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nAt the thought of this, Qiao Mei’s eyes lit up. She looked at her grandfather and said, “Grandfather, I’ll write to him, but you have to help me and teach me how to write. I’ve forgotten most of the words by now!”

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n“Okay, okay, okay.”

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nAs they spoke about this, Qiao Qiang nodded with a smile.

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nIt would be best if Qiao Mei had the inclination to study. All his years of studies would not go to waste and he could impart everything he knew to Mei Mei.

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nJoy flashed across Qiao Mei’s eyes.

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nNot only would she write to Xia Zhe, but she would learn more words at a reasonable speed. In the near future, she would want to take the college entrance examination and go to university!

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nShe was not willing to be an illiterate person forever.

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nBesides, looking at the time period, the college entrance examination would be resuming next year. Naturally, she had to prepare early.

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nThe college entrance examination was a good opportunity for upward social mobility!

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nAfter all, she had married Xia Zhe. His background was not an ordinary one and he might still be reluctant to accept a countryside woman like her. Perhaps even the children she was carrying would be mocked and ridiculed.

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nIn order for her children and herself not to be looked down upon, she must work hard and get into university.

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nQiao Mei took out a few books from the wooden box under Qiao Qiang’s bed. These books were left over from Qiao Qiang’s school days and they were good options for use as Qiao Mei’s beginner books.

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nQiao Mei took out the books and flipped through them to get ready for her lessons the next day.

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nThe next morning, the two of them started their lessons after breakfast.

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nVery quickly, Qiao Mei showed great aptitude for studying. She only needed to go through the words that Qiao Qiang taught her for two or three times before memorizing them well. Moreover, the speed at which she was learning did not cause Qiao Qiang to feel that something was wrong.

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nAfter a day of studying, Qiao Qiang nodded with a smile and said in satisfaction, “My Mei Mei is just so smart!”

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nIn one day, he had almost taught her all the words he knew.

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n…

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nThe next morning, Xiao Liu came again in a car.

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nHe put down the empty basket and said happily to Qiao Mei, “Now we want more bean sprouts, as much as you have! I brought you 1,000 catties of green beans this time!”

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nAfter they brought the bean sprouts back yesterday, they all ate to their heart’s content.

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nEven the leader who came by for inspection was happy with it.

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nThe leader said jokingly, “Section Head Chen, when there’s such good stuff, don’t keep it for yourself. Share with all of us!”

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nThe leader was joking but Chen Hu dared not treat it as a joke. Naturally, he had to try his best to satisfy his leader.

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nHe immediately replied, “We had taken this from a production brigade. If our leaders want it, we definitely have to satisfy them.”

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nThe leader smiled but said nothing. Only then was he satisfied.

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nOf course, these bean sprouts were not given for free. Even if they were taken from a production brigade, they needed to be paid for.

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nSo now, in addition to providing for the armed forces, they also had to give each of these leaders 400 to 500 catties of bean sprouts every day. Based on these calculations, there was a need for production of a lot of bean sprouts every day.

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nXiao Liu asked with uncertainty, “How much bean sprouts can you grow in a day? We have a great demand here!”

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n“Probably about 1,000 catties a day. Anything more than that, the quality might be compromised,” Qiao Mei said after some thought.

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nThe maximum amount of bean sprouts that she could grow would be around 1,000 catties, which was about 13 to 14 baskets.

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nIf she were to grow more, it would probably attract attention. There was a limit to what a person could do.

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nShe had to act like a normal person and could not let anyone notice that something was out of the ordinary.

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n“Alright! Then when can you get the first batch done?” Xiao Liu asked. “At that time, I’ll bring the car to collect the bean sprouts!”

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nIt was now 1,000 catties.

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nIn the past, the amount was 100 catties and it could be transported by train. The bean sprouts could be loaded during a train stop. But it was different now as 1,000 catties could not be loaded onto the train in an instant.

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nQiao Mei thought for a moment. “In four or five days. By then, 1,000 catties of bean sprouts will be ready and you can come and get them then.”

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n“Okay!” Xiao Liu was quite happy.

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nNow that there were 1,000 catties of bean sprouts being produced, he could eat bean sprouts every day. These were crisp and good bean sprouts!

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