Chapter 1967 - 1967: Taking the College Entrance Exam (3)
In October, the news of the college entrance exams was announced, broadcasted far and wide. The exams would be held at the end of November and December, with the dates generally set for mid to late December. In Huaibei City, the exams were scheduled for December 22, with the provincial education department setting the questions, and then a dedicated person would deliver them.
The two months' time was really too short. Everyone was nervously reviewing, wishing they could turn one day into two.
Under the influence of adults, even the usually mischievous children knew the importance of the college entrance exams. The shouting was much quieter than usual in the brigade. If there was a candidate in the family, they were even more careful with everything they did.
Xibao originally planned to study at home as usual, and then go around collecting antiques with his grandfather, waiting for them to appreciate in value. However, his high school teacher heard that he had a broad range of knowledge, had exceeded the high school curriculum long ago, and was proficient in several foreign languages. The teacher personally came to pull him back to the school to stay in the dormitory, acting as an assistant to the teachers, helping his classmates review their lessons.
The school wasn't heartless either. They specially arranged a single dormitory for Xibao, located in the faculty housing area, and gave him a monthly allowance of thirty pounds of food.
Under the influence of his parents and elders, Xibao did not have a miserly mentality. Since the school valued him, even though many classmates were not so familiar with him because he wasn't at school most of the time, he still wholeheartedly helped his classmates. He also compiled a set of review materials based on his previous learning experience, encompassing all subjects, with content he believed could possibly be on the exam.
After reviewing it, several teachers from the school found it particularly good. Considering that ninety percent of the people in Huaibei City couldn't buy review materials like the "Self-Study Series on Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry", not everyone could afford to go to Shanghai, and not everyone had relatives in Shanghai, they submitted these materials to the education department. The education department staff read it repeatedly, immediately decided to rush it to the printing factory for urgent layout and printing overnight, benefiting students across the city and surrounding areas.
The materials were compiled by Xibao alone. After being printed in large quantities, the author's name was displayed in bold: "Lu Tianmao".
The emergence of this set of materials greatly alleviated the lack of college entrance exam materials for students in Huaibei City. Many students who had no materials at hand found it invaluable. Most importantly, the price was really not expensive. Anyone could grit their teeth and buy a set to prevent aimless studying.
Lu Tianmao suddenly became famous.
Everyone thought it was a seasoned teacher from the education sector, not knowing that it was a current student who compiled the materials to help his classmates.
Along with fame, Xibao also received a substantial manuscript fee, which almost made his eyes pop out in surprise, completely losing his usual grace.
He didn't know about the publication at all. After handing the materials to his teacher, he didn't inquire further, thinking the teacher would replicate them with mimeographs, not expecting them to be sent for publication!
Upon learning it was his godson's work, Zhao Anbang, the top leader of Huaibei City, personally intervened and arranged for wide dissemination, aiming to get the news of the college entrance exams into every candidate's ears. At the same time, the materials were mentioned, resulting in their high demand and multiple reprints. In just one month, fifty thousand copies were sold!
They heard that sales had reached several surrounding cities.
While sending the publishing fee to his mother, Xibao ran to his godfather's house to call her. His mother was stunned, "Has my son grown to such an extent? It's simply incredible!"