Siheyuan: Starting from the driver

Chapter 759 As the Lights Begin to Shine, One Fooled at a Time

"Splash splash splash splash—!!!"

A deafening roar of applause erupted!

No longer the scattered, half-hearted agreement after the theoretical results were announced, but a near-screaming, all-out pounding!
Tears and sweat mingled with ecstasy, surging in this ocean of sound.

"pass!"

All those who passed could not contain their excitement and hugged each other in celebration.

Yu Xingmei buried her face in Qi Mengru's neck, her thin body trembling violently, and she sobbed.

Qi Mengru hugged her back, sobbing uncontrollably, but a smile played on her lips as she repeatedly choked out:
"We passed! Xingmei, we passed! We've really graduated!"

Kim Geon-hyun kept pumping his fists in celebration, his eyes were red-rimmed and his chest was heaving violently.

Li Kailang was immediately surrounded by several male classmates who rushed over.

"Wow! Li Kailang! First in both subjects! That's amazing!"

"Ninety-seven points! Bro, how did you get that score?"

"I'm convinced! From now on, you're the god of our class!"

Li Kailang couldn't help but grin from ear to ear.

Beside this deafening joy, however, lay a deathly silent corner.

Those who haven't passed the theoretical exam are no longer even qualified to hear the practical results.

Those who failed, like Wan Yongzhi, sat blankly in their seats, their faces ashen, staring at some empty point in front of them, oblivious to all the jubilation around them.

Xue Changshan's situation was even more tragic.

When I heard the verdict that I "passed the theory test, scored 59 points in the practical test, and will not graduate," it felt like being hit hard on the head with a heavy hammer. My body swayed violently, and I almost fainted.

Fifty-nine points! Just one step away from passing! But that one step became an insurmountable chasm.

Yan Wanbin stood on the podium, looking at this scene of contrasting fortunes, feeling both gratified and heavy-hearted.

He finally witnessed the day when the first graduating class succeeded, but not everyone could bask in this glory.

He gave everyone some time to vent and calm down before coughing heavily a few times.

"Alright! Fellow graduates, please be quiet!"

At the command, the classroom gradually returned to calm.

"To those who didn't pass, I understand how you feel."

"But failing once doesn't mean your life is over. Whether you choose to retake the exam or find another way, I hope you learn from your mistakes and don't lose heart."

Then the conversation shifted abruptly.

Yan Wanbin looked around at the seventeen faces before him, some excited, some expectant, and some still bearing traces of tears—they were the first batch of "finished products" painstakingly conceived by the Night School.

"To all the graduates on the list, your hard work has been recognized! But the graduation certificate is not the end; it is a brand new beginning! A starting point that proves you have the basic qualifications to engage in related technical work!"

"The real test has only just begun! The blueprints, machine tools, and production tasks in the factory are a thousand times more complex than the exam papers and questions at night school!"

"Learning by doing and never stopping! I hope you will always maintain this thirst for knowledge, continue to learn in your work, strive for excellence, and live up to your status as the first graduates of the evening university!"

These words were like ice water poured over the hearts of some graduates who were somewhat carried away by their elation, quickly calming them down.

"Now!" he raised his voice, "Students whose names are called, please come up to collect your graduation certificates and transcripts!"

The air seemed to freeze for a moment, then was replaced by an even more tense and expectant silence.

All eyes were on Yan Wanbin's hand.

He carefully opened the document bag and took out the neatly folded certificates and a stack of transcripts.

A name, pronounced clearly and precisely.

"Yu Xingmei—"

Yu Xingmei trembled again, her breathing became rapid, her face flushed, and she almost stumbled onto the podium.

She subconsciously wiped her hands repeatedly on her pants before extending them to Yan Wanbin with a reverent tremor.

When the dark red hard cover with the gleaming gold lettering of the "Graduation Certificate" fell into my hands, a bittersweet feeling of triumph surged into my nose, and my vision was instantly blurred by tears.

"Thank you, thank you, Teacher Yan, thank you, school!"

Yan Wanbin looked at her, his eyes softening considerably. "Yu Xingmei, you have a long road ahead of you. Go back and work hard!"

"Yes!"

"Qi Mengru—"

Following closely behind, Qi Mengru's face blossomed into a radiant smile, like spring flowers in full bloom.

She carefully held the certificate to her chest and hugged it tightly with both arms.

As she stepped down from the podium, she deliberately and playfully flashed a victory "V" sign in the direction of Kim Geon-hyun and Lee Kai-lang.

"Jin Jianxian—"

It was Kim Geon-hyun's turn.

He straightened his back and walked solemnly onto the podium. When he received the certificate from Yan Wanbin, his hands were unusually steady, without the slightest tremor.

Yan Wanbin looked at him and nodded heavily, his silence speaking volumes.

"Li Kailang—"

Li Kailang stood up and walked steadily onto the stage amidst the attention of the entire audience.

He stretched out his hands and solemnly accepted his certificate from Yan Wanbin, as if receiving a sacred object.

One graduation certificate after another was handed out, and seventeen certificates carrying hopes and futures were issued.

Yan Wanbin scanned the entire room once more, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

"To the first graduating class of the Evening University! Knowledge has no end, but the light has been lit for you! The road ahead is long, use what you have learned to illuminate your journey!"

"The ideal may be far away, but remember that the flame in your heart at this moment will never be extinguished! I now declare: The first graduation ceremony of the Evening University is complete!"

He was the first to applaud.

The applause from the audience erupted once again!
"Teacher Yan." Suddenly, a beautiful voice came.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a teacher standing at the door.

"Teacher Wong."

"The photographer has arrived. Let's have the graduates take a picture together."

"Right, right, I completely forgot about it." Yan Wanbin slapped his forehead, having forgotten about it in his excitement about graduation.

"All graduates go out together for a group photo."

This photo is still very important for the first graduating class.

After finishing her speech, Teacher Wang went to the next classroom.

The other classroom had about the same number of people, about fifteen or sixteen.

There are only a little over 30 in total, which isn't a lot.

More than 30 people took their graduation certificates to the open space downstairs and took a group photo with the directors and teachers of the night school.

"Crack!!!"

A group photo of the first graduating class of the night school and its faculty was taken.

The teachers looked at the still excited graduates, smiled at each other, and left, leaving the place for them to celebrate.

"My God!" Yu Xingmei looked down, repeatedly stroking the smooth, dark red cover of the certificate with her fingertips. The cool touch reminded her that this wasn't a dream. "I really got it? My bones are still trembling!"

"What do you mean 'soft'! You're so happy your soul is still floating in the sky!" Qi Mengru jumped up and down excitedly.

Jin Jianxian chuckled as he listened to their conversation, then weighed the certificate in his hand, feeling its substantial weight.

Then, with a meaningful look, he ran his calloused fingers along the sturdy edges of the certificate, his eyes sharpening.

With this certificate, he can finally stand tall and is no longer afraid of factory director Bao Daxing.

The fact that a group of four could graduate smoothly is the envy of many who haven't graduated yet. This is also the only group from both classes to graduate.

If they could get into Kim Geon-hyun's group, maybe they could graduate too.

The four went back to the classroom to pack their things, intending to part ways thereafter.

Li Kailang suddenly suggested, "Are we just going to call it a day like this? Shouldn't we celebrate this momentous occasion?"

"How about this, I'll treat you to a meal at Quanjude! This meal is on me! Anyone who tries to take it from me will have to fight me!"

Upon hearing this, the three immediately refused.

"Why is this so embarrassing?"

"Yeah, never mind, food is hard to come by these days."

The famine was not over yet, and everyone didn't want Li Kailang to spend too much money.

"What's the big deal? Don't forget what I do. I'm a driver. I can earn back the grain after a few trips. What's ten or eight pounds of grain coupons to me?"

"You guys underestimate me. It's decided then. Let's go to Quanjude right now. You can eat as much as you want. I'm not afraid you'll eat me out of house and home."

Seeing that Li Kailang's attitude was firm and not fake, the others stopped pretending.

Qi Mengru laughed and said, "Great! I haven't eaten here yet. Watch how I eat you out of house and home."

"Afraid of you? I'm only afraid you won't eat me out of house and home! Tonight, we're not leaving until we're completely drunk!"

The group then headed towards Quanjude.

Upon arriving at the location, the waiter's face fell when he saw the four of them enter; they knew they had to get back to work.

"Do you have food coupons? We won't serve you if you don't have enough food coupons."

"What? Are you afraid we're here to freeload?" Li Kailang retorted.

"Who knows?" the waiter muttered.

"Hey! What do you mean by that?"

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry." The manager immediately ran over to apologize, then looked at the waiter and said, "Get out of here!"

The waiter scoffed and left, relieved that he didn't have to serve anyone and couldn't fire him anyway.

The manager said with a forced smile, "I'm so sorry, the waiters weren't trained properly. What would you like to eat?"

The manager is sensible; it's impossible for someone to come here to eat at this time without bringing enough food coupons.

Li Kailang, too lazy to argue, pulled a stack of grain coupons from his pocket and showed them to him: "Bring up your signature dishes, and the roast duck too."

Having been here a few times before, Li Kailang naturally knew exactly where to order.

Finally, once all the dishes were served, the glistening roast duck slices were placed on the table, and the rich aroma, mixed with the steam from the freshly baked pancakes, filled the small cubicle.

In the years when the famine had not yet completely passed, this was nothing short of a feast.

"Come on! Let's toast to our first graduating class of night school, and to the four of us graduating smoothly!"

Li Kailang was the first to pick up his glass, which was filled with Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor), exuding a heroic air.

"Damn!" Yu Xingmei responded in a clear voice, her eyes crinkling with joy.

Jin Jianxian calmly raised his glass, clinked it against his own, and said with a crisp sound, "Cheers!"

Qi Mengru was a little shy, but she was also able to relax.

After downing a cup, the group picked up their chopsticks and said, "Come on, let's eat!"

After a few drinks, the atmosphere became even more lively.

Qi Mengru chewed contentedly on the duck meat coated in sweet bean sauce while looking at Li Kailang:
"Kai Lang, you're really doing a great job as a driver! You have plenty of money and can even treat us to meals! What are your plans after graduation? Will you still be driving?"

Li Kailang laughed heartily: "Of course I won't drive. Otherwise, why would I bother learning this thing? To be honest, my factory manager even talked to me about it a few days ago."

"His meaning couldn't be clearer: he wanted me to stay at the factory, to work as a technician in the workshop's technical department, so I could make good use of the skills we've learned!"

"That's what I'm planning to do."

Li Kailang's dinner party was both a celebration and an attempt to see if he could bring them into the factory.

Since Qi Mengru brought this up, we should take this opportunity.

Seeing Jin Jianxian's eyes flicker slightly and his fingers unconsciously stroking the rim of his wine glass, Li Kailang immediately turned to him:
“Jianxian, I know you’re not well-liked in your factory, but now with this certificate, you’re definitely a key technical worker!”

"How about it? Why don't you come work for our factory? Our factory manager, Mr. Yang, thinks highly of you. I think it's better for us to work together and build a business than to go out and try our luck."

"What's going on?" Qi Mengru and Yu Xingmei had no idea about Jin Jianxian's affairs, and their eyes immediately lit up with curiosity.

Kim Geon-hyun did not answer immediately, but instead tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.

His eyes showed some interest. Li Kailang had contacted him a couple of years ago, mentioned it to him at the beginning of the year, and had also contacted him before the results were released.

The steel rolling mill is a large factory, and with his skills and the reputation of a college graduate, he will surely make a name for himself there.

He was definitely going, since he had already fallen out with Bao Daxing anyway. However, Jin Jianxian patted the bag on the stool next to him.

"Okay, give me some time to think about it, and I'll contact you as soon as I make a decision."

Jin Jianxian plans to talk to Bao Daxing again tomorrow.

"Great! I'll be waiting for you at the steel rolling mill! Let's have a drink!" Li Kailang slammed his hand on the table and said excitedly.

If we can invite even one person, then this meal won't be a complete waste.

He didn't know anyone in the technical department, so it would be better if he did.

Then, he looked at Yu Xingmei and asked, "Xingmei, what are your plans? Why don't you come to our factory and we can work together?"

Yu Xingmei had already made up her mind, and shook her head: "No, I've already decided not to go with you."

"I'm so sorry."

"There's nothing to apologize for. It's good that you have plans. We just won't be working together anymore." Li Kailang waved his hand, completely unconcerned.

"Mengru, what about you? What are your plans?"

Qi Mengru was startled when she was suddenly called out, and two red clouds appeared on her face.

Compared to Jin Jianxian and Yu Xingmei, she had no plans at all.

She entered the mechanical engineering department simply to find a partner; she didn't think much about it, let alone consider graduation.

She was suddenly asked to make plans, and for a moment she didn't know what to do.

"I...I haven't thought it through yet. Give me some time to think about it."

Seeing Qi Mengru hesitate, Li Kailang didn't think much of it: "Alright, if you want to come, come find me at the steel rolling mill. Our Director Yang is eager to find talented people."

"Come on! Let's have another drink!"

The meal was very enjoyable.

Everyone goes back to their homes.

At this moment, a group of people in the courtyard were eagerly awaiting Li Kailang's arrival.

(End of this chapter)