Zhang Guoqing sped along, driving towards the county town. He got out of the car in front of the county state-run hotel, carrying two bottles of wine and heading straight inside. It was past dining time, no customers were eating, and the waitress Sister Wang had already sneaked away, leaving only Master Chef to rest in the back, just in case some customers suddenly showed up.
"Master Chef, are you there? It’s me, Xiao Wu, just came to see you."
"I’m here, I’m here, I’m in the back." The master chef responded while running out quickly. Seeing Zhang Guoqing holding a bottle of wine, he laughed heartily, "Is this for me? You’re still thinking of me."
"How could I forget you? I’ve been thinking about you. You see, the first thing I do when I come to the county is to visit you." Zhang Guoqing handed him the wine, stopping him as he spoke, "Master Chef, I’ve got things to do today, so I have to go. I’ll chat with you next time."
Master Huang had heard that this young lad’s Yue Family had arrived, the general and his mother-in-law came to celebrate the "wash three" ceremony for the baby, not knowing how it turned out, but now felt relieved.
"Alright, go ahead, take care of your important matters. Just call out if you need anything."
After bidding farewell, Zhang Guoqing checked the time; it was already afternoon working hours, and the principal was probably at school. He drove to the county high school, got out of the car at the entrance. Before entering the school, the old gatekeeper shouted, "Hey, aren’t you that Zhang Guoqing kid? How come you’re driving a car now? Where’s your little wife? Come inside and chat with your uncle for a while."
Zhang Guoqing sighed inwardly; his plan to secretly go upstairs without alerting anyone and find the principal directly got ruined by the old man’s loud voice. His friends would definitely ditch class to come out.
"Uncle, you seem to be doing quite well. Is the principal in today?"
The old gatekeeper smiled and pointed, "He’s inside, hasn’t gone out today. Where are you working now if you’re not studying? Already driving a car, tell me about it."
Facing the curious old man, Zhang Guoqing briefly said, "I’m still at home. The car is borrowed, need to return it later. We’ll chat when you have time, I need to find the principal now."
After speaking, Zhang Guoqing sneaked away. This old man talked a lot, and if he got caught up here, the whole afternoon would be wasted, unable to get anything done. He avoided the classrooms as much as possible, walking towards the corner, reached the office upstairs, knocked on the principal’s office door, and heard a voice saying come in. He opened the door and saw the old principal waiting for him with a smile.
"How come you’ve spared the time to visit? I thought you and your wife were busy having kids, forgetting which way the school gate opens. Sit down, why are you standing there? Stop grinning like that."
Zhang Guoqing sat sideways respectfully and said, "Principal, even if I forget anything, I won’t forget that this is my alma mater, and there are teachers and friends here."
The principal glanced at him, noticing his half-side sitting, with a smile in his eyes, "Alright, you wouldn’t come without a reason. Spill it, if you’re late and I’m in a bad mood, I might not bother to answer."
"Principal, I wanted to ask you. If Zhou and I plan to retake the college entrance exam, besides not attending regular classes, are there other restrictions?"


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