Chapter 10: I Want to Get Into No. 1 High School

The neighbors, hearing the commotion, poked their heads out to take a look. Seeing that it was Huang Guilian’s family causing a scene, they curled their lips and, after stealing a few moments of entertainment, retreated. That family were all "government grain eaters"—people who worked for the state—and they were always louder and more overbearing than anyone else; the neighbors didn't want to get dragged into their mess for no reason.

Night had fallen by the time Zhang Wanyuan returned home. To her surprise, her older brother, Zhang Boyan, had also returned.

"Brother, don't you have remedial classes this week?"

Zhang Boyan’s eyes drifted to the bag Zhang Wanyuan was carrying, and he smiled. "I do, I just got back after class. I have a day off tomorrow. It just so happens you’ve just finished the city mock exams—how do you feel? Are you confident?"

Zhang Wanyuan nodded and playfully nudged against Zhang Boyan. "Your sister is amazing, don't worry. This time, I’m definitely going to work hard to get into No. 1 High."

Zhang’s father and mother, who had been pricking up their ears to listen to the siblings, were stunned. They exchanged glances, speechless for a moment.

Zhang Boyan raised an eyebrow, suspicious. "Didn't you say before that you wanted to apply to Yucai Middle School? Why the sudden change of heart?"

"That was just me being hot-headed before. I went to the bookstore with my cousin this afternoon; she said some nasty things. Though they were unpleasant to hear, they were actually quite reasonable. A private school costs 15,000 yuan in tuition alone, plus other fees—it’s impossible to get by on less than 20,000 a year. And the teaching staff isn't as good as No. 1 High’s. Before, I lacked confidence and didn't want to be separated from my friends, but now I don't think that's necessary. If I put in the effort, it’s not hopeless. At worst, I’ll just go to No. 4 High and hang out with you, Brother. With you covering for me, no one will dare bully me!" Zhang Wanyuan said, half-joking and half-serious.

Noticing the unusual silence in the house, Zhang Wanyuan looked up to see her parents watching her with expressions of relief. Zhang Boyan pondered for a moment and agreed, "That’s the right way to think. It’s a pity I didn't get into No. 1 High back then. Little sister, work hard and show those snobs what you're made of."

Zhang Boyan didn't name names, but all three of them thought of the same family: Zhang Nini’s.

Fearing that her husband might feel awkward, Mother Zhang smiled and called out, "Alright, since you're both back, go wash your hands. There are so many people waiting for you to eat!"

Hearing this, Zhang Wanyuan leaped from her chair and headed straight for the kitchen. After washing her hands, she lifted the pot lid and, making sure no one was looking, dripped a drop of spiritual spring water inside. Since Zhang Boyan was back, she might as well improve his health too.

During dinner, Father Zhang asked about Zhang Boyan’s studies. Although he only had a primary school education, that didn't stop him from understanding the practical issues.

Zhang Wanyuan thought of the Zhang Boyan from her past life. Her brother had been a decent student, just a bit behind her. He missed the cutoff for No. 1 High by two points in the middle school entrance exam and had to settle for No. 4 High, which was inferior. He became a "big fish in a small pond," doing well enough in high school and getting decent grades. Logically, he should have had no problem getting into a second-tier university, but he caught a fever during the college entrance exam. Completely out of it, he barely scraped through and ended up at a vocational college.

Perhaps because of that failure, and not wanting to repeat a year and add to the family’s burden, he became despondent and lost his drive. He seemed to accept his fate, graduating on schedule and finding a job with an average salary. Before Zhang Wanyuan was reborn, her brother’s monthly salary was only a little over 4,000 yuan. It was a struggle just to support himself, let alone send money home for their mother’s medicine. The burden on his shoulders almost crushed him, and he didn't even dare to look for a girlfriend after entering society.

The current Zhang Boyan was still a vibrant, ambitious young man; everything could still be changed. Thinking of this, Zhang Wanyuan said to him, "Brother, I have a plan that I need your help with, but I can't tell you yet. I’ll tell you after my middle school entrance exam."

Zhang Boyan assumed Zhang Wanyuan was asking for a reward, as she never made unreasonable requests. He agreed readily. When he later found out what her "plan" actually was, he was so scared he nearly lost his soul, regretting deeply that he had been so quick to agree.

Mother Zhang laughed, "What is this, being so mysterious that even we can't know? But speaking of which, when will your mock exam results come out?"

Mother Zhang was already considering going to another Confucius temple to pray if Zhang Wanyuan’s grades weren't good; she felt she had to seek the protection of the gods.

Knowing her mother’s habits all too well, Zhang Wanyuan quickly replied, "They’ll be announced next Wednesday, along with our city rankings. Everything will be clear then."

The middle school entrance exam was generally ranked within the city, and the mock exam rankings were a good indicator of where one stood.

Mother Zhang fell silent upon hearing this.

The family sat in the living room after dinner to talk. The cramped room felt crowded with four people; they had to dodge each other just to get up to use the restroom. Her parents and brother were used to it, but Zhang Wanyuan felt a pang of sadness. Because they were poor, they didn't dare to hope for a better living environment, always feeling satisfied just to have this apartment.

Zhang Boyan noticed her change in mood and looked at her with a questioning gaze. Zhang Wanyuan smiled faintly, shook her head, and turned her attention to the television program.

That weekend, because Zhang Boyan was home, Zhang Wanyuan moved her workbooks over to study with him. The siblings shared the tiny room in surprising harmony, each busy with their own work, occasionally exchanging a few words. Time passed even faster.

"Little sister, have you really thought it through? Are you really not going to take the Yucai Middle School exam? After all, it’s an extra opportunity. If you get in, you’ll have another choice." Zhang Boyan still felt that Zhang Wanyuan was giving up the opportunity because of money. He felt sorry for her but felt powerless; he couldn't think of any other way besides studying harder himself.

Zhang Wanyuan shook her head seriously, answering nonchalantly while working on her exercises. "Even if I got in, I wouldn't go. Money is one aspect, but on the other hand, I really think No. 1 High is better. I was immature before, only thinking about being with my friends. Now, I won't be that childish. This time, I must get into No. 1 High!"

Zhang Wanyuan’s firm tone shocked Zhang Boyan for a moment, then he laughed. "Since you’ve set your goal, you’ll have to work even harder. Everyone who gets into No. 1 High is an exceptionally good student; the competition is immense. But, Brother supports you!"

Zhang Wanyuan gave Zhang Boyan a brilliant smile and lowered her head to continue her exercises. When she encountered difficult problems, she would ask Zhang Boyan for advice. Perhaps infected by her drive, Zhang Boyan was more focused than usual. The two spent the day struggling in a sea of books, almost forgetting to eat or sleep. Zhang Boyan was amazed to find that his sister was even smarter than he had imagined. Although she hadn't touched high school material yet, she was very good at drawing inferences. The concepts he found difficult became clear through their discussions, and by the end of the day, he had digested many key points he hadn't previously mastered.