Jiefang Shoes on the Muddy Road

Rural people who were born in the 1970s have a deep understanding after reading this novel. At that time, material conditions and spiritual food were quite scarce. In childhood, they did not feel it because of their ignorance, but they were full of happiness. But once they become sensible, they realize how difficult life is, especially for the parents. How can it be summed up by the word "hardship"? At that time, basically every family had several children. The parents knew that there was only one way for their children to escape the fate of facing the loess and back to the sky, and that was to study. It is often said that children of poor people become rich early, and Xu Ping, the protagonist of the novel, proves this point. Family conditions have molded the young Xu Ping into a sensible child. The 14-year-old Xu Ping became enlightened and realized that studying is the only way out for farmers, and it is also the best way to honor his family and repay his parents. In primary school, the diligent Xu Ping was cared for by his family at home and accompanied by his childhood friends, and his academic performance continued to rise. When I went to junior high school, I met Cheng Ling, the protagonist of the novel. Cheng Ling was from the city. She was born in an educational family and was better than Xu Ping in all aspects. However, Cheng Ling did not despise Xu Ping, a boy from the countryside, but instead tried her best to help and encourage him. After studying and living in junior high school for three years, Cheng Ling and Xu Ping formed a deep friendship as classmates, and of course there was also a trace of unexplained youthful feelings. Both of them had excellent grades and were just around the corner to jump out of the dragon gate. But fate played a trick on Xu Ping. He was replaced by the normal school, which was a huge blow to Xu Ping. Unwilling to be reconciled, he continued to go to high school and wanted to take another path to jump out of the dragon gate. At this time, Cheng Ling also kept helping and encouraging him, but things went against his wishes and he failed in the college entrance examination for the first time. Xu Ping still didn't give up and repeated his studies for a year, but luck still didn't take pity on him. Completely desperate, Xu Ping went south alone and used his diligence, expertise, and persistence to carve out the path he wanted to take. Although the journey was full of hardships, Cheng Ling always had silent support and encouragement. Although they were thousands of miles apart, Xu Ping would never forget that friendship. The ending of the novel is happy and warm. It is a true and touching period novel.