013 Literacy Class
After the maid incident last time, Li Xianglu's days had obviously gotten better.
Not knowing what her Aunt Liu Aidang and Ge Sanmei had said to each other, but ever since that incident, Ge Sanmei had shown no pleasant face towards her yet ceased from hitting or scolding her. Instead, she became stricter towards her own married daughter, Li Jianhong, forbidding her from visiting her parental home without reason.
But that harshness was just that. When winter came, there were no tasks left for the Li Family Village Production Team on the Loess Plateau, and everyone stayed at home to rest and recuperate.
The most they did was wash clothes and cook meals. Originally, Ge Sanmei, angry at Li Xianglu, had forbidden her from cooking, but after a few days, the family members all commented that the meals prepared by Li Xianglu were delicious, which frustrated Ge Sanmei. In truth, she too had realized that the girl's cooking was indeed tastier; her stir-fried cabbage and vermicelli were much better—a result of her skill in oiling and seasoning. Nothing was missing from the cabinet, so Ge Sanmei had no choice but to let Li Xianglu continue cooking.
However, during the winter, the family only ate twice a day, and that wasn't too difficult, plus the kitchen was warm. Li Xianglu, unwilling to face Ge Sanmei in the room, stayed in the kitchen instead.
Li Family Village Production Team and neighboring Jishui Production Team were adjacent, separated only by a road. And the production teams planned to start a literacy class, discussing to combine the literacy classes of both teams for easier management and convenience.
Thus, the literacy class began.
Li Xianglu, eager to rid herself of her illiterate status, naturally wanted to attend, but being of no status in the family, she needed approval from her family members. Therefore, she thought of an important person—her older brother, Li Jianqing.
Li Jianqing was fifteen this year and had only completed third grade. Playful and mischievous, he had stopped attending school early.
Thus, Li Xianglu had a deep conversation with Li Jianqing.
That afternoon, the production team was slaughtering pigs and sheep. The elders in the family along with her oldest brother and his wife had all gone to watch—not just to watch, but also to bring pots and share some of the meat.
Li Xianglu didn't go. Li Jianqing, looking deeply troubled, prompted Li Xianglu to ask while she was building a fire, "Jianqing, what's wrong?"
Li Jianqing frowned, angrily dropping the rabbit fur he was holding; he was cleaning some fat off the rabbit skin.
Seeing this, Li Xianglu was not annoyed but continued, "Hey, Jianqing, did you see Uncle Sanwang's youngest son yesterday?"
Hearing this, Li Jianqing's frown deepened, becoming somewhat irritable as he threw the skin on the table, visibly upset.
Seeing his reaction, Li Xianglu raised an eyebrow and with a slight smile muttered to herself, "Jianqing, you don't know how handsome Uncle Sanwang's youngest son looks in his military uniform. If you wore one, you would look like a heavenly being."
Upon hearing her comment, Li Jianqing's face turned red, and he became clumsy and tongue-tied, "Those clothes aren't just worn casually."
Li Xianglu laughed lightly and said, "You can wear them if you join the army."
At these words, Li Jianqing's eyes lit up, suddenly standing up, and with a clap of his hands, exclaimed, "Right, join the army! How could I be so dumb?" While thinking this, he smacked his own head hard—"smack"—making Li Xianglu wince. Apparently, her brother could be a bit slow.
Li Xianglu quickly pulled him to sit down, tilting her head adorably and said, "Jianqing, do you want to be a general or just a soldier under someone's command?"
Li Jianqing, inspired by his sister's words, proudly patted his chest, declaring, "Of course, I'll be a general!"
Li Xianglu grinned inwardly, but said seriously, "Brother, you only have a third-grade education. How would they make you a General? At most, you'd be a little soldier under someone's command."
Li Jianqing's eyes widened in disbelief, and he gritted his teeth, ready to explode in anger, but seeing his sister tilting her head and looking serious, he started to think.
Indeed, he was only in the third grade, how could he possibly become a General? Li Jianqing rubbed his hands anxiously. He recalled how Uncle Sanwang's youngest son, that coward, wore a green military uniform and looked so dashing. Thinking about how that guy used to fool around with him, always snotty, he couldn't accept it. Why should he? Although young, he was the king of the kids!
Seeing this was a good lead-in, Li Xianglu quickly said, "Brother, there's actually an opportunity for us to learn again."
Li Jianqing's eyes sparkled, as if he had found hope.
Li Xianglu then mentioned the literacy class organized by the production team.
Li Jianqing felt awkward; a literacy class, how embarrassing! If he attended, how would he handle it later? Would he still fit in? After all, he was the leader of the village kids. If he attended the literacy class, wouldn't it be like throwing himself into the Yellow River?
Seeing his reaction, Li Xianglu urged, "Brother, if you attend the literacy class, you could strive to get into the village's junior high school. After graduating from junior high at eighteen, our village will have military recruitment quotas. With higher education and a strong physique, you'd surely be recruited."
Seeing Li Jianqing's excited expression, she added more, "If you could even get into high school, that would be even better. Maybe it won't be long before the military academy starts recruiting. I've heard that graduates assigned to local military units could become company commanders, and they command hundreds of people."
Upon hearing this, Li Jianqing was thrilled. Indeed, last year, Uncle Sanwang's youngest son was recruited over Li Erkui's eldest son because he had a higher education level, even though he wasn't as strong.
Thinking about this, Li Jianqing felt his sister was right!
But how did his sister know all this? Li Jianqing looked at her with doubt.
Li Xianglu, seeing the change in Li Jianqing's expression, showed not a hint of panic. Calmly, she said, "I heard it from Qin Xiaopang a few days ago, you know Qin Xiaopang, although his family background isn't good, his family has had high-ranking officials."
Indeed, Li Jianqing knew about this; he heard that Qin Xiaopang's family was sent down for reform because his official grandfather had committed some misconduct, but he had also heard that they were under investigation.
With this in mind, Li Jianqing had no more doubts, his eyes gleaming, wishing he could attend the literacy class right now.
Li Xianglu knew not to rush things and slowly said, "Brother, Daddy and Mom have to agree to this."
Li Jianqing looked up, confident, "That won't be a problem."
Li Xianglu showed a bitter expression, "Brother, I want to go too."
Upon hearing this, Li Jianqing immediately rejoiced, "Great, let's go together." That way, he wouldn't feel embarrassed.
Li Xianglu smiled bitterly, "I'm afraid Daddy and Mom won't agree."
Immediately, Li Jianqing slapped his chest, promising to handle it.
Then, Li Xianglu smilingly brought him a bowl of sweet soup.