Chapter 689: Resumption of College Entrance Exams

Chapter 689: The Return of College Entrance Exams

"What about your grandfather? Did they really just give in like that?"

Jiang Yu was surprised. Previously, when Tan Lizhu mentioned wanting to be with He Dongqi, they had all objected.

Tan Lizhu shook her head with a sigh. "This isn’t the same."

The Tan family pampered her, but toward Zhang Xun, they felt mostly guilt.

They felt they owed Zhang Xun and wanted to make it up to her.

Whenever they opposed her, Zhang Xun would exclaim, "I’ve suffered so much out there, and now that I’m back, you’re stopping me from everything—not even marry a good man! And you say you care about me? I know what you’re thinking—you just don’t want me touching Tan Lizhu’s man. Truth is, it’s all about playing favorites!"

Then she would pack her bags and threaten to leave, saying that if the family couldn’t accept her, she’d go away.

That meal left Tan Lizhu feeling as if she were sitting on pins and needles, her whole body prickling all over.

"After that day, I never went back to the Tan family. The last I heard, Zhang Xun was about to marry He Dongqi."

Upon hearing the news, she pulled Zhang Xun aside to talk.

But Zhang Xun wouldn’t listen.

She simply said, "This is the Tan family’s business—not your problem. You may bear the Tan name, but in the end, you’re not really one of us. Stay in your lane and stay out of it."

Then He Dongqi arrived, wrapped his arm around Zhang Xun, and proceeded to make sure Tan Lizhu felt thoroughly humiliated.

After that, how could Tan Lizhu even keep trying to reason with her?

"Yesterday, I received their wedding invitation. The date is set for the end of next month."

Jiang Yu tried to comfort her, "The Tan family’s affairs aren’t your responsibility. Don’t take everything upon yourself."

Tan Lizhu sighed dejectedly. "But if Zhang Xun doesn’t turn out well, my parents will be upset, and so will my grandfather."

Secretly, she wished that Zhang Xun hadn’t suffered so much—that she, too, had grown up in a happy family.

That way, her guilt would lessen, and everyone would be better off.

But Tan Lizhu knew reality fell far short of ideals.

She had been swapped as an infant—no one could blame her for that. Yet, she was also the beneficiary, carrying a burden of guilt from birth.

The guilt toward Zhang Xun was something she couldn’t shake off.

The Tan family’s affairs were too tangled to sort out.

As Jiang Yu got her things together, Tan Lizhu stood up.

"I’ll walk you out."

Jiang Yu nodded.

With her things in hand, she stepped outside and noticed Factory Director Zheng waiting at the door.

"I wasn’t able to welcome you when you first came to Factory No. 2, so let me walk you out today."

Jiang Yu smiled faintly and gave a slight bow.

"Thank you, Director Zheng."

Director Zheng's eyes grew misty as he waved his hand.

"Go on now, before I change my mind."

Jiang Yu chuckled and gave the factory behind her a big wave.

See you.

Jiang Yu carried her belongings and strolled leisurely back to the housing complex.

The moment she entered the courtyard, she was surrounded.

Word had gotten around through the compound that Jiang Yu had resigned, but no one believed it.

Xu Lihua grabbed her arm. "Jiang Yu, I heard you quit? Who would spread such nasty rumors? As if you'd quit!"

Jiang Yu blinked. "Aunt Xu, it’s true. I really did resign."

Xu Lihua froze, rubbing her ears.

She muttered, "Am I hearing things?"

Jiang Yu quirked a smile. "Aunt Xu, you’re not hearing things, and this isn’t a dream. I resigned. With the college exams probably coming back, I want to focus on studying and take the exam in the future."

Xu Lihua: "..."

She just gaped at Jiang Yu for a long time, as did the others behind her.

This was downright shocking.

Jiang Yu wasn’t just a workshop worker or a low-level office worker—she was the deputy factory manager!

This was even more surprising than He Tingyue getting snipped!

"J-J-Jiang Yu!" Xu Lihua stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence.

"You… you…"

What a waste! Such a good job, and she just threw it away!

Xu Lihua beat her chest in dismay. "Child, you must've had life too good! How could you just quit like that? You say you want to take the college exam, but that’s not even a sure thing—can you even guarantee you’ll pass?"

Jiang Yu naturally couldn’t be sure. She hadn’t even taken the exam yet.

"If I don’t pass this year, I’ll try again next year. I’m still young, after all."

Xu Lihua tsked, dead set against her decision.

"What if you never pass? Jiang Yu, I’m not trying to discourage you, but this is just too reckless! This is all wrong, just wrong!"

Even Old Master Duan kept shaking his head. "It is indeed reckless. Does Ting Yue know?"

Jiang Yu replied, "He knows. I told him ages ago, and he supports my decision. Thank you all for your concern—I know you mean well. But I’ve already resigned, and now my only focus is studying hard so I can ace the exam with no regrets."

Lin Hongxia scoffed. "If memory serves, you only have a junior high education, don’t you?"

Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow. "Yep," she added.

"Our Xiangyang graduated from high school, and I don't dare to get my hopes up for him. You, only a middle school graduate, still think you can get into college? Dream on!"

Lin Hongxia burst into laughter. "Jiang Yu, now you finally understand what it means to grasp at straws and miss the big picture. Do you really think everyone can go to college?"

Jiang Yu ignored her and carried her things into the house.

Aunt Xu followed her inside, hoping to get Yao Xiangling to persuade her further.

Yao Xiangling smiled. "Kids will find their own way. Why should I meddle? You know as well as I do that Ting Yue's mother is well-off and spoils those kids. Even if they do nothing, they’ll never go hungry in this lifetime."

Xu Lihua was momentarily speechless. What else could she say? Poor folks don’t get a say!

Jiang Yu had a rich and generous mother-in-law—what did she need a job for?

She sighed. "I was overcomplicating things. You're right."

The fuss about Jiang Yu quitting her job finally settled down after several days.

In September, news that the college exams were back appeared in major newspapers.

The broadcast repeated the announcement multiple times. Education finally had a future again, and young people stuck in limbo now had hope.

Taking the college entrance exam and attending university seemed to become all anyone cared about!

Every day before dawn, people lined up outside bookstores, with textbooks and study guides flying off the shelves.

Jiang Yu’s books had already been borrowed several times for others to copy.

At the same time, the leadership of Beijing Foreign Studies University visited Old Lady Ma, inviting her to return to teach.

"The college entrance exam has just been reinstated, and the country lacks talent. The school is short on faculty. Otherwise, at your age, you should be enjoying retirement. I wouldn’t dream of asking you to go back to work at your age."

The principal removed his glasses, wiping away tears. He had waited for this day for far too long.

"At most two years—soon as we find someone to take over, I’ll arrange for your retirement."

Old Lady Ma agreed without hesitation. "If the country needs me, I won’t refuse. As long as Ma Fuhua is alive, she will stand on the podium to teach those kids. You can rest assured."

The principal bowed deeply, his voice choked with emotion. "Thank you, Professor Ma."

After concluding the matter, he suddenly thought of Jiang Yu.

"I heard you’ve taken on a student these past two years, one with a real whiz with languages—even the Ministry of Foreign Trade wants her. Why not let her try the exams too? With effort, she could attend BFSU."

Old Lady Ma shook her head with a smile. "Only if she’s got what it takes. I won’t interfere in this matter."

Jiang Yu’s target university was BFSU, but the admission score was undoubtedly high—if she could even make the cut.