Zhang Guoqing drove all the way to the county town, got off the car at the door of the county state-owned restaurant, and went straight in with two bottles of wine. It was already past mealtime and no customers were dining in the restaurant. The waitress Sister Wang had already sneaked back, and only the chef was resting in the back to prevent any customers from suddenly coming to dine.

"Master, are you there? I'm Xiaowu, here to see you."

"I'm coming, I'm behind." The chef responded as he quickly ran out. Seeing Zhang Guoqing holding a bottle of wine, he laughed, "Is this a gift to me? You haven't forgotten me after all."

"How could I forget you? I've been thinking about you. You see, I came to your place first when I arrived in the county." Zhang Guoqing handed him the wine and stopped him while saying, "Master chef, I have something else to do today, so I'll leave first. I'll chat with you next time."

Master Huang had heard a long time ago that someone from the boy's family of birth had come. The general and his mother-in-law had come together to celebrate his son's third birthday. He didn't know what was going on, but he was worried about it and felt relieved at this moment.

"Okay, go ahead. Business is more important. If you need anything, just call me."

After Zhang Guoqing said goodbye to him, he saw that it was already time for work in the afternoon, and he figured the principal should be at school. He drove to the county high school and got out of the car at the gate. Before he even entered the school, the gate guard shouted, "Hey, aren't you Zhang Guoqing? Why are you driving here? Where's your wife? Come in and chat with me."

Zhang Guoqing sighed inwardly. He had originally planned to sneak upstairs without alerting anyone and go straight to the principal. But the old man's loud voice had ruined things. His friends had to skip class to come out.

"Uncle, you look so radiant and you seem to be doing well. Is the principal here today?"

The security guard smiled and pointed in the direction, "Inside, I haven't been out all day. Where do you work now that you're not in school? You've got a car now, so tell me about it."

Facing the curious old man, Zhang Guoqing cut to the chase, "I'm still at home. I borrowed the car and will return it to the owner soon. Uncle, we can talk again when you're free. I'll go find the principal first."

Zhang Guoqing finished speaking and slipped away. This old man was a chatterbox. If he caught him, he'd probably be stuck here for the whole afternoon and wouldn't be able to get anything done. He tried to avoid the classrooms and headed for the corners. When he got upstairs, he knocked on the principal's office and heard someone say, "Come in." He pushed the door open and saw the old principal waiting for him cheerfully.

"How could you bear to come here? I thought you two were so busy having a baby that you forgot which way the school gate opens. Sit down quickly. What are you standing there for? Stop smiling like an idiot."

Zhang Guoqing sat down sideways and said to him respectfully, "Principal, even if I forget anything, I will never forget that this is my alma mater, and my teachers and friends are here."

The principal glanced at him, and seeing him sitting half-sideways, a smile flashed in his eyes. "Alright, there's no need to come to the temple for no reason. Go ahead and tell me. It's too late and I'm in a bad mood, so I'm too lazy to answer."

"Principal, I'd like to ask you a question. If Zhou Jiao and I plan to retake the college entrance exam, besides not attending school regularly, are there any other restrictions?"

The principal immediately stood up and said loudly, "Have you made up your mind? Are you really going to take the college entrance exam? Great, that's great. I've always said that you are cut out for studying, especially Zhou Jiao. It's such a shame for her to give up her studies. Good, now you're sensible enough to consider going to college. Wait a minute, I'll think about your situation."

Zhang Guoqing watched him pace back and forth in the room. After a moment, he returned to his seat and began to open drawers and look through documents.

The principal thought back to the university application points in recent years, and then thought about how young people from society could apply. He breathed a sigh of relief, fortunately he was not mistaken.

"Zhang Guoqing, you and your wife have a child now, so it's not practical for you to go to school regularly. Even if you were to live on campus, you would certainly be reluctant to leave your child. I'll first talk about the general enrollment situation, and then go on to describe two separate cases for you to choose from.

Since 1952, university students have been exempt from tuition and accommodation fees, and receive free meals at set times. This means that, aside from a salary and daily social expenses, students can successfully complete their studies without any personal burden. Graduates receive higher salaries than others, and receive wages during internships. Those in extreme poverty can apply for welfare benefits. As for you, there's no need to apply. Don't do so if you can avoid it. It will affect your future job placement after graduation.

Every year, college entrance exam registration centers are set up in major cities across the country. Our county middle school registers in the provincial capital. Zhou Jiao has a Beijing hukou, so she can register in either city. Registration centers nationwide don't require registration in your place of residence. With your high school diplomas or equivalent certificates issued by your employer and your household registration certificates, you can register in any major city.

Now let's talk about how you get your high school diploma?

First, your junior high school entrance exam results are still at school. I remember you two ranked first and second in our county. I'll just apply for a replacement, explaining that you've already registered for high school but then took a year off. That way, you can enroll normally. It just so happens that the break hasn't arrived yet this semester, so you can take a year off. You should study hard at home and come for the final exam. Then, you can complete the necessary paperwork and write a request for leave to study at home. You'll come to pay tuition at the beginning of each semester, then take a long vacation, and then come for the final exam. This is the simplest method.

The second option is to study at home, and when you're ready to take the college entrance exam, you can ask your employer for a certificate. Technical secondary school students and high school graduates have different levels of education than ordinary workers, and their salary levels are different. You should have no problem getting one; you have connections.

Okay, that's the situation, go back and think about it."

After hearing this, Zhang Guoqing made a decisive decision, "Principal, there's no need to think about this. I'd rather get my diploma at school, but that would be a hassle for you now that you're old. Do you think it's still possible to get it done today? Or should we find another time?"

The old principal laughed heartily, opened a drawer, and pulled out an envelope. "Look here, I guessed you'd want to continue attending school. If you hadn't come, I would have delivered it to your door. In my entire teaching career, I've rarely seen students as good as you, especially Zhou Jiao, who's a natural born scholar. Now that you have a child, it's time to plan your future. This matter has become so serious, and you haven't decided to leave with them, so I'll complete the paperwork first and wait for your signature to pay the tuition and textbook fees of three dollars and two cents each."

Zhang Guoqing took the envelope and felt it was incredibly heavy. It contained the old man's deep love and expectations for him and his wife.

Zhang Guoqing bowed respectfully to the old principal and said, "Principal, thank you very much. We will not let you down. Please wait for two years and we will come to you in person to announce the good news."

The old principal glared at him, "You have no say. If you fail the exam in two years, I'll teach you a lesson. You'd better be careful not to be chased away by your wife and left alone in the county town."

Seeing Zhang Guoqing's playful smile return, the old principal chuckled and scolded, "Why don't you go next door and pay your tuition? Once you've paid, come directly to me with the slip. Remember to write two leave requests in Zhou Jiao's handwriting. I'll go get you some new books."