Chapter 25: Giving Away Yu Deng’s Spot
Knowing that Yu Guoqing harbored ill intentions, Yu Deng still instinctively came to a halt.
“Come here. I’m telling you, I can pay for your tuition.”
Yu Deng didn’t move closer. “Say it or not, it’s up to you. I don’t need you to pay for me anyway.”
Seeing that he was about to leave again, Yu Guoqing hurriedly called out to him.
“Don’t run! Do you still want the money? I’ll give it to you, I’ll give it…”
His pleading with Yu Deng to take the money only served to expose the hidden malice in his heart.
Yu Deng was momentarily curious. He wanted to know what kind of twisted schemes Yu Guoqing and Yu Tang were plotting so he could prepare in advance.
Yu Deng looked suspicious. “You’re giving me money? How much? Right now?”
Yu Guoqing was quite intimidated by the group surrounding him. Now, facing Yu Deng, his tone became conciliatory and gentle.
“Tell them to leave first. I have some things to tell you in private.”
Yu Deng pouted impatiently. “Then don’t say it.”
“In private”? He was probably afraid Yu Guoqing would sneak up behind him with a club, drag him home, and lock him up so he could never escape for the rest of his life.
“I’ll say it, I’ll say it!”
Left with no choice, Yu Guoqing had to reveal his plan in front of everyone.
“Yu Deng, such a large sum for tuition… even if you pass, it will be very difficult to come up with it.”
He covered his mouth slightly and spoke in a low voice. “There’s a person in the County Committee whose son also took the college entrance exam this year. His grades weren’t as good as yours…”
The veins in Zhou Yuejun’s neck throbbed. He was so enraged that he spoke through gritted teeth. “You want to let someone take his spot?”
The fist at his side was clenched tight; it was unknown when it might land on Yu Guoqing.
Unaware of the danger, Yu Guoqing only smiled ingratiatingly at Yu Deng, his eyes consumed by greed. “They’re giving three thousand. A full three thousand!”
Working oneself to death in the county, switching between day and night shifts, only earned about a hundred yuan a month. Giving three thousand all at once was truly a fortune.
Doing this a few more times could practically make someone a “Ten-Thousand Yuan Household.”
“Dad has already thought it through. You give the spot to them, take the three thousand yuan, and then use his name to repeat a year. Next year, you’ll still be able to go to university, and won’t you have the tuition then?”
Yu Deng let out a cold, emotionless laugh. “Heh.”
He tilted his arrogant chin slightly, his gaze landing on Yu Tang nearby. “Next year? Won’t he have to take the exam next year too? With those grades of his, what if he can’t pass?”
“Are you expecting me to take the exam for him?”
Yu Deng pointed out the hidden implication. In an instant, a flash of guilt and panic crossed Yu Tang’s eyes.
It seemed they really did intend for Yu Deng to take the exam in Yu Tang’s place next year.
Having been seen through, Yu Guoqing was stunned for a moment before continuing to plead earnestly. “The two of you look similar enough; there won’t be any problem.”
“Besides, once your younger brother gets in, our family will be better off, won’t it?”
“Your younger sister is still so small. The family’s burden is so heavy; where would we get so much money to support both of your educations?”
“This way, the family gets money and produces two university students. What’s wrong with that?”
He Yuan, who hadn’t spoken, heard this and a look of mockery crossed his dark eyes.
“Oh, looking for someone to steal his admission spot? Which member of the County Committee are you talking about?”
“And you even want him to help your son cheat on the exam?”
He had a loud voice and purposefully shouted at the top of his lungs.
They were still in the school corridor. The teachers there were upright people with a scholarly air.
Hearing of such corruption, they couldn’t stand it. Heads immediately popped out of the offices, eyes glaring fiercely.
Yu Guoqing whispered in a trembling, terrified voice, “Lower your voice! What are you shouting for?”
After all, this wasn’t an honorable matter. It couldn’t be brought to light; making a scene would only cause trouble.
He Yuan: “What ‘lower my voice’? I’ll shout it all the way to the Bureau of Education!”
Zhou Yuejun’s attitude was cold and foul. “You don’t need to worry about the tuition. There are plenty of people willing to pay for him.”
Yu Tang’s face turned red and then black with resentment. Unwilling to give up, he spat out several sharp, mean words.
“Yu Deng, if you don’t agree, you’re no longer a member of this family. Don’t even think about coming home in the future!”
“Do you really think an outsider’s money is so easy to take? Don’t come crying to me when you’ve been sold and you’re still counting the money for them, you idiot.”
Hearing Yu Tang say he didn’t need to return to the Yu family, Yu Deng’s eyes lit up, flickering with joy.
“Really? Then I won’t come back ever again.”
Yu Guoqing was so choked by this response that he was speechless with rage. “You… you dare!”
In the original owner’s mind, it wasn’t a case of being sold to Zhou Yuejun, but rather him coaxing and deceiving Zhou Yuejun. As the one in control, he naturally didn’t feel like he was losing out.
As for the current Yu Deng…
Aside from the occasional teasing, Zhou Yuejun was good to him most of the time.
Yu Deng pouted, lifting his chin and revealing an arrogant, contemptuous smile. “Since you aren’t an idiot, why do you still need me to take the exam for you?”
“Don’t even dream about it!”
He stalled with Yu Guoqing and the others until the sun sank in the west. When the last of the sunset’s glow faded into the twilight, Yu Deng, who had been sitting on the ground, finally stood up.
Zhou Yuejun patted Yu Deng’s bottom. “Let’s go.”
The matter was settled. Even if Yu Guoqing wanted to tamper with Yu Deng’s preferences again, it was impossible.
Only then did Yu Guoqing make a painful decision. “I’ll give it! I’ll give you the tuition! I’ll give it right now!”
Letting someone else take the spot or having Yu Deng take the exam for someone else was clearly off the table; Yu Deng was about to escape his control.
Yu Guoqing knew exactly how much benefit a university student could bring in the future.
Even an ordinary teacher in the county earned more than a laborer.
One could say that going to university was a way to change one’s destiny against the heavens.
Yu Deng looked down on Yu Guoqing’s belated kindness. He had been disgusted by Yu Guoqing long enough. “I don’t want it!”
Better to avoid any messy entanglements in the future.
By now, it was dark. The scorching sensation had faded, but it was still muggy.
Zhou Yuejun handed a pack of cigarettes to each of He Yuan’s group and then treated them to a meal.
However, the meal was ultimately paid for by Yu Deng. The money used was naturally what Zhou Yuejun had given him before; he had no money of his own.
Still, it didn’t feel right to contribute nothing, so he had to show some gesture.
Zhou Yuejun didn’t drink tonight because they had to catch a bus tomorrow morning.
Now that the issue with Yu Deng’s preferences was resolved, attending university was a certainty. He couldn’t drag Yu Deng down; he had to spare no effort in earning money.
The county didn’t have streetlights at night; they only existed in the bustling city center.
Zhou Yuejun held Yu Deng’s hand, moving through the darkness under the bright stars and moon. He could even feel the pulse in Yu Deng’s wrist.
“You’re going to university!”
He spoke very softly, as if mumbling to himself, his tone full of emotion.
Translator’s Note:
Poor Yu Deng! His family is absolutely toxic. Three thousand yuan back then was basically a down payment on a house for some people—no wonder Yu Guoqing was so tempted! And Yu Tang wanting Yu Deng to take his exam? The audacity! I’m so glad our “Outstanding Worker” Zhou Yuejun and his buddies were there to provide some muscle.
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