Getting Song Huixin into the art troupe was easy—one word from Elder Shen was all it took, and she didn’t even need to fill out an application.
However, when Elder Shen heard that Huixin was joining the art troupe and Wanqing was preparing for this year’s college entrance examination, his first concern was whether the two of them were uncomfortable living in the Shen household, or if they had other worries.
“You two don’t need to worry about making money. Chongli and Yunzheng’s salaries are quite substantial. If you ever run short, I’ll give you extra allowance.”
“Uncle, it’s not about that.” Song Huixin softened her voice. “We’ve both been idle at home all day and it’s getting boring. We just want to find something to do.”
Hearing her explanation, Elder Shen nodded slightly in understanding. Their families had undergone sudden upheavals—perhaps keeping busy would help take their minds off things.
“How about I arrange for both of you to join the art troupe?”
Elder Shen was puzzled as to why Wanqing wouldn’t join the art troupe too, and insisted on taking the college entrance examination instead.
If she took the exam this year and enrolled in the fall, she wouldn’t be able to start working until at least three years after graduating from university.
“Wanqing wants to study—she’s very smart. It would be a waste for her to follow me into the art troupe.” Song Huixin spoke truthfully. Lin Wanqing’s sharp mind should be put to good use; bouncing around in an art troupe wasn’t suited to her.
“Heh heh, the way you say that makes it sound like you’re the dumb one.”
Elder Shen was amused by Song Huixin’s words. “In my eyes, you’re both very smart and beautiful. Marrying you two is Chongli and Yunzheng’s good fortune.”
“I’m not dumb—I’m just not good at studying.”
Song Huixin then thought of Shen Yunzheng. She still didn’t know what the man looked like! Why did it feel like he was deliberately avoiding her?
Even though Elder Shen was old now, he must have been quite handsome in his youth.
And Shen Yunzheng’s full-blooded elder brother, Shen Yunzheng, was equally good-looking.
He probably wasn’t bad-looking either.
“I’ll give the art troupe a call later—you can just go straight there to report!” Elder Shen said softly. “But I’ve heard they rehearse singing and dancing every day over there, and it can be quite grueling. If you find it hard to adapt, Uncle will help you arrange something else.”
“Mm-hmm, okay.”
Song Huixin wasn’t actually going there for the singing and dancing—she wanted to join the art troupe to get opportunities to act in films.
…
Lin Wanqing left the house early. The streets of Su City were still quite lively in the early morning, especially the steaming bun shops and youtiao stalls. Breakfast at the Shen household was relatively varied—Wang Chunyan would prepare dishes according to the whole family’s tastes.
Her goal today was the library, where the various study materials she needed would be relatively complete.
She had transmigrated into the book some time ago, but Lin Wanqing felt she still couldn’t quite adapt to the environment and lifestyle here.
After all, the era was different. If Lin Wanqing were in the twenty-first century, getting these study materials would be a breeze—she could just look them up online.
Now she had to make a special trip to the library, and she wasn’t even sure if they’d have the materials she wanted.
Whether it was because it was a weekday or because the library was just sparsely populated, Lin Wanqing surveyed the empty interior.
“Hello, I’d like to ask—do you have this year’s college entrance examination materials here?” Lin Wanqing asked the librarian.
The librarian was young, appearing to be around Lin Wanqing’s age.
The young woman had two long braids and wore work clothes. When she spoke, her voice carried the soft sweetness unique to southern women. “No, we don’t. Are you taking the college entrance exam this year?”
“Yes.” Lin Wanqing nodded lightly. “I wanted to learn about what content the exam covers.”
“For that, you’d need to go to the city’s high school. The materials they provide are the most accurate.”
“Okay, thank you.” Lin Wanqing turned to leave, then suddenly thought of another question. “Which is the best high school in the city?”
“City No. 1 High School!”
“Thank you.” Lin Wanqing said thanks again.
“You’re welcome. The school is quite close to the library—just a few steps away.” The young woman kindly pointed her in the right direction. “The school’s study materials probably won’t be shared externally. It might be easier if you know someone there. Otherwise, I’m afraid you’ll have made a wasted trip today.”
Lin Wanqing had just arrived in Su City, and her only acquaintance here was Song Huixin.
It looked like she wouldn’t be borrowing any college entrance exam materials today.
Regardless, since she was already here, she might as well go ask.
When Lin Wanqing arrived at the school gate, she couldn’t even get through the door.
The old gatekeeper refused to let her in no matter what once he heard she wasn’t a student of the school.
“This is the best high school in the city. The students are all in intense review mode. If I let you in and you cause trouble, I’ll be the one getting scolded! You’re a pretty young lady—don’t make things difficult for me here, alright?”
Lin Wanqing: “…”
So it would be fine to make things difficult for him if she were ugly?
Forcing her way in was definitely out of the question—she’d probably be labeled a troublemaker and sent to the police station.
Just as Lin Wanqing was about to leave, she suddenly heard voices coming from inside the school.
“Ugh, in the last mock exam, even the top student’s score was much lower than our school’s usual standards. At this rate, I don’t think the city’s top scorer this year will have anything to do with our No. 1 High School.”
“The top student’s score is at least passable, but the second-place score is a huge gap behind. The principal came to ask me about the reasons yesterday—what can I do? Maybe this batch of students is just dumb!”
“If the top scorer doesn’t come from our school, none of us senior-year teachers will get this year’s bonus. I was counting on that money to improve life for my wife and kids at home.”
“Don’t even mention the bonus—consider ourselves lucky if we don’t get scolded.”
“…”
“Sir, could you please open the main gate?”
“Sure thing.” The school gate slowly opened, and two teachers walked out side by side, chatting casually.
Lin Wanqing’s eyes flickered—wasn’t this the perfect opportunity!
She had almost forgotten something important.
“Excuse me,”
Lin Wanqing stepped forward and suddenly spoke up, “I have a way to make the top scorer come from No. 1 High School. When that happens, not a single cent of your teachers’ bonuses will be lost.”
The two looked at Lin Wanqing with suspicion, thinking this girl didn’t seem like the foolish type.
“What do you mean?”
Academic performance depends on one’s own intelligence—how could producing a top scorer be something you can control?
If there really were a way, senior-year teachers across the country would probably be racking their brains all night over it.
“Sorry, I happened to overhear what you two were discussing just now. I can make your No. 1 High School produce the top scorer.”
Lin Wanqing spoke with considerable confidence.
“Heh heh, little girl, don’t joke with us. We’re in a hurry to get home and rest—tonight we still have to supervise the senior students’ studies. We really don’t have the extra energy to mess around with you here.”
“Ridiculous…” The two exchanged glances and burst into laughter.
Lin Wanqing blocked their path again. “I’m serious. This doesn’t do you any harm—you can give it a try.”
“Fine, then tell us your method first,”