"She said she accidentally fell into the lake."
Xu Nian'an explained how he had rescued Xu Nianhua, and said, "I don't think little sister is the type to give up so easily. Mom, I know our family is poor. I'm a boy, so it's not a big deal if I study less. I have endless strength—I can be like big brother, go work at the brick factory. I can always feed myself and help the family have an easier life. But little sister can't."
Xu Nian'an looked at Xu Nianhua. Her small face was bright red, like a ripe apple. He said, "Little sister has always been physically weak since she was young. What will happen to her if she doesn't get more education?"
"Nian'an."
Ji Ying looked at Xu Nian'an with guilt all over her face. She shook her head and said, "No, you have to stay in school. Your grades are so good—if you don't keep studying, it'll really be wasted."
The eldest son, Xu Nianji, wasn't born in a lucky time. He went to middle school and then started working in the brick factory. When the college entrance exams resumed, Xu Nianji absolutely refused to take them and kept working at the brick factory. Now, her second son, Xu Nian'an, has great academic results, and this time he's sure to get in.
"Mom, I definitely won't pass." Xu Nian'an thought about how he'd deliberately left those questions blank—even if a god appeared, he wouldn't be able to get into college.
"Why not?"
Ji Ying had just asked, then realized her question was pointless. Clearly, he'd made up his mind to give this chance to his little sister.
...
Xu Nianhua was in a haze, and in her dream, her loved ones one by one left her. She felt grief and pain, but in the end she came to understand it was all because of the Gu Family—Gu Mingzhu had brought disaster to them. All she felt was fury.
The raging fire burned violently. Xu Nianhua felt trapped in a sea of fire, unable to escape.
"What happened?"
Ji Ying had just finished changing Xu Nianhua's clothes, only to see Xu Nianhua's face twisted in pain with tears pouring from the corners of her eyes.
"Good child, don't cry."
"Don't worry, Mom will make sure you get to study."
"You're my daughter. Even if I have to pawn everything, I'll send you all to school."
Ji Ying couldn't bear for her son to drop out, and she didn't want her daughter to give up, either.
Ji Ying's gentle voice calmly soothed her, comforting her like a child, softly patting Xu Nianhua's shoulder. Sure enough, the pain faded from Xu Nianhua's face, and the tears at the corners of her eyes slowly stopped.
...
'Clang'
The enamel cup smashed to the ground with a bang. Xu Zhong glared furiously at Xu Qinghe and said, "A girl—what's she going to school for? Why bother with all the studying?"
"She didn't pass the exam herself, wants to repeat another year, do you think the Xu Family's money grows on trees or falls from the sky?"
"If anyone goes, it should be the boys. A girl, spending so much money—making it to high school is good enough, and now you want her to go to college? Let me tell you, Xu Qinghe, don't even dream about it."
Xu Zhong was livid, his scolding came in rapid fire with no pause at all.
"Old man, don't be so angry." Grandma Xu patted Xu Zhong's back to calm him down, giving Xu Qinghe a look and said, "Qinghe, don't blame your dad. Our family is poor to begin with. Zhiyuan is about to start college, and we really can't afford to send so many kids to school."
"He was born to piss me off," Xu Zhong said, feeling better after his wife calmed him. He summed it up, "Nianhua won't go to school anymore. As for Nian'an, if he passes, he can go. If he doesn't, that's it."
"Let him join his big brother at the brick factory. He can make thirty yuan a month." Xu Zhong added.