Shortly after Lei Hao left, Wang Ling, along with Shen Rong and Chen Yang, quickly found the counselor for the accounting major.
They handed over the admission letter, household registration book, and the introduction letter from the production team. Registration could only proceed after their identities were confirmed.
In those years, there were no ID cards, making it impossible to verify identities through a name alone. Consequently, many people took advantage of this, deliberately impersonating others to attend university. The schools were helpless, as it was impossible to conduct networked photo identification as in later generations. The county education bureau would mail information to the schools, containing only a name and some details, but no photographs.
Verifying the household registration book and introduction letters from the production team or subdistrict office was the only method available. Unless people from the subdistrict office colluded, it would be impossible to issue an introduction letter.
"Student Shen Rong, here is your key. You will be in dormitory 221 on the second floor of Building 3. Eight people will share the room, with bunk beds. Each floor has a communal bathroom and sink."
"Tomorrow morning at 7:50 AM, there will be a meeting in the third large classroom on the fourth floor of the main teaching building. You will be assigned to classes then. Remember to bring a pen and notebook."
"This is your allowance and grain coupons for the first month. Keep them safe; the school will not replace them if stolen. After you are assigned to a class, your class advisor will distribute them to you monthly."
The counselor completed the registration. No tuition fees were required. Studying at that time was truly wonderful. Not only was university education free, but students also received allowances and grain coupons. For those from poor families, subsisting solely on grain coupons and a little dish, with careful spending, they could even send a substantial amount of money back home. As long as you studied diligently, you would be assigned a job upon graduation, and it would typically be a cadre position! This was why people in that era strived with all their might to get into university. Once admitted, the state covered everything from schooling to graduation.
"Junior Shen Rong, tidy up your luggage. Remember to prepare for self-introductions tonight. After you're assigned to a class, your advisor might ask you to run for class cadre positions."
After escorting Shen Rong to the dormitory and helping her settle her luggage, Wang Ling kindly reminded her again. If Shen Rong genuinely wanted to compete for a class cadre position, preparing the night before would undoubtedly give her a greater advantage than those who hadn't. These small tips might be commonplace in later generations, but in this era of relatively limited information, families without a university student might not even know about them. If Chen Yang's earlier words hadn't caught Lei Hao and Wang Ling's attention, she might not have offered this advice.
"Thank you, fellow student Wang Ling. Rong Rong, after you're assigned to a class, remember to treat Lei Hao and Wang Ling to a meal. They followed us around all day." Chen Yang quickly said to Shen Rong. When they arrived, Chen Yang and his father-in-law had given Shen Rong some money; treating them to a meal was not a significant expense.
"No, no, you are too kind. This is what we should do." Although Wang Ling had entered university a year before Shen Rong, she was ultimately still a student, unlike Chen Yang, a seasoned negotiator tested in the business world of later generations. Hearing Chen Yang suggest Shen Rong treat them to a meal made her feel a bit embarrassed.
"It's just a meal. It's normal for friends to eat together. You must come, otherwise, how will Rong Rong feel comfortable asking for your help in the future?" Chen Yang's words skillfully blocked Wang Ling's refusal. Dealing with such novices was effortless for him.
"Okay, I'll come with Lei Hao. Uncle, Brother-in-law, please rest assured, if Rong Rong needs anything at school in the future, we will help her." Despite the brief exchange, Wang Ling's impression of Shen Rong became much more cordial. Having a brother-in-law who had also gotten into university and was so adept at social interaction meant he would surely be easy to get along with. Having more friends opened more doors, and she naturally wouldn't refuse to interact more with Shen Rong.
"Let me take you to the cafeteria first. Rong Rong, did you bring a lunchbox? If not, you'll need to buy one from the supply and marketing cooperative, otherwise, you won't be able to eat later." At this time, the school cafeteria did not provide trays; everyone brought their own lunchboxes to get food. Unlike later generations, schools didn't have small shops, so people had to buy necessities from supply and marketing cooperatives or department stores.
"Sister Ling, I brought a lunchbox. My brother-in-law prepared it for me long ago."
"Thank you so much today, Sister Ling. If it weren't for you and Brother Hao, I would have been completely lost today." Influenced by Chen Yang, Shen Rong's words had also become sweeter. This made Wang Ling even more willing to interact with her junior schoolmate.
As Wang Ling was about to lead Shen Rong and the others to the main teaching building, a man's heart-wrenching roar suddenly came from ahead. Many people were gathered, and the sound was clearly coming from within the crowd.
"I beg you, let me go!"
"It took me so much effort to get into university. Before going down to the countryside, the college entrance exam was suddenly canceled. I was driven from the city to the countryside and stayed there for over ten years!"
"Now that the college entrance exam has finally been reinstated, I had to take it for three years to get in!"
"All I want in this life is to return to the city, to return home! Can't you just let me go?"
Chen Yang initially didn't want to get involved in the commotion, but as he heard the man's cries, his face suddenly turned grim.
"You ask me to let you go, but I don't know what I did wrong, how I harmed you."
"You coaxed me back then, you took me. My father didn't ask for a single cent of betrothal gifts, and even provided dowry. I bore you five children, and you ask me to let you go?"
"If you wanted to return to the city from the beginning, why did you provoke me? Now that you've gotten into university, you want to abandon me and the children? How did I not see how heartless you were before!"
"I'm making a scene today. I want your school leaders to judge whether I did anything wrong for you to say this to me."
Chen Yang pushed his way closer and saw a man in his thirties sitting on the ground, looking disheveled. His luggage was scattered everywhere, and his face was scratched. Beside him stood a woman of a similar age. Her face was dark and ruddy, not particularly beautiful, but she looked like someone skilled at manual labor. She must have had strength, otherwise, she couldn't have overpowered a man. This kind of scenario, educated youth returning to the city and abandoning wives and children, was not uncommon during that era. Some even came to study, hiding their marital status and secretly dating other classmates. This was not surprising; many people in the first few batches of university students after the college entrance exam was reinstated were in their thirties. Those who had been in the countryside for so many years and hadn't returned had usually started families there. Chen Yang looked at the man, his face filled with shame, and the woman, her face streaked with tears. He felt a pang in his heart. He himself had been in a similar situation back then. But even though he was no different from this man who abandoned his wife and children, Shen Xue hadn't cried or made a scene. In fact, it was she who pleaded with the old Party secretary to allow him to get an introduction letter to return to the city. People only truly know how to cherish what they have after experiencing loss.