"Professor Gao, stop keeping us in suspense. When is the college entrance exam?" Upon hearing this, the crowd immediately dispersed, craning their necks to peer behind Gao Kangcheng.

Gao Kangcheng clutched the official document in his hand, beads of sweat still clinging to his forehead, his eyes behind his glasses gleaming frighteningly bright. He raised his hand and waved it.

"Don't get so close, sit back down and listen to me."

"Now that the college entrance examination has been reinstated, I know you are very excited, but there is still a long time. The first batch of exams is scheduled for the end of November to the beginning of December, which is only about a month away."

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over me.

Looking at everyone's expressions, Gao Kangcheng softened his voice, "The leaders all know that the college entrance examination has been reinstated, and everyone's enthusiasm is inevitable. Therefore, the factory has decided that those who meet the requirements can take a long leave to prepare for the exam, but... there will be no salary."

"The research data of each group must not be interrupted, and those who remain must take on double the workload."

This means that taking the college entrance examination may also mean giving up this job.

Research data cannot be turned into a mess just because of the college entrance examination. Research needs to continue, and data still needs to be sorted out. If there are not enough people, we will definitely recruit a batch of new people to fill the gaps. We can't wait until those people finish the college entrance examination before making other plans.

"Whether you stay or leave, everyone should think it over carefully," Gao Kangcheng said slowly. "Give me your answer within a week."

Lin Yuxi sat in the chair, not moving.

I left work unusually early today because no one was focused on the data; they couldn't concentrate at all and were only thinking about the college entrance exam. Only a few of the older staff stayed in the office.

Gao Kangcheng knew there was a reason for it, so he didn't say anything. He just released the man and left work two hours early.

Everyone on the bus was whispering and talking amongst themselves.

No one could contain their excitement. Even back in the family compound, Lin Yuxi could tell from the excited expressions on the faces of those around her that everyone was discussing the same thing.

"The college entrance exam is coming up soon. I wonder how crowded the library will be. We should go to the library early to see if we can still borrow books from previous years' college entrance exams."

"Do you know anyone here? Go ask around and see if they have any information. Right now, I bet everyone in Beijing is crowding into the library. By the time we get there, it'll be too late."

"That's right, even though we're married now, it doesn't say that women can't take the college entrance exam."

As Lin Yuxi walked along the road, groups of women all wanted to go to the library.

Because she got off work early today, she didn't get home to her affiliated hospital until 3 p.m.

Gao Kangcheng knew that everyone was distracted and their minds were elsewhere, so he preferred to let the young people leave work earlier.

The resumption of the college entrance examination is a rare opportunity.

Lin Yuxi was walking along the path when she happened to run into He Cuiping carrying a bucket of water.

She looked at Lin Yuxi and paused for a moment, then patted the back of her hand. "Hey girl, why didn't you go to the library? Didn't you hear the news? The college entrance exam has been reinstated!"

“You’re so educated, you’ll definitely pass the exam. You should go to the library and buy some books. I heard that the college entrance exam has been reinstated, and many of the women in the residential compound are rushing to borrow books from the library.”

Lin Yuxi smiled and said, "I heard that a document was issued when I was at the factory today, giving us a long holiday so we can study hard for a month. That's why I left work so early today."

He Cuiping urged, "Then why aren't you in a hurry at all? Didn't you see those women rushing to the library like crazy? Some of them even set up little stools there."

"I haven't finished reading the books I borrowed a while ago. I'll go back to the library after I finish reading them. Everyone is going to the library now, so I don't want to squeeze in with them."

"That makes sense. You should go back now. I won't keep you any longer." He Cuiping suddenly realized, and then continued to bend down and water the plants.

When Lin Yuxi returned home, Jiang Shufen was sitting on the sofa knitting. Hearing the noise, she looked up. By this time, she was used to Lin Yuxi leaving get off work so often. Seeing that Lin Yuxi's hands were empty, she said, "Everyone has gone to the library. Do you want to go and have a look?"

"There are likely to be quite a few students taking the college entrance exam this year. As long as they are capable, the admission rate will definitely decrease due to the selection of the best candidates."