Reborn in 1977

Chapter 362: Inside Information

Currently, the working hours for administrative units are from 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM, and from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Monday to Saturday, with Sunday as a day off.

In addition, in previous years, if there were no overtime requirements, there would also be "study sessions" two to three times a week. On the days of the study sessions, employees would leave work one hour later.

However, nowadays, many units have stopped maintaining this habit. Chen Fan didn't encounter it when he was in the Health Department.

Study sessions can be suspended, but the lunch break cannot.

The two hours from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM are strictly for eating and resting. Most administrative units are unlikely to have anyone present during this time. Only departments that directly serve the public will arrange for someone to be on duty.

Clearly, the Education Department is not one of them.

Fortunately, it's already past 1:30 PM, and it's not long until 2:00 PM.

Chen Fan and Jiang Tian Tian were chatting quietly in the corridor when, unknowingly, people began to arrive for work.

As the doors of the offices opened one by one, the people from the correspondence course center finally arrived.

Two middle-aged men wearing gray shirts, blue trousers, and cloth shoes walked over, looked at Chen Fan and Jiang Tian Tian, and one of them asked, "Do you have any business here?"

Chen Fan quickly stepped forward and said politely, "Hello, I'm here to register for the correspondence university."

The man smiled and said, "Young comrade, the enrollment period for the correspondence university is in June and July. It's past the deadline now, and according to the regulations, we no longer accept registrations. Young comrade, please come back next year."

Chen Fan smiled and said, "I know that, but I heard that besides the normal registration process, there's also a special enrollment through examination. Is there such a thing?"

"Special enrollment through examination?"

The man looked back at his colleague. They both laughed together. Then he turned back to look at Chen Fan and said with a smile, "Young comrade, you're very confident. There is indeed a special enrollment through examination, but the requirements are very high."

Chen Fan smiled, "I want to give it a try."

Seeing that Chen Fan was a little stubborn, the man's smile faded, and he said seriously, "If you insist on trying, according to the regulations, I can process it for you, but let me say this first, the special enrollment examination requires a registration fee of 1 yuan. If you pass the exam, this 1 yuan will be deducted from the annual tuition fee of 10 yuan. If you don't pass, this money will not be refunded, understand?"

Chen Fan nodded immediately, "Understood."

Seeing how confident he was, the man stopped persuading him, took out the key, and opened the door, "Then come in with me."

Chen Fan and Jiang Tian Tian followed them inside. The interior was arranged like an office, with a total of five desks placed against the walls, two on one side and three on the other.

Behind the two desks was a large filing cabinet. On the right-hand side of the entrance, there was a wooden sofa consisting of a long bench and a single chair, with a coffee table in front.

Also on the right wall was a closed door, and it was unknown what was inside.

The man invited Chen Fan and Jiang Tian Tian to sit on the long bench, and he sat on the single chair, asking, "Is it just you taking the exam, or are you both taking it together?"

As he spoke, the other comrade poured two glasses of cold tea and placed them on the coffee table.

Chen Fan first said "Thank you," and then turned to the man and said, "Just me."

Even if Jiang Tian Tian had prepared, he wouldn't let her study at this correspondence university. It would be better to participate in the college entrance examination in a few months.

Jiang Tian Tian was worried that Chen Fan would drag her into the exam, but when she heard this, she breathed a sigh of relief. She really didn't have any confidence in taking the exam now.

At this time, Chen Fan politely asked, "May I ask what your name is?"

The man smiled and said, "My surname is Guo, you can call me Teacher Guo."

He pointed to the other comrade, "His surname is He, just call him Teacher He."

Chen Fan immediately greeted them again, "Hello, Teacher Guo, hello, Teacher He."

As he spoke, he took out a letter of introduction from his pocket and handed it over, "Teacher Guo, this is my letter of introduction."

Teacher Guo took it, but didn't open it immediately. Instead, he asked, "We have a total of seventeen majors here, including Literature, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Mechanics, etc. Which major do you want to apply for?"

Chen Fan said without hesitation, "Literature."

Jiang Tian Tian's lips curled up slightly, and a look of understanding appeared in her eyes. The well-known new generation writer in Yunhu would be strange if he didn't apply for Literature.

As for Chen Fan's purpose in choosing the Literature major, it was very simple: the exam was easier to pass!

Moreover, graduates from this major also have enough reason to stay at home and engage in creative work, unlike those science majors, which require frequent communication and collaborative work. It is almost impossible to hide at home and not go out.

Hearing Chen Fan's answer, Teacher Guo simply nodded. Literature was one of the most popular majors, and it was perfectly normal for this young man to choose Literature.

He turned to Teacher He and said, "Lao He, take out a set of special enrollment test papers for the liberal arts."

After saying that, he slowly opened the letter of introduction.

At first glance, there was nothing special, but when he clearly saw the name and signature, his brows furrowed, and he muttered, "Lujiawan Production Team, Nanhug Commune, Gufeng County, Chen Fan? Chen Fan? Lujiawan? Why does this name sound so familiar?"

On the other side, Teacher He had just found the key from the drawer and was about to go to the filing cabinet in the back to get the materials when he suddenly heard his words. He couldn't help but turn around abruptly, looking at Chen Fan with a face full of surprise, "You are Chen Fan from Lujiawan, Nanhug Commune? Did you write the 'On the Field of Hope' series of works?"

As soon as these words came out, Teacher Guo also reacted, stood up abruptly, stared at Chen Fan with his eyes fixed, "I remember now, you are Chen Fan?!"

Both teachers stood up, and Chen Fan naturally couldn't sit still, so he quickly got up, smiled shyly, "It's me."

Seeing Chen Fan admit it, Teacher Guo's eyes lit up immediately, he reached out and patted Chen Fan on the shoulder, and laughed, "Unexpected, unexpected, I was thinking about when I would have time to go to Lujiawan to chat with you about literary creation, but I didn't expect you to come to my door today, hahahaha…"

He turned to Teacher He and waved, "Lao He, take out the Longjing tea from the cabinet and brew it for Writer Chen."

The corners of Chen Fan's mouth twitched slightly. Wasn't this the real-life version of "Tea, serve tea, serve good tea"!

However, one can't say that people are snobbish. After all, he was just a student who came to register, and they had already served tea, which really couldn't be considered neglect.

He immediately said, "No need, no need, Teacher He, no need to bother. It's hot, we can just drink this tea."

Jiang Tian Tian had already stood up with him. Seeing this scene, she couldn't help but feel a sense of honor.

Seeing Chen Fan's firm refusal, Teacher He didn't go to pour tea again, but he dragged a chair over and sat down with everyone, chatting happily about literary creation.

Chen Fan muttered in his heart, I'm here to register for the exam, not to engage in learning and exchange, why are we chatting?

However, he wasn't an ignorant young man who didn't know what was going on. He always kept a warm smile on his face, chatting seriously with the two teachers and answering their questions one by one.

In the blink of an eye, it was more than an hour.

Teacher Guo took a sip of water from his tea mug, his face full of satisfaction, "I also majored in literature. After reading your articles, I felt that there were some things in them that were very different.

For example, the depiction of the characters' personalities, sometimes there are only a few strokes, but they are particularly vivid, and through some detailed descriptions, it is easy for readers to understand the origin of this personality, and even be able to guess how he will deal with something in the later text through his understanding of him. And…"

After talking for a long time, Teacher Guo suddenly thought of a question. He turned to look at Chen Fan and asked in confusion, "Writer Chen, your literary literacy is very profound, and many college students are not as good as you. Why would you think of applying to the correspondence university?"

Chen Fan corrected Teacher Guo's name again, pretending to be ashamed and said, "Teacher Guo, don't call me a writer, just call me Xiao Chen."

Then he continued to explain, "Actually, I'm not as good as you said, my literary literacy is very deep. The little knowledge I have now is all learned from reading books by myself, and it's not systematic at all. I still don't understand some things about logic very well.

In addition, according to my actual living conditions in the production team, combined with the creative concept of literature, and most importantly, Mr. Li's instructions on literary creation, I think that if life is the soil of literary creation, and the masses are the core of the high-hanging sun, then systematic literary theory is the fertilizer for irrigating literary flowers.

Soil and sunshine are indispensable, but without the irrigation of fertilizer, literary flowers cannot thrive.

Originally, I had collected some university textbooks, intending to enrich my theoretical knowledge through self-study. However, a few days ago, I inadvertently learned that Jiangnan University had resumed correspondence education and that there was a correspondence learning center in our Yunhu area. That's why I wanted to give it a try.

If I could receive guidance from the teachers of Jiangnan University, it would be the honor of my life.”

After listening to Chen Fan's words, Teacher Guo turned to Teacher He and said, “It seems that our work is not in place. Many grassroots people who want to improve don't know about the existence of our correspondence learning center. Otherwise, we wouldn't have put a great talent like Writer Chen in such a difficult position.”

He didn't mention the “recommendation quota” at all.

It had long been rumored within the education system that at the beginning of this month, Professor Cha had denounced four drawbacks of the current enrollment system in front of the Deputy Director, the second of which was “preventing children of workers and peasants from attending university.”

From this, it can be seen who has taken away the recommendation quotas. Although Chen Fan has a considerable reputation, he is, after all, just a planning worker in the production team. How could he possibly get a recommendation quota?

Chen Fan's lips twitched slightly, and he muttered silently in his heart, can you not call me Writer Chen?

It feels so affected.

At this time, Teacher Guo turned around and said to Chen Fan, “With your knowledge, passing our enrollment exam will definitely not be a problem, but… … ”

Speaking of this, he seemed a little hesitant.

Chen Fan looked at him, then at Teacher He, and asked in confusion, “Is there something inconvenient?”

“Ah, no.”

Teacher Guo waved his hand with a serious face and gestured to Teacher He, “Lao He, close the door.”

Then he got up and beckoned to Chen Fan, “Come in and talk to me.”

Chen Fan stood up and glanced at Jiang Tian Tian.

Teacher Guo smiled when he saw his action, “Come in together.”

Anyway, if Chen Fan is told about this, he will most likely tell his companion. It's better to be straightforward and tell them together.

Chen Fan and Jiang Lili followed him into the next room, only to find that it was a relatively large classroom-style conference room.

Teacher Guo pulled out a chair and sat down, then motioned for them to sit down as well, and then smiled, “This is the place for the correspondence learning center's exam. The sound insulation is better, which is convenient for discussing things.”

Chen Fan looked at Jiang Tian Tian, who looked confused, and then looked back at Teacher Guo, feeling a little confused in his heart.

I'm just here to register, why is it so mysterious?

At this time, Teacher He also walked in and closed the door behind him.

Chen Fan blinked, inconspicuously touched the PPK tucked in his waist, and thought to himself, I shouldn't need to use this thing, right? Also, I didn't drink the tea just now. Did Jiang Tian Tian drink it?

At this time, the smile on Teacher Guo's face disappeared, and he looked at him solemnly and said, “From the first time I saw the article you wrote, I was fascinated by you. We talked for more than an hour just now. From your words and deeds, I can see that my impression of you is correct. You are a very good and well-behaved young man.”

Chen Fan smiled in embarrassment, “You flatter me.”

Thinking in his heart, what does this mean? Praising me so much, do you want to recruit me as your son-in-law?

Or use a position to win me over?

While his mind was racing, Teacher Guo changed the subject and continued, “Xiao Chen, I don't know if you have noticed that this year's university enrollment work has not yet started.”

Chen Fan blinked, “Uh, I didn't notice.”

Indeed, he didn't notice. Moreover, Lujiawan is far away from the city. Apart from the information in newspapers and on the radio, it can be said that the information is completely blocked, no different from remote areas.

University enrollment is such a high-level matter. Not to mention Lujiawan, even in Gufeng County, not much news has spread.

All the recommendation quotas have been allocated in advance. Why spread the news? To cause trouble?

That's why there is no such thing as impersonation these days. It's completely unnecessary.

However, normally speaking, even the enrollment work of correspondence universities has ended, and the enrollment of ordinary universities should have ended earlier.

Otherwise, where would the students come from to pick up the leftovers for correspondence universities? Aren't they those who are full of hope but have not been recommended?

And Chen Fan only knows that the college entrance examination will be resumed at the end of this year. He really doesn't know the specific details and inside information.

When Teacher Guo heard Chen Fan's words, he was not surprised at all. He just continued, “According to the usual practice in previous years, the enrollment notice should have been issued long ago. However, just half a month ago, the Deputy Director convened relevant experts for a meeting. After discussion, they actually decided to recall this year's enrollment report.”

He looked at Chen Fan meaningfully, “Now, do you understand what this means?”

Chen Fan's eyes rolled around twice, then suddenly stopped, and he stared at Teacher Guo intently, lowering his voice and saying, “Is the system going to be changed?”

Teacher Guo and Teacher He looked at each other, then looked at him squarely and nodded slightly, “Now, people up and down in the system are speculating that it is very likely to… … ”

Speaking of this, his words became one word at a time, “Re-store, High, Test!”

These four words suddenly echoed in Chen Fan and Jiang Tian Tian's ears like a great bell.

Resume the college entrance examination?

At this time, Jiang Tian Tian only felt a blank in her mind. Will the college entrance examination really be resumed?

But in the next second, her heart sank to the bottom again.

Even if it is really restored, what can be done? Even the selection of cadres now requires political review. Can such a major event as the college entrance examination lack this link?

With her current situation, does she still have the qualifications to register for the exam?

Just when her mind was in a mess, Teacher Guo looked at Chen Fan and continued, “Xiao Chen, I am very appreciative of your talent, and the teachers of the Literature Department of our Jiangnan University have also discussed your articles many times. Although some places are still very immature, compared with the current writing methods, it is very innovative.

Innovation is the most rare thing. For any major, creating innovation is a breakthrough.

I think it is a bit of a waste for you to go to a correspondence university. Although the official notice has not yet been issued, and the above is still discussing it, the hope of resuming the college entrance examination is still very high. Why don't you wait and see, wait for this year's university enrollment notice to come out. If the college entrance examination is really resumed, then you don't have to wait for the recommendation quota of any unit, just go directly to register for the exam. With your conditions, you will definitely be admitted!”

Chen Fan looked at Teacher Guo blankly, with only one thought in his mind.

He actually revealed such important inside information to himself. This is true love!

As soon as this thought went down, another thought came up.

It has to be admitted that, no matter in which era, the reality of information asymmetry exists.

When he himself was racking his brains and trying to trick the students in Lujiawan into studying basic knowledge hard, some people in the education system had already obtained inside information.

In this critical moment, would they not tell this news to the people around them?

Anyway, Chen Fan doesn't believe it.

Seeing that Chen Fan didn't speak, Teacher Guo thought he hadn't reacted, so he smiled and said patiently, “This matter is still in the confidential stage, and it is not known whether the college entrance examination will really be resumed, so we will try to control the scope of circulation. I haven't even told my family. I also appreciate your ability very much, so I told you about this. You should think about it carefully, whether you want to wait and see and take a chance.”

Chen Fan came back to his senses, first nodded vigorously, and said, “Teacher Guo, Teacher He, don't worry, I won't take all the words you said today out of this door.”

Teacher Guo nodded with satisfaction. Whether it was true or false, this attitude was very good.

Unexpectedly, Chen Fan suddenly showed a hesitant expression, “Teacher Guo, there is a situation that I want to explain to you.”

Teacher Guo was slightly stunned, “What?”

Chen Fan looked tangled, “Just two months ago, I ran a study class in our Lujiawan, the purpose of which is to reserve teachers for the expansion of our Lujiawan village school. If the college entrance examination is really resumed, these hard-working students will definitely compete to participate. What if there are more people admitted by then… … ”

Hearing this, Teacher Guo understood what he meant, and immediately laughed, “Then it can only be said that good intentions are rewarded. You are thinking about the public, and those students are willing to work hard, but they happen to encounter the good opportunity to resume the college entrance examination. What is this called? This is called God helps those who help themselves!”

As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his hand, “This matter is very easy to verify. As long as you don't actively leak the news, even if all the people in your Lujiawan study class are admitted, I won't blame you!”