Chapter Forty-Two: Connections at the University of Science and Technology

Buying houses and working on projects, a winter break flew by in a blink, and before he knew it, the new semester had already been underway for several weeks.

In the first half of the semester, plus the winter break, all the important matters had been set in motion; the rest would unfold step by step. It was time to refocus. This semester would determine whether he could achieve the second major goal of his high school years: gaining admission to the Provincial Capital University of Science and Technology.

On the surface, going to university seemed to serve no purpose beyond giving his parents an explanation and earning a diploma. Whether it was the outdated knowledge taught in college or the process of cultivating learning abilities and shaping worldviews, Zhao Zejun no longer needed any of it.

But the decision to attend university was driven by two main reasons.

First, the next decade would be the fastest-growing and most profitable era for the internet industry. In Zhao Zejun’s plans for his future, the internet sector was naturally included. In fact, even the internet industry was not the ultimate goal—technology changes the world, and Zhao Zejun hoped that one day, the world would be different because of his arrival.

People always attribute the miracles of successful individuals to all kinds of reasons, never to time travel. Zhao Zejun could boldly create “miracles,” but he needed to provide a reason for those miracles that everyone could accept. Attending university—a top national science and technology university—was the best reason.

Second, it was a matter of connections. After being reborn, Zhao Zejun deliberately recalled the contacts he could have used in his previous life but had missed. Yu Zhe was one of them.

Calculating carefully, the highest-level connections he'd ever had were, coincidentally, in the University of Science and Technology, in the same year as himself. This person was inconspicuous during school, buried in the library every day. After graduation, he passed the civil service exam and entered the Provincial Development and Reform Commission. Within a few years, he became a deputy director with real power, held a deputy county chief position in a lower county, and became the youngest official at his level in the entire province.

Later, Zhao Zejun learned that Yu Zhe’s family had intimidating connections, wielding considerable influence in the capital.

As long as such a person didn’t choose the wrong side, it was foreseeable that he’d enter the municipal committee, perhaps even the provincial committee, or be transferred to the capital.

Of course, there were surely even bigger players holding posts in local governments, but Zhao Zejun had no idea where they were, nor did he have a way in. Besides, being too close to the center of power was not always a good thing.

A young leader in the Development and Reform Commission, with a strong background, ability, and future, would be in just the right position for Zhao Zejun after graduating in four years—not too high, not too low, and able to provide the greatest help. In fact, the benefits could extend for ten or twenty years.

Of course, it would still depend on how Zhao Zejun managed this connection.

Beyond high-level contacts, the University of Science and Technology was a nationally recognized, key science and engineering university, steadily ranked among the world’s top 500 universities. Every year, large numbers of graduates entered major technology companies like ZTE, Huawei, Taobao, and Baidu, becoming vital members. It was a crucial “talent cradle” in Zhao Zejun’s plans.

Emotionally, Zhao Zejun also wanted to relive his university days. Those years were the happiest and most relaxed period of his life.

He was intimately familiar with the future development and construction of the provincial capital.

Therefore, he must get into the University of Science and Technology.

It was a nationally recognized university; that year, the provincial science track’s admission threshold was 487 points, key university line 518, and the University of Science and Technology’s cutoff was 566.

In his previous life, Zhao Zejun had pushed himself to the limit in his final year, ultimately scoring 568—barely over the cutoff.

After being reborn, his memory had become much clearer. Reviewing with the class, most of the knowledge came back to him. He could recall part of the 2002 college entrance exam questions, including English and Chinese essays, two English reading passages, three major science questions… together, they added up to more than 120 points.

It was a considerable advantage.

But Zhao Zejun couldn’t be fully certain that this advantage alone would guarantee admission to the University of Science and Technology.

After all, in his previous life, more than ninety percent of his time was spent on review. In this life, besides studying, he had many other things to do. Moreover, remembering 120 points’ worth of questions didn’t mean he’d gain 120 extra points; some he could have scored even without prior knowledge, and some were hard to score perfectly—like essays. All told, this foresight could realistically boost his score by about sixty points over his actual ability.

The most important thing now was to address his weaknesses based on his actual scores, targeting specific gaps.

The first mock exam was approaching—a perfect trial by fire. Through the test, he could clearly see his real strengths and weaknesses.

The first, second, and third mock exams; the ever-changing countdown to the college entrance exam displayed at the back of the classroom; parents and teachers endlessly emphasizing the exam’s importance… Senior year was a constant pressure cooker, forging real resilience for students who had never entered society.

Even Yu Zhe had grown distracted lately, worried in class every day.

Xia Yubing’s complexion was pale, and she’d been coughing nonstop.

For a girl with a cold temperament, traditional medicine would say she was weak, easily angered, emotionally unstable, and under excessive stress might suffer physical ailments…

Well, Xia Yubing was suffering from menstrual pain. Her face was ghostly pale these days, slumped over her desk in class, biting her lip like a pitiful little lamb.

She looked just like Xiao Qian after being thoroughly scolded by the Tree Spirit Grandmother for disobedience.

The amount of blood shed by girls each year could fill an inland lake—so that's where the phrase “turbulent waves” comes from. Zhao Zejun somehow got hold of a big jar of bayberry wine and handed it to Xia Yubing after school.

“You’re up to no good, making me drink alcohol!” Xia Yubing said through gritted teeth.

“It’s bayberries soaked for three or four years. Next time, drink a small glass morning and evening for two days before your period; it’ll help.” Zhao Zejun paused, then added, “My dad has a friend who’s a university teacher. We had dinner together during New Year, and he said mock exams are harder than the actual college entrance exam. Many seniors have grades that are good enough, but get scared by a few tough mock exams and perform poorly on the real test. You’re too nervous—it won’t help you.”

“What period? That sounds awful!” Women’s moods are unpredictable during their periods; it’s like they’re packing heat, ready to lash out at anyone. Powerless, Xia Yubing clutched her little wine jar, squinting and babbling, “You’re a guy, but you know so much. You seem really experienced!”

“Comrade, focus on your recovery. The revolutionary cause will be handled by others for now; don’t overthink things.” Zhao Zejun laughed and walked away.

Yet he felt curious. Shen Lian, an old man with nowhere to go during New Year, was an expert in antiques—understandable. But why could he treat women’s menstrual pain? Why did he have a jar of bayberry wine?

Could he be moonlighting as a traditional doctor? Or perhaps acting as a friend to all women?

Old men really are impossible to fathom—each of them has a story!

“Hey, didn’t you say you’d give me a bike last time?” Xia Yubing called after him.

“What bike? If you’re unwell, just take a taxi—I’ll reimburse you!” Zhao Zejun waved without turning, riding off on his old bicycle.

Yu Zhe was dumbfounded as he rode alongside. Among all the nearly one thousand boys at Fourth High, not one dared treat the school beauty this way.

Zhao Zejun was like a cow flying an airplane—his bravado had soared to the skies!

Even Zhao Zejun, flying high, still had to participate in the mock exams like everyone else.

And so, the first mock exam finally arrived.