Everyone was determined to ensure Xia Xiao Lan’s smooth participation in the preliminary exam!
Anqing County was under Fengxian City’s jurisdiction. Xia Xiao Lan hadn’t been to Fengxian yet, usually staying in the provincial capital of Shangdu.
The school paying for student accommodation near the exam site was unprecedented at Anqing County First Middle School. Principal Sun had no choice – he was counting on Xia Xiao Lan to bring glory to the school in this year’s college entrance exam.
While the school had students enter key universities, prestigious university admissions were rare.
With more effort, Xia Xiao Lan had a great chance at entering a prestigious university. Principal Sun had already planned to hire a large truck decorated with red flowers to parade three times around Anqing County. They would announce through loudspeakers: “Congratulations to Anqing County First Middle School’s student Xia Xiao Lan for entering XX prestigious university,” making extra rounds past Second Middle School’s gate. The whole county would know that only First Middle School offered the path to success and opportunities at top universities!
Principal Sun was so delighted by these thoughts that he smiled in his sleep, only reluctantly waking when his wife shook him repeatedly.
Old Wang was pleased to hear about these arrangements:
“Principal, what accommodation standard should we arrange for student Xiao Lan?”
Guesthouses offered various options – from dormitories to triple rooms, double rooms, and singles.
The best were the suites usually reserved for traveling officials, with separate sleeping and sitting areas – quiet and spacious, though most expensive.
Principal Sun glared at Old Wang – wasn’t it obvious? What was the point of arranging accommodation if she had to share?
What if foot odor bothered Xiao Lan?
What if teeth grinding or snoring disturbed her?
Principal Sun initially thought of a single room, but then upgraded:
“A suite – get Xiao Lan a suite. It’ll be quiet, and she can study there.”
Principal Sun wasn’t stingy. A suite costs what – about 10 yuan per night? Maximum 15 yuan? The exam was two days, so two nights’ accommodation – the school could afford it.
Xia Xiao Lan was embarrassed by this treatment, comparable to a national treasure. She felt uncomfortable taking advantage of the school.
It was just the preliminary exam, not the college entrance exam.
“Principal, there’s no need to book a room…”
“Student Xiao Lan, the school is paying, don’t feel burdened. Just focus on your exam – pass the preliminary and then achieve good results in the college entrance exam.”
Principal Sun gave Xia Xiao Lan no chance to refuse.
Old Wang objected, “Principal, talking like this might pressure Xiao Lan. Let’s focus on the preliminary – the college entrance exam is still two months away!”
Indeed, she was being treated like a national treasure – they wouldn’t even allow her to feel pressure.
Principal Sun immediately changed his tone: “Don’t worry about scoring high on the preliminary – with your ability, you’ll pass easily with normal performance.”
High scores in the preliminary, even ranking first in school or county, meant nothing. County-wide first place in the college entrance exam was what mattered. Though currently second in her grade, Xia Xiao Lan’s continuous improvement led to high expectations, even surpassing the top student. Had she participated in recent school tests, she might already be first.
Old Wang would lead the students assigned to Fengxian’s exam site, taking a school bus directly there in the morning. After the first day’s exam, students would stay overnight in Fengxian, paying for their accommodation – except Xia Xiao Lan, who could arrive early to acclimate and have the school cover her expenses.
Since one teacher couldn’t manage so many students, Principal Sun assigned three teachers to Fengxian.
With insufficient senior teachers, he pulled from other grades, prioritizing the preliminary exam over regular first and second-year classes.
Principal Sun’s niece, Teacher Sun Tian, would also accompany them.
“Student Xiao Lan, Teacher Sun Tian will accompany you to Fengxian and keep you company at night.”
Old Wang’s main group would arrive the next day, and they worried about Xia Xiao Lan staying alone. Having a teacher as company was ideal. Principal Sun’s arrangements were thorough, leaving Xia Xiao Lan no room to decline.
“Principal, shall I come to school tomorrow to leave with Teacher Sun?”
Principal Sun considered having Xia Xiao Lan stay at school but worried about her adjusting to a new sleeping environment.
“Just come to school tomorrow noon.”
Principal Sun and Old Wang gave extensive reminders about keeping her exam ticket safe.
Xia Xiao Lan visited Class Three, where about ten students would also take exams in Fengxian. Chen Qing would remain in Anqing. Hearing about Xia Xiao Lan’s assignment to Fengxian, he advised her not to worry.
“The preliminary exam won’t be too difficult – passing the threshold is enough.”
Chen Qing laughed at his own words – Xia Xiao Lan’s results exceeded his, what was there to worry about?
Xia Xiao Lan had plenty of exam experience, and her stress tolerance far surpassed Chen Qing and others.
After reassuring Chen Qing briefly, she didn’t stay long at school.
After she left, Chen Qing rubbed his eyes. Late-night studying caused fatigue, but he had no choice. With Xiao Lan being so exceptional, how could he face her if he didn’t make it to university? Chen Qing’s youthful admiration wasn’t necessarily about dating – Xia Xiao Lan’s presence motivated his studies.
Dating wasn’t the point – if Xia Xiao Lan entered a prestigious university while he only qualified for a vocational school like last year, he’d be too ashamed to face her.
Having such a failure admire her would only embarrass her.
Li Dong Liang waited at the school gate. Xia Xiao Lan hadn’t let him enter – if First Middle School wasn’t safe, nowhere was.
Ordinary troublemakers couldn’t escape Old Zhao the gatekeeper’s notice.
Xia Xiao Lan gave Old Zhao two packs of cigarettes as usual, which he accepted sheepishly.
“Girl, do well in your preliminary exam the day after tomorrow.”
School life wasn’t easy, with people constantly bothering Xia Xiao Lan. But Zhang’s shop had been closed for a while, its sign now removed. Old Zhao heard someone else had rented it – surely her troublesome relatives wouldn’t harass her anymore?
Xia Xiao Lan already knew what Old Zhao shared – Sister Huang had rented Zhang’s former shop.
Sister Huang had started renovations, following Xia Xiao Lan’s advice to become Anqing County’s snack food mogul, monopolizing the local market. As for Zhang Cui and others, Sister Huang mentioned the couple had come together to terminate the lease days ago – apparently, two months of fighting hadn’t split them up.
Split up?
Better if they didn’t – holding each other back, Zhang Cui and Xia Chang Zheng had plenty of drama ahead.
With low entry barriers and their experience in the snack business, Xia Xiao Lan guessed they wouldn’t truly quit but would relocate their business.
Would they choose a neighboring county, Fengxian City, or go straight to the provincial capital?
Competition in the provincial capital’s food business was fierce – it would be interesting if Zhang Cui’s group chose that path!