Chapter 2: The Resilient Chen Family

After class, Teacher Liao approached Chen Xiao in private.

She said, "Chen Xiao, your performance today was excellent. The challenging question I wrote on the blackboard is the last national paper question from last year's college entrance examination. Very few students are capable of solving it, and even in the entire city, no more than five students can handle it with two different approaches."

"This year, the country has implemented the 3+X system, where we participate in the national exam and it combines language and mathematics. I'm not concerned about your performance in other subjects, but your English needs improvement. It's quite weak!"

English proficiency among the students taking the 1999 college entrance examination was generally low. Chen Xiao had only begun studying English in the second year of junior high school.

Additionally, Chen Xiao's family had financial constraints, making it impossible for them to afford English training or watch English movies. As a result, his English level was even lower.

A week ago, Chen Xiao's performance in the sciences had been satisfactory. However, English remained his major stumbling block. With a total score of 150, he had scored just over 60 in the English test.

This result wouldn't be enough for Chen Xiao to gain admission to top-tier universities.

"I understand, Teacher Liao," Chen Xiao replied, struggling to suppress a laugh. English? Wasn't English merely child's play for him?

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

Teacher Liao expressed her concern, saying, "You should know that the English teacher at our school is a top student who graduated from the University of Foreign Studies. Recently, some parents asked him to conduct an intensive class for college entrance exam preparation. The fee isn't expensive, just 50 yuan per month. After discussing it with your family, you can consider joining."

In 1999, Chen Qiang's monthly salary was only a little over 400 yuan. Paying 50 yuan per month for tuition was beyond their means.

Since his rebirth, Chen Xiao had no intention of wasting time on this matter. He replied, "Thank you, Teacher Liao, but I need to discuss this with my family. Improving my English will take more than a few days..."

Acknowledging Chen Xiao's considerations, Teacher Liao nodded and said, "Alright, discuss it with your family."

"Thank you, Mr. Liao. I'll take my leave now."

In 1999, Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School did not enforce mandatory evening self-study. Most students living in the city would go home after classes in the afternoon. Additionally, there was a placement test the following day, so Chen Xiao packed his belongings to facilitate the teacher in rearranging the desks.

Chen Xiao made his way to the parking shed behind the school playground and found his bicycle, which had become his mode of transportation since he entered high school. The ownership had transitioned from Chen Qiang to Chen Xiao.

At the entrance, Chen Xiao watched as Su Qiao boarded a Poussin and departed from the school. In this era, having a car like Poussin meant that the family was quite well-off.

He recalled that Su Qiao's father held a director position in a state-owned machinery factory, making him a second-generation member of the wealthy elite.

Twenty minutes later, Chen Xiao arrived at the residential area designated for employees of the state-owned machinery factory.

The pockmarked concrete pavement, a dozen dilapidated four-story red brick buildings, and the less-than-impressive communal gardens were partitioned by chicken coops and duck pens, resembling growths within the community. When the sun shone, the entire residential area was accompanied by a pungent odor.

After the housing reform in 1998, the first batch of commercial housing had also appeared in Jiangcheng. Those family members who were in better financial circumstances had purchased such properties, leaving only ordinary workers or the elderly residing in this area.

A duck waddled in front of Chen Xiao, happily quenching its thirst from a puddle without fear of anyone.

Chen Xiao observed the environment—a stark reminder that it was indeed 1999.

He ascended to the top floor, retrieved his keys, and unlocked the door.

Upon entering, tears threatened to escape Chen Xiao's eyes as he spotted two familiar figures in the kitchen.

Though in a parallel world, with a different environment and time, his parents looked exactly the same. In his previous existence, his parents had died in a car accident when he was very young, making them feel even more real and affectionate now.

Before Chen Xiao could greet them, he overheard his parents arguing in the kitchen.

While cooking, Lin Hui complained, "Why did they make you unload the goods at night again? Isn't there anyone else in the cargo team? You can't handle working all night, and your body won't be able to handle it either!"

Chen Qiang replied with a smile, "There's a shortage of people in the cargo team. I can earn an extra ten yuan by working overtime for a night. Xiaozi will be going to college soon, and we need more money for tuition and living expenses. We still have another six months. I'll earn a bit more."

"But you just had surgery recently, and it cost a lot of money..."

Lin Hui had undergone surgery for uterine fibroids last week and had only been discharged the day before yesterday.

Distraught, Lin Hui continued, "Will you make money just to get sick? I told you to borrow some money from your elder sister and younger brother, but you refused to ask."

Chen Qiang responded, "They have their own financial constraints. Zhou Tao (his eldest sister's son) mentioned having a girlfriend and plans to marry next year. The younger brother's family has to save for his sister's college education..."

The more Chen Qiang spoke, the less confident he seemed.

With teary eyes, Lin Hui lamented, "They are doing so well—the elder sister working in the government, and the younger brother in business! When our parents were ill, they didn't care and left everything to us. Now that our parents are gone, they want to split the family area property equally! Where is the bond among siblings?"

Impatiently, Chen Qiang interjected, "Alright, enough. Let's not dwell on it!"

Lin Hui couldn't hold back and said, "Teacher Liao called just now and said that Xiaozi's grades could be impacted by English. She suggested we enroll him in Teacher Wang's English intensive class. It costs 50 yuan per month."

Chen Qiang paused as he peeled garlic.

Lin Hui added, "This is a personal tutoring service. All the students in the class have hopes of being admitted to prestigious universities. The teacher isn't doing it for money... I... I'll try to borrow some."

The surgery had drained Lin Hui's finances. Chen Qiang had also taken time off work last week to take care of his wife in the hospital, resulting in a deduction in his pay for missed work and no piece-rate earnings.

The old Chen family was struggling to make ends meet.

Approaching them, Chen Xiao said, "Dad, Mom, I won't be attending the English tutoring class. Don't worry about my English grades—I know what I'm doing."

After setting down his schoolbag, he immediately began helping out.

Lin Hui, having instantly realized that her son had overheard her conversation with Chen Qiang, cast a stern gaze at her husband and said, "You, why didn't you go! Teacher Liao called me and mentioned that you have great potential. Focus on your studies! We have money for tuition, so attend the classes with peace of mind."

Chen Qiang chimed in, "That's right, Xiaozi. The college entrance examination is just around the corner. Study hard and attend the tutoring sessions without worrying about anything else."

In that moment, there was a knock on the worn-out wooden door.

It was Aunt Ma from downstairs.

Aunt Ma held a basket of fruit and said, "I heard that Lin Hui, you were discharged from the hospital. I came to visit."

Chen Xiao went to wash some cups and poured water, while Lin Hui hurriedly invited her inside, saying, "Sister Ma, you said you were bringing some fruit. Have you eaten yet? Let's have dinner together."

Aunt Ma waved her hand and replied, "I won't have a meal here, but there's something I'd like to discuss... You see, my family has always had poor health, frequently requiring visits to the hospital and spending a lot on medications... Take a look, you just got out of the hospital..."

The atmosphere instantly grew tense.

Lin Hui recognized Aunt Ma's intention, immediately shooting Chen Qiang a reproachful glare. She said, "You child, you wouldn't even go! I asked Aunt Ma to lend us 200 yuan, and now she wants it back."