PCJ – Chapter 586 Plans

For Zhang Jiaohua, what he worried about wasn’t the exam itself, but what to do after he passed it. He had been hesitating—should he fulfill his family’s expectations, or act willfully like a cultivator? Zhang Jiaohua gradually began to realize that perhaps a person’s life isn’t lived entirely for themselves. How should the value of life be measured? You won’t find an answer to that in any cultivation manual.

To cultivators, all living beings are nothing more than ants. But Zhang Jiaohua couldn’t see it that way. Even the briefest of lives are still flesh and blood. Familial love, friendship, romance… living in this world, how can one cut these off so easily? The supreme path of immortality that cultivators pursue is elusive and intangible—does it really require severing all ties of family, friendship, and love?

“Zai Zai, don’t worry. Since you’ve already taken the exam, stop stressing over it. Let’s prepare for the next one. Mama believes in you. Even if the results aren’t perfect, they won’t be far off,” Liu Qiaoye quickly consoled him when she saw that Zhang Jiaohua looked a bit down after the exam.

“It’s not the exam. I did well,” Zhang Jiaohua replied.

“You did well, and you’re still this gloomy? Come on, let’s go home and rest well at noon so you’re ready for the afternoon exam. I’ve already prepared lunch,” Liu Qiaoye said as she pulled him toward home.

Zhang Jiaohua knew now wasn’t the time to think about whether or not to continue studying in the future. The most important thing now was to complete the exams.

Fatty Wu, in recent days, hadn’t gone to the restaurant. Instead, he brought a chef to prepare meals in the new house of Zhang Jiaohua’s family. As soon as the three of them stepped inside, Fatty came up to greet them.

“Quick, come to the table. The food is ready—all your favorites. Jiaohua, how was the exam today?” Wu Yuan asked with concern.

“No need to ask—it was easier than the usual ones,” Zhang Jiaohua replied with a smile.

“Good, then you must’ve done great. Now eat, then rest a bit. Do well this afternoon too. You can’t slack off these few days,” Wu Yuan said.

Zhang Youping didn’t say much—he just patted Zhang Jiaohua on the shoulder and said, “Don’t stress too much, just perform like you usually do.”

During the days of the college entrance exam, Zhang Jiaohua felt no anxiety about the test itself. Instead, he was troubled by what to do after getting the acceptance letter. Would it be like high school again—stuck in school for three years just to wait for another exam day? And after university?

Then, a casual remark from Ji Jiaxin lit up Zhang Jiaohua’s mind: “At university, as long as you complete all your credits, you can graduate. Then just finish a thesis.”

“You can really do that?” Zhang Jiaohua was pleasantly surprised.

“Of course. Otherwise, why waste time just sitting in school?” Ji Jiaxin said. She had only heard it from others—while it was theoretically possible, no one had ever really finished four years of coursework in just one semester or one year. Finishing a year early, however, wasn’t that uncommon.

“You really think you can pull it off?” Ji Jiaxin asked.

“Of course,” Zhang Jiaohua nodded.

“What are your plans for the summer?” she asked.

“Me? I’m going back to Meizi’ao. My grandparents miss me a lot. I miss them too—and all my brothers there. I wonder how their exams went this year,” he said.

“You’re going back to Meizi’ao? Can I come with you to play? I want to see the countryside. I’ve heard it’s really beautiful there,” Ji Jiaxin asked.

“Of course,” Zhang Jiaohua nodded again.

When the exam results came out, Zhang Jiaohua’s scores were once again dazzling. Before he even had a chance to submit his preferences, prestigious universities were already chasing after him.

He had only one condition: whichever university allowed him to complete all his courses and graduate in the first year, he would choose. Of course, he also promised to maintain excellent grades in all subjects. Otherwise, he would rather give up his education entirely than go to any school.

The demand was unusual, but for such a genius, even quirks were acceptable. And so, Zhang Jiaohua finally chose Tsinghua University, fulfilling the hopes of the Zhang family.

With that resolved, he could return home with peace of mind.

Ji Jiaxin had also done well. Though not to Zhang Jiaohua’s level, she was sure to get into a top university. After submitting her university application, she cheerfully packed her bags and headed to Zhang Jiaohua’s home.

Xu Xiaoting had also thought of visiting Zhang’s hometown, but she was far more timid than Ji Jiaxin and hesitated too long, eventually giving up.

When Zhang Jiaohua returned to Meizi’ao, the local elementary school had hung a big red banner: Warm Congratulations to Zhang Jiaohua on His Admission to Tsinghua University!

“Zhang Jiaohua, I think you’re still missing something,” Ji Jiaxin said with mock seriousness.

“Missing what?” he asked, puzzled.

“A big red flower. With a little red sash hanging from it, and ‘Tsinghua University’ written on it. That would be amazing!” Just imagining the scene made her burst into laughter.

“Ji Jiaxin, are you making fun of me?” Zhang Jiaohua asked, annoyed.

“I’m not making fun of you, I’m just telling the truth. You never seemed to study hard, and yet you easily topped the exams. What about students like me who bury our heads in books every day? It’s unfair!” Ji Jiaxin said with some bitterness.

Zhang Jiaohua smiled, “Can’t help it. I just need to read once and I remember everything.”

“You’re killing me,” Ji Jiaxin muttered—there was really nothing she could do about him.

As soon as their vehicle stopped, Zhang Manyin, who had been waiting at the village entrance, lit firecrackers and rushed forward excitedly.
“Jiaohua! Jiaohua!”

To Zhang Manyin, no amount of wealth the Zhang family earned could compare to Zhang Jiaohua being admitted to Tsinghua University—that was true glory for the family.

As a child, Zhang Jiaohua had once resented Zhang Manyin for favoring Yuanbao, but later realized that his grandfather loved all his grandsons equally. He had no selfish motives or expectations—he was just happy if his descendants succeeded.

“Grandpa, how did Yuanbao do this year?” Zhang Jiaohua asked, most concerned about his cousin.

“Yuanbao, come tell Jiaohua yourself. I told you to study hard and you wouldn’t listen. Now Jiaohua is going to university in Beijing, and you’re stuck in a provincial one. How nice would it be if both of you could attend university in the capital!” Zhang Manyin beamed, though he scolded with joy. He was happy that both boys had turned out well.

Zhang Yuanbao walked over, chuckling, “Jiaohua, I actually performed beyond expectations. You know I’m not the academic type. If Mom and Dad hadn’t forced me with a stick, I wouldn’t have been able to sit still.”

He slung an arm over Zhang Jiaohua’s shoulder and continued, “Even the Mute passed! Though he went for a sports major—Beijing Sports University. He might end up in the capital with you. If I had known, I would’ve trained in basketball. I’m pretty good, you know? But training was just too exhausting. That guy really is a great player. He says he wants to go pro.”

Zhang Jiaohua nodded, “What about you? What are your plans?”

“I don’t know. I’ll figure it out after graduation—it’s still a long way off. After working so hard, I’m going to enjoy college for four years. Don’t you think?” Yuanbao said.

“Like hell you will,” Zhang Jiaohua scolded. “Don’t think just because Meizi’ao is rich now, you can waste four years and come back to sponge off the family. You need ambition, right?”

“What about you?” Yuanbao shot back.

Zhang Jiaohua scratched his head. He hadn’t figured it out either. But he couldn’t let Yuanbao catch him off guard. He straightened up and said seriously,
“I won’t waste any time in university. I plan to finish all four years of coursework in the shortest possible time. I’ve already discussed it with the school.”

His plan stunned Yuanbao. “You finally got into university, and you’re going that hard?!”