CHAPTER 249: CHAPTER 249 ORIGINAL SIN 58

The more Professor Zhang watched Yun Shuangshuang answer questions, the more delighted his expression became. Finally, looking at the dozen pages of paper full of answers in his hands, he sighed, "I’ve been teaching all my life, and I can count on one hand the number of genius students like you I’ve encountered!"

As he spoke, Professor Zhang couldn’t help but show a look of regret when he looked at Yun Shuangshuang, "With your talent, it’s such a pity you didn’t start school earlier. It simply buried your talent and potential!"

Yun Shuangshuang blushed at Professor Zhang’s praise. She knew herself well; anyone who spent two lifetimes obsessing over a diploma and studied hard would be seen as a genius. So, Yun Shuangshuang didn’t consider herself a genius.

Professor Zhang didn’t know what was on Yun Shuangshuang’s mind. He saw her blush and assumed she was shy. Smiling kindly, he said, "Wanting to obtain a university diploma is the right choice. In this society, no matter how great your talent and knowledge, without a diploma, people will look down on you."

He paused to ponder a bit before continuing, "However, you’re still young and at the right age for the college entrance exam. Therefore, I suggest you first take the exam because many top universities don’t accept students who haven’t taken it. Especially prestigious universities, they only accept students who enter through the exam. So if you want a diploma, you naturally want the best one."

Yun Shuangshuang was understandably tempted. Unlike students who fear the college entrance exam, in her past life, Yun Shuangshuang was envious of those who could take it. To her, experiencing the feeling of crossing a single-log bridge with thousands was a deep-seated desire because, in her past life, she couldn’t afford education early on and later, when she could afford it, she was too busy to attend school.

And this obsession still lingered to this day, just deeply suppressed. Now, Professor Zhang’s words stirred that suppressed desire within her!

Yun Shuangshuang felt a mix of excitement and hesitation in her heart. "Professor Zhang, I really want to take the college entrance exam, but I haven’t been to school, and I’m not a local. At my age, I don’t meet the high school’s admission standards!"

Professor Zhang laughed, "You don’t need to worry about that. I have an old friend who’s the principal of City No.1 Middle School in F City. I can put in a word for you to enrol as a special admit and take this round of the college entrance exam there."

"That would be incredibly kind of you. I’m really grateful for all your efforts!" Yun Shuangshuang was very thankful for Professor Zhang’s help.

Professor Zhang smiled gently, "Why say it’s an effort? Aren’t you being more considerate with my little Qiangqiang? I should be thanking you."

Professor Zhang said this sincerely. While staying at Red Dust, Yun Shuangshuang had been exceptionally good to her grandson. Every day she interacted with Qiangqiang, gradually helping him engage with the outside world, and always put great effort into making him different meals each day. Yun Shuangshuang’s kindness towards Qiangqiang was something Professor Zhang remembered and deeply appreciated.

Professor Zhang acted with incredible speed. Having mentioned it one day, by the next, arrangements had already been made. Because of Qiangqiang, Professor Zhang had to stay at Red Dust to care for her grandson and couldn’t accompany Yun Shuangshuang to City No.1 Middle School herself. Yun Shuangshuang had to go to take the exam alone.

On the day of the exam, Yun Shuangshuang set out by herself. Before leaving, she took some time to dress up.

She chose to wear simple athletic clothes, and tied her hair into a neat ponytail, looking youthful and vibrant. Smiling slightly in the mirror, the girl reflected back seemed like a budding flower, with a gentle smile on her lips and an irrepressible cheerfulness in her eyes.

Feng Jinyan also took this exam very seriously and drove Yun Shuangshuang to the exam venue, but Yun Shuangshuang didn’t let Feng Jinyan accompany her inside. She felt a bit embarrassed to have her mom accompanying her, given her age.

After mentioning her name to the gatekeeper, who had already been informed, Yun Shuangshuang was allowed in.

The environment of City No.1 Middle School was quite nice. The teaching buildings were all new, and the greenery was very good. Both sides of the path were lined with tall poplar trees, and the sports field was very large.

When Yun Shuangshuang entered, a group of senior students was having a PE class playing basketball on the sports field. Nowadays, school education has started to emphasize physical education scores, so even in the busy high school curriculum, PE is not omitted.

At that moment, boys and girls were shouting and laughing, freely spilling their youth and sweat on the wide sports field, showcasing endless vitality and exuberance—youthful and beautiful.

Yun Shuangshuang had already asked the gatekeeper where the principal’s office was, so she went directly to it. The principal’s office was on the first floor of the teaching building. As she walked down the corridor, the sound of classes and reading surrounded her, creating a strong academic atmosphere which Yun Shuangshuang had never experienced or felt before.

She stopped in front of a classroom, looking through the glass at students with their heads bowed, studying seriously. In the corner, two students were secretly passing notes, and a girl in front was whispering to the girl beside her. Then, the teacher who walked in front of her knocked on the desk, startling her to sit up straight and focus on her open textbook, pretending to be intensely studying.

As Yun Shuangshuang watched, she became strangely absorbed. Such an atmosphere, such experiences, were things she had never known. Confronted with any storm or crisis, she had never been nervous, but seeing these students studying, she suddenly felt a bit nervous, thinking that she would someday live such a classroom life. She felt an inexplicable mix of apprehension and anticipation in her heart.

Afraid that watching too long might disrupt the students, Yun Shuangshuang only glanced through the glass for a while before leaving.

The principal’s office at City No.1 Middle School was at the end of the corridor on the first floor of the teaching building. Yun Shuangshuang followed the nameplate to find it. The door of the principal’s office was closed. Standing in front of it, Yun Shuangshuang took a deep breath to calm her mixed emotions, then knocked on the door with a mixture of nervousness and expectation.

A slightly aged, authoritative voice came from within, "Come in!"

Yun Shuangshuang pushed the door open and went in. The decor of the principal’s office was very scholarly, with a large wall filled with books. Beside the bookshelf was a water dispenser, and in front of the bookshelves was a huge solid wood desk. An aura of seriousness sat behind it — a man who looked in his fifties, dressed neatly and tidily.

There was only this one man in the principal’s office, so he was undoubtedly Professor Zhang’s friend, Principal Hao Jianxing of City No.1 Middle School.

Yun Shuangshuang showcased a standard smile and walked up to the desk, saying, "Hello, Principal Hao, I’m Yun Shuangshuang. I’m here today for the entrance examination."