Chapter 15: Demolition in Progress
Chapter 15: Demolition in Progress
Time flew by quickly in the following days, like a swift horse passing through a gap.
On June 25th, the results of the college entrance exam were released, stirring the hearts of countless families.
Jiang Qins score was exactly the same as in his previous life: 653 points (TL: Considered good; 750 is highest). Admission into a top university was a certainty, leaving no room for doubt. He felt very calm about it, but had to show enough excitement in front of his parents, which was quite a test of his acting skills.
Mr. Jiang and Mrs. Yuan were truly thrilled.
653 points!
This score was 20 points higher than Jiang Qins mock exam results!
Mrs. Yuan Youqin immediately went to Baiyun Mountain to burn incense and fulfill her vows at Baiyun Temple.
Comrade Jiang Zhenghong was so overjoyed that he could hardly contain himself. He paced restlessly, his fists clenched and shaking, and eventually took Jiang Qin downstairs to run three full laps around the neighborhood.
Jiang Qin understood his parents feelings well. In their generations view, the college entrance exam was a springboard to success, a major turning point in life, the only opportunity to change ones destiny, and a stepping stone to glory and wealth.
But what he couldnt have anticipated was that in a few years, the world would be teeming with PhDs and overrun with Masters.
Three days after the announcement of the exam results, the demolition process began to take shape.
On the morning of June 28th, the offices of Fanhuali, Rongcheng, Xingfu Community, and Hongyun Community called Jiang Qin, briefly discussing the demolition and inviting him to a meeting with the special demolition team.
Although the official demolition documents had not yet been made public, the demolition was almost a foregone conclusion.
To save time, all the streets affected by the old town renovation project began early preparations.
This was not a widely publicized matter.
In fact, apart from the homeowners of the buildings to be demolished, no one else knew about it, which saved Jiang Qin a lot of trouble.
In the following days, Jiang Qin went back and forth between the street offices, listening to the higher-ups directives and compensation clauses, which he had heard many times.
Even though the information from each street office was repetitive, it was still thrilling to hear each time.
Once the official demolition notice was issued, the process entered the negotiation phase.
This stage was almost the most time-consuming, as many people were greedy, especially the residents who had lived in old and decrepit houses for many years. Their lives were not satisfactory, so they wanted to ask for as much compensation as possible.
However, Jiang Qin knew when to stop.
He proposed a figure to the street offices based on the highest estimated compensation ratio and told them to call him if they agreed.
His relaxed attitude stemmed from an important reason: during the second phase of the demolition, those who signed the contract first could choose their resettlement houses early, and selecting a good location was far more important than haggling over an extra thirty or fifty thousand yuan.
If negotiations dragged on and all the good locations were chosen, what would the remaining people do?
Sorry, they would have to draw lots.
The contracts were already signed; no one would cater to these latecomers.
Additionally, he had an urgent reason.
He needed to repay a debt.
Although the money for buying the house was borrowed from Feng Nanshu, it was still her fathers money. The fact that nothing had gone wrong so far meant her father hadnt noticed yet, but the longer he delayed, the higher the risk. Jiang Qin didnt know what kind of person Feng Nanshus father was, so he didnt want to take the risk.
Getting the compensation early and filling the gap would make it as if nothing had ever happened.
After dealing with the preliminary demolition matters, Jiang Qin took a day off to relax at home, responding to various messages on QQ.
Guo Zihang said he scored 472, while Feng Nanshu announced she got 671.
Guo Zihangs score wasnt surprising; that was simply his level of ability. Scoring even a point higher would have been difficult for him. However, Feng Nanshu, known as a genius and a top student, scoring below 700 was quite unexpected.
Of course, the class teacher also couldnt accept this score and believed there must have been a mistake. He went to the city to check the papers on the day the results were released.
However, there was no mistake; it was indeed 671. The problem was with the Chinese essay. Out of a possible 60 points, Feng Nanshu only scored 12.
What was this years essay topic again?
Jiang Qin, having been reborn, had almost forgotten this memory. So, he went online to check and couldnt help but burst into laughter.
An essay on friendship?
She didnt even have friends, and she was asked to write about friendship?
Wasnt that like asking a mouse to write about its experiences in cat-petting?
Not a bad result, really. The 12 points were probably just for neat handwriting.
Stop laughing, said Feng Nanshu.
Sitting in their usual spot on the second floor of the Jizhou City Library, Feng Nanshu looked utterly dejected. Ive thought about it, and this is actually your fault.
Jiang Qin was puzzled. We didnt even know each other during the exams. How are your lost points my fault?
But if I had known you earlier, maybe I would have been able to write something.
Since you say that, lets assume for a moment youre taking the exams now. How would you write this essay?
Feng Nanshu raised her head solemnly: I met a friend in the library. Hes a poor guy who loves looking at
Stop!
Jiang Qin interrupted her impromptu essay. Is that really how you see me?
Isnt it? Feng Nanshus eyes flickered with confusion.
If you really wrote that, you wouldnt even get the last twelve points.
Feng Nanshu hung her head low, returning to her state of despair. Did I make friends with someone I cant be proud of?
Jiang Qins face twitched. Anyway, the exams are over. Theres no use thinking about this now.
That makes sense
As a little rich lady like you, why did you even bother with the college entrance exam? Why not just study abroad?
Feng Nanshu lifted her head, her delicate, curly eyelashes quivering. A lonely girl who cant socialize would die if sent abroad.
Jiang Qin hadnt considered this. He had simply thought of her as an ordinary rich girl. But from Feng Nanshus perspective, studying abroad was indeed a precarious idea.
Foreign countries constantly promote freedom and democracy, but the social environment is chaotic. Theres the so-called land of liberty, America, with shootings every day. Despite having a population of only 370 million, there are 390 million registered firearms. Thats an average of four guns for a family of three. Are they preparing for a second child? (TL: Damn author roasting the US of A)
Sending someone like Feng Nanshu, naturally naive and socially anxious, into such an environment would be like throwing a lamb into a wolf pack.
It doesnt matter anymore. Actually, universities here are pretty good too. Which one are you planning to attend?
Where are you going?
She asked back expressionlessly, her dense eyelashes turning golden in the scattered sunlight.
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