Chapter 3 third chapter

Aspen was dressed in white, like an angel.We're in the Carolinas and there's no one else around, just the two of us, but we don't miss anyone either.Aspen weaved me a crown out of twigs, and we were together in good standing. "America!" My mother yelled excitedly, pulling me back from my dream. She turned on the light, and the sudden light almost blinded me. I rubbed my eyes hard a few times before I got used to it. "Get up, America, I have a plan for you." I glanced at the alarm clock, it was seven o'clock in the morning, so it should be... about five hours of sleep.

"Do you want me to sleep more?" I said inarticulately. "No, baby, I have something important to discuss with you." I struggled to sit up, with messy clothes and a chicken coop on my head.Mom kept clapping her hands, as if it would make me go faster. "Come on, America! I need you to wake up." I yawned a second time. "What are you trying to do?" I said. "I want you to submit the application form to participate in the selection of Fei, you will definitely be a very good Faye Wong!" It was too early to face this at seven o'clock.

"Mom, I really don't..." Sighing, I remembered the promise I made to Aspen last night: at least I would sign up.But after dawn, at this moment, I really can't guarantee that I can do it. "I know you don't want to participate, but I've thought of an exchange and see if you change your mind." My ears perked up immediately.What would she have in exchange for me? "Your father spoke to me last night and you're old enough that we think you can take jobs on your own. You're as good at the piano as I am and you could be perfect at the violin if you tried a little harder. Perfect. And your voice, I dare say no one in this province can match you."

I forced a smile: "Mom, thank you for the compliment." I don't really want to work alone, so I don't understand how this condition attracts me. "Hey, not only that, you can now take jobs and perform by yourself... You can keep half of the money you earn." When she said this, her expression was a little painful. I suddenly became energetic, and my eyes lit up. "However, the condition is that you go to sign up to choose Fei." Now she is smiling, she knows that I may still be a little bit resistant, but I will definitely change my mind in the end.But how could I object?I had already decided to sign up, and it's even better now that I can keep some of the money I earned!

"You know, I can only agree to sign up, but it's impossible to force them to choose me, right?" "I know, but it's worth a try." "Oh, Mom!" I was still surprised and couldn't help shaking my head, "Okay, I'll fill out the application today. Are you serious about the money?" "Of course, sooner or later you have to be self-reliant, and it will be good for you to learn to manage your own finances. There is only one thing I want you to remember, please don't forget your family, we still need you." "Of course I won't forget you, Mom, how can I forget you, you've been thinking about it all day?" I gave her a mischievous wink, and she laughed.In this way, we agreed to each other's quid pro quo.

I took a shower and took the opportunity to reflect on all the events of the past twenty-four hours.I only need to fill out a form to gain the approval of my family, make Aspen happy, and earn money for my future marriage with Aspen! I wasn't so worried about money, but Aspen insisted we had to have some savings before we got married.Those legal procedures still require some fees, and we hope to have a party after the wedding to invite relatives and friends.I think it shouldn't take too long to save that amount once we're ready.Maybe, in the future, he will trust my ability, and I can take on a few bigger jobs so that we won't be stretched all the time.

After I showered, I styled my hair and celebrated with a little makeup.I went to the wardrobe to look for clothes, but there was really no choice, most of the clothes were beige, brown or green.I have a few better dresses from the show, but they're all out of style.This is the case, the 6th and 7th classes wear almost exclusively denim, which must be a hard-wearing material; Throw on the overalls while the singers and dancers just need to look good for the show.The upper class occasionally wears khakis or denim, but only when these materials are taken to new design heights.It's not enough that they have so much, they turn our necessities into luxuries.

I put on a pair of khaki shorts and a tight green top with a belted waist, which is already my best casual attire.Before going to the living room, I took a closer look at myself. Today I think I am quite beautiful, probably because of the excitement in my eyes. Mum and Dad sat at the kitchen table, humming a little tune, and they looked up at me a few times, but today their eyes didn't affect my mood at all. I picked up the notice and felt such a good quality letter paper, I was a little surprised, because I have never touched something so good in the hand, the thickness and texture, the weight, I suddenly realized that this is What a big deal.Two words flashed through my mind: What if?

But I can only shake my head to dismiss the thought and pick up the pen. Everything is quite simple, fill in my name, age, grade and contact information.Also fill in height, weight, hair, and eye and skin color.I am quite proud when I write that I am trilingual, many people are bilingual, but my mother insisted that I learn French and Spanish because in some parts of the country they are still spoken. language.Knowing both languages ​​is helpful for singing, there are so many beautiful pieces in French.The form also asks to fill in the highest degree, which is not standard, because only the children in the sixth and seventh grades need to go to public schools to have the so-called degree.I'm almost done writing the education column, and under special skills, I wrote singing and the instruments I know.

"Do you think sleeping late is a special skill?" I asked my father deliberately and seriously. "Yeah, go ahead. Don't forget to include your ability to eat a meal in less than five minutes, too." His answer made me laugh out loud.It's true, I do gobble it up sometimes. "Oh, you two! Why don't you write that you're a wild man!" Mom walked out of the living room angrily. I really couldn't understand why she was so anxious, after all, she had got what she wanted. I looked at Dad suspiciously. "She just wants the best for you, that's all." He relaxes back in his chair and continues to work on his work, which is due at the end of the month.

"You too, but you've never been this angry," I commented. "Yeah, but your mother and I disagree on 'for your own good'." He gave me a quick smile.I inherited this mouth from my father, and this habit of blurting out my mouth often gets me into trouble.My temper is inherited from my mother, but she can keep her mouth shut when it comes to important things, unlike me now... "Dad, if I were to marry someone from the sixth or seventh degree, someone I really love, would you agree?" Dad put the mug down and focused on me, trying not to let my expression give anything away.He sighed, very heavy and full of sadness. "Ami, if you love someone from the eighth rank, I want you to marry him too. But you have to know that under the pressure of marriage, love will slowly dissipate. Someone you think you love now , may one day become someone you hate because he can't give you what you need. Also, it's only worse when you can't take care of your own children. Love is often no match for firewood, salt, oil and rice pressure." Dad's hands took mine, and I looked into his eyes, trying to hide my worry. "No matter what, I just want you to get true love. You deserve to be cherished by others. I hope you are lucky enough to marry for love, not for reality." He didn't say exactly what I wanted to hear: I could marry for love, not reality.But this is already the best version. "Thank you Dad." "Don't be too hard on mom, she's just doing it for you." He kissed my forehead and went to work. I could only sigh and fill out the form.What makes me feel most awkward about this incident is that my family makes me feel that I can't pursue myself at all; however, no matter how unhappy they are, they are not wrong in the long run.In front of life, we are not qualified to talk about pursuit. Picking up the completed application form, I went to the backyard to find my mother.She was mending clothes, and Xiaomei was sitting under a nearby tree doing her homework.Aspen used to complain about how strict the public school teachers were, but I figured they couldn't compare to my mom, and it's a hot day now. "Did you really fill it out?" Xiaomei asked cheerfully. "Of course." "Why did you change your mind?" "Mom is very persuasive." Although I had something to say, my mother obviously didn't think there was anything wrong with her bribery. "Mom, we will go to the service office when you are ready." She squeezed out a smile: "This is my good daughter. Go get your things, we are leaving now, and I will submit your application as soon as possible." I obediently went to get my shoes and bag, and stopped when I passed the door of Gerald's room, because he was staring at a white canvas, unable to do anything.We had Gerald try out various art options, but none of them worked.Can't we see the scuffed soccer ball in the corner of the room and the second-hand microscope he paid for after the Christmas show, that his heart is not in the arts. "Not much inspiration today, eh?" I walked into his room. "Maybe you can try carving like Keta. Your hands are so flexible, I believe you will do well." "I don't want to learn to carve, I don't want to paint or play the piano, I just want to play football." He kicked the worn-out carpet on the floor. "I know. You can play football as a hobby, but you need to find a skill that makes you a living. You can do both." "But why?" he whined. "You know why, it's the law." "But it's not fair!" Gerald knocked the canvas to the ground, raising a cloud of dust in the sunlight from the window. "It's not our fault that our grandfather or ancestors were poor." "I know." It does seem unfair enough to limit everyone's life choices based on how much their ancestors contributed to the government, but it's the way our society has worked for so long that perhaps I should be more grateful for what we now enjoy Calmly, "In that era, this should be the only effective method." He didn't say anything else, I sighed, lifted the canvas stand and put it back in place.This is the status quo of his life, and it is impossible to change it with a wave of his hand. "You don't have to give up your hobbies, boy. But you want to help mom and dad, and you want to grow up and get married and have kids, don't you?" I poked him in the face. He stuck out his tongue in feigned disgust, and we all giggled. "America!" Mom yelled in the hallway. "What are you dawdling about?" "Come on!" I said loudly, and turned to Gerald again. "I know it hurts, but there's nothing else to do, okay?" I knew in my heart that this was really not good at all, very bad. Mum and I walked to the service office and only took the bus if we were going far away or to work, after all it was ugly to show up in a sweaty 2nd class home and they wouldn't look us in the face.Today's weather is very suitable for walking, and the distance is not too far. Even before we got to the service office, we could see from a distance that we weren't the only ones who wanted to submit their registration forms as soon as possible, the street where the Carolina service office is located was already lined up with ladies. Several of the girls in the front line were my neighbors, and they arrived early, waiting to get into the office.There were four people in the line, and they turned back at the end of the street, as if all the girls in the province had signed up.In this situation, I don't know whether I should be afraid or relieved. "Magda!" My mother's name was called, and we turned that way at the same time. Celia and Campbell approached us following Aspen's mother.She must have taken the day off on purpose to come here, for both daughters had done their best to look neat and tidy.Although they don't have beautiful costumes and make-up, Jin Bao and Celia have the same black hair and charming smile as Aspen, and like him, they look good in anything. His mother smiled at me, and I smiled back.Although I only get a chance to talk to his mom occasionally, I really like her, she's always been so nice to me, but not because I'm a class above her, she's just kind hearted, and I've seen her wear the kids down The clothes are given to more difficult families. "Hello, Lena. Campbell, Celia, how are you?" Mom greeted them. "Very good!" they replied in unison. "You guys look great today," I said, pushing one of Celia's curls back from my shoulders. "We want to take better photos." Jin Bao announced. "Take a picture?" I asked. "That's right." Aspen's mother said in a low voice, "I was cleaning an official's house yesterday, and I heard that this random selection is not true in essence, that's why they took these photos and asked you to fill in so much information .If it's really random, what does it matter how many languages ​​you speak?" I also thought it was funny when filling out this question, but I thought the information was for preparation after being drawn. "It seems that the news of this incident has leaked out. You see, many girls are all dressed up." I glanced at the line, Mama Aspen was right, there was a big difference between those with intelligence and those without.The girl behind us was clearly seventh class, and still in overalls.The photo might not capture her muddy boots, but the layer of dust on her body will not be able to capture it.A little further back was another girl from the seventh class, wearing a tool belt, and the only thing that could be called clean was her face. At the other extreme, there is a girl in front of me. She has her hair up, leaving a few curly hair to set off her face, while the girl next to her is obviously second-class in her attire. This one has a neckline It's almost on the stomach.There are also a few who have thick makeup like clowns. They really work hard. Although I don't put much effort into grooming, I'm pretty neat.Like those 7th grade girls, I didn't know that I needed to pay attention to grooming.I was suddenly worried. But why?I controlled myself and organized my thoughts. I didn't want to participate in the first place, so if I wasn't pretty enough, that would be a good reason.I'll be a class below the beauty of Aspen's sisters, because they're naturally beautiful and look even better with a little grooming.If either Campbell or Celia wins, the entire Aspen family will be promoted.My mother will definitely not let me marry because the first rank I want to marry is not a prince.So, it's great that I didn't receive the intel beforehand. "You're right," Mom said, "that girl made it look like she was going to a Christmas party." She laughed.I can hear the dissatisfaction in her laughter, she is dissatisfied that the current situation is not good for me. "I don't understand why these girls are doing this, look at America, she's so pretty! I think you're right not to go their way," said Mrs. Ledger. "I'm nothing special, who would choose me over Campbell or Celia?" I winked at them.They all laughed, and my mother forced a smile too.She must be struggling in her heart, whether to force me to run home and change clothes. "That's not true! Every time Aspen goes to your house to help with work, he always says that everyone in the Singer family is beautiful and talented." Mother Aspen continued. "Did he really say that? What a good boy!" my mother sighed in a low voice. "Yes, there is no better son than him, and he works very hard to support this family." "He's going to make some girl very happy in the future." My mother was only half-focused on the conversation, looking over at the other girls in the line. Mrs. Ledger looked around hurriedly: "Let me tell you privately, I think he already has someone in his heart." I was stunned, not knowing whether to say something, whether or not to say it would reveal my little secret. "What kind of girl is it?" my mother asked.There's still time for gossip at the very same time she's planning to marry me off to a stranger. "I don't know! I haven't seen it, I just think he's dating someone, because he seems to be much happier recently." She replied brightly. recent?We've all been talking for two years, why only recently? "He's actually humming," Celia added. "That's right, I even sang it." Jin Bao agreed. "He sings?" I exclaimed. "Oh, yes!" they answered in unison. "Then he must be dating someone!" my mom chimed in. "I don't know which girl it is." "You're asking me, I can only say that she should be a very nice girl. He has worked hard in the past few months, even harder than usual. I know he is saving money, and he must want to get married." I took an uncontrollable breath, but they all thought I was just surprised by the good news. "I'm so happy," she went on, "I'm in love with this girl even if he's not ready to tell us who it is. He's smiling now and looks so content. Herrick After passing, we had a hard time, Aspen took too much, no matter who can make him so happy, I love her as my own daughter." "She's a lucky girl, your Aspens are so good," my mother said. I can't believe that he started saving money just to be with me when his family's food and clothing are a problem!I really don't know whether to scold him or kiss him, I'm really... so happy that I don't know what to say. He really intends to propose to me! Now that's the only thing on my mind.Aspen, Aspen, Aspen.At the same time, I lined up, went to the window to sign, declared that all the information filled in the form was true, and then went to take a photo.I sat in that chair, ran my hands through my hair to look lively, and turned to face the camera. I don't think there is any other girl in the Kingdom of Elia who smiles more heartily than I do.