Chapter 51 Fathers Do Not Write Prose Poems

Listening to the voices of the students below the podium, Zhang Weiguo, who had once been sent to the countryside for re-education, naturally knew how bitter and harsh rural life could be!

Recalling the days of the past when he worked for labor points in the countryside, he still felt a lingering fear to this day.

Compared to urban students, rural students had no other choice besides the college entrance examination. Thousands of soldiers crossing a single-log bridge was the most vivid description of this very moment.

Seeing the high morale of the students below, Zhang Weiguo quickly reined in his emotions.

"Very well, I see your determination and confidence, but this is still not enough!

The expedition is imminent, and you must all remain on high alert, fully armed and waiting in battle array!

They say that provisions and forage must go before troops and horses!

Today, I have called Master Wang from the cafeteria here to let him make a solemn pledge to you all!"

Master Wang took the large megaphone from the principal's hand and shouted to the students:

"Students, the college entrance examination is fast approaching. We don't have much special to offer in our cafeteria, but to ensure that you all eat and drink well, starting from today, the cafeteria will provide one free egg per person every day. At the same time, the cafeteria's meal standards will be raised accordingly until the college entrance examination concludes. I hope all of you will achieve brilliant results!"

"Splendid!"

Hearing these words, the students below felt even happier inside.

After finishing his words, Master Wang bowed to the audience, drawing waves of applause from the students.

Zhang Weiguo took the large megaphone back from Master Wang and continued:

"The provisions are ready, but students must also pay attention to rest!

For the past few days, there is no need for early morning self-study, nor do you need to arrive at the classroom by five-thirty. Everything must be aligned with the college entrance examination. Do not study too late during evening self-study either; the dormitory will cut off the electricity at ten-thirty sharp. Only with sufficient sleep and good physical health can we win this hard-fought battle.

Health is the capital of revolution, and that is the absolute foundation of everything. Some of you study so hard that you actually fainted—this spirit is commendable, but I do not encourage everyone to do so!"

Hearing Zhang Weiguo say this, quite a few students turned their gazes toward Yang Xingwu. In a school as small as a mustard seed, any slight disturbance would long since have become known to the entire campus.

Hearing the principal's words, Yang Xingwu smiled with absolute indifference. The current banter, once he achieved success and renown, would inevitably evolve into another inspiring little anecdote in the future. He just wondered how many people it would fool by then!

"Students, for ten years of studying in obscurity in a cold window, nobody asks after you; once you achieve success overnight, the whole world knows your name!

The teachers and I will quietly await good news right here at school, eagerly anticipating your triumphant posting on the roll of honor!

When that time comes, we shall drink wine and discuss hemp and mulberry once more. Shall we?"

"Yes!!!"

As soon as Zhang Weiguo finished speaking, he announced the dismissal. Watching the students leave from the stage, he was filled with a myriad of emotions.

He immediately called several head teachers of the graduating classes and went to the conference room for a meeting.

Inside the conference room, Zhang Weiguo sat in the primary seat. After listening to the remarks made by the teachers of various subjects, he spoke:

"We must earnestly safeguard the physical and mental health of the senior high school students preparing for the college entrance examination, and closely monitor the physical condition of every single student!

By the way, Wenhua, how is the health of that student Yang Xingwu in your class? Is he feeling any better?"

"Principal, he is much better. He has been back to attend classes for nearly ten days now. With malted milk extract to supplement his nutrition, his complexion is much more rosy!"

"That's good. He did very well in the mock exams. If he can maintain that performance during the actual college entrance examination, our school can add one more college student to our roster. You must pay more attention to him!"

"I know I will!"

"That's good. Also, regarding the submission of college entrance examination applications, remember to distribute the forms this afternoon, have them filled out, and collect them back in. Three days should be enough time for them to think it over. Very well, are there any other matters? If not, the meeting is adjourned!"

The teachers looked at each other, and seeing that no one spoke, they took their leave.

Seeing many people leaving the conference room, Wang Dahai exchanged greetings with them before knocking and entering.

"Principal, did you ask for me?"

"Old Wang is here? Sit down quickly!"

"Principal, just spit it out if you have something to say. That expression of yours gives me the creeps!"

Hearing this, Zhang Weiguo was somewhat speechless. Looking at Wang Dahai's harmless appearance, he didn't argue with him.

"The meal standards can be raised for the past few days, but don't make it too greasy, as that easily gives the students diarrhea.

As you know, the boarding students mostly come from far away with relatively poor family conditions. In the past, having a few cornmeal steamed buns was already quite good. Suddenly making the food so lavish could easily turn a kind intention into a bad outcome."

"Then Principal, what do you mean?"

"The thin corn gruel can be changed to egg drop soup with a few more eggs cracked inside; don't be so stingy.

As for the dishes, you can stir-fry tofu. Pork has too much heavy oil and easily causes diarrhea, so remember to use lard for cooking. Make a proper list of the resulting deficits later.

This time, when I went to the Education Bureau, I managed to secure quite a bit of funding. You must make good use of these eggs to guarantee the students' nutrition. If any problems arise, I will hold you solely responsible!"

"Principal, don't you worry. No matter how worthless I, old Wang, might be, I would never dare to touch the students' rations. Besides, the military oath I made earlier at the rally was no joke. If that day ever comes, you won't even need to lift a finger—I'll finish myself off!"

"Good, you've got backbone. It's noon now, hurry back and cook!"

As he spoke, Zhang Weiguo gave Wang Dahai a thumbs-up.

"Alright!"

Wang Dahai returned to the cafeteria full of joy and began working with boundless enthusiasm.

Yang Xingwu returned to the classroom with his classmates to study.

Classes at this time were less like formal lectures and more like self-study sessions.

When the teachers came to the classroom, they mostly left the students to study on their own. Only when encountering difficult problems or making impromptu predictions of exam topics would they call everyone's attention to listen.

After the third class ended, Yang Xingwu sat at his desk and flipped through his books.

Suddenly, Liu Jianjun came running over.

"Xingwu, your dad is here to see you! Hurry down and take a look!"

Hearing this, Yang Xingwu abruptly stood up and peered toward the doorway. Seeing no sign of anyone, he quickly grabbed Liu Jianjun and asked:

"Where is he?"

"At the entrance of the teaching building. I saw him when I went to the restroom just now, and he asked me to come help call you!"

"Alright, thank you!"

After saying this, Yang Xingwu dashed out of the classroom like a puff of smoke and ran to the entrance of the teaching building.

There, he saw his father cautiously looking over every passing student.

Yang Xingwu felt a sudden ache in his nose.

"Dad, why are you here?"

Hearing his voice and seeing Yang Xingwu, Yang Chunsheng was overjoyed.

He hurriedly and carefully unloaded a chemical fertilizer sack from his shoulder.

"Aren't you about to take the college entrance examination? Your mother and I were worried about your health, and your grandma and second aunt sent over a few more eggs, so your mother boiled all of them for you to take and eat.

I also carried some egg pancakes on my back that your grandma made for you. You loved eating these the most when you were a child. Knowing I was coming, your grandma specially made quite a few for you. It's hot these days, so eat them quickly, or they'll go bad!"

Yang Xingwu took the sack from his father's hands and found that it was not light at all—weighing at least seven or eight catties.

In this weather, he definitely wouldn't be able to finish them before they spoiled.

After handing the sack to his son, Yang Chunsheng pulled Yang Xingwu toward a more secluded spot.

Only then did he cautiously fish a pocket watch out from inside his tunic.

Yang Xingwu looked at it with curiosity.

"This is a pocket watch. You can use it during the exam so you won't miss the timing! Come, let me teach you how to use it!"

"Okay!"

With reddened eyes, Yang Xingwu watched his father clumsily demonstrate how to wind the pocket watch, listening to his father's instructions on the precautions for using it!

Seeing that his tears were about to burst forth, he tried to lift his head to suppress his tear glands, only to catch sight of the white hairs on his father's head once again.

Taking advantage of a moment to blow his nose, he wiped the corners of his eyes and continued to watch...