Chapter 2, The Difficulties of the Old Chen Family

Chen Qiang's hand, which was peeling garlic, suddenly stopped. "Why do we still need to pay more money after the tuition has already been paid"

After Chen Xiao took off her backpack, she began to help

Lin Hui's surgery incurred considerable expenses, and Chen Qiang did not go to the factory last week to care for his wife in the hospital, resulting in a deduction of his full attendance bonus and no piecework pay.

It was Aunt Ma from downstairs

The Chen family can no longer afford to eat.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense

Moreover, due to Chen Xiao's poor family conditions, he did not have the opportunity to participate in English training or watch English movies, which further lowered his English proficiency

Moreover, since he has been given a second chance at life, Chen Xiao does not wish to waste time on this matter. He said, "Thank you, Teacher Liao. I will consult my family about this, and improving my English is not something that can be accomplished in just a few days..."

In 1999, Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School did not have mandatory evening self-study sessions. Most students living in the city would return home after classes in the afternoon. Additionally, since the next day was a preliminary examination for class placement, Chen Xiao also packed up her belongings to facilitate the teachers in moving the desks.

Aunt Ma waved her hand and said: "I won't eat, but there is something I find difficult to bring up... You see, my husband is usually in poor health, often going to the hospital for medication, and the expenses are quite substantial... You, looking at it, have already been discharged from the hospital..."

At the entrance, Chen Xiao watched as Su Qiao left the school in a Volkswagen Santana. In this era, being able to drive a Santana indicates that the family is quite affluent

This score is still insufficient for Chen Xiao to be admitted to a 211 or 985 university

After arriving at the parking shed behind the school playground, Chen Xiao found his 28-inch bicycle. Since entering high school, the owner of this bike has changed from Chen Qiang to Chen Xiao

After the housing reform in 1998, Jiangcheng saw the emergence of the first batch of commercial housing. Those with better conditions in the family compound moved out to purchase commercial housing, while those who remained were mostly ordinary employees from average backgrounds or elderly individuals

Chen Xiao saw two familiar figures in the kitchen, and tears immediately welled up in her eyes

At that moment, some decayed wooden doors were knocked upon

Lin Hui could not contain herself: "Just now, Teacher Liao called and said that Xiaozi's grades are fine, but English is holding her back. He suggested that we enroll her in Teacher Wang's English intensive class, which costs fifty yuan for a month"

The results of the preliminary exam from a week ago show that Chen Xiao's performance in the sciences is exceptionally good; the only area where he lagged behind is English. Out of a total score of 150, Chen Xiao only scored a little over 60 in English.

Teacher Liao listened to Chen Xiao's considerations and nodded, saying, "Alright, discuss this matter with your family again."

Although it is a parallel world with completely different environments and times, the appearance of the parents is exactly the same. Before her rebirth, Chen Xiao's parents had passed away in a car accident a long time ago. Now, seeing her parents' faces feels truly familiar and heartwarming

Chen Xiao walked over and said: "Dad, Mom, I won't be attending the English tutoring class anymore. You can rest assured about my English grades; I am well aware of my own situation"

After class, Teacher Liao kept Chen Xiao behind alone

He recalled that Su Qiao's father was the director of a state-owned machinery factory, which could be considered a form of second-generation wealth in this era

In 1999, Chen Qiang's salary was only a little over 400 yuan. If he were to spend 50 yuan a month on tutoring, his family would absolutely be unable to afford it

Chen Qiang also said: "Indeed, son, the time until the college entrance examination is short. Focus on your studies and tutoring, and do not worry about other matters"

A duck wiggled its rear in front of Chen Xiao, drinking from the puddle without any regard for the presence of others

Twenty minutes later, Chen Xiao arrived at the employee family area of the state-owned machinery factory

The cohort that took the college entrance examination in 1999 originally had a weak foundation in English, and Chen Xiao's first encounter with the language was only in the second year of middle school

Teacher Liao said to Chen Xiao: "Chen Xiao, your performance today was very good. The major question I just wrote on the blackboard was from last year's national exam, and very few students can solve it. There are likely no more than five students in the entire city who can solve it using two different methods."

Aunt Ma was carrying fruit in her hand, "I heard that Lin Hui, you have been discharged from the hospital, so I came to see you"

Climb to the top floor, take out the key, and open the door

Chen Qiang said somewhat impatiently: "Alright, alright, no more talking!"

The more Chen Qiang spoke, the less confident he became

Before the rebirth, both Chinese and English had become the most important languages in the world. How could one's work and business be separated from English?

Teacher Liao said with great concern: "Do you know that our school's English teacher, Mr. Wang, is a top graduate from a foreign language university? Recently, several parents have requested him to set up a sprint class for the college entrance examination. The fee is not expensive, only 50 yuan per month. Why don't you discuss it with your family and consider attending some extra classes?"

Chen Xiao went to wash the cup and pour water, and Lin Hui hurried over: "Sister Ma, you said you would come and bring some fruit. Have you eaten? Let's have dinner together."

Lin Hui's eyes were red as she spoke to the book: "Their families are in such good conditions, one works for the government and the other is in business! When our parents were sick, they didn't care at all and just threw everything onto us. Now that our parents are gone, they are asking us to share this apartment in the family area! What kind of siblings are they!"

Chen Qiang said with a smile: "Isn't the cargo team short of people? I can earn ten yuan in overtime pay in one night. Xiaozi is about to start university, and tuition and living expenses will be another considerable amount. There are still six months left; I should save a bit more!"

Lin Hui borrowed several hundred yuan from Aunt Ma while hospitalized, and this is to inquire about the repayment

Lin Hui immediately realized that her son had overheard her conversation with Chen Qiang. She shot Chen Qiang a sharp glance and said, "You, child, how can you not go! Teacher Liao has already called me, saying you have a great chance of getting into a key school! Your parents have the money for tutoring, so you can focus on attending classes."

The uneven cement pavement, a dozen disordered four-story red brick buildings, and the once unremarkable community garden now divided into individual chicken coops and duck pens resemble tumors scattered throughout the neighborhood. When the sun comes out, the entire residential area is filled with a foul odor

Lin Hui, while cooking, expressed her dissatisfaction, saying: "Why do you have to go unload goods again tonight? Don't they have anyone else in the cargo team? You’ve been working overnight continuously; even a strong body can't withstand it!"

Lin Hui felt very distressed, "Is making money worth risking your life? I told you to borrow a little from your elder sister and third brother, but you are unwilling to ask."

This year, the country has already implemented the 3 + X system. We are participating in the national examination, which includes Chinese, Mathematics, English, and Comprehensive Science. I am not worried about your other subjects, but mainly about your English, which is holding you back significantly

You have just undergone surgery again, which cost quite a bit of money

Chen Xiao looked at such an environment, it was the year 1999

Lin Hui underwent surgery for uterine fibroids last week and was discharged from the hospital the day before yesterday

Before Chen Xiao had the chance to greet anyone, he heard his parents arguing in the kitchen

I understand, Teacher Liao. Chen Xiao couldn't help but smile inwardly; English? Wasn't it just a game for him?

Chen Qiang: "They are also very specific. Zhou Tao (the eldest sister's son) has a girlfriend and plans to get married next year. The girl from the third brother's family is also going to university, which requires money..."

Teacher Liao, I will take my leave now

Lin Hui: "This is a private tutoring session organized by the teacher. Those who can attend are all students with potential to be admitted to key universities. The teacher is not doing this for profit... I... I will go borrow a little money."