Chapter 37: Returning Home in Glory

Longsha Town, located in the southeastern part of Jiangcheng, was not especially remote. At this moment, banners stretched across the streets, and people of all ages gathered expectantly at the entrance to the town’s main road.

“It’s here, it’s here! The car you talked about is coming!” shouted a young man standing high up with a pair of binoculars, waving his arms frantically to alert those on the lower floors.

“Hurry up, get the fireworks ready, don’t mess this up,” commanded a burly middle-aged man. On both sides of the road, the crowd and the children craned their necks, eager for a glimpse.

Zhang Bowen drove along the familiar road toward the town. His hometown lay just beside Longsha; from Jiangcheng, there was only one route to Longsha, and he could drive it with his eyes closed.

Chu Lan, curious, glanced at the dense crowd ahead and asked, “What’s happening up there? So many people gathered—could there have been a traffic accident?”

In the back seat, Zhang Chu pressed his face to the window, peering outside—and suddenly felt mortified.

Across the road, numerous banners proclaimed: “Congratulations to our town’s scholar Zhang Chu for winning the top score in Jiangdong Province’s college entrance exam,” “Champion’s Triumph,” “The cradle of champions, Longsha’s pride,” and more.

A wave of embarrassment washed over him...

Before Zhang Chu could react, the crackling of fireworks erupted, the atmosphere feverish and festive!

It was truly drums beating, fireworks blazing, red flags waving, and crowds surging!

Chu Lan even spotted lion dancers by the roadside. She turned to Zhang Chu and said, “Son, all these people have come for you.”

With modern educational resources increasingly concentrated, it was rare for children from humble backgrounds to excel. In places like Longsha, let alone the top scorer, even admission to a prestigious university was uncommon.

Zhang Chu’s achievement as the provincial top scorer in sciences carried extraordinary weight. He hadn’t studied in Longsha, but having household registration here was enough!

“Mom, please don’t say any more. Let’s get out of the car—Grandma’s waiting up ahead!”

Zhang Bowen hurriedly parked, only to be instantly surrounded by neighbors from his hometown.

“Bowen, you’ve raised a fine son!”

“I watched Zhang Chu grow up; he was always so sharp as a child.”

“Bowen, do you still have your son’s old books? Can you give me a couple for luck? My grandson’s about to take his exams next year.”

“You’re something else—first Longsha’s earliest college student, now your son’s a champion. Your ancestral graves must be blessed!”

“Madam Lin truly has good fortune—something to envy!”

Zhang Bowen was nearly squeezed outside the car door, but Zhang Chu fared worse; he was the center of attention.

Parents vied to bring their children to Zhang Chu, hoping to absorb a bit of his brilliance, as if touching the exam champion would make their own kids suddenly enlightened.

Zhang Chu felt like a mascot. He couldn’t scold or shoo the children away, so he looked pleadingly at his grandmother for rescue.

“Alright, move aside after you’ve had a look, don’t squish my grandson flat!” Madam Lin, full of vigor, called out. Though her hair was flecked with gray, her crimson attire made her look spirited and lively.

As the saying goes, joy brings energy. Seventy-year-old Madam Lin pushed through the crowds to her grandson, smiling broadly. “No wonder you’re my grandson—the fortune-teller said you’d be remarkable, and he was right. The top scorer! You’re a literary star descended from heaven. Your grandfather’s probably laughing himself silly in the afterlife.”

Zhang Bowen finally escaped the throng, brushing confetti from his hair, and asked his mother, “What’s going on, Mom? Why are so many people here?”

“Well, word got out that we produced a top scorer. Everyone wanted to come and share the luck—it shows how much they value you. Even TV reporters are filming, and the mayor’s here too.”

Madam Lin clung to Zhang Chu, proudly greeting everyone around, afraid they wouldn’t realize he was the champion.

Zhang Chu felt like a puppet, calling out to whomever Grandma instructed. In his previous life, he’d never seen her so jubilant and ostentatious.

“Old Zhou, my grandson’s aiming for Tsinghua or Peking University!”

“Zhang Zhenfeng, how many points did your Kai Kai get last year? I’ve forgotten.”

“Oh, isn’t that Mrs. Li? One of these days I’ll have Zhang Chu tutor your granddaughter—can’t have her always scoring last, that’s too embarrassing.”

“Sister Han, didn’t you say you wanted Zhang Chu’s books? Next time he’ll bring some for you, I’ll make sure you get your share. We’re family, after all!”

“Little Tu, your son Tu Yong took the college entrance exam this year, right? How did he do?”

Madam Lin radiated happiness. In a small town where everyone knew everyone, she felt as if her back pain had healed with all the excitement.

Zhang Chu tugged at Madam Lin’s sleeve, whispering, “Grandma, shouldn’t we wrap this up? I haven’t had breakfast yet, I’m starving.”

To end this ordeal of being surrounded and pawed at, Zhang Chu, a man of thirty inside, resorted to acting spoiled with his grandmother.

“Alright, let’s head home. I made your favorite braised meatballs—the perfect treat for you.” Madam Lin, doting on her grandson, had shown off enough for one day.

The old Zhang family residence was just beside Longsha Town, a short walk from the center. As a child, Zhang Chu would return here every holiday, and the buildings around seemed unchanged.

Just then, Madam Lin slapped her forehead in annoyance. “Oh no, the mayor’s still waiting—we need to go back.”

Though Zhang Chu lived in Jiangcheng, their household registration remained here. Having Longsha produce a top scorer was a real political achievement—a major triumph in education!

The pair, about to leave, returned to the town center, where Mayor Zhou Jianguo, the secretary, and two other officials had been waiting.

Zhou Jianguo didn’t look much like a typical official—he was burly, rugged, and spoke with a booming voice. “Zhang Chu, congratulations on your outstanding results—you’ve brought great honor to Longsha. Now the whole province knows our champion came from here!”

“No, no, I just happened to do well,” Zhang Chu replied modestly. “It was mostly luck.”

“So, have you decided on a university? Tsinghua and Peking University must be yours for the choosing. If you’re unsure about your major, I can help advise.”

Longsha hadn’t sent a student to Peking University in over a decade; Zhang Chu’s achievement was momentous.

To be honest, after living another lifetime, Zhang Chu wasn’t certain what he wanted to study. His system was his greatest asset; Zhou Jianguo’s words were merely polite, and Zhang Chu didn’t take them too seriously. “I’ll have to see where my interests lie—I want to study something I truly enjoy.”

His previous life had seen him pick a major just for job prospects, only to end up unemployed, living off his parents.

Now, with the system, Zhang Chu felt no crisis—he wanted to pursue his passion.

“That’s a good idea. I think you have remarkable literary talent—everyone in our office praised your essay ‘The Death of Red Hare.’”

Zhou Jianguo continued, “I saw in the news that you wrote a novel after the exam. I’ll buy a copy to support you.”

“Thank you, Mayor. Why not let me give you a copy? The sample issue from the magazine is arriving soon.”

“We can’t accept gifts from the public. I’ll order several for the town—any work you publish, we’ll support it! What’s the magazine called?”

“My book is ‘Detective Sherlock,’ published in ‘Chronicles of Mystery,’ and it’ll be out tomorrow,” Zhang Chu replied.

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During the new book period, I can only update twice daily—please don’t mind the pace. Once it goes live, I’ll burst out ten chapters in compensation.

Calling for recommendations and favorites~~