After watching Zhou Jiao and the others leave, Zhang Guoqing made another cup of hot tea and placed it on his desk, then returned to his seat and waited for him to continue the conversation.

"There was something wrong with Jiaojiao's college entrance exam results this time. She originally wanted to keep a low profile, but the individual results were normal. Coincidentally, when taken together, her important courses all had full marks, while the less important ones were slightly lower, forming a regular slope. Her calculations were correct, but she couldn't stand the high score the examiner gave her."

Zhang Guoqing looked at him in surprise when he heard that.

"It's all right now. As soon as I found out the scores, I made arrangements. However, there's a sequelae. The old leader mentioned you last time and was very happy to know that you passed. This is a good thing for others, but... fortunately, there are a few years left. I'll see about the job assignment in the future."

Zhang Guoqing nodded in understanding. Even if they were assigned to the military, it wouldn't matter. Just make sure they didn't separate.

"Jiaojiao is a very thoughtful child. In the future, when you're around, let her relax a little. No matter how she tries to hide, it's useless. As long as I'm around, you'll be in everyone's sight. You can act the same way as other children do, without worrying about getting into trouble. There's no need to accommodate others at school. Just get along with everyone."

Zhang Guoqing laughed when he heard this. Even if it came to the moment of competing with his father, he would not be willing to do so.

Zhou Xiaozheng glanced at them, his lips curled up. His two children weren't exactly arrogant. Never mind, he just wanted them to live an easy and comfortable life, so he could just let them do what they wanted.

"Dad, will someone bring up Jiaojiao's college entrance exam incident in the future?"

Zhou Xiaozheng said disdainfully: "Someone had tried to reach out before, but I stopped him. The old leader said that Jiaojiao had grasped the key points. Who dares to bring it up?"

Zhang Guoqing pondered for a moment and decided he needed to talk to Zhou Jiao. Man proposes, God disposes. She should just follow her heart. Who could have foreseen someone deliberately combining her papers for analysis? It would be better if she lost her life too. It was truly disgusting.

Zhou Xiaozheng took out a piece of paper from the drawer and handed it to him.

Zhang Guoqing took a look and saw two addresses. "Dad, are these residential houses around the school?"

"Yes. One in a town, one in a village. I saw Jiaojiao didn't want me to negotiate with the school, so I found these two places. You can go over and take a look tomorrow. It's best not to live in the school. There are too many people and it's noisy, and it's inconvenient to get something to eat."

There's also a question about the child. You can enroll him in the daycare center near the school; it won't cost much. He can enroll in both, so it's up to him to go wherever he wants. We have few children, so don't let him suffer. Just register his household registration in the compound, not at the school. I'll have someone take care of it tomorrow."

Zhang Guoqing nodded, "Okay, I'll listen to you."

"Let's do this for now. If the child is used to being at home and doesn't make a fuss looking for you, then leave him there. The nursery is in the compound, and your auntie will visit often, so no one dares to treat our family harshly. You can enjoy a relaxing life for a few years, but once you start working, you won't be able to control your own affairs."

"Then I'll go to the school tomorrow to see what's going on, then look at houses and nurseries, and then come back to discuss this with you. Is that okay with you?"

"You should take Jiaojiao to see the house first, and then go to school."

Zhang Guoqing smiled knowingly.

The next morning, Zhang Guoqing finished exercising with his father-in-law, had breakfast, and took Zhou Jiao with him, riding his bike all the way to school.

The weather in September was still very hot. The couple sweated profusely and spent almost forty minutes before finally arriving at the school gate.

Zhou Jiao looked at the campus and decided she would never ride a bike again. The harsh winter and scorching summer heat were no joke. She'd better get out early and take the bus every day.

She hesitated for a while, then pulled Zhang Guoqing to find the address on the note.

The first place was a recently built building for the families of a construction team. They wanted to rent two small rooms on the second floor, on the east side. The owners were an elderly couple whose children were not around, and the third child happened to be a soldier. They already had a house in town and planned to rent it out for five yuan a month.

After looking at it, Zhou Jiao said she would consider it for three days, and if she didn’t come, she would not rent it.

After saying goodbye to the old lady and walking for a while, Zhang Guoqing couldn't help but ask her, "What do you think?"

"This isn't the right place. It's too far away and it attracts too much attention. We can't be special and indulge in a life of luxury. Let's go and look at that house in the village."

Zhang Guoqing didn't even have to think about it; the village was definitely more suitable than here. His father-in-law had painstakingly searched for two places, having already considered many aspects.

Sure enough—the adobe house in front of me is not far from the village entrance, and it's not far from the school by the small path. I just don't know how safe it is.

The landlord is an old lady who lives with her eldest son. This is the yard of her youngest son. Now the youngest son and his wife are both living in the army. Except for the occasional visit to stay overnight to visit their elderly mother, this yard is empty.

Zhang Guoqing laughed in silence. His father-in-law must have checked all his military records. Otherwise, why would both houses be related to military personnel? It must have taken a lot of effort on their part.

He didn't know if the rent was two dollars a month, but even though it only had three rooms, the yard was huge. It would be nice to rent it and grow some vegetables.

"Grandma Jiang, let's go back and discuss it. If it's appropriate, come back. Is that okay?"

"It's okay. If you come over, just go to my eldest son's house. I'm home looking after the kids when I'm not working."

That's enough. This means I even have someone to temporarily entrust my work to.

Zhang Guoqing smiled at Zhou Jiao. The couple knew they were both satisfied with the courtyard. Next, it would depend on what the school said. Living away from home would require further negotiation.

The school was enormous, and after asking around, the couple finally found the Department of Electrical Engineering. The new student registration office hadn't opened yet, and it would take several days. In the office, they were greeted by a young counselor and the department head, who was in his forties or fifties.

Zhou Jiao handed them two notices and two documents - the documents also included the two people's household registration transfer certificates, files, etc.

The department head burst into laughter upon seeing this and told the counselor to register them quickly. He hadn't expected the couple to register so early. The school was worried they wouldn't start their studies.

Zhang Guoqing quickly stopped him, explaining their current situation and the difficulties they faced, and proposed a commuter program. Fortunately, he had added an extra year to his age when his household registration was moved to the county seat, so he was now considered within the marriage law.

Neither Zhang Guoqing nor Zhou Jiao had expected that the school leaders had long known about their family background. Not only did they know they had a son, they probably even knew their high school performance.

The department head took the couple into the inner room and handed them a housing application for faculty, staff and special personnel.

Zhang Guoqing was unsure whether this would violate regulations or create a problem. He asked a few questions, feeling somewhat hesitant.

What else does the department head not understand after seeing this?

He cheerfully took out one of Zhang Guoqing's sealed files, opened it, pointed to the words "paid schooling" on it, and explained in detail to the confused couple what a transferred student was.

Zhang Guoqing had always thought that since he had refused the recommendation, he would not be able to enjoy the treatment of a transfer student. He did not expect Zhao Dashan to prepare so much for him.

He was indeed attending school with a salary, and he was the youngest student on campus, having earned his place through his own admission. That solved all his problems.

After listening to the department head's words, Zhang Guoqing understood even more clearly that they couldn't leave their collective life at the moment. Especially regarding evening self-study and various activities, he couldn't just leave whenever he wanted.

He looked at Zhou Jiao and smiled when she nodded in agreement. All that previous deliberation had gone to waste; in the end, it was just what had to happen. As for whether or not there would be any special treatment, he believed no one would dare knowingly violate it now; everyone should just follow the normal procedures.