Chapter 22

Hu Wenhai thought the class placement test paper, after it was delivered to him, would be a piece of cake. However, upon a closer look, he realized it was far from possible.

The reason was simple: the test paper was for English, and not just any ordinary English exam, but one that heavily emphasized practical, everyday usage!

Recalling the rumor about the exchange student that Xia Boyang mentioned, the purpose of this exam became clear. It was likely a screening process for the exchange student slots. As for how much the exam results would influence the selection, well, that was a different story altogether.

Obviously, Hu Wenhai wasn't the only smart student. After receiving the test paper, it wasn't long before the classroom filled with the murmur of students whispering to each other. It wasn't until Xiao Huaidan tapped the podium with a chalk eraser that the students' discussions were silenced, and the room filled with the sound of pens scribbling on paper.

For ordinary students, the English test was like a book written in a foreign language. But for Hu Wenhai, it was nothing. Not only had he spent several years studying English in college, but he had also been to the United States countless times before his rebirth. Moreover, the wafer factory where he used to work had many foreign engineers, and communication couldn't always rely on translators.

So, for Hu Wenhai, English wasn't just a stepping stone but a daily tool. How could he not be proficient?

This test, which emphasized everyday communication, might have been far beyond the scope of study for students who had never left the country or even seen an American. But for Hu Wenhai, it was like a fish in water, and he wrote with confidence.

"Hey, fatty, wake up! Wake up!" Hu Wenhai nudged Zhou Shuo, who was clearly still in a daze, and laughed, "What are you looking at? Your goddess has already left!"

After the exam, Xiao Huaidan announced the end of the class and left the room. The students, upon hearing the word "dismissed," couldn't help but cheer and started preparing to go home. Only Zhou Shuo remained in the classroom, still in a daze.

"What goddess? Don't talk nonsense!" Zhou Shuo, startled by Hu Wenhai's nudge, blushed furiously. His infatuation with Xiao Huaidan, the class teacher of Class 2, Grade 2, was obvious to anyone with eyes. After all, Xiao Huaidan's combination of intellect and charm was a powerful attraction for young, love-struck students.

Zhou Shuo was just the most obvious, but he was certainly not the only one.

"Come on, it's dismissed. What are you still doing here?" Xia Boyang, having packed his bag, hurried over.

The three of them laughed and chatted as they left the classroom, but no one tried to show off or provoke a confrontation.

"Hey, speaking of which..."

Zhou Shuo unlocked his bicycle and suddenly looked at Hu Wenhai, asking, "Brother Hai, why did you end up at the Second High School? Your family's situation isn't particularly bad, and with your academic abilities, getting into Xiucheng High School wouldn't be hard, right? If you had gone to Xiucheng High School, you might have had a chance to go to the United States. Our school only has one slot, but Xiucheng High School has five."

"Me?"

Hu Wenhai thought for a moment and laughed, shaking his head. "The Second High School is closer to my home."

"Just because of that?" Zhou Shuo's mouth dropped open. A good high school could significantly impact a student's chances of getting into a good university. Who would choose a lesser high school just because it was closer to home?

"Yeah, that's probably the reason," Hu Wenhai nodded.

"You're an idiot!" Xia Boyang, who had already pushed his bike out of the shed, smacked Zhou Shuo on the head and shook his head. "For Brother Hai, does it matter which high school he goes to? Is it hard for him to get into any university in China?"

"I think you should try this time," Xia Boyang said seriously, turning to Hu Wenhai. "If you can go to the United States, it might open up more opportunities. You could even go to university there."

"Is it that good to go to a foreign university?"

"Of course! If I were you, I would definitely try to go to a foreign university, especially the United States!"

...

As they chatted and walked, the three of them, who lived close to each other, often used this time after school to bond. However, Hu Wenhai was not particularly interested in the exchange program, which others might find valuable.

The United States? To be honest, what did the 1980s United States have to offer? HIV?

Laughing and joking, Xia Boyang and Zhou Shuo eventually went their separate ways. As Hu Wenhai was about to reach home, he suddenly paused.

A white Santana was parked at the entrance to the Hu family's courtyard. In those days, Santanas were not easy to come by. In Xiucheng, there were more Ladas and Beijing 212s. Although there were already many imported and assembled Santanas on the market, they were still rare.

Looking at the license plate, Hu Wenhai immediately understood. The plate read "Bo G0010," which was clearly from the Xiucheng municipal government's fleet. So, the visitor was likely a high-ranking official from the municipal government.

Why would a municipal government official visit the home of the half-dead 501 Factory's director?

"Mom, we have a guest?"

Hu Wenhai pushed his bicycle into the courtyard and peeked through the window into the living room.

"Oh, this must be Comrade Hu!" Instead of Xiao Yeqin, a middle-aged, lean man, who looked to be in his forties, suddenly darted out of the main house.

The man was wearing a white shirt, which looked a bit loose on his thin frame. His hands, which resembled chicken claws, grabbed Hu Wenhai's hand and shook it vigorously.

"Who are you?"

Hu Wenhai was taken aback by the man's enthusiasm and glanced curiously at Xiao Yeqin, who was following behind.

Xiao Yeqin smiled and gave Hu Wenhai a meaningful look, then introduced him, "Son, this is Mayor Wang of Xiucheng, who has come to see you today."

"See me?"

Hu Wenhai's mind raced, and he quickly realized what was happening—there must be news from Latif.

"Yes, yes, on behalf of the one million citizens of Xiucheng, I extend my congratulations to Comrade Hu!" Mayor Wang, who was actually the Secretary and Mayor of Xiucheng, shook Hu Wenhai's hand and said, "Comrade Hu is so young and has already achieved such great success in science and technology and the economy. It is truly admirable!"

"Thank you, Mayor Wang. So, Major Latif from Pakistan has already arrived in Xiucheng?"

Hu Wenhai's calm and composed demeanor surprised Wang Yichun. He believed that any high school student in Xiucheng would be unable to maintain such a steady demeanor under his enthusiastic approach. But Hu Wenhai managed it, as if the mayor of a city of one million people was just a regular worker at the 501 Factory.

"Truly, a prodigy is different!" Wang Yichun couldn't help but marvel.

In China at that time, prodigies were seen as symbols of greatness and righteousness. For example, the young classes at universities like Tsinghua and the University of Science and Technology of China were highly praised and treated with special regard, embodying the hope for China's technological rise.

The Chinese people, emerging from the chaos, were acutely aware of the pain of technological backwardness. The hope for the miracles of young prodigies was also a hope for the young and new China to create miracles.

Was Hu Wenhai a prodigy?

Well, he might not be a "young" prodigy anymore. At seventeen or eighteen, he was already a young adult. But the label of "genius" still applied. Before his visit, Wang Yichun had thoroughly researched Hu Wenhai.

Not only the simulation machine project during the summer, but also the holographic sight project brought by Latif. Even Hu Wenhai's various antics from childhood were well-known to him.

In Wang Yichun's view, Hu Wenhai's growth trajectory was clearly that of a prodigy constantly displaying creativity!

The holographic sight was the fruit of this creativity! As for the simulation machine project, well, that wasn't within the scope of Xiucheng's interests.

The 501 Factory, although now under local jurisdiction, was still a military factory. The simulation machine project, which had a dual-use nature, was a special case. No matter how you looked at it, it didn't fall into the civilian category. Moreover, besides the 501 Factory, the Air Force and the 601 Institute were also involved, so the credit would be shared. The municipal government of Xiucheng had no way to get involved. Even though the simulation machine project was being considered for introduction to Pakistan, the foreign exchange would go to the China Aviation Industry Corporation, not the 501 Factory or the municipal government of Xiucheng.

At this point, any export of Chinese technology had to go through the China Aviation Industry Corporation, and ordinary enterprises had no export rights. After the profits were divided, the municipal government of Xiucheng would only get a small share, which was not very appealing.

But the holographic sight project was different!

This technology could be used for both military and civilian purposes. More importantly, since it was invented by Hu Wenhai, could he be persuaded to work with Latif and others to establish a factory in Xiucheng?

The thought of attracting a foreign investment of several million dollars made Wang Yichun feel a sense of happiness and dizziness.

Dollars, those were dollars! The foreign exchange obsession that would deeply affect China in the future was already beginning to show.

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