"You actually want to try for Liangzhou University, have you lost your mind?" Kong Xiuwen asked softly.
"I've checked for you; Liangzhou University's score line is the lowest among the nine elite universities. You need to aim for the Martial Arts College of Liangzhou University. The score requirement for the cultural courses in the Martial Arts College is lower, and with the added points you have, you will just need to score 500."
Xiang Beifei said.
"What's the use of you checking for me? It's mainly about you! I've heard that different Awakeners have different score lines," Kong Xiuwen said.
"As an N-level System Awakener, you need to score 670," Xiang Beifei stated calmly.
The total score for the Gaokao is 750 points.
Each of the nine elite universities has two types of colleges.
The Liberal Arts College has its admission standards, focusing on all walks of life.
As for the Martial Arts College, they do not demand high scores for cultural courses, so they lower the acceptance score.
I don't need to mention SR or SSR System Awakeners; they are all guaranteed admission.
For S-level Awakeners, the admission line for the Martial Arts College is 550 points.
For R-level Awakeners, the admission line for the Martial Arts College is 600 points.
The other eight elite universities do not admit N-level System Awakeners. Only Liangzhou University gives N-level System Awakeners a chance.
Even so, for N-level Awakeners, the admission line for Liangzhou University is as high as 670 points, the highest threshold for both the liberal and martial dao.
Furthermore, you have to pass the university's entrance examination. If you fail the assessment, they will still reject you.
In the past, there were several N-level Awakeners with excellent scores in cultural courses who managed to score 670, but still failed at the entrance examination.
Because Liangzhou University has strict requirements for N-level students, not only do they need to meet cultural course standards, but they must also pass the assessment.
Liangzhou University hasn't enrolled N-level System students for ten consecutive years.
"670 points! Without any bonus points, that's an astronomical figure, can you do it?"
This score was something Kong Xiuwen never dared to dream of. Adding up his scores in all subjects, managing to get 400 points would already mean his ancestors were blessing him.
S-levels get an addition of 50 points, R-levels get 10 points. These Awakeners at least have special lenient policies. But for N-level Awakeners in the Gaokao, there are no extra points; admission to elite universities relies solely on actual scores, in addition to passing a strict assessment, which is extremely difficult.
"My system task is to get me into Liangzhou University. I must work toward this goal," Xiang Beifei said.
"What a crappy system you have!"
Kong Xiuwen finally understood what Xiang Beifei meant—it wasn't that he wanted to go to Liangzhou University, but the system wanted him to.
If he didn't complete the system task, it would be difficult to progress; he would remain mediocre for life.
"You only need to score 500 points, and you can get into Liangzhou University, so you need to improve your grades within two months. It's better to go to an elite university than a regular one," Xiang Beifei said.
"What about you? Can you improve from 400 to 670 points in two months?" Kong Xiuwen asked.
"I don't have a choice. Even if it's impossible, I still have to do it, understand?" Xiang Beifei said.
He actually had great confidence, "Learn by Analogy" made studying for cultural courses incredibly simple.
"Your system is even more of a scam than mine."
Kong Xiuwen pulled at his hair, looking at Xiang Beifei with a face full of sympathy.
Losing hair at least makes you stronger, but Xiang Beifei's first task was almost as hard as ascending to heaven.
"Quit the nonsense. Are you setting this small goal or not?"
"Since you have such a grand task, I must keep up! It's just improving by a hundred points in a short time, right? I'm all in!"
At worst, he would just lose a few more strands of hair!
Kong Xiuwen had some auxiliary potions in his S-level system's store that could invigorate his mind, making his thinking more agile.
He hadn't wanted to use these; he preferred to buy things that increased strength. But now, he had to change his training focus and, with the help of the system, get admitted to Liangzhou University first.
——
After school, he didn't go home with Kong Xiuwen; instead, he headed for the vegetable market.
His grandfather made a living selling vegetables at the market, and Xiang Beifei wanted to help out.
When Xiang Beifei arrived at the bustling vegetable market, it was evening, and there were a lot of people buying vegetables. The market was teeming and noisy.
He found his grandfather in the middle of haggling with a vegetable vendor.
"No, listen here, young lady, a bundle of green onions is just ninety cents, and you're still bargaining?"
Xiang Qingde shook his head at the stout woman in front of him.
She had a basket slung over her arm, wore a necklace around her neck, and her makeup was thick, her lipstick especially obvious.
"The quality of these onions isn't great, see? The tips are turning yellow. They're not fresh. Even ninety cents a bunch is too much. I'll take two for a dollar fifty and how about you throw in two pieces of ginger?" the woman hollered in a loud voice.
"Who does business like that? These onions were picked straight from the field today. Go on, find someone selling fresher ones!"
Xiang Qingde was about to reason with the woman, but when he caught sight of Xiang Beifei approaching, he was very surprised, "Beifei, what brings you to a place like this?"
"I just came to see if you needed any help," Xiang Beifei said.
"I can manage by myself; why would I need your help? Aren't you in your third year of high school? Shouldn't you be reviewing your coursework?" Xiang Qingde asked. "You never liked coming here before, and now sudden... You haven't run into some trouble, have you?"
Xiang Qingde was somewhat anxious.
Meanwhile, the plump woman was getting impatient, "I'm asking you, old brother, are you selling or not?"
"Alright, alright, take them for a dollar fifty!" Xiang Qingde, more concerned about Xiang Beifei, quickly settled the haggling over the onions.
The woman left, pleased as punch after paying.
Xiang Beifei glanced at the woman's system, which had awakened a "Level N Bargaining System."
"[You've just haggled the price of a bunch of green onions below market value, your system points +0.01]"
...
Bargaining System?
Too bad this aunty doesn't know about Pinduoduo.
Otherwise, it's all about chipping in with your bros!
You could definitely haggle your way to a prosperous path.
"Grandpa, you sold at a loss," Xiang Beifei pointed out.
"It's alright, are you okay?" Xiang Qingde pulled him over and gave him a once-over while asking, "Did someone bully you at school again?"
Why does everyone think I get bullied?
Do I look too naive or something?
"I just wanted to clear my head; studying non-stop can get pretty boring," Xiang Beifei said.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Really," Xiang Beifei assured.
"Alright then, take a seat for now. We did good business today, made 60 bucks. It's time to close up, and there are usually more customers around this time. Once it's over, I'll take you out to eat. They're supposed to celebrate your system awakening yesterday, and I still haven't taken you out."
"Okay."
Xiang Beifei watched his grandfather efficiently serve the customers, lending a hand where he could, grabbing bags and helping bag up the vegetables.
But internally, he was weighing his current predicament.
Grandpa earns just 60 bucks after a whole day selling vegetables?
Suddenly, he felt a pang of sympathy for his grandfather.
That earning 60 bucks could make him so happy.