Zhou Xiaoling fell silent for a long moment, utterly lost for words. "What does Lin Zihao have to do with anything?"

But Li Yunlan seemed to think it had everything to do with him. "Don't you like Lin Zihao? You barely come home for meals lately. Once we're gone, you can eat with him in the cafeteria every day. Feelings will develop over time."

Zhou Xiaoling stared at her mother in disbelief. "Mom, what are you talking about? I've been busy—it's the end of the year, there's tons of work! How did that turn into me skipping meals to be with Lin Zihao? That's pure rumor. I'm going to sue you for defamation!"

Li Yunlan ignored her daughter's protests. "I had your father look into it. The Lin family from Shanghai is quite respectable. If you two ended up together, I'd be happy."

Zhou Xiaoling covered her ears. If this continued, her mother would have her married to Lin Zihao on the spot.

Giving up on why she was being left behind for the New Year, Zhou Xiaoling instead voiced her full support for Lin Xiaoxiao going to Beijing for the birth and recovery period. She even generously offered up her own room: "Mom, when Sister-in-law and Big Brother go back, they can have my room. I won't be using it anyway. When I do come back, any small room will do. Mine is big enough—you could even fit two cribs in there."

Li Yunlan had been thinking the same thing. "That's the plan. Your room has its own bathroom—it will be much more convenient for your sister-in-law after the baby comes. When we get back, we'll have a carpenter make two cribs."

Zhou Xiaoling felt another pang of disappointment. Maybe she shouldn'have asked. This was just adding insult to injury. She hugged Li Yunlan, pretending to cry. "Mom, am I really your biological daughter? Now that you're about to have a grandson, you don't want me anymore?"

Li Yunlan laughed. "Of course not. You jumped out of a crack in a rock up on the mountain."

Lin Xiaoxiao watched, smiling. The warmth between mother and daughter was something special. Seeing them like this, who would ever guess Zhou Xiaoling wasn't Li Yunlan's biological child? Perhaps having raised her from a young age, some of Li Yunlan's mannerisms had rubbed off on Zhou Xiaoling.

Once the decision was made, they began packing. Lin Xiaoxiao was overwhelmed by the amount of stuff Li Yunlan had brought—all of which now had to be transported to Beijing. There were also the small quilts, mats, and baby clothes Li Yunlan had made since arriving—enough to fill five suitcases. Combined with their personal belongings, the amount of luggage was staggering.

Zhou Zhennan suggested mailing non-essential items ahead of time. Even by slow post, it would arrive within a month, well before the baby was due.

With the departure date set, the packing began. Lin Xiaoxiao took out some milk powder and fabric to give to their neighbor, Li Yu.

When Li Yu heard Lin Xiaoxiao was going to Beijing to have her baby, she was envious. "It must be wonderful to give birth in Beijing. I've only ever seen it in newspapers—I hear it's huge."

Lin Xiaoxiao smiled. "Come visit me someday. I'll write to you with my address once I'm settled."

Li Yu waved her hand dismissively. "That's just a dream. I'll never have the chance. I'm lucky to even be here."

"Don't worry," Lin Xiaoxiao reassured her. "Things will keep getting better. Maybe one day we won't need special permits to travel. We might be able to go wherever we want."

Li Yu still shook her head. "I came here looking for someone. Once I find them, I'll have to go back to Beiwa."

Curious, Lin Xiaoxiao asked, "Who are you looking for? You won't find them staying home every day."

Li Yu smiled mysteriously, clearly not willing to share.

Lin Xiaoxiao didn't press further, though she was burning with curiosity. How did Li Yu expect to find this person while spending her days in the housing compound with her child, only occasionally making quick trips to town? It seemed impossible.

New Year's Day was also the day the college entrance exam results were posted at the entrance of the city's Education Bureau.

Since Lin Xiaoxiao couldn't easily make the trip, Zhou Huai'an asked Lu Yuanda to check the results for them and call with the news.

Lu Yuanda was even more nervous than Zhou Huai'an and Lin Xiaoxiao. He barely slept the night before, constantly talking to his wife about it. "Do you think Xiaoxiao got in? What if her scores are bad? How do I break it to them? Especially with her being pregnant."

Ruan Shuqin also saw the dilemma. Delivering bad news directly would be heartbreaking—no test-taker wanted to fail. Besides, she'd heard Lin Xiaoxiao only had a junior high education. This exam had even been taken by high school teachers. The odds were against her.

After thinking it over, she said, "Just soften the blow. Tell them this year's exam was rushed, and she should prepare better to try again next year."

Lu Yuanda thought that was reasonable. Early the next morning, bundled in a heavy coat and fur hat, he went to wait at the Education Bureau gates.

Many other anxious examinees were also there, some having arrived before dawn. As the posting time drew near, a few couldn't stop their hands and feet from shaking.

Lu Yuanda waited nervously, hands tucked in his sleeves. He noticed a thin man in his thirties standing nearby, the hand holding his cigarette trembling noticeably. "How do you think you did?" Lu Yuanda asked.

The man's teeth were practically chattering. "Alright, I guess."

Lu Yuanda patted his shoulder. "Then don't be nervous. I'm sure it will be fine."

"You don't understand," the man said anxiously. "I heard they'll put age restrictions on future exams. I'm almost forty—this was my last chance."

Lu Yuanda knew this exam would change many lives. He wasn't sure about future policies either, so he could only offer comfort.

When the large red lists were finally put up, Lu Yuanda felt his own heart pound. To soften the potential blow, he started from the last sheet.

He scanned all ten sheets from bottom to top without finding Lin Xiaoxiao's name. His heart sank. Had she failed? Around him, some were cheering; others had begun to cry.

The man he'd spoken to earlier, not finding his name either, slumped to the ground, unable to get up.

Lu Yuanda took a deep breath and looked again, his eyes moving to the first name on the first list.

A murmur was already spreading through the crowd: "Who is Lin Xiaoxiao? How did she get 485? Perfect scores in math, physics, and chemistry! Ninety in Chinese, ninety-five in politics! How is that possible?"

Lu Yuanda rubbed his eyes. It was no mistake—it was their Lin Xiaoxiao. Second place had a score of 440. She had outscored the next candidate by forty-five points. He could hardly believe it. Was Lin Xiaoxiao really this brilliant?

The crowd's surprise turned to disbelief, then hushed discussion: "How? The test was so difficult. How could she get 485? Second place is a high school teacher, and he only got 440."

"Is this Lin Xiaoxiao the one from the textile factory? She didn't even finish junior high. How could she get 485?"