Chapter 157

In the first year of resuming the college entrance examination, it was not yet a national unified examination paper. Each province independently sets the questions. After comparing the examination papers of various provinces, the admissions office found that although each province had its emphasis, in terms of overall difficulty difference, the province where Su Xiaoxiao was located, Z Province, was relatively more difficult.

But regardless of the province, achieving full marks in mathematics and English, with a total score that far surpassed the first place in other provinces and even the second place in the same province, was enough to be considered a remarkable achievement, almost like that of a genius student.

At first, they thought Su Xiaoxiao was a fresh graduate, but in fact, the majority of the top scorers in each province were recent graduates. Later, after checking the information, they found out that she was one of the earliest batch of delayed examinees, and she was now a mother of four children. She had been excellent in her academic performance since primary school and was the top student in their local high school. If it weren’t for the pause button pressed on the college entrance examination, she would have been a college student ten years ago.

Comrade Su Xiaoxiao has been sharpening her sword for ten years and never stops learning. Even though the college entrance examination has been stopped for ten years, she can still enter higher education as the top scorer in the exam. Which school wouldn’t want such an outstanding student? Such an inspirational life story would surely be written into the school’s history, destined to become a legend.

Minister Jiang really liked the whole family of Su Xiaoxiao. With Su Xiaoxiao achieving such results, he was proud.

“Let’s continue our conversation inside. Don’t just stand at the door.”

The admissions offices of various schools were well aware of Su Xiaoxiao’s resume. They also knew that the serialized stories in the newspaper were recommended by Minister Jiang to persist through them. Therefore, they all came to the publicity department to recruit Su Xiaoxiao.

The teacher from the admissions office of Tsinghua University said, “Su Xiaoxiao, we know that you have strong design skills. Many of the stage and background designs for large-scale evening parties in the Propaganda Department are done by you. Our Tsinghua University Architecture Department is one of the top majors in the country. I believe you also know that our country’s leadership team advocates for social and economic development to go hand in hand. As the saying goes, people’s livelihood is not a small matter, and the most urgent needs of the people are nothing more than clothing, food, housing, and transportation Currently, there is a large number of educated youth returning to the cities. After the resumption of the college entrance examination, there will be millions of talents flowing from rural areas to cities. Let’s not talk about improving the current living environment; it is urgent to provide housing for these talents coming from rural areas. Following this trend of development, I believe that there will be a large number of people migrating to cities for work in the near future. Su Xiaoxiao, our country is really lacking in excellent architects, and it is very much in need of providing these people with a place to live and work. We sincerely hope that you will consider your career direction from the perspective of the overall situation.”

The teacher from Peking University’s admissions office said, “The country’s various industries are in need of talent. Does any industry not lack talent? The construction industry needs Su Xiaoxiao, as well as economic development, industrial development, biological research, and even clothing design and food research… Which field doesn’t need talents like Su Xiaoxiao? Are these not the top programs of our school? Every aspect of promoting social development is indispensable, and each one is as important as building houses. So, Su Xiaoxiao, from this perspective, no matter which school or major you choose, it is beneficial for social development, contributing to the construction of socialism. It’s not necessarily about choosing architecture as a major.”

The teacher from the admissions office of Tsinghua University was furious and said, “You…”

The teacher from the admissions office of the Foreign Studies University tried to smooth things out and said, “Su Xiaoxiao, your English proficiency is so good, and your appearance is also so good. It’s a pity that you won’t be a diplomat and contribute to your country in the future. I know your grades qualify you for any university. Our school’s ranking may not be high, but I still hope you can consider our university.”

In addition, two schools ranked second only to Peking University and Tsinghua University, have also sent people to throw olive branches. Although the chances are slim, we still have to give it a try, right?

Su Xiaoxiao didn’t know if they had made an appointment or if Minister Jiang had arranged for them to gather together in advance, but they all came together on this day.

In her previous life, Su Xiaoxiao had good academic performance. She attended a prestigious university for her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. However, she didn’t reach the level of “college entrance examination top scorer. She had heard of the phenomenon of “offline competition” and was familiar with it. In order to attract talent, these top universities would offer various conditions to the top scorers in the college entrance examination or single subject in various provinces, hoping that they could enroll in their own schools.

She never expected such a thing would happen to her.

Su Xiaoxiao was calm by nature. In her previous life, she was just a mediocre person, not the type to work hard like she had taken chicken blood. In this life, she took the college entrance examination and went to university to fulfill the wishes of the original host and the Su family, not intending to become a great person in the future. In her opinion, her abilities were not so great that she could leave a name on the milestone of building her motherland.

But the teacher from the admissions office seems to be pushing the ducks onto the shelves again. ^[1]It means that the teacher is trying to fit in or deem Su Xiaoxiao equal to those geniuses at a top university, despite not having the qualifications or abilities. In fact, she just wanted to quietly experience what it felt like to be among geniuses at a top university she couldn’t get into in her previous life. She didn’t intend to attract attention. However, her strength does not allow it. She can’t deliberately make mistakes or answer questions incorrectly, even though she knows the answers, right?

“First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to all the teachers for their appreciation. As you all know, I am almost thirty years old and a mother of four. I have always prioritized my family, and Minister Jiang is aware of this. My future career direction was also discussed with my partner a long time ago. Writing, drawing, and design are just my hobbies. I don’t intend to choose related majors. Perhaps in a few years, when my children take the college entrance examination, if they are interested, they may pursue this direction. Additionally, I admire diplomats, and my English is good, so it is my second choice. But sorry, my original intention remains unchanged. Economics at Peking University is still my first choice.”

Su Xiaoxiao’s major in her previous life was architectural design. In this life, she planned to change her major. In fact, she was used to being free and didn’t plan to work in a government institution after graduation. This era is not suitable for freelance work, so she will open her own store and company. As the saying goes, standing at the forefront of the trend, even pigs can fly. She wants to ride the wave of reform and open up; she wants to see how high she can soar.

The teacher from Peking University’s admissions office handed the admission notice to Su Xiaoxiao personally, shook her hand, and said, “Su Xiaoxiao, thank you for choosing our university. On behalf of Peking University, I welcome you.”

Su Xiaoxiao gently shook his hand and said, “Thank you.”

Su Xiaoxiao bowed slightly to the other teachers and said, “I’m sorry for wasting your time by going on this trip, and at the same time, I would like to thank you all.”

The teachers from other schools were prepared for a wasted trip unless the candidate couldn’t go to the major they wanted. Otherwise, no candidate would refuse Peking University and choose another university.

Tsinghua University was the most regretful. Architectural design was their flagship major, and Su Xiaoxiao, with her excellent drawing and design skills, was indeed suitable. “Su Xiaoxiao, are you really not considering architectural design?” the teacher asked.

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head and said, “I’m not considering it anymore, sorry.”

She had studied architecture for so many years. If she didn’t plan to work at an architectural research institute, even if she started her own real estate company, her professional level would be sufficient. She would explore economics, accounting, finance, or international trade after graduation and become a business owner.

After bidding farewell to the admissions officers, Minister Jiang handed Su Xiaoxiao a large envelope. “This is the reward from the organization for you, Comrade Su Xiaoxiao. Thank you for bringing honor to our military region. We hope you can further your studies at a higher institution.”

Su Xiaoxiao reached out to take the envelope and said, “Thank you, Minister Jiang, and also to the organization for their tolerance towards me over the years and care for me and my children over the years.”

Minister Jiang shook his head with a smile and said, “You got it wrong. I should thank you and your children for the contributions you’ve made to the military region. Your children have been providing free labor to the Propaganda Department for so long. I won’t be able to order them around in the future, and I’ll miss them. By the way, is Han Cheng not leaving so soon? What about the children? Are they going with you or waiting for Han Cheng to leave?”

Su Xiaoxiao said, “Han Cheng will also go to the capital with me after the new year. There is already a laboratory that wants to take him, and he will directly take the entrance exam for a master’s degree at Peking University.”

Han Cheng, who is currently studying very hard, has also made a military pledge. His early acceptance by the supervisor to work in the laboratory before taking the entrance exam was a special case, and the condition was that he had to pass the exam no matter what.

Minister Jiang was very regretful. He thought the children would stay for another semester. “The sky is high, and the birds will surely fly. You, your husband, and your children should have a broader world. Now that there are no constraints, your era has officially begun. Go, contribute to the construction of our motherland.”

…………….

The stage setting for the end-of-year cultural performance had been completed. This was also Su Xiaoxiao’s last day working in the propaganda department. Her work had been directly assigned by the leaders, and each task was completed neatly. There wasn’t much to hand over. At noon, Minister Jiang insisted on treating everyone to a meal in the cafeteria as a farewell for Su Xiaoxiao.

Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t refuse, so she asked Yali to take care of the children’s lunch while she had lunch with her colleagues in the cafeteria.

Today was also the day Su Xiaoxiao received the most congratulations. Even when she got married and gave birth to twins, she hadn’t received so many congratulations. Even Su Minglan, who always looked down on her, showed some courtesy. Knowing that Yali was also admitted to Peking University and would soon leave, she was itching with anger. After going to university, she would be pressed down by cadres everywhere. The former university student, Jiang Xue, was an example. It was said that she had transferred to a civilian cadre in the Cultural Troupe of the Capital Military Region, and almost everything in the Cultural Troupe was under her control. She only needed to direct others to perform; she rarely went on stage herself.

Su Minglan also wants to turn the tide. She sounds like a pillar of the stage as a literary and artistic worker now, but she can’t always be a stage performer. She is already in her thirties, and if she continues to act, she can only play the role of an old lady. She doesn’t want to perform on stage for the rest of her life. She had to find a way out.

In the afternoon, after completing all the handover work, Su Xiaoxiao bid farewell to her colleagues with whom she had worked for several years, holding the envelope filled with the organization’s love, and left the Propaganda Department building.

From afar, she saw Han Cheng, standing tall, leaning against the car with his arms crossed. He was gazing at the slightly red clouds in the distance, his eyes gentle and distant, with a slight smile on his lips, as if lost in thought.

“Han Cheng,” Su Xiaoxiao called out with a smile in her eyes.

Han Cheng turned his head, watching his gentle wife run towards him. She was still wearing the cashmere coat he had brought back from the capital years ago. Her facial features were beautiful, with a gentle smile, just like when they first met five or six years ago.

Han Cheng’s lips curled to the fullest, and he opened his arms to embrace his wife, who was running towards him. He didn’t care about being reserved or the norms of these times. He hugged his gentle wife tightly. He turned his head and kissed her on the cheek. “Congratulations, my Xiaoxiao; congratulations on fulfilling your wish.”

Su Xiaoxiao heard more congratulations today than ever before, but none compared to Han Cheng’s words, “fulfilling your wish.” Yes, this was the wish she and the entire Su family had been waiting for for a long ten years. She had finally fulfilled her wish.

Su Xiaoxiao’s eyes warmed, and she gently kissed Han Cheng’s cheek. “Let’s go tell our parents the good news.”

Back then, almost the entire village ridiculed the Su family, saying that studying was useless, that peasants couldn’t go to university, and that a girl studying so much would only end up as an old spinster. They even said that Su Weimin was overestimating himself, raising his daughter for the sake of climbing up the social ladder, and so on. The Su family didn’t know how much harsher their words had been.

It was almost six o’clock when Su Xiaoxiao finally dialed the phone number of the Sujia commune.

It seemed like Su Weimin had been waiting by the phone the whole time, as he picked up after the first ring. Su Xiaoxiao was originally quite calm, but when he heard Su Weimin’s excited voice saying, “Hello, is this my daughter?”

Tears welled up in Su Xiaoxiao’s eyes when she heard Su Weimin’s excited voice. “Dad, it’s me. I got into university! Your daughter hasn’t disappointed you, nor has she brought shame to you. Your years of hard work with Mom have not been in vain. I will enter Peking University as the provincial liberal arts top scorer. Dad, you can now proudly tell those ignorant commune members who used to say that studying is useless. Tell them that knowledge can change one’s fate, and girls can break out of the countryside through education to live the life they want!”