Zhou Qi, as he walked, observed the expressions of all the educated youths, trying to discern who had reported him.
These educated youths were the closest to him. If someone had reported him, the suspicion would fall most heavily on this group!
However, others were also possibilities, though he couldn't observe their expressions any longer at the moment.
After Zhou Qi was taken away, discussions erupted at the educated youth point. Everyone actually knew what Zhou Qi had done, but since they lived under the same roof, no one had thought of reporting him.
Yet, this incident left a thorn in everyone's heart. They exchanged glances, but no one said anything, and they directly went into their respective rooms.
"We need to be more careful in the future. What if we get reported ourselves?" everyone thought.
Zhou Qi used all his eloquence to minimize his wrongdoing, and of course, he paid with all the money he had earned.
After all, he was the male protagonist, possessing a certain luck. The incident was mainly due to a responsible person's close relative falling ill and urgently needing a ginseng root.
He had also kept one for himself at the time, fearing he might need it one day and wouldn't be able to find it. Thus, he exchanged the money he had earned and this ginseng root for his freedom.
However, through this ordeal, he had also established connections here. He did not choose to return to the Zao Lin Brigade but instead stayed in the county town.
He still hadn't managed to find out from them who had written the anonymous letter.
He didn't regret the money spent, as he couldn't be sent to a farm for re-education, nor could he have a blemish on his record.
The college entrance examination was soon to be reopened, and he couldn't let these issues affect his chances!
Zhou Qi's file was transferred to the county town and then registered with the neighborhood. He didn't have formal employment, but fortunately, not all his previous earnings had been confiscated.
This time, however, he was much more cautious. He had claimed to have used all his money, so if he were to spend lavishly again, it would surely attract the attention of those people.
He collected many high school textbooks. These were very cheap at the scrap metal recycling station, and he bought quite a few for very little money, though they weren't entirely complete.
After visiting many places and many households, he finally managed to collect them all. He then privately contacted some high school teachers and paid to acquire a batch of new textbooks. These books were piled up in the rented room he occupied.
Finally, on an afternoon in October, the news of the college entrance examination's resumption spread. Many educated youths wept with joy, but more were plunged into despair.
After years of farm labor, they had long forgotten the knowledge they had learned. With only two months left, they didn't even have books. What were they to do!
Some educated youths began writing letters home, asking their families to mail them textbooks and review materials.
Others went to borrow books from families who had members who had attended school.
However, everyone wanted to take the college entrance examination, so no one was willing to lend their books.
The Wu family members were all very happy upon receiving this news. Under Lin Yan's supervision, they had all studied diligently for a period.
Furthermore, since they all had textbooks, they didn't need to borrow any. They all began to understand why Yan Yan insisted that they study hard themselves.
Thinking of this, they became even more grateful to Lin Yan.
Zhou Qi took this opportunity to sell the books he had hoarded at a high price. This way, he made another small profit.
This money perfectly offset some of the previous losses, though it didn't cover everything. But with this sum, he was sure to have a more comfortable time during his freshman year.
As everyone was enthusiastically studying, Lin Yan also prepared to inform the director of her intention to register for this year's college entrance examination.
After calculating her own data, Lin Yan went to the director's office.
"Director, I wish to register for this year's college entrance examination!" Lin Yan stated her purpose to the director straightforwardly.
"Researcher Lin, you are currently at a critical stage of your research. You don't have time to prepare for the college entrance examination!" The director was anxious recently, as the research had reached a crucial point but had seen no progress.
"Director, I don't need time to prepare anything. I just need you to approve a few days off for me during the examination period," Lin Yan explained.
"Researcher Lin, although the research is very important, if you are registering for the college entrance examination, you should take it seriously and prepare properly!" the director advised Lin Yan again.
"Director, please rest assured. I have never stopped studying before. During the two years in the countryside, I have been self-studying high school textbooks. Therefore, I am confident about the college entrance examination."
"But you are already a researcher. Whether you take the college entrance examination seems less important!"
"Director, although our institute has a very good atmosphere and everyone is harmonious, other institutes are certainly not like this," Lin Yan said. "Research sometimes depends on experience and academic qualifications. Regardless, my high school dropout status is not very impressive!"
"You have the ability, don't you? Aren't you always learning from the teachers in the institute? You might even learn more than you would in university!"
"That is certain. But if I achieve something significant, and when I'm introduced, they say I'm a high school graduate, how bad would that look? Therefore, Director, I want to participate in this college entrance examination and become a university student."
The director was very reluctant to let her go. After all, with Lin Yan's talent, once she went to university, she would undoubtedly become an exceptionally outstanding figure, and there would be more people vying for her.
Some institutes had much better conditions. How could they compete? Could they retain Lin Yan then?
However, Lin Yan was right. Although institutes valued experience, they also valued academic qualifications. When Lin Yan first joined, wasn't it because she was an educated youth who had gone to the countryside after dropping out of high school, and many people looked down on her?
Having a university degree would certainly be better, and Lin Yan might even pursue further studies. He couldn't stop Lin Yan's progress, nor did he want to.
"Alright, I'll discuss it with your teachers. But you said you don't need to prepare anything. Don't secretly work overtime at night to avoid delaying your work and wear yourself out!" the director said with feigned seriousness.
"I understand. Thank you, Director!"
Lin Yan left the director's office. Lin Yan actually didn't want to go to university, as she had already attended university twice.
However, as she had just said, she needed a degree to prove herself.
Although the knowledge gained in school couldn't compare to what she was learning from her current mentors, the degree was still very important. Her teachers couldn't issue her a degree certificate!
Therefore, she absolutely had to participate in this college entrance examination. As for whether to attend university, she could discuss it with her mentors later and see what solutions they could come up with.