RYEY -Chapter 358 Separated by Distance

Cheng Qiao also sat in the classroom, writing furiously. This time, she directly took the third-grade exam paper—a special arrangement approved by the principal. As long as her total score passed, she could advance to the fourth grade.

Looking at the paper, Cheng Qiao found it quite challenging. Many questions were dialectical in nature, without standard answers. They tested the breadth of one’s knowledge and whether one had read widely.

Her pen scratched across the paper, and her mind didn’t stop for a moment. After an hour, Cheng Qiao finally put down her pen and began checking her answers from start to finish.

She revised a few questions and then calmly submitted her paper. The proctor happened to be the fourth-grade homeroom teacher, who eagerly flipped through Cheng Qiao’s exam.

The more he looked, the happier he became. Although she had gotten many questions wrong, she had only been at the school for two years. And since the questions were dialectical, only by reading her reasoning could he judge right from wrong.

After several days of tense grading, Cheng Qiao’s exam was sent to the principal’s office. The principal saw that although it wasn’t a perfect score, it was certainly high-ranking, and he laughed heartily.

But before his laughter could subside, the gatekeeper rushed in, handing the principal a letter. Seeing the envelope, the principal’s smile froze instantly.

This type of envelope clearly indicated a special military medical recruitment letter. Any student sought after by the military was always exceptional.

Moreover, the principal had no right to refuse. After all, it was a benefit to the country and the people—saving lives, especially those of soldiers defending the nation. This was a sacred profession.

Opening the letter, a name he knew all too well appeared before his eyes: Cheng Qiao. Impossible—Cheng Qiao was just a student who had taken the third-grade exam. She hadn’t even graduated yet.

The letter also specified a military district code and location. No need to ask—it was the remote Gansu Province. Life there was harsh, even basic schools were scarce.

“Nonsense! Why send such a promising student there? What could she possibly learn? Go, call Cheng Qiao and let her choose for herself.”

Cheng Qiao wasn’t a graduate yet, so she technically had some choice. But the principal never expected that she would voluntarily apply to support the military district.

She was willing to give up favorable conditions to unconditionally assist Gansu, joining the scarce medical team and contributing her modest skills to those defending the nation.

The principal closed his eyes, seemingly understanding something. Truly, some people were just too outstanding. As the saying goes, “A jade leaf in the forest is bound to be crushed by the wind.”

With no other choice, he took a pen and signed his name forcefully on the paper, pressing so hard that he even pierced through the sheet.

“Principal, don’t forget the stamp.”

Cheng Qiao reminded him with a wry smile. The principal shot her a fierce glance—did she think he didn’t know to stamp it? Couldn’t he take his time?

“Cheng Qiao, I don’t understand whether you’re transferring or withdrawing. You won’t even have a medical license over there. How will you join the medical team?”

Cheng Qiao replied with just two words: “Transfer.”

The principal froze. Transfer? Was there even a traditional Chinese medicine university there?

There were universities, though few. The central government was mobilizing youth nationwide to support the northwest, especially Hexi, and offering favorable policies: building schools, hospitals, and creating jobs.

While Cheng Qiao handled the transfer procedures, Li Huan and Wang Xiangyang finally received their university diplomas from the Workers-Peasants-Soldiers University, along with their assigned workplaces.

Unexpectedly, there were no positions in Gansu. Li Huan had only two choices: pick a job from the assigned list or forgo placement entirely.

Just as Li Huan was about to give up, the principal approached him with a transfer order. Li Huan, originally the village head of Xiangyang Village, was now appointed director of Xiangyang Commune.

The commune secretary had been promoted for attracting investment, and the former director was elevated to secretary, leaving the director’s post open—falling into Li Huan’s hands.

A transfer order was mandatory; he had no right to refuse. In the end, he picked up the phone to inform Cheng Qiao: they might have to live apart.

Cheng Qiao immediately understood. Her escape had angered those scheming behind the scenes. They couldn’t touch Ye Chengying, so they would target Li Huan instead.

But Li Huan was her husband, so she wouldn’t let them go too far—just a little inconvenience to spite them. And as the commune director, Li Huan would face demands; if he failed, there would be ways to make him suffer.

“Li Huan, pack your things and return home. The kids will be on vacation soon, and I’ll take them back together.”

Li Huan felt frustrated, but since Cheng Qiao said so, he’d return home. It had been a long time, and he really should see his family.

Li Huan didn’t go home first. He had Wang Xiangyang take his things while he went to the capital to bring Cheng Qiao back.

Ye Jun felt reluctant but knew that Cheng Qiao needed to be with Li Huan. As the saying goes, “A new official must light three fires”—once Li Huan set these in motion, life would be much smoother.

Mother Li was overjoyed. When she heard he had been assigned director of Xiangyang Commune, her smile almost split her face. Though outwardly she supported Li Huan going to Hexi to be with his father-in-law, inwardly she wasn’t completely happy.

“Mom, let’s go home together.”

When Li Huan and Cheng Qiao, along with their four children, appeared at the grocery shop, Mother Li had already prepared the packages for home. Xu Hui’s grandmother was even more anxious—this year, Xu Hui was taking the college entrance exam.

The family boarded a long-distance bus to Xiangyang Village. Upon arriving at the village entrance, a large tree displayed a flag: Welcome Village Head Li Huan Home.

Li Huan felt warm inside. His efforts over the years for the villagers had paid off; at least they were satisfied with their village head.

Their home had been cleaned thoroughly by Aunt Wang. Even though heating the kang bed wasn’t necessary in summer, she had done so overnight. Heating it not only killed pests but also brought good fortune.

The first thing Mother Li did upon returning was prepare food and drinks in the kitchen—and hand out candy to the entire village. Her son had graduated from university; it was a joyous occasion.

Today, Xiangyang Village was full of celebration. Wang Xiangyang and Li Huan organized several tables of banquet, inviting villagers over sixty to show gratitude for their contributions.

After the feast, Cheng Qiao quietly let the little redhead and Haidong Qing out. They could roam freely in the back hills for three months before needing to relocate.

The night passed quietly. Early the next morning, Li Huan went to the commune to report in. The commune secretary beamed with a toothy smile upon seeing him.

But Li Huan made a request: “Xiangyang Village applied for the iron oxen long ago. It should be approved by now, right?”