Chapter 3

One month later, in Professor Lei Xiaogu's office

I (voiceover): "Wow, the time jump is so sudden. A few times and it's already synchronized. TV shows are turning into live reality shows."

@

Robin: "Are you going to fail my required courses?" —— surprised

Lei Xiaogu: "Exactly."

I (voiceover): "Young man, tragedy, huh?"

@

Robin: "How can this be? My attendance, credits, and exams should all be passed..." —— puzzled

Lei Xiaogu: "Graduation thesis." —— pointing out

I (voiceover): "Did you copy the thesis?"

@

Robin: "What's wrong with my graduation thesis? I didn't copy it..." —— surprised

I (voiceover): "Really didn't copy it?"

@

Lei Xiaogu: "I didn't say you copied the thesis."

I (voiceover): "Huh? Not?"

@

Robin: "Then why? Is it because I'm slacking off?" —— agitated

Lei Xiaogu: "Exactly."

Kent: "How many people have you failed?"

Lei Xiaogu: "Just him."

Robin: "Just me? It's not just me in the department who's slacking off, and I'm not the most typical one. Why only target me... (suddenly shocked, as if realizing something) Professor, do you have a dog?" —— stepping forward

I (voiceover): "Very likely!!!"

@

Kent: "Calm down, if you get physical, it's all over." —— quickly holding back Robin

Lei Xiaogu: "A dog? I don't have the time for that."

Robin: "Then why only fail me? Can you give an explanation?"

Lei Xiaogu: "Explanation? Because you're the only public-funded student in the department who hasn't found a job."

I (voiceover): "What kind of explanation is this?"

@

Robin, Kent: "Ah?" —— in unison

I (voiceover): "See, not just me who doesn't understand."

@

Lei Xiaogu: "Actually, there are many people in the school who just want a university degree to find a good job in the city. If you're one of them, I would let you pass, no problem. But you're a public-funded student, your tuition is paid by the state, which comes from taxes. If you want to work in a private company to pay back your student loans, I wouldn't make it hard for you. But so far, you haven't found a job. It's clear you want to join the 'Volunteer Service Program for Western China' and continue slacking off in the west. At your level, going to the west to teach would mislead students, damage the school's reputation, and mine. I can't afford to let you do that. For this reason, I can't let you pass your graduation thesis. You can choose another professor next year, or I'll fail you again."

Robin, Kent: "..." —— speechless

I (voiceover): "... top student."

@

Robin: "Professor, you misunderstood. I absolutely do not want to join the 'Volunteer Service Program for Western China' and continue slacking off. I have other dreams. I don't want to teach at all. Today, I went to the Gotham City Police Department for the final interview." —— quickly explaining

Lei Xiaogu: "Oh? So your dream is to be a police officer. According to Kent, you mostly skipped classes to exercise. You do have the strength to catch thieves and some cleverness... Alright, as long as the police department accepts you, I'll let you pass your graduation thesis."

I (voiceover): "Accepted by the police department... that phrase has a double meaning."

@

Robin: "Well... the main interviewer for the final interview has a dog... and is the president of the Gotham City Dog Association..." —— stammering

Lei Xiaogu: "Ah? How does it come back to dogs again?" —— confused

I (voiceover): "No need to ask, he's definitely blown. He's a red flag in the main interviewer's eyes."

@

Robin: "In short, due to irresistible force, I can't become a police officer. But don't worry, it won't affect my pursuit of my dreams. My dream isn't to be a police officer. I can achieve my dream through other means." —— struggling to explain

Lei Xiaogu: "Stop beating around the bush. Tell me straight what you really want to do!" —— impatient

Robin: "Su... Superhero." —— softly

Lei Xiaogu: "Huh?" —— thinking he heard wrong

I (voiceover): "Ah, that's the right reaction."

@

Robin: "My dream is to be a superhero! To fight evil and maintain world peace!" —— loudly

Lei Xiaogu: "Is he joking with me?" —— asking Kent

Kent: "No, he wouldn't dare." —— helping to prove

Lei Xiaogu: "... So that's why you wanted to be a police officer? What a wild dream. Wanting to be a superhero is even less realistic than being a top assassin in the Shadow Alliance." —— dismissive

I (voiceover): "Sure enough, he's dissing it... but what's the Shadow Alliance?"

@

Robin: "Does Professor also read 'Shadow Alliance'?" —— surprised

Lei Xiaogu: "Yes, I even know the comic author of 'Shadow Alliance'."

I (voiceover): "So it's a comic."

@

Robin: "Do you know the original author of the 'Shadow Alliance' novel? I'm a big fan. The publisher keeps his information secret, and readers only know his pen name — 'Ninja Master'."

Lei Xiaogu: "Don't try to get close to me (calming down) ... Even if we have common interests, I won't compromise my principles. As long as you don't find a job, you have the possibility of going to the west to teach, where they accept anyone."

I (voiceover): "Well, no luck there."

@

Kent: "If Robin finds a job, will you definitely let him off?"

Lei Xiaogu: "Yes, I said that. As long as he finds a job in the city..." —— taking a sip of water

Robin: "Oh." —— relieved

Lei Xiaogu: "Within half a month." —— continuing

Robin, Kent: "Ah?"

I (voiceover): "This is a tough one..."

@

Robin: "Isn't that too rushed?" —— panicked

Lei Xiaogu: "Can't help it, it's a school rule. I have to submit the graduation thesis evaluations by the end of this month so the school can issue diplomas. By then, it will be too late to change anything."

I (voiceover): "In other words, if he doesn't find a job within half a month, he's done for."

@

Kent: "Can't you be more flexible? I promise he won't go to the west to teach and embarrass you and the school." —— unwilling

Lei Xiaogu: "If you're really his best friend, instead of arguing with me, you should help him find job fairs and post job applications. See if any companies are hiring. Otherwise, he won't graduate."

Robin: "How can this be? I had everything planned out. Oh God, why?" —— stunned

I (voiceover): "Who made you run into a top student and a dog lover? They have the ability to play with you and are willing to do so. No reason, young man, accept your fate."

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