Chapter 175: Chapter 175: New Home
A few days later, the admission score was finally announced. Without the sports score, the admission score for County No. 1 Middle School was 505, which was lower than before, mainly because of the super difficult mathematics this time. One student in Class 3 scored 508 and was finally able to avoid disaster.
Without the sports score, the cut-off score for the city's No. 1 high school for the counties below was 580. Feng Yiping scored more than 30 points higher, so although he had not yet received an admission notice, on the day the cut-off score was announced, a big red notice of congratulations was posted on the school blackboard, with Feng Yiping's name written at the top.
Those students in grades 1 and 2 who were still in school and had not yet gone on holiday would stop by to take a look, thinking that in a year or two their names would also be written there.
The day after the scores were announced, Xiao Zhijie and Wang Changning went to the school to register for the repeat year. The three of them got together and drew up a timetable, and then they both went back to their old routine, focusing on their weaknesses and studying hard in Room 502.
In Xiao Zhijie's words, 'It's a bit of hard work this summer, but it'll make the next summer a lot more fun.'
On 13 July, Feng Yiping's acceptance letter arrived at school, and Teacher Zhu came by on his bicycle to tell him to go and collect it.
The admission notice was at the principal's house. When Feng Yiping and the other two arrived, all the teachers who had taught the class were there, as were many teachers from other classes who were not teaching. Feng Yiping felt a little nervous.
'Here,' the principal said with a smile, handing him the envelope, "you open it!'
Feng Yiping habitually tried to tear it open with his hands, but Wang Yumin quickly took it away and said, "Be careful!'
He opened the envelope and sure enough, it was an admission notice from the No. 1 Middle School in the city. 'Let me see,' said the principal, snatching it away. 'Haha, sure enough,'
After the principal had finished reading it, Wang Yumin immediately took it over. 'Let me see!'
Then, the thin piece of paper was passed around by the group of smiling teachers. In the end, the principal took out his Seagull camera and told Feng Yiping to unfold the notice with both hands and pose for several photos.
Receiving this notice of admission literally made Feng Yiping break a sweat.
Fortunately, there was finally some good news. The head of the teaching staff took out an envelope and said, 'Feng Yiping, in view of your hard work, which has brought honour to the school and earned you the top results in the county, and your admission to the city's No. 1 middle school, the school committee has decided to give you a cash prize of 200 yuan.'
'Keep it,' the headmaster patted him on the shoulder, 'It's not much, but it's the school's way of saying thank you. When you become successful in the future, remember to think of the school.'
Feng Yiping took the envelope and bowed deeply to the teachers.
The next morning, Xiao Zhijie said he had to go out and wouldn't be back until the afternoon. He was evasive about what he had been doing, but after some severe torture, he finally confessed, 'Zhang Qiuling's notice has also arrived. She is going to study at the normal school. Oh, and so is Huang Jingping.'
'Well, what else?' Feng Yiping held a chicken feather above his instep, trying to change the subject, but there was no way.
'No, I'll tell you, Zhang Qiuling and I went to the temple at the back of town and offered five jin of incense.
'Impressive, impressive!' Feng Yiping said, sincerely impressed.
'You just worshipped the Bodhisattva, you didn't do any of that other stuff?' Wang Changning still wouldn't let him go.
'I really didn't!' Xiao Zhijie exclaimed.
'Okay,' Wang Changning let go of him and then held out a hand in front of him, 'hush money. I don't care about Yiping's share, but I can't do without yours. Otherwise, maybe one day, if I'm not careful, I'll let it slip in front of Vice Principal Zhang.'
'Milk, biscuits, soda, or watermelon and popsicles?' Xiao Zhijie was on the one hand happy that he had been caught out, and on the other hand, he was also happy.
Wang Changning looked at Feng Yiping and smiled, 'How about all of these? Haha!'
On the 20th, Feng Zhenchang drove back to pick up Feng Yiping's luggage, and Wang Changning also wanted to go to the provincial capital to see his parents. In the end, Xiao Zhijie insisted that they go to his house for a meal together, and then, haha, he went to the provincial capital with them.
Even Wang Changning, who is usually so composed, was excited the whole way, chatting non-stop with Xiao Zhijie. There was no choice, as it was the first time they had travelled far away from home.
Feng Zhenchang didn't drive directly to the provincial capital, but first went to the city.
'Wow,' they exclaimed, leaning out of the windows on either side, looking at the tall buildings. They had never been to the county seat before.
'Haha, when we get to the provincial capital, there will be buildings much taller than this,' Feng Zhanchang said to them with a smile.
The car drove around the city, and finally pulled into a newly developed residential area on Jianshe Road. The area was very well-organized, as could be seen from the green trees in front, which meant that it should have been put into use not long ago.
A piece of sky blue paint was applied to the corner of each building, with Arabic numerals indicating the number of floors. In an era when the exterior walls were either grey or white, this was considered a colourful spot.
The car drove straight to the last building in the residential compound, and Feng Zhenchang took them into Unit 2, of course, to the eighth floor, which was the highest.
'It's also a three-bedroom apartment, but it's smaller. Designer Chen has seen it, and he said he'll come up with a plan for you to see. Your brother-in-law said a renovation team will be available in a couple of days, and they'll make sure it's all done by the middle of next month.' Feng Zhenchang opened the door and pointed to the bare room inside to introduce it to Feng Yiping.
Xiao Zhijie and Wang Changning still didn't understand the significance of having a home in the city. Looking at the uneven walls and the large holes where the doors and windows would be installed in the future, they didn't find it interesting.
Feng Zhenchang knew what would attract them, and led them to the balcony at the back. They immediately exclaimed, 'Wow!'
They could see the Yangtze River flowing majestically a few dozen metres away. The river was wide and flat in this area, and there were ships sailing on it. The two guys, who were seeing the Mother River for the first time, were wide-eyed and open-mouthed.
Feng Yiping was also a little happy. His parents had really chosen the right place.
Parents know their children best, and Feng Yiping's preferences were well known to his parents.
'What do you think? Are you satisfied?' Feng Zhanchang asked with a smile.
'Of course I'm satisfied!'
'Well, study hard and let's all move here together next year!' Feng Yiping walked between the two people who were still looking at the river view from the balcony.
'This is really a great place, but, alas, I don't have high hopes. Next year, if I can get 20 or 30 extra points, I'll be lucky to get into County No. 1 High School. As for City No. 1 High School, I'd need at least 100 extra points. I don't have any hope. What about you, Changning?'
'No chance. But never mind, I'll come over and visit during the summer holidays.'
'Let's go find somewhere to eat and take a look at Yiping's school on the way.'
After walking for a while from Jianshe Road, they turned onto Zhongshan Road and drove straight ahead. Soon after, they saw a large grey building with a Chinese-style glazed roof on the right.
Feng Zhenchang didn't drive fast, and they walked along the side of the building for about five minutes, which was about two or three miles.
'What is this place? The city government?' Xiao Zhijie asked.
'Haha, you'll find out soon enough!' Feng Zhenchang said, and the car turned to the front of the building.
'This is the No. 1 Middle School, it's so big, I'm afraid it's bigger than the whole town!'
Feng Yiping was also a little shocked. Just this one playground was twice as big as Liangjiahe Middle School's entire campus. A prestigious school really is a prestigious school. What a grand place!
'Come, I'll take your picture,' Feng Zhenchang said, taking out his camera and asking the three of them to stand in the middle of the gate.