Xia Xiaolan was mentally prepared and wasn’t particularly surprised, though she was naturally happy.

Old Wang introduced himself and then introduced Teacher Qi. Chen Qing was already a repeat student, and the teachers didn’t want to waste too much of his time, so they didn’t ask him to come to Shangdu City.

Mother and son Zhu exchanged bewildered looks. Zhu Fang’s mother couldn’t make sense of it – she didn’t believe Xia Xiaolan could get into university. This girl didn’t look like someone who focused on her studies. With such a face, she must have too many boys pursuing her to concentrate on studying – how could she possibly get into university?

“Which county’s No. 1 Middle School?”

Old Wang was in high spirits and answered readily: “Anqing County No. 1 Middle School!”

Zhu Fang’s mother pursed her lips, watching these people show off. She knew Anqing County – it wasn’t even part of Shangdu City’s jurisdiction, but belonged to Fengxian City.

As a provincial capital resident, she inevitably felt superior, and already disliking Xia Xiaolan, her words became somewhat offensive: “Anqing County No. 1 Middle School? Has anyone from your school ever gotten into university? A school from such a small place, it’s just…”

Old Wang thought this woman must be one of Xia Xiaolan’s relatives – it was natural for elders to be concerned about a child’s future, so he didn’t mind the poor attitude.

“This year we had 8 students get into undergraduate programs. Student Xiaolan is a promising candidate. Ma’am, do you know how many points she scored on the school’s assessment test? 446 points!”

Chinese 67 points, English 100 points, Mathematics 89 points, Politics 32 points, Physics 56 points, Chemistry 76 points, Biology 28 points.

Old Wang remembered all of Xia Xiaolan’s subject scores clearly.

How could he not?

The school accepted transfer and repeat students who could score above 350 points, which was this year’s Yunan Province “Technical College” admission line. In the 1980s, technical colleges were divided into two types: four-year programs for junior high graduates, called junior technical colleges; and two-year programs for high school graduates who passed the national college entrance exam, called senior technical colleges.

After graduating from senior technical college in two years, the state would also assign jobs.

Among the four levels of college admission – “key universities, regular universities, specialized colleges, and senior technical colleges” – the fourth was the lowest outcome, but at least it meant continuing education.

But Xia Xiaolan hadn’t scored 350 points – she’d scored 446!

Old Wang felt he should educate Xia Xiaolan’s family:

“This year’s science track undergraduate admission line in Yunan Province was 441 points. While our assessment test might not be comparable to the college entrance exam, the difficulty isn’t far off… She can improve in many subjects. If she focuses on reviewing now, she might even qualify for a key university next year!”

The difference between key universities and regular undergraduate programs was only about 20 points.

Of course, there were prestigious schools above key universities – meeting the minimum score was just the basic requirement. In this year’s college entrance exam, Yunan Province’s key undergraduate program line was 465 points, and schools like Huaqing and Jing University required scores 100 points above the key university line in Yunan Province. Old Wang didn’t expect Xia Xiaolan to get into such prestigious schools, but if she improved her Chinese and Politics scores, she had a great chance at a key university!

Old Wang explained all these details clearly, not just for Zhu Fang’s mother, but primarily for Liu Yong.

On the way to Shangdu, Old Wang and Teacher Qi learned about Xia Xiaolan’s situation, knowing she now lived with her uncle Liu Yong. They worried Liu Yong might not want to support her education – don’t be foolish, she’s a candidate capable of getting into a key university.

Zhu Fang’s mother’s mouth gaped slightly.

Her eyes darted among the group, suspecting Xia Xiaolan had hired people to put on an act.

Xia Xiaolan didn’t care about others’ feelings and wanted to ask specific questions about the county high school situation.

The three people surrounded Xia Xiaolan as they left. Zhu Fang opened his mouth but couldn’t say anything.

She was going to take the college entrance exam?

And her scores were quite good?

Zhu Fang had liked Xia Xiaolan for her beauty and hadn’t minded her rural household registration or middle school education.

But what if she got into university?

Zhu Fang wasn’t feeling inferior; he just felt the possibilities between him and Xia Xiaolan had drastically diminished.

The school teachers said she could get into a key undergraduate program – what kind of job would the state assign after graduation? She certainly wouldn’t be interested in a restaurant purchaser! She might even be assigned somewhere outside Shangdu City.

Zhu Fang was quite shaken by this news, his proud neck immediately drooping.

His mother remained stubborn: “Is university so easy to get into? We’ll see!”

However, if she did get into university, even coming from a rural background, she might barely qualify as a daughter-in-law for the Zhu family.

But could Xia Xiaolan get in?

That backwater Anqing County high school – you could count their university admissions each year on one hand.

Xia Xiaolan needed to collect oil dregs after delivering the eels.

Old Wang and Teacher Qi had brought good news, but they couldn’t let Xia Xiaolan return with an empty truck. Hearing she carried three to four hundred jin of oil dregs back to the countryside to sell each trip, Teacher Qi looked at Liu Yong disapprovingly:

“University doesn’t charge tuition and provides monthly living allowances. You only need to support her for one year – Student Xia will get into university next year!”

Rural conditions were certainly poor.

Liu Yong was her uncle, not her father, and Teacher Qi worried he wouldn’t let Xia Xiaolan continue studying.

For a key university candidate, while the school could waive tuition and fees, living expenses would still need to be covered – no small amount for rural families… But supporting her for just one year could change Xia Xiaolan’s entire life!

“Teacher Qi, I love Xiaolan like my own daughter. With such good grades, she’ll continue studying.”

Liu Yong thought the teacher underestimated him. Never mind one year – if Xiaolan wanted to take the exam, he could support her indefinitely! Liu Yong was still overjoyed. When Xia Xiaolan said she wanted to take next year’s college entrance exam, the family had thought she’d need to start from the first year of high school, which was why Liu Yong had rushed to transfer her and Liu Fen’s household registration from Dahe Village.

But Xia Xiaolan had given Liu Yong a big surprise.

She didn’t need to start from the first year!

The County No. 1 Middle School teachers said Xiaolan’s academic progress qualified her for next year’s exam!

She might even get into a key university!

A key university would be best, but even a regular undergraduate program would mean becoming a real university student. Liu Yong was too excited to speak. The two teachers wouldn’t have traveled from Qijing Village to Shangdu City if they weren’t serious – they saw Xiaolan’s potential.

While Xia Xiaolan went to load cargo at the oil press factory, the three waited outside.

Old Wang also felt this girl had it tough: “Does she come to Shangdu alone every day?”

A private trader.

In current thinking, workers were most honorable, cadres most respectable, and private traders least regarded – wasn’t being a small merchant shameful?

If Xia Xiaolan had a choice, why would she be a private trader? Look at her small business dealing with smelly eels and dirty oil dregs – what a pitiful child. Even more remarkably, in such circumstances, Xia Xiaolan persisted in self-study after graduating from middle school… Old Wang and Teacher Qi were moved by the image they’d constructed in their minds.

When Xia Xiaolan came out with the loaded oil dregs, Old Wang encouraged her:

“You should report to school tomorrow. The third-year class doesn’t take breaks – the earlier you start, the more efficiently you can review.”

Such a promising student couldn’t be delayed any longer.

Old Wang thought for a moment and added:

“Don’t worry about the tuition fees – I’ll take care of that.”

Xia Xiaolan felt Old Wang’s high regard. While passing the County No. 1 Middle School’s transfer exam was within her expectations, being an obedient student there wasn’t part of her plan.

“Teacher Wang, Teacher Qi, I was planning to discuss this at school, but since you both care so much, I’ll share my thoughts now. You’ve seen my family situation. I will take the college entrance exam, but I probably won’t attend classes shortly.”

Old Wang became very anxious, and Liu Yong’s furrowed brow could trap a fly:

“What nonsense are you talking about? Go study at school properly – your uncle will handle everything else, what do you have to worry about?”