Chapter 21: Refusing to Retake, Dad's Generous Reward!

The homeroom teacher's advice can be said to be entirely a well-intentioned reminder, with almost no self-interest involved.

Even if Li Mingyang were to retake a year and achieve excellent grades, getting into the top university that almost all students dream of,

but by that time, Li Mingyang's grades would have almost nothing to do with the current homeroom teacher.

Even if Li Mingyang chose to retake at this school, the school's retake students also have dedicated retake classes.

After their homeroom teacher finishes guiding this year's senior high students, they will soon rotate to teaching the freshmen; in other words, no matter what grades Li Mingyang gets tomorrow,

the homeroom teacher would gain no benefit from Li Mingyang's grades, yet even so, the teacher couldn't help but call Li Mingyang to the office.

Unable to resist, the teacher considered things from Li Mingyang's perspective and offered this opinion.

And upon hearing this, Li Mingyang indeed fell silent—how could he not know what the teacher was saying?

Although I now have a Golden Finger, after all the time left for me is too short; even with a Golden Finger, I might not be able to defy fate in such a brief period.

Wanting to get into the country's top university, without a doubt, retaking a year—as in my previous life—is my best choice.

By that time, let alone a top university, even if it were the provincial College Entrance Exam Top Scorer, Li Mingyang would have enough confidence to easily secure it.

After all, by then all of my high school exam subjects should have advanced, right?

Even if I can't score a perfect 750, setting a small target of 740 points should be no problem, right?

Moreover, Li Mingyang even has a bold idea in mind—don't forget he still has 20 points of ethnic minority preferential points!

If I retake another year, wouldn't my total score very likely exceed the perfect 750?

Li Mingyang doesn't know whether anyone has achieved such a score before, but surpassing 750 points—just hearing about it makes one's blood boil, doesn't it?

However, after pondering for a while, compared to those illusory honors, Li Mingyang currently desires nothing more than to enter university as soon as possible.

Although I may not necessarily get into the country's top university, I am quite confident about trying for a school ranked among the top ten domestically.

And once in university, although faculty strength is indeed important, the first four years I would merely be an undergraduate.

As long as I attend one of those few top-tier schools domestically and pursue a top-tier major, in fact there isn't that much difference among these schools!

And when it comes to the graduate and doctoral stages afterward, although the school still matters, what's even more important is which teacher will guide your studies.

One could even say the teacher's importance far outweighs that of the school.

By that time, Li Mingyang will have full confidence, possessing his Golden Finger, and will devote four years of effort in his chosen professional field.

Let alone exams, it's quite possible that by then I'll have secured direct admission to graduate school.

It's even possible that my achievements will be even higher—who knows, maybe definitely.

Thinking of these, Li Mingyang firmly shook his head:

"Thank you very much for your concern and reminder, teacher, but I've already thought this through clearly; although with my current grades I might not be able to get into the top university."

"But as long as I've put in the effort, aiming for a university ranked among the top domestically shouldn't be especially difficult, right?"

"Compared to wasting a year of study time in high school for nothing, I still feel that entering university earlier to start learning sooner would let me acquire the knowledge I want better."

"Of course, if the college entrance exam results aren't ideal when the time comes and don't meet my goal, I will definitely follow your advice, teacher, and arrange accordingly."

"Although my ideal isn't necessarily the highest, it also can't be low, and there are still many months until the college entrance exam."

"Saying all this now is perhaps premature; I'd rather wait until after the college entrance exam to consider this matter carefully."

Although Li Mingyang displayed absolute confidence and was full of confidence in his grades, when speaking he still left some room.

He didn't want to leave the homeroom teacher with an impression of arrogance and overconfidence; besides, although he's confident, what if he slips up later?

If he speaks too boastfully now, he'll lose even more face later; better to be modest.

"Alright, the teacher is just giving you a suggestion; as for what to do after thinking it over, you'll definitely have to decide for yourself."

"However, no matter what, I hope you can maintain your current state during the remaining time of high school and put in a bit more effort."

"No matter whether you choose to retake or something else after the college entrance exam ends, the teacher wishes you a bright and splendid future."

……

"How's my son? Report card? Quick, hand it over so I can take a look!"

In the afternoon Li Mingyang didn't choose to go home for a meal; instead he opted to grab a bite at the cafeteria, and the cafeteria food is actually pretty good.

Rather than waste nearly half an hour going back and forth, it's better to settle it nearby at the cafeteria, freeing up a little more study time.

So when Li Mingyang returned home, it was already past 10 p. m.; upon opening the door he saw his mother waiting with an expectant face.

"Here, take this—just as I expected, my son has indeed broken through the first-tier line, and his improvement is no small matter."

"Look, this is my ranking—fifth in the class—and my total score happens to be 500 points."

"If this year's college entrance exam paper is as difficult as last year's, my score could possibly go up by another ten or so points."

"And if the cutoff score remains the same as last year, then even if I make no further progress, getting into a first-tier university with my current scores should be no problem."

"Besides, my son's academic performance definitely won't stagnate; there's still plenty of time before the college entrance exam."

"I dare not say more, but by then scoring in the 600s and getting into a domestic prestigious university should feel like no big problem."

Compared to the modesty and tact he showed with the homeroom teacher, once at home Li Mingyang displayed ample confidence.

Although "speaking human to humans, ghost to ghosts" is often a derogatory term, one must admit that using such tactics in interpersonal relations is actually quite effective.

Li Mingyang knows his mother loves hearing that, but what he didn't expect was that today, Monday, his father happened to be home as well.

Logically, his father's work hours shouldn't resemble his own school schedule, resting only on weekends, right?

"Haha, you little rascal, not bad! You've finally become sensible and know to study."

"Back when you were in junior high, I already knew you were definitely smart; without smarts you couldn't have kept occupying the top three spots in the grade."

"I originally thought that if you managed to open your apertures and get into a decent first-tier university, that would already be burning high incense; I didn't expect Dad to have underestimated you!"

"Five hundred points! Now I see that old Zhang's guy won't be able to show off in front of me anymore—our son merely lifted a finger."

"In just three months total, his grades have already nearly caught up with his son's."

Saying this, Old Li comrade even couldn't help but burst into a somewhat wild laugh.

"Come on, little rascal, I heard from your mom that your appetite has increased lately; although you get pocket money every week, this counts as Dad's reward for you."

Usually when you're outside or at school, when you see something you want to eat or drink, you must never be frugal.

At this critical moment, ensuring your physical health, ensuring your nutrition can keep up is more important than anything else.

While saying this, dad happily took out a small stack of red hundred-yuan bills from his wallet.

He didn't even count, just shoved it all into Li Mingyang's hand, conservatively estimated not less than two thousand dollars!