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Chapter 169: The Whole Village Is Buzzing
Chapter 169: The Whole Village Is Buzzing
From the moment the postman Deng Changzhong bellowed the news as he entered Nayie Village, the news of Deng Yunheng's acceptance to Peking University spread like wildfire. In less than twenty minutes, the entire village, and even the neighboring villages, knew about it.
At Deng Shirong's house, the whole village, from the elderly to the children, gathered. Anyone who wasn't out working in the fields had come to see the commotion.
This was an era where even the arrival of a Phoenix bicycle could draw half the village to watch. Deng Yunheng, as the village's first college student, and one who had been accepted to the prestigious Peking University, was a sensation. How could anyone stay home when they heard such news? They all rushed over to see the excitement.
"Yunheng, you've done us proud! This is Peking University, one of the best schools in the country. Getting into such a school is like passing the imperial exams in ancient times. You've brought glory to Nayie Village and the Deng family!" the team leader, Deng Yunjun, stood in front of Deng Yunheng, showering him with praise.
Deng YunGui added, "Yunheng, you're amazing! You've not only made history for our village but also for Bangjie Brigade and even the entire Songshan Commune. No one else from our commune has ever been accepted to Tsinghua or Peking University."
Deng Changzhong smiled and said, "I know this well. Since the restoration of the college entrance exam, including this year, our commune has produced 14 college students, but only Uncle Yunheng has been accepted to a top university like Tsinghua or Peking."
The villagers continued to chime in, their words full of admiration, almost making Deng Yunheng feel like a star.
Beside them, Guan Yongying, holding one of her twin sons, Dai Fanglan, who was heavily pregnant, and Ou Guohua, who had married into the village in May, gathered around Deng Yunzhen and Zhang Xiuping, also praising Deng Yunheng.
As a father, Deng Shirong was naturally surrounded by people, who couldn't stop saying kind words to him.
Soon, the brigade secretary, Deng Shian, who had also received the news, arrived. Deng Shian was in his sixties, not only the secretary of Bangjie Brigade but also the patriarch of the Deng clan in Nayie. His reputation was well-established.
Seeing him arrive, everyone greeted him warmly.
Deng Shian walked up to Deng Shirong, a broad smile on his face, and said, "Old Ninth, congratulations! You've truly raised a fine son. Yunheng's acceptance to Peking University is a great honor for our Deng clan. I plan to have the clan fund a grand celebration for Yunheng. What do you think?"
In the entire Nayie Deng clan, only a handful of people had the right to call Deng Shirong "Old Ninth," and Deng Shian was undoubtedly one of them.
Deng Shirong smiled and said, "Secretary, I appreciate the thought, but the clan's funds are already limited. It would make me feel guilty to use them for my son's celebration. I'll cover the costs myself."
Deng Shian waved his hand. "Old Ninth, you're being too formal. You are a member of our clan. Yunheng's acceptance to Peking University is the greatest news our clan has had in decades. It would be a disgrace if the clan didn't celebrate. So, don't refuse. The clan must contribute to the celebration. This will strengthen our unity and make our clan even stronger and more prosperous. Don't you agree, everyone?"
Deng YunGui was the first to chime in, "Secretary, you’re right. YunHeng getting accepted into Peking University is the greatest joy our Deng clan has had in decades. It’s absolutely necessary for the clan to foot the bill for the celebration, Uncle Jiu. Don’t refuse."
Deng YunJun nodded in agreement, "That’s true, Uncle Jiu. We all know you don’t want to burden the clan, but YunHeng’s acceptance into Peking University is a monumental achievement worth celebrating. The clan should definitely cover the expenses."
The others also voiced their support, all agreeing that such a significant event should be celebrated with the clan’s resources.
Seeing the consensus, Deng ShiRong stopped declining and nodded, "Alright, I’ll follow the Secretary’s advice. I’ll also hire a theater troupe to perform and make sure we have a few days of festivities."
Deng ShiAn smiled, "That sounds perfect."
With the general plan set, they began discussing the specifics.
Within half an hour, they had finalized a celebration plan that largely matched Deng ShiRong’s initial ideas.
After the villagers left, Deng ShiRong turned to his second son, "After lunch, ride your bike to inform your three aunts and two uncles that they’re invited to celebrate YunHeng’s university acceptance in three days. Also, tell them about the theater performance and ask them to bring some extra clothes to stay at our place for a few days."
YunHeng nodded, "Got it!"
Deng ShiRong then looked at his eldest daughter-in-law and smiled, "A-Ping, when YunTai comes back from work this afternoon, tell him to ride his bike to your parents’ house tomorrow to share the good news and invite them to the celebration and the performance."
"Sure, Dad!" Zhang XiuPing replied, her face beaming with joy.
For a married woman, the more successful her husband’s family was, the more face she had with her own family, and vice versa. The more prominent her own family, the more respect she received from her husband’s family.
...
At noon.
At the Deng YunQiang household.
Seeing her husband and father-in-law return from work, Guan YongYing greeted them eagerly, "Dad, Brother Fu, Uncle Jiu’s son, YunHeng, got accepted into Peking University!"
Deng YunQiang and his father both looked stunned.
Before the national college entrance exams were reinstated, they might not have known how prestigious Peking University was. However, when the news of the exams’ return reached the village a few years ago, all the high school students and the educated youth who hadn’t yet returned to the city went into overdrive, studying day and night for a chance to get into college.
The college entrance exams became the most talked-about event in the village.
With all the attention came discussions, and the names of the two most prestigious universities, Tsinghua and Peking, were etched into the villagers’ minds.
So, when Guan YongYing announced that Deng YunHeng had been accepted into Peking University, both Deng YunQiang and his father were utterly shocked.
Deng ChangFu’s eyes widened, "YongYing, is this true?"
"Of course, it’s true. The postman delivered the acceptance letter this morning, and the whole village went to see. Even the Secretary of the brigade came," Guan YongYing recounted the morning’s events in detail, leaving Deng YunQiang and his father speechless.
Deng YunQiang, still in shock, said, "Graduating from a technical college can already land you a government job. Imagine how high YunHeng could go after graduating from Peking University!"
Deng ChangFu, equally amazed, added, "I don’t know, but it must be higher than the Secretary of the commune, at least."
(End of Chapter)
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