At daybreak the next morning, the sisters Chen Panpan and Chen Sitian got themselves ready, took paper and pens, and set off for town full of hope.
Chen Haichao had planned to go with them, but they said there was no need. They knew the road to town well, having often taken things to their eldest and second sisters. They knew it better than he did.
There was so much dried shrimp at home that needed turning, and his mother was busy making New Year clothes for the whole family, so he stayed home to help his father.
Father Chen watched the sisters leave and couldn't help asking, "Do you think either of them can pass the exam for the temporary job?"
"If even one of them passes, that's a win. Our family can celebrate the New Year in fine style. If neither passes, we won't have lost anything, and we'll still have a lively New Year."
"You're right. Since the chance came along, they might as well give it a try. I didn't think much of her chances, but she insisted on trying. She sets her sights so high. What's going to become of her?"
"Nothing's going to become of her. It's good to set her sights high, as long as she's willing to work for it. I heard Sitian's still reading her high school textbooks. She's never stopped studying."
Chen Haichao thought for a moment and decided to bring it up with his father first. Though his mother appeared to control the family finances and had a fierce temper, his father was the real head of the household. Whenever his father made a decision, his mother never dared object.
As long as his father agreed to let Chen Sitian keep taking the college entrance exam, his mother would have nothing to say.
"What? She still hasn't given up on the college entrance exam? She's still studying? She failed twice already. Isn't taking it again a waste of time?" Father Chen's brow furrowed.
"The college entrance exam was never easy. It's like thousands of soldiers and horses crossing a single-plank bridge. Didn't Lin Zhiyu pass on her second try too? She was lucky. Give my fourth sister another chance. Maybe all she needs is one more chance."
"She's already taken it twice..."
"Third time's the charm. Let her take it one more time. She's still studying hard, so if you don't let her try again, she definitely won't be willing to accept it. What if she's left with regrets for the rest of her life?"
"If she wants to take it, why doesn't she say so herself? Why does she need you to say it?"
"You were talking about her setting her sights high, so I thought I'd say something. She's been studying in secret without telling anyone. I only found out by accident."
"No wonder the kerosene lamp in the room stays lit so late every night."
"If you don't let her try again, she definitely won't be willing to just give up and get married."
Father Chen waved a hand at him, troubled. "We'll talk about it later. If she passes the exam for the temporary job, she'll be a worker earning wages. Then it won't matter whether she takes the college entrance exam."
"That's not the same. It's only a temporary job. It isn't registered with the labor bureau, so there's no security. They can let her go whenever they want. But if she passes the college entrance exam, she'll come out a cadre, an official! She'll hold an iron rice bowl and eat state grain for life! Think how proud you'll be as her father."
Father Chen paused in his work when he heard that. "Let's wait until she's finished the exam for the temporary job."
Chen Haichao knew his father had taken it to heart and was tempted, so he said no more, lest he achieve the opposite of what he wanted.
At noon, the two sisters came home from the exam to eat. One was excited, while the other wore a neutral expression.
Mother Chen asked them both with concern how the exam had gone.
Chen Sitian smiled and said, "I don't know yet. The results come out at two this afternoon. We'll go back to town and check after lunch."
Chen Panpan said, "It's been years since I graduated, and I haven't touched a book. I didn't know how to do most of the questions, so I probably didn't pass. Sitian did pretty well."
"What a waste of time, running back and forth. It'll take up the whole day. Once you've seen the results this afternoon, come back early and help, whether you passed or not."
"Got it."
Father Chen frowned at Chen Sitian. "You still haven't given up on the college entrance exam? You've been finding time to study your lessons?"
The smile on Chen Sitian's face froze. She put down her chopsticks and lowered her head like a child who had done something wrong, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
"Dad... how did you know?"
"Abao told me."
Keeping her head lowered, she shot Chen Haichao a sideways glare.
Chen Haichao grinned, giving her a brilliant smile.
Mother Chen looked astonished. "What? You still want to take the college entrance exam?"
Chen Sitian twisted the hem of her clothes, not daring to speak. She wanted to take the exam, but she was afraid of burdening the family and couldn't bring herself to say it. After all, the family had already given her two chances to devote herself to studying, and she hadn't passed.
Chen Panpan looked at her, then at their parents. She put down her chopsticks and said softly, "Mom, Dad, how about letting her try once more? If she still doesn't pass this year, then ask her to give up. I can put off getting married and help the family work for another year. She worked hard and studied for another whole year last year. Maybe she'll make it this year?"
Chen Sitian glanced at her, her eyes red. Her lips moved, but she couldn't get a word out.
Chen Haichao spoke up for her too. "It's already the middle of February, and the college entrance exam is in July. That's only four and a half months away. Let her try one more time."
Mother Chen glared at the sister and brother speaking up for her. "She's already tried twice. If she tries a third time and still doesn't pass, people will laugh at her."
"It's our family's business. Why should we care what other people say? She wants to try again, so let her." Chen Haichao did his best to persuade her. "My third sister can still look for a match as usual and get married if she finds someone good. Don't hold her up. The family won't be short of workers without her."
"What if she passes the exam for the temporary job? Can she manage working and studying at the same time?"
Chen Sitian immediately spoke up. "I can. They only need a temporary worker for one month at first, and they'll decide whether to renew based on performance. If they still need someone then, I can work and study at the same time. It won't interfere. That's what I did all last year."
"If Third Sister doesn't pass, when it's nearly time for the college entrance exam, I'll recommend her in advance and have her take over my shift. Temporary workers can take over shifts too! That way, it won't interfere with my exam, and the job won't be lost. Third Sister is hardworking and went to junior high too. There definitely won't be a problem."
Chen Panpan said softly, "The job results aren't even out yet. Isn't it too early to talk about this? How about we eat first and discuss it after the results come out?"
Father Chen settled the matter. "Let's eat first, then. If you pass the exam for this job, I can let you try the college entrance exam. If you don't... we'll talk about it then."
Mother Chen turned to Father Chen. "You're spoiling her again?"
"If she passes the exam for the temporary job, she'll have wages coming in. If she wants to focus on the college entrance exam, Panpan can do the job. If she doesn't pass but it doesn't interfere with her work, let her take it once more if she wants to. We have to let her try before she'll give up."
The rain on Chen Sitian's face instantly gave way to sunshine, and she smiled again. "Thanks, Dad! You're my dearest, most beloved dad!"
Mother Chen gave a soft snort. "Go on, spoil her. That wretched girl sets her sights so high and takes the exam again and again. It's all because you've spoiled her. What other family's daughter gets to be like her?"
"The child's grown up. We have to respect what she wants. If I don't let her try, what if she hates me for the rest of her life? It's a good thing that she's ambitious and wants to study."
"I'd never, Dad. I can't even love you enough!" Holding her bowl, Chen Sitian hurried to declare her loyalty, her eyes shining.
Father Chen smiled fondly too. "You certainly know how to say what people want to hear. Everyone, hurry up and eat. From now on, if something's on your mind, say it. Don't bottle it all up."
"Mm-hmm." She nodded emphatically, delighted.
Chen Haichao gave her a light kick. "Thank me. I'm the one who told Dad you wanted to take the college entrance exam."
"I'll beat you to death. You gave me such a fright. I hadn't even prepared myself to tell them yet."
"Tch, scaredy-cat."
Mother Chen looked at the five children at the table and felt that, apart from Chen Panpan, not one of them let her rest easy!
She glared at one, then another, but none of them looked at her. She said, "We're giving you one last chance. If you still don't pass, you're not allowed to keep thinking about it."
"Mm-hmm. Thanks, Mom. I'll do my very best and make the most of this last chance."
"Every one of you came to collect a debt from me..."
Seeing that the adults had finished talking, Chen Xiaoqi began acting sweet again. "Mom, I'm not here to collect a debt. When I grow up, I'll earn money for you to spend."
Mother Chen's expression softened a little.
Chen Xiaoliu turned her head to look at him. "Bootlicker!"
"You're no less trouble. You're a girl, but you run around like a wild boy all day. You're not even as obedient or well-behaved as Xiao Qi."
"I am good. He's the one who's always bootlicking..." Chen Xiaoliu was furious. Stinky Xiao Qi!