The 1978 college entrance exam began on July 20. At the time, Wang Yan and the others were still in Hacheng, and by the time they returned to Ningyang, Ma Yan had already finished her exams.
By then, Ma Yan had already checked her answers. Really, she had not needed to—during the exam itself, she had constantly been thinking about how damn capable Wang Yan was. Once she compared her answers afterward, she put Northeastern University down as her first choice.
Ma Yan was now a college student beyond any doubt. Old Ma's mouth had not closed once; he beamed every day, no longer scolding Wang Xin or glaring at Wang Yan. He was overjoyed. What he loved hearing most was, "I heard your daughter got into college." Whenever someone said that, the old fellow would grin like a chrysanthemum.
As for Wang Sufang, she was even more immersed in the happiness of having such a promising daughter. Her spirits soared, and she seemed to have more strength in her body too.
Before long, August arrived. A postal courier rode his bicycle into the compound with a huge bag strapped to the back, calling out Ma Yan's name as he delivered her admission notice from Northeastern University.
A week later, Ma Kui hosted a banquet in the courtyard as Ma Yan's celebration for getting into college. It was a rare major event for the compound. No one cared that the Ma family was hosting a feast and accepting gifts. Supplies were still relatively scarce, after all, and everyone chipped in some money as one big family. If they really did the math, the guests were the ones getting the better deal.
That day, Wang Yan and the others all went over to the Ma household, busying themselves early in the