Chapter 510 Agricultural University

"As soon as we entered the alley, we smelled a strong aroma of fish and wondered whose house it was coming from!"

After entering the courtyard, the parents washed their hands while looking at Xiaojiu and smiling.

"That's right, that's right. I could only smell it coming from our house when I got closer. I immediately thought it was my sister coming back."

Since it was dinner, Xiao Jiu specially brought out a river crucian carp, which wasn't very big, only a little over a pound.

It seems to have been traded from the farmers in the area where my fourth sister lives.

"You're only back for a few days this time!"

After his parents finished washing, Tao An washed his hands in a basin of water and then casually splashed the water into the scallion patch in the yard.

"I have to leave at the end of the month, in just a few days. I went to Sister Cuihong's place to take care of her for a few days a few days ago, and now I have to go back to see Sister Cuihua."

Cuihua is still in her postpartum period, so she has to go back. Zhao Lingli quickly said this.

“Your brother has finished his classes and is taking care of your grandparents. I’ll go back with you to take care of them too.”

After finishing the college entrance examination in mid-July, Tao An tutored several junior high school students for about a month without charging them.

Of course, even if someone dared to offer it, they wouldn't dare to accept it; it's purely a voluntary act of kindness.

It's my father's connections.

When the fish soup is almost ready to be served in the evening, pour in a bowl of pickled chopped scallions and a handful of freshly cut chives for added aroma—perfect.

"You sleep with your mother for a while, I'll go to the dorm and stay there for the night."

Tao Changyi and his wife occasionally had to work overtime and not go home. They rented a house without informing the factory, so there were still beds available in the dormitory.

The main reason for renting the house was to take care of the two elderly people. Usually, the couple and Tao An take turns going home at night.

"Then let's go back with you tomorrow and stay for a few days?"

Grandpa asked cautiously, and Xiao Jiu felt a pang of heartache. If it weren't for helplessness, no one would want to keep them confined in this courtyard.

"Sir, what's so difficult about going home?"

I'll be staying home for a week anyway, so I'll bring it back to you when I leave.

Grandpa and Grandma were very happy. "Yes, yes, it's good to be home. It's still the most comfortable living in our own home."

He also knew that his son and daughter-in-law rented the house for their health and convenience, and he couldn't be ungrateful.

But if I have the chance to go back to my hometown, I definitely won't let it pass.

"Xiao Jiu, did you ride that bicycle back?"

When Tao Changyi pulled the tricycle, which was covered by a tarpaulin in the yard, out, he caught a glimpse of the brand-new bicycle in the dark corner.

"Yes, Dad, I bought this with the bicycle ticket that the school gave me as a reward. I've been riding it for a while now."

"From now on, you and Mom won't have to squeeze into one car anymore!"

After she finished speaking, she noticed the tricycle that her father had pushed out.

"You welded this car yourself?"

"Your dad got a welder from a mechanic shop to make this, and the materials were salvaged from a scrap yard."

Your father spent several years gathering these materials.

It took a long time to sand and paint. Don't let its unsightly appearance fool you; it's incredibly sturdy!

In total, including social obligations, it cost about a hundred yuan.

Tao An curled his lip, "It's not just about money. For the past month or so, I've been paying back favors to our dad."

Xiao Jiu looked him up and down, then touched him and nodded: "Then this money was well spent!"

Then she looked at Tao An and said, "What's wrong with you working hard for your grandparents? Besides, you're just sitting at home doing nothing anyway."

Although it was a side job taken by the welder and mechanic, they had to find the materials themselves. They said they were from the scrap yard, but those in the know understand.

They must have gotten it through connections; personal relationships account for at least half of it.

The tricycle isn't small; Dad must have planned to have one a long time ago to make it easier to pick up and drop off Grandpa and Grandma.

"Brother, can I see your college acceptance letter?"

Tao An was admitted to an agricultural university located in the provincial capital, where he studied seed science and engineering.

This was a complete surprise to the whole family. Based on his initial assessment results, Xiaojiu had even suggested that he apply to a vocational college specializing in animal husbandry.

Unexpectedly, he made a remarkable achievement and was admitted to an agricultural university, and to a very good major at that.

It is important to know that in the 1960s and 70s, my country adopted a development model of "agriculture as the foundation and industry as the leading force".

In the future, working as a technician in the Agricultural Bureau or its subordinate units would be a pretty prestigious job.

But perhaps because there were many college students in the family, Tao An's admission to university did not cause much of a stir in the family.

Moreover, the notification was sent to a rented room in the county town, and no one in my hometown village knew about it.

Tao An has always given people the impression that he doesn't study hard and is just a half-baked expert.

Who would have thought that Tao An, during his two years of high school, relied on the various test papers and error notebooks that Xiao Jiu organized, as well as the intensive tutoring from his third brother Tao Qing during the winter and summer vacations, to get him into the Agricultural University!

The admission notices of that era were far less impressive than those of later generations; they were simple and plain, and the printed and handwritten texts on them all carried the significance of the time.

The agricultural university's admission notice states that the registration date is August 27th. Before registration, the following tasks must be completed:

1. Have a chest X-ray at a reputable hospital; the report must be submitted upon registration.

2. Complete the procedures for transferring household registration and grain and oil ration records;

3. Fill out the family economic situation survey form, which needs to be signed and stamped by the village committee (or neighborhood committee) and the middle school where the family is located.

"I've already had a physical exam, and I've filled out the required grain and oil supply information and economic situation survey form. I can just take a bus from the train station in our county. It's so close, I can even get there by bike."

That's true. Their transportation is quite developed. To the west is Luoyang, and to the east is Zhengzhou, so trains stop there.

It's only a hundred or two hundred kilometers by bike; you can set off before dawn and arrive by dark.

Xiao Jiu was genuinely happy for him: "This shows that your efforts over the years have not been in vain. If there are any opportunities for further study in the future, don't miss them."

If you have the opportunity to take the master's or doctoral entrance exams after graduating from agricultural university, you'll be qualified to enter research institutes. It's a long and arduous journey!

"After your brother got into university, your dad not only became famous at his workplace, but he was also recognized throughout the county!"

Your dad managed to snag several opportunities to study in the provincial capital; now he's the head of the quality inspection department.

Xiao Jiu looked at Tao Changyi in surprise: "So amazing?"

“Your mother is quite remarkable now; she’s a warehouse keeper at the factory and doesn’t need to do manual labor anymore.”

Tao Changyi smiled as he looked at his wife, Zhao Lingli, who chuckled.

"I've raised five college students, so we certainly can't fall behind, right?"

So your father and I studied whenever we had free time. With the foundation we built in our earlier years (we were both students at a private school), we could do basic arithmetic and writing. I passed the exam on my own merit.”

Nowadays, Zhao Lingli earns 42.5 yuan per month at level 15, and Tao Changyi earns 55 yuan per month at level 13, which is the same as the salary of a college graduate who has been promoted to a permanent position.

Such a salary level is quite good for this era.

In particular, their children not only didn't cause them any worry, but also proactively sent money back to supplement the family income.

They only need to support two elderly people, and their lives couldn't be more comfortable.