I was reborn without dreams

I'm retaking Chapter 26.
The total score was 739 points. Only 11 points were deducted in Chinese and English, and no points were deducted in the other subjects.

Leading the second-place team by 56 points is a precipitous lead.

On the 22nd, the excitement was only felt within the Education Bureau; it wasn't until the 23rd, when the Shazhou Daily published a front-page report of good news, that the whole thing truly took off.

The number of students enrolled in "Zhang An Education" on June 22nd was mainly those trying to repeat the middle school entrance exam; there were only about forty families with students retaking the college entrance exam.

However, by the 23rd, the six landlines of "Zhang An Education" were constantly ringing. By lunchtime, the number of registered users had exceeded 6,000, most of whom were planning to have their children retake the college entrance examination.

Moreover, it's not just in Shazhou City; there are also a considerable number in neighboring Shanghu City and Jiyang City, as well as in Chongzhou City across the Yangtze River, where there are more than twenty institutions specializing in college entrance exam retakes that want to cooperate with "Zhang An Education".

The title of top scorer is so powerful that it's even more impactful than that of a top-tier teacher.

In addition to these, admissions officers from prestigious universities also found "Zhang An Education's" contact information and called to ask for a meeting and a meal.

The appearance of admissions officers from prestigious universities served as a reminder to Uncle Zhang, as he met with many acquaintances at the Education Bureau on the afternoon of the 23rd, all of whom acted as intermediaries.

Some were recruiting students for Luzhou Jiaotong University, some came from Beijing University, and some were alumni of the Journalism Department of Aurora University. In short, everyone showed their unique talents, which broadened Uncle Zhang's horizons.

That evening, the bureau had a dinner party. There were many reasons for the gathering, including congratulating Zhang Zhengdong's nephew on becoming the top scholar and also congratulating him on his promotion, which resulted in him being promoted by half a grade and becoming a full-fledged section chief.

However, the notification will take a while, but the city's personnel department has already closed the file.

"Zhengdong, which university does your nephew plan to attend? Jinghua University or Beijing University? Or perhaps Jiaotong University or Aurora University?"

Qiu Jianmin planned to give Zhang Da'an a red envelope after he filled out his college application.

However, Zhang Zhengdong knew nothing about this, and Zhang Da'an had not mentioned it to him either, so he said, "I'll ask him tomorrow morning. He's always been very opinionated and rarely discusses things with me like this."

Although it was said to be tomorrow morning, Zhang Zhengdong went back to Wuxing Village as soon as the dinner ended. The weather was already hot in late June, but people in the countryside like to enjoy the night breeze and eat watermelon, which is quite enjoyable.

Old man Zhang Qihong, wearing a white vest riddled with holes, was fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan and bragging to a group of old men who hadn't gone to sleep yet, "Back then, my squad leader and I herded four foreign devils into a shell crater. My squad leader could speak English, and he'd say something in English with every slap..."

"How is it said in English?"

"What the hell?"

Zhang Qihong lifted the handle of the palm-leaf fan, poked his scalp, and said with some doubt.

"motherfXcker?"

"Oh yeah, that's how it's said. My squad leader learned it from a prisoner..."

Upon hearing Zhang Da'an's words, the old man nodded repeatedly, then asked his grandson, "Zhang An, what does that mean?"

"It means the same as 'entering the mother's'."

"Foreigners swear too."

Some old men found it novel, but Zhang Qihong looked disgusted and said, "Do you think foreigners are so high-class? They'll kneel down and beg for mercy just like us when they get beaten, with their hands raised higher than my legs."

"Hahahahahaha..."

Amidst laughter, Zhang Zhengdong came in carrying a pile of packed leftovers. Although they were called leftovers, many of them were still whole.

Roast chicken, braised duck, salted goose, deep-fried bream, sweet and sour pork ribs, and shredded eel rolled into a ball.

There were also plenty of other dishes like veal steaks and braised pork ribs. Seeing that the old men were all there, they simply brought out a large round table and served more than twenty plates of good food.

We opened half a case of beer and ate and drank at the same time.

Zhang Da'an was free today, so he chatted with the old men.

While eating and chatting, the dogs from the neighbors soon came into the yard wagging their tails and running back and forth under the big round table, waiting for all sorts of bones and meat.

"Hey, Zhang An, which university are you planning to attend? How do you fill out your application?" Zhang Zhengdong picked up his beer bowl, took a sip, and then asked Zhang Da'an.

"Yeah, Xiao An, you're the top scorer, you can choose any university in the country. Which one are you planning to attend? I heard that Peking University is the best, is that true?"

“Zhang An is truly an old man. He was the top scorer in the middle school entrance exam last year and the top scorer in the college entrance exam this year. I really didn’t expect that the ‘God of Literature’ would also come to our Zhang family.”

The old men were chatting enthusiastically when they saw the commotion in the courtyard. Uncle Zhang Zhengwen came over with a flashlight, glanced around, greeted them, and then went to call his wife to bring some melon seeds and peanuts for his uncles and brothers to enjoy while they drank and chatted.

Before long, more people arrived. At first, it was mostly men of all ages, but soon women also came over to listen to what was going on.

If a top scholar emerges from the family, even if you don't take care of yourself, you still have to pay attention to the children.

"I have no plans to go to university."

Zhang Da'an's words were startling, giving the old man a fright.

The room fell silent for a few seconds before Zhang Qihong, barely containing his anger, said, "You little brat, how can you not study and not go to university?! It's not like you can't afford to or aren't good at studying, and you don't need to learn a trade. If you go to a good university, you'll make a greater contribution to your family and society in the future. You can't waste your talents!"

"Grandpa, don't be in a hurry."

After refilling the old man's beer, Zhang Da'an slowly said, "Going to university is about acquiring knowledge. With knowledge, you can earn more money. That's the logic for most families, right?"

"Yes."

The old man wasn't unreasonable. Hearing his grand-nephew's words, he nodded. "That's true, but you're different. You're the top scholar in the imperial examinations. In all the years since the founding of the country, there haven't been many like you. You're a talented person, and you must have dreams to realize, right? There's always a place for you to showcase your talents, no matter where you are..."

"I have no dreams."

"..."

Zhang Da'an spoke calmly, looking at the old man slowly, "Grandpa, I have no dreams. I don't want to be a scientist, a doctor, or a policeman. I just want to live a free and easy life."

"So you have to... you have to go to a good university to find a good job, right?"

"Grandpa, what is the purpose of finding a good job?"

"There is food to eat."

"Then I don't lack food now."

"..."

Confused by the few words, Zhang Qihong felt extremely uncomfortable. He wanted to yell at him, but his second son had told him that this grand-nephew was incredibly arrogant and earned millions a year.

To be honest, he had a hard life, being meticulous and frugal, and didn't even earn a fraction of what his nephew earned.

Therefore, he was convinced and acknowledged that his grand-nephew was indeed very talented in making money.

"So you're just going to give up on school altogether?!"

Zhang Zhengdong also felt it was a pity. His nephew was so talented, a top scorer in the college entrance examination, but he didn't go to university.

"Who said I won't study? I'll repeat a year."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Upon hearing this, the entire courtyard fell silent; everyone's minds were completely blank, as if Zhang Da'an had turned everyone's brains into mush.

(End of this chapter)