Rebirth 2004: A lone figure in the literary world

Chapter 64: Early Farewell

Zou Guangming not only came with Cao Wenxuan this time, he also had a mission. After all the excitement, Zhang Chao still hadn't received the admission letter from Luyuan.

Zou Guangming first pushed Cao Wenxuan and Yu Hua aside, and then had a private conversation with Zhang Chao, telling him how much Luyuan valued him.

Zhang Chao was naturally very grateful. If his works helped him cross the most difficult threshold, then his status as a student in the Advanced Research Program for Young and Middle-aged Writers of Luyuan was the key to opening the door, and both were indispensable.

Naturally, he would not refuse such kindness.

Zou Guangming took out an envelope from his briefcase and handed it to Zhang Chao. Zhang Chao opened it and found a special letterhead with the address of "Lu Xun Academy of Literature" on it. It read:

Mr./Ms. Zhang Chao
你已经被我院录取为第三届中青年作家高级研讨班学员，请凭本通知书于2004年6月20日（星期日）到我院报到，6月21日（星期一）参加开学典礼。

...]

The signature is stamped with the personal seal of President Zhang Jian and the official seal of Luyuan.

Zou Guangming smiled and said, "The notice has been prepared a long time ago, but I didn't send it to you because I was afraid that it would affect your college entrance examination and I was also afraid that you young people have too many personalities. Dean Zhang specially asked me to come to see you. If Lao Cao hadn't dragged me here today, I would have come here in the next few days."

Zhang Chao naturally expressed his gratitude to Zou Guangming and Lu Yuan.

Zou Guangming said with emotion: "You are the youngest student in the history of our Lu Academy. But we made an exception to admit you not only because of Hong Kong Island University, but also because we at Lu Academy don't want to miss any pearl. Your writing talent is unquestionable, but it would be a pity if you didn't receive higher education.

We at Lu Academy took a big risk and withstood a lot of pressure to make this decision. You must cherish this opportunity..."

When Zhang Chao returned home, it was already dark.

The parents were waiting anxiously. As soon as they saw Zhang Chao, they couldn't wait to ask, "Which school are you going to?"

“All…all go.”

"What do you mean? Are they all going?"

Zhang Chao took out the admission letter from Luyuan and explained the whole story to his parents, who were also stunned. How could a student study for both undergraduate and graduate degrees at the same time?

This is definitely a policy loophole!

Zhang Chao's mother asked worriedly, "You won't deny it when the time comes, right?"

Zhang Chao comforted him, "It shouldn't be that serious. Besides, if we can't let both of them go, at least one of them can stay, right? It's good no matter which one we keep."

Zhang Chao's father thought more long-term and said meaningfully: "'If you don't take what God gives you, you will be blamed.' But being praised by the public is also equal to being slandered by the public. You have chosen this path, and the rest is like climbing a mountain, with one step to a higher level, and there is no turning back."

Zhang Chao nodded and was about to say something when his mother, who was holding the notice and reading it, screamed:

"Hey, reporting in on June 6th? Isn't that just over a week away?"

In the following week, Zhang Chao's family was busy preparing. Although Zhang Chao repeatedly said that it was not so troublesome and that many things could be bought after arriving in Yanjing, his mother would not listen and still stuffed three large suitcases and a large backpack with clothes and daily necessities.

Zhang Chao took some time to say goodbye to his friends.

The first person he looked for was Chen Huan. Although Zhang Chao had gradually parted ways with him after his rebirth, he still had feelings for this good friend from high school.

The two of them took the ball and went to the county gymnasium, where they played a few 3V3 games.

For the last ball, Chen Huan made a wonderful pass to the basket, Zhang Chao caught the ball steadily, and with a backhand hook shot, the ball easily hit the backboard and went into the basket.

"We won! No more playing!" Chen Huan took the ball. The two of them each bought a bottle of soda and chatted as they walked home.

When they reached the parting intersection, Chen Huan patted Zhang Chao on the shoulder and said, "Take care, brother!"

Zhang Chao hugged him tightly and said, "Take care, brother!"

The two figures disappeared into the sunset.

The second person he found was Lan Ting, and he returned the Sony laptop to her. Hearing that Zhang Chao would be going to Yanjing soon, Lan Ting was surprised and a little disappointed.

"Yanjing... it's so far away..."

"Where did you volunteer?"

"I estimated that my score was not high enough to apply to a good school like Yanjing University, and it might drop a bit. So my family asked me to apply to Xiamen University in my province and Zhongda University in Guangdong Province."

"It's also very good."

"But……"

Lan Ting felt a little sad and remained silent.

Zhang Chao felt something and stopped talking as well.

After a long while, Lan Ting spoke first. She said, "I still remember what you said to me on Dengyun Road that day, and I will not put down my pen. One day, you will see me and my name, just like I see you and your name again and again."

"Okay, it's a deal!"

"A word is settled!"

"Do you want to make a pinky promise this time?"

"Isn't that childish...just give it a try."

The third person he was looking for was Song Shiyu, a girl who originally had no connection with him but whose life paths intersected from time to time after his rebirth.

Song Shiyu's art exam score was among the top ten at the Central Conservatory of Music this year, and her academic performance has always been good, so she should also go to Yenching and be enrolled at the Central Conservatory of Music this year.

Song Shiyu was still calm and cool, with no emotional fluctuations.

Zhang Chao chatted with her for a while and then left. Before leaving, he joked, "I am the vanguard, and I will go to Yanjing to scout out the enemy. Let me know when you arrive in Yanjing, and I will take you for a good tour."

Song Shiyu nodded and smiled slightly.

But when I was practicing the piano at night, for some reason I was absent-minded and played several wrong notes.

The last person to be found was Zhang Ting.

Teacher "Tingmei" is still beautiful and elegant. She had heard about Zhang Chao's "double admission" a long time ago, but now she is not allowed to make it public.

Zhang Chao was very grateful for her care for him. The "advanced grouping" classroom had computers and internet, which provided him with a convenient creative environment. Although Zhang Ting never said it, Zhang Chao knew that she had fought for it for him.

Zhang Ting was also very pleased. After ten years of teaching, it is the dream of almost every Chinese teacher to have produced a student like Zhang Chao.

Before leaving, Zhang Chao said, "Teacher Zhang, just wait and see how my Chinese grades turn out this time!"

On June 6, Zhang Chao's parents set up two tables in a large restaurant in the county and hosted a low-key banquet for school leaders and Zhang Chao's subject teachers.

It's a kind of ritual. Zhang Chao is also very grateful for the convenience the school has provided him during this period - although it comes with KPIs.

On the morning of June 6, Zhang Chao set off early with only one box and one bag of luggage left and flew to Yanjing.

This time he also did not let his parents accompany him, saying that he had to visit some friends and take care of some things in Yanjing, so he would stay in a hotel before reporting to Luyuan to let them feel at ease.

After going through so much, Zhang Chao's parents knew that their son had grown up and could handle these things, so they did not force him. They just told him to call regularly and not to worry his family.

Looking out the airplane window, the Fuhai Sea was getting smaller and smaller, and was gradually covered by white clouds. No trace of the scenery of the sea and mountains could be seen anymore. Zhang Chao felt an irrepressible sadness and pride surge up in his heart.

A new journey in my life is about to begin!

(End of this chapter)