Era: Starting with the struggle to refuse being taken advantage of

"Xiao Peng, that's a big reporter from the province. What does he want with you?"

"Oh my, Xiao Peng, you've really made our Wang Family Village proud again."

"That's a reporter from the province. I'll definitely buy a copy of the provincial newspaper to see what they've covered today."

"Hey, shouldn't we go buy a newspaper?"

“I also need to show it to people in other villages, so they know that our village has produced someone who can be featured in the provincial newspaper.”

"..."

Listening to everyone's comments, Wang Chengpeng felt very gratified. This was a way of making up for the time he had spent dealing with Kong Xueyan for them.

Since he couldn't hide it any longer, Wang Chengpeng simply told everyone that he had been admitted to Fudan University and was just waiting to pass the political review and physical examination before he could go to university.

One stone caused a thousand waves!

Wang Chengpeng's words not only failed to quell the controversy, but instead made the outside world even more lively.

"What? Fudan University? A college student came from our village?"

"That's not just any ordinary college student. Fudan University, I've heard of it, it's a top-notch university."

"Wow, Xiaopeng is really capable. He did so well on the exam. No wonder a reporter from the provincial newspaper came to interview him."

"I don't think this matter is that simple. Many people are admitted to Fudan University, but why was it Xiaopeng who was interviewed by a reporter from the provincial newspaper?"

"..."

Everyone's faces were beaming with smiles as they shared the wonderful news they had heard that day.

Suddenly, someone said, "Let's not bother Xiaopeng here. He needs to study hard, otherwise he won't be able to keep up in college." Everyone dispersed, restoring quiet to Wang Chengpeng.

After everyone left, Wang Chengpeng discovered that Zhu Hong, who had been standing there blankly, hadn't left and was now waiting outside the door, looking at him expectantly.

Seeing that the other party seemed to have something to say, Wang Chengpeng immediately asked:
"Zhu Hong, is there something you want to say to me?"

At this moment, Zhu Hong's face was full of regret and self-reproach as he said:

"Brother Wang, you've already received the political review notice, but I still haven't heard anything. Does that mean I didn't pass the exam?"

"It's okay that I didn't pass the exam, but... but I'm so sorry to you."

"You tutored me for so long, all so that I could get into a good university and have a bright future. Why am I so disappointing?"

"If I had worked harder back then and scored higher, would I have been able to get into university?"

At this point, Zhu Hong burst into tears, beating his chest in frustration. This was the first time Wang Chengpeng had ever seen him cry.

Some people really deserve to die!

Driven by their own selfish desires, they usurped the fruits of others' labor, keeping these hardworking students in the dark, making them believe that they hadn't worked hard enough to get into university.

While they were heartbroken and shedding tears, they were unaware that those who orchestrated all of this were feasting on the fruits of their labor and celebrating their success.

A sharp glint flashed in Wang Chengpeng's eyes. He felt it was time to urge Song Wenxin to take action quickly.

After the interview was exposed, it became almost impossible to hide the fact that the pre-admitted candidates had already begun political vetting and physical examinations.

For three to five days, I could manage to deceive them by explaining how quickly the pre-admission information was delivered. But if it went on for too long, I simply wouldn't be able to face their disappointed eyes.

Taking a deep breath, Wang Chengpeng helped Zhu Hong up and gently comforted him:
Do you think I don't know whether you've tried or not?

"If you don't pass the exam this year, you can try again next year. As long as you've tried your best, there's no need to be too hard on yourself."

"Besides, you might not have failed the exam this year. After all, different schools send out notices at different times. Maybe your admission notice was just a little late."

Looking into Wang Chengpeng's eyes, Zhu Hong asked hopefully:

"Really? Do I still have hope?"

Wang Chengpeng patted Zhu Hong on the shoulder forcefully and said with a smile:
"Young man, you are still young, there is much hope for you."

"Don't overthink it, just do what you're supposed to do."

"You go ahead with your work, I'm going to make a phone call."

Back inside, Wang Chengpeng dialed a familiar number without hesitation.

The moment the call connected, Wang Chengpeng's deep voice came through the phone:
"Director Song, are you even capable of doing this?"

"It's been so long and you still haven't been able to handle this matter properly, which really makes me doubt your abilities."

Faced with Wang Chengpeng's questioning, Song Wenxin's voice revealed a deep weariness in her reply:
"Comrade Wang, you've done something quite good. After giving me some information, you've just washed your hands of it. Do you even know how many people are involved in this?"

"If it were just about keeping your chance to go to university, that would be relatively simple. The real challenge is how to bring down all the people behind the scenes."

Wang Chengpeng wasn't one to be lenient with himself or strict with others, so he didn't criticize Song Wenxin too harshly. Instead, he asked her in a low voice:
"But if you encounter any insurmountable difficulties, tell me about them, and perhaps I can help you solve them."

Wang Chengpeng is extremely skilled at creating momentum, especially when it comes to such baseless and despicable matters, where he has the ability to deliver a devastating blow.

To everyone's surprise, Song Wenxin shook her head and refused Wang Chengpeng's offer of help:

"I wouldn't dare ask you for help, lest I end up with a bad reputation for being incompetent."

"Don't worry, it's almost time to close the net. In a week at most, this matter will be perfectly resolved, and my top scorer in the college entrance examination will be here."

Having already become involved in this matter, Song Wenxin naturally couldn't be completely unaware of the inside story.

At first, she thought that Wang Chengpeng took the initiative to get involved because she was involved and her own interests were affected, but she did not expect that Wang Chengpeng had already taken an unshakeable position.

Wang Chengpeng, the top scorer in the college entrance examination, is truly a capable person, having achieved such an honor.

Not only is he capable, but he is also a loyal and compassionate person; otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths for his friends—he could have easily remained indifferent.

Thinking of this, Song Wenxin sighed, secretly regretting that she hadn't been decisive enough and had missed out on such a rare and outstanding talent.

Now that the other party has made a name for themselves, how could this old woman possibly have any chance?

Song Wenxin was never one to speak without reason. With her assurance, Wang Chengpeng ultimately restrained his urge to act.

Although he was able to decisively protect everyone's university places, he couldn't bring those behind-the-scenes manipulators to their due punishment.

It would only take about a week, which would coincide with the time I had agreed upon with Wang Fucheng, so this matter could be considered timely.

Thinking this, Wang Chengpeng finally smiled slightly and said:

"Director Song, I certainly trust your abilities, so I'll have to rely on you for this matter."

"Oh, right, there's another thing I need your help with." Hearing Wang Chengpeng ask for her help, Song Wenxin's tired expression vanished, replaced by excitement.
"Oh, so even Comrade Wang has a time when he needs help from someone as useless as me."

"Just for saying that, I'd help you even if it's a huge, earth-shattering thing."

Upon hearing Song Wenxin's answer, Wang Chengpeng smiled helplessly:
"I'm just an honest, ordinary citizen. I don't have any grand ambitions. I just have a small matter I'd like to ask you for help with."

At this point, Wang Chengpeng took a deep breath and stated his request:
"Director Song, you know my situation. I'm about to go to university and won't be able to take care of the family like I do now."

"Although my family is still quite well-off and we have no worries about food and clothing, I'm afraid of being targeted by someone who doesn't know what's good for them."

"It's nothing serious, I just want you to look after the house for me a little while I'm not home."

Better safe than sorry!
Although Wang Chengpeng has transformed Wangjia Village into a safe and secure village, the current world is not particularly peaceful, so he still cannot be completely at ease.

Moreover, adding more locks for security is never excessive.

Song Wenxin thought she would hear some very difficult request for help, but she didn't expect it to be such a trivial matter.

Thanks to a certain self-proclaimed "honest commoner," the unrest in Shanghe City came one wave after another, and the Song family emerged victorious in each wave.

If this trend continues, there's probably nothing in this area that she can't handle.

Song Wenxin's confusion lasted only a moment; she quickly understood the reason why Wang Chengpeng had asked her for help.

Ultimately, he wanted to leave this small place and venture into a wider world, so far that I couldn't help him at all.

This is probably the only thing I can do to help.

Thinking this, Song Wenxin smiled bitterly, realizing that she really was quite useless.

She, a very capable and strong woman in the eyes of outsiders, experienced a deep sense of powerlessness in front of Wang Chengpeng.

Taking a deep breath, Song Wenxin calmed herself and said solemnly:
"Comrade Wang, don't worry about this. I will definitely take care of your family."

"No matter how big or small the matter is, as long as I mention your name, I will help you."

Song Wenxin's promise was extremely valuable, especially since it was such a broad promise, making it even more valuable.

However, she gave it away without asking for anything in return, simply because Wang Chengpeng deserved such a promise.

"Thank you then," Wang Chengpeng said. "I'm not the kind of person who takes favors from others for nothing."

"If you encounter any problems you can't solve in the future, ask me for help, and I might be able to help you come up with some solutions."

Wang Chengpeng's promise was extremely arrogant, considering he was facing the Song family, who were about to become the local tyrants of Shanghe City.

However, Song Wenxin didn't feel there was anything wrong with it at all, since Wang Chengpeng had always done it that way.

She was even secretly pleased, thinking to herself that she had made another sure-fire deal.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Wang Chengpeng hung up the phone.

After thinking it over, he decided to go out anyway.

Even someone as stubborn as Zhu Hong has this kind of self-blame for not working hard enough; it's possible that others will also have similar thoughts.

Although I couldn't tell them the truth, I could still offer them some subtle comfort to ease their anxiety.

With that in mind, Wang Chengpeng told Wang Meiyan to take good care of the house, and then rode his bicycle out of the house.

Based on the distance, Wang Chengpeng first went to Xia Mingyue's residence.

dong dong dong...

Wang Chengpeng's strong fingers tapped rhythmically on Xia Mingyue's door, followed by his shouts:

"Is Xia, the educated youth, at home? I have something I want to tell you."

Upon hearing Wang Chengpeng's call, Xia Mingyue, who was reading a book inside, felt her heart beat faster for no apparent reason.

She knew Wang Chengpeng's personality; he would only come to her for a reason.

There doesn't seem to be anything worth his visit lately, and I haven't invited him over for dinner, so why is he coming to see me?

Thinking of a certain possibility, Xia Mingyue's heart beat faster, and she even considered whether she should pretend that she was not there.

She couldn't resist in the end, and walked towards the door with the book in her hand.

As soon as she opened the door, Xia Mingyue saw Wang Chengpeng's familiar face and asked in confusion:
"Comrade Wang, is there something important you need to see me about?"

Nodding slightly, Wang Chengpeng replied, "Of course it's something important."

“I received a notice from the commune saying that I could start preparing for the political review and physical examination.”

"Thinking of Xia, who is equally outstanding, I came over to ask what the situation was and whether you had received the notification."

So that's what happened?
Xia Mingyue didn't know what she was feeling right now, and said with great contradiction:

"We haven't received any news about that yet."

"Maybe I didn't do well on the exam, and no school will accept me."

When Xia Mingyue said this, there was not a trace of insecurity in her eyes, as if she was already certain that she would be able to successfully get into university.

Ultimately, she and Wang Chengpeng are the same kind of people, both having considerable self-confidence.

In her past life, she was able to get into a top university. In this life, with Wang Chengpeng's help, she will only do better. How could she possibly doubt that she can't get in?

It seemed he had come to the wrong place; Xia Mingyue didn't seem to need his comfort at all.

Wang Chengpeng gave an awkward smile and explained:
"Judging from Xia Zhiqing's calm and composed demeanor, he must know that there is a sequence to the notifications."

"I came here specifically to talk about this because I was worried that my situation would affect your mood."

At this point, Wang Chengpeng said with great certainty:

"With Xia Zhiqing's abilities, I believe you will definitely be able to get into your ideal university."

If Xia Mingyue hadn't been familiar with Wang Chengpeng, she probably would have thought he came over just to talk about such trivial matters.

After a moment's thought, she realized a possibility, and her expression changed drastically.

However, she remained silent, maintaining her calm and composed demeanor, and smiled sweetly as she thanked Wang Chengpeng.
"Thank you for your concern, Comrade Wang. I am aware of this matter."

"Besides, you've given me so much help this year. If I really don't get into university, I'll be too ashamed to face you."

"Judging from your appearance, you seem to have things to do. I also have some things to attend to, so I won't keep you any longer. What do you think?" (End of Chapter)