Just as Xiao Muyu was about to speak, a tall boy walked over to their table.

The three of them looked up at him at the same time, and the boy suddenly blushed slightly.

He mustered his courage and said to Xiao Muyu, "Hey classmate, I'm Lu Fang from Class 3, Grade 11 at No. 6 Middle School. What's your name? Can we be friends?"

Xiao Muyu was taken aback by his directness and didn't know how to respond. She lowered her head and tugged at Jiang Xiaoli's sleeve.

Jiang Xiaoli, with a cola straw in her mouth, asked, "Lu Fang, what was your ranking in your school's final exams last semester? Where do you plan to go to university?"

Lu Fang was a little confused by her series of questions.

He answered honestly, "My ranking at the end of last semester was 191. I should be able to attend a junior college in my hometown. What's wrong with that?"

Jiang Xiaoli took the straw off her mouth, hugged Xiao Muyu, and said to Lu Fang, "My best friend is in the top three of her grade. Her current goal is to get into the best medical university in China, and her future goal is to become a top surgeon in China. Your friendship information doesn't match, sorry."

Lu Fang's ears turned bright red upon hearing her words. He was unwilling, but seeing Jiang Xiaoli looking at him with amusement, he left after saying sorry.

Yuan Man swallowed hard, and couldn't help but give Jiang Xiaoli a thumbs up, "Xiaoli, you're awesome!"

Jiang Xiaoli continued sipping her cola, her voice slightly muffled, "It's nothing!"

Xiao Muyu took her arm and said, "Xiao Li, after hearing you introduce me like that, I think I'm so cool."

She swayed her head to the music playing in the restaurant, saying, "People with dreams are so cool!"

Yuan Man put down her hamburger. "Xiao Li, what is your dream?"

She thought for a moment, "My dream... my dream is... to change the world!"

Xiao Muyu couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Didn't you say last time that your dream was world peace?"

"Hehe." She scratched her head. "No conflict, no conflict."

Yuan Man propped her arms on the table and leaned closer to the two of them, "Let me tell you about my dream, please don't laugh at me, okay?"

They both nodded at the same time.

A little embarrassed, Yuan Man said, "I want to be the best policewoman!"

Xiao Muyu praised, "That's great, Aman, you're amazing!"

Jiang Xiaoli also gave her a thumbs up, "Yuan Xiaoman, are you planning to apply to police academy?"

"Yes, that's what I think, but my family isn't too keen on it. But that's okay, there are still more than two years left, I can persuade them!" Yuan Man said confidently.

Xiao Muyu and Jiang Xiaoli raised their cans of cola, "Good luck!"

Yuan Man accepted their blessings with a smile, "I also wish you all your dreams come true!"

After finishing their meal, the two of them said goodbye to Yuan Man and went home.

Xiao Muyu arrived at Jiang Xiaoli's house carrying a large stack of books.

Seeing that the two girls were ready to start studying as soon as they got home, Li Guizhi pulled Xu Feng along, saying, "We're going back to school soon, let's review!"

When Xiao Jincheng returned home that evening, he found no one there. He went to the apartment across the hall and saw four people, two adults and two children, engrossed in reading.

He couldn't help but applaud them, exclaiming, "Look at the learning atmosphere we have here!"

Xu Feng, a little embarrassed by his teasing, patted him lightly. "If you ask me, you should really take some further studies!"

Xiao Jincheng quickly begged for mercy, "No, no, I don't have time."

These past two days, Zhu Ming from Pengfei Architectural Design Co., Ltd. has brought his team to Xijing. Tomorrow is the groundbreaking ceremony for their "Jinghua Commercial Plaza".

He asked towards the study, "Little Pear, can you take tomorrow off? You have to go to the groundbreaking ceremony!"

Jiang Xiaoli poked her head out and said, "Uncle Xiao, I'm not going. If I ask for leave on the first day of school, I'll end up on our homeroom teacher's blacklist!"

Li Guizhi nodded, "Yes, Jincheng. If there's something that requires her, then let her ask for leave."

Xiao Jincheng nodded helplessly, and said with a wronged expression, "I feel very at ease when Xiaolizi is around."

Xu Feng patted him with a smile, "How old are you? Do you still need Xiao Li to give you courage? Come on, let's go home and prepare dinner. Sister-in-law, come to my house for dinner tonight!"

...

On the first day of school, Chen dropped a bombshell on everyone.

"The latest document states that the subjects for the college entrance examination have been adjusted. Starting this year, both arts and science students will only need to take five subjects. For arts students, these are Chinese, mathematics, English, history, and politics, while for science students, they are Chinese, mathematics, English, physics, and chemistry."

This news immediately woke up the students in the class.

"Science majors won't have to take politics anymore? That's fantastic!"

"Ugh! Why?! I'm the best at geography!"

"Will the competition be more intense if there are two fewer courses?"

"..."

Chen gave them three minutes to discuss, and when the time was up, he tapped the lectern.

"Although the college entrance examination has canceled these subjects, I hope that you will not slack off in your studies of these subjects. How can you understand the vastness of the world if you don't study geography? How can you understand the diversity of life if you don't study biology? I hope that my students are not just learning machines that can only pass exams, but well-rounded individuals!"

He then notified the students, "In order to help you get back into the swing of things as quickly as possible, we will have exams for all subjects this Friday and Saturday."

Now the students no longer cared about discussing the cancellation of exam subjects in the college entrance examination; they all started burying themselves in their studies. Grades were the lifeblood of students, and this was especially evident in the environment of Class 1.

After class, Chen called Jiang Xiaoli and Xu Xing to his office.

"Your exams are also scheduled for this weekend. Starting this semester, you'll need to strengthen your studies in these two subjects for competitions. The provincial preliminary rounds are expected to be held in May; I'll notify you in advance to register."

Taking the opportunity, Teacher Liu tossed them two books, saying, "These are brand new workbooks, get to work on them!"

Chen smiled at the two students and said, "Alright, you can go back and get ready now."

Jiang Xiaoli and Xu Xing left the office. Xu Xing glanced at her and said, "You went out to play during the holidays? You probably didn't study properly."

Jiang Xiaoli raised an eyebrow. "You'll find out this weekend whether I've read the book or not."

Xu Xiaohang was indeed waiting for her to slack off! Hmph, no way!

Short-term goal... to crush Xu Xiaohang!

She studied diligently for three days, and even had Zong Jia bring back the food factory's sales report for February for her to see.

February coincided with the Chinese New Year. Although sales were still conducted in 9 provinces, just like in January, the sales amount increased by nearly half.

Total sales in February amounted to 87.032 million yuan, with a net profit of 32.194 million yuan.

When Li Guizhi returned from night school that evening and saw the food factory's financial statements, she couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Li, the food factory has so much money in its account, are we just going to leave it there?"

Jiang Xiaoli was having a headache over this matter. Tens of millions of yuan were sitting idle in her account, and she felt extremely uncomfortable looking at it.

She discussed with Zong Jia, "Is there anything else we need to spend money on?"