Chapter 272
"Who's there?" Emily Johnson heard footsteps outside the courtyard.
"It's Daniel River..." David Stone bounded off to open the gate.
Ever since learning his cousin Michael Stone was taking the college entrance exams, Daniel had been dropping by frequently to help out. Not only did he get free meals, but occasionally he'd even score some watermelon or wild berries from the mountains.
On the morning of July 9th, Michael drove the tractor to town, transporting several young villagers and educated youths to take the exams. These young men had originally planned to stop their education after middle school, but when the national college exams were reinstated, their families scraped together resources to send them to high school.
John Stone Sr. tagged along, mainly to keep an eye on the tractor.
Mary Stone stayed home that day to watch her two grandsons. The day before, her daughter-in-law had delivered a large package—malt extract, candies, biscuits, rare canned fruit, and ten pounds of rice.
The journey from the village to town wasn't short.
At noon, everyone ate at the state-run diner.
John Stone Sr., experienced in exam logistics, went ahead to secure seats.
"Where's Dad?"
"At the diner. It's crowded today—we should hurry."
When the group arrived, they found John had already claimed a table.
Everyone ordered plain noodles—none of the villagers had meat ration coupons.
"Emily, was the Chinese exam easy?"
Emily suppressed a smile. Every question she'd predicted had appeared, even the essay topic.
"Let's hope we all pass."
"Yeah..."
There was still one more exam in the afternoon.
After finishing, they regrouped, and Michael drove the tractor back to the village.
Word spread fast. By dinnertime, the entire village knew Michael had taken the exams.
"Michael graduated high school, didn't he?"
"I'd almost forgotten."
"Right, he did attend high school."
"This is Emily's third attempt. Think she'll make it?"
"Who knows..."
That evening, Robert Stone and William Stone came knocking.
"Michael, you really took the exams?"
Michael studied his brothers. "Just wanted to see what it was like."
They exchanged glances. If he and Emily got into college, wouldn't they dump the kids on their parents?
"Worried I'll leave the kids with Mom and Dad? Yours were raised by them too," Michael said, reading their thoughts.
"Michael, it's been years since you graduated..." Robert stammered.
"Michael, how many educated youths divorce and abandon their families after getting into college?" William hinted.
Michael smirked. "Didn't you know, William? My mother-in-law arranged a city job for me. Once Emily gets in, we're moving there with the kids."
"What?!" both brothers exclaimed in unison.
A city job? Their brother's city mother-in-law had actually secured him employment?