Chapter 45: Going to College

Chapter 45: Chapter 45: Going to College

"Third Brother, are you serious? Is it the university acceptance letter? Do you have it in your hands?" Su Wan’s tone was even more urgent than her third brother, Su Jue’s.

She immediately followed up, wanting to confirm the letter was intact and safe.

"Yeah, it’s right here in my hand. I saw yours, too! You’ve been accepted to Jing University, and I’m going to the Foreign Language University! We can go to university in the Capital together now." Su Jue was ecstatic.

Hearing the names of the universities, Su Wan knew it was just as she had seen in her dream.

These were some of the most prestigious universities in the country. Graduating from one meant being assigned a stable government job—an "iron rice bowl"—which was the best way for villagers and educated youth to move to the city.

This was the dream of countless young people. That was why she had been so furious in her premonition when she saw Zheng Zhizhi tear up her and her third brother’s acceptance letters.

That would have destroyed her third brother’s future.

"Third Brother, listen carefully. You must keep those acceptance letters safe, or mail them to me. I had a dream that the Zheng family would tear them up," Su Wan said, using her dream as the reason.

Afraid her brother wouldn’t believe her, she emphasized, "I had a dream before that the Zheng family was bullying me, and that’s why I came to the military base to ask the leaders for help."

"What! How dare they!" Su Jue roared in anger. "The Zheng family’s reputation is already mud in the village. They were publicly criticized by the brigade leader, and they aren’t assigned any of the good work details anymore. Mr. and Mrs. Zheng still haven’t been released from the police station."

"But you have a point. If they go crazy and decide to get revenge on us, there’s no telling what they might do." Su Jue nodded, taking the matter to heart. He then said to Su Wan, "Figure out when you’re coming back. We can go to the Capital for university together. I looked at the letter, and it says we have to register by August 25th."

"We need to book train tickets early, or we might not be able to get any if we wait too long."

Her brother’s words made Su Wan fall silent. She instinctively looked up at Lu Zhengchuan, who was standing beside her, staring at her.

Lu Zhengchuan’s expression was unreadable.

Su Wan wasn’t sure if he had understood.

But with Lu Zhengchuan right there, she felt she had to be careful. "Third Brother, I understand."

"I’ll call you once I’ve figured things out on my end."

"Okay." Su Jue didn’t think much of it; he had no idea that Su Wan was pregnant.

Su Wan had mentioned it to Aunt Zhang a few days ago, but Aunt Zhang had only secretly told Uncle Zhang.

It was also because Aunt Zhang didn’t know Su Wan hadn’t told the Su family. She had been busy preparing baby clothes for the unborn child and hadn’t left the house in days.

"By the way, Wanwan, was there something you called about?" Su Jue remembered and took the initiative to ask.

Su Wan told him what had just happened on the base.

"Zheng Zhizhi is marrying Liu Lang? I’ll go ask around about that right now."

"She wouldn’t dare be stupid enough to try anything with you on the base. As for Zheng Hai, he did try to start something with us on the first day, but Big Brother, Second Brother, and I were on our guard. We ended up beating him up instead, and he’s been behaving ever since," Su Jue said with a cold laugh. "He’s the type of coward who only picks on the weak. As long as your fists are hard enough, he won’t dare cause any trouble."

Seeing that her family was safe this time, the weight on Su Wan’s heart finally lifted.

After they finished talking, Su Wan hung up the phone and paid the fee.

She had just turned to leave when Lu Zhengchuan grabbed her by the sleeve.

Su Wan stopped and looked up at him, puzzled.

"What’s an ’acceptance letter’?" Lu Zhengchuan asked, his lips pursed. He was so eager to know that he couldn’t even wait until they were outside to ask.

Su Wan froze for a moment, feeling a little guilty at his question. But she quickly reminded herself that this was wonderful news and she had done nothing wrong.

After all, she had taken the college entrance exam before they were married.

"It’s a university acceptance letter. I took the college entrance exam before," Su Wan said after a moment of thought. "You should know that."

"..." He knew Su Wan had good grades and had taken this year’s exam, but the sudden appearance of a university acceptance letter had completely disrupted his plans.

"Which university’s acceptance letter is it?" Lu Zhengchuan pressed.

Su Wan placed a hand on her lower back to ease the ache from her pregnancy. "It’s from Jing University."

"...Jing University," Lu Zhengchuan murmured under his breath.

Before he could say anything else, a chorus of surprised and congratulatory voices erupted from Zhang Cui and the others nearby.

"Wanwan, you actually got into Jing University?"

"Oh my god, Comrade Su Wan, you’re amazing! Jing University! That’s the number one university in the whole country."

"That’s right! A top student! Weren’t you born in a village? To be so good at studying... you’ll definitely have a bright future."

A female comrade nudged her colleague and said unhappily, "What’s wrong with being from a village? It’s not like only city students can study. I think Comrade Su Wan is exceptional. To get into Jing University, her grades must be incredible. She might even be the top scorer in all of Yang Province!"

Su Wan didn’t know if she was the top scorer or not. In her premonition, she had died too early to know what happened afterward.

"Thank you all for the praise. I’m just good at studying, that’s all. I’m not as accomplished as you ladies, who are already working."

"Wanwan, you’re such a sweet-talker."

The group of comrades who worked in the mailroom crowded around, pushing Lu Zhengchuan aside. With all this open admiration, there was no doubt the news of Su Wan getting into university would spread in the blink of an eye.

"Sisters, I’m heading back with Lu Zhengchuan for now. Let’s chat again when we have time."

"Of course, of course. This is huge news. You two should definitely go home and celebrate properly."

The group of comrades watched with smiles as Su Wan and Lu Zhengchuan left.

Zhang Cui stroked her chin curiously. "Isn’t Wanwan pregnant? Can she still go to university?"

The question made everyone look at each other, but no one said a word.

That very same topic was now coming up between Su Wan and Lu Zhengchuan.

Once they were in the car, Lu Zhengchuan leaned over to buckle her seatbelt. As he straightened up, he placed a hand on her lower back. "Is your back sore?"

He rubbed it gently. "How’s that? Is the pressure too much?"

It was the first time someone had massaged her while being so close. The tips of her ears and her cheeks flushed red. She instinctively turned her head away, not daring to meet Lu Zhengchuan’s gaze. Only the sound of her own heart, beating faster than usual, betrayed how unusual this moment was for her.

"It’s not too hard," Su Wan said, shaking her head. Her voice was delicate. "I can just rub it myself."

"I’m your husband. This is what I’m supposed to do."

Lu Zhengchuan’s tone was exceptionally firm, as if he were asserting his status.

He looked at Su Wan’s beautiful face, his senses filled with her unique, fresh scent.

Su Wan couldn’t help but grip the seatbelt, her body growing a little stiff. Only the burning tips of her ears, hidden by her long hair, betrayed her true feelings.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Lu Zhengchuan’s eyes, and he sat back in his seat.

He wasn’t discouraged, however, and took the initiative to ask, "So, are you going to go to university?"

’Of course I want to go. But what reason can I use to convince Lu Zhengchuan? After all, I’m pregnant now. I’m not as free as I was before, and I really do need to discuss it with him.’