Chapter 50: A Stranger to Myself in This World?

Zhou Linghua really knows how to live the good life. Secretary Wang Qin possesses a stunning appearance and long legs, and when she drives the boss's Audi, all the parents at the school gate can't help but stare.

Chen Xiao, with the soul of a thirty-year-old man, couldn't help but steal a few more glances at Wang Qin's body, appearance, and outfit. He was particularly captivated by her long legs, especially when she wore black S/ socks during winter, making her even more enchanting.

In this era, having such a fashion sense in the small city of Jiangcheng was considered very stylish.

Chen Xiao thought to himself, "I've experienced a lot since my rebirth, and it's been two months without a 'man's life.' It's truly miserable to be reborn as a high school student, and at this age too."

Wang Qin handed the mobile phone box to Chen Xiao and said, "This is a New Year's gift from President Zhou. I hope you like it. He also asked me to give you a message. He is very grateful for your contribution to Linghua. You guys have an agreement, and he will abide by it."

"Here!" Wang Qin also scanned Chen Xiao up and down, and although she found the boy somewhat handsome, she didn't feel any particular emotion towards him. She couldn't understand why President Zhou was so kind to this student.

Wang Qin had been with Zhou Linghua for four or five years. She was Zhou Linghua's most attentive person, even more caring than Zhou Linghua's wife.

However, when Wang Qin requested a mobile phone from Zhou Linghua, he had only given her a bulky Motorola 8900, which was much inferior to the slim and light Motorola CD928+ he gave to Chen Xiao.

Motorola CD928+, launched in 1999, was the world's first Chinese mobile phone and entered the mainland of Xiaguo around the middle of 1999. At that time, its price was in the tens of thousands. Only big bosses and wealthy individuals could afford such a phone.

Chen Xiao received the phone and said, "Thank you, Aunt Qin."

Wang Qin had hoped to see shock, surprise, and excitement on Chen Xiao's face, but to her surprise, Chen Xiao remained expressionless, showing no emotions at all, as if he had just picked up an ordinary notebook or pen.

Unbeknownst to Wang Qin, the reborn Chen Xiao had already used various ultra-thin smartphones and wearable devices.

In Wang Qin's eyes, the Motorola CD928+ was incredibly slim and light, but to Chen Xiao, it was merely a bulky device capable of making calls, sending text messages, and checking the time; nothing more.

Wang Qin was taken aback for a moment, then quickly regained her composure and said, "No need to thank me, no need at all. I've already stored my phone number and Mr. Zhou's number in the mobile phone. You can call us whenever you need to. Also, I'm just a few years older than you, so feel free to call me Sister Qin."

Chen Xiao's face lit up with a smile as he replied, "Thank you, Sister Qin."

Wang Qin beamed at the response. Although the title was just one word longer than before, it felt much more intimate.

"Alright, I won't disturb you any longer. I'll take my leave now," Wang Qin said.

Chen Xiao bid her goodbye and watched as Wang Qin's long legs gracefully straddled the Audi before driving away.

In this era, there were fewer cars, even fewer people who knew how to drive, and even fewer women who could drive. Wang Qin's driving skills were quite impressive.

Chen Xiao played with the Motorola CD928+ for a few seconds but quickly lost interest.

Without mobile networks, without QQ or WeChat, it felt dull.

"Brother Xiao, let's head home!" Shen Wei trotted over with a bicycle.

In the study group, Jiang Wei, Deng Chao, and others often called Chen Xiao "Xiaozi," "Xiaoge," or "Xiaoshen," and Shen Wei had also adopted this habit.

This period had been the happiest for Shen Wei since high school. She didn't know why, but she felt that studying in the study group was much more enjoyable and her mindset was more relaxed.

Shen Wei said, "The final exams are in two days. I wonder how Jiang Wei and the others have prepared."

Chen Xiao mounted the bicycle and replied, "It shouldn't be a big problem for them to make some progress. This time, we've covered all the compulsory content in our review, so as long as they pay attention during my lecture, they should do well."

Shen Wei then asked, "How do you plan to spend the Spring Festival?"

Chen Xiao thought that during this time, he hadn't had much time to focus on 11181's development. So, during the Spring Festival, he planned to optimize the game according to its current progress and said, "Just play around, maybe go to an internet cafe."

Shen Wei was curious about internet cafes, a place often disliked by parents. She couldn't help but say, "Then... can you take me there?"

Shen Wei, being a good student, was quite curious about the allure of internet cafes that was so appealing to boys.

"Do you really want to go?" Chen Xiao asked.

"Mmmm!" Shen Wei nodded, "I'm curious; I want to know what kind of place is so attractive to boys."

"In that case, I'll take you there," Chen Xiao replied, suddenly feeling like kidnapping the girl.

At that moment, in the teaching group office of Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School, the teachers were still not leaving for dinner.

Principal Wang Kangping, the third-grade teacher Tan Min, the third-grade head teacher Liao, and others were sitting in the conference room.

Principal Wang said, "The school just received a notice from the admissions office of the education department. Shuimu University has withdrawn their acceptance of our student."

"Su Qiao?!" Teacher Liao exclaimed, "What happened?"

"Director Tan, please explain," Principal Wang requested.

Director Tan was also feeling down. The news that Su Qiao had been accepted early by Shuimu University had almost been publicized by Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School with a loudspeaker.

Now, all the parents of Jiangcheng students and even the wider society knew about Su Qiao, a third-year student at Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School, being accepted early by Shuimu University.

Tan Min said, "It seems that there was a problem with Su Qiao's invention patent. I don't have the specific details yet. I've asked the relevant department, and they said it appears that he copied someone else's patent."

"What!" Teacher Liao was a little agitated. After all, it was not easy for a student from his class to be accepted early by Shuimu University.

However, Mr. Liao had considered Su Qiao's family background, which made things clearer to him.

With parents like that, what couldn't they do?

"It's such a shame," Teacher Liao said.

By that, he didn't mean that it was a shame that Su Qiao was not accepted by Shuimu University, but rather that Su Qiao

was a relatively good child, yet his own parents ruined him.

Mr. Liao continued, "If Su Qiao hadn't been accepted early by Shuimu University, he would have continued reviewing at the same pace. He should have been able to pass an important exam. Now, I don't know if he's aware of this yet, but I'm afraid his confidence will take a hit."

Actually, Principal Wang was fully aware of why Su Qiao was assessed by Yanjing University and accepted by Shuimu University.

However, at this moment, he pretended to be ignorant, merely to protect himself.

Principal Wang said, "Provide psychological counseling for the students, and we should also keep a low profile. Before this notice has been widely circulated, you were busy announcing it everywhere. Now, let's see how you handle this!"

Suddenly, Tan Min had a question, "But I remember that the invention patent had even been reported by Jiangzhou Daily. If Su Qiao copied someone else's patent, then who did he copy from?"