Although we have phone calls now, it’s not really convenient to call, and there’s really nothing to directly talk about, so the two of us still prefer to communicate via letters.
Last time, Li Zhiyuan mentioned the matter of creating a problem set in his letter and incidentally shared Tan Wenbin’s thoughts with Xue Liangliang.
In Xue Liangliang’s reply, he said Tan Wenbin is a business genius, confident that this industry will definitely be a vast blue ocean with broad commercial prospects, because the Chinese emphasis on education is a cultural instinct, and most families, despite being frugal in other areas, will not skimp on investing in education.
Xue Liangliang also said that if Tan Wenbin wants to continue doing this in the future, he could invest a sum of money and suggested not to just limit to personal brand influence, it would be better to leverage the label of Nantong educational examinations, and discuss partnerships with those prestigious middle schools, then build the whole city as a major brand name.
Li Zhiyuan relayed Xue Liangliang’s words to Tan Wenbin, who was shocked for a while, then slapped his thigh:
"Damn, this guy is brilliant!"
But when Li Zhiyuan asked Tan Wenbin if he was willing to pursue this career, Tan Wenbin shook his head, he was not willing.
He wanted to go to university, he wanted to continue learning.
Since he had boarded this ship, he wanted to sail far, really see the distant scenery, and then, reach that destination.
For this, he even excitedly added: "Both my parents work in government jobs, I don’t need to worry about supporting them in their old age."
True, having faced profound fears of life and death, yet still able to maintain an optimistic and positive demeanor, it’s indeed difficult to focus solely on making money.
For lunch, Li Zhiyuan didn’t eat with Tan Wenbin. Instead, he boarded a bus parked on campus, which was prepared with various foods and beverages.
As usual, Principal Wu led the team, with Mr. Yan as assistant. The bus set off towards Jinling, to face the provincial math competition.
The other six students on the bus ate and drank non-stop, very happily.
Li Zhiyuan just casually ate something to fill his stomach, then leaned against the bus window, watching the outside scenery.
Wu Xinhao noticed this, and specifically came over to ask if the prepared food didn’t suit his taste.
Li Zhiyuan shook his head and frankly said it was because he was used to living in good conditions.
This answer made Principal Wu pause for a moment, then his face broke into a smile. Outsiders might think he was bragging, but those who knew him could hear his sincerity.
Those who can become principals handle people and events well, the difference lies in who they deem worthy of their effort.
Thus, he quite liked this straightforward and simple boy; being with him, there was no need to pretend, and it wasn’t tiring.
Wu Xinhao helped Li Zhiyuan lower the rear seat, allowing him to lie down and rest.
The school rented this bus to transport the exam participants, also considering this point, trying to reduce fatigue from the journey as much as possible.
Upon reaching Jinling, they checked into a hotel.
Others had twin rooms, Li Zhiyuan had a single room.
No one felt this was unfair, the six classmates also knew that their ability to pass the city’s selection was largely thanks to the boy’s help.
At this moment, Li Zhiyuan lay on the bed, holding a book from Wei Zhengdao.
The door was knocked.
Li Zhiyuan got up, preparing to open the door, but heard Principal Wu’s inquiry from outside first: "Who is it?"
"I am Xiao Yuan’s brother."
Wu Xinhao’s and Mr. Yan’s twin room was right across from Li Zhiyuan.
At this moment, Mr. Yan was in another room, leading those six students in preparing for the math papers, as the examination was starting the next day. Today’s practice wasn’t for last-minute cramming, but just to keep everyone in form.
Wu Xinhao’s door was always open, to easily keep an eye on Li Zhiyuan’s situation; he was like the mythical serpent guarding treasures.
Li Zhiyuan opened the door and saw the visitor, he smiled.
The visitor was Xue Liangliang.
Haihe University is in Jinling.
After Xue Liangliang handed his student ID for Principal Wu to check, only then was he allowed past the serpent’s security check, permitted to meet with his precious friend.
Closing the door, Xue Liangliang said with a smile: "Xiao Yuan, your principal really treasures you tightly."
Saying this, Xue Liangliang bent down, reached out, and pinched the boy’s face.
"Come, let me absorb some of the genius’ spirit aura, to aid my cultivation and ascend to the ranks of immortals soon."
"Then Brother Liangliang you shouldn’t be absorbing from me."
"Brother Liangliang, what are you carrying in your hand?"
"Some Jinling specialties. I know you’re too lazy to carry big and small packages home, so I prepared some snacks to taste together."
He took out some snacks from the bag, including a serving of saltwater duck.
Li Zhiyuan picked up chopsticks, tried a piece, and asked.
"I’m not used to this thing," Xue Liangliang shrugged, "but over here, both government and private companies like to distribute saltwater duck during festivals."
"Personal tastes differ, I like eating light."
This duck was basically bland except for the salty taste.
"Hey, you know, the first time I read in your letter that you were in your senior high year, I thought I read it wrong, then wondered if you wrote it wrongly. Why didn’t you tell me earlier that you were in the Youth Class?"
"Did you?" Xue Liangliang pondered for a second, "Then I must have been distracted then. So, you’re taking the college entrance exam next year, huh?"
"So, coming to be schoolmates, hm?"
Xue Liangliang showed delight, then pulled out a letter from his pocket:
"You’re making me feel quite unaccomplished as a persuader; here, this is a letter from Mr. Luo for you, you’ve met him, he wanted me to persuade you in advance to apply for our school."