BSS - Chapter 75

Chapter 75

The light outside the bed curtain had gone out at some point. The dorm was completely dark, and the world became silent. The early morning hours belonged only to sleepless thoughts and the stars above, but Deng Chuan's worries had been completely washed away by her tears. In the last moment before she was completely enveloped by sleep, she thought hazily: she had never seen the starry sky in Beijing.

The days that followed didn't change just because of one person's change of heart. Everything moved forward steadily.

After the military training, Zhou Zhi and Li Mingtang took the selection exam for the school's 2+2 student exchange program. The results were announced shortly before the final exams, and both of them successfully passed the written test and began preparing for the next round of interviews.

Xie Yao, on the other hand, had little interest in programs abroad. Her goal was to be recommended for graduate school, and P University had high GPA requirements for that, not placing much importance on other undergraduate activities. This respected Xie Yao's socially anxious nature. After the midterms, she spent most of her time in the library. Deng Chuan rarely saw her in the dorm before ten at night.

As for Deng Chuan, she still hadn't found any answers about her future. For now, she was single-mindedly focused on doing what she was supposed to do. There were still many opportunities, and she wasn't in a hurry at all.

And indeed, opportunities came one after another.

Right before the final exams, P University's freshman scholarships for the year were also announced. This was a university-wide scholarship, comprehensively evaluated based on high school grades, social service experience, awards, and other factors. Students with financial difficulties could also apply independently.

Based on the preliminary award from the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition, her past academic performance, and her entrance exam scores, and after submitting written materials and undergoing an interview, Deng Chuan ultimately became one of the twenty freshman scholarship recipients in the School of Economics and Management.

She was also the only freshman from the Finance and Economics major to win the award.

Because she was selected for the freshman scholarship, Deng Chuan was also able to represent the Finance and Economics major at the student representative conference held after the midterms.

Deng Chuan's advisor was an open-minded middle-aged man from the south. He spoke with a bit of an accent but wasn't strict. As long as you gave a reason, requests for leave were easily approved. He was also very good at helping students resolve conflicts from their perspective.

Because he was easygoing and approved leave requests readily, the students had a good impression of him. Deng Chuan frequented his office for student affairs like the scholarship and the student representative conference, and over time, she became familiar with him. Sometimes, this teacher would call her to his office to help organize materials. In the end, even though Deng Chuan wasn't a class officer, he pulled her into the class officers' group chat, saying it was for the sake of "good communication with everyone."

Deng Chuan was quite embarrassed and wanted to leave the group after her advisor added her, but everyone in the group stopped her. They all usually saw her as an unapproachable beauty, and now that they finally had a chance to get closer, they spammed the chat with stickers, telling her not to leave.

They were all young, and they gradually became friends. Besides relaying various notices from the school, the group was usually for joking around, chatting about how hard today's class was, how the headphones for English class were broken so no one could do the listening exercises, or how a cat that had wandered into the academic area had actually burst into the old professor's Western Economics class and been carried out by the professor mid-lecture.

On weekends with little homework, they would also arrange to go out and stay at a guesthouse. The academic representative was a girl from Guangdong who was a great cook, and she would cook for everyone in the guesthouse kitchen. She really liked Deng Chuan and made her a special claypot rice. She had brought her own clay pot, and there was only one serving, which led to protests from everyone else. In the end, everyone got a haphazard bite from the pot but couldn't really taste much.

Good interpersonal relationships eliminated most troubles, and Deng Chuan gradually felt like a fish in water in her school life.

Perhaps it was just Deng Chuan's imagination, but autumn in Beijing seemed to arrive slowly and be very brief. The autumn tiger had just retreated, and the weather began to turn colder day by day. At one end of the sports field, the red flag fluttered in the air; at this end of the campus road, red leaves fell from the branches of the trees and were swept to the sides of the road. The sky was blue and distant, reflected on P University's famous lake. When the lake's surface moved without wind, the sky would ripple with it.

As a renowned university in the country, P University had many beautiful scenic spots. Many freshmen, upon entering the school, would make special trips to check in at various places on campus to experience the charm of the century-old institution.

But the place Deng Chuan frequented the most was still the library. P University's library was very modern and located near the student living area. Coming out of the gym and turning right, Deng Chuan could get there in almost no time.

Next to the library was a coffee shop. Many students would order a coffee, pull out a book, and study there. The aroma of coffee and the studying customers were all very quiet, with only music flowing through the air. However, it was usually international students who studied in the coffee shop. Deng Chuan wasn't sure why, but that was the case.

Walking on the campus road, red leaves would often fall onto her shoulders unexpectedly. On mornings when she couldn't fully wake up from rising early, Deng Chuan would often buy an Americano from this coffee shop next to the library, take it up to the fifth floor, and sit at her usual spot by the window. She would open her book and slowly finish her coffee as she read.

Amidst the aroma of coffee, the red leaves, and the dense text in her professional books, Deng Chuan started wearing a thick coat, and the air grew increasingly dry. One day, while looking down at her book, she suddenly got a nosebleed. For the first time, she perceived the change of seasons through her body, a clear message that winter had arrived.

In the few weeks before classes ended, the courses were mainly focused on review and self-study. The last class of the day was Microeconomics. After the bell rang, Deng Chuan packed up her textbook, picked up her bag, and prepared to go to the cafeteria with Zhou Zhi as usual, then to the gym, after which they would part ways—Zhou Zhi back to the dorm, and she to the library.

Just as she was about to leave, the teacher, who was surrounded by students asking questions at the podium, called out to her, "Deng Chuan. Wait a moment. The department has something to talk to you about."

The microeconomics teacher was the youngest of all her major course instructors. She was a woman in her early thirties with an aura somewhat similar to her Little Aunt. Deng Chuan found her very approachable, and when she went to ask questions, her attitude couldn't help but become more familiar.

However, apart from the occasional question, Deng Chuan didn't have much contact with this teacher.

Deng Chuan didn't know what the teacher wanted to see her about. She patted Zhou Zhi's shoulder. "Don't wait for me. I don't know how long this will take. You go ahead."

Zhou Zhi said, "Okay," and waved at her. "Call me if you need anything. I'm off."

Zhou Zhi left breezily, her figure disappearing around the corner of the stairs. Deng Chuan stood at the classroom door with her bag, waiting for the teacher who was still answering questions. Familiar classmates came out one by one, greeting her.

Just as the greetings were in full swing, the teacher came out. She was holding her textbook and carrying her laptop bag, so she couldn't pat Deng Chuan's shoulder. She just gestured with her chin. "Quite lively, aren't we? Aren't you all going to eat? Deng Chuan, let's go."

Deng Chuan pretended not to see the group of students winking at her and followed the teacher out.

The teacher walked ahead, turning to call to her, "This way. We're going to the department head's office."

Deng Chuan acknowledged with an "okay," quickened her pace to walk beside the teacher, and reached out to help with the books in her hand. The teacher dodged with a smile. "No need. You're quite thoughtful. Do you know why the department is looking for you?"

Deng Chuan answered honestly, "I'm not sure."

The teacher said, "I'll give you a heads-up. There's a one-year exchange student program, and the department has nominated you as a candidate."

Deng Chuan's heart skipped a beat. She turned her head and asked, "Teacher, where is the exchange program to?"

The teacher shrugged. She must have studied abroad before, as the gesture was particularly natural. "Based on previous years, it could be Cambridge, or it could be Oxford. I'm not entirely sure. You'll find out in a bit."

Deng Chuan could only say, "Thank you, Teacher."

"Mm. You're welcome." The elegant-featured female teacher turned to look at her. "You shouldn't have any difficulties, right? An undergraduate degree in Finance and Economics isn't very competitive. Going on exchange will be very helpful for your future studies and life."

Deng Chuan mumbled an "mm."

Seeing her like this, a trace of curiosity flashed in the teacher's eyes, but she didn't press further. The two walked in silence for a while, and they soon arrived at the department office.

Several old professors and the department head were already seated in the office. When they saw the two enter, the professor sitting by the door closed it behind them.

Seeing Deng Chuan come in, the department head kindly pointed to an empty chair in front of him. "Student Deng Chuan, have a seat."

Deng Chuan had met the department head before because of the freshman scholarship and the student representative conference. She recognized some of the professors in the office but not others. She nodded to the professors, sat down carefully, and the microeconomics teacher found a seat for herself and poured Deng Chuan a glass of water.

Seeing Deng Chuan seated, the department head picked up a file folder from his desk and handed it to her. "Deng Chuan, don't be nervous. Teacher Zhang has told you, right? We called you here today for something good."

Deng Chuan took the folder and looked at the department head earnestly, waiting for him to continue. "Our School of Economics and Management has always had a specialized talent cultivation plan. There is now a one-year exchange student program, this year with Oxford. After due consideration and evaluation, the school has decided to assign this spot to you."

"The folder contains your past records, but they're not comprehensive enough. Please fill out your past awards, transcripts, and a personal evaluation completely, following the format of the forms inside, and submit it to the department."

Deng Chuan squeezed the manila folder in her hands. "Teacher, specifically… when would I go?"

"After your freshman year ends. You'll go on exchange for your sophomore year. In your junior year, you can apply to stay there, or you can come back and consider which schools to apply to for graduate studies."

Seeing Deng Chuan looking thoughtful, the department head pushed the glass of water the microeconomics teacher had poured toward her and said kindly, "You are a very smart and promising child. The teachers in the department all think highly of you. When you come back, your personal abilities will have improved greatly. By then, the level you operate at and your perspective will be different. Whether you want to stay at our university or apply to a better one, the school will support you."

"This is also the purpose of the specialized talent cultivation plan. We hope you can seize this opportunity, study hard, and return with your knowledge to contribute to the development of our country."

The department head's words were spoken with great sincerity, and Deng Chuan couldn't help but be moved. She stood up, bowed to all the teachers in the room, and said seriously, "Thank you, teachers. But I'd like to… discuss this with my family first. Could you give me a few days to think it over?"

"Of course." The department head wasn't annoyed by Deng Chuan's words. He had seen many students whose joy was written all over their faces when presented with this opportunity. Deng Chuan's hesitation was rare, but her composure was also very valuable. "Discuss it with your family. I believe they will not refuse this opportunity for you to become even better."

Deng Chuan clutched the manila folder tightly, bowed to the department head and professors again, and, after the department head gestured that she could leave, turned and pushed open the office door.

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