Chapter 490: High School Begins, Xiaodong'er Attends Boarding School

Chapter 490: High School Begins, Xiaodong'er Attends Boarding School

Nanning.

Wuyue Square Mansion.

Qin Fengzhen, with a beaming smile, held her little grandson. Although her daughter had wished for a girl before the child was born, as the Deng family currently had more boys than girls, a girl would likely be even more cherished. However, no matter the era, which parent wouldn't be happy with a son as their first child? Those who are unhappy with a son are usually not having their first child but have already had one or two sons and desperately want a daughter.

Or, it might be a minority ethnic group where women are held in high regard. For example, in a certain minority ethnic group in Guilin, Guangxi, the custom is that a daughter can bring in a husband and inherit the family's wealth, while a son must marry into another family, completely reversing the mainstream marriage customs.

In such a situation, every household naturally wants to have a daughter rather than a son.

Now, her daughter, who was so ambitious, had given birth to a big, healthy son as her first child. For someone like Qin Fengzhen from the older generation, this was a tremendous joy.

After soothing the baby to sleep, Qin Fengzhen said to her daughter, "Yue Mei, you don't need to worry about the child from now on. Mom guarantees to take care of him properly. Your task is to focus on recovering your health during the postpartum period. After the month, you should maintain a healthy diet and do moderate exercise to regain your figure. This is your greatest asset, and you can't let it be ruined by childbirth, understood?"

Fan Yue Mei examined herself. She had a great figure before pregnancy, something she had always been proud of. Now, after giving birth, her figure was no longer the same, and she was very concerned about it. She nodded and said, "Mom, I understand. Now that the child is born, I will start controlling my diet. After the postpartum period, I will do moderate exercise to quickly regain my figure."

Qin Fengzhen shook her head and said, "You can't control your diet right now. You just gave birth and are in a state of great depletion. You should eat more of the ginger and wine chicken soup your father-in-law made to replenish your energy.

Also, during the postpartum period, don't be stubborn. Follow our advice to avoid any postpartum illnesses. It will be too late to regret it if you do."

Fan Yue Mei naturally knew her mother had her best interests at heart. The traditional postpartum taboos passed down through generations should be respected. Thinking about this, she nodded again. "Okay, I'll listen to you."

As the mother and daughter were talking, Deng Shirong's voice came from outside. "Mother-in-law, Yue Mei, it's time to eat."

"Coming!"

...

In the future Nanning, the most famous high schools are undoubtedly Nanning No. 2 High School and Nanning No. 3 High School. These two prestigious schools with long histories have sent many talents to top universities like Tsinghua and Peking University, and they are also the schools that produce the most top scorers in the Guangxi college entrance examination.

Nanning No. 2 High School and Nanning No. 3 High School have been neck and neck for decades, with no one school truly surpassing the other.

Nanning No. 3 High School ranks first in the number of students admitted to top universities, while Nanning No. 2 High School is not far behind. Although it has fewer students admitted to top universities, its admission rate is unquestionably the highest.

Xiaodong'er scored the highest in the city's middle school entrance examination. She had the freedom to choose between these two top high schools.

In the end, after some research, Xiaodong'er chose Nanning No. 3 High School.

At the time, Deng Shirong asked her, "Xiaodong'er, why did you choose No. 3 High School instead of No. 2 High School?"

Xiaodong'er smiled and replied, "My reason for choosing No. 3 High School is simple. Next year is the school's centennial anniversary, and they will surely celebrate it grandly. Being a participant and witness to this century-old school's celebration sounds very interesting to me."

Thus, Xiaodong'er's school choice was settled.

Before the start of the school year, Deng Shirong was unsure whether Xiaodong'er should board at school or commute from home.

Finally, he asked her, "Xiaodong'er, when you go to No. 3 High School, do you want to eat and sleep at school, or commute like you did in junior high?"

Xiaodong'er pondered for a moment before answering, "Grandpa, I think I should eat and sleep at school. No. 3 High School is quite far from home, and the commute would take a lot of time. It would also be a hassle for you to pick me up."

Deng Shirong said, "Picking you up wouldn't be a hassle. If we don't have time, we can send security personnel to pick you up. The main concern is that the daily commute would waste a lot of time and might affect your studies. Also, you've never boarded before. Living with fifteen to twenty or even more female classmates in the same dormitory, and using the school's public toilets, which are not clean, might be difficult for you to adjust to."

Xiaodong'er couldn't help but frown. She had grown up in luxury, with living and dining conditions that 99.999% of the population couldn't match. Even when she visited her hometown during holidays, the living conditions were not bad.

Thus, she really couldn't imagine how uncomfortable it would be to sleep in a dormitory with fifteen to twenty or even more people. The most terrifying part was the unclean school toilets. During her two years in junior high, the thing she most resisted at school was using the toilet.

The sight of those disgusting things was enough to make her feel nauseous.

(Funny enough, the author attended junior high in a small town, and the school toilets were truly unbearable. Most people really couldn't handle them. During the three years of junior high, the author only used the school toilets when absolutely necessary and otherwise waited until after school to use the bathroom in the wilderness outside the school. ^_^)



Fortunately, during both her elementary and junior high years, she ate and slept at home, using the bathroom primarily at home. She only used the school toilet for emergencies and preferred to wait until she got home.

However, if she chose to eat and sleep at school for high school, she would have to overcome these living conditions and the unclean toilets.

Seeing that her granddaughter was also unsure, Deng Shirong thought for a moment and said, "Xiaodong'er, let's not rush into a decision. After you register at the school, I'll talk to the school's leadership to see if we can solve the issues of eating, sleeping, and using the toilets at school.

If we can solve them, you can try boarding. If not, even if it's a bit more trouble, you can commute from home to avoid suffering at school."

Xiaodong'er, no longer conflicted, nodded. "Alright!"

...

Today was the day for school registration. After breakfast, Deng Shirong took his granddaughter to Nanning No. 3 High School.

When the grandfather and granddaughter arrived at the school, they found it already crowded with people.

Deng Shirong was not a rigid person and knew how to use his connections. Since he had called ahead, they were immediately escorted to the principal's office upon arrival.

After exchanging greetings, the principal looked at Xiaodong'er with a beaming smile and said sincerely, "Deng Changli, thank you for choosing our Nanning No. 3 High School. I represent the school in welcoming you."

Originally, Deng Changli, who topped the city's middle school entrance examination, was already enough to gain the principal's attention. Not to mention, this student also had a powerful background—her grandfather was the chairman of the top-ranked private enterprise in the country, the Deng Group. Such an identity naturally warranted the principal's utmost attention.

Xiaodong'er responded with a sweet voice, "Thank you, Principal. I feel very honored to have the opportunity to study at this century-old school. I will continue to work hard and hope to bring glory to the school in the college entrance examination."

Hearing this, the principal naturally praised her repeatedly. Although their school was not short of top students who ranked first in the city's middle school entrance examination, the current top student had a different level of distinction. She had skipped grades to take the exam, making her a true and genuine top student.

If she could maintain her current performance, getting into prestigious universities like Tsinghua or Peking would be a piece of cake.

Such an honor delivered to their doorstep, which principal could resist it?

After the polite exchanges, Deng Shirong then spoke, "Principal, I came to discuss my granddaughter's boarding arrangements."

The principal was immediately interested and asked, "Mr. Deng, what are your requirements for Deng Changli's accommodation?"

Deng Shirong said, "Principal, to be honest, my granddaughter has never experienced hardship. She didn't board during her junior high school years and chose to live at home. I'm worried she might not adapt to the school's accommodation conditions, which could affect her studies.

So, I would like to ask if the school has any vacant teacher dormitories?"

In this era, schools, whether for teachers or students, had very tight accommodation conditions, and there was no way there would be any vacant teacher dormitories.

However, since Deng Shirong had already raised this issue, the principal was determined to help solve the accommodation problem.

The principal pondered for a moment and then came up with a solution, "Mr. Deng, currently, the school does not have any vacant teacher dormitories, but there is an office that is not frequently used. It has an independent bathroom and a balcony for drying clothes. If we prepare a bed and convert this office into a dormitory for Deng Changli to live in, Mr. Deng, do you think this is acceptable?"

Deng Shirong was satisfied and said, "Of course, thank you, Principal!"

The principal smiled and said, "Mr. Deng, there's no need to be so formal. Deng Changli scored the highest in the city's middle school entrance examination, making her the school's most valued top student. Resolving her living concerns so she can focus on her studies is something the school should do."

Deng Shirong reciprocated, "Principal, I heard that next year is the school's centennial anniversary. Over the past century, the school has cultivated many talents and made significant contributions to the country's establishment and development.

On behalf of the Deng Group, I would like to donate a teacher dormitory building to the school to improve the teachers' living conditions, allowing them to focus on teaching and cultivate more pillars of the nation, contributing to the country's development."

The principal did not expect such an additional surprise. The previous politeness was due to the other's status and the importance of Deng Changli as a top student. Now, with the donation of a teacher dormitory building, even if it were just to match the existing teacher dormitory buildings, it would still be a significant investment of over a million yuan.

This unexpected joy was truly delightful.

At that moment, the principal looked at Deng Changli with genuine affection, what a rare and excellent student indeed!

Next, the enrollment procedures were handled directly by the principal's staff in the office, without Deng Shirong needing to wait in line.

Once everything was settled, the principal said to Xiaodong'er with a smile, "Deng Changli, if you need anything in your dormitory, just let me know, and I will have it arranged for you."

Deng Changli shook her head, "Thank you, Principal. I don't need anything else. As long as I have a bed to sleep and a desk to study, that's all I need."

Deng Shirong interjected, "Principal, I would like to make two requests."

The principal said, "Mr. Deng, please go on."

Deng Shirong said, "The first request is to install a water heater in the bathroom. Otherwise, taking a shower would require fetching hot water in a bucket from elsewhere, which is both time-consuming and inconvenient."

The principal nodded, "Mr. Deng, you are right. The water heater must be installed."

Deng Shirong continued, "The second request is to install an air conditioner for my granddaughter, including the water heater. All the costs for purchasing and using will be borne by us, and we won't take advantage of the school."

The principal waved his hands, "Mr. Deng, you are too formal. You have donated a valuable teacher dormitory building to the school, and it is onlyright to provide some additional living accommodations for your granddaughter. This small expense is nothing to the school, Mr. Deng, please don't worry about it."

Deng Shirong smiled, "Alright, thank you, Principal!"

Next, the two of them chatted for a while, and Deng Shirong and his granddaughter left.

As for the donation of the teacher dormitory building, it would be handled by the school's professional staff, and Deng Shirong only needed to give the instruction.

Watching Deng Shirong and his granddaughter leave, the excited principal instructed his staff to quickly convert the office into a dormitory, install the water heater and air conditioner as soon as possible, to ensure that Deng Changli, the top student, would live comfortably.

On the other side, after Xiaodong'er and her grandfather left the school, she couldn't help but ask, "Grandpa, you didn't have to install a water heater, but you also had them install an air conditioner. Isn't this a bit too much?"

Deng Shirong smiled, "You're living in a dormitory by yourself, which is already quite high-profile, and it doesn't matter if it's a bit higher. Otherwise, during the summer, without an air conditioner, you wouldn't sleep comfortably."

Xiaodong'er thought about it and found it made sense. Since she had always been the center of attention from a young age, making her high school life more comfortable was acceptable.

...

September 1, 1996, Sunday.

Although Monday was the official start of classes, students had to return to school on Sunday afternoon.

After a hearty dinner at home, Deng Shirong personally drove his granddaughter to the school.

The principal was waiting at the school gate and, upon seeing Deng Shirong and his granddaughter arrive, greeted them with a smile. Then, in the other students' surprised gazes, he led the two of them to the new dormitory specifically prepared for Deng Changli.

At the door of the dormitory that had been converted from an office, the principal handed a set of keys to Xiaodong'er and said to Deng Shirong, "Mr. Deng, I had the lock replaced with a new one, and all the keys are here!"

Deng Shirong nodded in satisfaction. Although his granddaughter was unlikely to encounter any problems at school, she was his precious granddaughter, a very beautiful girl. Safety was still a significant concern.

Replacing the lock, although not a major security measure, demonstrated the principal's attention to her safety, which was enough.

Xiaodong'er opened the door, and inside, everything was clean and tidy, clearly having been cleaned by someone.

The furnishings were simple: a bunk bed, a desk, and a chair. An air conditioner hung on the wall, and new buckets, basins, and clothes hangers were placed in the corner. The bathroom was connected to the balcony, with a gas cylinder placed on the balcony and a water heater hanging on the bathroom wall.

Deng Shirong looked around and said, "Principal, you've really gone to a lot of trouble!"

The principal smiled, "Mr. Deng, you're too polite. There's no trouble at all. If Miss Deng Changli needs anything else, just let me know, and I'll arrange it for her."

Xiaodong'er smiled, "Thank you, Principal. I don't need anything else!"

"Then I won't disturb you. If you have any requirements, feel free to come to me."

"Okay, Principal."

After the principal left, Xiaodong'er began to unpack her luggage, arranging her shampoo, shower gel, mirror, comb, towels, toothpaste, toothbrush, and tissues. Deng Shirong laid out the bamboo mat he had brought from home, along with a pillow and a thin blanket.

The bunk bed had a mosquito net, which looked brand new, so there was no need to prepare another one.

Seeing everything in place, Deng Shirong took out a mobile phone and handed it to his granddaughter, "Xiaodong'er, this is a phone from your grandpa. If you need anything at school or want to eat something, just call me."

Xiaodong'er looked at the cool phone and smiled with surprise, "Thank you, Grandpa!"

It was now 1996, and mobile phones were gradually becoming popular in the country. When Xiaodong'er was in junior high, she lived and ate at home, so she didn't need a phone. But now that she would be boarding, having a phone was essential.

Besides, mobile phones of this era weren't as entertaining as those in the future, so there was no need to worry about Xiaodong'er getting addicted and affecting her studies.

The phone Deng Shirong gave her was a Nokia 8110, a model that had just been released this year and was known for changing the way people communicated. It was considered the most advanced and stylish phone of the time, with a design that far surpassed the bulky phones of the past.

(Nokia 8110)



Xiaodong'er immediately fell in love with it and held it in her hands, unable to put it down.

Deng Shirong smiled, "If there's nothing else, I'll head back. Call me if you need anything."

Xiaodong'er nodded, "I know, Grandpa."

After her grandfather left, Xiaodong'er played with the phone for a while, learning all the operations before going to the evening study session.

The evening study session was mainly for new students to get to know each other.

On her first meeting with new classmates, everyone was very enthusiastic. By the time Xiaodong'er arrived at the classroom, it was almost full, with only two empty seats in the front row.

So, Xiaodong'er sat down next to one of the female students.

At that moment, the homeroom teacher hadn't arrived yet, and some of the more outgoing students were chatting with their new classmates.

The more reserved and less sociable students sat quietly, quietly observing their new classmates for the next three years while waiting for the teacher.

Xiaodong'er's arrival immediately drew the attention of the entire class.

Xiaodong'er, now 1.62 meters tall, was blossoming in her youth, with a face of exceptional beauty. Combined with her good family background and consistently top grades, she possessed a special charm that was hard to describe.

Overall, she became the immediate focus of the room.

The male students, who were already in high school and ranged from fifteen to sixteen years old, or even older, were no longer naive about the opposite sex and had strong desires.

The arrival of such a beautiful female classmate, even if they couldn't interact with her, was still a pleasure to look at.

The female students, for the most part, looked at her with envy, and a few even felt a mix of jealousy.

Xiaodong'er, of course, felt everyone's attention but was used to it. She calmly pulled out a chair and sat down.

The other students couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

"Wow, she's so beautiful. I didn't expect to have such a beautiful classmate in our class."

"Right, she's really beautiful. We're so lucky to be in this class!"

"Unfortunately, it's only temporary. When we divide into arts and sciences, we might not be in the same class anymore."

"I've decided. I'll find out what she chooses. If she picks arts, I'll pick arts; if she picks sciences, I'll pick sciences."

"Are you serious? That's so impulsive!"

"Of course, I feel so happy being in the same class with such a beautiful classmate!"

"..."

"Hey, it's strange. Why didn't I see her in the dormitory before?"

"Our dormitory is already full. She must be in the next one!"

"I've been to the next dormitory, and I didn't see her there. Maybe she came later?"

"She probably arrived at the classroom after we did."

"Is she really that late on her first day of school?"

"Who knows!"

...

The whispers continued for a few seconds, but then the homeroom teacher, Cui Deshan, wearing glasses, entered the classroom and stood at the lectern.

...

PS: Thank you to everyone for your monthly votes.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end