I Still Prefer Playing in the Fishpond

In late June of 1986, all the students in Peking University's Class of '82 World Economics program gathered in a classroom.

When Li Ye entered the classroom, he discovered that he was actually the last one to arrive.

Today was the day the graduation assignments would be announced. Even the most slack and lazy students had arrived half an hour early.

Li Ye had barely found a seat when a classmate came over and asked in a low voice, "Li Ye, have you heard any inside news? Where will everyone be assigned?"

Li Ye shook his head blankly. "How would I have any inside news? Back when Xianjin was still here, he was the one who fed me inside news. I never paid attention to those baseless rumors."

Li Ye was telling the truth. Ever since Sun Xianjin had gone to Moscow, Li Ye's knowledge of all the rumors swirling around campus had diminished by more than ninety percent.

Every day, he followed his own plans and handled all sorts of serious matters. Where would he find the mood to chase after inside news?

"Hah, I thought that as Mr. Zhang's favorite student, you might know everyone's fate in advance!"

Li Ye was the prized disciple of Professor Zhang, a giant in economics, so everyone assumed he would enjoy certain privileges.

Li Ye hurriedly denied it. "No, no. The professor has never had a habit of leaking the questions in advance. Besides, what difference does it make whether we find out a day earlier or a day later?"

"Sigh, aren't we just worried sick? This is unbearable."

Several dozen students had gathered in the classroom. Though the height of summer had not yet arrived, more than half of them had already begun wiping away sweat.

Getting into university was a