Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 419 It all depends on human effort
Upon hearing Chen Fan's words, the two sisters exchanged a glance, and the next second, almost simultaneously looked at him with eyes full of surprise, "Really?"

If the parents' problems can really be resolved, then all the troubles their family faces will disappear.

Unlike before, when we dared not eat, dared not wear, dared not even speak much, and lived with our heads down, we were inferior to others both openly and secretly.

We don't have to be like we are now, where we could openly and wholeheartedly devote ourselves to taking the college entrance exam, but it feels like we're doing something shameful and have to hide it.

Chen Fan laughed and said, "Of course it's true. However, timing is very important. Some things are not ready yet, and I need to prepare more. But at the latest, we should have results within two or three months."

Jiang Tiantian snapped out of her daze and quickly said, "It's not that we don't believe you, it's just that this surprise is too big for us to accept right away."

Jiang Lili nodded repeatedly, "Mhm."

He then grinned and said, "I believe everything you say."

After she finished speaking, she hesitated for a moment and said softly, "Won't this put you in a difficult position?"

Solving the parents' problems is no small matter; it's at least more troublesome than getting the two sisters to take the college entrance exam and go to university.

Otherwise, why not just solve the root problem directly? Why make them move around and stay locked in this room to study every day?
Chen Fan transferred all her work to the health department so that they could go to university. Now she has to deal with something even more troublesome, and she can't think of what price she would have to pay.
Jiang Tiantian, standing beside Chen Fan, looked at him nervously. She had thought of this earlier, but it would have been more appropriate for her younger sister to say it. She had intended to remind her, but her sister had said it first.

Since she had made up her mind to help her sister, she naturally couldn't let Chen Fan feel that her sister only cared about her own family and didn't consider him at all.

That's fine now.

Chen Fan smiled at them and said, "This matter is really not troublesome. It will be a natural thing once the time is right. You'll see when the time comes. Don't worry, it won't be difficult at all."

Hearing this, the two sisters were still a little confused, but they were relieved.

They trusted Chen Fan completely; if he said he could solve it, he definitely could.

After speaking, Chen Fan thought for a moment, then looked at them and said, "Originally, I wanted you to apply to universities further away, so you could stay out of other people's sight..."

At this point, he changed the subject, turned his gaze to Jiang Lili, and said with a smile, "You want to be a fashion designer, which is perfect. The best textile university in the country is the East China Textile Institute in Shanghai. When you fill out your college application, you can apply to the textile major at this school, which will fulfill your childhood dream."

Jiang Lili looked up at him, her gaze almost oily.

She once mentioned wanting to attend the university her parents had attended, a casual remark she made to Chen Fan, and she never expected him to remember it all this time!

Jiang Tiantian, who was standing next to her sister, didn't hear her sister speak, so she turned her head to take a look. Well, her sister's eyes were about to drool. She couldn't help but sigh inwardly and secretly reached out to poke her.

Jiang Lili snapped out of her daze, her pretty face instantly turning red. She quickly nodded repeatedly, "Oh, oh, I'll apply to East China Textile Engineering Institute."

Chen Fan found her shy expression quite amusing, but he didn't dare tease her, since his sister was still there.

After pausing for two seconds, he continued, "If you go to Shanghai to study, your sister can come with you. You can apply to the Chinese Literature Department of Fudan University, and we can take care of each other."

At this point, he looked at the two of them again, "This was just my previous idea. If everything goes smoothly, by the time you enroll in school, your aunt and uncle's problems will be solved, and you won't need to travel so far to study. Do you think you want to change your plans?"

Jiang Tiantian and Jiang Lili exchanged a glance, both with a thoughtful look in their eyes.

A moment later, the two sisters, without trying to hide it from Chen Fan, began to discuss it in front of him.

Jiang Tiantian said, "If my parents can get their jobs back, they will definitely be back to their old ways, throwing themselves into their work. Whether we are by their side or not will not make much difference."

Going to study at East China Textile Institute has been your dream since childhood, and I don't think you need to change it anymore.

Jiang Lili also took her hand and said, "You've loved literature since you were little, and your dream is to become a writer. Why don't you continue to Fudan University..."

After a brief discussion, the two of them unanimously decided, "We won't change it!"

"but,"

Jiang Tiantian hesitated for a moment, "If I only score around 70 points in both, will I be able to get into these two universities?"

Jiang Lili was also a little apprehensive. Fudan University goes without saying, and East China Textile Institute is also one of the top textile universities in the country. Such schools must have very high score requirements, right?

Chen Fan glanced at the two of them, shook his head and smiled gently, "If you don't pass, you can try again next year."

Since he already had a plan to exonerate their parents, he started joking around.

The two sisters were taken aback when they heard this, but when they saw his smiling face, they immediately understood that he was joking.

Jiang Lili wrinkled her nose and pouted, while Jiang Tiantian smiled and shook her head almost imperceptibly.

Chen Fan coughed lightly and smiled, "If you're not confident, you can set your target score at 80, which will give you a better chance of success."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "However, based on my analysis, the vast majority of students probably share the same mindset as you..."

He looked at the two of them and chuckled, "You know what I mean, right?"

The two sisters exchanged a glance, their eyes darting around, and then it dawned on them: "It's all about gambling on finding a bargain!"

Chen Fan smiled without saying a word. They thought he was gambling, but only he knew that getting into a top university with an average score of around 70 was a sure thing.

……

They had exams in the afternoon, so Chen Fan didn't linger. After leaving the room, he went to the clinic next door.

Lin Liwen and Xia Yuping had both signed up for the exam, so they weren't in the office. Chen Fan greeted Sister Qin and Sister Yu, and went straight into Sister Zhou's office.

Sister Zhou was looking at documents on the table when she heard the noise. She looked up, saw it was him, quickly closed the folder and put it aside. She stretched, leaned back in her chair, and laughed, "You've come to see them again?"

Chen Fan pulled out a chair and sat down, pouring himself some water. "Why did you say 'again'? I haven't been here that many times, have I?"

Then she looked up and asked, "Wait a minute, who are they?"

Sister Zhou rolled her eyes at him, "Pretending to be something you're not even that old."

She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and looked at him with a half-smile. "It's really not much, only two or three times a week."

The next second, she leaned forward and looked at him with feigned curiosity, "Tell me, is it the older sister or the younger sister?"

Chen Fan's face fell. "I never expected you to be like this, Sister Zhou!"

Sister Zhou chuckled and said, "Fine, don't tell me then. You'll have to announce it yourself sooner or later anyway."

Then he raised his head and said, "Speak, what's the matter this time?"

Chen Fan's expression turned serious. "Look at what you're saying, do you think I'm the kind of person who only visits when there's nothing wrong?"

Sister Zhou raised an eyebrow slightly. "Heh, okay, nothing's wrong, huh? Then I won't bother with it."

Chen Fan coughed twice, staring intently at her. "Nothing was wrong, but Sister Zhou, haven't you been getting enough rest these past few days?"

Sister Zhou immediately touched her face, "Do I look very haggard?"

She took out a small mirror from the drawer and looked at herself. "Not bad." Chen Fan leaned on the table and stared at her face. "Judging from your appearance, you seem to have a bit of internal heat. Have you been staying up late a lot lately?"

Sister Zhou put down the mirror, turned to look at him, and asked, "You even know about Traditional Chinese Medicine?"

Chen Fan laughed and said, "What you're saying is nothing. I learned from the senior doctor at our commune's health center."

Sister Zhou stretched out her hand, "Okay, then take my pulse."

"no problem."

Chen Fan casually picked up a book for her to rest on, placed his fingers on her pulse point, and after a moment, said in a pretentious manner, "Hmm, it is indeed excessive internal heat, but it's not a big problem. I'll ask Old Wang from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital to prescribe some medicine for you, and you'll be fine after a few days of treatment."

Sister Zhou thought he was joking with her, so she slapped his hand. "Pah! Old Master Wang is my father-in-law. Why would he need you to come and treat him?"

Chen Fan grinned and chuckled, "Look at this, isn't this a coincidence?"

He really didn't know about this, including the fact that Sister Zhou's little ailment was real.

She's a top figure in the health department, so why would they lack doctors? It's just that she's extremely busy with various tasks at the end of the year; otherwise, she wouldn't even have this problem of excessive internal heat.

If there's an experienced traditional Chinese medicine doctor in the family, then there's even less of a problem.

So much so that his medical skills seem to be of little use.

Do I really have to go back to the production team and become an itinerant doctor to make the most of my skills?

However, if his medical skills were to be exposed, he would be in for a lot of trouble.

Hmm, I'll think about it some more.

After slapping her, Sister Zhou leaned back in her chair and laughed, "Alright, since you made me happy, what is it?"

Chen Fan snapped out of his thoughts and said with a smile, "Sister Zhou, do you know anyone at the Provincial Education Commission?"

Sister Zhou was taken aback again upon hearing this, and her brows furrowed slightly. "Why are you asking this?"

She had barely finished speaking when she suddenly sighed, shook her head, and said, "You've really gone to great lengths for those two sisters. Tell me, what do you want?"

Chen Fan immediately denied it, saying, "No, this has nothing to do with them."

Sister Zhou's face was full of disbelief. "Really, it's okay?"

Chen Fan dared not say anything more and immediately changed the subject, saying, "It's like this, after the college entrance examination is over, a few days later, the candidates will be notified to undergo physical examinations according to a 2:1 ratio, and then those who pass the physical examination will have to fill out their college applications, is that right?"

Sister Zhou frowned slightly and nodded. "Yes, that's how it's done according to the procedure."

She asked, puzzled, "Why are you bringing this up? Let me tell you, this year's college entrance exam is being handled very strictly. No matter how capable your sister Zuo is, she wouldn't dare to interfere in this area."

Sister Zuo is her best friend, the deputy director of the education department, whose name is Zuo Qiuping.

After the Jiang sisters transferred their work to the Education Department, Chen Fan specially asked Sister Zhou to treat her to a meal at the Gongnong Restaurant as a small token of his appreciation, and that's how they got to know each other.

Chen Fan chuckled, leaned forward, and lowered his voice, saying, "It's not about interfering, it's about gathering information."

Sister Zhou, "What news are you looking for?"

Chen Fan gestured as he explained, “After all the candidates have filled out their applications, the results are compiled up the chain of command, and then the Provincial Education Commission can track the application situation across the province. I was thinking of asking her to help me find out, for example, how many people in the province applied to Peking University’s Chinese Department, and how many of them met the cutoff score. That’s the kind of information I wanted to get.”

Sister Zhou looked at him with a puzzled expression. She was about to say that once the application forms were filled out, they would be sent to the provincial admissions office along with the student's file for review by the admissions staff. If the admissions office decided to admit the student, it would transfer the file to them; otherwise, it would be returned and provided to other colleges in the order of the application. This process would continue until the admissions process was completed and no college was willing to admit the student, at which point the file would be returned to the district or county education bureau.

But by then it was too late; what was the point of finding out this information?

But she swallowed the words back down her throat.

This might not be useful to others, but it could be very useful to the Jiang sisters.

At least you'll know whether you've met the admission requirements, and if things don't go smoothly, you can think of other ways.

Seeing the change in her expression, Chen Fan knew she was thinking of something else, so he immediately smiled and said, "Sister Zhou, tell Sister Zuo about this, and she'll know what to do."

Sister Zhou was stunned again, and frowned as she looked at him. Could there be some inside story here?
Chen Fan didn't explain much, but just smiled and said, "Actually, you're not wrong. I do want to know the two sisters' admission status in advance. After all, Sister Zuo can only help with the application process; she can't influence the admissions officers at the universities."

However, if I can get the news, I can make some preparations in advance, so that I don't end up with no chance to even try after everything has settled down.

The process of submitting college applications in advance and sending the files to the provincial education commission's admissions office at a ratio of 1.2 times the admission cutoff score, with no one allowed to interfere, seemed fair and reasonable.

But since the process involves filling out the form first and then transferring the file, and there's such a long time in between, how could there not be room for manipulation?

Chen Fan didn't intend to exploit this loophole for any purpose; he just wanted to know if Jiang Tiantian and Jiang Lili's applications would be artificially squeezed out.

After all, although family relationships are not required this year, there are still quite a few people who get stuck at this step.

If we can get the information in advance, we can also respond in advance.

Actually, things are already quite good now; the college entrance exams more than a decade ago were even more intense.

Before taking the college entrance examination, students must first fill out their application forms and then take the exam.

Those who can see this information can calmly help their relatives and friends change their college applications to better schools with insufficient applicants. This way, as long as they don't do too poorly on the exam, they will basically be admitted.

Now, you take the exam first and then fill out the application. Even if you can't see the score, you can still roughly estimate it, which is already pretty good.

Things will gradually change over time, becoming more open and transparent, and overall the situation is improving.

Hearing Chen Fan's words, Sister Zhou nodded thoughtfully and then said, "I don't know anyone at the Provincial Education Commission, but your Sister Zuo definitely does. Anyway, this isn't urgent. I'll mention it to her next time I see her."

After she finished speaking, she hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Tell me the truth, is this something that would benefit her?"

Chen Fan smiled slightly, "That depends on whether she has any relatives or children taking the college entrance examination."

Upon hearing this, Sister Zhou immediately understood and nodded gently, "I understand, I will keep this in mind."

She paused for a moment, then turned to look at Chen Fan, her eyes full of curiosity. "Even I don't understand the ins and outs of this. Where did you hear this from?"

Chen Fan clicked his tongue and sighed, saying, "Do I even need to listen? 'Man proposes, God disposes.' Things are done by people. Even if you don't intentionally harm other people's interests, such a big loophole provides enough room for manipulation."

He felt no burden at all when he said this, because regardless of whether he was there or not, people would do the same thing; the only difference was whether Sister Zuo herself knew about it.

If he didn't know, it would just mean there was one more person besides her. But if he already knew the inside story, Chen Fan would have said nothing today and gained a free opportunity to find out the inside scoop.

It's that simple.

Sister Zhou, however, was used to it and quickly put the matter aside, saying irritably, "Is this how you use the phrase 'human effort can make things happen'? As a teacher, aren't you afraid of leading your students astray?"

(End of this chapter)