I'm back in 1990

Chapter 1040: Social Interactions and Courtesies Matter Abroad Too

After Cheng Jing sat down, she took the watermelon that Mi Guo handed her, but didn't eat it right away.

"How did your discussion with your dad go about studying abroad?"

Maowa said, "My dad went to see my third uncle this afternoon. My third uncle said he would arrange for me to go abroad. Also, I have already passed the TOEFL, and I am just waiting to apply on the UC school website after August 1st."

Cheng Jing was unfamiliar with the admissions process at American universities, so she asked Mao Wa, "Don't they require exams?"

Seeing that his stepmother didn't quite understand, Maowa explained it simply: "You still need to take exams, but they're a bit different from our college entrance exam. First, you need to pass a language test, which is what people often call the 'TOEFL.' I've already taken it and got 102 points, exceeding UC's requirements. Then you need your junior high and high school GPA scores, which are your math, physics, chemistry, and English grades. As long as you meet the requirements, you can apply online. There will be eight questions during the application process; you just need to answer four of them. These questions are about your personal strengths, characteristics, and opinions on certain issues. They're not difficult; just fill them out based on your own situation."

Maowa described the normal application process for UCLA, but he didn't need such a complicated process. He only needed to provide his TOEFL score and his grades from junior high and high school.

His third uncle had already arranged some things in advance. If things had gone through the normal process, Maowa would not have been able to enroll in school until the year after next, that is, 2013. But because of his third uncle, he could be accepted by UC next year.

Don't ask why. There are also social customs in America, and his third uncle, Huang Xiaochuan, has extensive connections and financial power in the United States, so getting him into UC was just a piece of cake.

After listening, Cheng Jing suddenly sighed softly, "Time flies so fast. I remember when I married your father, you were only this tall." She gestured with her hand, "I didn't expect you to have grown so tall now, and you're about to go abroad to study."

Migo chimed in, "Mom, don't be sad. It's not like my brother isn't coming back."

"I know." Cheng Jing smiled. "I'm just a little worried. Your brother went to such a far place by himself, and suddenly he's in a different environment. I'm afraid he won't be used to it."

Maowa then comforted her, "Auntie, you don't need to worry about that. I've inquired and found that there are many Chinese people and Chinese restaurants in Los Angeles, so there won't be any problems with the food. Besides, I can cook simple dishes myself, like scrambled eggs with tomatoes and stir-fried shredded meat. I've made those dishes several times, and you all said I did a good job."

Maowa is now a grown man, and he knows right from wrong. He knows best how his stepmother has treated him since she came to live with him. They have lived together for so many years, and although he still calls her "Auntie," he has actually come to regard Cheng Jing as his mother.

Cheng Jing continued, "Besides cooking, you'll need to prepare some other things for daily life. I'll buy them for you then."

Mao Wa quickly waved his hand: "Auntie, there's no rush. There's still a year left. I've asked around, and you can buy anything in Los Angeles. I don't need to bring too much stuff from China. I only have two hands, so I can only bring a limited amount of luggage."

Cheng Jing asked in surprise, "You're planning to go alone?" She immediately shook her head, "No, no, I'll have your dad take you there. You won't know anyone there by yourself. Let your dad settle you in before you come back."

Maowa knew his stepmother was concerned about him, and he couldn't refuse her kindness any longer, so he could only give her a perfunctory reply for now: "Auntie, it's too early to discuss this now, let's talk about it later."

After the group finished chatting, Miguo and Maowa took on the task of cleaning up the mess and told Chengjing to go back to her room to rest. They also agreed that Miguo would sleep with her younger sister tonight.

Cheng Jing returned to her bedroom and saw Huang Erhe smoking on the balcony, so she went to the balcony as well.

"Erhe, are you really willing to let Maowa go abroad?" Cheng Jing asked the man in a low voice.

Huang Erhe stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray: "What's the use of being reluctant? You know what's bothering this kid." He sighed, "I really didn't expect this! He planned everything out himself, and I, his father, didn't even know."

Cheng Jing sighed, "This child is carrying too much of a burden. He's so sensible, it breaks my heart. I haven't taken good care of him."

"Don't say that." Huang Erhe waved his hand. "Everyone in the family knows how you've treated him all these years, and Maowa himself knows it too. You haven't wronged this child in any way."

Let's not dwell on the past. Now that he's decided to go abroad, we just need to get things arranged for him. Our main task is to take care of his living arrangements; as for the school, Xiaochuan will handle that.

Cheng Jing asked in surprise, "Mao Wa said you can apply online! Just submit some materials and answer some questions."

Huang Erhe snorted in dissatisfaction: "Do you think UCLA is some diploma mill? It's a top 50 university in the world. Every year, countless students from all over the world apply, but only a handful get accepted."

This greatly surprised Cheng Jing: "Is it that difficult?"

Huang Erhe said, "What do you think? If it weren't for his third uncle, he wouldn't even be able to find the temple gate with a pig's head in his arms. His application was just a formality. In fact, his third uncle has already arranged for him to enroll, and there should be some progress in no more than two weeks."

Cheng Jing nodded. She knew her brother-in-law's capabilities, so she trusted his words without a doubt.

However, she still cautioned the man, "Don't tell Maowa about this, lest it hurt his pride."

"I know." Huang Erhe took out another cigarette and lit it.

Seeing this, Cheng Jing didn't say anything more: "I'm going to take a shower, so smoke less."

A few days after returning from the ancestral worship ceremony at the ancestral hall on the 28th, Lao Huang and Zeng Lijuan learned that Maowa was going to study abroad. Lao Huang made a phone call and summoned his second son to their home.

Upon seeing Huang Erhe, Old Huang glared at him disapprovingly: "Why did you go abroad? Is there no school to study in China? Do you think the moon is rounder abroad than here?"

Old Huang did not approve of his grandson Maowa going abroad. In his opinion, domestic universities are developing very well now and are no worse than those abroad, so why go to the trouble of studying abroad?

Besides, even if we were to go, why not go to Hong Kong? It's closer, and our family owns many properties there, including houses.

Huang Erhe naturally knew what his father was thinking. He was reluctant to part with his grandson. His eldest grandson, Huang Zemian, was going to military school next month, which meant that they would see each other less and less in the future. The old couple would no longer be able to see their eldest grandson anytime, anywhere as they used to.

Now, this second grandson is also planning to study abroad, specifically medicine, which will take more than ten years. Goodness, that means the second grandson will soon be far away from them.

Moreover, his grandson Huang Zeji is clearly going to inherit his father's business in the future, and may even have to be sent abroad to study at university. In that case, none of the three grandsons will be around the old couple in the future.

This was unbearable for Old Huang, who held very traditional values, so he immediately called his second son over.

Huang Erhe also felt wronged. He was caught in the middle and suffered the consequences. As the father, he couldn't ignore his son's thoughts, since that was the reality. But the father's ideas weren't unreasonable either, and there was no way to reconcile the two.

Moreover, it's practically a done deal that Maowa is going abroad. Even if his father objects, it's no use. After all, the older generation still has some limitations in their perspectives and can't keep up with the ever-developing society.

He couldn't explain it to his elderly father, so he could only call his younger brother, Huang Xiaochuan, for help. Sometimes, what his brother said was more effective than what he said.

Unfortunately, Gao Song answered the phone. He said that his boss, Huang Xiaochuan, was attending an economic academic seminar in Beidaihe and was unable to answer the phone.