sbdcsierra Chapter 31 The news spread completely
Chapter 31 The news spread completely
The neighbors were taken aback at first, but then their faces lit up with surprise and joy. They were genuinely happy for Zhang Hui, and their faces beamed with smiles.
"Oh my! This is incredibly joyous! We absolutely must throw a few tables to celebrate!"
"A few tables aren't enough! This is Jiangnan University! We need at least thirty or forty tables!"
"Huizi, I really envy you, raising such a wonderful son!"
"..."
Hearing the neighbors' congratulations and praises, Zhang Hui smiled so hard her eyes narrowed into slits. She felt she had never been so happy or triumphant in her life.
She felt light on her feet, and even now, she still felt a strong sense of unreality, as if she were walking on clouds, fearing that this sudden and immense joy was just a beautiful dream that she could wake up at any moment.
Things also happened by chance.
She hadn't gone far from the gate of her residential compound, and was on her way to the market, when she ran into Li Chenghua's mother, Liu Lanxiang.
Liu Lanxiang paused, noticing Zhang Hui's barely suppressed joy. A strange tightness gripped her heart, but she couldn't help asking curiously, "Zhang Hui, what's making you so happy?"
Zhang Hui smiled, her tone calm but unable to hide her pride: "It's nothing much, my son was admitted to the Computer Science Department of Jiangnan University."
What?!
Liu Lanxiang froze on the spot as if struck by lightning, her face drained of color, and her heart was filled with a turbulent mix of emotions.
That's Jiangnan University!
Chen Zhiyuan… how could he be like this? He shouldn’t be like this!!
A strong sense of regret and embarrassment suddenly welled up in my heart.
She wanted to slap herself right now—she had such a foul mouth!
Why ask her? Isn't that just asking for trouble?
It hurts, it hurts so much!
The thought that her son, Li Chenghua, only scored 504 points, not even reaching the cutoff for a regular undergraduate program, and could only attend a junior college, while Zhang Hui's son had leaped over the dragon gate and entered a top university... this huge contrast pierced her heart like a needle.
She was originally going to the market to buy groceries, but now she had no interest in it at all.
She wanted nothing more than to slam the basket of groceries on the ground, turn around and rush home to grab her good-for-nothing son and give him a good beating to vent her anger!
In the early morning, at the main gate of Shuguang Middle School in Wuhe City.
A brand-new, large red notice was neatly posted on the bulletin board on one side of the school gate, standing out prominently.
The honor roll for this year's key undergraduate admissions is neatly listed above in vigorous calligraphy.
Chen Zhiyuan's name was prominently listed, and his name, along with another name—He Fei—was placed at the very top of the red list, in the most conspicuous position.
Although no students were admitted to Tsinghua or Peking Universities, the fact that two students from a single graduating class were admitted to universities in Jiangnan is already an extraordinary and joyous occasion for Shuguang High School.
The list of more than twenty students admitted to key undergraduate programs was displayed in bright red, quickly attracting the attention of many students, parents, and passersby.
"Excellent! This year's graduating class is quite impressive, with two students from Jiangnan University!"
"The school will definitely set off fireworks tonight to celebrate! Twenty-seven key universities, that's several more than last year!"
"..."
The news spread like wildfire.
Not only among the school's teachers and students, but also throughout the entire Shuguang Machinery Factory residential area, more and more people have learned about the exciting news that "Chen Jianjun's son has been admitted to Jiangnan University."
Around noon, Chen Zhiyuan returned from the internet cafe after a satisfying day.
As soon as he arrived at the gate of the residential compound, the gatekeeper, Grandpa Wang, grinned and gave him a thumbs-up from afar, shouting in a loud voice, "Little Chen! Well done! You got into Jiangnan University! You've brought honor to our compound!"
Chen Zhiyuan was secretly pleased. He hadn't expected the news to spread so quickly, even the gatekeeper knew about it.
"Uncle Wang, you flatter me," he replied with a smile.
"Excellent, truly excellent!" Grandpa Wang exclaimed repeatedly, looking at the sunny, handsome, and promising young man before him, growing more and more fond of him. "Congratulations, Xiao Chen!"
"Zhiyuan, you're amazing!"
"This young man is promising!"
As he walked home, he encountered many familiar uncles, aunts, grandfathers, and grandmothers, who all greeted him and gave him a thumbs up.
Faced with this situation, Chen Zhiyuan naturally felt comfortable and happy.
As evening approached, many families were preparing to have dinner.
Suddenly, a series of loud and rapid "bangs" broke the evening's tranquility.
Immediately afterwards, dazzling fireworks burst forth one after another against the darkening sky, their vibrant colors illuminating half the heavens.
"It's Shuguang Middle School setting off fireworks to celebrate! I heard they had 27 students admitted to top-tier universities this year!"
"That's not all! I heard there are two Jiangnan Universities! One of them is in our neighborhood, the son of Engineer Chen!"
"..."
Looking at the dazzling spectacle in the night sky, people started discussing it enthusiastically again.
Many parents looked at the fireworks with undisguised envy in their eyes.
In their hearts, the name "Chen Zhiyuan" has become the most perfect "other people's child".
Chen Zhiyuan and his family of three were sitting around their sumptuous dining table.
The table was laden with seven or eight main dishes, including chicken, duck, fish, and meat, all emitting a fragrant aroma. These were basically Chen Zhiyuan's favorite dishes.
This unprecedented abundance was enough to show Zhang Hui's care and joy.
Listening to the booming of firecrackers and the crisp sound of fireworks outside, Chen Jianjun was beaming with joy and in a great mood. He opened a bottle of his treasured wine and poured himself a full glass.
"Son," he said, raising his glass with a touch of emotion, "you really made your dad proud today! I heard more congratulations at work today than I have in all these years combined!"
Zhang Hui beamed, piling food into Chen Zhiyuan's bowl until it was like a small mountain: "Son, eat more! This is your favorite, and this is too! You must eat your fill today!"
Chen Zhiyuan enjoyed this meal with unprecedented satisfaction and pleasure.
Especially when I thought about how I had actually stepped into the threshold of Jiangnan University, the last bit of uncertainty in my heart disappeared, and I felt completely relaxed.
The next morning, Chen Zhiyuan returned from his morning run as usual.
In the residential area, he ran into Zhao Sisi, who was about to go out.
She looked a little thinner after not seeing him for several days, but when she saw Chen Zhiyuan, her eyes lit up and a look of surprise appeared on her face.
"Chen Zhiyuan!" she called out to him, her voice filled with a distinct, unusual joy.
Then, she quickly walked a few steps closer and exclaimed, "Chen Zhiyuan, congratulations! You've been admitted to Jiangnan University!"
Chen Zhiyuan was slightly surprised—he hadn't expected Zhao Sisi to be so happy about his admission to Jiangnan University.
But his expression remained calm, maintaining a polite yet distant distance.
"Thank you." He only replied with these two words, then nodded and continued jogging towards his building without stopping.