Courtyard House: Drunk and tipsy, the whole courtyard exposed at the start.

Although Aunt Mu used to come from the Eight Great Hutongs and was said to be a top courtesan, after her re-education, her social class was classified as urban poor, which in itself did not have much impact.

Mu Wanqing was her adopted daughter, and she was sold to the Eight Great Hutongs to be raised as a foreigner. However, she was only 7 years old when the liberation was held, and she only stayed in that place for half a year. In a sense, she was a victim, and her social class was that of an urban poor.

However, the credential review examines family background and major social relationships, not just the individual's personal background.

Aunt Mu's past as a top courtesan is a historical stain and social connection that she can never erase. This is clearly documented in the files of the local street office and police station.

In the movement to prove one's identity, this situation was easily elevated to "extreme and complex social relations," so Aunt Mu was "an urban poor person with extremely serious historical problems and social and relational stains."

Mu Wanqing is her adopted daughter, so Mu Wanqing "may pose a risk." The adoptive mother's complicated history, her associates, and the possibility of unclear documentation may "influence" and "contaminate" the adopted daughter.

The environment in which an adopted daughter grows up is itself considered "impure" and "complex".

Therefore, Mu Wanqing's background was summarized as "complex social relationships, making her unsuitable for admission to confidential or important majors".

A single vote is enough to disqualify the candidate from taking the college entrance examination.

Mu Wanqing's world collapsed.

Legally speaking, Mu Wanqing was sold to the Eight Great Hutongs when she was six or seven years old and only stayed there for half a year. Therefore, her family background was theoretically that of urban poor and that she was a victim.

But her adoptive mother is the most important family member and key social relationship in her file.

Realistically speaking, no one would stand up and risk writing a statement for her, even if it were published in the newspaper to sever ties with her adoptive mother, it would be meaningless, and Mu Wanqing was unwilling to do so.

No university or professor would dare to take the risk of accepting her, even if you ranked first in the country.

Given her situation, it would be difficult for ordinary factories to hire her. She could only find employment in street factories or in more demanding industries, such as sanitation or coal mining, where she could gain a foothold due to her "outstanding performance."

Going to college?

Even the doors of the new era have been closed to her.

From the moment the evidence documents were stuffed into the file folder, her fate was already decided.

Mu Wanqing and Aunt Mu hugged each other and cried uncontrollably at home. Aunt Mu cried so hard that she almost fainted.

"Wanqing, it's all my fault! It's all my fault. Maybe I should just hang myself. You can ask the school again: if I'm gone, will the application process be approved?"

"Mom, what are you saying? You can't die, you have to live. You didn't harm me. If you hadn't taken me in as your adopted daughter, I don't know if I would still be alive today."

"This is my fate, I don't blame you, I really don't blame you..."

The two were crying inside the house, and several neighbors from the surrounding tenement had gathered around. Their social class...

Many of them were from the lowest social classes, so they became urban poor and lived in crowded courtyards.

Even if someone is skilled enough to want to work for a better factory, no one dares to hire them.

In the end, everyone shook their heads and parted ways.

Zhang Dabiao and He Yushui knocked on the door of the Mu family.

"Wanqing, Aunt Mu, I..."

Zhang Dabiao didn't know what to say.

Mu Wanqing forced herself to remain calm, wiped away her tears, and forced a smile as she invited the two of them to come and sit down.

"It's okay, if I can't take the exam, then I won't. I'll look for a job in a couple of days."

"There's always a way out. If all else fails, my mom and I can go work at a food processing plant. Da Biao, you won't refuse to hire me, will you?"

She knew that Zhang Dabiao was actually the one who called the shots at the entire food processing plant.

Zhang Dabiao scratched his head and said, "I would absolutely welcome you to go there. Don't worry, even if the place is full, I can get another secret recipe, and the processing plant will need to hire more people."

"Don't worry, if you follow Brother Biao, you won't be any worse off than a regular worker in the factory."

He didn't know how to comfort Aunt Mu and Mu Wanqing.

"Aunt Mu, don't worry. There's always a way out. Even a blind sparrow won't starve. I'll help Wanqing too."

With Zhang Dabiao's affirmation, Aunt Mu felt a little relieved. As long as Zhang Dabiao took care of her, Mu Wanqing's life and work would not be a problem.

It's just a pity that I can't go to university.

Mu Wanqing's grades were always among the top three in her class, and she loved music and performing. She originally thought she had a chance to get into a good school and change her destiny.

but……

—Hey—

At this moment, He Yushui also deeply understood why his father had left.

He Daqing was very afraid that his past actions and historical issues would affect his child's future, which was one of the reasons he left.

So, it's likely that this issue also influenced Yan Jiecheng's decision not to pursue higher education. His family were small business owners, but it's more likely due to his own poor academic performance.

And Zhang Dabiao—

He Yushui looked at Zhang Dabiao.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Da Biao, your father was a fake Taoist priest before Liberation. Will that affect you...?"

Zhang Dabiao was taken aback. His situation was similar to Mu Wanqing's; both of them had been adopted.

His father's deeds before liberation weren't exactly honorable; he had even killed someone. Although the government portrayed him as someone who eliminated a scourge for the people, ...

That's a bit of a hassle.

Zhang Dabiao scratched his head: "Whether I take the college entrance exam or not, it's not a big deal."

"I'll ask Director Wang again later to see if this has any impact."

"But for us ordinary people, as long as we live a good life, that's enough."

Aunt Mu nodded; she understood this best. But Mu Wanqing could tell that she was still somewhat unwilling.

But let's talk about this in a few days after she's calmed down.

After chatting for a while, Mu Wanqing and Aunt Mu calmed down, and Zhang Dabiao and He Yushui left the courtyard.

"Da Biao..."

"Um?"

Zhang Dabiao was still thinking about the possibility of going to university when he was suddenly stopped by the rain.

"What's wrong?"

"Are you dating Wanqing?"

Rain hesitated for a long time before asking the question.

Zhang Dabiao was having a bit of a headache.

"Not yet, I don't have that intention for now, I just graduated from elementary school."

"What's the rush? I want to play for another two years."

Zhang Dabiao could tell that Yu Shui had a bit of a crush on him, but he didn't want to refuse her, so he had to come up with this excuse.

"Play for two years?"

"Yeah, look at me, I have no worries about food, clothing, housing, or a job, why would I be in a rush?"

"If you're in a relationship, you have to get married; if you're married, you have to have children; and if you have children, you have to take care of them... It's so troublesome."

"So, while I'm still young, I want to enjoy myself for a couple more years. I don't have any elders pressuring me to get married and have grandchildren, and my cousin was adopted into my father's lineage, so he's in charge of continuing the Zhang family line. I can do whatever I want."

"This is what it truly means to have plenty of money, little trouble, and be close to home; one person is full and the whole family isn't hungry."

"What's wrong? It's raining. You didn't...?"

Zhang Dabiao deliberately gave He Yushui a strange look, as if to say, "Hey girl, you wouldn't happen to have a crush on me too, would you?"

He Yushui didn't say anything, her face flushed with embarrassment, and she rushed over to punch Zhang Dabiao, who then ran away laughing.

He Yushui was both angry and happy. She was angry because she wondered if this idiot was just slow to understand.

The good news is that he and Mu Wanqing haven't completely settled things yet, so he still has a chance.

But what about Qin Jingru?