https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-163-A-Husband-Prospering-Destiny/12849294/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-165-The-Eldest-Son-s-Path-to-Wealth/12849296/
Chapter 164: Well Done, True to the Deng Family
Chapter 164: Well Done, True to the Deng Family
Under the longan tree, Deng Shirong was enjoying a watermelon with his children, which had been cooled in well water.
On this scorching June day, savoring a sweet and refreshing slice of watermelon was undoubtedly a delightful experience.
The watermelons were grown on their own lychee mountain. Deng Shirong's niece and her husband, while managing the lychee grove, had planted many watermelons in the spaces between the trees. Aside from keeping some for their own use, they sold the rest to the local supply and marketing cooperative.
Though the money earned wasn't much, it was enough to pay his niece and her husband for two months of work, a pleasant surprise indeed.
After finishing the watermelon, Deng Yunsong spoke up, "The college entrance exams have been over for two days now. I wonder how my second brother did?"
Deng Yunzhen replied, "Didn't he say before the exams that as long as he performs normally, he's sure to get into college? Whether he can get into his ideal college, though, depends on his luck!"
Deng Shirong took his pipe and said, "Both talent and luck are essential for the college entrance exams. Just like the famous scholars of ancient times, even if they were talented, if their luck was bad, they would often fail the imperial exams.
"Through previous exams, Yunheng has already proven his capability. Now, it's up to his luck."
At that moment, the sharp-eyed Deng Yunhua jumped up and shouted, "Look, Second Brother is back!"
Everyone looked toward the road and indeed saw Deng Yunheng riding his bicycle with his luggage.
Soon, Deng Yunheng, drenched in sweat and with a sunburnt face, stopped his bicycle in front of his family.
"Father!"
"Sister-in-law!"
"Sister!"
"Yunheng!"
"Second Brother!"
After exchanging greetings, Deng Yunheng took the towel hanging around his neck and began to wipe the sweat from his brow.
Riding with his luggage for over an hour under the blazing sun had been quite uncomfortable.
Deng Shirong immediately instructed, "Ahzhu, go get another watermelon from the water tank."
Since the watermelons on the mountain had ripened, Deng Shirong had been using a water tank to chill them, ready to be scooped out whenever they wanted to eat. The taste was honestly better than watermelons kept in a refrigerator.
Deng Yunzhu responded and went to fetch the watermelon.
Deng Shirong had been worrying about his second son's exam results lately. Seeing him now, he didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "Yunheng, how did you do?"
Deng Yunheng grinned, "Not bad."
Deng Shirong asked, "Which university did you apply to?"
Deng Yunheng's eyes sparkled as he replied, "Peking University."
Deng Shirong's heart skipped a beat, and he eagerly asked, "What are your chances?"
Deng Yunheng was brimming with confidence, "At least ninety percent."
Deng Shirong was instantly elated and praised, "Well done, true to the Deng family."
Having lived two lifetimes, Deng Shirong was already quite old, and there were few things that could excite him anymore. Even if one of his children had achieved a small goal, it probably wouldn't have caused much of a stir in his heart.
However, having his son admitted to Peking University, one of the nation's top institutions, was a different story altogether.
Hearing this, his children and their spouses were also very happy. Though they weren't entirely clear about the prestige of Peking University, they understood one thing: getting into the best university in the country meant a bright future.
Deng Shirong was momentarily excited but quickly regained his composure. He sternly said, "Listen up, everyone. Don't spread this news around for now. We'll wait until the exam results are out and the acceptance letter arrives before we celebrate."
Though his second son was confident, Deng Shirong knew better than to take chances. If the news spread throughout the village and then turned out to be false, their family would become a laughingstock. He would never allow such a thing to happen.
His serious instructions were met with nods of agreement from his children and their spouses.
Just then, Deng Yunzhu came out carrying a watermelon.
Deng Shirong didn't say anything more and resumed cutting the watermelon.
...
Deng Yunheng's college entrance exam this year was common knowledge in Naye Village.
Firstly, because of his excellent academic performance, there was a good chance he would become the first college student from Naye Village, naturally drawing a lot of attention.
Secondly, during the period when Deng Yunheng was back at school for the exam, Deng Shirong had slaughtered chickens and ducks, preparing various offerings to worship their ancestors at the Ancestral Hall, hoping they would bless his second son with success in the exam.
Many villagers had witnessed this, and the news quickly spread throughout the village.
Thus, Deng Yunheng's college entrance exam was a matter of great interest to the entire village.
Now that he had returned after the exam, the villagers who heard the news came to ask about his performance.
"Yunheng, are the exams over? How did you do?"
"Uncle Yunheng, how many points did you score this time? Can you get into college?"
"Uncle Yunheng..."
The villagers' questions were more or less the same. Deng Yunheng remembered his father's advice and didn't boast about getting into Peking University. He simply said that he did okay and that they would have to wait for the results to know for sure.
Although Deng Shirong had instructed his family not to reveal the details of his second son's exam results to avoid any unexpected issues, he himself had faith in his son. While waiting for the results, he had already started planning a grand celebration for the university entrance.
In his previous life, none of his seven children had become college graduates (those who worked and improved their education later didn't count). If his second son could truly get into Peking University this time, Deng Shirong was determined to throw a grand celebration.
Such an honorable achievement was worth showing off.
To make it grand, he would invite not only relatives and friends but also the entire Naye Village and even the entire Shuangwang region, inviting every family with the surname Deng.
Of course, besides inviting the whole village, he planned to invite one representative from each family in other villages. This way, the number of guests wouldn't be too overwhelming. He roughly calculated that it would be around 60 tables. If it really happened, it would be an unprecedented grand event.
If calculated at 10 yuan per table, the total cost would be 600 yuan. For other families, this would be a huge sum, but for Deng Shirong, it was just a month's income from the brick factory.
Since the celebration was already going to be so grand, Deng Shirong didn't mind adding a bit more flair. He planned to invite a film crew to screen a movie or a theater troupe to perform a play. He would decide which one after checking the prices.
In any case, if his second son truly lived up to expectations and got into Peking University, he would throw the grandest university entrance celebration ever.
(End of Chapter)
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