The Harris Village Chief’s family was a prominent family.
Carson was determined to go to university. If a relationship with Scarlett affected his studies, even Uncle Daniel wouldn’t like Scarlett, let alone the rest of the Harris family.
Elizabeth was anxious, unsure how to phrase things appropriately.
William gestured for his sister not to worry and asked:
“Is it Carson from Uncle Daniel’s family? I saw that kid go to school today, why is he back in the village, and what did he bring you?”
Whitaker Scarlett placed the large bag of books on the table, “Brother Carson is a good person. He brought me review materials. Since you’ve all seen it, I won’t hide it—I want to take the college entrance exam next year, so I asked Brother Carson if I could transfer to County East High School.”
“What?!”
“College entrance exam?”
“Cough cough cough!”
Amanda was drinking water and choked.
Her face turned red. William glared at his wife and tried to speak gently to his niece:
“Why did you suddenly decide to take the college entrance exam?”
Whitaker Scarlett’s academic abilities were unknown to outsiders, but not to her maternal uncle. Aside from other things, Whitaker Scarlett wasn’t good at studying. The Whitaker family had produced Whitaker Rosalie, seemingly absorbing all the literary aura for miles around. She was the most studious girl William had ever seen.
Whitaker Scarlett had suddenly gotten this idea, perhaps feeling that her business was going well and wanted to challenge the college entrance exam?
Whitaker Scarlett said matter-of-factly: “I still need an urban household registration; it’s convenient for buying a house later, isn’t it? Don’t you need a university degree for a household registration?”
My dear niece, is university that easy to get into?
Your tone makes it sound as simple as buying a bag of salt. If it were that simple, wouldn’t the Harris Village Chief’s grandson have failed? Look around, how many university students are there? That’s why Whitaker Rosalie, a university student, is so precious!
Others study for three years of high school and still fail and have to repeat.
Repeating is a long battle, and a second attempt doesn’t guarantee a good result. You’re only a junior high school graduate… William felt a toothache coming on.
William had a toothache.
Even Elizabeth, who thought her daughter was wonderful in every way, couldn’t believe this.
They didn’t understand anything about college entrance rates, but rural people had their own methods of judgment; they simply looked at how many people in their vicinity had gotten into university. After the resumption of the college entrance examination, Whitaker Rosalie was the only one from Larkspur Village to get in.
Walter Janson wasn’t from Larkspur Village; he was just a temporary educated youth assigned there. Take Wellwater village, for example. Carson had strict tutoring since childhood.
Villagers saw him as intelligent and quick-witted, and his family’s conditions were top-notch in the village. Even someone who dedicated himself to studying like him failed the college entrance exam this year… Whitaker Scarlett saying she wanted to take the college entrance exam next year stunned all three elders.
The eldest aunt suspected Whitaker Scarlett had feelings for Carson. Didn’t Carson blush whenever he saw Whitaker Scarlett?
Whitaker Scarlett had been “stolen” by Whitaker Rosalie, perhaps feeling a loss of face, and wanted to find a university student as a partner. Since there weren’t any readily available, she chose Carson, a promising candidate? But it didn’t make sense that she would follow Carson to take the college entrance exam!
Carson was certainly a good match. The villagers had watched this young man grow up, knowing his background thoroughly. Harris Village Chief’s family had particularly strict discipline, and Carson was polite and didn’t exhibit any of the uncouth behavior of a peasant. If Scarlett really chose Carson, it would be considered a good marriage Amanda’s heart stirred, and she immediately smoothed things over for Whitaker Scarlett:
“Isn’t Scarlett wanting to take the college entrance exam a good thing? Let the Whitaker family see how blind they are!”
Whether she passed or not was secondary. For young men and women to get closer, they needed common topics and more interaction.
Carson was going to be a city person; how could he look for a wife in the countryside? Nowadays, young people in the city were all about free love, and even matchmaking required matching conditions between men and women. After a long period of contact, wouldn’t it become free love? Carson wasn’t some good-for-nothing who couldn’t find a wife. Amanda had her own shrewdness.
William didn’t know his wife’s thoughts, but he also felt he should encourage her, immediately changing his tune:
“Then go for it. If she gets in, it’s a great thing!”
Elizabeth stammered.
