Chapter 52: 051 Classmate Visits

Fang Qingye locked the door and returned to his room to play games, but not long after, someone knocked again—still looking for his father!

He dismissed them with a few words.

Another one came…

In just over an hour, two people arrived with gifts seeking him; Fang Qingye felt utterly helpless.

Now they’re just scrambling at the last minute—what good does it do?

It seems he can’t stay home; he needs to go out and hide for a while.

Fang Qingye turned off his computer and left home, just as he was about to head downstairs, he saw a young man with a buzz cut carrying gifts walking up toward him.

“Fang Qingye!”

The man smiled and greeted him.

“Wang Lei!”

Fang Qingye recognized him—he was his high school classmate.

“You’re going out?” Wang Lei asked.

“Yeah. What about you?”

“I wanted to talk to you about something—it won’t take much of your time.”

Me?

Seeing the gifts in the man’s hands, Fang Qingye guessed his purpose, but since he claimed to be seeking him out, he couldn’t refuse outright.

“Alright then, come in, let’s talk,” Fang Qingye said, reopening the door to let Wang Lei in.

“Fang Qingye, you’re alone? Your parents aren’t home?” Wang Lei asked, looking at the empty living room.

“My parents went traveling.”

Wang Lei didn’t seem particularly surprised.

“Wang Lei, sit down. I’ll get you some watermelon—it’s so hot today,” Fang Qingye invited, heading toward the kitchen.

“No need to bother, I’ll just sit a bit and leave,” Wang Lei hurried to say.

Still, Fang Qingye took half a watermelon from the fridge, cut it into pieces, placed them on a plate, and brought it out to the coffee table, urging Wang Lei to eat.

Wang Lei politely declined once, then picked up a piece and ate while chatting casually.

“Fang Qingye, I saw on the grade group chat that you bet with Jiang Chen. Back in school you were a good student, but I didn’t expect you’d be this good at stock trading… I’m truly impressed.”

His words were clearly flattery; Fang Qingye smiled and said, “Nah, I just got lucky—like a blind cat stumbling on a dead rat.”

“You work at Dongfang Bank?”

“Yeah.”

“Banks are great places—good work environment, high salary,” Wang Lei said.

“It’s average… Wang Lei, where do you work?”

“I work at Panlong Town Government.”

“Passed the civil service exam?”

“Yes, I passed last year and was officially confirmed just recently.”

“That’s pretty good,” Fang Qingye said.

“It’s alright. Even though Panlong Town is the most remote township in our Nansin area, I’m already satisfied,” Wang Lei replied, then added:

“You know Liu Dong was seconded from the Aging Committee to the Propaganda Department, right?”

“Yeah, I heard he’s been swamped—days spent accompanying leaders on rural surveys, nights working overtime on reports,” Fang Qingye didn’t hide anything.

“Right, he came with Minister Wang to our town for a survey—I met him once. He’s got way more energy than when he was at the Aging Committee… I bet he’ll stay in the Propaganda Department; his future looks bright,” Wang Lei added.

“I hope so… Wang Lei, work hard in the township—you could become town mayor or party secretary someday!” Fang Qingye smiled.

“I dare not dream that far. You know, my family’s from the countryside. Just getting a government job is more than enough for me—I don’t dare hope for more.”

Fang Qingye remembered well: Wang Lei, like Liu Dong, had transferred from the countryside to Chengguan Middle School in second grade and was in his high school class too, but they weren’t as close as he was with Liu Dong.

After chatting a while longer, Wang Lei said: “Fang Qingye, I won’t keep you any longer—I came today because I need your help.”

“Go ahead.”

“My cousin—my third uncle’s son—is entering junior high this year. He wants to get into Chengguan Middle School, preferably the key class. Could you ask your dad to help place him there? If you do, my uncle and I will repay you properly.” Wang Lei revealed his true purpose.

Fang Qingye wasn’t surprised—he’d guessed this was why Wang Lei came. Getting into Chengguan Middle School wasn’t hard, so he asked:

“Where does your uncle live? Which school district?”

“He lives in our hometown.”

“That’s…,” Fang Qingye frowned: “Wang Lei, you know the rules—junior high placement strictly follows parents’ registered residence. Your uncle lives in the countryside; it’s hard for his son to get into city schools.”

“I know the policy. That’s why my uncle bought a house in town—but the developer’s dragging their feet, hasn’t delivered yet, so we can’t get the property certificate… That’s why I’m asking you to talk to your dad, help us out.”

“You need to contact the County Admissions Office—they handle student placement by district. My dad doesn’t have that authority,” Fang Qingye said honestly.

“I know, but I don’t know anyone there,” Wang Lei said. “You know my family’s from the countryside—none of our relatives work in government. I thought and thought, and only thought of asking an old classmate.”

Fang Qingye stayed silent.

Seeing Fang Qingye’s silence, Wang Lei paused, then suddenly smiled: “Just now I said I’m already satisfied getting into the town government—I meant it.”

Fang Qingye looked at him, puzzled by this sudden remark.

“People nowadays say education changes destiny—that’s just a joke. But I believe it, because I’m proof!” Wang Lei added.

“Because you passed the civil service exam?”

“Yes. It hasn’t completely changed my fate, but it’s far better than staying in the countryside.”

That’s true… Fang Qingye nodded.

“Because I got into university, I had the chance to take the civil service exam. Fang Qingye, you don’t know how bad rural education is! Back in my village class, over half didn’t make it to high school—either went to vocational school or just went to work. In the countryside, even the best high school students only got into junior colleges.”

“So I’m deeply grateful my parents went to great lengths to get me into the city for school. My cousin’s been smart since childhood—I’ve long urged my uncle to buy a house in town so he could study here. I never expected this setback.”

At the end, Wang Lei sighed deeply.

Fang Qingye fell silent again, then said: “Wang Lei, here’s what I’ll do—send me your cousin’s exam number and details on QQ. Oh! Also take photos of your uncle’s household registration book, the purchase contract cover, and the basic info page. I’ll ask my dad—I can’t promise anything.”

“Thank you so much!” Wang Lei beamed: “I’m sure it’ll work.”

Fang Qingye smiled but didn’t reply.

“Alright, I won’t bother you anymore—I’m leaving,” Wang Lei stood up.

Fang Qingye didn’t try to stop him, pointing to the large gift package on the coffee table: “Take these back with you.”

“How can I? I can’t come empty-handed!” Wang Lei refused.

“Hey, we’re old classmates—no need for this stuff. If you don’t take it, I won’t ask my dad.”

“Alright… I’ll come back to thank you once it’s done!”

Wang Lei left happily with the gifts; minutes later, Fang Qingye received a text from him.

He read the information, thought for a moment, then added a long paragraph—mostly Wang Lei’s own words from their conversation.

After editing, Fang Qingye first sent his father a greeting, then sent the text.

Not long after, his father called.

“Dad, have you reached Hulunbuir? Was the trip smooth?” Fang Qingye asked.

“Smooth enough. Your mom and I are already checked into the hotel… Xiao Ye, you didn’t seriously get me involved in work at home? Why did I even come out in this heat?!”

“To escape the heat…” Fang Qingye joked, then quickly added: “Dad, Wang Lei’s my classmate—I told you his situation in the text… Don’t worry, just this once, no next time!”

“Alright then. Tomorrow at work, I’ll call Director Zhang at the Admissions Office,” his father said over the phone.

“Great! Dad, make sure he’s placed in the key class!” Fang Qingye hurried to add.

“I know. When you help someone, help them fully. Besides, Wang Lei’s your classmate and works in government—he might need your help someday.”

Before his rebirth, when Fang Qingye had just graduated, he’d have said, “How vulgar!”

Now he didn’t say it aloud—just smiled in reply.

“Alright, Mom and Dad, enjoy your trip, have fun, and don’t worry about home—bye!”