Indeed, maggie weight is considered good nowadays, but at the age of three, she weighs less than 20 kilograms. In later generations, the average weight of children her age is about 28 kilograms, which is quite a big difference.
Although Li mercy was also very happy that Yang milan cared so much about maggie , she still put a spoonful of sugar into the bowl and pushed the porridge in front of Yang milan.
Feeling the girl's deep affection, Yang milan did not refuse. Instead, he took the sugar jar, scooped out a spoonful, and placed it into Li mercy's bowl.
"You put some in too, don't refuse!"
Li mercy couldn't help but feel distressed. Not only was brown sugar expensive, but sugar coupons were also very hard to get. These brown sugars had been obtained by her father through begging others when she was in confinement two years ago.
"I asked for two kilograms at that time, but now there are less than three ounces left due to my confinement and the consumption over these years. I won't be able to last long if I continue to eat like this!"
"Is the certificate ready?"
"Dad gave me a total of three days!"
"Then you should leave early and come back early. And remember—don't get involved in speculation, or you could get into trouble!" Li mercy warned.
She knew that things weren't as tense as they had been in the past two years, and people had become bolder. Many villagers often sneaked to the black market in the city late at night, and it was said that some really did make money.
But the authorities still kept a tight grip on such things. If someone reported you, at the very least your goods would be confiscated, and at worst you could be sentenced directly!
She didn't want her man risking his life for money.
Yang milan smiled and reassured her, "Don't worry. I know my limits—I won't cross the line."
Although reselling could bring in quick cash, Yang milan didn't think much of it. The risks were too high, and the profit wasn't worth it.
Besides, as a patriotic man, he looked down on making money that way. He had a plan that was both safer and more profitable—and it lay in the city.
"Don't pressure yourself too much," Li mercy comforted him. "Even if we can't eat white flour buns every day, my parents are helping us. We won't starve."
"Yeah, I understand," Yang milan replied.
But deep down, he knew he had to earn money—and a lot of it. On the one hand, he needed it urgently to improve their living conditions. On the other hand, he was worried about maggie's health.
In her previous life, maggie had been diagnosed with heart disease at the age of five. Although she showed no symptoms now, Yang milan was determined to take her to the provincial capital for a full check-up as soon as possible.
It was already June 1975. The national college entrance examination would resume in September 1977—just over two years away. This was their chance to break away from farming and step into a bigger world.
Yang milan not only wanted to go to college himself, he also wanted Li mercy to take the exam with him.
As for passing, Yang milan wasn't worried at all. With his ability, the exam would be easy. With his guidance, Li mercy—who had already attended high school—should also manage just fine.
Still, sending two people to college was a heavy burden.
Although college in this era was free and students even received a stipend, the subsidy was too small to support both of them, let alone cover expenses for little Bao'er.
Therefore, Yang milan knew he had only two years to earn enough money to cover their college life together.
As for whether he could pass the exam, Yang mian wasn't worried in the slightest. With his ability, the college entrance examination would be a piece of cake.
With his guidance, Li mercy—who had already studied in high school—should also have no trouble.
Still, sending two people to college was no small burden for their family.
Although college in this era was free and even provided a small stipend, the allowance was nowhere near enough to support two students, let alone cover the expenses of raising little maggie
Therefore, Yang milan knew he had only two years to earn enough money to support both himself and Li mercy through college in the years to come.
If you had the ability, the best choice would be to buy a house in the city where you studied.
But all of this required money—huge amounts of money!
That night, yang and Li mercy lay side by side, whispering quietly about the future. They talked about college, about maggie, about the life they longed for in the city.
Gradually, their voices softened, their words fading into drowsy murmurs. With dreams of a better tomorrow lingering in their hearts, the couple finally drifted off to sleep together.
In a daze, Yang milan heard someone calling him. Opening his eyes, he saw Li mercy standing by the edge of the kang.
"It's already past five o'clock—get up quickly!" Li mercy urged softly.
Yang milan suddenly remembered—he had to go to the city today. Since there was no direct bus, he first needed to reach shallow County and then take a long-distance bus to the city.
Shallow County was twenty kilometers away from Babaoliang Village. To catch the first bus, he had to reach the county before nine o'clock.
While Yang milan was getting dressed, Li mercy had already laid breakfast on the table—porridge, boiled potatoes, and a few extra eggs.
She peeled one egg and placed it in a bowl for him, packing the rest into a small cloth bag. "Take these eggs with you on the road," she said gently. "I also prepared fifty yuan for you. Don't treat yourself poorly while you're away."
Yang milan smiled. "It won't take that much. Just keep thirty yuan ready for me, and some change."
"Take it all," Li mercy insisted. "We're poor at home, but when you're out, you should live well. If you don't spend it, just bring it back."
"Alright." Yang milan nodded.
After eating the warm, loving breakfast, Yang milan kissed maggie 's sleeping little face, slung a canvas bag over his shoulder, and prepared to leave.
Though he repeatedly reassured her that he was only going to the city to look for opportunities, Li mercy heart was still heavy. She felt torn and uneasy.
As Yang milan stepped out the gate, he turned to close it—and caught sight of Li mercy's standing there, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.
Knowing she was overthinking again, he hurried back to her side. Sure enough, tears spilled down her cheeks.
Yang's milan chest ached at the sight. Pulling her into his arms, he whispered softly, "Don't cry. I'll be back soon."
"I… I just feel a little…" Li mercy tried to explain, but her voice broke.
"I know." He stroked her back, leaning close. "Trust me—I'll come back quickly."
Li mercy looked up through her tears and nodded. "Yeah… I believe you."
As he was about to leave again, Yang milan suddenly thought of something and said, "When I come back, let's get the certificate."
Li mercy froze in shock, her eyes wide. "Really?"
Seeing her so overjoyed she was nearly incoherent, Yang's milan heart softened once again.
Because in that era, the rules were strict: once educated youths got married locally, their household registration was permanently tied to the countryside, and they lost the qualification to return to the city.
For Li mercy , this promise meant everything.
Watching Yang's milan back as he walked away, her eyes trembled with tears again. In this marriage, she had always been the one to pursue him first, knowing full well he hadn't chosen her out of love, but out of circumstance.
So, she lived in constant anxiety and fear—terrified that one day, this white-swan-like man would abandon her and their daughter, never to return.