Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Taking the Last Place
Although his dark face showed little expression and his tone was very bland, those who knew him could still tell he was happy.
At this, the village chief was truly surprised. He knew San Ya was smart and had a good memory, but he had not expected her to be this smart!
Because Aibao was the best student among the children in the family, always maintaining top three ranks in her class, the school teachers had said that unless something unexpected occurred, she would definitely be able to attend high school.
Since she had said so, it was evident that San Ya was no ordinary smart.
So, he said with a laugh, “Then your family must definitely let San Ya continue her studies. Just don’t have her work anymore and don’t skimp on the money for schooling. She will be able to earn it all back. Moreover, I heard from Aibao that now at the commune primary school, the first placers of fourth and fifth grades do not have to pay tuition fees. The same goes for the town’s middle and high schools, and they even give scholarships to the students.”
“Is there really such a good deal?!”
The Jiang father and son were both stunned. They knew education cost money, but this was the first time they had heard that studying could earn money.
The village chief explained, “This has only been in place for the past two years, but you have to be the top student in the entire school. Being first in class doesn’t count, because each grade has several classes.”
What he didn’t mention was that the highest Lin Aibao had ever ranked in middle school was fifth place in the entire school, because the kids from the town had better educational resources than the children in the countryside from a young age.
Maintaining a top three rank in her class was already the result of his daughter’s hard efforts.
After hearing this, Jiang Changhai confidently said, “Mianmian will definitely be the top placer!”
His daughter was a genius with a photographic memory!
The village chief did not crush his hopes, he just leisurely sipped his tea.
If San Ya really could become the top student in the entire school, it would be the best thing ever, as their village would also gain prestige, and he could boast about it at the commune meetings with other production teams.
Meanwhile, Jiang Changhai, eager with pen and paper in hand, hastened back home, stepping into the courtyard and boldly announcing, “Wife, daughter, I have some fantastic news to tell you!”
“What good news?” Su Wanyu, who was washing vegetables in the courtyard, got excited immediately. Brother Hai would never exaggerate to them.
If he said it was fantastic news, it must definitely be fantastic news!
Lying on the bed and playing with her feet, Jiang Mianmian immediately rolled off the bed and scurried out to greet her dad, then was scooped up in his arms.
“Daughter, if you become the top student in the entire school, not only will you not have to pay tuition, but the school will also give you a scholarship!”
“Really?” Jiang Mianmian’s eyes lit up. “Dad, who did you hear this from?”
She hadn’t expected that schools nowadays were giving out scholarships, especially since so few children from the village went to school.
Sun Lixia, however, covered her mouth and scoffed, “Big brother, who have you been listening to? Zhiwen and Zhiwu are both in school, and they have never mentioned that the school exempts tuition fees, let alone gives money to students.”
San Ya getting the top rank in the whole school? Big brother must be dreaming!
The couple from the second household felt she was making sense. Even they knew schooling was expensive; otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many people unable to afford it.
“The village chief said it.” Jiang Changhai was radiant, and at that moment, he wasn’t about to argue with her.
Lin Aibao nodded, “Indeed, that’s the case. Zhiwen and Zhiwu probably didn’t mention it because it didn’t concern them, so there was no need to say anything.”
Sun Lixia’s face suddenly found it hard to maintain composure; she forced a dry laugh, “Is that so?”
“Nonsense! With their grades being so poor, being the last in the school is more likely.”