"Honey, look at the man next door. He's constantly bringing his wife chicken soup and fruit, waiting on her hand and foot, almost worshiping the ground she walks on," a woman complained.
"I've given birth to a healthy baby boy for you, and you don't seem to care about me at all."
Chen Yang had been busy running errands at the hospital for the past few days. A woman who had also just given birth nearby felt a pang of envy watching her husband, who was as stiff as a board, and her heart filled with anger.
"He has the means to do so. My mother's here making chicken soup for you too."
"Here, have a taste. I'll feed you. I'll feed you."
The nearby man, hearing this, quickly blew on the chicken soup in the spoon, and the woman in the hospital bed finally showed a satisfied smile.
Shen Xue, watching the couple next to her, let out a chuckle.
It had been a week since her delivery. She could have been discharged the next day, but Chen Yang insisted on staying for a few more days of observation.
And so, the observation had stretched into a week.
"Chen Yang, I'm leaving the hospital today, no matter what. Look at our little one's bright eyes; he must want to go home too."
Shen Xue looked at the baby in her arms. Her health had recovered significantly. If Chen Yang hadn't stopped her, she would have wanted to go home long ago.
"Alright, the doctor said it's okay to go home. I'll call Zhang Dabiao to bring the donkey cart. We'll put a quilt on it to cushion the ride for you."
Chen Yang looked at his wife. Shen Xue's complexion was rosy, clearly indicating her recovery over the past few days.
"You're being silly. It's the middle of August and so hot. Why would you put a quilt? A straw mat will do. I'm not that delicate. I went home just the same after giving birth to Yan Yan and Hao Hao."
"Stop dawdling and find a cart. I can take care of myself."
Shen Xue knew her husband cared for her, but with so many people around, she felt a bit self-conscious.
Her mother-in-law was there to help, while Chen Yang ran around handling the discharge procedures, payment, and then arranging for Zhang Dabiao to fetch the team's donkey cart.
After a busy morning, the family finally returned home just before noon.
As soon as Shen Xue arrived, the two children rushed over. Chen Yang had kept them away from the hospital, fearing they might disturb her.
Shen Xue's second aunt and Shen Pandi and Shen Rong had been looking after the children at home. Now that Shen Xue was back, the two children scampered over on their short legs.
They peered at the tiny infant in Shen Xue's arms, standing on tiptoe.
"Mama, is this our little brother?"
The little girl looked at the wrinkled infant, who seemed different from herself and Chen Hao. He was so small, so tiny.
In fact, after drinking milk for a few days, he had already started to plump up, looking much better than when he was first born.
"Yes, this is your brother. Yan Yan, Hao Hao, you must play with your brother and not bully him."
Shen Xue looked at the little one sleeping soundly in her arms. Chen Yang hadn't named him yet.
"Mom, I'll protect you and brother, and sister. I'll protect everyone!"
Before the little girl could speak, Chen Hao puffed out his chest with vigor.
"You silly boy, your dad's here to protect us. It's not your turn yet. You can protect us when you grow up."
Chen Yang ruffled his son's hair, outwardly chiding him but inwardly beaming with pride.
"Don't block the way here. Let your mother go in. She just gave birth and needs to rest. You two must not disturb her, understand?"
Chen Yang cautioned the two children. They were full of energy, and he didn't want them to disrupt Shen Xue's rest.
"Daddy, we won't. We love Mama the most."
The little girl and Chen Hao immediately raised their hands, vowing not to disturb their mother. Chen Yang didn't press the issue and quickly took Shen Xue to her room.
Rest was crucial for women after childbirth to prevent any lingering health issues. Chen Yang was very concerned about this.
"Ring ring."
Just as Chen Yang was helping Shen Xue lie down in her room, a familiar bicycle bell rang from outside.
"Chen Yang, Shen Rong, Shen Pandi, your admission notices have arrived!"
"A college student! Congratulations, congratulations!"
Before Chen Yang could even step out, the voices of the postman and the old village head, Shen Fuguo, could be heard from outside the house.
"Go quickly, go and see your admission notices."
Hearing this news, Shen Xue was even more excited than if she had gotten into college herself.
In this family, perhaps even Chen Yang wasn't as invested in her getting into college as she was.
"University student Chen, I told you we were destined to meet. When I was at your house last time, I said I'd deliver your mail personally next time. Look, your university admission notice. I'm delivering it to your home first, personally."
It was the same postman from last time. Chen Yang took the admission notice and was immediately overjoyed.
Huadong University of Finance and Economics – he could finally go!
And it wasn't just his admission notice; Shen Rong and Shen Pandi had received theirs as well.
"Brother-in-law, I heard there's one for me and Pandi."
Outside the courtyard, Shen Rong, holding Shen Pandi's hand, looked anxiously at the admission notices in the postman's hand.
It was natural to be nervous!
In the entire Shenjiaba for so many years, only her family members had been admitted to university.
Chen Yang, she, and Shen Pandi were among the few who had achieved this in history. They were both nervous and excited.
"Here you go, these two are yours. Quickly see which major."
The college applications had been filled out before the exams, and admission depended on scoring above the minimum required by the universities.
The arrival of these notices meant that Shen Rong and Shen Pandi had definitely been accepted.
Good heavens, Tsinghua University!
Chen Yang couldn't even imagine that such a backward village like Shenjiaba could produce a student admitted to Tsinghua University.
Even in later times, having a Tsinghua graduate would be a cause for celebration with gongs and drums throughout the village.
As Chen Yang was thinking this, he suddenly heard the sound of gongs and drums.
"We have a top scholar! Our village has a top scholar!"
"People from the county education bureau are here. Pandi is the top scholar in our county and has been admitted to Tsinghua University!"
Chen Yang now understood why the old village head had come with the postman. It turned out he had received prior notification, and now county education bureau officials had arrived to deliver the good news.
In those days, to produce a top scholar was indeed a matter for gongs and drums to announce the good news to their doorstep.
"Teacher Chen, I got in. I didn't disappoint you."
Shen Pandi, listening to the sounds of gongs and drums outside, clutched her admission notice.
Tears finally streamed down her face uncontrollably!
Today, she had become famous throughout Shenjiaba, and even the entire Wanli Commune!
She was the top scholar!
Her parents must have heard by now. County leaders were coming to congratulate her. Shen Pandi was no less than anyone else.