By mid-August, the all-important "double rush" season in the rural South was finally over. The early rice was harvested, the late rice was planted, the grain was dried and stored, the public grain tax was paid, and the surplus was sold. After harvesting the corn and hoeing the bean fields, everyone could finally breathe a sigh of relief. The children could now focus on their summer homework in preparation for the new semester.
Xiao Man had already received her acceptance letter from the Beijing Medical College, but she was in no hurry to head to Beijing. She went to the post office and called the Tang Mansion, the Gu Mansion, and Mr. Tang to explain. She told them she had some things to take care of in the South and would naturally head over when the semester started.
Everyone was understanding. Grandpa Gu told her to take her time and handle her business. While others had to take a week-long train ride, she could get there in half a day on a military plane.
