Chapter 382
Si Nian was a bit bewildered when she picked up. Although a telephone was installed at home, very few people ever called.
Long-distance calls were expensive, so people still preferred writing letters. Unless it was something truly important, no one was willing to spend money on a phone call.
When she heard it was her homeroom teacher from the No. 2 Middle School, she knew immediately that the exam results must be out.
The homeroom teacher's voice was incredibly excited. Even through the phone, Si Nian could feel his voice trembling, even cracking a bit: 685 points, Si Nian! It's even higher than your estimate. You are the top science scorer, do you know that? The top scorer of our Yungui-Sichuan Province!
The homeroom teacher couldn't hide his excitement. He didn't even know how to express his joy, repeatedly saying the words top science scorer and claiming he was going to strike it rich.
His tone made it sound as if he was the one who got the top score.
Si Nian already had a rough idea when she estimated her score earlier, so she wasn't too surprised to hear this number. However, she was genuinely surprised to hear she was the top provincial scorer.
After all, she always believed that no matter the era, there would always be a few geniuses emerging out of nowhere.
She didn't consider herself a genius, but with the advantage of having taken the college entrance exam once before, it wasn't strange for her to get this score.
Waiting for the other party to finish his excited rant, she finally replied, I understand. Thank you, sir.
The homeroom teacher fell silent for a second, then asked uncertainly, Are you so happy that you've gone silly?
Otherwise, why wasn't she excited? Shouldn't hearing this score and finding out she was the top scorer make her so thrilled that blood rushed to her head and she jumped up and down on the spot?
How come her tone of voice hadn't changed at all?
He wanted her to know that when he first received the news, it took him an hour to recover. He couldn't even stand up, and his legs were still weak right now.
He couldn't believe that his own student was actually the provincial top science scorer.
Perfect scores in Physics, Chemistry, and English!
Si Nian chuckled and said, Not really. After all, I used to be a teacher too, so I have a strong psychological endurance.
Si Nian's words instantly made the homeroom teacher touch his nose in embarrassment.
Why did that sound like she was mocking him?
Recovering himself, he laughed, I'm just too happy. The results were supposed to come out tomorrow, but the principal called me asking for your contact information, so I knew right away they must be out. I'm really sorry for disturbing you with a call so late at night. Get some rest, and we'll talk about everything else at school tomorrow.
Si Nian said okay.
The homeroom teacher hurriedly added, Right, right, there might be reporters coming to our school tomorrow. The principal has also prepared a bonus for you. You'll probably have to go on stage to give a speech or something, so mentally prepare yourself for that.
Their principal had already sent out overnight notices to get the banners arranged.
After all, this was the first time in so many years they had produced a top scorer, and a provincial one at that. The banners were going to be super large, even placed at the back gate. They were determined not to miss a single blind spot, terrified that the No. 1 Middle School across the street wouldn't see them.
Although the news wouldn't officially break until tomorrow, it was estimated that most schools and media reporters who followed exam results had already received the inside scoop.
Si Nian listened to him ramble on for over half an hour. Seeing that she truly wasn't showing any excitement, the homeroom teacher finally hung up the phone in slight disappointment.
It was like the pain of sharing a massive piece of good news with someone, only for them to completely miss why you were so excited.
And this person was even the main character of that good news.
Unwilling to let it go, the homeroom teacher immediately dug out his notebook and called every teacher he knew in it.
Hello, Teacher Wang, good evening! Ah? How did you know our class produced the provincial top science scorer?
Treat me to dinner? No need, no need, I'm very busy. I have to go eat with the top science scorer tomorrow.
Isn't this Teacher Zhang from No. 1 Middle School? The city's top arts scorer is in your school, huh? I'm so jealous. Unlike us, we only managed to get the top science scorer, and it's for the whole province...
...
At the same time, the lights in the principal's office were still on.
Drink? Principal Zhang, you must be joking. I've quit drinking now; I need to set a good example for the students.
Principal Li, I won't be able to make it to our appointment tomorrow. You know how it is, our school produced the provincial top science scorer, and there are reporters coming to interview tomorrow.
Isn't this the Editor-in-Chief of the Guichuan Evening News? You want to interview me? I'm sorry, I've already promised the Editor-in-Chief of the Liberation Daily.
.......
Si Nian hung up the phone and turned her head to find Second Child looking at her curiously.
Mom, Mom, who called you?
Si Nian smiled and said, A teacher.
Second Child: A teacher? Do I know them?
Si Nian smiled and shook her head. You don't know him.
Second Child asked curiously, Is it a man or a woman?
Si Nian said, A male teacher. He's Mom's homeroom teacher.
Second Child immediately became alert.
A male teacher, a homeroom teacher?
And they talked on the phone for half an hour, making Mom so happy.
Mom didn't even talk on the phone with Dad for that long.
Just who was this homeroom teacher?
Now that the results were out, Si Nian felt a bit more relaxed.
There would probably be a lot to do tomorrow, so she needed to take a bath.
If there really were reporters interviewing her, wouldn't she be in the newspaper?
Thinking back to the figures from the old era she had seen in vintage newspapers...
Si Nian made up her mind. She had to dress up tomorrow and strive to be the most beautiful girl in the 1980s newspapers!
She clearly had the talent, but she insisted on standing out with her beauty.
With this thought in mind, Si Nian went upstairs to take a bath.
It was drizzling tonight, and when Zhou Yueshen returned, he was covered in dampness.
However, he had been coming back almost every day recently.
As soon as he entered the door, he saw Second Child with a bitter face.
Zhou Yueshen paused and looked down at him: Little Han, why aren't you asleep yet?
If he remembered correctly, his two sons had their mid-term exams today.
Could it be that he didn't do well on the exam, which was why the child had this expression?
Zhou Yueshen recalled that back in their hometown, Second Child's grades were always worlds apart from his eldest son's.
One was first place, the other was dead last.
In the past, the little guy didn't care much about grades.
But after coming to the city, he had grown up and cared about his pride.
If he didn't do well this time, he probably wouldn't even be able to sleep soundly.
Zhou Yueshen was just about to comfort him with a few words when Second Child looked up, gazing at his father with a face full of pity, and said, Dad, Mom was just on the phone with someone.
Under Zhou Yueshen's puzzled gaze, he added, A man. They talked for half an hour.
Zhou Yueshen: ......
Second Child was still thinking about how Si Nian had previously said she was going to run away. Although Mom said it was a joke, Second Child thought, how could anyone just make a joke like that out of nowhere?
Mom must be unhappy, which was why she said that. She probably wanted to pacify them first, and then sneak away when they weren't paying attention.
That was how the adults in the village tricked children.
And then the children would become orphans.
He didn't want to be an orphan.
Zhou Zehan looked at his father with an extremely complex expression, as if disappointed by his failure to meet expectations.
Because he felt that since he was so cute and obedient, Mom definitely wouldn't want to leave because of him.
Then it could only be because of his dad.
Zhou Yueshen was so exasperated by his son's look that he laughed.
He roughly rubbed Second Child's hair, turning it into a bird's nest, before saying in a deep voice, "Don't talk nonsense."
Second Child stubbornly covered his head, giving a look that said: I've warned you anyway; if you don't take it to heart, don't blame me for running away with Mom.
As long as he could follow Mom, eat meat every day, and live in a villa, he was willing.
Zhou Yueshen ignored him, closed the door, and went upstairs.
Just as he changed his clothes, Si Nian walked out of the bathroom.
Si Nian was humming a tune.
The joy on her face could not be hidden.
Zhou Yueshen couldn't help but think of his son's words.
Si Nian had been on the phone with a man for half an hour.
And she was this happy?
It was so late, who would be calling her?
And chatting for so long?
Could it be a call from her hometown?
It shouldn't be. If it were a call from her hometown, Second Child wouldn't have misunderstood.
But no matter how much Zhou Yueshen thought about it, he couldn't think of any man around Si Nian.
After all, Si Nian's work environment was different from his. Of course, Zhou Yueshen didn't know who she interacted with.
Zhou Yueshen paused and asked tentatively, "Niannian, did someone call you just now?"
Si Nian had just been about to tell him about this. She didn't expect Zhou Yueshen to ask first, so she was a little surprised. "How did you know?"
Zhou Yueshen was slightly taken aback and said softly, "Little Han told me."
Si Nian smiled and said, "I was just about to tell you. I didn't expect Little Han to inform you first. It was a call from my homeroom teacher."
Zhou Yueshen immediately understood; it turned out to be a misunderstanding. "The scores are out?"
Si Nian nodded. "Yes, the homeroom teacher got the news and immediately called me. Guess how many points I scored."
Zhou Yueshen was silent for a moment. Seeing her so happy, the score definitely wouldn't be low.
"Around 680?"
Si Nian: "...Talking to you is no fun at all. There are no surprises."
Zhou Yueshen chuckled softly, "You estimated your score to be around 660, so you definitely underestimated it."
Si Nian smiled, "It's 685! I'm the provincial top scorer in science. Is there any reward?"
Zhou Yueshen froze for a moment. He knew it wouldn't be low, but he didn't expect it to be even higher than his own estimate.
But thinking about Si Nian's hard work during this period, he felt that this score was not surprising.
He was also happy for her!
"What do you want?"
Si Nian said, "I haven't decided yet. I'll tell you when I do."
Zhou Yueshen gently agreed.
On the surface, the man looked even calmer than her.
Si Nian suddenly understood how her homeroom teacher felt when calling her.
Sharing such great news without getting a matching response was truly disappointing.
The older man was so calm that it made her feel less excited.
Zhou Yueshen asked her, "Have you told your family?"
Si Nian shook her head. "Not yet, it's too late. My parents are definitely asleep at this hour. Although such good news should be shared with them immediately, if I tell them now, I'm afraid they won't be able to sleep tonight."
After hearing this, Zhou Yueshen agreed.
He nodded slightly.
Seeing Si Nian yawn, he said, "You go to sleep first. I'll take you to school tomorrow."
Si Nian agreed. She absolutely refused to stay up late. Staying up late would give her eye bags and dark circles, affecting her performance tomorrow.
Zhou Yueshen waited until she fell asleep before going downstairs to send his son and daughter, who were watching TV, to bed.
Even though it wasn't even nine o'clock and the children didn't have school tomorrow, Zhou Yueshen simply wouldn't let them watch anymore.
He said that watching TV for too long was bad for children's eyes.
Seeing the two children wanting to act spoiled and protest, he added, "Mom said so."
The two children sensibly shut their mouths immediately, holding hands as they went upstairs to sleep.
Seeing the two children enter their room, Zhou Yueshen finally breathed a sigh of relief. He walked over to the telephone and made a call.
"Yes, I'm not going to the breeding farm tomorrow. My wife scored 685 on her exam; she's the provincial science top scorer."
"Boss Wang, I won't be delivering meat tomorrow. My wife scored 685; she's the provincial science top scorer."
"Yu Dong, your sister-in-law scored 685..."
"..."
Early the next morning, when Si Nian came downstairs, she saw Zhou Yueshen standing by the phone making a call.
She yawned.
"You're up so early?"
Zhou Yueshen nodded and said, "I'm calling Mom and Dad. It's good that you're awake."
He gestured for Si Nian to come over and take the phone.
Si Nian walked over and glanced at him.
Zhou Yueshen said, "I haven't told them yet. You should tell them yourself."
The corners of Si Nian's mouth turned up. She took the phone and smiled, "Mom, it's me. My college entrance exam results are out."
Lin's mother's tone was very excited, "What's the score?"
"685 points. University won't be a problem."
"If you have time, come over and have a meal together. I'll ask Zhou Yueshen to pick you up."
Lin's mother knew her daughter was certainly smart, but she hadn't expected her to be this amazing. She was so excited she could barely hold the phone steady.
She immediately said she would pack up and come over right away.
She also told Zhou Yueshen not to bother going back to pick them up; they would take a car themselves.
Now that the family's financial situation had improved, it wasn't like they couldn't afford the fare.
It would be too tiring for Zhou Yueshen to run back and forth.
Si Nian smiled and agreed.
As soon as she hung up, the phone immediately rang again.
It was the principal of No. 2 High School, asking when she would go over.
He asked if he should come and pick her up.
Si Nian hurriedly declined.
Just as she hung up, another call came in. It was the director of the Foreign Language Primary School.
The director had heard from the principal and asked where she was, saying the school wanted to treat her to a meal.
Si Nian answered five or six calls in a row and almost threw up.
She refused to answer any more calls that came after that.
Where on earth did these people get her phone number?
Zhou Yueshen looked at her with a smile and said, "Let's eat first. Don't worry about it."
After he finished speaking, he unplugged the phone line.
The world was finally quiet.
The family ate breakfast as usual. Si Nian said, "I have a very important piece of news to tell everyone today."
The children immediately looked over at her.
Second Child's heart filled with joy: "Mom, are we going to the amusement park to play again today?"
Si Nian glared at her son.
"We just played for a whole afternoon yesterday. Haven't you played enough?"
"Mom, what's the good news?" Eldest Child also cast a speechless glance at his younger brother and asked.
"Mom's college entrance exam score is out. 685 points."
Si Nian looked proudly at the three children and said.
She finally had a chance to show off in front of these two future villain bosses.
Neither of the two children was stupid; they knew what the score meant.
Second Child was so shocked that his chopsticks dropped with a clatter: "Mom, your score is so much higher than my brother's!"
He had thought his brother's score of over two hundred and ninety points was already a lot.
He didn't expect his mother's to be even higher.
Zhou Zedong said in pleasant surprise, "Mom, you're amazing. Doesn't that mean you can go to a very good university?"