Chapter 13: Exceptionally Obscure

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“The day after the exam, we conducted a score estimation session. Although some students didn’t attend, you all took the answer sheets with you.”
“While there might be significant discrepancies when estimating scores for the Chinese and English essays or the math problem-solving steps—there could be forgetting or misremembering—I believe your overall estimated scores won’t differ too much from your actual results.”
“Today, when filling out your university applications, you must rely on these estimated scores. Everyone must take this seriously and proceed with caution. If you don’t understand something, don’t fill it in blindly; you can ask the teachers for advice.”
“Nine years of diligent study have led you to this critical step. If you fill your choices well, you can enter a better university. If you don’t, it would be a pity for all those countless days and nights of hard work.”
“University is your new starting point. There is a distinction between key universities and regular universities, between undergraduate and vocational programs. After graduation, stepping into the workforce, your starting point will vary accordingly.”

Listening to Head Teacher Lao Tong’s advice, all the students silently nodded, their gazes fixed on the application forms in their hands, feeling the gravity of the moment.
This was a crossroads in life; just a few words naming a university might influence one’s entire future.

“Here is a printed list of schools and majors I have organized. It includes their admission cut-off scores from previous years and some new majors introduced this year. Be cautious when choosing—ask me before you fill anything out. Sometimes, too many applicants crowd one major.”
“The materials are limited, so form groups of five to share and review them. Each person picks ten schools and majors first, then eliminate them one by one.”
“Another principle: prioritize universities in Jiangnan Province, then consider others. Local universities have more admission quotas and different standards.”
“Also, don’t aim too high blindly by only choosing prestigious universities. Be steady and focus more on schools where your estimated scores can almost guarantee admission.”
“In short, be very careful.”

After Lao Tong finished speaking, the class officers helped distribute the university materials.
Everyone spontaneously formed groups.

The group that Lu Fan and Wang Zihao belonged to consisted mostly of underperforming students. Aside from Lu Fan, whose grades hovered around tenth place, Wang Zihao was around the mid-twenties, and the others were at the bottom.
The others were quite self-aware; they quickly filled out a few vocational choices and then went out to play, leaving Wang Zihao still somewhat conflicted.

“Fanzi, let’s just pick one school, okay? You write it first, and I’ll copy from you.”

While Lu Fan couldn’t recall Wang Zihao’s exact exam score, he remembered his own clearly—546 points, just above the first-tier cutoff line.
However, his own estimated score was only 530 points. To be safe, he followed the head teacher’s advice and chose a second-tier school, Jiangnan University of Technology.
Don’t underestimate those 16 points; if he had known his real score, he would have dared to apply to a first-tier university.

In the year 2000, there were 3.75 million candidates; a single point could mean surpassing or falling behind thousands of others.

“What’s your estimated score?”
“About 450 to 500.”
“That’s quite a gap!”
“Between 490 and 510.”

Lu Fan, holding the Jiangnan province school information, said, “You fill in Jiangcheng University of Science and Technology, majoring in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics.”

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“Damn, a first-tier university? Do I deserve that?”
“Just trust me. Would I lie to you? You like computers, and math is the foundation of computer programming. Choosing this major is definitely a safe bet.”
“Fanzi, I like computer games, not programming. My math in high school wasn’t good!”

Lu Fan looked at him and said, “People get pushed to improve. When you start programming, you’ll force yourself to learn math well. Besides, university math is a different matter from high school math. If you study it properly from the start, you can understand it.”

Wang Zihao scratched his head and muttered, “I feel like you’re scolding me.”

“So, what are you planning to apply for?”
“Jiangnan University, Psychology.”
“Damn, a 985 school, you...”
“Don’t worry, just wait for the results to see if I’m deserving.”
“Alright, I’ll trust you. Fortune favors the bold. You dared to choose a 985 school, so what harm is there for me to pick a second-tier one? Lu Fan, I notice you’re unusually brave today. You scolded Xiao Yao at the door this morning, and now you’re so boldly defying Lao Tong’s wishes.”
“People like me are beyond help in his eyes; he won’t bother what I fill out. But you’re different; he thinks you’re still fixable. If he gets mad at you later, I won’t step in to stop him.”

Wang Zihao rambled on, clearly uneasy.

Every year, from filling out applications, awaiting results, to university admissions being announced, many candidates suffer lifelong regrets.

Some fail to reach the score for their first choice and get admitted to a lower-tier school.
Some have enough points but, out of caution, choose a lower-tier school themselves.
Others pick obscure majors at top universities that have very low admission scores due to few applicants, barely meeting the minimum standards.

This makes one want to beat their own thigh in frustration.

From filling out applications to receiving scores and admission announcements, every year many students and parents gnash their teeth in regret.

“Why didn’t I think ahead?”
“Why couldn’t I foresee this major’s unexpected popularity?”
“Why didn’t I trust my first choice?”

At this moment, Lu Fan had no need to analyze or hesitate because he had already experienced regret.

This year, many majors were unexpectedly unpopular, including Psychology at Jiangnan University and Mathematics and Applied Mathematics at Jiangcheng University of Science and Technology—both extremely niche.
Very few applicants applied, and admissions relied heavily on adjustments to fill quotas.

To prevent high-scoring peers from blindly copying their choices and taking their spots, Lu Fan didn’t rush to submit his application after filling it out. Instead, he put it in his backpack and went out to buy a soda.

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At this time, the classroom had no discipline left; some students had stepped outside to discuss with parents waiting in the corridor.

Outside the teaching building, Lu Fan pulled out half a pack of Red Double Happiness cigarettes, took one out and threw it into his mouth, lit it, took a deep drag, and then exhaled a large cloud of white smoke.

Wang Zihao was stunned instantly.
“Cool! Give me one.”

Lu Fan glanced at him and said, “This isn’t a good thing. You better not start.”

“Come on, aren’t we good brothers? Just one.”

“Get lost. Even if you want to learn smoking, don’t learn it from me, or I’ll be arguing with you for the rest of my life.”

“Yeah, I’ll sneak some from my dad tonight. You’re probably stealing from your dad too, right?”

Lu Fan: “Not stealing. My dad gave these to me personally.”

These cigarettes were a gift from Lu Dawei to the Bai family, so they were like his own prized cigarettes.

“You’re kidding. If Uncle Lu found out you smoked, he’d tie you to a tree and beat you. Remember when we skipped school to go to the video arcade? He tied me up too. Watching him beat you like that, I thought I wouldn’t live to see tomorrow. But honestly, it’s impressive you’ve lasted this long under Uncle Lu.”

“Nonsense. I’ve only been beaten twice at most. How many times have you been beaten? Can you even count?”

Wang Zihao said gloomily, “My math isn’t good; you know that.”

Lu Fan didn’t want to let go of the topic and laughed, “My dad only punished me when I did something really bad, but your dad beats you all the time. There’s a saying: ‘Children get beaten on rainy days anyway; they might as well be beaten when it’s cloudy.’”

Wang Zihao retorted, “You’re worth a hundred of me.”

The two arrived at the small shop by the gate, bought two sodas, drank them in one go, returned the bottles, and then bought two ice creams, eating them as they headed back.

By the time they returned, many classmates had already finished filling out their applications and handed them to the head teacher.

Just as Lu Fan sat down, Xiao Yao approached, extending a fair, delicate hand. “Lu Fan, have you finished filling it out? The head teacher is collecting the application forms!”

Lu Fan said, “I’ll submit mine last. You go ahead and collect from others first.”

“You’ve filled it out, right? Why not hand it in? What are you worried about?”

“I’ll submit it to the head teacher myself later.”

Lu Fan waved his hand, but she stubbornly stretched out her hand as if she wouldn’t give up until he handed it over.

“Give it to me!”

Lu Fan was a bit helpless and placed the half-eaten ice cream into her palm.