Chen Yang and the old village head drove the donkey cart to take Shen Pandi to the county town to treat her wounds, and also to send her back to school to continue her studies.
The county high school had boarding facilities, and after getting into university, she could still live at school. Even without this home, Shen Pandi would not be homeless.
Most importantly, she was free.
She would no longer be forced by Luo Yuzhen to support her brother's family and be bled dry by him, as in her past life!
Looking at the letter of severance of relations in her hand, with two large bloody handprints, Shen Pandi buried her head in her knees and sobbed uncontrollably.
She knew her mother had always looked down on her daughters. She didn't understand why her own mother, being a woman herself, would despise her daughters so much!
If everyone in the world gave birth to sons, who would be wives and mothers to them? Were daughters not human?
Shen Fuguo drove the donkey cart, sighing incessantly. Every family had its own struggles. He didn't know whether it was a good or bad thing for Pandi to sever ties with Luo Yuzhen today, at the behest of him and Chen Yang.
Pandi could now avoid Luo Yuzhen's exploitation, but she no longer had a home.
This child would be pitiable in the future.
After crying for an unknown amount of time, Shen Pandi finally stopped.
"Old village head, Teacher Chen, thank you."
"I will definitely study hard, I want to go to university, I want to become a capable person, and one day, I will let everyone know that what others can achieve, I can also achieve."
"In the future, I will earn money, a lot of money, and I will build schools. I will teach knowledge to everyone, regardless of gender, so they can all have access to education."
"And those girls who cannot afford to study, I will support them!"
"I want to change this unfair fate!"
Shen Pandi held her head high, her gaze resolute.
Listening to her words, Chen Yang knew that from this day on, this girl was different.
She had her own life goals and the meaning of her own struggles.
Perhaps, in the future, Pandi could truly change the fate of many children.
Chen Yang looked forward to that day!
Having been reborn, he not only wanted to lead his family to a better life, but also to bring his kind fellow villagers along.
He had to contribute to this country, this nation, and this society.
Opening a shop and striving for the legalization of individual businesses to be realized earlier was his first contribution to the process of reform and opening up.
Perhaps, by saving Shen Pandi's tragic fate, enabling her to succeed in her studies and repay her hometown by educating others and changing the destinies of many rural children, this could be his second contribution.
"Pandi, I am happy for you to have such aspirations."
"Study hard, get into university, become someone useful to the country and society, and realize your own life value."
"Of course, first and foremost, make your own life better and more fulfilling. Don't be sad; hope lies ahead."
"I have never glorified hardship. To endure suffering oneself to benefit others is, in my opinion, a waste of life. While I admire such people, I will not be one of them."
"I hope that in the future, while living a good life yourself, you will also find the heart to help others. That would be the best."
Chen Yang patted Shen Pandi on the shoulder. Having aspirations was good, but she shouldn't put too much pressure on herself, as life would be too bitter that way.
Life was just a series of events. Finding joy in oneself was what gave it meaning.
"Thank you, Teacher Chen, really, thank you."
Shen Pandi looked at Chen Yang, unsure how she could ever repay him.
The only thing she could do now was to study diligently.
Chen Yang had hoped she would get into Tsinghua University, and she absolutely could not disappoint him.
"Live your life well."
"Here is some money, take it first. Don't refuse. Consider this money borrowed for your studies. It will be the same when you go to university; I will also lend you tuition and living expenses."
"Of course, if Pandi, you get into a good university, perhaps the living subsidies and meal tickets provided by the school will cover your living expenses, then I won't be making an unnecessary gesture."
"When you graduate and start working and earn money, you can then return the money to me."
Chen Yang took out one hundred yuan. He didn't give it directly, knowing Shen Pandi wouldn't accept it.
She was a proud girl.
Listening to Chen Yang's words, Shen Pandi bit her lip and silently took the money.
This sum was enough to cover all her high school tuition and living expenses for the next year, with even some left over.
She knew Chen Yang had deliberately said it was a loan to spare her pride, and she would forever remember his kindness.
She would study hard and repay Chen Yang in the future!
At the hospital, the doctor applied medicine, bandaged Shen Pandi's wounds, and gave her a tetanus shot. Only then did Chen Yang and the old village head send her back to school.
Liu Shiyun was very happy to see Shen Pandi and immediately took her to arrange for a dormitory.
This beautiful teacher was very astute. She didn't ask how Shen Pandi's family agreed to her returning to school, nor did she inquire about the wound on Shen Pandi's neck.
She simply helped Shen Pandi resolve all her living and accommodation issues at school.
"Comrade Chen Yang, thank you for bringing Pandi to school. The task of helping her catch up on her studies will be mine from now on."
"I believe that after experiencing hardship, life will surely blossom into even more beautiful flowers."
"Just as it is for people, so it is for this country."
Chen Yang was surprised that Liu Shiyun was also an intellectual with a literary bent.
The unique love for the country and nation, and the yearning for a bright future, characteristic of intellectuals of that era, even after enduring hardships, was something he admired.
Yes, Pandi's future would be even brighter, and this country, having bid farewell to turmoil and ushering in reform and opening up, would also prosper and become strong!
"Teacher Liu, your words are so beautiful."
Before Chen Yang could reply, a small head suddenly emerged from behind Liu Shiyun.
Chen Yang recognized her immediately – it was his younger sister-in-law. Perhaps she had seen him earlier when he was taking Shen Pandi to the dormitory and had intentionally come over to say hello, only to overhear Liu Shiyun's remark.
"Student Shen Rong, thank you for your compliment."
Liu Shiyun had no airs of being a teacher at all; she mingled freely with her students, unlike most teachers of that era.
At this time, most teachers were quite rigid; a teacher was a teacher, and a student was a student.
"Brother-in-law, I haven't been home this month. It's almost the end of the month, and I can have two days off for my monthly leave. I want to go home."
Seeing Chen Yang, Shen Rong was very happy. She was now a prospective second-year high school student. There was practically no concept of summer vacation at this time.
The college entrance examinations had just been reinstated, and everyone was eager to study. Although the teachers were not teaching classes, they would often come to school to be available for consultation, so students could ask any questions they had.
Therefore, Shen Rong had been staying at school, diligently studying. However, after nearly a month away from home, the girl missed her family. Since Chen Yang and the old village head had arrived with the donkey cart, she wouldn't have to walk and could ride back with them.
"Your parents and sister also miss you dearly. Coincidentally, we're going home today. Tomorrow morning, Father and I will bring fish to the city and give you a ride back."
Chen Yang naturally wouldn't refuse his sister-in-law's request to go home. It had been a while since the elder couple had seen their granddaughter, and it would be a pleasant surprise for them.