Chapter 44

"Let me explain. The reason I say this is quite simple. After dropping out, I published a novel and achieved some success, which brought me substantial economic returns. But I am still very young, only 16 years old. After achieving such success, I am afraid it might give other young people a wrong impression, such as the idea that 'education is useless,' especially since I am a dropout."

As Jin Xiantai explained, the puzzled look in Mattie's eyes gradually faded, replaced by deep thought and an understanding of Jin Xiantai's words.

Jin Xiantai continued, "I don't want to spread this wrong idea and influence other teenagers. Besides, I am also a teenage father, and my child will grow up. As a father, I will be a role model for her. If in the future, when I try to encourage her to study hard, she uses my success as a dropout and a published author, which is a low-probability event, to argue against me, how will I educate her?"

It must be said that the issues Jin Xiantai raised are very realistic and highly likely to occur. Although his words were for his own benefit, Mattie could also sense that he was considering the social impact.

Indeed, this is a good kid. At his age, being able to think about these things is already quite impressive. At least, he is more mature and thoughtful than his peers.

As for his past as a dropout and a teenage father, those can basically be ignored. Not to mention, just the fact that he considers the impact on society and the public shows that he is a good kid.

Especially as an educator, Mattie genuinely admires and approves of Jin Xiantai's words. She herself bought "A Song of Ice and Fire" and found it to be a very good read. Now, hearing the author's insights, she is even more satisfied.

Therefore, the principal, who resembles a friendly neighbor, nodded approvingly and said to Jin Xiantai, "I am very satisfied with your explanation. I personally welcome a student like you to our college. As long as you pass the entrance test, there will be no problem with your temporary enrollment."

Mattie's words essentially told Jin Xiantai that as long as he passed the test, there would be no problem with his enrollment. Dave, sitting there with a smile, also highly praised Jin Xiantai's performance.

"Principal Mattie, I actually think I can directly enter the 12th grade, so I can take the college entrance exam in a few months. Why does the college require me to start from the 11th grade?"

Regarding the college's stance, Dave had already informed Jin Xiantai, so he had to ask this question that puzzled him. Moreover, he really wanted to directly enter the 12th grade (senior year) so that he could graduate from high school and enter college in a few months, rather than wasting time starting from the 11th grade.

"We are doing this for your own good. After all, you are only 16 years old and have been out of school for a year. We believe that your knowledge of high school subjects is not yet solid. Even if you have studied some cultural courses on your own during this year, there will still be some deficiencies, even if you can pass the college entrance exam."

Principal Mattie also provided an explanation to Jin Xiantai. Hearing this, Jin Xiantai could only smile bitterly and say, "So, even if I pass the college entrance exam, it still won't work?"

Mattie nodded apologetically, "Just having good grades is not enough. If you don't complete the required high school credits or if we don't issue a certificate, you won't be able to go to college, even if you pass the exam."

Well!

The cursed credit system has stifled Jin Xiantai's thoughts. Here, we must mention the credit system in American high schools in this timeline, which is unfamiliar to Chinese students.

In this timeline's American high schools, credits are awarded by teachers based on test scores, class attendance, and other related factors. Factors such as skipping classes, attending formal classes, moral values, etc., are all closely related to credits. In other words, credits are a comprehensive evaluation of a student.

It's not just about having good test scores to get high credits. If your test scores are high but your credit evaluation from teachers is low, you won't be able to graduate.

Clearly, credits are very important for high school students. Even low credits can prevent you from going to college. This is why Jin Xiantai became disheartened when Mattie mentioned it.

Moreover, this credit system also exists in college. In Jin Xiantai's original timeline, the credit system in the United States was not as extreme. However, in this timeline, the credit system is extremely strict. Jin Xiantai cannot change this, so he can only accept it.

Even if he asked Dave to find another college, the situation would likely be the same.

At this moment, the grading teachers returned with the test papers. They directly handed the papers to Principal Mattie, who, after looking at the scores, smiled and said to Jin Xiantai, "All the scores are up to standard, and both test papers have perfect scores. You can enroll."

Jin Xiantai was not surprised by this result. If he couldn't pass, that would be the real surprise.

Hearing Principal Mattie's words, Dave, who had been sitting quietly, finally stood up and walked over.

"Alright, we will start school tomorrow."

Principal Mattie nodded at Dave and then turned to Jin Xiantai, "No problem. Remember, you are in 11th grade, class A. Report to your homeroom teacher, Ms. Linda, in the morning. Be at school by 7:30, and don't be late." She also reminded Jin Xiantai to remember the time.

Jin Xiantai nodded, indicating that he remembered, and then left the college with Dave.

On the way back, Dave suggested to Jin Xiantai, "Don't drive your Audi to school. Buy a used car that's not too noticeable, so you can be more low-key."

Jin Xiantai's Audi cost 260,000, which, while not a luxury car, is still quite impressive among ordinary high school students, especially in a public college. Therefore, driving such a car to school would attract a lot of attention, which conflicts with Jin Xiantai's desire to be low-key. Understanding this, Dave kindly reminded him.

A used car is a good choice, being both cheap and not too noticeable. Most high school students' cars are used, so Jin Xiantai wouldn't stand out.

"Alright, if Mr. Dave is not busy, could you please take me to the used car market?"

Jin Xiantai readily accepted Dave's suggestion. Dave smiled and said, "I happen to have nothing to do today, so I'll take you to the used car market."

With that, Dave drove off the highway and onto a side road, heading toward their destination.

---

"Coco, you look so beautiful, like a little princess."

Coco was wearing a white lace dress with a lace headband, completely transformed. The little girl stood in front of a large mirror, smiling at her new look.

Annie, squatting beside Coco, exaggeratedly looked at the mirror and praised the little girl in an exaggerated tone.

From Coco's expression and reaction, it was clear that she was very happy with the praise and her new look.

"Let's try this one next. I think Coco will look even more beautiful. We should try on more pretty clothes, right?"

"Right!"

Although Coco was only 10 months old, she was still a little girl and clearly had no resistance to pretty clothes.

With Annie's help, Coco took off the white lace dress and put on a punk-style outfit.

The old butler, Nord, took the lace dress and handed it to the store clerk, quietly instructing, "Check out all these, we'll take them."

Annie and the old butler didn't care about the price at all. The store clerk's hands were already full of children's clothes that Coco had tried on, and the old butler had instructed the clerk to check out all of them, meaning they were bought.

This was definitely a big customer, and a big customer who didn't mind spending money!

Therefore, the young female clerk stood beside the old butler with a beaming smile, her face almost creasing from the effort.

"Miss, how will you explain buying so many clothes when you get home?"

Seeing that her young mistress was still enthusiastic and wanted to continue buying, the old butler had to remind her.

It wasn't about the money; it was just a few hundred dollars. Even if each piece of clothing cost over $600, it was nothing to Annie, who considered it a bargain.

But the old butler had to think about how to explain buying so many clothes to Jin Xiantai. After all, her young mistress had fabricated a pitiful backstory to deceive the Asian boy.

Sure enough, the old butler's reminder made Annie think of this key issue. However, she quickly came up with a good excuse.

"Don't worry, I have a good excuse to use to placate that boy." After checking the time, she realized it was still early, so she decided not to waste more time there. She had many other places to take Coco.

The old butler, Nord, naturally took care of the checkout, while Annie, holding Coco, left the store without a care. As they left, Coco looked a bit reluctant, which made Annie feel a bit sorry for her. So, she comforted Coco, "Don't be sad, we can come back another time. All these clothes are yours."

The old butler, who had just finished checking out, heard his young mistress's words and, with a blank expression, shook his head with a bitter smile.