"Wait, let me catch my breath for a moment... Teacher Xiao, are you sure Grandma Lin's highest education is elementary school, and not that she attended university or something?" Director Li's face was already flushing, feeling embarrassed about what he had just said. He was trying to shift the blame to Teacher Xiao, suspecting if the educational background was mistaken. This did not look like someone who only attended elementary school.
"I can't speak for other aspects, but the speed at which she completes math tests is definitely no slower than those students who participated in the city's math Olympiad competition recently. In fact, it's likely much faster..." At the same time, another math teacher who had also taught an Olympiad class couldn't help but sigh. The vice principal immediately reflected: "Our actions just now were indeed inappropriate. We spoke without investigation, assuming things should be this way. This is something we need to reflect on."
"The only educational background Grandma Lin has on record is elementary school. While I haven't investigated in detail, it shouldn't be wrong. After all, think about it, if Grandma Lin were a university student decades ago, why would she be selling pancakes? The value of a university student decades ago was much higher than it is now, wouldn't you agree!" Teacher Xiao quickly explained at this point, her reasoning sound and logical.
Following this, the discussion naturally shifted from whether Ding Yun should take the college entrance exam to how she should take it, which year's exam she should participate in, and how to operate it for maximum benefit, which would also be advantageous to them. It was at this point that Ding Yun presented her request. She wanted to take the college entrance exam in the same year as her grandson. It wasn't that she couldn't keep up with this year's senior year college entrance exam. The exam was less than a month away, and completing various preliminary procedures wouldn't be easy or quick. Even if she could manage, it would be extremely rushed, and there was no need to be so hasty. Moreover, if she took the college entrance exam this year and went to university afterward, she would definitely bring her daughter along. It would be fine to bring her daughter, but leaving her grandson behind to study for his senior year alone would clearly not be appropriate. Therefore, rather than going through so much trouble and deliberation, it would be better to just postpone it for a year and take the exam with her grandson! Perhaps it could even become a beautiful story, like the anecdote of "three scholars from one family," or "father and son both achieving the second rank in the imperial examination." After the college entrance exam, she could take her daughter to university, and her grandson could go to university on his own. Of course, this would be if they didn't get into the same university. If they got into the same university, or one that was relatively close, it would undoubtedly be even simpler. They could just go together. The free year in between would also give Ding Yun time to work hard and earn more money, at least enough to cover the rent for university accommodation and the cost of hiring a caregiver to help her look after her daughter. The classes that needed to be attended in university would still be attended, and at least until she achieved some results, skipping classes would be difficult, let alone bringing her daughter to class. Therefore, renting a place and hiring a caregiver were necessary.
The school had no objections to Ding Yun's idea of taking the college entrance exam with her grandson, as it would create an even bigger buzz. A sixty-something-year-old woman taking the college entrance exam versus a sixty-something-year-old woman taking it with her grandson – the latter was obviously more attention-grabbing. Thus, the matter was naturally settled. The school even agreed to Ding Yun's request not to attend regular classes, only requiring her to participate in the high school entrance examination for junior high to high school later and to visit the school once a month to participate in simulated exams for the senior year students. This would allow her to adapt to the college entrance exam in advance and also enable them to keep track of Ding Yun's progress, preventing any further decline in her scores. After all, at her age, it wasn't impossible for her to develop Alzheimer's suddenly within the next year or two, to put it bluntly. The school knew that it would be difficult for her to stay in school and strive to improve her grades like ordinary senior year students, but at least she shouldn't regress. The school had already made significant concessions, and Ding Yun, not wanting to push her luck, quickly reached an agreement with both sides. It was only after the matter was completely settled and absolutely no more complications would arise that Ding Yun mentioned it to her grandson and daughter. Needless to say, both her grandson Liu Changan and her daughter Liu Linxia were dumbfounded when they heard she was going to take the college entrance exam. Their only difference from the directors and teachers at the school was that instead of being sarcastic and openly scoffing, they asked in a slightly more tactful manner.
"Um, Mom, did you experience some kind of shock?"
"Grandma, have you been watching any new TV dramas lately, or are you dissatisfied with my grades? I haven't heard anyone say that parents and children taking the college entrance exam together improves grades. Are you okay, Grandma?"
Facing their astonishment, Ding Yun played the hardship card directly: "The reason I only completed elementary school and didn't continue my studies wasn't because I lacked the ability. It was because Lin Xia's maternal grandfather, Chang An, your great-grandfather, wouldn't let me continue. If I had been able to continue my studies, I might have been able to attend university back then. This has always been my regret. Recently, I saw that there were policies allowing people of our age to take the college entrance exam, and I thought, perhaps one day I could fulfill my dream. And A'Xia, you've been feeling a bit better lately, haven't you? You should have noticed that I've been reading a lot of professional books and listening to lectures from teachers recently, all related to your body and nerves. I thought, if my own haphazard self-study for over half a year has had some effect, then if I were to study formally for a few years, even if I couldn't completely cure you, the effect would definitely be better than it is now."
One thing Ding Yun didn't mention was that it could indirectly save her grandson from the dilemma of whether or not to pursue medical school. As senior year approached, her grandson was very conflicted about it. He wanted to apply to medical school and become a doctor in the future. Not only could he help look after his aunt, but when his grandmother got older and her health declined, being a doctor would mean having someone in the medical field. However, he worried that studying medicine would take too long. Even with a master's or doctoral degree, his salary after graduation might not be very high, and he might even need a long internship. At that time, he would not only be unable to care for his aunt and grandmother but might even become a burden to them, preventing his grandmother from enjoying her retirement in seven or eight years. Therefore, he also considered finding a popular profession and entering the workforce earlier to earn money, so that his grandmother wouldn't be so tired. Ding Yun inadvertently saw his notes... Well, she discovered it by noticing his deep worry and indecision for several days, and specifically flipping through his notes. Moreover, Ding Yun happened to want to go to university, and she also felt sorry for her grandson. While others were in disputes and struggles over the difference between the majors their parents expected them to pursue and the majors they themselves wanted to pursue, her grandson was constantly considering which major would be most beneficial to the family and best for his family members, reducing their burdens. He never considered his own dreams. He didn't consider his own interests. Could it be said that he had no interests or dreams? Certainly not. It was just that his interests and dreams were too fragile in the face of reality, making him not dare to think about them or even aspire to them. It was only at this moment that Ding Yun truly felt that she had to do something and could no longer remain so decadent and complacent. This child was so good that she felt guilty and unworthy of his sensible behavior if she didn't treat him well. And then, of course, it was to eliminate her grandson's worries, whether it was about the college entrance exam or earning money. She had to let him know that he didn't need to worry about his aunt, and also let him know that the family had a significant income, and a stable and continuous income, so that he wouldn't only consider applying for majors that would allow him to enter the workforce and earn money to support his family as soon as possible. If she gradually guided him later, she believed he would be able to make decisions based on his own interests and aspirations.