Chapter 63: Embarking on Entrepreneurship

Chen Xiao's choice of Jiangzhou University was based on two main reasons.

Firstly, he knew that in the future, implementing the products of the future technology system would require a team of skilled researchers. He wouldn't be able to do it alone. He needed dedicated and hardworking researchers, not necessarily the top talents. Often, the highly talented individuals would have aspirations of going abroad, particularly to secure a green card in the United States. Chen Xiao needed researchers who were diligent and committed, which is where Jiangzhou University came in. Though not immediately apparent, decades later, this university would become a significant contributor to fields such as integrated circuits, Internet communications, mechanical equipment, and aerospace in the country. Graduates from Jiangzhou University would account for a quarter of the talent in these fields.

Secondly, Jiangzhou University was located close to his heart. It was where his company's headquarters had been before his rebirth. Watching Jiangzhou develop and flourish over time had created a strong emotional bond.

Moreover, Jiangzhou was less than 100 kilometers away from Jiangcheng, enabling him to care for his aging parents.

Chen Qiang and Lin Hui were growing older, and for them, their child's success wasn't about the money he would earn, but the hope of having him by their side in their old age.

Chen Xiao recalled that around 2015, a high-speed rail link would connect Jiangzhou and Jiangcheng, making travel even more convenient.

Deng Chao quipped, "With Brother Xiao's grades, it doesn't matter whether the answers are right or wrong. It's basically a matter of which school to choose."

Jiang Wei added, "Our situations are different. Brother Xiao's a scholar, and his answer is the standard answer. What other answer would there be?"

Coughing, Chen Xiao almost choked on his water, retorting, "It's a shame you two didn't become flatterers."

Shen Wei felt that Jiang Wei was onto something. Given Chen Xiao's consistent performance in the college entrance exam's diagnostic tests, his actual exam results should be promising.

Shen Wei's only concern was where Chen Xiao would apply. She aspired to study at Yenching University, but Chen Xiao didn't seem interested. Should she prioritize her lifelong dream or the feelings she held for Chen Xiao?

In the afternoon, Mr. Liao distributed volunteer application forms, asking everyone to fill them out and submit them within a week. He also invited the whole class for a hot pot meal and karaoke session as a farewell to their high school careers.

Su Qiao wasn't present, and Chen Xiao learned from his classmates that she probably hadn't performed well based on her post-exam evaluation.

Chen Xiao explained, "She took the college entrance exam just to experience the atmosphere. She's already taken the IELTS test and is planning to study abroad."

In the upcoming week, Shen Wei, Deng Chao, and their classmates would be anxiously seeking information at home and making their college application choices based on various sources.

Chen Xiao, however, focused on more important matters - starting his own business.

On the background of 11181, the daily page views averaged around 600,000, occasionally surpassing 1 million. Moreover, more and more people were using plug-ins, leading to third-party server rental requests. Renting servers from these third parties meant entrusting one's livelihood to them, and this wasn't ideal. Stability during this era couldn't match the stability offered by future server providers like Huawei and Goose Factory, who offered better service. Companies providing server rentals might encounter bad days, run out of funds, or intermittently cut power, leaving users helpless.

Chen Xiao had amassed a deposit of 200,000 yuan, a surprise to himself. Some of it came from the equipment share of ADLINK, while the rest came from 11181's ad and plug-in revenue. Without realizing it, Chen Xiao had already earned more than his parents.

In 2000, many families of civil servants didn't possess 200,000 yuan in savings.

Office standards were not established at this time. Chen Xiao leased a clean and cool third-floor house, entrusting Wang Xiang to buy three reasonably configured servers from Jiangzhou. This arrangement took about five days and cost around 70,000 yuan. He knew that three servers wouldn't suffice if 11181's page views continued to grow, but that was a problem for another time.

The day before submitting their college applications, Shen Wei mustered the courage to call Chen Xiao.

"Brother Xiao, have you made your selections?" Shen Wei's voice sounded weary.

For several consecutive nights, Shen Haifeng and Zhou Ya had worked tirelessly to secure their daughter's desired university placement.

After researching various sources and utilizing connections, they estimated that Shen Wei was among the top three students in Jiangcheng and top twenty in Jiangyang Province.

Universities had expanded their enrollment the previous year. Both Shuimu University and Yenching University admitted around 15 students from Jiangyang Province. This meant Shen Wei's application to Yenching University was relatively safe.

Chen Xiao revealed, "I've made my selections. Jiangzhou University."

"Aah!" Shen Wei was stunned and couldn't believe her ears!

Given Chen Xiao's grades, he could easily apply to Shuimu University or Yenching University. If he wasn't interested in Beijing, he could choose Fudan University or Suhang University. She never expected Chen Xiao to choose Jiangzhou University!

Although Jiangzhou University was also a 211 and 985 university, it wasn't as popular due to its location. Consequently, its admission threshold wasn't as high. In the eyes of many students, Jiangzhou University was at best slightly above a normal undergraduate institution.

"Have you submitted it?" Shen Wei was lost, torn, and confused about her feelings.

"It's submitted, I handed it in yesterday." Chen Xiao's tone was cheerful. "Deng Chao's first choice is Jiangzhou College of Arts and Sciences (second choice), Jiang Wei chose Jiangcheng Vocational and Technical College (junior college), and Zhang Yi is aiming for Yangcheng. We're all pretty close in proximity, how about you?"

Shen Wei glanced at her college application form and replied weakly, "I... haven't decided yet."

Chen Xiao switched to a tutor-like mode and advised, "If you have a high enough score, prioritize choosing the university, but if your score isn't sufficient, prioritize selecting a major."

"Okay, got it." After hanging up, Shen Wei turned to her father and asked, "Dad, can I apply to Jiangzhou University?"

Shen Haifeng's reaction was explosive!

"Are you crazy? Jiangzhou University's admission cutoff is around 5670 points. Your estimated score is almost 620. Why would you even think about applying there? You've dreamt of attending Yenching University since childhood. I've already enrolled you there. Your preferred economics major might be subject to change, but if it's not available, I'll arrange something for you once you start."

Shen Wei: "Ah!?"