The Fiery Era: Starting from Longxugou

"What? Zhao Shi'an is a student in Class 1 of Grade 11? Really? How far have we even started in Grade 11? Even if someone skipped a grade, they could only go up to Grade 11 at most, how could they possibly go up to Grade 12?"

"Exactly! Haitao, don't talk nonsense!"

"When we were in the first year of high school, we were lucky if we could even understand what the teacher was teaching. You're telling me Zhao Shi'an skipped a grade in his first year? That's outrageous! You'd be more likely to say he skipped a grade in his second year!"

In the classroom of Class 1, Grade 12, when the students heard Zhang Haitao say that Zhao Shi'an had skipped a grade in Grade 11, they were first shocked, and then thought that Zhang Haitao was talking nonsense. They were all high school students, and who hadn't been in Grade 11?

It would be more convincing if he said Zhao Shi'an skipped a grade in his second year of high school.

"I'm not making this up! Zhao Shi'an said it himself. Otherwise, would I be shouting 'Grade 11' during class?"

Seeing that no one believed him when he told the truth, Zhang Haitao immediately recounted what had happened during the Chinese class.

"That's true! Haitao's statement isn't entirely accurate, but it's unnecessary to shout 'first year of high school,' and so loudly at that!"

"So, this new student, Zhao Shi'an, really skipped a grade in high school? If that's true, our class has another top student!"

"That's quite possible! We'll have to ask him about it when he gets back!"

"Didn't Haitao just say that Zhao Shi'an is in Class 1 of the first year of high school? The first year isn't far away, so let's go ask him if it's true or not?"

"That makes sense! Class is about to start, let's wait for Zhao Shi'an to come back and ask him first. If we're still worried, we can go check on the first-year students!"

"Great idea!"

Everyone quickly reached an agreement. The class bell rang, and Zhao Shi'an hurried back to the classroom carrying a stack of books.

Upon seeing Zhao Shi'an return, the students of Class 1, Grade 12, became much more enthusiastic and offered to help carry his books.

Seeing this, Zhao Shi'an quickly thanked them, put his textbook on the desk, and then the teacher entered the classroom. The students sat down and prepared for class.

After a class, Zhang Haitao pulled Zhao Shi'an to the yard to do radio calisthenics. On the way, he couldn't contain his curiosity and asked:

"Zhao Shi'an, did you really skip a grade from the first year of high school?"

As soon as Zhang Haitao said this, the surrounding students all perked up their ears.

"What? You don't believe me?"

Zhao Shi'an glanced at Zhang Haitao, then at the students around him, and asked a question with a smile.

"It's not that I don't believe it! It's just that I think it's unlikely. If someone skipped a grade in their second year of high school, it would make sense, but you're only in your first year. It's just too unbelievable."

I did go through the first year of high school, and back then, it was already a feat to fully grasp what the teacher taught. I never expected this…”

Zhang Haitao stopped talking, the meaning of which was self-evident.

"I get it! Maybe I was just lucky!"

Zhao Shi'an offered a casual explanation, but didn't delve into the topic further.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Haitao curled his lip, looking completely unconvinced.

The surrounding students were quite disappointed upon hearing this. They wanted to ask Zhao Shi'an how he learned, but they were too embarrassed to do so, since he had only just transferred to the class and they were not yet familiar with each other.

Upon arriving at the courtyard, Zhao Shi'an was assigned a seat near the front by the sports committee member.

As a new student who had just transferred, and being much shorter than the senior students, he was positioned relatively close to the front.

The students in Class 1 of Senior Three were very curious about Zhao Shi'an, who was doing the exercises seriously. After the broadcast exercises ended, some of them couldn't wait to run to the freshmen to ask for information.

Soon everyone realized that what Zhao Shi'an said was true!

After confirming the authenticity of the news, everyone in the class became even more curious about Zhao Shi'an. Thinking about the test this weekend, they immediately wanted to use the test to get a feel for this genius's abilities.

"Dude, that's awesome! I didn't know you actually skipped a grade!"

In the classroom, Zhang Haitao gave Zhao Shi'an a thumbs up.

"Did you ask in my old class?"

Hearing this, Zhao Shi'an was not surprised. Even if he hid it, the first-year students would definitely spread the word throughout the school. Admitting it openly would only speed up the process!

"Don't get me wrong! Everyone didn't believe you skipped a grade in the first year of high school, but after you told us you were in Class 1 of the first year, everyone went to ask after the exercises, and it turned out to be true! You're really amazing!"

"I wouldn't call myself amazing, I just work a lot more."

Zhao Shi'an offered a casual explanation.

"Perhaps!"

Zhang Haitao echoed, but in his heart he disagreed. Which student in the class didn't work hard? Zhao Shi'an was the first one.

Seeing that Zhang Haitao didn't believe him, Zhao Shi'an didn't explain further.

……

"No. 68, West Goldfish Pond? This is it!"

Li Dahai rode his bicycle to the gate of the courtyard, parked it, took a newspaper from the green mailbag, and went into the courtyard.

Tian Fusheng was weaving winnowing baskets in the yard when he heard a noise at the door. He looked up and saw a postman in a green uniform walk in. He asked, "..."

Who are you looking for?

"Comrade, does Zhao Shi'an live in this courtyard?"

"Yes! Shi'an lives here. The main house is his home. He's gone to school, and his family has all gone to the vegetable garden. Is there any news about him?"

Upon hearing this, Tian Fusheng nodded, thinking it was another rejection letter, and immediately asked about it.

"Yes! Zhao Shi'an's article submitted to the *Beijing Daily* has been accepted, and I've come to deliver a sample copy to him! Since he's not home, could you please pass it on for me?"

Li Dahai walked into the courtyard and took out the newspaper he was holding.

"You got the job?"

Tian Fusheng was taken aback upon hearing this. Had they finally succeeded? It was no secret that Zhao Shi'an had been submitting his manuscript by letter.

They had also heard about how "prodigy writer" Liu Shaotang earned millions from an article.

Zhao Shi'an started writing and submitting articles around that time, but unfortunately, none of them were selected and his submissions were returned several times.

After more than a year of effort with no progress, he thought Zhao Shi'an had given up, but to his surprise, it was approved and the newspaper even sent him a sample copy!

Could Zhao Shi'an be the next Liu Shaotang?

"Yes! Comrade, what do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Li Dahai looked at Tian Fusheng.

"Yes, yes, yes! Wait a minute, my hands are dirty, let me wash them before I take them!"

As he spoke, Tian Fusheng hurriedly got up, wiped himself haphazardly, and feeling somewhat dirty, quickly went back inside to wash his hands.

"Comrade, don't be so serious, it's just an ordinary newspaper! Just take it and hand it to Zhao Shi'an!"

"Yes, we must use it! Deliveryman, you don't know, Shi'an is the most educated person in our area. Now his article has been accepted, he'll be a writer, and I, as his neighbor, can also benefit from it! Hehe!"

Tian Fusheng laughed as he spoke.

"That makes sense. Keep the newspaper safe! Give it to Zhao Shi'an later!"

Li Dahai understood the man's reaction perfectly. He waited until the man washed and dried his hands before handing him the sample newspaper.

"Hey! Don't worry, Qing! I'll give them to them when his family gets back."

Tian Fusheng took the newspaper, patted his chest, and made a promise. Thinking of the royalties for "prodigy writer" Liu Shaotang, he whispered to the postman:

"Comrade, how much do you pay for Shi'an's articles?"

"How much? I really don't know, but it's probably around fifty or sixty thousand!"

Li Dahai casually explained that the fees for manuscripts change frequently these days, and he didn't really understand them, so he gave a rather conservative figure.

"My goodness! So much money! Cultured people are really something!"

Tian Fusheng was very surprised when he heard this. The million-dollar royalties of the "prodigy writer" were certainly impactful, since no one knew him and they usually just talked about him as a topic of conversation. But the success of the people around him made him realize how much money cultural figures could make!

I could work myself to the bone for days weaving willow branches and still not earn as much as Shi'an by submitting his work!

"That's true! People who can write well can easily earn more than us by producing just a few articles a month!"