Xia Fang looked at the paper in her hand carefully and asked Qiao Mei, “You know how to write?”
When Qiao Mei married Xia Zhe, even though the Xia family were not informed about it earlier, they had done a detailed investigation on her after that. The fact that Qiao Mei did not go to school had really troubled the Xia family when they first knew.
However, Xia Zhe had already married her. Xia Zhe’s elder brother, Xia Wen, then said that he would be the tutor for Xia Zhe’s child in the worst case scenario. Xia Wen was a university professor in the capital and a mild-mannered man who was well-liked by his students.
In the end, this issue was dropped as the family believed that a child brought up by Qiao Qiang would not have a bad character. Coupled with Xia Zhe’s insistence, everyone let him have his way.
“I’ve never gone to school, but my grandfather taught me at home. My grandfather studied in a private school in the past,” Qiao Mei said.
“Oh I see.” Xia Fang was relieved. Qiao Qiang’s educational level was similar to that of the old master of the Xia family, so that would mean that Qiao Mei had some basic academic education.
“Have you thought about what I asked you before? About your plans for the future?” Xia Fang asked.
Qiao Mei lowered her head in deep thought. Qiao Mei had thought carefully about what Xia Fang told her the last time, but she still preferred to be by Xia Zhe’s side. However, she did feel that the child should not have to follow her.
Xia Fang hesitated for a while before saying, “Actually, my suggestion would still be that you don’t become a military spouse. It would be best if you want to stay in the capital. After all, it would be helpful for the children’s education and it also won’t be so tough on you.”
Qiao Mei looked at Xia Fang and nodded. She knew how difficult it was for Xia Fang to say all these. After all, Xia Fang was only an aunt and not her mother-in-law and she was crossing a line by saying all these. However, Qiao Mei knew that Xia Fang really had her well-being at heart.
No one would want to separate a newly wedded young couple and ask the bride to live with her in-laws alone and take care of the children on her own. However, Qiao Mei understood that the suggestion was for her own good.
Even Qiao Mei’s own mother, Li Gui, would not have such foresight.
“Thank you, Aunt. I’ll think about it carefully. You’re right, I have to think about the child too,” Qiao Mei said to Xia Fang with a smile.
Xia Fang was relieved to hear that Qiao Mei understood what she meant and did not misunderstand her intentions.
“Then tell me what you have in mind. Let me see if I can help you?” Xia Fang said.
“I want to study,” Qiao Mei said excitedly.
Study?
Xia Fang did not expect that. She thought that Qiao Mei would want to find a job so that she would be able to earn money to supplement the family income.
She did not expect Qiao Mei to want to go to school. For a moment, she did not know what to say.
With Qiao Mei’s good culinary skills, if she were to become a baker, she could definitely become an outstanding pastry chef after a few years. Once she was ready, they would be able to recommend her to go to a big hotel and get her a job that was easy and not tiring, doing something that she liked.
Or she could work in places like restaurants, clothing factories, or the supply and marketing cooperative. These were also very good workplaces. Although one could not get rich working at these places, one need not worry about covering basic expenses.
“Then which school do you want to go to and what do you want to learn?” Xia Fang asked.
“I want to go to high school.” Qiao Mei looked at Xia Fang firmly.
Qiao Mei did not dare to say that she wanted to go to university. Although during this period in time, it was already possible for people to enter university by way of an “admission recommendation”.
“If you want to go to high school, you might as well go to university,” Xia Fang said.
With the Xia family’s ability, it was not an issue for them to recommend her for admission. It was not that difficult to put up an admission recommendation these days. Factories, villages and public institutions could all put up recommendations for their people to go to the university. Students were accepted not for their academic qualifications, but rather for their class backgrounds.
However, Qiao Mei did not want to be this type of university student. She looked at the dates and knew that the college entrance examination would resume in a few years. By then, she would be able to enter university in a proper manner.
There was nothing wrong with being accepted into university on the basis of class background. However, she just thought that if she was known to be part of the first batch of university students who entered by passing the college entrance examination, it would be a badge of honor and make a world of difference to her reputation.
It was said that after the college entrance examination was reinstated, everyone who sat for the examination made it into university, so long as they had been to school before. Therefore, she thought that it would be safer to have a high school education.
That policy was still hearsay at the moment. She was concerned about not being able to take the examination if there were any changes, so having a high school education first would still be safer. It meant that, no matter what happened, she could still apply to take the examination later.
