After that meeting, the list of inspection personnel was subsequently published externally and reported for the record.
These days, Chang Xueqin received many phone calls one after another.
Some were from familiar acquaintances, some were from people he had met a few times, and some were simply from those who wanted to make themselves known through a few layers of connection.
Praising and criticizing, it's human nature.
Even Tan Xiaoya at the hospital faced more radiant smiles than before.
In the afternoon, Chang Xueqin declined several dinner invitations and returned home on time.
Tan Xiaoya had already prepared two bowls of plain noodles.
"Hey, the big leader is back. Why are you back for dinner? Wasn't anyone treating you?" Tan Xiaoya said with a smile. "These plain noodles might be a bit bland; I was afraid you wouldn't be used to them."
"Stop using sarcastic words to tease me. After all these years, don't you understand me?" Chang Xueqin said. "What food I like and what food I don't like, I know very well."
"That's good. I was worried you might act impulsively and forget. I intentionally added an egg to your noodles."
"Then I must thank you." Chang Xueqin took the noodles and took a bite. "Hmm... it's delicious."
"Of course, where outside can compare to the taste of home-cooked noodles?"
"Oh, Jiang Zhicheng called me today to congratulate me, saying that I finally saw the clear sky after the clouds dispersed."
"Oh, his information is quite well-informed. What's his situation?"
"What situation could he have? His department has very few personnel changes. It's very difficult to transfer or assign them. At most, they circulate internally, relatively closed."
"Xueqin, looking back now, your decision was correct. Otherwise, you might have dragged Jiang Zhicheng into it and harmed him."
"Hehe, people walk different paths. But you, this old classmate, are reliable. In such a crucial position, you've managed to maintain contact over the years," Tan Xiaoya said.
"His family background is good, but he has good upbringing and doesn't judge people with colored glasses. Of course, over these years, I've never approached him for personal matters, so our relationship is very pure, and he trusts me... But, speaking of which, if Lezi's performance isn't ideal, I may have to approach him. He also mentioned it to me."
"That makes sense! If you don't speak up about Lezi's situation, then you're not a competent father. By the way, how's his daughter's academic performance? It must be very good, right?" Tan Xiaoya said.
"She's in No. 4 High School. How bad can her grades be? The key subjects have a 100% enrollment rate in key universities, and the starting point is all 211."
"Ah, Beijing's educational resources are indeed good."
"Having good resources is just one aspect. Jiang Zhicheng said that it's not like in previous years. The competition now is very fierce. Those who participated in the college entrance examination and entered universities in Beijing in the earlier batches are the beneficiaries of the college entrance examination system. They attach great importance to education and the college entrance examination, making it much harder to enter schools in Beijing. So, Jiang Zhicheng's daughter being able to get into No. 4 High School definitely required a lot of effort. From what he said, she hasn't slept before 12 since junior high. She's worked so hard, but reportedly, she's still in the middle and lower part of the class."
"Hmm... why would a girl work so hard? Our Lezi lacks this kind of perseverance and tenacity."
"Boys are supposed to be a bit mischievous; it's normal. As someone who's been through it, I feel that one's life isn't determined by a single exam. I'm quite open-minded. As long as their values are upright, they walk the right path, live peacefully, and stay healthy, even if their grades are a bit lower, or if they attend a slightly worse school, they're still successful. There's no need to pursue prestigious schools and become elites. It's exhausting!"
"The logic is understood by everyone, but the college entrance examination is still a stepping stone. Without good universities to enhance their reputation, there won't be good opportunities. Actually, my requirements aren't high; as long as they perform better than the children of those in our hospital..."
"Hehe, you women like to compare this and that, don't you?"
"It's not about being tired or not. It's about dignity. You don't know, after the list of inspection personnel was published, those people's faces turned black, haha! Humph! They don't look as good as me, their husbands aren't as good as mine, and if their son's grades are excellent, then it's satisfying!"
"You're thinking too small."
Chapter 8 Give Enough Room for Maneuvering
"I'm a woman, why do I need such a big heart? Today is the day when the monthly exam results are announced. I wonder how Lezi did this time?"
"You can ask him when he comes back later. In the past month, Lezi has been working very hard, staying up until early morning every day."
"He should be working hard now. With less than 8 months left, if he doesn't work hard now, it will be too late."
......
After evening self-study, Chang Le returned home and opened the door.
Tan Xiaoya in the bedroom heard the movement and immediately jumped out of bed, ran out, and asked with concern:
"Lezi, have the monthly exam results come out? How did you do?"
Chang Le was prepared in his heart and took out the report card from his school bag and handed it to Tan Xiaoya.
"Mom, both the total score and the ranking have improved, and I'm in the top half now."
"Really?" Tan Xiaoya's face lit up with joy when she heard this.
After taking the report card, she looked at the scores and rankings, and indeed, there was improvement.
Tan Xiaoya hugged Chang Le and kissed him affectionately: "Haha, you're my good son. Let me make you some milk."
As she walked halfway, Tan Xiaoya's gaze caught the math score, and her steps paused. She turned around and asked, "Lezi, this doesn't seem right. You've improved in all other subjects, but why did your math score decrease? And by so much?"
"Mom, don't worry. The difficulty of the math test this time was higher, and I made a little mistake. Please rest assured, I'll catch up and don't worry. I'm going to review now."
After saying this, without waiting for Tan Xiaoya to respond, Chang Le quickly entered his own room.
"Oh... then go ahead, but remember to catch up," Tan Xiaoya said.
Tan Xiaoya went to the kitchen, made milk for Chang Le, and brought it to him. After sending it over, she returned to her room, filled with thoughts, sitting on the edge of the bed, frowning and pondering.
"Why are you still not sleeping?" Chang Xueqin put down the newspaper and asked.
"Take a look at the report card." Tan Xiaoya handed it over.
"Oh, not bad, the improvement is very obvious. This shows that Lezi is making an effort. What are you worried about?" Chang Xueqin took the report card and nodded satisfactorily after reading it.
"Look at the key points. In math, he only got 65 points, and he used to pass every test. This time, he dropped by 30 points," Tan Xiaoya said.
"Wow, that's quite a setback when you put it that way. What did he say?" Chang Xueqin asked.
"He brushed it off, saying he made a little mistake," Tan Xiaoya said.
"Well, then it must be just a little mistake. I remember his math isn't good, but he always manages to pass. But it's okay, everyone makes mistakes. Don't pressure him too much. High-pressure policies are not conducive to mental and physical health, and can even backfire," Chang Xueqin comforted.
"I'm not putting pressure on him, I'm just worried," Tan Xiaoya said.
"Don't worry, Lezi is already an adult. He will solve it himself. We should give him some room for maneuvering," Chang Xueqin said.
"I know, that's why I'm just reminding him. I hope it's just a one-time mistake."
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