Chapter 7: Knowledge Is Wealth, and the College Entrance Exam Is the ATM

Wu Xiulan’s face blossomed into a smile, radiating genuine happiness.

In the past, whenever her son came home, the most he would say was that he was tired of wontons and wanted something different made especially for him.

But today, surprisingly, he took the initiative to ask for wontons.

“Go ahead and sit down and rest. Mom will make them for you in a moment.” She called out as she turned around, immediately bustling about.

Xu Ming took a seat closest to the stove, his gaze fixed steadily on his parents. A profound sense of calm and warmth filled his heart. If the setting had been more appropriate, he would have long since crossed over to embrace them both.

Their family’s wonton shop was located on the same street as Dongping Third High School, so students often came by.

Unlike First High, which focused primarily on academics, Third High placed great emphasis on students’ appearance.

In addition to requiring a uniform, students had to keep their hair short.

This made Third High’s students the easiest to recognize.

Xu Ming didn’t idle away the time. After the customers finished eating and left, he took the initiative to get up and clear the dishes.

“Just leave them on the table. Mom will wash them. Don’t get your clothes dirty,” Wu Xiulan said, setting down the bowl of wontons and taking the dishes from her son’s hands. “First, eat this bowl of wontons.”

“Okay,” Xu Ming nodded obediently.

He then sat back down, picked up the spoon beside him, scooped up some wontons, blew on them gently, and placed them in his mouth.

The familiar flavor exploded on his tongue, stirring a surge of intense emotion.

As a mother, Wu Xiulan was highly sensitive to the slightest changes in her son.

She sensed something was amiss.

Taking advantage of the moment when she went to bring some spicy dried tofu, she quietly asked a few questions.

“If something’s bothering you, don’t keep it bottled up. Just tell your mom and dad directly. We may not have high education, but we’re very open-minded.”

“Were you bullied by classmates at school?” Xu Jianguo came over with a serious expression.

Xu Ming forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

Hearing his reply, Xu Jianguo scrutinized him a little longer before his tone softened.

“Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. If it doesn’t work out, you can always repeat a year.”

He thought of the senior students who came to the shop to eat and knew how tense the atmosphere was around the college entrance exams. Naturally, he’d be extra attentive to his own child.

“Your dad’s right. Taking care of your health is the most important thing,” Wu Xiulan echoed.

Hearing his parents’ care and concern stirred Xu Ming deeply; his nose tingled with emotion.

Yet he fully understood the expectations they held for their son.

Who wouldn’t want to see their child admitted to a good university and bring pride to the family?

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With that thought lingering, Xu Ming spoke up to ease their worries.

“Don’t worry. I’m not only fine, but my grades have improved recently.”

“I definitely won’t repeat a year.”

“That’s good.” Xu Jianguo and Wu Xiulan both exhaled in relief.

They couldn’t guarantee everything else, but over the years, their son had always been honest, never exaggerating.

Watching his parents walk back inside, Xu Ming’s lips curved into a sincere smile, determined to give them a pleasant surprise with his college entrance exam results.

After finishing a bowl of wontons and two slices of dried tofu, Xu Ming had planned to stay and help out at the shop, but his parents insisted he return to the rented room nearby to quickly shower and change.

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In the simple, whitewashed room, after finishing his shower, Xu Ming stepped out, his thoughts drifting to his past life because of the surroundings.

In his previous life, his parents’ greatest wish was to buy a house in the county.

Unfortunately, because he had attended a third-tier university with high tuition fees and later failed in his entrepreneurial ventures, finances were tight, and the house was never purchased—an enduring regret for his parents.

Now, with a second chance at life, he resolved to achieve this goal as soon as possible.

He admitted he had no business talent, and without capital, it was difficult to seize the right opportunities.

Under such circumstances, the only way to earn money quickly was to focus on the upcoming college entrance exam.

His eyes brightened at this thought.

“I wonder how much the school and county award for the top scorer?”

He began quietly calculating, reasoning that knowledge was wealth, and before entering university, getting a lump sum to buy a house would be perfect.

With renewed motivation, he didn’t linger at home. He packed his clothes and prepared to return to school for more studying. Although he had gained confidence in math, his other subjects remained dismal.

Notably, as he left the rental, he instinctively paused in front of a shop.

Looking up, four bold red characters caught his eye:

Xinhua Bookstore.

“Would reviewing with textbooks be more efficient…” he pondered hesitantly.

Compared to school textbooks, materials compiled by renowned teachers from prestigious high schools often contained more precise knowledge points.

They helped students memorize and comprehend more rapidly.

Thinking this might accelerate his progress, Xu Ming finally stepped inside.

As the most comprehensive bookstore in Dongping County, Xinhua Bookstore served as a de facto library, where quiet readers could be found everywhere.

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Xu Ming quickly located the section for high school materials and scanned the shelves like a radar.

Suddenly, a familiar title caught his eye.

“This is…”

He immediately reached out and exclaimed, “Five Years of College Entrance Exams, Three Years of Simulation!”

Regarded by senior students as a miracle tool for boosting scores, this series had only been around for two or three years and was not yet widespread in high schools nationwide. Without a special place like Xinhua Bookstore, it would be nearly impossible to find in a small county town.

However, despite his mental preparation, he couldn’t help but frown at the price.

Math: 45 yuan.

He sighed, “No wonder I haven’t seen it at school.”

Such expensive materials were indeed unaffordable for most county high school students.

After careful consideration, Xu Ming spent 40 yuan on a slightly cheaper physics book.

Back at school, he entered the classroom.

The clock above the blackboard on the back wall showed it was not yet three o’clock. No other classmates were present; obviously, everyone had not returned from outside.

Xu Ming enjoyed the quiet. Sitting at his desk, he opened the newly purchased physics volume of Five Years of College Entrance Exams, Three Years of Simulation, and began reviewing the knowledge points and important theorems from the beginning.

Particles.

Displacement.

Free fall motion.

Friction.

When it came to related physics formulas, he felt a clear ease in memorization and mastery.

Unconsciously, his study efficiency improved significantly.

As time ticked by, and more classmates gradually returned to the classroom, the experience points for his physics subject steadily and rapidly increased on the display panel.

[Through diligent study, your [Physics] level has increased, gaining 7 experience points.]

[Through...]

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