Chapter 139

Adam said, "We've been neighbors for over twenty years. Can't we even speak the truth?"

Ada, not wanting to argue further, replied, "Alright then, find another chance to speak your mind."

Adam retorted, "Do you think I have that much free time?"

Ada concluded, "Exactly. Let's just focus on Calvin."

***

In the neighborhood alley.

Summer rode her bicycle up to the gate and stopped. She dismounted and pushed the bike inside, parking it in the front yard before hurrying into the main house.

Shaw and Alston were still in the courtyard discussing the reinstatement of college entrance exams.

Seeing Summer return, Shaw was the first to speak, "Summer, today's newspaper announced the reinstatement of college entrance exams. Did you hear about it?"

Summer, slightly out of breath and smiling, responded, "Is there anyone in the whole city who doesn't know about it by now?"

Whether at the vegetable market or on the main street, everyone was talking about it.

Factories, too, from top to bottom, treated it as a significant event.

At the food factory where Summer worked, the factory manager personally held a meeting to relay the relevant documents and posted the application requirements in every workshop.

The entire day, no one in the factory talked about anything else but the reinstatement of the exams.

The main topic of discussion was whether one's age, education level, and status met the application criteria, with everyone asking each other if they planned to apply.

Because many went to collect application forms after work, Summer returned home later than usual.

She had naturally collected an application form as well, which she had in her backpack.

Clement smiled and asked her, "So, Summer, are you planning to apply?"

Summer smiled back and replied, "Of course, I'm planning to apply. Almost everyone in the factory who meets the criteria is applying. It's finally a chance to change our destiny; of course, we should give it a shot."

Alston chimed in, "Summer is right. This is an opportunity to change our destiny."

Because the courtyard was quite noisy, Calvin and Becky were not studying outside.

They had taken their bags into the house and were now sitting at their desks, doing homework.

Their desks were positioned by the window, which was only partially closed, so they could hear everything being said in the courtyard.

Calvin, maintaining his study posture, muttered, "This is an opportunity for the exceptional to realize their dreams and ambitions, not a chance for the mediocre to fantasize about changing their fate..."

Hearing this, Becky turned to look at him.

After a moment, she asked, "Do you think you're one of the exceptional ones, Calvin?"

Calvin turned to look at her and asked, "What do you think?"

Becky resumed her homework, saying, "I think you're only exceptional in Mom's eyes."

Calvin questioned, "What do you mean by that?"

Becky gave a dry laugh, "Nothing."

***

The excitement in the courtyard continued throughout the evening due to the reinstatement of the exams.

Summer, however, did not partake much in the excitement. She needed to make the most of her limited time, so after dinner, she returned to her room to study.

Before going to bed, Carman still checked outside Summer's door but did not remind her to sleep early as she usually did.

Back in her room, Carman said to Shaw, "She's still studying under the lamp. I wonder if she's started reviewing yet. This news is so sudden. They announced it today, and the exam is in just over a month. Most applicants aren't current students. The review time is too short. Do you think Summer can pass?"

Shaw responded, "Why worry so much? Everyone is applying and taking the exams; it's more like joining in the excitement. Didn't Ada say the number of applicants is in the millions, but only a small fraction will pass? So, don't think too much and don't put pressure on Summer. Having her back from the countryside is already a big joy for us. Our family is doing well now; all three of us have proper jobs, and we have no worries about food or clothing."

Carman thought about it and agreed, pulling the blanket over herself and saying, "Contentment is happiness."

***

With just over a month left until the official exams, Summer pushed herself hard, staying up late until she could no longer keep her eyes open, then turning off the light to sleep. 

The next morning, she got up early with her alarm, taking advantage of her clear mind to memorize material.

Even while riding her bike to work, she muttered poems and phrases to herself.

Once she arrived at the factory, she had no time to study.

Although the factory leaders encouraged and supported eligible employees to apply for the exams, they also made it clear that participating should not interfere with daily work responsibilities.

Summer changed into her white work uniform, donned her hat, and went to her post.

While she was busy with her tasks, Jenny asked, "Did you turn in your application form?"

Summer shook her head, "Not yet."

Jenny suggested, "Let's turn them in together later."

Summer nodded, "Sure."

So, Summer and Jenny turned in their application forms together, ensuring it didn't affect their work.

They hadn't paid the application fee yet, as the factory still needed to review the applicants. If anyone didn't meet the criteria, their application would be returned, and the fee wouldn't be necessary.

The day before, everyone discussed the reinstatement and the application criteria. Today, the main topic was how to review and prepare.

The most crucial thing for review was having the right materials.

After ten years of educational neglect, most people hadn't taken their studies seriously, and many textbooks had been sold as scrap paper. Most families didn't have any textbooks left.

Without their own books, people either borrowed from those who had them or bought other review materials from bookstores.

However, the sudden reinstatement, the large number of applicants, and the short review time made review materials scarce, and it was nearly impossible to get them from bookstores.

During lunch in the cafeteria, Jenny told Summer, "I went to the bookstore last night after dinner. It was packed, and all the related books were sold out. I couldn't get a single one."

Summer replied after swallowing her food, "I have some review materials at home. Do you want to use them?"

Jenny's eyes widened with excitement, "Really? How did you manage to get them?"

Summer explained, "When I was teaching in the countryside, I often felt that my education level wasn't enough, so I gradually bought a lot of books and materials for self-study."

Jenny couldn't contain her excitement, "You've saved my life!"

Summer added, "But I don't have any review outlines."

Jenny, thrilled, continued, "When I was at the bookstore last night, I saw a notice that they would be selling a new batch of review materials tomorrow, including outlines. So many people are eyeing them that we might not get any if we don't go early. Should we try to go together, maybe even go late at night?"

Summer agreed without hesitation, "Sure."

***

In the evening, in the changing room.

Summer and Jenny changed out of their work uniforms.

Summer folded her uniform and shouldered her backpack, turning to Jenny, "How about having dinner at my place?"

Jenny quickly declined, "Oh no, I already feel bad about staying at your place. How can I impose on you for dinner too? Let's eat in the cafeteria, and I'll freshen up at the dorm."

They had planned to go to the bookstore together that night to get the review outlines.

Staying in the factory made it inconvenient to come and go, so Summer and Jenny decided that Jenny would stay at Summer's place that night, and they would head to the bookstore together.