Chapter 3

When Yang Sulan heard Ye Lingtian’s words, her face changed slightly, and her tone became more severe: "How can you not repeat a year? Have you forgotten that your father has always hoped you would go to college? What do you know about earning money at your young age? You haven’t been hanging out with Xiaotao and his friends, have you? Besides, there’s still your mother. What do you have to worry about?"

Xiaotao was the son of one of Ye Lingtian’s paternal uncles. A few years ago, he and a few other children from the village who didn’t pass the high school entrance exam went to the county town, saying they were working for others. But every time he came back, he was dressed in flashy, thug-like clothes, with his hair dyed in various colors, looking like a typical delinquent. The villagers knew that they weren’t doing anything legitimate, but no one was willing to say it out loud.

Seeing her mother’s concern, Ye Lingtian quickly explained: "Mom, don’t say that. How could I hang out with Xiaotao and his friends? I’m just thinking about the debt we still owe. I don’t know when we’ll be able to pay it off. I’ve grown up, and I should go out and earn money to pay off the debt as soon as possible, so you don’t have to suffer anymore!"

Thinking about how her mother had supported him with her frail body over the years, working hard from dawn till dusk for the family, Ye Lingtian became even more determined.

Yang Sulan’s lips moved, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end, she couldn’t bring herself to speak.

Originally, their family had been quite happy. A few years ago, the transportation industry was booming. Ye Liancheng, who had been discharged from the military’s motor transport company, used all their savings and borrowed several ten thousand yuan to buy a large truck to run a transportation business, specifically hauling coal for the Forward Coal Mine, which was dozens of miles away from Sanying Village.

Due to Ye Liancheng’s excellent driving skills and hard work, he earned back the money for the truck in less than two years. The family’s life improved day by day, and they gradually became a model of hard work and prosperity in the village.

One afternoon five years ago, the Forward Coal Mine called Ye Liancheng as usual to load coal.

That evening, Yang Sulan received a call from Ye Liancheng, but she didn’t hear him speak. The receiver only transmitted a noisy sound, and she faintly heard someone say, "That kid ran in this direction... everyone spread out and search carefully... we can’t let that kid get away..."

The call was soon disconnected, and when she tried to call back, it was already out of service.

The next morning, news came that Ye Liancheng had been in a car accident, falling off a cliff with the truck. Three miners from the coal mine also died in the same accident.

After the accident, the traffic police department investigated the scene and determined that Ye Liancheng was driving in violation of traffic rules and was fully responsible.

Yang Sulan immediately raised questions and mentioned the last call from Ye Liancheng, but the county public security bureau replied that there was insufficient evidence and maintained the traffic police’s determination.

With no other choice, Yang Sulan had to sell the house they had built less than a year ago and other valuable assets, and borrowed over 200,000 yuan from relatives and friends to compensate the families of the three miners for their economic losses.

The sudden change destroyed their once-happy family, and the huge debt was like a mountain, suffocating Yang Sulan.

Over the past five years, Yang Sulan worked from dawn till dusk, taking on extra jobs to earn more money. Besides farming their own land, she also helped other villagers who lacked labor. Fortunately, her son was sensible and never caused her trouble, and his academic performance was excellent, which gave Yang Sulan some comfort.

Whenever she thought about that last call from Ye Liancheng, Yang Sulan was convinced that her husband could not have died due to a traffic violation; there must have been some hidden circumstances.

Over the years, Yang Sulan had made many trips to the county to appeal and write letters to the city and provincial authorities, but it was like a stone sinking into the sea, with no response.

Yang Sulan knew that going to college was not only her husband’s hope for his son but also her son’s long-held dream.

"No, I must let my son go to college. Only by going to college can he have a broader future and a better life! No matter how hard or tiring it is, I must help my son achieve his dream."

Thinking about this, Yang Sulan said with hope: "Lingtian, Mom understands your thoughts. I know you’ve grown up and are thinking about the family, and I’m happy about that. But have you thought about this: if you go out to work now, you have no diploma and no skills. How much money can you earn? But if you go to college, you’ll have a diploma and can find a good job, earn more money, and even find a good wife in the future."

Ye Lingtian understood these truths, but could he really watch his mother continue to work so hard day and night just so he could go to college?

Looking at his mother, whose hair was already turning gray and whose body was slightly hunched, she no longer looked like a woman in her early forties. Anyone who didn’t know her would think she was in her fifties or sixties. In just five years, his mother had aged by twenty years. If he went to college for a few more years, could his frail mother endure it?

Ye Lingtian didn’t dare to think further. He had already lost his father and couldn’t lose his mother. No matter what, he had to go out and earn money to help his mother with the heavy burden.

"Mom, nowadays, finding a job depends on work experience. It’s hard for a newly graduated college student to find a good job. Instead of that, it might be better to find a suitable job now. After a few years of work experience, I might even find a better job than a college graduate. Besides, once I find a stable job, I can still study college courses while working!" Ye Lingtian comforted Yang Sulan while also firming up his resolve.

"Mom knows you’re a good son. Sigh! It’s your bad luck that your father passed away early, and I don’t have the ability. The heavens are unfair..." As if knowing her son’s determination, Yang Sulan turned and slowly walked into the inner room, muttering to herself, or perhaps to Ye Lingtian.

Back in his room, which was small, a single bed with a mosquito net was placed in the corner, a desk was by the bed, and an old cabinet was against the wall.

Ye Lingtian opened the desk drawer and took out the long-desired admission letter, caressing it reluctantly. After a long time, he placed it at the bottom of the drawer and covered it with books.

Turning around, he opened the cabinet and took out a slightly faded backpack to pack his luggage. This backpack was a birthday gift from his father before he passed away.

What he called luggage was just a few sets of cheap clothes; Ye Lingtian didn’t plan to take anything else. If he found a stable job, he would be lucky; if not, he would have to drift around, with no fixed abode. The less luggage, the more convenient it would be.