Zhou Yi’s situation didn’t affect Xia Xiaolan’s mood. Though curious, she wasn’t curious enough to investigate Zhou Yi’s partner.

Too much curiosity would mean getting involved.

Since she didn’t plan to get involved, better not to touch it at all.

Two days passed, and by Friday, the scholarship results for the previous semester were announced for second-year students.

Xia Xiaolan once again won the first-place Cheng Rong Scholarship, with Yang Yonghong right behind her.

These two had become the academic powerhouses of Dorm 307.

“So close! Almost had someone taking over all the dorm cleaning duties,” Yang Yonghong said with mock regret, barely containing her laughter. Everyone had worked hard for scholarships, not really because they feared cleaning duties, but because everyone had their pride and didn’t want to fall behind.

This competitive incentive worked well. Last semester, everyone in Dorm 307 had received scholarships, big or small, so no one had to take on all the cleaning duties alone. Yang Yonghong, as dorm leader, was very pleased.

Being dorm leader wasn’t an official position, but Yang Yonghong felt responsible for everyone in 307, hoping they would all study hard.

Xia Xiaolan thought that 30 years later if news of Dorm 307’s full scholarship achievement got posted online, they’d be called something like “All-Scholar Dorm.” She remembered seeing online about some university dorm being called “All-Graduate School Dorm” where everyone got accepted to graduate programs.

Dorm 307 was heading in that direction.

If everyone maintained their current momentum without slacking, getting into graduate programs shouldn’t be a problem.

Su Jing’s scholarship money was still warm in her pocket when she suggested:

“Let’s have dinner together tonight! We need to reward ourselves for last semester’s hard work!”

Xia Xiaolan objected: “Can we do Monday instead? I have plans tonight.”

Xia Xiaolan hadn’t been around last weekend either.

It seemed since last semester, Xia Xiaolan was busy every weekend. Su Jing had gotten used to it.

“Oh right, I forgot about that. Let’s change it to Monday then. Any objections?”

Naturally, there were none.

Yang Yonghong thought Xia Xiaolan was heading to Pengcheng again. When no one was around, Xia Xiaolan winked at her: “Boss, want to catch a ride home?”

Yang Yonghong was surprised, “You’re not going to Pengcheng… you’re going to Ji Bei Province to see Zhou Cheng!”

Having had dinner alone with Zhou Cheng before, Yang Yonghong was in the know, so Xia Xiaolan didn’t need to be secretive. “Yeah, I’m going to the college to see Zhou Cheng. I remember your hometown isn’t far from there. I’m driving this time, so I can give you a ride.”

Liu Fen was taking the evening train to Yang Cheng to get stuck.

The car was sitting at home unused, so Xia Xiaolan decided to drive to Ji Bei Province. She’d driven there once before and was familiar with the route.

It would be nice to have someone to talk to during the long drive, and while Yang Yonghong might hesitate to buy a train ticket, she wouldn’t worry about accepting a free ride.

Yang Yonghong was tempted.

Though she’d been home before the semester started, who would complain about going home too often while studying away?

She didn’t act reserved: “If it’s not troubling you, I’d love a ride!”

“What trouble? I should thank you for keeping me company. Long-distance driving alone isn’t very safe; I’ll feel better with two of us.”

Xia Xiaolan wanted to see Liu Fen off at the train station before departing, but Liu Fen disagreed: “Can you see driving at night? Better leave early. Little Yang is more level-headed, having her with you puts my mind at ease.”

Young people in love are clingy.

Zhou Cheng took leave to be with Xiaolan, and Xiaolan drove to see him – both making efforts, that’s how relationships last.

Liu Fen had booked an evening train ticket and would meet her sister-in-law Li Fengmei in Yang Cheng.

But at Yang Cheng station, she’d probably see Tang Hongen… Liu Fen’s cheeks warmed. It was natural for her daughter to date, but at her age, what was this thing with Tang Hongen?

If she wasn’t dating him, why agree to go to Xiang Mountain?

If she wasn’t dating him, why make so many excuses? Being cold and distant would have made Mayor Tang back off naturally.

Liu Fen had just questioned herself twice and couldn’t explain her behavior!

“You two should head out now. If you leave now, you can get to Ji Bei Province earlier tonight.”

Liu Fen helped Xia Xiaolan with her bags, but Yang Yonghong quickly took them: “Let me handle this, I’m strong!”

She was strong, easily lifting two large suitcases.

Xia Xiaolan started the car, and Yang Yonghong sat carefully in the passenger seat, afraid to move – the car was too beautiful.

“If you drive me back to my village, it’ll cause quite a stir in the whole village.”

Driving to Ji Bei Province now meant arriving at night. Xia Xiaolan would drive Yang Yonghong home, and since they’d be at the Yang household, they might as well stay the night. Then Xia Xiaolan could go see Zhou Cheng in the morning. Even without dropping off Yang Yonghong, she’d arrive at the college late, and she couldn’t visit Zhou Cheng late at night – it would violate college rules!

Yang Yonghong felt a bit of pride – though she wasn’t the one driving the car, it was her classmate, her good friend.

Seeing her curiosity, Xia Xiaolan explained how to drive. Yang Yonghong felt eager: “Could I learn to drive too? I have a classmate who quit school to learn to drive, and we’re only sophomores, but they’re already working as a driver.”

Cars were high-end items, and driving wasn’t just a practical skill – you could find work with it.

Before working in Pengcheng, Yang Yonghong had considered sending Yang Jie to learn to drive, but driving schools were expensive back then, took a long time to complete, and required connections – she had none of these.

In Pengcheng, Yang Yonghong changed her mind, thinking Yang Jie should retake the entrance exam instead.

If Yang Jie didn’t have the aptitude for studies, that would be one thing, but he showed promise. Having herself retaken the exam three times to get into Hua Qing, she hoped her brother would choose the best path.

“Of course, you can learn! Driving isn’t that hard, especially with someone teaching you hands-on. If you can master your major’s knowledge, how could you not learn this? Look at my mom – she doesn’t have much education, but she learned to drive quickly. This car is what she uses daily! If you want to learn, Boss, just come to my place during free time. It won’t take long to learn. Driving is a practical skill, and you might need to visit construction sites often in your future work – knowing how to drive would be convenient.”

Xia Xiaolan’s words made sense. Yang Yonghong’s personality was already quite masculine, and she didn’t have the notion that driving was just for men – whatever men could do, she should be able to do too. If Xiaolan said it was useful, she’d learn it.

She couldn’t afford a car now, but that didn’t mean she’d never use one.

If she couldn’t buy her own, she could drive work vehicles!

After working part-time over summer break, Yang Yonghong developed more career planning awareness compared to her dormmates.

After graduating, would she have to rely on state job assignments?

What if she was assigned to a unit she didn’t like?

If she didn’t accept the state assignment, could she find her job? Following Li Dongliang for two months made her enjoy the bustling atmosphere of construction sites.

Talking along the way, with Yang Yonghong helping navigate, they arrived at a small village in Ji Bei Province.

The car’s horn disturbed the village watchdogs, setting off a chain of barking.