Chapter 52: The Evil Stepmother of the 1970s 19 Please Collect the Author’s Column…

Chapter 52: The Vicious Stepmother of the 1970s (Part 19)

Xu Xiuyun, too, had heard the news, and it left her deeply distraught. She had always been fiercely competitive, loathing to lose to anyone, especially her cousin, with whom she had constantly vied since childhood. Now, her cousin had not only married better but also had a child before her, earning widespread praise for her good fortune.

What did that make her? Unlucky?

Upon returning to the village and hearing the news, Song Dongbo was irritated to find Xu Xiuyun upset. "What’s wrong with you now? Don’t tell me you’re angry about Xu Ziyan’s pregnancy. Is it really that big a deal? What kind of feud do you two sisters even have?"

Xu Xiuyun mumbled, "I’m not angry, just a little sad that I don’t have a child yet."

Song Dongbo was busy with his business, constantly on the go. By the time he got home, he was exhausted, often just washing up and collapsing into bed. After their previous conflict, they had even slept separately for a while. How could they possibly have a child under such circumstances?

This was Xu Xiuyun’s thought, and she voiced it to Song Dongbo, hoping they could be more intimate as a couple.

Song Dongbo glanced at Song Jiao, frowning. "Don’t talk about such things in front of the child! That’s not the issue at all. Fang Lihai is barely home all year; aren’t they apart even longer? It’s just not our time yet, and there’s no need to rush. You focus on your studies, and I’ll focus on saving money. Wouldn’t it be better to have a child when we’re in a more stable position?"

What more could Xu Xiuyun say? She could only lower her head and continue eating. She stole a glance at Song Jiao, suspecting that Song Dongbo didn’t want another child because Song Jiao was still young, fearing he might neglect her if they had their own. After all, Song Dongbo’s primary reason for remarrying was to find someone to care for Song Jiao.

Xu Xiuyun felt a surge of frustration, but there was nothing she could do. With Song Dongbo uncooperative, she had no choice but to let the matter drop. From then on, she redoubled her efforts in studying, determined to get into a prestigious university just to show Xu Ziyan.

However, the first college entrance examination was fast approaching, with only two months between the announcement of its reinstatement and the actual test. No matter how intense the cramming, success still depended on one’s foundational knowledge and whether they had strengths or weaknesses in particular subjects.

For instance, many people struggled with math no matter how hard they tried, and Xu Xiuyun was only average in that area. In her small-town school, the questions were simple, allowing her to rank first. But now, preparing for the national exam, the practice questions felt challenging. Yet, there was no more time for her to study; by December, she would be in the examination hall.

While waiting in line outside the examination hall, Xu Xiuyun was shocked to see Xu Ziyan. "What are you doing here?"

Xu Ziyan waved her exam materials. "I’m here to take the college entrance exam."

Xu Xiuyun was even more incredulous. "You signed up for the exam? Your grades were terrible, you haven’t studied seriously these past two months, and you’re heavily pregnant—what are you even doing here?"

Xu Ziyan rolled her eyes. "None of your business."

In truth, the other examinees from the village were also surprised, but since Xu Ziyan had already shut Xu Xiuyun down, they naturally didn’t ask. Indeed, if someone wanted to take the exam, what business was it of anyone else’s? Even among the educated youth, some with poor grades still showed up, knowing they wouldn’t pass. It was still a glimmer of hope—why not participate?

Though everyone thought Xu Ziyan was already living well and didn’t need the exam to change her fate, perhaps she just wanted to experience it for fun? What was wrong with that? Xu Xiuyun’s reaction made her seem overly dramatic, as if she desperately didn’t want Xu Ziyan to take the exam.

Publicly humiliated, Xu Xiuyun’s face darkened. Knowing that Xu Ziyan was also taking the exam threw her mind into disarray. For some reason, she always seemed to lose when facing Xu Ziyan, as if Xu Ziyan was her personal bane. Seeing Xu Ziyan at the exam disrupted her focus so much that even after entering the hall and starting the test, she couldn’t calm down.

In contrast, Xu Ziyan remained entirely focused on her own task. Sitting in the examination hall, she glanced around and saw examinees of all ages, all serious and full of hope.

This was a unique feature of the exam that year, unprecedented and never to be repeated. Xu Ziyan felt as though she was witnessing history firsthand, and she approached the test with quiet determination and reverence. As soon as she received the paper, she immersed herself completely, answering each question carefully to participate in this historic event.

The invigilator, standing at the podium, watched the examinees with deep emotion. The college entrance exam had finally been reinstated—students could once again pursue their dreams through education. And as teachers, they could finally hold their heads high with respect.

The teacher observed the examinees, noting those who frowned, scratched their heads in frustration, or looked on the verge of tears—all normal reactions after years away from academic study.

Then, she noticed one examinee who remained calm and composed, writing with effortless confidence, answering each question after only brief consideration. Unable to resist, she walked over quietly and saw that several of the answers were correct. Not wanting to disturb the examinee, she quickly returned to the podium.

But her heart raced with excitement as she memorized the name—Xu Ziyan.

It seemed their city was about to produce an outstanding examinee!

Xu Ziyan completed every subject smoothly and ahead of time. After finishing, she silently reviewed her answers without making any movements that might distract others. Still, those around her noticed. After the exam, word spread that in one particular hall, there was a young, stylish, and beautiful pregnant woman who finished quickly each time and spent the latter half of the session just zoning out.

Xu Xiuyun immediately knew it was Xu Ziyan. On their way back to the village, some examinees were excited, others dejected, all discussing their answers.

Xu Xiuyun said, "Xiao Yan, how did you do? Want to compare answers? I heard you rushed through each time and just zoned out in the exam hall—couldn’t you answer the questions?"

Xu Ziyan retorted bluntly, "None of your business. Stop acting so familiar. Our family wants nothing to do with you. From now on, remember to call me Comrade Xu Ziyan."

Xu Xiuyun’s expression soured. "I was just concerned about you, worried that you didn't do well and it might affect your mood."

Xu Ziyan scoffed. "Anyone can see I'm in a great mood. And I didn't rush through the exam—I finished early because I knew the answers. Don’t go spreading rumors. Have you forgotten so quickly about the last time you spread lies and got someone detained?"

Xu Xiuyun’s face went completely pale. She had held back for too long, and when she finally got a chance to put Xu Ziyan down, she couldn’t resist speaking up. But instead of feeling ashamed for not finishing the exam, Xu Ziyan had the nerve to humiliate her and even brought up the detention incident.

That was her biggest disgrace. She wished everyone would forget about it, and just when no one mentioned it anymore, Xu Ziyan had to bring it up again.

Xu Xiuyun’s eyes reddened involuntarily, and Xu Ziyan said disdainfully, "Don’t you dare cry—that’s just asking for bad luck. Everyone just finished the exam and is hoping for good results."

At her words, the two people next to Xu Xiuyun immediately edged away, afraid of catching any misfortune. Xu Xiuyun grew even angrier, but with Xu Ziyan having the last word, what could she do? She had no choice but to hold back her tears.

The tension between them made the journey back silent. Only after they parted did people quietly gossip about how Xu Xiuyun was asking for trouble—clearly, they had already fallen out, yet she still tried to talk to Xu Ziyan, making things so awkward.

Still, they thought Xu Xiuyun might be right. Everyone had used every second to answer the questions, and some hadn’t even finished. How could Xu Ziyan have finished early and known all the answers? Besides, everyone had seen over the past two months that Xu Ziyan hadn’t studied—she was often out having fun and even nearly had a miscarriage, ending up in the hospital. How could she have done well?

But that wasn’t their concern. They casually tossed it around before putting it out of their minds, on edge waiting for the admission notices.

The waiting period was agonizing, but Xu Ziyan remained confident, leisurely resting during her pregnancy. Fang Lihai’s mother and Xu Ziyan’s mother pampered her with home-cooked meals, and the two children did their best to make her laugh. Seeing her in such good spirits, the Fang family inexplicably stopped worrying about her results and relaxed completely.

When the postman arrived with the admission notices, the whole village gathered at the entrance, even the village chief sitting on a stool, waiting. Some elderly paced anxiously, just hoping their village would produce a college student.

Finally, the postman arrived on his bicycle, smiling as he announced, "Congratulations! Your village has five college students!"

The crowd erupted, clamoring to know who they were.

The postman parked his bike and read out the names one by one. The first two were educated youths, who broke down sobbing upon hearing their names. Then came Xu Xiuyun’s name. She strode up with dignified composure to receive her notice, smiling as she said, "Thank you!" Then she turned to Song Dongbo and the Xu Family. "I did it. I didn’t let you down."

Song Dongbo was genuinely happy. "Yes, you did it! You’re amazing!"

The Xu Family closed in around her, congratulating her excitedly, their joy evident.

"Xiuyun has always been a good student. I knew she’d get in."

"Before, there was no opportunity. Now that the college entrance exams are back, her chance has come."

"Our Xiuyun is a college student now. Those others are just outsiders—educated youths. You’re the shining star rising from our village!"

Xu Xiuyun’s mother suddenly glanced at Xu Ziyan and said sarcastically, "Of course our Xiuyun got into college—she’s always been studious. Unlike some people who never studied hard, yet still signed up for the exam, bragging about knowing everything and finishing all the answers. Such big talk, no self-awareness at all—thinking they’re hot stuff just because they can write a few words."

Xu Ziyan looked at her. "Are you talking about me? Mind your own business. Do you enjoy being scolded for flapping your gums?"

The woman glared. "I’m still your elder aunt! How dare you talk to me like that? You’re begging for a beating!"

"Who’s beating my wife?" Fang Lihai walked over, lugging his pack, and stood beside Xu Ziyan. "My wife is a military spouse. Are you trying to bully a military spouse?"

At the sight of him, the Xu Family’s bluster died down. They muttered, "No one named her—she butted in uninvited. And look at her attitude!"

Fang Lihai’s mother snapped, "What’s wrong with my daughter-in-law’s attitude? You’re the ones begging for a tongue-lashing. Maybe a good beating would teach you a lesson. Son, remember—the Xu Family has always bullied us. Cut them out for good."

The Xu Family’s faces darkened. Who would’ve thought Fang Lihai would return suddenly? This was supposed to be their glorious moment—Xu Xiuyun getting into college. Yet now, they’d been humiliated in front of the whole village. No matter how impressive a college student was, they were no match for a battalion commander’s rank.