CHAPTER 140: CHAPTER 110: RETURNING TO SCHOOL

Zhang Guoqing sped along, driving towards the county town. He got out of the car in front of the county state-run hotel, carrying two bottles of wine and heading straight inside. It was past dining time, no customers were eating, and the waitress Sister Wang had already sneaked away, leaving only Master Chef to rest in the back, just in case some customers suddenly showed up.

"Master Chef, are you there? It’s me, Xiao Wu, just came to see you."

"I’m here, I’m here, I’m in the back." The master chef responded while running out quickly. Seeing Zhang Guoqing holding a bottle of wine, he laughed heartily, "Is this for me? You’re still thinking of me."

"How could I forget you? I’ve been thinking about you. You see, the first thing I do when I come to the county is to visit you." Zhang Guoqing handed him the wine, stopping him as he spoke, "Master Chef, I’ve got things to do today, so I have to go. I’ll chat with you next time."

Master Huang had heard that this young lad’s Yue Family had arrived, the general and his mother-in-law came to celebrate the "wash three" ceremony for the baby, not knowing how it turned out, but now felt relieved.

"Alright, go ahead, take care of your important matters. Just call out if you need anything."

After bidding farewell, Zhang Guoqing checked the time; it was already afternoon working hours, and the principal was probably at school. He drove to the county high school, got out of the car at the entrance. Before entering the school, the old gatekeeper shouted, "Hey, aren’t you that Zhang Guoqing kid? How come you’re driving a car now? Where’s your little wife? Come inside and chat with your uncle for a while."

Zhang Guoqing sighed inwardly; his plan to secretly go upstairs without alerting anyone and find the principal directly got ruined by the old man’s loud voice. His friends would definitely ditch class to come out.

"Uncle, you seem to be doing quite well. Is the principal in today?"

The old gatekeeper smiled and pointed, "He’s inside, hasn’t gone out today. Where are you working now if you’re not studying? Already driving a car, tell me about it."

Facing the curious old man, Zhang Guoqing briefly said, "I’m still at home. The car is borrowed, need to return it later. We’ll chat when you have time, I need to find the principal now."

After speaking, Zhang Guoqing sneaked away. This old man talked a lot, and if he got caught up here, the whole afternoon would be wasted, unable to get anything done. He avoided the classrooms as much as possible, walking towards the corner, reached the office upstairs, knocked on the principal’s office door, and heard a voice saying come in. He opened the door and saw the old principal waiting for him with a smile.

"How come you’ve spared the time to visit? I thought you and your wife were busy having kids, forgetting which way the school gate opens. Sit down, why are you standing there? Stop grinning like that."

Zhang Guoqing sat sideways respectfully and said, "Principal, even if I forget anything, I won’t forget that this is my alma mater, and there are teachers and friends here."

The principal glanced at him, noticing his half-side sitting, with a smile in his eyes, "Alright, you wouldn’t come without a reason. Spill it, if you’re late and I’m in a bad mood, I might not bother to answer."

"Principal, I wanted to ask you. If Zhou and I plan to retake the college entrance exam, besides not attending regular classes, are there other restrictions?"

The principal immediately stood up and said loudly, "You’ve decided, you really want to take the college exam? Great, that’s really great, I’ve always said you’re both good at studying, especially Zhou, it’s a pity she gave up her education. Well, now you’ve grown up, realizing the importance of considering college. Hold on, let me think about your situation."

Zhang Guoqing watched him pace back and forth in the room for a moment, then return to his seat and start opening the drawer and flipping through files.

The principal recalled the college exam points over the years and thought about how community youth could sign up. He breathed a sigh of relief, glad he hadn’t remembered wrongly.

"Zhang Guoqing, you two now have kids, unable to attend regular school, it’s impractical. Even if you live on campus, you wouldn’t want to be away from the child. Let me first tell you about the general admission situation, then discuss two plans for you to choose from.

Since 1952, college students began to receive free tuition, free accommodation, and free meals supplied on a set schedule, which means aside from not having salaries and interpersonal expenses, they can complete their studies without personal burdens. College graduates have higher salary levels than others and have salaries during internships. Those especially poor can apply for aid, but you should avoid applying if unnecessary, as it affects post-graduation assignments in the records.

There are entrance exam registration points set in major cities nationwide every year. Our county registers in the provincial city, and Zhou’s household registration in Beijing allows her to sign up in provincial cities as well. Nationwide registration points have no restrictions requiring registration in one’s household location. You two can sign up in any big city with a high school diploma or equivalent education certificate provided by your workplace.

Now, let’s discuss how you can obtain your high school diplomas.

The first option, your junior high school exam scores are still in the school; I remember you two were the top one and two in the county. I can issue a replacement with a reason stated that you were already admitted to high school but took a year off after reporting. This way, you can be admitted normally. Luckily, the semester hasn’t ended, so you can catch up with self-study at home for a year. Take the semester-end exam, and make up procedures, stating self-study at home in the leave request. Pay tuition at the beginning of each semester and ask for long leave, then take the semester-end exams. This is the simplest way.

The second option is self-studying at home, and when you’re ready to sign up for the entrance exam, provide proof from your workplace. Technical and high school graduates differ in salary levels compared to ordinary workers. This shouldn’t be a problem for you, as you should have connections to provide the proof.

Alright, consider it and get back."

After listening, Zhang Guoqing decisively said, "Principal, there’s no need to consider it. We want to obtain our diplomas at school, even if it troubles you. Is it possible to issue it today, or should we set another time?"

Old principal laughed heartily, opening a drawer and taking out an envelope, "Have a look, I’ve already guessed you’d want to go back to studying. If you hadn’t come, I would have delivered it to your home. Throughout my teaching career, students like you and especially Zhou have been rare — born scholars. Now you’ve both become parents, you should plan your future roads carefully. This case has drawn so much attention, and since you didn’t intend to leave with them, I’ve already completed the procedures, just waiting for your signature to pay a fee of three yuan and two for tuition and books each."

Receiving the envelope, Zhang Guoqing felt indescribably heavy. Inside was the sincere care and anticipation from this elder toward him and his wife.

He respectfully bowed to the old principal, "Principal, thank you. We won’t let you down, please wait for us for two years, we’ll personally bring you our achievements."

The old principal stared at him, "It’s not up to you to say, if you don’t pass in two years, see how I’ll deal with you. Be careful Zhou doesn’t outrun you, leaving you alone in the county."

Seeing Zhang Guoqing’s grin return, the old principal laughed and scolded, "Hurry next door to pay your tuition. Once you’ve paid, bring the receipt back here, remember to write two leave slips, mimicking Zhou’s handwriting. I’ll prepare new books for you."