Chapter 025: Winter Vacation

Yang Tian’s spoken English was even better than Teacher Wang Jun’s, which left Wang Jun, who had persistently lingered around Bao Yuehong, feeling utterly humiliated. He had hoped to impress Bao Yuehong, but this young boy, just starting his first year of middle school, gave him no opportunity at all.

In the days that followed, Wang Jun no longer clung to Bao Yuehong. Instead, he greeted her with a bitter smile and hurried away.

Because of this, Bao Yuehong grew even more fond of Yang Tian, this tiny boy. She hadn’t expected his English to be so good—she had been tutoring him all along. What troubled her most was that this little rascal, whose English was already excellent, still pretended to be a struggling student, lingering in her office for extra lessons. He hid his abilities so well.

She sensed that Yang Tian was different from other children. He seemed more mature, calm, and composed, almost like an adult. Whenever she thought of this, she couldn’t help but smile.

Soon, the winter holiday arrived. For children—whether in elementary, middle, high school, or college—it was the happiest of holidays, tied to the New Year celebrations and long days off.

The first-year students’ final exams passed without much fuss. Chen Ming ranked first in class, Yang Tian second, Huang Juan third, Sun Hui fourth, and An Qi fifth. All five placed within the top fifteen in the school and each received a hundred yuan scholarship.

Yang Tian had intended to take the top spot, but knowing Chen Ming’s family held high hopes for him, and seeing how diligently Chen Ming studied, Yang Tian couldn’t bring himself to take first place away, despite his own advantages.

But he wouldn’t let second place slip by—he wanted to make Yang Bao and his wife proud.

When he handed the award certificate and scholarship money to Yang Bao and his wife, both were so happy they couldn’t sleep all night. Their laughter filled the house, forcing Yang Xueling to squeeze into bed with Yang Tian again.

Huang Biao and his wife were equally delighted. Huang Juan brought home her own scholarship and certificate, and together with Yang Tian, received the school’s “Outstanding Student” award. The bright red stamp on the certificate made Huang Biao smile for days—he hummed tunes as he walked, and when neighbors praised his daughter, he laughed even louder, insisting it was nothing, though in his heart, he felt happier than when he’d married.

The children’s winter holiday was filled with joy—play, fireworks, new clothes for the New Year, candies—all their favorite things. When two children met, the first question was about the new clothes they’d wear for the holiday, then what they’d eat and play.

Yang Tian was indifferent to these things, but Yang Xueling loved it all. Even Huang Juan spent her days grinning at her pale-red jacket.

While other village girls still wore floral cotton coats, her aunt Zhong Qian in the city had bought her a little jacket just as warm. She’d secretly shown it off to Yang Tian days ago, and it highlighted her slim, budding figure.

“Brother, brother, Er Hua’s family bought so many fireworks—they’re so much fun!” One morning, as Yang Tian sat reading by the door, Yang Xueling bounced over, her face full of envy.

The big snow of ‘94 had come late, only just before the New Year. The Willow Tree Village was now blanketed in thick snow, a world of white bustling with cheerful figures. Adults prepared holiday goods, children built snowmen and played with fireworks. Not every family could afford many fireworks—most bought just enough for New Year’s, to make their children happy. Only families who’d made some money splurged, both to delight their kids and to show off to neighbors. Villagers were somewhat old-fashioned and cared much about appearances.

Yang Bao and Huang Biao had made their fortune back in ‘91 during the grain boom. These past years, they lived off a few acres, saving for their children’s tuition, with no extra money for fireworks.

Huang Biao had many relatives in the city, but he was too proud to accept their help unless necessary. Even when Zhong Qian bought Huang Juan a jacket, Huang Biao insisted on paying her back. If not for Zhong Qian’s persuasiveness, the matter would not have been settled.

So Huang Juan’s family didn’t buy many fireworks either.

“What’s so fun about fireworks? If you’re not careful, they’ll blow up in your hand!” Yang Tian had already planned to surprise Yang Xueling every New Year, to make her happy. Fireworks were nothing—he had something even better in mind, but kept it a secret for now.

“That’s true. One firework costs twenty cents! Mom sells an egg for twenty cents. Not worth it, not fun at all!” Yang Xueling pouted, though Yang Tian could see she really wanted to play. What child didn’t love fireworks?

“That’s right. I’ll take you to play something much better—and it’s free!” Yang Tian closed his book and stood up with a smile.

“Really? Let’s go!” Yang Xueling instantly perked up, jumping to his side.

Yang Tian took her little hand and led her to the grassy field south of the Bailang River. Now, it was a snowy wonderland, untouched by footsteps. The snow was thick and pristine, as the path wasn’t a village road and the cold kept people away.

“Come on, I’ll show you how to play train—chugga chugga… clang clang!” Yang Tian jumped onto a patch of untouched snow, pressed his heels together, toes apart, and moved forward, leaving deep and shallow footprints like train tracks.

Seeing this, Yang Xueling burst into laughter and joined him, sometimes following behind, sometimes hopping to his left or right, mimicking his movements: “Chugga chugga! Clang clang!”

Soon, two rows of neat footprints appeared in the snow, one big, one small. The cold wind blew, swirling snowflakes, mixing with the siblings’ pure laughter.

The next day, the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, all the village children learned to play train. Yang Xueling proudly led the way, and everyone followed her by the Bailang River. Even those with fireworks forgot them for a while, falling in love with the train game.

Village children had only seen trains on TV, so the idea of playing train fascinated them—even some childish adults joined in.

Seeing this, Yang Tian shook his head and smiled. If playing train could make Yang Xueling so happy, he wondered just how much joy his next surprise would bring. He waited eagerly for his sister’s laughter and delight.