Chapter 43 Mother, This Cannot Be Rushed

Su Yan's receding footsteps slowly faded away, leaving the educated youth dormitory in a brief silence.

Zhang Li was the first to break the stillness. "Xiaoyun, you just said you'd help Su Yan return to the city? Is that reliable?"

The other educated youths gathered around, anticipation glittering in their eyes. After all, in this era, returning to the city was the greatest wish in every educated youth's heart.

Li Xiaoyun maintained a calm expression as she glanced at the crowd. "That's a long story, but mostly it depends on oneself. The connections Xiangyang has can, at best, help introduce and recommend someone."

"Well... that's still a good opportunity," a female educated youth whispered.

Li Xiangyang, standing nearby, chimed in, "Opportunities exist for everyone. I hear various units are hiring these days, but the key is having genuine skills."

"Exactly," Li Xiaoyun took over the conversation. "Take me, for instance. I want to be a teacher. But I know that merely having someone recommend me isn't enough; if I fail the examination, no recommendation will do any good. Think about it—if someone recommends you and you still fail the test, it's not just your own face you're losing."

Her words silenced everyone present. It was true: no matter who made the recommendation, there was no guarantee of returning to the city; personal effort was still required. Besides, if you asked someone for a favor only to humiliate yourself in the end, how could you face them afterward?

"It's getting late," Li Xiangyang said, looking at the night sky outside the window. "Xiaoyun, I'll walk you back to your room."

The two turned and left. Several female educated youths looked at Li Xiangyang's retreating back with a trace of regret in their eyes. Who would have thought that a village fellow could not only hunt to support his family, but also know people capable of recommending educated youths for city returns?

"You know, if back then..." a female educated youth whispered to her companion.

Before she finished, she saw the other person nodding with an identical expression of remorse.

"Sigh, Li Xiaoyun certainly has a sharp eye..." another female educated youth said with a sour tone. "She's stolen a march on everyone, and Su Yan benefited from it too."

"Alright, you guys, didn't you hear what Li Xiaoyun said? If you want to return to the city, you have to rely on real skills. Meeting each other here is a matter of fate. If I manage to return to the city, I'll recommend you, but you have to strive for yourselves as well..." Seeing the atmosphere getting slightly out of hand, and genuinely afraid some people might stray onto the wrong path, Zhang Li stepped forward to say.

"That makes sense. Let me thank you in advance, Sister Li," someone agreed.

After offering their thanks to Zhang Li one after another, the crowd gradually dispersed. Zhang Li also turned to return to her room, but Wang Xiulan grabbed her sleeve.

Wang Xiulan lowered her voice. "Zhang Li, what do you think of Li Xiangyang..."

Zhang Li said with a serious expression, "Xiulan, don't entertain any crooked thoughts. Li Xiangyang and Li Xiaoyun's relationship is already settled. We folks at the educated youth point must not act like Su Yan."

"I didn't mean it that way," Wang Xiulan blushed. "I just wanted to ask, do you think what he said is true? Are various units really hiring right now?"

Zhang Li's expression softened. "I actually heard about that. A few days ago, my second brother wrote a letter saying his factory is hiring workers. However..."

"However what?"

"However, they want people with technical skills," Zhang Li sighed. "My second brother said things are not like before; all units are raising their requirements."

Wang Xiulan looked thoughtful. "Then we..."

Zhang Li patted her shoulder. "You, oh you! Instead of dwelling on unrealistic things, you'd better figure out how to acquire some genuine skills. Didn't you always say you wanted to learn accounting?"

"But..."

"No buts. I know a bit about accounting myself; if you don't understand something, you can ask me," Zhang Li interrupted her. "There are many paths to returning to the city now, but every single path relies on real capability. Look at Li Xiaoyun—she wants to be a teacher, and she's already preparing for it."

Wang Xiulan nodded, a trace of determination flashing in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Li Xiangyang, having escorted Li Xiaoyun back to her room, turned and walked toward his own home. Under the moonlight, his steps were brisk as he planned his route into the mountains for the next day. Life had to go on, and the tasks that needed doing could not be neglected. Whether it was hunting to support his family or helping Li Xiaoyun prepare for her examination, he had to take it step by solid step. Thinking this, he naturally quickened his pace.

Upon returning home and entering the courtyard, the dark cat leaped down from under the eaves. It gracefully circled Li Xiangyang's ankles twice, as if asking why he had returned so late.

"You fellow," Li Xiangyang chuckled softly, "waiting for me here again."

Pushing open the door, he saw the room was still brightly lit. Mother Li was busy by the stove and, seeing him return, promptly brought out a bowl of hot soup.

"Drink this to warm up," Mother Li said with a smile. "I'm so happy seeing you and Xiaoyun together."

"Mom, why aren't you asleep yet?" Li Xiangyang took the bowl. It gave off an enticing aroma—it was broth simmered from the bones of a roe deer he had hunted.

"How could I sleep?" Mother Li sat across from him, her eyes full of joy. "My son, all I hope for is to see you settle down and establish your life. That girl Xiaoyun—she seems very earnest to me."

"Yes," Li Xiangyang smiled. "I think she's wonderful too."

"Then hurry up and settle things," Mother Li urged. "Take advantage of the festive season to invite a matchmaker."

Li Xiangyang set down the bowl and said earnestly, "Mom, this can't be rushed. Xiaoyun is a city girl; the fact that she doesn't look down on us now shows she has a broad horizon and a generous heart. But I also need to win the approval of her family."

Mother Li's expression shifted slightly. "You're right. I was just too happy and oversimplified things."

"Mom, don't worry." Li Xiangyang grasped his mother's hand. "I know what I'm doing. Right now, I don't have any other skills besides this hunting craft. Once I hunt more game and make our life better, I will go ask for her hand proudly, so no one can look down upon us."

"Good boy," Mother Li's eyes grew slightly moist. "Mom was just afraid you'd be too impatient."

"I'm not in a rush," Li Xiangyang smiled. "Xiaoyun understands too. We'll take our time getting to know each other and live our lives well; everything will fall into place naturally."

His earnest words made Mother Li nod repeatedly. She knew deep down her son was right—this marriage indeed could not be rushed.

Nearby, Li Xiaohua chimed in, "Brother, I'm sure Sister Li will definitely wait for you."

"You little girl, what do you know?" Li Xiangyang tapped his sister's forehead with a smile. "Go to sleep early. If you can't sleep, read a book."

"Ah, Brother, in the middle of the night, read what book? You don't love me anymore."

After making her exaggerated remark, Li Xiaohua laughed at herself.

The family chatted and joked until the moon hung high in the center of the sky before everyone retired to rest.

Early the next morning, Li Xiangyang got up to prepare for the trip into the mountains. The dark cat was already waiting by the door; seeing him emerge, it immediately leaped onto his shoulder.

"Let's go," Li Xiangyang said softly. "Let's find something good today."

The dark cat let out a gentle "meow" on his shoulder, as if in response.

In the deep winter mountains, all was silent. Snow covered everything; only his footprints and the cat's wound their way across the vast, white snowfield.

Li Xiangyang walked very slowly, carefully observing the traces around him.