Chapter 84

"Michael, how come the news about the college entrance exam resuming came so suddenly?" Daniel River squatted on the doorstep, cracking wild walnuts between his teeth.

Michael Stone paused while repairing his hoe. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows across his chiseled face.

"The educated youth from the city are studying like mad," Daniel spat out a shell. "They say if you get into college, the government pays you, and assigns you a job after graduation."

Michael's grip tightened on the hoe. He remembered Emily Johnson's focused profile as she bent over her books, her slender fingers turning the pages.

"Michael, you graduated high school too," Daniel suddenly leaned closer. "Why don't you take the exam?"

The hoe clattered to the ground. Michael looked up to see the eager glint in Daniel's eyes.

"Me?" His voice came out hoarse. "There are still two kids at home..."

"If Emily passes the exam, you two would..." Daniel trailed off, but the implication was clear.

Something heavy struck Michael's chest. He thought of the abandoned husbands in the village, their hollow stares.

"I'll...think about it."

The two men gathered walnuts in silence deep in the mountains. Michael's basket gradually filled, yet his heart felt emptier by the minute.

"Michael, that enough?" Daniel wiped his brow.

"Yeah." Michael answered absently. Rabbits scurried frantically in their trap as he mechanically grabbed one.

"Take it to Samuel's family."

On the way back, villagers eyed Michael's full basket curiously.

"Michael, been to the mountains?" a commune member called out.

"Just gathering walnuts," he replied curtly, not breaking stride.

Two small figures came barreling toward him at the doorstep.

"Daddy!"

Michael caught his children in his arms, but his gaze instinctively searched for that familiar silhouette.

In the kitchen, Emily fed firewood into the stove. Flames danced across her fair complexion, damp tendrils clinging to her forehead.

"Dinner ready?" He set down the basket.

"Waiting for you to cook the vegetables." She looked up, eyes bright.

At the table, watching his wife serve their children, Michael suddenly said, "I'll plant some turnips and cabbage in our private plot this afternoon."

Emily's chopsticks stilled. "Alright."

She didn't see the turmoil in her husband's eyes. Michael shoveled rice into his mouth, his mind a stormy sea.

The college entrance exam loomed between them like a great divide. And he—he had to make a choice.