Chapter 341 – Studying Abroad
Thus, the engagement between Xu Jinning and Xie Ting’an was settled. They officially became betrothed.
After the proposal, Xie Ting’an and Grandpa Xie stayed at the Xu family’s home. They had originally planned to spend the Spring Festival with the Xu family.
This year’s Spring Festival seemed, for Xu Jinning, to be filled with the usual festive atmosphere.
However, with the arrival of Grandpa Xie and Xie Ting’an, there was something different about it.
On New Year’s Eve, Xie Ting’an set off the fireworks he had brought from Beijing.
Such large and brilliant fireworks were a sight unseen by the old and young of the Qinghe Production Brigade.
They all rushed out of their homes to watch.
In the darkness, the brilliance of the fireworks lit up everyone’s smiling faces.
“These fireworks are so beautiful.”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen such large fireworks lighting up the entire sky.”
“It would be wonderful if we could see this every year during the New Year.”
Most people in the Qinghe Production Brigade were familiar with firecrackers, which were used during festivals.
Few knew about fireworks.
The county supply and marketing cooperative sold them too.
But they didn’t have these large, sky-lighting ones.
Even the smaller, handheld ones were quite expensive.
They were considered a luxury, and even if children were eager for them, they couldn’t persuade their parents to buy them.
At most, they could get candies and cookies, which were more practical.
So, the large and dazzling fireworks arranged by Xie Ting’an were a huge surprise for everyone in the Qinghe Production Brigade.
Of course, the fireworks were seen not only by those in the Qinghe Production Brigade but also by people from nearby production brigades.
Everyone marveled and inquired about the origin of these fireworks.
Upon learning that the fireworks were set off by Xu Jinning’s fiancé from the Qinghe Production Brigade, people couldn’t help but express their envy.
The fact that someone could afford such large fireworks indicated how affluent their family must be.
Moreover, they heard the young man was from Beijing and had arrived with several jeeps when proposing. This showed that his family background was indeed extraordinary.
Although they had long been impressed by the achievements of the Xu family’s children, they hadn’t anticipated their success arriving so rapidly and reaching such unimaginable heights.
Some people are born to be exceptional, like a phoenix. Even if they temporarily find themselves in humble circumstances, one day they will rise from the grass, leave the village, and soar into their own vast sky.
And then, they will shine with their own brilliance.
Thus, the New Year passed amidst the bursts of fireworks.
After the first and second days of the New Year, Xie Ting’an and Grandpa Xie left.
Given Grandpa Xie’s special status, even though he was retired, he remained important and could not be away from Beijing for too long, or it might cause instability.
Xie Ting’an accompanied his grandfather back.
They agreed to meet again after the festival when they returned to Beijing University.
On the second day of the New Year, as usual, Zhang Ailian went back to her parents’ home.
In the morning, after hosting Xu Fanghua, who had come to her family home, they all went to the Dahe Production Brigade’s home.
This year’s second day of the New Year was different from previous years.
Xu Jinning noticed that her grandmother seemed particularly cheerful, perhaps because not only had her Aunt Zhang Linglan found her and stayed by her side, but there was also a new daughter, Haitang.
This year’s second day of the New Year was the happiest since the year Xu Jinning had been found.
The Spring Festival always seemed to pass so quickly.
Just a moment ago, Xu Jinning was returning to the Dahe Production Brigade with her mother, and now, it was already the fifteenth day of the New Year, the day to return to school.
As before, Zhang Changzheng had bought train tickets for the three of them well in advance.
Despite their reluctance, Xu Jinning, Xu Fanghua, and Song Yi boarded the train back to Beijing for their studies.
“Mom and Dad, big brother, second brother, I’ll come back when summer vacation starts.”
“I’ll call you whenever I have time.”
Finally, amidst the tears of their family, the train started to whistle and departed…
After two days and nights of train jolts, Xu Jinning and the others finally returned to Beijing University.
Although it was just the beginning of the year, everyone’s enthusiasm for studying was already high.
Xu Jinning saw that the library was full of people.
Everyone was actively engaged.
Xu Jinning knew this was likely related to the government-funded study abroad opportunity announced before the New Year.
At that time, the principal had mentioned that the opportunity would be announced after the New Year when school resumed.
Xu Jinning had tentatively asked her sister and brother-in-law about their views on studying abroad, but they seemed to avoid the topic.
Perhaps they were still considering their decision.
In fact, Xu Jinning’s guess was quite accurate.
The study abroad opportunity was closely tied to one’s academic performance and major.
For Xu Fanghua, whose major was Chinese, studying abroad was not necessary.
But for Song Yi, whose major was medicine, studying abroad was crucial.
Although it was hard to admit, it was undeniable that the medical standards abroad were more advanced than those domestically.
No matter his background as a military medic upon enrollment or his solid performance afterward, Song Yi was always a candidate likely to be selected for studying abroad.
Before the New Year holiday, his professors at the medical university had subtly mentioned the opportunity to him, hoping he would start preparing early.
Of course, the professors didn’t anticipate that Song Yi might consider declining.
This was a government-funded study abroad spot—something many people would desperately want but could not obtain.
When this opportunity came up, Song Yi told Xu Fanghua about it.
However, during the New Year, they both tacitly avoided discussing it, not wanting to disrupt the festive atmosphere.
Now, it was time to make a decision.
“Fanghua, I’m not going. I’ll stay here with you,” Song Yi said seriously, holding Xu Fanghua’s hand.
For Song Yi, family and Xu Fanghua were the most important to him.
He was passionate about medicine and would love to achieve greater success and help more people in the future.
But he knew that while he loved medicine, it could never outweigh his love for Xu Fanghua.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have left the military so resolutely to transition to a different career.
His return was solely for Fanghua.
And now, his choice and his initial intent remained unchanged.
So, Song Yi’s answer came without hesitation, but Xu Fanghua remained silent.
After a while, Xu Fanghua looked up as if she had made a decision and said, “Ayi, you should go study abroad.”
Song Yi was surprised. “Why? Don’t you want me to stay with you?”
“Of course I do, but I don’t want you to stay with me just because of that. Ayi, I know your passion for medicine and your talent in it. You have the ability to achieve greater things.”
