The hand that tried to block him not only failed to achieve its purpose but was instead captured by him, held in his palm and kneaded with varying degrees of force, as if teasing her. Cheng Fangqiu’s eyelashes fluttered, and she lowered her gaze to see his long, slender fingers, each curve of his bones exquisitely delicate, with faint veins protruding, exuding an indescribable sensuality.
In a moment of distraction, he actually guided her hand to explore deeper.
Her dress, due to his audacity, had become slightly wrinkled, bunching up and continuously rubbing against the tender skin of her thighs. Cheng Fangqiu’s breathing hitched for a moment before she finally regained her wandering thoughts, quickly clamping her legs together in alarm to stop his advance.
Seemingly dissatisfied with this, he curled his index finger and, through two layers of fabric, hooked a certain soft spot.
Cheng Fangqiu’s fair face instantly flushed red, and she nearly gasped aloud. Fortunately, before the sound could escape, she picked up a glass of water and tactically took a sip. The cool liquid slid over her lips and throat but failed to alleviate the dryness.
Was Zhou Yinghuai crazy? There were so many people at the table!
To avoid making a scene, she quickly excused herself to fetch some fruit from the kitchen. Thankfully, the moment she stood up, Zhou Yinghuai withdrew his restless hand, resting his chin on his palm instead. As if by coincidence, his index finger landed on his own red, thin lips, the pad of his finger pressing down and leaving a pale mark.
Cheng Fangqiu didn’t know if he did it on purpose, but she knew that if she stayed any longer, whether he was crazy or not, she would certainly go mad.
Thinking this, she quickened her pace. When she finally reached the kitchen, she let out a deep breath, turned on the faucet, and washed her hands once. Feeling it wasn’t enough, she was about to wash them a second time when Xu Qiqi’s voice sounded at the door.
“Qiuqiu, let me help you.”
Hearing this, Cheng Fangqiu coughed lightly, feeling guilty, quickly finished washing her hands, and then pointed to the already washed fruit on the side, smiling as she said, “Just take these out directly.”
“Okay.” Xu Qiqi walked over, hesitated for a moment, and then said, “Just now…”
This opening didn’t bode well, making Cheng Fangqiu’s heart skip a beat. She barely managed to maintain her smile and cautiously followed up, “What about just now?”
Xu Qiqi scratched her forehead, seeming troubled, and hemmed and hawed without saying anything, which made Cheng Fangqiu extremely anxious. Unable to hold back, she pressed again, “What exactly is it?”
“Your family matters are really not my place to interfere, but I still want to give a little suggestion.” Xu Qiqi seemed to muster her courage and finally spoke.
Hearing this, Cheng Fangqiu bit her lower lip, wishing she could find a hole to crawl into. In her heart, she cursed Zhou Yinghuai a thousand, no, ten thousand times. For such a thing to be seen by others, where would she put her face in the future?
“I’m really sorry…” for making you witness such a joke.
“I heard your brother has good grades. Have you thought about sending him to study in Rongzhou?”
The two spoke almost simultaneously, and after finishing, both were slightly stunned. Xu Qiqi, not quite catching what Cheng Fangqiu had said, asked blankly, “Qiuqiu, what did you just say?”
“Nothing, nothing.” The blush on Cheng Fangqiu’s face hadn’t faded yet, and she quickly shook her head in denial, then composed herself and said seriously, “Of course, we’ve thought about it. The educational resources in the provincial capital are much better than in the county. Studying here would significantly increase his chances of getting into university.”
In the years since the college entrance exams were canceled, university admissions had been conducted through a recommendation system, combining mass recommendations, leadership approval, and school review. This system considered many criteria, with academic performance being just one of them, alongside ideological awareness and personal reputation.
With such flexibility, it was inevitable that some would rely on personal connections and backgrounds to “open back doors.”
For ordinary people with no connections, academic performance was their only leverage. While it didn’t guarantee university admission, it was certainly a solid foundation.
“That’s great.” Xu Qiqi’s eyes lit up, and she explained, “I chatted with your brother earlier, and he’s really adorable, so sweet, completely different from the mischievous boys in my family. Since he calls me Sister Qiqi, I wanted to do something for him.”
Although she was an only child, she had cousins around Cheng Xuejun’s age. At that age, they were all unruly, and every time she met them, she found it a headache. But today, meeting Cheng Xuejun, she realized that not all younger brothers were annoying.
Cheng Xuejun kept calling her “Sister Qiqi,” coaxing her into a beaming smile. She thought to herself that such a well-behaved and handsome young boy, who was also Cheng Fangqiu’s younger brother, deserved her help no matter what. Moreover, she wasn’t foolish—through her interactions with their family, she knew they were good people worth befriending.
In these times, having more friends meant more opportunities. So, she took the initiative to bring this up with Cheng Fangqiu.
“If you’re interested, my aunt is the dean of studies at Rongzhou No. 1 High School. She should be able to help secure a spot for the entrance exam. Both my husband and I graduated from there. I heard that this year, the school has two additional university recommendation quotas. Based on your brother’s grades, as long as he keeps it up, he’ll definitely get in.”
Although she said it was about securing a spot for the entrance exam, given Cheng Xuejun’s academic performance, his admission was practically a done deal. Knowing that Xu Qiqi was genuinely considering her and Cheng Xuejun’s interests, Cheng Fangqiu felt her heart filled with warmth.
“Qiqi, thank you so much.”
Xu Qiqi gave Cheng Fangqiu a playful glare. “Don’t be so polite with me. Your brother is handsome, and his grades are excellent. If he can get into the Worker-Peasant-Soldier University1Worker-Peasant-Soldier University (工农兵大学) refers to a type of higher education system established in China during the Cultural Revolution under Mao Zedong’s policies. These universities were designed to educate workers, peasants, and soldiers—people from the lower social classes who were traditionally excluded from elite academic institutions., every unit will be fighting to hire him after graduation. Just don’t forget Sister Qiqi then.”
“Of course, we won’t forget! From now on, you’ll be Xuejun’s dear sister!”
“I’m not competing with you for that position.”
The two of them burst into laughter, but Cheng Fangqiu couldn’t help but recall something. While Worker-Peasant-Soldier University graduates were highly sought after now, their situation would become quite awkward in a couple of years when the college entrance examination (Gaokao) was reinstated. They simply couldn’t compare to university students who had passed the Gaokao.
She remembered that the Gaokao would be reinstated in October two years later. Currently, both junior high and high school were two-year programs, which meant Cheng Xuejun would graduate from high school right around that time. If he were admitted to the Worker-Peasant-Soldier University, he would happily enroll without knowing that the Gaokao would be reinstated just a few months later.
Even if he knew, he might still make the same choice.
But Cheng Fangqiu had a different idea. If Cheng Xuejun’s grades were excellent, she wanted him to give up his spot at the Worker-Peasant-Soldier University, wait a few months, and directly take the Gaokao.
Typically, high schools recommended students to local Worker-Peasant-Soldier Universities. If Cheng Xuejun were admitted, it would likely be to Rongzhou University. While Rongzhou University was a reputable institution in the southern region, it didn’t hold much weight nationally.
Taking the Gaokao, however, offered more options without restrictions. As long as he passed, universities across the country would open their doors to him. But opportunities came with challenges. Unlike in later years, where scores were released before filling out applications, back then, applications were submitted before scores were known. If he didn’t pass, he would have to repeat the year.
Now, unlike in the future, the Gaokao was one of the genuine pathways to upward social mobility.
Cheng Fangqiu’s personal wish was for Cheng Xuejun to take the Gaokao and aim for a university in Beijing. After all, it was the capital. Studying in Beijing now would allow him to directly obtain a Beijing household registration (hukou)—a Beijing hukou was incredibly valuable in the future.
Moreover, university graduates were assigned jobs, and after starting work, they were allocated housing. Legitimate university students had a high probability of being assigned housing.
A house in Beijing was something many people in the future would strive for their entire lives without ever achieving!
Furthermore, staying in Beijing after graduation would offer much greater development opportunities than staying in Rongzhou. A single decision could influence one’s entire destiny.
Additionally, she and Zhou Yinghuai couldn’t stay in Rongzhou forever. According to the book, before the Gaokao, Zhou Yinghuai would be transferred back to Beijing, where he would rise through the ranks. As his wife, she would naturally follow him to Beijing, and opportunities to return would be rare.
If Cheng Xuejun could study in Beijing, she could bring her parents over, and the whole family could reunite and live happily together.
But her thoughts didn’t matter much. In the end, it would be up to Cheng Xuejun to make his own choice.
The most important thing was that she had no idea how to tell Cheng Xuejun, “Don’t go to the Worker-Peasant-Soldier University yet; wait a few months and take the Gaokao directly!” Such prophetic words would likely make everyone think she had gone mad!
There were too many points of hesitation and uncertainty, but fortunately, there was still time, so there was no need to rush. The most urgent task now was to arrange for Cheng Xuejun to study in Rongzhou.
“Remember to discuss this with your uncle and aunt. Once you’ve decided, let me know, and I’ll contact my aunt.”
“Alright.”
The two chatted a bit more about the matter before carrying the fruit back to the dining table. With so many people around, Cheng Fangqiu decided it wasn’t the right time to bring it up with her family and planned to discuss it after the gathering ended.
As soon as she sat down, Zhou Yinghuai’s hand, as if equipped with a tracking device, immediately reached for hers, trying to interlock their fingers. Cheng Fangqiu shot him a glare, picked up a piece of peach with a toothpick, and handed it to Xu Qiqi, deftly avoiding his hand.
“Why did you take so long?” Zhou Yinghuai asked, looking at her with a pitiful expression. His deep eyes seemed misty, tinged with a hint of resentment.
Cheng Fangqiu rolled her eyes in exasperation. “You’re drunk. I don’t want to talk to you.”
Talking to him now would be pointless anyway.
“I’m not drunk,” Zhou Yinghuai insisted, his brows furrowing slightly. His hoarse voice grew louder, as if trying to prove his sobriety.
Cheng Fangqiu didn’t believe a word of it. If she remembered correctly, the alcohol they had been drinking was quite strong. The five men had already emptied several bottles.
Even with a high alcohol tolerance, they should be reaching their limit by now.
Thinking this, Cheng Fangqiu glanced at the other men at the table. Sure enough, apart from the underage Cheng Xuejun, who hadn’t touched a drop, the others were all visibly drunk—their eyes glazed and faces flushed. If they kept drinking, they’d likely pass out.
Seeing that it was about time, Cheng Fangqiu, after consulting Xu Qiqi, suggested wrapping up the gathering.
The sober ones helped clean up the messy table and swept the floor before everyone prepared to head home.
Chang Yan’an’s mind was still relatively clear, but no one dared to let him ride his bicycle home with Xu Qiqi in this state. The risk of an accident was too high.
Xu Qiqi suggested leaving the bicycle at their place and coming back for it the next day. The couple then left on foot.
Zhao Zhigao, who had a low alcohol tolerance and had drunk quite a bit, was already in a daze.
Cheng Fangqiu didn’t know where he lived, but after asking Zhou Yinghuai, she got a general idea of the location. She and Cheng Xuejun then helped him home.
When they returned, Zhou Yinghuai was already asleep, slumped over the table. Cheng Fangqiu walked over, intending to get him to move to the bed. As soon as she got close, he wrapped his arms around her waist, nuzzling his furry head against her chest. Soft murmurs escaped his lips.
Cheng Fangqiu couldn’t quite make out what he was saying at first. She leaned in closer and finally heard him whisper, “Wife, I really like you.”