At the start, I had to choose one of four options, and I immediately picked the Brahmin from the cou

Chinese: 103

Mathematics: 65

English: 137

Science: 140

Total score: 445

Li Xiao stared at the numbers on the computer screen, momentarily speechless.

He managed to hold his own in Chinese and English thanks to his previous foundation, but math and science were like gibberish to Li Xiao. It was only by divine intervention that he managed to score over 400 points.

For an average student, a score of 445 in science subjects basically means a bleak future. Without any major opportunities in life, their life is pretty much set in stone.

With a score like that, he doesn't even get to choose a school; the schools choose him. He'd be lucky to get into a decent school.

However, this naturally does not include Li Xiao.

With the Li family's wealth, even if he does nothing, as long as he doesn't start a business or gamble, he could spend the Li family's money for several lifetimes and still not run out.

Just as Li Xiao was pondering where to go to school, his phone, which was on the table, suddenly rang.

He initially thought it was Zheng Hao calling to ask how many points he got on the test, but when he picked up his phone, he found that the name flashing on the screen wasn't Zheng Hao's, but his mother Zhao Xiulan's.

As soon as the call connected, the first sound coming from the receiver was the crisp clatter of mahjong tiles clattering together, and the faint voices of several middle-aged women talking could also be heard.

"Xiaoxiao, I heard the college entrance exam results are available today. Have you checked? How did it go?" Zhao Xiulan's voice was nonchalant, followed by a loud shout from the other end of the phone, "Pong! I want this tile, don't move it!"

"Checked, 445 points."

There was a brief two-second silence on the other end of the phone, followed by the clattering sound of the cards being shuffled again.

"445? You cheated?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiao's lips, which remained unchanged even after failing the college entrance examination, twitched involuntarily.

"Mom, in your eyes, does your son have to cheat to get this score?"

Zhao Xiulan's confident voice came from the other end of the phone, "What else could it be? You got over 400 points on the test, did you cheat or is it some kind of incredible stroke of luck?"

Hearing his mother's merciless betrayal, Li Xiao was speechless for a moment. "Mom, even if you don't believe in my abilities, you should at least believe in the proctor's eyesight, right? I don't want to have my life stained by cheating on the college entrance exam."

"Alright, alright, you've suddenly figured it out. But with this score in China, you'd only get into a private third-tier university or a junior college at best. How about I have your dad arrange for you to go abroad? Your second uncle works at Xida University, so he can take care of you if you go there."

"Go to Xida University? Forget it, I don't want to travel all that way to listen to my second uncle chanting sutras every day."

Li Xiao refused without hesitation.

What a joke! The next decade or so will be a time of crazy capital investment in China, a time when opportunities are everywhere. Going abroad to get a "gilded" resume at this time would be truly a sign of a lapse in judgment.

Moreover, guns were rampant in that area, and even tobacco was legal. He didn't want to be shot dead by a drug addict while walking down the street one day.

"Mom, things are developing really well in China right now. I can just pick any school in the province and get a degree. It'll be closer to home, so if anything happens, you and Dad can help me out."

Li Xiao firmly cut off the other person's words.

"Fine, if you're not going, then you're not going. It's your decision."

Zhao Xiulan was just saying it casually and had no real attachment to it.

Zhao Xiulan didn't actually have any good feelings towards those Western countries.

She can't get used to the food or the accommodations there. What if her son goes astray and comes back with a blonde, blue-eyed foreign wife in a few years? She won't know how to respond if they have a fight.

Since her son didn't want to go, she was happy to accept it.

"Anyway, you're just coasting along wherever you are. Your dad's business will eventually be handed over to you after you graduate."

In this small corner of Jiangyang County, Li Xiao was nothing short of a prince.

In Zhao Xiulan's view, even if her son submits a blank exam paper in the college entrance examination, he can still live a life of luxury and ease.

"Alright, Mom, I'll handle the school matters myself. I'll decide in the next couple of days and then I'll let you and Dad know."

"Okay, just keep that in mind. If you don't have enough money, just tell your dad, or you can come directly to me—hey, hey, hey! Don't move, I won! A pure suit with a self-draw!"

Hearing the busy tone from his phone, Li Xiao shook his head helplessly.

Why didn't I see his mother playing mahjong this much in his past life?

Just as Li Xiao was about to call Zheng Hao to ask how his exam went, his phone rang again.

The words "Old Li" appeared on the screen.

Li Xiao raised an eyebrow and pressed the answer button. "Hello, Dad."

"Have you checked your scores? How did you do?"

"445".

Li Xiao answered calmly as always.

"Did you cheat?"

Hearing the same answer as his mother Zhao Xiulan, Li Xiao rolled his eyes and couldn't help but complain.

"Dad, you and Mom are truly a perfect couple; you say exactly the same things."

"Oh? Your mother said the same thing?"

Li Jianguo didn't dwell on the matter, just laughed it off and changed the subject.

"Now that the scores are out, what are your plans for the next step?"

"I'm planning to go on a two-day trip to relax and unwind."

"With Xiao Hao and the others?"

"No, I plan to go by myself."

"Oh?"

Li Jianguo never expected that his son would suggest going out alone this time; this was something that had never happened before.

"You can go out on your own, but things are different outside than in Jiangyang, so you should keep a low profile."

Li Xiao didn't say much in response to Li Jianguo's instructions.

"Okay, Dad. I'm not a child anymore. I understand these things."

"I'm glad you understand. I'll have the finance department transfer some money to your account in the next couple of days. Don't let yourself be wronged when you're out and about."

Before leaving, Li Jianguo added, "Call your grandfather and third uncle a few more times when you have free time; they miss you a lot."

Li Xiao responded and then hung up the phone.

Lying back on the bed, Li Xiao stared blankly at the crystal chandelier on the ceiling.

If Li Jianguo is the face of the Li family, then his grandfather and third uncle are the substance of the Li family.

The Li family truly rose to prominence during his great-grandfather's generation. Back then, his great-grandfather and his brothers followed the right people in that turbulent era, and with their courage and determination, they successfully laid a solid foundation for the Li family.

Later, his grandfather, influenced by his great-grandfather, also entered the system.

Thanks to the family connections built up by his great-grandfather and his own excellent skills, the old man has been deeply involved in the system for decades. Although he has now retired to the second line, he is still the pillar of the Li family.

His third uncle, Li Jianjun, successfully took over the old man's political team thanks to his outstanding abilities.

His father, Li Jianguo, did not choose to enter politics, but instead took advantage of the reform and chose to go into business. The two complemented each other, which led to the Li family's current success.

As for my second uncle...