However, behind the pride lies a huge economic pressure. It is not easy for rural areas to train a college student. The living expenses and tuition fees for a year add up to 10,000 to 20,000 yuan a year. You can imagine the pressure on a rural family.
Perhaps 10,000 or 20,000 yuan is nothing for urban families, but for rural families, the whole family can barely make it. This is for schools with relatively low tuition fees. If you encounter a third-tier university or an art school, it will cost 30,000 or 40,000 yuan a year. The average rural family cannot afford to send a student to a third-tier university, and as for art schools, rural families will hardly consider it.
Han'an No. 1 Middle School is the best middle school in Han'an County. According to Zhao Yixin, Zhao Yishan will attend two classes in the morning, then go back with them to celebrate the birthday, and then rush back to school after lunch, which will only delay two classes.
That is to say, the conditions are good now and there are cars to pick us up, but when Yang Qi was in high school, the conditions in his hometown were not so good. Even when faced with such a birthday celebration, he still had to stay in school and continue his studies.
A few minutes later, as the bell rang for the end of get out of class, a man in school uniform appeared at the school gate.
"Yishan." Looking at the young man, Zhao Yixin spoke quickly.
Following Zhao Yixin's gaze, Zhao Yishan had a bookish look on his face and was a little thin. In fact, in high school, there were not many fat people. The courses in high school were very stressful, and I studied for almost thirteen or fourteen hours a day. Even in the sprint period of the third year of high school, it was very normal to study for fourteen or fifteen hours a day. It can be said that except for eating, drinking, defecating, urinating and sleeping, I studied all the time.
"Sister, who is this brother?" Zhao Yishan couldn't help but ask curiously when he saw Yang Qi.
"This is my boyfriend, Yang Qi." Zhao Yixin said quickly.
"Brother-in-law." Zhao Yishan said hurriedly.
Yang Qi smiled awkwardly, and the two of them took Zhao Yishan to a parking space nearby.
"Brother-in-law, is this your car? This car is worth more than one million." Zhao Yishan looked at the Audi in front of him and said in surprise. A car worth more than one million is definitely considered a luxury car in a small county like Han'an County. In the entire Han'an County, the best car is only worth four or five million.
"You kid, you don't study hard, but you know so much about cars." Zhao Yixin glared at Zhao Yishan fiercely.
"It's all about the car. Besides studying, that kid's favorite thing is to look at luxury cars." Zhao Yishan said with a pout.
When he was a student, he always loved to give his classmates nicknames, all kinds of nicknames. The Chongchongche mentioned by Zhao Yishan was his deskmate and best friend.
"Brother-in-law, from now on you are my brother-in-law." Zhao Yishan said hurriedly.
Hearing this, Yang Qi smiled bitterly. Zhao Yishan was obviously a lively and active person. He acted very familiar with them even though they had just met. The eldest of the three Zhao Yixin siblings, Zhao Yiwei, was not so talkative because he had started a family.
"Drive quickly. If you don't, we won't be able to get back in time to celebrate grandma's birthday." Zhao Yixin said hurriedly.
"By the way, what gift have you prepared for grandma?" As Yang Qi started the car, Zhao Yixin looked at Zhao Yishan beside him.
"I've been prepared for a long time. In the school test two days ago, I ranked third in the total score and won a bonus of 200 yuan. I have already bought a gift for my grandma." Zhao Yishan said with a smile.
In order to encourage students to study, schools nowadays not only offer tuition reductions, but also direct cash rewards. As the No. 1 Middle School in Han'an County, Han'an No. 1 Middle School is not short of money. I don't know how many students enter through school choice. In addition, there are some students who stay to repeat their studies. These are important sources of income for the school and also the source of bonuses for other students.
When the group returned to Zhao Yixin's home, many guests had already come to the courtyard. The open space on the hillside not far away was covered with bright red firecrackers. In the living room was a large cake several layers high, which was customized by the younger generations who pooled their money together.
There were many guests at noon, and the Zhao family was very busy. Even Zhao Yishan had to temporarily act as a note-taker to help write down the gifts from the guests. On the contrary, Zhao Yixin did not go to help because of her boyfriend Yang Qi. After all, Yang Qi didn't know anyone. If Zhao Yixin left, he would really be alone sitting there.
Just as expected last night, Chen Kang did not come again at noon. He obviously knew that there was no chance and did not want to waste his gift. After all, if the blind date last night had gone smoothly, the birthday gift Chen Kang prepared would have been at least four figures.
"Crackle~"
Suddenly, firecrackers rang out in the distance. Along with the sound of firecrackers, in the living room, in the center of the courtyard, a capable man was holding a microphone and speaking auspicious words.
As the host presided over the birthday banquet, the atmosphere of the whole party reached its climax. Several aunts began to arrange the seats for the elderly's children and juniors, and to wish them a happy birthday and give them gifts. There are rules for this, and you can't just rush up to give gifts.
The candles on the cake have been lit. The old man made a wish for a harmonious family and prosperity, and for hard work to bring success in all careers. With the help of his four children, he blew out the candles.
The next step was the birthday gift. Zhao De was not the oldest of the old man's four children, but as the only son, he and Wang Qiuyue were the first to present birthday gifts. The next ones to come forward were Zhao Yixin's aunts and their spouses.
After the elders gave out birthday gifts, it was Zhao Yixin's turn to give birthday gifts.
"Now, please invite the old man's granddaughter Zhao Yixin and her boyfriend Yang Qi to come forward and wish Mr. Shen Biqing a happy birthday." said the host.
"Why us? Shouldn't your brother go first?" Yang Qi was stunned when he heard the host's voice.
"It must be my mom and the others who did this. Let's go over there first." Zhao Yixin smiled bitterly and then pulled Yang Qi forward.
"I wish grandma will have a happy today every year." They said in unison.
"Okay, okay." The old man nodded with a smile.
Yang Qi and Zhao Yixin hurriedly took out their gifts. Zhao Yixin's gift was a longevity peach, and Yang Qi's was an ice-type bracelet.
"Yang Qi, Xinxin will be left to you from now on." said the old man.
“Oh~”
"Woo~"
As soon as the old man finished speaking, there was a burst of booing sounds coming from all around.
Yang Qi and Zhao Yixin retreated with wry smiles on their faces, and then Zhao Yiwei and others began to celebrate the birthday. Even some great-grandchildren came forward with gifts. The smile on the old man's face never stopped from the moment the birthday celebrations began.
After the birthday celebration was over, the birthday banquet began as normal. Yang Qi and Zhao Yixin had lunch early and sent Zhao Yishan back to school.
The two returned home and chatted with the old man and several relatives for a while. In the afternoon, they drove back to Qingzhou. The two came in an empty car, but when they left, they returned with a full load, two large boxes of fruits, some specialties, and even some extra chicken, duck, fish and meat prepared for the birthday banquet. Fortunately, Yang Qi drove here, otherwise he would not be able to take so many things away. (To be continued)