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

Liu Gen was so excited that he stood there dumbfounded, not knowing what to do. But Aunt Tian immediately rushed back to get the household registration book.

Only after all the checks were completed did the postman hand the envelope to Liu Gen, and everyone gathered around.

"What kind of school is 'Six Roots'?"

Did you really pass the exam?

Are you sure it's an acceptance letter?

"Aunt Tian, ​​you've finally made it through! You can finally enjoy your retirement!"

"Open it and take a look!"

"..."

Even Yan Bugui craned his neck to watch; he couldn't believe it—a college student!

He never went to university!

In ancient times, a college student was at least considered a scholar or a graduate of the imperial examination.

With Tian Liugen's abysmal grades, how is that possible?

Liu Gen held the envelope, too afraid to move. He glanced at Zhang Dabiao.

Zhang Dabiao nodded: "Open it and see. I told you, you'd win, you absolutely will!"

With a determined heart, Liu Gen carefully tore open the envelope, inside which was an acceptance letter—

"Admission Notice"

"Tian Liugen: "

Based on national needs and your preferences, you have been admitted to our school's XX Department, XX Major. Classes will begin on September 1st, with registration on August 26th and 27th. Please arrive at the school on time (and do not arrive early)."

September 4, 1960

"Sijiu City Normal University"

Liu Gen recited each word one by one...

Everyone craned their necks to look at the words on the paper; not a single one was wrong.

The official seal and serial number are all present.

Tian Liugen has become a college student?!

Yan Bugui couldn't accept this fact: "Six Roots, you... you..."

"You got into Beijing Normal University? You want to be a teacher?"

"With your grades, ranking near the bottom of the class, you want to be a teacher? Wouldn't that be misleading students?"

Zhang Dabiao chuckled: "That's not necessarily true. At the very least, he'll be a primary or secondary school teacher."

"If one is diligent and lucky, it's not impossible to stay at a university as a faculty member."

"With a bit more luck, there's also a possibility of getting into the Education Bureau or the Ministry of Education."

In short—

"Liu Gen, you're treating us to dinner!"

Aunt Tian was overjoyed and cried, repeatedly saying, "We absolutely must invite them! We'll sell everything we own to do it!"

While showering them with compliments, everyone urged the Tian family to host a dinner party.

Liu Gen was at a loss for what to do, but there was also a practical problem: his family didn't have much money and didn't have enough ration coupons. Where could they buy groceries at this time?

Zhang Dabiao waved his hand and said, "To celebrate our Comrade Tian Liugen's admission to university, I suggest that all members of our mutual aid association pool their resources to hold a banquet. We can't touch our housing provident fund, but we caught quite a few fish today. If each family contributes a little, it shouldn't be difficult to put together a banquet."

Xu Damao, Liu Guangqi, and others also expressed their agreement.

Then the whole courtyard sprang into action.

Only Yan Bugui was left standing there, bewildered in the wind...

How did Tian Liugen, who had the worst grades, get into university?

Or is it a teachers' college?

The worst outcome is becoming a teacher, but if things go well, you might be able to stay at the school or get a job in the education bureau.

Once he becomes a leader in the education bureau, won't he be in charge of me?

That can't be!

—Wait a minute, it was Zhang Dabiao who persuaded Liu Gen to take the college entrance exam. Zhang Dabiao even said he could calculate with his fingers, and that he would lend Liu Gen luck and that Liu Gen would definitely pass?!

Zhang Dabiao already knew that Liu Gen would pass the exam!

What did Zhang Dabiao do?

Or did Zhang Dabiao cheat on the college entrance exam with Liu Gen?

This guy should be arrested and shot!

The thought was terrifying. Yan Bugui ran out without looking back. This was too serious; he had to report it to the local street office! He dared not remain silent!

He didn't dare to report the case to the police station, fearing he wouldn't be able to explain himself clearly, so he could only go to Director Wang first.

Meanwhile, things were bustling in the courtyard. To celebrate the first college student from our courtyard, Sha Zhu was the chef for free!

Xu Damao brought out the wine!

Liu Guangqi is laying eggs!

Zhang Dabiao was even more extravagant, eating pork, roast chicken, hot pot, and meatballs—he could eat as much as he wanted!

In addition to today's fish, each table will have one sauerkraut fish and one braised fish chunk.

Aunt Tian also went to buy some vegetables and brought over some staple food.

That's it! With fish and meat, it's definitely classy enough!

------------

Yan Bugui went to the subdistrict office to find Director Wang and learned the truth—

Of the 21 young people from Nanluoguxiang who took the college entrance exam this year, 19 got into high school...

This isn't a question of whether Tian Liugen's grades are good or bad; it's just that the acceptance rate this year is too high.

Therefore, as long as Tian Liugen doesn't submit a blank paper or write random answers, he can basically pass the exam.

Yan Bugui was dumbfounded upon hearing this fact.

How could someone like Tian Liugen get into university and become a teacher?

Where the hell can I go to seek justice?

The country should recruit talent regardless of background, but this isn't the way to do it, is it?

In the end, all I could do was sigh—

It's all about timing and fate; this farmer family has just been fortunate to be born at the right time.

As for how Zhang Dabiao knew, Yan Bugui didn't ask any further. The important thing was to hurry back to the courtyard and get a free meal!

------------

During the banquet, Zhang Dabiao could tell that Mu Wanqing was still a little lonely. She couldn't take the college entrance exam, and she had been running into obstacles in her job search recently.

Zhang Dabiao told her that if all else failed, she could try working at the food processing plant, which had been doing quite well lately.

Mu Wanqing smiled awkwardly, realizing she really had no other choice.

I've been drifting around for a month, and it wouldn't make sense for me not to go back to work.

Zhang Dabiao asked, "Wanqing, what school did you want to apply to, and what did you want to study?"

"So, what do you want to do after graduation? What is your ultimate goal?"

He only knew that Mu Wanqing was a good singer, but he didn't really know much about her career plans.

"I……"

Mu Wanqing put down her chopsticks and thought for a moment.

"I actually wanted to apply to the Beijing Art Academy or the Central Academy of Drama, which are both very close to our hutong, so it would be convenient for me to go home and take care of my mom."

"I want to study music and acting; I want to be an actor and make movies..."

She was a little embarrassed to talk about it, because being an actress inevitably brings to mind some things about her and her mother's past.

Zhang Dabiao pondered for a long time: "Become a singer and a theatrical and film actor?"

"If you don't have formal training, you really don't have much of a chance."

Nowadays, those who can perform on stage are basically actors from performing arts troupes, film studios, or Peking Opera troupes, where the licensing process is much stricter.

This road is completely impassable.

Mu Wanqing had also inquired with local cultural centers. Firstly, they weren't hiring at all, and secondly, even if they were, her credentials wouldn't pass the screening.

Although she has a great appearance and a good voice, there is absolutely no hope for her.

Hearing Zhang Dabiao's words, Mu Wanqing lowered her head again. Although she had accepted reality, she was still somewhat uncomfortable.

"There is still a chance to go to university, but it will take a long time..." Zhang Dabiao whispered to Mu Wanqing. After all, this matter was very mysterious, and it was a bit like precognition, so he dared not say it out loud.

Mu Wanqing's eyes lit up: "Da Biao, really?"

Zhang Dabiao nodded: "Would I lie to you?"

"The first option is if you become an outstanding hero or role model, or if a high-ranking leader personally vouches for you and assumes responsibility for your actions due to special circumstances, then you will have the opportunity to take the college entrance examination."

"But this is too difficult; there's basically no hope."

"And the second one..."