In the following month, it could be said that it was the most painful month for Sarah Thompson, George Miller, and the younger students under them. No freedom, only oppression. No enjoyment, only studying. Under William Carter's strict pressure, these students—once considered future scum of society by their teachers—made significant academic improvements. This left all the teachers astonished. In their hearts, they wondered: Have my efforts finally moved these delinquent youths and made them change their ways? The school even held a meeting to commend the homeroom teachers of the ninth grade classes. This year’s students were much better than those of previous years, making a great contribution to education. The homeroom teachers all expressed their determination: ‘For the next generation of our country, we will work even harder in the future and teach our students well... (the rest omitted for thousands of words).’

The day of the high school entrance exam finally arrived. The day before, William Carter called together all the brothers who were going to take the exam and asked how their review was going. Everyone lowered their heads in silence. They all knew in their hearts that it wasn’t so easy to make up for three wasted years of study! Seeing that no one spoke, William Carter shook his head and said, “No matter what method you use, tomorrow during the exam, I want each of you to have a pager!”

Sarah Thompson asked, “Dong-ge, what do we need that thing for?” George Miller was stunned at first, but quickly understood, and smacked Sarah Thompson on the head, “Are you an idiot? Dong-ge is going to send us the answers!”

Sarah Thompson, with a look of ‘I totally get it,’ said loudly, “Get lost, you think I don’t know?” Then he turned to a little brother next to him and whispered, “How does sending answers with a pager work?” The little brother looked helpless—Qiang-ge was right, he really is an idiot. But he didn’t dare say that, and started to explain in detail.

Seeing everyone discussing with smiles on their faces, William Carter said loudly, “Anyone who can’t borrow one, raise your hand now, I’ll figure something out for you!” (At that time, pagers were still a novelty in the Northeast, not like now when everyone has a cell phone.)

A few little brothers raised their hands. Sarah Thompson looked around, blushed, lowered his head, and raised his hand. George Miller nudged him from the side, “Hey, Fatty, don’t embarrass yourself. I’ll help you borrow one.”

Sarah Thompson lowered his head even more and said quietly, embarrassed, “My family’s poor!” ‘Haha’—the brothers around all burst out laughing. William Carter smiled and said, “Anyone who can borrow more, borrow as many as you can, help the other brothers get through this, got it?” A few of the wealthier ones shouted, “Got it, Dong-ge!”

William Carter nodded in satisfaction. Sarah Thompson asked, “Dong-ge, did you think of this way to help us pass a long time ago?”

“Sigh! This is called planning ahead. With the little knowledge you guys have, what can you do?”

“Then why did you make us study for a whole month, Dong-ge?” Sarah Thompson voiced the question everyone had in their hearts.

William Carter said seriously, “Because I don’t want you to go to high school like a bunch of idiots. You have to remember, without an education, you’re nothing in society! No matter where you go, no one will respect you. Even if you end up as a boss in the underworld, it’s the same.” Only then did everyone understand William Carter’s intentions—he truly cared about them. They were all moved and said in unison, “Got it, Dong-ge!”

The next day, the entrance of Fourth Elementary School was packed with students’ parents. Because the exam site for No. 2 Middle School was set here, the parents had been standing there all morning to cheer on their children.

Sanyan squatted to the side, chain-smoking, checked his watch, and asked a little brother next to him, “Xiao Hua, go check if all the phone booths are taken.” The one called Little Grace replied “Mm” and ran off. “It’s been over an hour, why aren’t they out yet!” Sanyan muttered impatiently.

“Sanyan-ge, is Dong-ge not coming out?” a little brother next to him asked. Sanyan shook his head—he didn’t know either.

After five minutes, someone patted Sanyan on the shoulder, startling him. He turned around, about to curse, but when he saw it was William Carter, he immediately closed his open mouth. “Dong-ge, where did you come out from? How come I didn’t see you?”

William Carter chuckled and said, “There were people guarding the entrance, so I had to climb over the wall.” As he spoke, he took a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Sanyan. “Hurry up, there’s not much time!”

“Alright, Dong-ge, don’t worry, I won’t miss a single one!” Sanyan took the paper without even looking at it and led the little brothers away.

Finally, the results of the entrance exam came out. All the brothers passed, and William Carter’s score was ranked first in the entire city. But this top scorer in the entrance exam actually requested to attend the No. 1 High School in J City, a third-rate school, leaving the teachers baffled and sighing in their hearts: Such a good seedling is ruined just like that!

William Carter’s parents were even more opposed. Forced into a corner, William Carter finally said to his parents, “Mom, Dad, I’ve grown up. Let me choose my own path for the future! I promise you, three years from now, I will definitely get into college.”

William Carter’s father said to his mother, “Sigh, the child has grown up. He has his own choices. We can force him for a while, but not for a lifetime.” Then he said to William Carter, “Wen Dong, I hope you walk your own path well. There won’t be another chance to regret in the future!”