Just like four years ago, the news of the resumption of the college entrance examination was once again published on the front page of the "National Daily."
In comparison, the admission criteria this time were slightly more relaxed than before, but restrictions on age and marital status were still strictly enforced.
They had to be strict. The college entrance exam had been suspended for ten years. Without such limits, the number of applicants from educated youth sent to the countryside alone could have reached tens of millions.
However, none of these rules and regulations were an issue for Jiang Si.
Apart from the honors she had accumulated in previous years, during her over four years working at the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building, she had completed dozens of projects, both large and small, under her charge.
She fully met the condition of having "rich practical experience and specialized skills."
The people most delighted to learn she was taking this year's college entrance exam were undoubtedly the leaders at the Seventh Ministry.
Previously, she had been stuck in the position of assistant engineer for over three years due to the educational qualification barrier.
As long as she wasn't promoted, much work couldn't be legitimately assigned to her.
Several leaders had joked privately that if she didn't take the exam this time, they would tie her up and drag her to the examination hall.
Now, hearing she had volunteered to take the exam, everyone collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
As if afraid she would change her mind, all the necessary procedures and certificates requiring her work unit's approval were completed neatly within an hour.
According to the current policy, those with over three years of work experience could study with their salary intact, and their study period counted towards their seniority, with all benefits and treatment remaining unchanged.
Furthermore, to allow Jiang Si to focus on her review, her unit specially arranged some adjusted leave for her.
Apart from essential work, she didn't have to come to the office and sit at her desk every day during the remaining time.
It must be said, the welfare benefits of work units in this era were really exceptionally good!
And so, after handing over her last ongoing project, Jiang Si threw herself wholeheartedly into preparing for the college entrance exam.
Time passed day by day during her review.
In early December, following the notice, Jiang Si went to a designated hospital in the capital for a physical examination and then collected a college application registration form from the education bureau.
College Application Registration Form
This year's college entrance exam was different from later eras: you filled out your choices before taking the exam.
The application rules were also less complicated than in later times.
The first choice was for national key universities, the second choice was for regular universities.
For each of these, you could list five schools.
The third choice was for college-level institutions, which was optional.
All choices were based on score lines. If you didn't meet the admission line for a higher choice, you would automatically be considered for the next one.
This was precisely why Jiang Si, even though she had already reviewed quite thoroughly before, patiently went through all her textbooks from cover to cover again.
In terms of exam difficulty and test points, this year's college entrance exam was completely incomparable to later eras.
But China has never lacked geniuses, nor has it ever lacked diligent and hardworking people.
Not to mention distant examples, just take the Weidong and Weimin brothers.
In this round of mock exams, out of a total score of 400, one brother scored 372, the other scored 366!
Jing Qian and Jing Yu from the Huo family's second brother also consistently scored around 360 in every exam.
And there were over ten other students at their school with similar scores.
So, those who think you could get into Tsinghua or Peking University with just over 200 points are merely dreaming.
Final admission depends entirely on scores and rankings.
Jiang Si had made such a big fuss, even getting her unit leaders to give her the green light all the way. It would be quite a joke if she ended up failing the exam.
As for which schools and majors to apply for, Jiang Si had already decided long ago.
First, her top choice would definitely be Tsinghua University's Engineering Mechanics program, as it aligned most closely with her current work.
Her second choice was Beihang University's Aircraft Design and Engineering program, also perfectly matching her specialization.
For the remaining slots, she picked a few from the list of enrolling institutions provided by the education bureau, based on her interests.
Out-of-town schools were not considered at all. This was the only requirement Huo Tingzhou had when she decided to take the exam.
After filling out the institutions and neatly pasting on her photo, Jiang Si put the form away neatly.
"Alright, all done!"
She said to Huo Tingzhou, "Let's go, let's visit Teacher Hu's place."
They had had a rare heavy snowfall last night, and several families had agreed to have hot pot mutton together at Teacher Hu's place at noon.
When Jiang Si's family arrived, Hu Meili was sitting on the sofa, holding her forehead.
The Weidong and Weimin brothers were standing obediently beside her.
Seeing Jiang Si arrive, they quickly blinked at her, sending a pleading look for help.
Jiang Si was somewhat puzzled. "Sister-in-law, what's wrong?"
"Ah, it's these two who've upset me," Hu Meili sighed, pointing at the brothers. "Guess which university these boys of mine applied to?"
If she hadn't asked this way, Jiang Si might not have thought of it.
"Did they apply to schools out of town?"
As soon as she said it, Hu Meili replied with a hint of frustration, "Exactly. They applied to Hunan Institute of Technology."
Jiang Si was taken aback. What school was that?
Just as she was wondering, Huo Tingzhou explained from beside her, "That institution moved there from the Harbin Military Engineering Institute and was later renamed Hunan Institute of Technology."
He paused, then added, "I heard it might be renamed again to National University of Defense Technology after New Year's Day."
Hearing the name National University of Defense Technology, Jiang Si understood.
Seeing Teacher Hu's angry and upset expression, she could only try to console her as best she could. "Sister-in-law, the brothers have had this ambition for a long time now. You should know that."
Hu Meili didn't deny it. She was just a bit reluctant to let them go.
The National University of Defense Technology was excellent, but it was just too far from the capital.
"If only they'd chosen a school in the capital, they could come back on weekends," Hu Meili said, her eyes instantly reddening as she spoke.
Hearing this, the brothers, who had been silent until now, quickly chimed in, "Mom, we can come back during winter and summer vacations!"
"Maybe we should let the children go?" Xiao Zhengjun also poked his head out from the kitchen to support them. "If you miss them, I'll take you to Hunan to visit them during my vacation."
His words only made Hu Meili even more upset. "It's all because of you!"
If he hadn't been talking about this and that in front of the kids all the time, why would they want to go so far away?
"There are so many good schools right here in the capital! Did they have to choose Hunan?"
"Yes, yes, it's my fault, all my fault!" Xiao Zhengjun apologized with remarkable swiftness.
With that, he picked up the already filled-out application form from the coffee table and made as if to tear it up.
"Forget it, let's scrap this form. They can go get a new one this afternoon and apply to schools in the capital."
"Forget what! You put that down right now!" Hu Meili immediately glared at each of the three—her husband and two sons.
Feeling reluctant was one thing, but if her children wanted to go, how could she stop them?
"I really owe you all..."
Before she could finish her sentence, the two brothers looked over with delighted surprise on their faces. "Mom, you agree!"
"What else can I do if I don't agree?" Hu Meili said with a touch of exasperation. "It's not like I can tie you both up at home with a rope."
"Thank you, Mom!"
"Don't thank me. The exams are in just a few days. Make sure you study extra hard during this time."
She had read in the newspaper that this year's total number of exam applicants would be around five to six million.
And for a top military academy like the Xiang Province Engineering Institute, she heard they were only admitting about two hundred students nationwide.
That acceptance rate was akin to a thousand troops and ten thousand horses trying to cross a single log bridge.
The brothers weren't too worried about that. As long as their dear mother agreed, they would handle the rest.
"Even Teacher Hu couldn't bear to let them go. Hearing it, I feel a bit sad myself."
On the way back, Jiang Si remarked to Huo Tingzhou with emotion, "I always thought it was the children who couldn't leave us. Now I realize it's actually us parents who have been reluctant to let go."
Huo Tingzhou deeply agreed, giving her hand a squeeze. "Jing Xing and Jing Yan are still young. We won't have to face that for a while yet."
Jiang Si nodded.
But sometimes, one really shouldn't speak too soon!
Early one morning, Zhuo Mingda suddenly arrived in a great hurry. Accompanying him were two middle-aged men with scholarly demeanors, both wearing glasses.
