Chapter 209: The University Admission Slot
Chapter 209: Chapter 209: The University Admission Slot
After eating breakfast, Li Guihua came to call for Zhao Nuanyue. She saw there were still several baskets at the Dragon King Temple, so she had Zhao Nuanyue bring them all along to the village.
Miao Dahai, Wu Dazhu, Dong Sanshu, and the others loved the baskets. They couldn’t find words like "elegant" or "refined," but they could tell they were beautiful. With some flowers and plants inside, they would surely look even better.
"Nuanyue, I heard from Aunt Li that you’re willing to teach everyone how to weave flower baskets. Is that true?" Miao Dahai had a keen eye. These baskets were so exquisite and beautiful that the stores would definitely buy them. As long as they went through the proper channels with Zhou Jianmin, it would surely bring great benefits to the village.
"Yes, I’m willing to teach the villagers." Zhao Nuanyue nodded. "My life here is very good. My brother has recovered, and I even have a new little sister. Under the care of the village leaders, our life is wonderful, so I wanted to give back to this land and its people!"
Hearing Zhao Nuanyue’s words made Miao Dahai and the others feel a sense of shared honor. After all, this was Nianqiao Village under their leadership, and it was a rare thing for the people to live and work in peace and contentment.
"Heh, you’re a good person, too. You’ve earned merit several times, and we’ve all seen it." Miao Dahai smiled. "Our village has limited resources, so besides giving you some material rewards, I don’t have many other ways to reward you. However, I recently heard that the county has a recommendation slot for university admission, and I’m going to try and get it. If I can secure it for you, you’ll be able to go to university."
Li Guihua was taken aback. She hadn’t expected Miao Dahai to be willing to give such a precious slot to Zhao Nuanyue.
’Thinking of her own son, Li Guihua felt a bitter pang. But Zhao Nuanyue truly had earned a lot of merit. If the slot had to go to someone, giving it to her felt right.’
But Zhao Nuanyue had no intention of going. She shook her head and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Uncle Miao, but you know I have my brother and sister. I can’t just up and leave them. Besides, if Nianqiao Village has enough merit to secure a slot from the county, that honor belongs to the people here. It should be a resident of Nianqiao Village who receives it. That way, when they graduate, they can give back even more to our village."
Hearing Zhao Nuanyue’s words, Miao Dahai, Li Guihua, and the others were even more astonished.
Good heavens, this was a slot to go to university!
Going to university might not be an instant ticket to success, but it was an incredible opportunity. For the people who had lived in Nianqiao Village for generations, it was unbelievably rare!
"Nuanyue, you silly child! That’s university! The state pays for your room and board and even gives you a subsidy." Li Guihua looked at Zhao Nuanyue in disbelief. "Such a great opportunity, and you’re just turning it down like that. Do you have any idea how many people would kill for this chance, racking their brains and still failing to get it?"
"That’s right, Nuanyue, you should think it over carefully," Miao Dahai said. The reason he was so confident about getting the slot was because Zhou Jianmin had told him about it, which was why Miao Dahai had been scouting for candidates recently.
Zhao Nuanyue smiled lightly and said earnestly, "Uncle Miao, Aunt Li, I’m speaking from the heart. If I wanted to go to school, I have my ways. The reason I’m hiding in Nianqiao Village is to escape my stepfather’s family trying to marry me off carelessly and to protect my brother from their harm. Now, with an adorable little sister like Little Red Carp, I have even more ties here. I don’t want to leave Nianqiao Village for now. So, please give this precious slot to one of the young people in the village."
Zhao Nuanyue’s words deeply moved Miao Dahai, Li Cuihua, and the others. At the same time, they felt great sympathy for her.
"If that’s the case, then we won’t give you the slot." Miao Dahai nodded, making the decision. "When we distribute the grain in the autumn, we’ll give you an extra share as your reward."
Li Guihua thought for a moment and said, "How about this, Miao? If weaving flower baskets can really become a source of income from the stores, let’s reward Nuanyue with some money and tickets. That way, when they return to Jincheng City in the future, they’ll have some money on hand and have an easier time."
Wu Dazhu said in admiration, "Exactly. With money and tickets, you don’t have to beg others for help. You’ll have more confidence."
"Alright then. An extra share of grain, plus some money and tickets." Miao Dahai nodded, his estimation of Zhao Nuanyue rising even higher. ’No wonder someone as remarkable as Hua Yusen thinks so highly of her.’
’She knows when to press forward and when to hold back, always keeping the big picture in mind and staying in control.’
"Thank you, Miao Dahai and all the cadres, for your concern," Zhao Nuanyue said gratefully. "The willows are perfect right now, and our village has so many of them we can weave a lot of baskets. Miao Dahai, Aunt Li, if you really want to use this craft to generate income, you should go to the county to finalize this matter as soon as possible."
"Mm, I’ll go tomorrow." Miao Dahai nodded. With Zhou Jianmin there, it should get approved quickly.
The village cadres discussed the teaching arrangements with Zhao Nuanyue. They finally decided to hold the classes in the village, as the area at the village entrance was large. That way, anyone who wanted to learn could come and learn together, saving her the trouble of teaching a second time.
Early the next morning, Miao Dahai went to the county seat. He brought the flower baskets Zhao Nuanyue had woven, which earned high praise from Zhou Jianmin and his staff. Moreover, such fine handicrafts could absolutely be sold as a specialty product or given as gifts to other work units with which they had good relations.
"Miao Dahai, I can’t believe the Soft Willow from your village has such beautiful color and resilience! The finished products are gorgeous; they’re sure to be popular. Don’t rush things just yet. Go back and organize people to start learning how to weave. I’ll take these baskets to the city and the prefecture. I have to get this project approved. This could be a long-term business!" Zhou Jianmin said excitedly. The last time he went to a meeting, other regions all had their own specialty products, and lots of them, but Labor County was poor and barren, with truly nothing much to show for itself.
Luckily, the woodcarvings from Wang Family Village were quite good and had already been noticed by the higher-ups.
Now that Nianqiao Village was weaving such fine baskets, Zhou Jianmin was determined to establish them as a specialty handicraft of Labor County.
"Yes, I’ll go back and organize the villagers to start learning and practicing the craft right away." Miao Dahai was overjoyed and extremely excited. ’A long-term livelihood... this is something that will bless future generations!’
After returning from the county seat, Miao Dahai began organizing everyone to start learning.
Zhao Nuanyue arrived at the village entrance, where Miao Dahai had even set up a large table for the tools and materials she had prepared. Then, the women from the village who were willing to learn all came over, but there were only a dozen or so of them.