Qin Siyang opened the door, saw Wen Shu, and smiled as he asked, "Why did you come looking for me?"
"Mm, just wanted to talk to you for a bit."
"To the lobby?"
"No need, just a few words. Is it convenient to go into your room and talk?"
"Convenient? Of course it's convenient!"
Ever since Qin Siyang realized last time that his room was a bit messy and not suitable for receiving Wen Shu, he had learned his lesson. He paid extra and had the guesthouse cleaners clean his room five times a day. The room was spotless and odorless. The staff of the entire guesthouse were privately spreading stories about Qin Siyang.
Nothing that mattered.
In short, opportunity favors the prepared.
Today, he and his clean, tidy little nest finally got their chance.
Qin Siyang suppressed the joy in his heart and kept a calm smile on his face, "Alright, please come in."
"Thank you."
After Wen Shu walked into the room, she stood obediently to the side, waiting for Qin Siyang to close the door.
"Please, sit."
"Mm!"
The two of them sat facing each other on the sofa. Qin Siyang poured Wen Shu a cup of water.
"What a coincidence. I saw people on the forum saying the college entrance exam results were out. I was just thinking of asking how you did."
Wen Shu picked up the cup, pressed her lips together, and smiled faintly, with a hint of bitterness, "That's actually why I came to see you."
Looking at Wen Shu's expression, Qin Siyang felt something was wrong. His heart suddenly felt empty.
"What's wrong?"
Wen Shu's gaze dimmed slightly, "I… didn't do very well. I might not be able to get into United Government Academy."
'What?'
When Qin Siyang heard this, the smile on his face froze for a second.
Then he realized that Wen Shu must be feeling worse than he was right now. He couldn't make things harder for her. So he asked, "With your score, can you go to another academy?"
"If admissions are based on ranking, then there shouldn't be any problem getting into one of the lower-ranked academies."
"That's good," Qin Siyang nodded and smiled, "There are only eight academies in the safe zone. No matter which one you go to, you'll definitely be able to live the peaceful life you want."
Even though his words were meant to comfort Wen Shu, he couldn't help feeling a sense of loss in his heart.
Especially when he heard that Wen Shu hadn't done well. A wicked thought even popped into his head. What if Wen Shu's score wasn't enough to get into any academy? Then he could keep her staying at South Glory University.
But he knew that kind of selfish thought was completely wrong.
So when he heard that Wen Shu could go to another academy, he still sincerely offered his congratulations.
Since Wen Shu couldn't get into United Government Academy, he had to quickly start planning her next arrangements.
Qin Siyang then said, "If you go study in another region, the journey will be long. I'll find someone to escort you and Grandma Xu there. As for food and lodging over there, I can help take care of that too."
Then he forced a smile, "If you go study somewhere else, we probably won't see each other very often in the future. But if you need anything, just tell me. I'll do my best to help."
Qin Siyang felt empty inside.
It felt as if Wen Shu going to another region to study was declaring that the connection between the two of them was about to be completely cut off.
So there was a sense of loss in his eyes and brows.
Just then, Wen Shu suddenly burst out laughing with a "Pfft!"
Qin Siyang looked at her curiously, "What's wrong?"
"It's the first time I've seen you look so serious. I couldn't help laughing."
"The first time?"
Qin Siyang thought about it. He felt that every time he interacted with Wen Shu, he had been very serious, fully focused.
But with parting imminent, he didn't feel like dwelling on it any further.
Wen Shu had two faint dimples on her face, and her eyes shimmered with a gentle light, "I was just teasing you earlier. I got into United Government Academy."
"Huh?", Qin Siyang stood there like a wooden chicken, "You got in?"
"Yes, I got in."
"Then what you said just now... Oh, you were teasing me?"
Seeing Qin Siyang's slow reaction, Wen Shu couldn't help laughing again.
"What are you laughing at this time?"
"Laughing because you looked a bit dumb just now."
Qin Siyang froze again for a moment, then asked once more, "Are you sure you can get into United Government Academy? You're not teasing me again this time, right?"
"Mm! The college entrance exam results in the safe zone are ranked together. I ranked eighth. United Government Academy takes four to five hundred students from the exam, so I'll definitely be admitted."
When Qin Siyang heard this ranking, he looked at her in astonishment, "Eighth? Eighth in the entire safe zone? My god… That's a height I couldn't reach even in several lifetimes."
"Not at all. You're the most eye-catching rising star in the safe zone right now. When I borrow Xuanxuan's account to read posts on 'Sequence Education,' I often see content related to you. And you can even help me solve food and lodging issues in a place like Zone 7. Compared to a bookworm like me, you're way more impressive!"
"You? A bookworm?"
Qin Siyang wanted to say something, but looking at Wen Shu's lively smile, he ultimately said nothing. A thousand words turned into a single sigh.
"Alright then. Being a bookworm isn't so bad."
Wen Shu smiled playfully, "Okay, that's all I wanted to tell you. I won't disturb you anymore. I'm heading back!"
"Bye-bye!"
Wen Shu waved and left, leaving Qin Siyang alone in the room.
———
After returning to her room, Wen Shu puffed out her cheeks, "What's there to make such a big fuss about eighth place? Seriously, he's really underestimating me."
"Xiao Shu, you're back? Did you tell Little Qin about getting into United Government Academy?"
"Mm, I just told him."
"He's taken such good care of us. It's only right to tell him. Don't let Little Qin think we don't value him."
"Grandma, don't worry. I know."
———
Qin Siyang leaned back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling, and laughed for a while.
Then he sat there dazed for a long time, muttering to himself, "Several million people, and she ranked eighth… Why is the gap between people so huge?"
"Forget it. Even if I can't compare to her, I'm still one of the top young talents in the safe zone. Besides, she and I aren't even on the same track."
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[Blue Star Era, July 3, 2010]
[Gregorian calendar, Saturday]
[Summer calendar, Gengyin year, fifth month, twenty-second day. Auspicious for breaking ground, auspicious for digging earth, auspicious for taking in wealth. Inauspicious for marriage.]
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After resting well in his room for three or four days, Qin Siyang was now flooring it, carrying Hu Chan as they moved through the underground.
"Boss Qin, why are we heading out today? You usually pick an auspicious day before going out. I checked the Blue Star Calendar and didn't see 'auspicious for travel.' I thought you were going to wait two more days. I even arranged some other things for these two days."
"We're riding in a drilling capsule, traveling underground. Underground is all dirt. Isn't that 'breaking ground' and 'digging earth'? And besides, today is also 'auspicious for taking in wealth,' which means hunting gods is guaranteed to bring gains. Just charge ahead!"
Hu Chan froze for a moment, "Boss Qin's explanation… really has something to it. In my eighteen years of life, this is the first time I've heard someone explain 'breaking ground' and 'digging earth' like this."
"That's only because you haven't known me for long. If you'd known me earlier, you'd have learned this little life tip a long time ago."
"So the way our ancestors passed down the Summer Calendar is interpreted all based on Boss Qin's mood?"
"You're at least the Holy Son of the Zephyr Church. You've got to keep your mind flexible. As the saying goes, 'There are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people's eyes.' I interpret it this way. Any problem with that? No problem."
"Alright, you're Boss Qin. We'll listen to you."
"Of course! The two of us setting out today are guaranteed a huge harvest! Don't you think so?"
Hu Chan curled his lips and didn't respond.
Qin Siyang nudged him, "You little punk, get hyped!"
"Woo hoo! Woo hoo!" Hu Chan half-heartedly responded twice, "No idea why you've been so pumped these past couple of days."
"That's more like it! Charge! Charge! Charge!"
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