"Director Meng, this is Chen Yang. Our village has three college students this year, and they all have a connection with him."
"Chen Yang needs no introduction. The village's rice-flower fish and the commune's distiller's grain fish factory have been visited by Secretary Chen several times. You must have heard of him."
"As for the other two college students, this is Chen Yang's sister-in-law, Shen Rong. And this is our top scholar, his sworn sister. Actually, Shen Pandi's family didn't want her to study."
"It was Chen Yang who kept fighting with her unreasonable mother and finally managed to get Pandi to go to the county town to resume her studies. If it weren't for Chen Yang's persistence, we wouldn't have this top scholar now."
Shen Fuguo spared no effort in praising Chen Yang. Of course, he was also very happy. He had played a part in helping Shen Pandi escape hardship back then.
Not only did he pressure Luo Yuzhen, Shen Pandi's mother, alongside Chen Yang, but he also actively helped Shen Pandi with her household registration. Now that Shen Pandi had become the top scorer in the county's college entrance examination and had been admitted to Tsinghua University! Sudancx.com
He was naturally delighted. It proved that what he did was right. Not only was it right, but he had also helped the country retain a talent.
"Old branch secretary, thank you so much. We've heard a lot about Pandi's situation from the school teachers. It's truly commendable, truly commendable!"
"In such circumstances, for Shen Pandi to still achieve the top score in the county and be admitted to Tsinghua University is an absolutely remarkable feat!"
"Congratulations, student Pandi."
"And congratulations to student Shen Rong and our famous comrade Chen Yang."
"We hope that when you go to university, you will study hard and contribute to the construction of our nation in the future."
Director Meng followed the standard procedure, offering congratulations and then presenting the county's commendation certificates and some stationery.
For Shen Pandi, the top scorer, the county rewarded her with a Hero brand fountain pen and ten yuan in prize money. This made the eyes of the onlookers straighten.
It was the first time they knew that studying could also earn prize money.
Especially since so many leaders had come to the village with fanfare earlier, it was incredibly impressive. The county leaders themselves called her "the top scholar" repeatedly.
Now, every villager, without exception, was preparing to pay more attention to their children's studies. Whether it was a boy or a girl, if they could truly achieve something through their studies like Shen Pandi,
and have county leaders come to their homes with fanfare to congratulate them, they would be willing to empty their pockets to support their children's education!
This was the power of role models. Originally, many farmers didn't understand the purpose of education.
But now, through Shen Pandi, they understood that studying well not only brought prize money but also attracted congratulatory visits from county leaders.
This was just for getting into university. After graduating, who knew how much they could earn? Before, they had only heard about it and didn't have a clear picture.
But now, they had seen it with their own eyes. They had tangibly seen the benefits of education. Who wouldn't want their child to have a bright future?
Holding her admission letter and commendation certificate, Shen Pandi's eyes were already red.
At this moment, she felt an unprecedented sense of respect. This was her dignity!
Who said daughters were inferior to sons? She would show her biased mother that she would be ten thousand times more successful than her son.
She wanted to live well and earn a lot. She would use it to support children who couldn't afford to study. She wouldn't spend a single cent on her biased mother, letting her suffer the consequences of her actions!
"Director Meng, old branch secretary, comrades, thank you for your hard work. Please come in for a cup of tea."
"We didn't prepare much as your visit was a bit sudden. Tomorrow, we will host a proper banquet at home to celebrate. Not only you, comrades, but all the villagers are invited to drink."
Shen Futang's smile was so wide his mouth could hardly close. County leaders personally coming to deliver the good news was an honor his ancestors had never had.
Even when his father was alive and wealthy, owning a winery, he was nothing in front of the county magistrate.
Although Director Meng was not the county magistrate, he was still a county leader. For him to personally lead people to deliver the good news was a great honor.
Even though Shen Pandi was not his biological daughter, she was his sworn daughter. And his elder son-in-law and younger daughter had also been admitted to university. How could he not be happy!
"Alright, this is a joyous occasion. We should have a feast."
"Er Ni's mother, don't hesitate to ask for help tomorrow. You and your second aunt won't be able to manage alone. All the village women who are free should come and help."
"Our village has a top scholar and three college students. We'll have prestige wherever we go!"
The villagers who had come to watch the excitement all eagerly offered their help. Of course, they couldn't help but feel a bit of envy towards the smug Shen Futang.
This old man, who wouldn't be happy with such good fortune? He had gained a city son-in-law for free, who was both educated and resourceful. Not only did he lead everyone to make money, but he also got into university.
His younger daughter also got into university, and his adopted daughter was the top scholar. Who could argue with that? He deserved to be proud. Anyone in his position would flaunt it a few times.
In stark contrast to the lively and celebratory atmosphere at Chen Yang's home, Shen Yougen's house was desolate.
Ever since Shen Pandi and Luo Yuzhen broke off their mother-daughter relationship, Shen Yougen had been sighing frequently. His elder daughter was married, and his younger daughter had been forced to sever ties with them.
Not long after she went to school, the old branch secretary took the letter of severed relations to the police station and had her household registration moved out of their home.
Now, Shen Pandi had her own household registration, which the old branch secretary had helped her set up.
When he visited Shen Futang's house during the New Year, he saw his daughter. She was treated better by Shen Futang, who was not related to her by blood, than by her own parents. Shen Yougen had no face to see his daughter.
Seeing the commotion and fanfare in the village at this moment, he had secretly followed along. As soon as he saw them arrive at Chen Yang's courtyard, Shen Yougen didn't dare to get close.
He hadn't raised his own daughter, but Shen Futang, who was not related to them, had brought her to live with him, celebrated the New Year with her, and provided her with food and drinks when she went to school. He had no face!
But even without getting closer, he could hear the voices from inside. It turned out his daughter had become the top scholar.
At this, Shen Yougen's heart was filled with mixed emotions. He was happy that his daughter had become the top scholar and achieved great success. He was sad that the good news should have been delivered to his home with fanfare, but now Shen Futang was stealing the spotlight.
Of course, he also knew that he had no face. His wife had recently given birth and finally had a son.
But he couldn't be happy. He was over forty, and how many more years could he work? His wife never worked and never went to the fields. This child would have a hard life with them!
"Shen Laogen, what are you doing here? Your daughter has become the top scholar, what gift are you going to give?"
Just as Shen Yougen was lost in melancholy, someone who had finished watching the excitement turned around and saw him, immediately teasing him.
The farmers in the village sometimes liked to gossip and provoke people. Everyone knew that Shen Pandi had been forced to sever ties with them, so this was intentional teasing.
"I'll give... I... what gift would I give my own daughter?"
Shen Yougen really wanted to say he would give a grand gift, but when he thought about how Luo Yuzhen had hidden all the money at home, even if he wanted to, he couldn't come up with the money to buy a gift.
What a disaster!