Helping Others, Helping Yourself

As usual, I beg for three things! Votes, recommendations, and favorites!!

For the top liberal arts student to apply to Capital University was nothing to be ashamed of for Shizhong High; in fact, it was a cause for celebration. Thus, Yang Tang’s university application was swiftly settled under the watchful eyes of the principal and the school leadership in the principal’s office.

With his application submitted, Yang Tang should have taken his leave, but considering the school still needed to distribute bonuses and cooperate with media publicity, he did not immediately leave Shizhong with Yang Jixue.

Leaving Yang Jixue in the principal's office, Yang Tang returned alone to the classroom, causing a commotion among his classmates. Especially Tang Xun and Chen Song, his former dormmates, who slung their arms around Yang Tang’s shoulders, showing off their camaraderie to those around them.

In contrast, Duan Yibin seemed somewhat troubled, his brows furrowed. Aside from congratulating Yang Tang, he made no exaggerated displays of affection.

Finding a quiet moment, Yang Tang asked Duan Yibin, “How did you do on the exam?”

“533,” Duan Yibin replied.

“Not bad, you’re above the tier-one cutoff of 530!” Yang Tang praised.

Duan Yibin, however, shook his head with a wry smile. “But if I accept the general allocation with this score, who knows what remote school I’ll end up in? It’ll be inconvenient, and the major probably won’t be good either. So, after discussing with my dad, I’m thinking of applying to a local second-tier university here in Mist City.”

“Then you might as well apply to Mist University!” Yang Tang offered a new suggestion.

“Mist University? I’m afraid my score isn’t enough.”

“Before I came, I had my dad ask the admissions office—Mist University’s cutoff this year is 532. You’ve got 533, so you’re in. The only thing is, the major might not be great.”

Duan Yibin’s eyes widened in excitement. “Is that really possible?”

“Here’s what you do: go talk it over with your dad. I’ll speak to mine too, and he’ll put in a word with Mist University’s admissions office. That way, you won’t miss out on a spot. But don’t tell anyone about this. Tang Xun and Chen Song want to go to medical school, let them do as they wish.”

“I understand.”

By noon, Duan’s father and Yang’s father met and quickly settled the matter. Duan’s father and Duan Yibin originally wanted to invite Yang Tang and Yang Jixue to lunch, but seeing that the school leadership also wanted to treat them, they didn’t join the crowd.

That evening, after returning home and sitting in the living room, Yang Jixue finally put on a stern face. “You little rascal, always giving me things to handle. What’s up with this Duan Yibin?”

“He’s the only classmate from high school I really trust. If you can help with something so small, why not?” Yang Tang clearly had his reasons. “Besides, Grandpa and Grandma passed early, and my other grandparents died a couple of years ago. Our distant relatives barely keep in touch. If I go to Yujing for university, you and Mom will be left behind in Mist City. If something happens, how will I know in time?”

At this, Yang Jixue suddenly understood. “So you want Duan to get into Mist University to keep an eye on us?”

“Exactly!” Yang Tang said. “And I know Duan Yibin—once he puts his mind to it, he’s got real potential. Dad, if you mentor him a bit, he might graduate even better than those high-scoring students who got in.”

“Alright, we’ll see how it goes.” Yang’s father picked up the phone. “For now, let’s sort out Duan’s admission. We gave our word, so we can’t go back on it.”

Yang’s mother, who’d been listening in confusion, took the chance to pull Yang Tang aside to ask about his university choices and who Duan Yibin was.

Just as he logged onto his computer in his room, Yang Tang received more than ten email notifications.

Since it was the standard laptop alert, Yang Tang hadn’t used any hacking tricks; he simply clicked open the emails. They were all reminders from He Jiani, urging him to discuss the book contract.

Glancing at the time, Yang Tang decided to call He Jiani directly.

She picked up quickly.

“Tangtang, where have you been? Why did it take you more than a day to call me back?”

“Big sis, I was filling out my university applications!”

He Jiani was instantly distracted. “Oh, so your exam results are out? How did you do, and which university are you going to?”

“Hey, Jiani, aren’t we supposed to be talking about the book deal?”

“Oh, right, right. Your ‘Billy’s War’ is great. My mom says she’s offering you eight percent royalties, after tax!”

“Eight percent, huh. Is she giving alms to beggars?”

“You can’t say that, Tangtang. You’re new to publishing, and the standard is seven to fifteen percent. My mom’s giving you eight percent after tax, which is actually—”

“I know, I know. Jiani, this isn’t something we can settle over the phone. Here’s the deal: give me an address, and I’ll send my lawyer over tomorrow to negotiate.”

“You have a personal lawyer?”

“Even if I don’t, I can always hire one!”

“Alright then, take down the address—”

After hanging up with He Jiani, Yang Tang immediately called Lawyer Mao in Shanghai to discuss the details, and they quickly finalized the arrangement.

Early the next morning, Lawyer Mao flew from Shanghai to Mist City. He didn’t even leave the airport, simply had Yang Tang, who came to meet him, sign a series of authorization documents. After collecting an advance payment of a hundred thousand yuan as legal fees, he booked a connecting flight to Tokyo and then to the US.

Before boarding, Yang Tang reminded Lawyer Mao, “Brother Mao, remember, my bottom line is ten percent after tax!”

“Understood.”

Back home, Yang Tang found his parents arguing, which gave him a headache. “Mom, Dad, what now?”

“You had that long spell of sleep before the exams, and they never found the cause. Your mom’s worried, so she wants to take you to the capital for a check-up,” Yang Jixue explained.

Yang Tang felt helpless. “Oh, Mom, now? To the capital? Let’s wait until I get the admission letter from Capital University.”

“Right, Xiao Hong is correct!” Yang Jixue agreed. “Once we get the admission letter and everything is settled, we can go to the capital. Then I can also get in touch with Xu Wu and invite their family for dinner.”

“That makes sense, but what if Xiao Hong has another episode in the meantime?” Yang’s mother was still worried.

“It won’t happen, Mom, trust me. I’m in great health.”

Yang’s mother retorted, “If you were so healthy, you wouldn’t have slept so long before the exams.”

Yang Tang had no answer, so he changed the subject. “Hey, when did we start subscribing to so many newspapers?”

“It’s all your mom! Every one is reporting about the top exam scorer!” Though his words sounded like a complaint, Yang’s father’s face was full of pride.

Now Yang’s mother joined in enthusiastically. “Son, look at this article—it even published your essay from the exam! ‘When the youth is strong, the nation is strong.’ What a beautifully written piece!”

In fact, it wasn’t just the papers. Once Yang Tang’s perfect-score essay was released, there was a storm of discussion online.

His essay had been posted on the websites of major newspapers and magazines two days earlier, but at the time, most people were focused on checking scores and cut-off lines, so few commented—at most, they’d give it a like.

Now that most students had finished submitting their applications and could finally relax, people started digging up all sorts of news and gossip about this year’s college entrance exam. Naturally, more people came to read the perfect-score essay, with over ten million hits in just twenty-four hours.

From casual passersby to professional literary critics, from ordinary literary youths to famous authors, from high school graduates with plenty of time to admissions officers overwhelmed with work, even the usually silent members of the Writers’ Association came out in force, creating a mushroom cloud of discussion across all forms of media, sweeping through the vast sea of the internet like a monsoon.

“Youth of China, amazing!”

“When the youth is strong, the nation is strong—so true! Thumbs up!”

“If the youth dominate the world, the nation dominates the world. Judging by this, our country isn’t quite number one yet.”

“Well said above!”

“1”

“Nonsense—isn’t our country number one globally for the first half of this year?”

“It’s not fake, but if the youth aren’t strong, will the country have to keep relying on the old for decades to come?”

“What, you look down on the elders?”

“Hey, you two upstairs are off topic.”

Guided by his mother, Yang Tang first read the papers, then went online, and was bemused to find so many websites hotly debating his essay. Especially when he saw that even “the old folks” had joined the fray, he couldn’t help but admire the wisdom of the people—each as sharp as Detective Conan, some even guessing that the essay was partly criticizing the elderly.

Yang Tang just skimmed the online comments. After all, even if he were praised to the heavens, his exam score wouldn’t go up, so why dwell on it?

The next day, Yang Tang went to see Wu Lie, who handed him a temporary travel permit.

Looking at the photo on the pass, Yang Tang was surprised. “Uncle Wu, when did you get photos of all three of us?”

“They’re in the household registration database. Just enlarge or shrink the digital photo and there you have it!” Wu Lie chuckled. “But enough about that—I haven’t congratulated you yet. The God of Literature has truly descended!”

“Uncle Wu, please don’t tease me. By the way, Haozi and the others must be on summer break now, right?” Yang Tang asked casually.

“Yes, summer break started. Just yesterday, he went out to dinner with classmates, and almost walked into the wrong girl’s room at the hotel.” Wu Lie raised an eyebrow. “Nearly got beaten up again!”

“Really?” Yang Tang played dumb. “He didn’t get hurt, did he?”

“Don’t worry, he’s fine. He even said he wants to invite you to Simianshan to escape the heat and hunt some wild game!”

“As long as he’s okay. But there’s no need to invite me on a summer retreat.” With that, Yang Tang waved the travel permit in his hand, indicating he was heading off to tour Southeast Asia.

.

.

.