Chapter 6: Preparing for the College Entrance Exam

Out of courtesy, Liu Yimin made his way to Tian Qingping’s office to greet him.

“Yimin, I’ve been waiting for you these past few days. I thought you hadn’t come after registering.” Tian Qingping hurriedly ushered him into the office and poured him a mug of tea.

“Registration wasn’t urgent; there were too many people early on, so I played a little trick and waited it out,” Liu Yimin replied, sipping from the mug.

“Haha, the timing doesn’t matter, as long as you’re registered. There’s just over a month left—how’s your exam prep going? I’d really like to have a classmate who gets into college, so I can brag about it later,” Tian Qingping joked.

“Everything’s ready—just waiting for the east wind.”

“Good, that’s the spirit! You probably don’t have a place to stay during the college entrance exams, do you? Listen to me: my older brother is a driver at the County Supply and Marketing Cooperative, and they have dorms. July is their busiest time, so you can stay in their dormitory. You know my brother, and with our relationship, don’t you dare refuse.”

“Qingping, you’re putting me in a spot here…”

He wasn’t a current high school student, and after the exams, he’d have no place to stay. Cycling home wasn’t realistic, so Liu Yimin had resigned himself to finding a place to crash for the night. He hadn’t expected Tian Qingping to have already arranged accommodations for him.

“Don’t fuss about it—just go with my plan. I’ve already spoken to my brother. He was thrilled when he heard you’d stay.”

Liu Yimin knew his older brother; they’d even had meals together, though they weren’t close due to the age gap. Still, it was clear Tian Qingping had gone out of his way for him.

“Alright, then I won’t stand on ceremony. If I get into college, I’ll treat you to a feast at the Dongfanghong Restaurant in the county.”

“Deal!”

...

July 19th was a significant day for the Liu family—Liu Yimin was setting out to take the college entrance exams. His parents had prepared everything for him early in the morning, even exchanging some ration coupons at the commune so he’d have enough to eat well during the exams, urging him not to skimp on meals.

His elder brother, Liu Yiguo, hadn’t returned from the coal mine, but he’d sent a letter home with someone coming back from the mine, enclosing five large-denomination bills. Yiguo had attended junior high but not high school, yet he could write a letter.

In the letter, he told Liu Yimin not to worry about anything at home and to focus on the exam.

“Dad, Mom, don’t worry—I’ll be back the day after tomorrow!” Liu Yimin reassured his parents.

Li Lanyong had thoroughly washed the bicycle Liu Yimin was about to use and even painted a horse on it.

“Yimin, come on, I’ll take you to the commune today, then I’ll go to my sister’s place—she’s back today, so I can ride her bike home.” Lanyong patted the back seat, signaling him to hop on.

“Lanyong, I feel bad you won’t have a bike these days!” Liu Yimin said apologetically. The Liu family didn’t own a bicycle and always had to borrow Lanyong’s whenever they traveled far.

“Tian Qingping was right—you’re way too considerate. We’re more than friends; we’re comrades and brothers. Just focus on your exam. I can’t wait to celebrate when you get into college. See, I even painted you a picture with a brush.”

While pedaling, Lanyong pointed to the horse painted on the handlebars.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Liu Yimin asked.

“Victory upon arrival! This isn’t just a bicycle—it’s a ‘foreign horse’!” Lanyong explained, laughing as he pedaled.

At the commune, Liu Yimin set off alone toward the county seat. The road from Shiling Commune to town was relatively flat, without any steep hills.

But the road was rough, flanked by numerous coal mines. Trucks hauling coal rumbled by one after another, blanketing the road in coal dust—one breathful was enough to blacken your mouth.

By the time he reached the county, Liu Yimin wiped his face with his hand, only to find his fingers stained black.

Rucheng was a coal city, famed as the “Sea of Coal for a Hundred Miles.” Thanks to the mines, its economy was more developed than neighboring counties.

Liu Yimin’s exam site was at County No. 1 High School. The county had issued a notice forbidding early visits to the exam venues. But since Liu Yimin had attended high school there, he was already intimately familiar with every corner and didn’t need to acquaint himself with the environment.

The County Supply and Marketing Cooperative occupied the most central spot in town. Its two-story building was impressive—on the ground floor, the sales hall was packed with goods, and there were over a dozen clerks alone.

Following the street alongside the cooperative for about fifty meters, you’d see the back entrance, used for deliveries. On either side of the doorway, the courtyard walls bore the slogan: “Develop the Economy, Ensure Supply.”

To the right was a small gate, guarded by an elderly man in a yellow military uniform. His hair was white, but his posture was upright, his gaze sharp as he surveyed the entrance. The leader’s badge on his chest glinted gold in the sunlight.

“Hello, sir, I’m a friend of Tian Qinglin. Is he here today?”

“Oh? Looking for Qinglin? He’s out driving a delivery—won’t be back for days. You must be that… what was it… Min? Before he left, Qinglin told me he had a friend coming for the college entrance exam who’d be staying in his dorm at night. Is that you?”

The old guard gave Liu Yimin a once-over, his gaze softening.

“Yes, that’s me. My name is Liu Yimin.”

“See that red-brick building straight ahead? Go up to the second floor, first room on the left—that’s the dorm. There are others, but they’re also out driving. Take any bed you like.” The old guard led him inside and pointed toward the dormitory so he wouldn’t get lost.

“Thank you, sir!”

“No trouble at all. Young man, do your best on the exam! My name’s Zhang Degui—just call me Uncle Zhang. If you need anything these days, come find me.”

The old guard was enthusiastic—he must have retired from the military, and by his age, he’d likely seen real action. Liu Yimin noticed a striking scar running from below his ear down his neck.

He wheeled his bicycle to the dormitory. Beside the building was a garage, where an old Liberation truck was parked. The driver, cigarette dangling from his lips, was humming a tune and cheerfully polishing the vehicle with a towel. He glanced at Liu Yimin as he entered the dorm, then turned away, paying him no further mind.

On the stairwell wall, the words read: “Learn from the model workers; emulate comrades Shi Chuanxiang and Zhang Binggui.” In those days, laborers were truly honored; even a sanitation worker could become a representative and be received by national leaders if he excelled.

Adjusting the strap of his satchel, Liu Yimin ascended the stairs, excitement quickening his steps.