiyun couldn't say anything vulgar, but that one sigh contained everything.
"Teacher Liu, I'm sorry, my mother said some terrible things."
Shen Pandi's voice was almost choked with tears. Liu Shiyun had come all the way to Shenjaba Village for her, but her mother, upon hearing Liu Shiyun's intentions, had unleashed every insult she could think of.
Even Shen Pandi, who had been exposed to such behavior since childhood and was accustomed to it, felt utterly humiliated. One could only imagine how distressed Liu Shiyun, an intellectual, must have felt at that moment.
"Pandi, you don't need to apologize. Teacher is just trying to prevent you from being held back like this. It's not worth it for such a mother."
Liu Shiyun could hardly imagine that the student she remembered as exceptionally well-behaved, sensible, and intelligent had grown up in such a terrible family environment.
"You two, teacher and student, don't stand here pouring out your hearts. Pandi's education isn't entirely without hope."
Just as Liu Shiyun and Shen Pandi were both looking dejected, Chen Yang placed the twenty-six yuan he had prepared for Shen Pandi into her hands.
"This twenty-six yuan is enough for your mother to have her son."
"However, you can't give her this money immediately. If you give it to her, she'll only want more. For now, follow your father and catch fish. Earn the money first."
"Keep the money for your schooling yourself, and then, each month, give your mother a few yuan. Tell her it's a scholarship that Teacher Liu fought for on your behalf."
"Because your grades are good, if you get first place, the school rewards five yuan each month. If you can get into university, you can also receive a living allowance each month, about ten yuan."
"Your mother isn't stupid. If you go back to work now, how many work points can you earn in a year? It's great if you can earn twenty yuan a year for her."
Chen Yang hadn't come up with a good plan at first. After all, Shen Pandi's mother, Luo Yuzhen, was known for only having eyes for her son. Previously, he had only considered giving Shen Pandi more money at once to pacify her and leave her enough to study.
It was only when Liu Shiyun arrived today that he came up with this idea.
After all, a woman like Luo Yuzhen, who had barely left the village a few times, wouldn't know if there were any scholarships.
She just wanted money. If she knew that Shen Pandi could earn money by studying, and earn more than by working, that would be enough.
"Chen Yang, is this, is this really going to work?"
Liu Shiyun pondered Chen Yang's words. She had only spoken to Luo Yuzhen once, but she could tell that she didn't care about Shen Pandi's future as a daughter; she only cared about money and having a son.
Of course, her concern for money was also for the sake of having a son!
"Teacher Chen, I think what you said is feasible. If my mother knows that studying can earn money, and more than working, she will definitely let me study. She's not stupid."
Shen Pandi suddenly smiled, and it was a very happy smile. She understood her mother better than anyone, and Chen Yang's plan was indeed feasible.
"Teacher Chen? Comrade Chen Yang, are you also Pandi's teacher? Elementary or middle school teacher?"
Liu Shiyun was a bit surprised to hear Shen Pandi's words. Because she knew Chen Yang bought fish, she had thought of him as a wealthy businessman. Although the atmosphere of reform and opening up had just begun, she was not resistant to businessmen due to her own circumstances.
However, to her surprise, this seemingly astute businessman, Chen Yang, was also a teacher!
"Teacher Liu, please don't tease me."
"What teacher am I? When I first came to the countryside, I occasionally taught Pandi some middle school math and Chinese.
"I had just graduated from high school then, and the college entrance examination hadn't resumed. I was bored in the countryside, and Pandi was eager to learn, so I casually guided her with her studies. I wouldn't call myself a teacher."
Chen Yang smiled faintly. The truth was just as he said. Shen Pandi was simply very intelligent. With just a few middle school textbooks and some of the most common problems, she had managed to get into Liuhe County No. 1 Middle School.
"Then I'm luckier than you. I was recommended to a normal school at 16. After graduation, I came back to teach. I, who never attended high school, am teaching high school, while you, who attended high school, are instead..."
Liu Shiyun seemed to be feeling emotional, but she stopped mid-sentence, realizing something was wrong.
During this era, many educated youths who went to the countryside suffered hardships. Many who stayed in the villages to marry and have children were filled with resentment.
Liu Shiyun realized she might have touched a sore spot.
"Teacher Liu, Teacher Chen Yang is also preparing for the college entrance examination. It's just that he has already graduated from high school and can't sit in the classroom to study with us. He's reviewing at home. This year, Teacher Chen Yang was just a little bit short of passing. It's just that the math questions this year were too difficult." Su Dan Novel Network
However, just then, Shen Pandi spoke up. Chen Yang's desire to go to college was no secret in Shenjaba Village, as he needed a reason for not working all the time.
"Is that so? Comrade Chen Yang, I wish you success next year. Then, both you and Pandi will be able to get into university. Just thinking about it is delightful."
Liu Shiyun's gaze towards Chen Yang suddenly changed, showing a trace of goodwill that Chen Yang couldn't quite decipher.
Liu Shiyun's thoughts were actually quite simple. She felt that for an educated youth sent to the countryside, even in such harsh and challenging circumstances.
He still hadn't given up on striving, hadn't given up on knowledge, and wanted to get into university through the college entrance examination. This was the persistence of an intellectual. She was also a highly educated person who had attended university, so she naturally felt a bit of goodwill towards Chen Yang.
"Then I'll take your kind words, Teacher Liu. I also hope to be admitted so I can learn more knowledge."
Chen Yang smiled faintly. Although as a reborn person, a university diploma wouldn't be of much use to him, he still didn't intend to give up.
Firstly, getting into university was Shen Xue's wish. Secondly, those who could get into university in this era would basically have promising futures in ten or twenty years.
Chen Yang's achievements in his previous life were partly due to the friends he made in university. There was no reason for him to give up on these connections that could be established in this life.
"Comrade Chen Yang, if you need any study materials in the future, you can contact me. I will do my best to help you get some from other teachers at the school."
Liu Shiyun said without hesitation. She respected Chen Yang, who continued to persist in his studies as an intellectual.
After all, she was lucky to attend university back then without the college entrance examination, but she was also unlucky.
Because Liu Shiyun could clearly see that after these students who got into university through the college entrance examination graduated, the status of their so-called "university students" would be very awkward.
But this did not affect her willingness to help Chen Yang, hoping he could get into university through his own efforts.
This was perhaps the so-called mutual appreciation among intellectuals!