Wen Qing returned home and saw her father, Fang Youliang.
She immediately felt a bit strange. The timing was off. Her father was so busy with work; why was he still at home waiting for her so late?
Seeing Wen Qing return, Fang Youliang eagerly handed her a glass of water.
"Good daughter, have some water. Dad has something to tell you later. But before I tell you, I want to apologize first."
Upon hearing this, Wen Qing lost any appetite for the water. What had happened?
"What's wrong, Dad? Did you get fired? That's fine, whether you're an official or not makes no difference to me."
Fang Youliang chuckled awkwardly, "It's not about being fired."
"Then did you get promoted? That's also fine, I'm going to college soon."
"I changed your college application. Didn't you apply for Zhonghai University as your first choice? I changed it to Shuimu University for you."
"Pfft!" Wen Qing spat out a mouthful of water.
"Dad, how could you do this? How could you arbitrarily change someone's application?"
Fang Youliang said calmly, "My daughter's grades have always been top-notch. I believe you would have performed exceptionally well. So, 723 points, not many people in the country scored higher than you. Going to Zhonghai University would be a waste of your score."
Wen Qing was speechless. Of course, she knew she had done well; during the exam, she knew all the answers and guessed all the correct ones.
But it made sense. Who wouldn't aim for the capital with a score of 723? After all, the best universities were in the capital.
However, she never expected her usually democratic father to change her college application.
This was quite unexpected. She hadn't anticipated this outcome.
Wen Qing looked displeased. "Did you ask for my opinion before changing my application? You just went ahead and changed it. Isn't that disrespectful to me?"
Old Fang同志 repeatedly shook his head. "Dad, let me ask you something. Did you happen to fall for that boy Zhang Tianxing?"
Wen Qing nodded, then shook her head. "I don't know. I feel like Zhang Tianxing is a person with a lot of stories. He was just okay at school."
Fang Youliang saw this situation and thought, "Oh no, it seems my daughter is growing up too fast." "You haven't forgotten what you said, have you?"
"Of course, I remember. I said I wouldn't date before graduating from college, but I didn't say I wouldn't find a potential partner!" Wen Qing said righteously.
Fang Youliang almost went mad upon hearing this. This silly girl. But it seemed to make sense. Finding a backup and observing for four years wasn't bad.
But was four years of observation too soon? No, this loophole couldn't be opened. If it were, it would be disastrous.
"Isn't it too early for you to start observing? It wouldn't be too late to start in your senior year."
Seeing her father like this, Wen Qing sighed. Her college application had already been changed, and getting angry wouldn't help. It seemed she was destined not to go to Zhonghai University.
"But I'm a bit curious, Dad. How did you know about my college application?"
"Your Teacher Wang called me and explained your situation." As soon as the words left his mouth, Fang Youliang covered his head. "Old Wang同志, I'm sorry."
This little girl, she hadn't tried to trick me at first, but in the end, she managed to get me to reveal the information. I wasn't prepared and was tricked by her.
Wen Qing smiled. "Oh, about this matter. I understand. The application was changed, right? That's fine too. I'm going to the capital. Let me think about how I'll spend my university years. Don't make such mistakes again in the future, Old Fang同志. Even if it's for my own good, you should have consulted me first."
"You can't have a boyfriend in college!" Fang Youliang emphasized the point again.
Wen Qing nodded. "I know. I should prioritize my studies. Your daughter has that much self-awareness. Why don't you believe in achieving both love and career?"
"Because undergraduate studies are just the foundation. If you're willing, I want you to pursue further studies."
Fang Youliang said slowly. Having been in politics for so many years, he had his own judgment on matters.
Given China's development speed and its population, people at the top of the pyramid would always be sought after, regardless of the time.
Often, one percent of people controlled ninety-nine percent of the wealth. In this era, it was increasingly difficult for commoners to stand out.
In ancient times, it was the imperial examinations; today, it was various kinds of tests. The brave won in a narrow path.
And a good university, your peer group, and alumni network would be different.
Fang Youliang was a politician, but he didn't want his daughter to follow his path.
Because the current environment had very low tolerance for error. People made mistakes all the time; one couldn't go through life without errors.
It would be better to be a stable, high-end talent. Such researchers were Wen Qing's destiny.
However, this was Fang Youliang's wishful thinking. He hadn't had a chance to communicate properly with his daughter.
Wen Qing didn't say much. "It's getting late. Let's get some rest. I understand about this matter."
It was a regret not being able to be in the same university as Zhang Tianxing, but this was also an opportunity.
It would be a chance to verify if she had truly fallen for Zhang Tianxing. Time would tell.
The admission notice hadn't arrived yet, but Wen Qing had already planned everything for herself.
...
Meanwhile, Li Fang returned home and placed the crayfish she had brought from Zhang Ji Barbecue on the dining table.
Hearing Li Fang enter the room, Li Qinghua came out of the bedroom.
"Li Fang, you're doing well at Zhang Ji Barbecue. How much is he paying you? Have you been paid yet?"
Hearing this voice, Li Fang trembled slightly. "I haven't been paid yet."
"That's good. Tomorrow I'll go find Zhang Tianxing and have him pay me directly. It'll be useful for your brother's things."
Upon hearing this news, a hint of despair flashed in Li Fang's eyes. "Mom, I was planning to use that wage to pay for college."
"What college? If you want to go to college, earn the money yourself. Don't forget to give us living expenses. When I was your age, I was already married to your father and working hard in the fields."
"My score is good enough for a good university." Li Fang didn't want to give up.
"What's the point of girls going to college? They'll get married sooner or later." Li Qinghua was somewhat dissatisfied. She hadn't even agreed to Li Fang going to high school initially.
Later, the school applied for a scholarship for Li Fang, and the teacher visited five times before she finally agreed.
These four years of college would be another bottomless pit. Not spending the family's money was a small matter, but not being able to earn money for the family was a big one.
In any case, if she didn't pay, Li Fang wouldn't be allowed to attend. She had two younger brothers below her. What was the use of a girl going to college?
She'd get married eventually anyway, and the money she earned wouldn't be spent by her.
It would be a huge loss for her to support her through four years of university, only for her to get married and leave right after graduation.
Therefore, Li Fang could not go to college.
"How about this? You get married now, collect the bride price, and if your future in-laws agree, you can go to college."
"Mom, I don't want to get married! I just graduated from high school!" Li Fang exclaimed in shock. She was terrified by her mother's actions.