Chapter 53: An Unassuming Surprise

Certain matters have already been delayed and cannot endure any further postponement.

Professor Yang is determined not to miss out on the opportunity presented by the talented boy.

He stands by Zhao Lixing's side, watching him converse.

"Director Shao, greetings! I'm Zhao Lixing. We've met in Jiangcheng previously during Yanjing University's special recruitment visit."

"Indeed, indeed! It's me! Happy New Year, Happy New Year!"

"Director Shao, I'd like to inform you verbally for now. Considering it's the holiday season, we'll send the formal documents once work resumes. After extensive evaluation by our university's administration, we intend to admit Chen Xiao from Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School's Class Three as a student of the Microelectronics Department at Yenching University, starting in the year 2000. We don't have Chen Xiao's contact information, so if possible, kindly pass on the news. Consider this a New Year's gift!"

"Ha-ha! Thank you indeed! Director Shao, Chen Xiao is a student with remarkable independent innovation capabilities. He has practically secured a patent for the CNC machine tool motherboard and CNC machine tool visual operating system. This young talent should be nurtured well!"

"Appreciate your words, Director Shao!"

Amidst his New Year's Eve feast, Director Shao promptly dialed Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School's Principal Wang.

Wang Kangping was both taken aback and overjoyed!

The puzzle is now solved!

Never did he imagine that Su Qiao had copied Chen Xiao's patent!

This...

When did Chen Xiao become so accomplished?

Moreover, Chen Xiao is also a student of Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School!

This time, Jiangcheng No. 1 Middle School could hold their heads high!

Bypassing Tan Min, the dean of the school, Wang Kangzhen directly dialed Teacher Liao's landline number.

On New Year's Eve, Mr. Liao was naturally at home.

Answering the call, Mr. Liao exclaimed in excitement!

Among the Senior Three students, he favored Chen Xiao the most.

This student was down-to-earth, diligent, intelligent, and most importantly, humble and helpful.

Coming from a humble background, without a father to advocate for him, Chen Xiao radiated optimism and a positive attitude.

"I'll call Chen Xiao immediately!" Mr. Liao thought after hanging up. Given Chen Xiao's current academic performance, even without the special admission offer from Yenching University, he had a chance of making it.

Still, this is fantastic news.

Teacher Liao dialed Chen Xiao's home number.

...

Chen Qiang said, "I'm still the same, working at the factory. However, I've switched from Jiangcheng Machinery Factory to Jiangzhou Delong Electronics Factory."

For Zhou Hongbing, Sun Yan, and others, it didn't matter which factory he worked in, as long as he was a blue-collar worker.

Zhou Hongbing feigned concern, stating, "I told you last year, don't labor at the factory! Factory work is tough! Any other profession is better than factory work. Times have changed, it's no longer as prosperous as before. You need the guts to fight."

Chen Xiao couldn't help but chuckle at this.

In his overlapping rebirth memories, Chen Qiang had even contemplated venturing into business, hoping Zhou Hongbing could help him join a construction site project.

However, Zhou Hongbing always found excuses to postpone the matter.

That's how businessmen are – just listen to their words.

Chen Jian added, "Brother, take care of your health, don't push yourself if you're not well."

The display of concern ended there.

Though Chen Jian was only a section chief, he held considerable influence within the Construction Bureau. He had extended support to Zhou Hongbing, but when asked to find a better job for Chen Qiang, Chen Jiandu claimed he couldn't intervene.

Chen Qiang couldn't endure any longer and stated, "I can't just quit and struggle. Xiaozi still aspires to go to college!"

Sun Yan's hasty words weren't well thought-out, adding another layer, "Tell him to choose a conventional major at university. He can study to become a teacher. Nowadays, education majors are in high demand! Our daughter, Pingping, will study finance. Finance is in vogue!"

Lin Hui chimed in, "Let children learn whatever they like. Let them enjoy the freedom of youth, the independence of adulthood."

The conversation shifted toward Chen Mei. Curious, she asked, "Xiaozi, what field are you planning to major in?"

Chen Xiao, in between bites of sweet and sour pork ribs, responded, "Finance."

Why did Chen Xiao choose finance?

Because he held an understanding of the future's social and economic landscape, as well as the upcoming technological framework.

Thus, he didn't need to delve deep into a specific field; he only needed a grasp of the macroscopic content.

A finance major is interdisciplinary, incorporating arts and sciences, and university life is much more relaxed compared to purely scientific subjects.

"Ack!" Chen Ping almost spat out her soda upon hearing this. She wanted to study finance too, so why did Chen Xiao choose the same field!

Sun Yan was also surprised and finally exclaimed, "Studying finance is costly! The tuition fees are high. Even after graduation, securing an internship at a bank or securities company relies heavily on connections."

Listening to everyone's conversation, Chen Ling couldn't hide her disdainful expression.

Study finance? Do they believe bank jobs are that easy to obtain?

Doesn't matter; even if you study finance, you won't be able to land a job at a bank.

Sun Yan and others equated studying finance with working in a bank or securities company, but their perspective was far too narrow.

Dinner came to an end. Chen Qiang took a sip of wine and said, "My son can study whatever he likes. I'll support him, even if he chooses to study finance."

At that moment, the phone rang.

Lin Hui paused her meal to answer the call.

"Hello... Hello! Yes, yes! It's Teacher Liao! Happy New Year, Happy New Year! We're having a New Year's Eve dinner!"

"Please share what's on your mind!"

"What!? Really? Truly! Absolutely!"

"Thank you so much, Teacher Liao. Thank you! I'll inform him immediately. Alright!"

Lin Hui's announcement left everyone at the table startled.

Chen Mei couldn't help but inquire, "Lin Hui, what's the matter?"

Lin Hui hurriedly shared, "Chen Xiao's homeroom teacher just called to inform us that Chen Xiao has received an early acceptance offer from Yenching University!"

"Wow..." Lin Hui exclaimed tearfully, "Xiaozi... If you knew earlier, why didn't you tell your mother?"

"What!?"

At that moment, the whole room was in shock.

Chen Xiao, accepted early by Yenching University?

This was quite an astonishing revelation.

Sun Yan swiftly commented, "Sister-in-law, what's happening? Chen Xiao getting into Yanjing University? That's just a joke, the college entrance exams haven't even taken place yet."

Chen Ping was equally taken aback, struggling to comprehend the situation.

...

Director Shao's residence.

As Director Shao replaced the receiver, the admissions office of Shuimu University placed a call to him as well.

The policy to extend the self-enrollment timeframe was extended not only to Yenching University but also to several other institutions.

Consequently, Shuimu University initiated their supplementary admission plan.

Initially, Shuimu University accepted Su Qiao due to her involvement in the research, development, and patent application for the CNC machine tool's mainboard. Now, their priority was recruiting the actual developer of the project, Chen Xiao.

They had probably learned of Yanjing University's intentions to poach talent.

Promptly, Shuimu University informed Jiangcheng about their intention to accept Chen Xiao early.