They stayed in their hometown for a day.
The next day, Chang Le and his parents returned to Linyu County.
In the car, Tan Xiaoya recounted what He Shufen had said yesterday to Chang Xueqin.
Originally, she wanted to say it last night, but she was worried that the walls had ears.
After listening, Chang Xueqin said, "Sister-in-law has always had this problem since she was young, easily swayed by negative information in society, and led into a dead end. Mingming's academic performance is not good, and sister-in-law bears a great responsibility."
Tan Xiaoya asked, "What's your brother's attitude? If he has the same attitude, then it's not easy to handle."
Chang Xueqin said, "I asked my brother yesterday, and he has a very clear attitude, firmly opposed. He thinks sister-in-law is being unrealistic, thinking things too simply. And he also thinks Mingming's mind is too simple, just suitable for the current simple job."
"That's good, your brother is quite sensible." Tan Xiaoya felt a bit relieved.
"My brother has always been sensible. In the first few years after marrying sister-in-law, they argued for a few years and he became less inclined to express his opinions. After all, he was one of the first batch of college students after the resumption of the college entrance examination. He had the opportunity to stay in Jiangzhou back then. If he hadn't listened to our parents and returned to the county to get married, the current situation might be different."
"Does your brother regret it now?"
"I don't know if he regrets it, he's the type to go with the flow."
Time flies, passing swiftly.
In the blink of an eye, it was June, the season transitioning from spring to summer.
On the last day of the college entrance examination, the examination room was very quiet, except for the rustling sound of flipping papers, there was only the sound of writing.
Chang Le breathed a sigh of relief after writing the last word and punctuation mark on the comprehensive exam paper.
In these eight months, he had been very tense, fulfilling, and tired.
Compared to the relief and pride of his parents, and the promising future, the physical fatigue was insignificant.
Based on the two days of exams, Chang Le estimated that his efforts over the past eight months would yield good results.
"Ding Ling Ling..."
The bell for the end of the exam sounded.
The invigilator immediately requested the cessation of answering, and the candidates, whether calm, regretful, or helpless, put down their pens.
The invigilator collected the papers one by one, and after announcing the end of the exam, the classroom, corridors, and campus quickly returned to their usual bustle.
Chang Le slowly descended the stairs along with the crowded crowd, and encountered Yuan Jiacheng from another exam room on the way.
Yuan Jiacheng's expression was very relaxed, indicating that he did well.
"Chang Le, it's finally over. I didn't expect this year to be much easier than previous years."
"It's a bit easier, but everyone finds it easy, so the competition will be fierce."
"Now is not the time to consider whether the competition is fierce or not, let's think about how to spend the next few months. Have you decided where to go?"
"I'm going to travel."
"I'm the same, haha. My parents said that after the college entrance exams, they'll take me to the capital to visit. How about you? Where are you going?"
"I'm going to the coast. I've been wanting to go to the beach for a long time."
"Well, I wish you a happy trip. Remember to keep in touch."
"Um... I'll remember to keep in touch."
Finally stepping out of the school gate, Chang Le scanned the group of parents outside the gate and saw his father and mother leaning against the tree trunk.
Both of them were eagerly awaiting, with slightly nervous expressions.
Chang Le couldn't help but recall an unforgettable scene in his mind.
With the setting sun, the twilight, his mother, looking tired and with premature gray hair, standing alone under the tree, forcing a smile and waving to him.
The contrast... was touching.
Chang Le waved to his parents and ran over.
Seeing Chang Le's relaxed smile and brisk steps, Chang Xueqin and Tan Xiaoya's uneasy hearts relaxed a lot, indicating that nothing unexpected had happened.
Chang Le ran to his parents, and Tan Xiaoya wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief, unable to help but ask, "How did it go?"
During the exams, Chang Xueqin and Tan Xiaoya had mutually agreed not to discuss the exams to avoid affecting Chang Le's mood.
But now that it was over, Tan Xiaoya was a bit impatient.
"It went okay. Overall, I feel like this year's college entrance exam questions were easier than previous years. Chinese, English, and comprehensive exams, I think I can get good scores. As for math, I did better than during the monthly exams. I answered the first few applied math questions correctly, so passing shouldn't be a problem." Chang Le replied with a smile.
Chang Le never expected high scores in math, even with the help of his 'golden finger,' his initial goal was just to pass.
The reason he could score high in Chinese was mainly because Chang Le remembered the essay topics for this year's college entrance exam.
For this, he spent two months in advance, determining the theme, refining his viewpoints, collecting evidence, and crafting sentences, aiming for a theme that was fresh and non-cliché, arguments that were well-researched and not commonplace, and sentences that were concise, gorgeous, and eloquent...
As for scoring high in English and comprehensive, more than half of the credit was due to the effect of the 'golden finger.'
Of course, his personal efforts couldn't be ignored either.
Chang Le's confident response made Chang Xueqin and Tan Xiaoya smile at each other, and their uneasy hearts completely relaxed.
In their understanding, Chang Le had a virtue - he always spoke the truth and never boasted or lied.
Chang Xueqin patted Chang Le's shoulder. "Well done, Lezi. Let's go home and let your mom cook you something good to eat."
Tan Xiaoya held Chang Le's hand. "Yes, your mom bought a lot of groceries, all your favorites, to reward you."
At this moment, with the setting sun, the twilight, the shadows of the three stretched long.
...
In the evening, after dinner, Chang Xueqin brewed three cups of tea and sat on the sofa.
The TV was playing the news, and the conversation between the three of them started because of this.
"Lezi, the college entrance exams are over. How do you plan to spend this holiday?" Chang Xueqin asked.
"Dad, mom, I've already decided. I want to go traveling this holiday." Chang Le said.
"Traveling? Traveling is good. Reading ten thousand books, traveling ten thousand miles, seeing more and knowing more is very helpful for life." Chang Xueqin nodded in agreement.
"But, mom has to work, and your dad, forget it, he hardly has any time for himself." Tan Xiaoya said.
"So... my idea is to travel alone." Chang Le said.
"What? Alone? No, absolutely not. You're still young, it's not safe." Tan Xiaoya immediately stood up from the sofa, firmly opposed.
"Mom... how about you accompany me then?" Chang Le compromised.
"I want to accompany you, but I have to work. My job can't just take leave like that, let alone for traveling." Tan Xiaoya said.
"In that case... Mom, I'm already an adult now, in ancient times, this would be the age to start a family and establish a career. Sooner or later, I have to go out and explore, right? You can't always be with me, can you?"
"How about you just travel nearby? There are mountains and rivers nearby, and tourist attractions too."
"Mom, the meaning of travel lies in seeing unseen scenery, meeting unseen people, and learning, exercising, and cultivating oneself. If it's just nearby, then it's not traveling, it's just an outing. Besides, the most comfortable holiday in a person's life is these few months after high school graduation. You wouldn't want me to waste it like this, would you?"
"However..." Tan Xiaoya couldn't bear it, but hesitated and couldn't make up her mind.
"Lezi makes sense. Xiaoya, we're both experienced. The holiday after high school graduation is indeed the most relaxed time in a person's life, and it should be fully utilized to travel around." Chang Xueqin spoke up.
"Lezi is already 18 years old, considered an adult, and it's time for him to experience and understand the world on his own. Those kids who go south to work are not even as old as Lezi, why can't he go out and explore the world? So, I support Lezi's idea of traveling alone, as a reward for his efforts this year."
"Thank you, Dad!" Chang Le said happily.
"Xueqin..."
"However, don't get too excited yet, I have a few requests." Chang Xueqin waved his hand, indicating Tan Xiaoya not to rush.
"Dad, go ahead."
"Traveling is fine, but there are a few requirements: First, don't take risks. Traveling is not about taking risks, so don't try any adventurous activities..."
"Second, absolutely don't go to places with few people, especially those remote areas..."
"Third, don't talk to strangers casually, MLM activities are rampant nowadays..."
"Dad, no problem, I can do all of these." Chang Le nodded.
"Also, after you come back, write a travel experience, I want to read it. Can you do these?"
"Sure, Dad."
"Wait a minute, I have one more thing to add... Lezi, keep your phone on and stay in touch at all times, and report your itinerary every night." Tan Xiaoya said.
"Don't worry, Mom, I will report my itinerary to you every day."
NEXTTT