Chapter 17

Two days before the college entrance examination, the snow outside finally ceased.

A few who knew the situation gathered to rally Gu Yiran for the exam.

Miss Song had made a great contribution this time and handed Gu Yiran the “Exam Certificate” she had received, smiling warmly, “I hope we all do well.”

Her family loved her dearly. When she was born with a birthmark on her face, they thought she would have to rely solely on herself. Aunt Song and Uncle Song gritted their teeth to support her education.

Recently, Gu Yiran’s smile had become more frequent. Grateful for Miss Song’s help, he accepted the “Exam Certificate” and said, “Alright, let’s work hard together.”

Xiangcai and the others teased from the kang platform. Now that Xiangcai no longer fancied Gu Yiran, their interactions had become more natural. She hollered, “Don’t forget about us! We helped too.”

“If you hadn’t shared the osmanthus rice cakes, they wouldn’t have let you off,” Su Liuhe, in a good mood, said, “Save the rest for the exam days.”

Hearing there was more good food, Xiangcai and Miss Song sat side by side. They knew Su Liuhe’s treats were always delicious and hard to come by unless you were close.

Su Liuhe took the “Exam Certificate” and carefully stored it in the exam pouch—a small handmade cloth bag containing pencils, erasers, pens, ink, registration documents, and other essentials. She had embroidered four large characters on it: “Victory at the Start.”

If circumstances were better, she would have worn a bright red qipao to the exam.

When Sister Ma arrived, the others had already left. She handed the letter of introduction to Su Liuhe and said, “Secretary Xia has a meeting in the township these days. I’ve prepared this letter for you all. Be careful.”

Having seen much at the brigade office, she understood someone was blatantly targeting Gu Yiran.

She patted Gu Yiran’s shoulder, having watched him grow up and knowing his hardships, sincerely hoping he would succeed. “By the way, remember to give me the house key.”

Sometimes the household needed some activity to avoid suspicion. Su Liuhe feigned illness and stayed home, while Gu Yiran took leave to care for her. The firewood in the yard, the cooking smoke from the chimney, and the snow in front of the door all required someone to maintain appearances.

Gu Yiran lowered his voice, “Thank you for everything you’ve done. I—”

“Good child, don’t make promises to me. I’m a village official, here to serve the people. But if you succeed, don’t forget to help those in need.”

“I promise,” Gu Yiran said. “The other day, passing by your house, I saw the roof was unstable. With heavy snow coming, I know a friend who’s good at fixing roofs. I arranged for him to come by tomorrow.”

Sister Ma was a grassroots official who tirelessly helped the villagers, often postponing her own affairs.

In his previous life, Gu Yiran had also been cared for by her. Before he could make something of himself, during a harsh winter with continuous heavy snow for half a month, Sister Ma's roof collapsed. Her whole family of five was lost overnight.

Afraid she might refuse, Gu Yiran emphasized, “I’ve already confirmed it.”

Sister Ma sighed, “Alright then, I’ll have someone wait at home tomorrow.”

After she left, Su Liuhe waved from the kang platform.

Gu Yiran walked over and naturally lowered his head. Su Liuhe patted his head, “Don’t worry, it will go smoothly.”

“Mm.” In front of Su Liuhe, Gu Yiran showed no temper, curling up like a big cat, obedient beyond reason.

They packed their belongings for departure. Su Liuhe carefully wrapped a jar of pickled vegetables in a triangle scarf, then placed it in her small cloth bag she carried herself.

They couldn’t alert others and had to walk ten miles to the market, then take a township bus to the exam site.

Before dawn the next day, the house was empty.

When Liu Laoer passed by as usual, he saw the rising cooking smoke and the lingering scent of herbal medicine, cursed, and left.

Sister Ma’s husband came around from behind the house, spat on the ground, and left in the opposite direction.

After nearly ten hours of travel, Su Liuhe and Gu Yiran arrived at the Qianshan District guesthouse in Huaqiao City. Presenting their introduction letter and having their “Exam Certificates” checked, the receptionist couldn’t help but glance repeatedly at them, asking, “What’s your relationship?”

Su Liuhe answered without hesitation, “Aunt and nephew.”

The female receptionist was surprised, “You’re quite senior then. How many days will you stay?”

---

Gu Yiran replied, “Three days and two nights.”

The receptionist had initially thought they were a couple and almost refused. Knowing they were relatives, she said, “There are many examinees, and rooms are full. Only a small twin room at the far end of the first floor is available—”

Before she finished, Gu Yiran interrupted, “That’s fine.”

Su Liuhe squinted at him, thinking, He’s really grown up; not afraid of being embarrassed now, huh?

The receptionist promptly prepared the room and led them over, explaining the rules before leaving.

The room was bare—two small beds, nothing more. It wasn’t as damp or cold as expected; there was heating along the walls. The rest was just four walls, a thermos, and a mirror. Water and washing had to be done at the communal water room in the hallway.

It was cheap too. Other rooms cost three yuan per night; theirs was only two.

Gu Yiran let Su Liuhe rest first, then went to the canteen with food coupons to get meals. After waking her to eat, he devoured the leftovers himself.

From the hallway came occasional loud recitations, everyone anxiously preparing for tomorrow’s exam. Since it was the first year, no one knew the question types or difficulty, so everyone studied hard.

Remembering the car accident in his past life, Gu Yiran specifically told Su Liuhe to stay alert: “If anyone targets me, don’t worry. I’m prepared. Protect yourself well, and always carry the little knife I gave you.”

Su Liuhe understood his situation, nodding, “Okay.”

---

Exam day.

Su Liuhe didn’t let Gu Yiran eat the canteen food. Instead, she gave him three pieces of the osmanthus rice cake they brought from home to refresh and clear his mind.

Walking along, Su Liuhe, wrapped in a colorful scarf, chattered, “If you encounter something you can’t solve, choose the longest for three shorts and one long—”

“Three longs and one short, choose the shortest,” Gu Yiran lowered his head, smiling brightly, “Don’t worry, I won’t forget.”

Su Liuhe exhaled a puff of white breath, feeling Gu Yiran’s mindset steadier than hers.

They reached the entrance of Huaqiao No. 2 High School, where many people were already waiting.

Su Liuhe busied herself checking the small cloth bag for the exam and handed it to Gu Yiran: “Read the questions carefully, write neatly. Don’t stubbornly fight over questions you can’t answer.”

Gu Yiran suddenly reached out, adjusting her floral scarf carefully. “If I get in, there’s something I want to say to you.”

Su Liuhe brushed off what he might say, focusing on keeping him calm. “Alright, go with confidence. I’ll wait outside the bun shop.”

Gu Yiran nodded, “If it’s cold, go inside and spend some money. Don’t be stingy. I’ll worry if you get sick.”

Su Liuhe nodded vigorously, “Don’t worry, go! I’ve got it.”

As Gu Yiran entered the exam hall, Su Liuhe’s confident little face immediately fell. She clasped her hands to her chest and silently invoked Buddha, Guanyin, the Virgin Mary, and all the saints she knew.

Her cherished little cabbage was finally being tested!

The exam bell rang, and the crowd at the gate thinned.

At that moment, a red flag car slowly arrived. Coincidentally, it bore the Beijing license plate, just like the one they saw on registration day.

The red flag car stopped nearby. Su Liuhe stood under a banyan tree, tilting her head to look. A young man in his twenties, wearing a wool coat, hurriedly got out and said to a beautiful woman inside, “Mom, I’m going in now.”

Tong Hongyan advised, “Don’t argue with the teacher.”

Gu Xiaowen got out, glanced at the roadside, nearly tripped on the curb in front of Su Liuhe, instinctively reaching out for support.

Disgusted by his slick and perfumed appearance, Su Liuhe subtly stepped back, her small hand behind her back.

Gu Xiaowen didn’t expect to meet a girl more dazzling than Hong Kong stars in this small mountain town. Awkwardly patting his knees and about to speak, he heard the school’s prep bell.

“You, you... well, see you around!”

---

He rushed toward the No. 2 High School, nearly colliding with the security guard at the gate.

“Here for the exam? Have a seat.” The bun shop attendant was kind, probably because the exam business was good, bringing out stools for everyone.

The weather was not too cold. Su Liuhe sat under the banyan tree, reluctant to return to the guesthouse, which had no windows and smelled of cleaning fluid.

She propped her chin up, watching the red flag car parked nearby.

The middle-aged woman inside exuded refined and graceful air, appearing somewhat familiar. She seemed unwell, with tired eyes, pale skin, occasionally covering her cough with a handkerchief, but her former beauty still faintly visible.

After waiting half an hour, the wind picked up.

Su Liuhe spent some money to buy a red bean bun for two jiao and a cup of hot water, naturally settling inside the bun shop.

Not long after, the elegant middle-aged woman also entered, followed by a young man in military uniform who seemed to be her protector.

Su Liuhe sat diagonally across from her, suddenly realizing this was the film star Tong Hongyan, often appearing in model operas! No wonder the noble lady looked familiar.

Recalling the name, she remembered a brief mention in her era novel.

Tong Hongyan, a beauty beset by misfortune, was married to a high-ranking central government official who adored her. She was plagued by illness and seemed to have one great regret unfulfilled before her passing.

But Su Liuhe knew that wherever she was, such high-profile figures belonged to a different world. She chose not to pry into their secret matters.

The bun shop attendant also recognized Tong Hongyan. In those days without cameras or smartphones, and no celebrity culture, they just shook hands and chatted face to face.

Tong Hongyan’s gentle voice asked the attendant about her hometown, age, and so on.

Su Liuhe thought people of that era were genuine. This noble lady, evidently raised in privilege, was so kind to the attendant, earning Su Liuhe’s deep respect.

Sensing Su Liuhe’s gaze, Tong Hongyan smiled and nodded at her. Su Liuhe transformed into a fangirl, waving shyly.

Tong Hongyan had just seen Gu Xiaowen’s flustered exit and glanced at this girl, nearly stumbling.

Now she understood why.

The young girl’s watery apricot eyes and cherry lips were tender and inviting. Delicate dimples appeared faintly on her cheeks. Beneath the snow-white neck was a full, rounded bust.

“One’s temperament really can’t be taught,” Security Guard Xiao Li sighed, quickly correcting himself—he shouldn’t casually comment on women.

Tong Hongyan knew his remark was unintentional and understood his reaction.

This extraordinarily beautiful girl wore simple clothes. Though her cotton jacket had no patches, it was clear she came from the countryside to the city.

Whether greeting her or ordering from the attendant, her demeanor was neither servile nor arrogant. Tong Hongyan felt Gu Xiaowen could learn from her how to conduct himself. It echoed the older generation’s saying: Be dignified and poised when away from home.

“She’s quite the adventurous girl.” Tong Hongyan glanced at her watch as Xiao Li returned with medicine for her.

Lowering his voice, Xiao Li said, “I saw an unlicensed jeep at the gate earlier. The driver looked familiar.”

Tong Hongyan asked, “Is he one of Xiaowen’s friends?”

“No, not a regular companion,” Xiao Li replied.

Tong Hongyan looked out the window. The driver inside was putting on a hat. Not only that, he also wore a mask, glasses, and gloves.

While waiting, he kept checking his watch and tapping the steering wheel anxiously.

Su Liuhe noticed this as well. Recalling Gu Yiran’s instructions, she remained calm and focused, watching closely.