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

"The second option is through mass recommendation for workers and peasants... Basically, it's a recommendation-based way to get into university. I've done the math, and I estimate it will be about 10 years from now... You'll have to become a worker or peasant first, work for two or three years, and make some achievements. This is feasible, but it takes a long time..." Zhang Dabiao was referring to worker-peasant-soldier university students. They could find a small factory where class background wasn't a big deal and become a worker first, or go directly to the countryside, to Qinjiatun in Changping or Zhangjiatun in Shunyi. He could help arrange that.

"The last option takes the longest, so..."

Zhang Dabiao pretended to count on his fingers for a while before saying, "After 17 years, you can take the college entrance exam again based on your own abilities. Your class background won't have much of an impact."

He was referring to the reopening of the college entrance examination in 77. At that time, Mu Wanqing's background was not a big deal.

However, for the second option, Mu Wanqing would have to be at least 28 years old to get a recommendation to go to university, and she would be 30-31 years old when she graduated.

The third option is the safest, but you have to take the exam at age 35, and you'll graduate at 39.

He started his acting career at the age of 39...

Isn't it a bit too late?

But Mu Wanqing thought about it for a moment and then nodded.

"Okay, I'll listen to you. Whichever you say, I'll go with it. As long as I can get on stage, I'm willing to wait as long as it takes."

Her voice was full of determination and trust.

This surprised Zhang Dabiao greatly: "Ten to seventeen years? You can really wait that long?"

"And aren't you afraid I'm just making this up to comfort you?"

Looking into Zhang Dabiao's eyes, Mu Wanqing said earnestly, "I believe you."

"You said that by calculating with your fingers, you would definitely win this year, and he did."

"So, I believe everything you say!"

Zhang Dabiao was speechless...

Nima was just joking when he said it casually, but now everyone believes he has some kind of supernatural power.

Suddenly a voice came from the side.

"I believe it too!"

When Zhang Dabiao turned around, he was almost startled. It turned out to be the little girl Qin Jingru, who was holding a rice bowl and staring intently at Zhang Dabiao.

He Yushui and others were also nearby...

Xu Damao came over and asked, "What are you talking about? What do you believe in?"

"I believe Da Biao! What else can I believe? I believe everything Da Biao says!"

"He said he could predict I'd definitely win this year, and he even lent me his luck, and I did!"

"So I believe whatever Da Biao says!"

Liu Gen also came over, holding a glass of wine, ready to toast Zhang Dabiao. He had already drunk a bit too much and was slurring his words slightly.

Liu Guangqi said seriously, "We can't talk about the Six Roots, it's feudal superstition. Da Biao was just joking."

"But I'll believe whatever Da Biao says!"

Even Sha Zhu and Xu Damao nodded at Zhang Dabiao, indicating their approval.

"Absolutely! Think about it, ever since Da Biao recovered his mind, has he ever failed to keep any of his promises?"

"You keep your word, you honest young man!"

"That's right. Da Biao said he could grow mushrooms, and he did. He said he could catch fish, and Da Mao caught the king of fish. He keeps his word!"

"And about that usury issue, when he says there's something wrong, there really is!"

"Yes, yes, yes! I believe whatever Da Biao says; he's smart!"

"Hahahaha—"

Zhang Dabiao – [Can you give me a chance to explain?]

Xu Damao's witty remark diverted everyone's attention from feudal superstition.

Superstition is a matter that can be serious or minor, and Zhang Dabiao was just a primary school student.

If you engage in feudal superstitious activities, such as the kind of soul-summoning rituals like the one performed by Jia Zhangshi, that's a serious matter, and the neighborhood committee will have to intervene.

If you claim to be a celestial being descended to earth and do this or that, the neighborhood committee will arrest you and send you to be criticized and denounced.

If you pretend to be a ghost or a swindler to cheat people out of money, the police station will arrest you and put you in jail.

But if you were to say, by some calculation, so-and-so's son didn't have dermatitis...

That's just neighbors arguing in the street; at most, they'll give each other a verbal warning, it's not a big deal.

Moreover, Zhang Dabiao was just joking and saying auspicious words to encourage Liu Gen, so no one paid any attention to it.

But Yi Zhonghai, Jia Dongxu, and Qin Huairu at the other table felt a sudden unease.

Because Zhang Dabiao said at the beginning of the year—

Jia Dongxu won't live more than two years!

What if he really has supernatural powers and his prediction came true?

Jia Dongxu's eating speed suddenly slowed down; he was a little flustered.

No, I need to find a master to do another reading tomorrow and break the curse!

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

Two days later, Li Huaide arrived.

Zhang Dabiao, Qin Jingru, Mu Wanqing, He Yushui, and others were farming in the courtyard.

"Da Biao, that little girl's household registration is really difficult to handle."

"However, I asked a friend at the Education Bureau for help, and Qin Jingru can go to junior high school with you next semester, as a temporary student."

"Getting a junior high school diploma shouldn't be a problem by then."

"Then I got her a permanent position in the kitchen of the steel rolling mill. I told her before that as long as she could handle the sour cream, she would get a workstation. By then, she was about the right age, so she was able to get a city residency permit."

"How about this?"

Li Huaide had no other choice; after going around in circles, this was the only way to solve the problem.

Zhang Dabiao was stunned and didn't say anything. That's it?

I can solve her job problem when she reaches a certain age; at worst, I can just buy her a workstation. Besides, you promised her a kitchen workstation in the first place; you should have given it to her, shouldn't you?

Qin Jingru's eyes lit up—she could study, graduate from junior high school, and still get a job at a big factory with a workstation?

This is fantastic news!

She almost agreed immediately, but Zhang Dabiao didn't say anything, so Qin Jingru didn't speak either.

Zhang Dabiao was really thinking things through, but Li Huaide thought he was dissatisfied.

After all, none of the promises he had made so confidently before had come to fruition, and Zhang Dabiao had indeed helped him a lot, from making cream cakes to win over Russian experts, to making sour cream, and exchanging resources and providing insights into the future of export-oriented small consumer goods manufacturers, which led to him becoming the acting deputy director of the steel rolling mill...

Although Li Huaide contributed a considerable amount of money and supplies, his profits from the resources were far more than money could calculate. It could be said that he owed Zhang Dabiao a huge favor.

"Uncle Li is truly at his wit's end. At worst, once Qin Jingru gets a job at the steel mill, Uncle Li will give her priority in getting housing!"

Qin Jingru's eyes widened like copper bells!

I didn't do anything, and my problems with school, a formal job, and housing were all solved?

Zhang Dabiao was also stunned. "I didn't even say anything, why did you automatically raise the price?"

"There can only be one room at most, because she is still single and not a cadre. This is the rule. Uncle Li, this is all I can do."

"Give me a word, whether it's okay or not."

Zhang Dabiao immediately nodded: "Okay, okay, this is good enough. Don't worry, the cream cake and sour cream business will continue."

If they still don't agree, then they're being a bit ungrateful.

I only made a few cakes... and I made so many...

Li Huaide is really giving it to me!

Zhang Dabiao wasn't worried about Li Huaide breaking his promise, because Li Huaide had fulfilled all the promises he had made so far.

Suddenly, Zhang Dabiao saw Mu Wanqing looking on with envy.

"By the way, Uncle Li, I also have a favor to ask of you."

"My friend Mu Wanqing lives in the next courtyard."

"I didn't have a job after graduating from high school, and my family background is a bit problematic."

"Can we hire someone from your factory? To be a broadcaster or something. We'll pay for the workstation."