Chapter 60

"Mom, what's wrong with normal interactions between classmates? Please don't interfere with my college life," Gu Pan said with dissatisfaction, pouting her lips and looking unhappy.

"Pan'er, Mom doesn't want to meddle, but you're still young and easily deceived, especially by those poor boys from the lower class. They have nothing left but their kindness to you. Mom has been young too and experienced the naive years. I know how easily one can be deceived by sweet promises and eternal love," Zheng Yuxiu sighed, speaking earnestly.

"Mom, I want to experience my life myself. Your experiences might be right, but I still want to follow my heart. Even if I go through some hardships, I won't regret it," Gu Pan, who has a stubborn personality, insisted.

"How can you be so disobedient!" Zheng Yuxiu slammed on the brakes, angrily parking the car by the roadside, her temper flaring. "Du Yi's mother has already talked to me about your marriage. We've decided to set the engagement for this year's Spring Festival and get you married after Du Yi graduates and returns to Bingcheng to take over the family business."

Gu Pan, who is typically soft on the outside but hard on the inside, became even more stubborn. She stiffened her face and said coldly, "You are my mom, and I don't want to make you angry, but if you insist on this, just wait and see, you won't find me."

Seeing her daughter's attitude, Zheng Yuxiu, who knows her daughter is even more stubborn than herself, quickly softened her tone and tried to persuade her: "Don't you like Du Yi? You two grew up together since childhood, and both sets of parents are old friends. You will surely be very happy. Once you graduate, you can have a cute baby right away. Do you know how many people envy you? What does a poor student have? After studying hard and graduating from a prestigious university, they still have to look for jobs on the street, working hard for a month just to make ends meet and have a place to live."

"In college, I just want to focus on my studies. I'm still young, and I haven't seen enough of the world's wonders!" Gu Pan still had a cold face and a harsh tone.

"Engagement and marriage are a woman's lifelong destination. Your father and I have already discussed it, and we won't let you act recklessly," Zheng Yuxiu also got angry and raised her voice.

Gu Pan sighed inwardly. I just don't like this kind of life that I can see through from the beginning! I want to be in charge of my own life! Sometimes I really envy those free people, even though they are poor, they can choose to fight for their dreams or live a simple life.

Thinking about it, Gu Pan clenched her fists, her long nails digging into her flesh, but she didn't notice. The pain made her even more determined. I don't want to be a puppet controlled by others, walking to the destination they set for me. I want to see the scenery along the way.

That night was destined to be a night of madness for the top students.

The teachers weren't so lucky. They graded papers until 10 PM before going home. As soon as Yang Yun got home, she started looking up information, preparing in advance.

The next morning, Yang Yun arrived early at the Foreign Languages College of Bingcheng University of Technology. She was familiar with Professor Nan Huiren, a well-known figure in the Foreign Languages College. Professor Nan, who is 80 years old, is still in good health. He practices Tai Chi sword in the open space under the pavilion behind the Foreign Languages College every morning at 6 AM, rain or shine.

Sure enough, Yang Yun found him and respectfully said, "Good morning, Professor Nan."

Professor Nan was still preparing his equipment and chuckled, "Ah, it's Little Yang. So early, what brings you here?" His voice was loud and clear, not at all like that of an 80-year-old.

Yang Yun then told him about the debate last night. Professor Nan became interested and asked to see it, reading it out loud as he went.

A classical British accent.

After finishing, he praised, "When I translated the Book of Songs with Mr. Lin, I was amazed by his skillful use of words. Today, I am equally amazed. It's truly marvelous."

Hearing this, Yang Yun's face turned red with excitement. "Professor Nan, the other teachers who graded the papers all thought it was plagiarism. Has this article ever appeared before, or has it been translated by any scholar in China? I studied it all night, but my knowledge of classical English poetry is poor. I only know that it talks about a king accepting advice, possibly Emperor Taizong of Tang."

"If you didn't say it was from a student's essay, it would be hard to imagine. There are very few people in China who can translate Chinese classical terms. Some classics were even translated by foreign scholars, which makes us feel ashamed. Mr. Lin's skills were indeed profound, but unfortunately, he only managed to translate the Book of Songs. From my perspective, this essay is likely the English translation of 'Ten Admonitions to Emperor Taizong,' and it even adds to the original work." Professor Nan smiled, feeling comforted to have such a talented student.

People of their generation have a strong sense of honor. In the field of classical translation, China is experiencing a shortage of talent, which pains them deeply.

After saying this, Professor Nan recited it from memory again, exclaiming, "It's truly marvelous, as if Mr. Lin were still alive."

Yang Yun was very happy. She finally cleared Liu Meng's name. When she initially moved him to a regular class, and later his magnanimity, made her feel indebted. She wanted to make up for it, and this time, she also had a personal motive in helping him.

"Professor Nan, since it's like this, could you please write a comment on this essay for grading?" Yang Yun seized the opportunity, knowing that Professor Nan is usually very sparing with his words.

Professor Nan took the pen Yang Yun handed him and wrote: "His pen stirs the wind and rain, his poetry moves the gods. Nan Huiren, October 21, 2004, at the pavilion behind the Foreign Languages College."

Yang Yun was delighted. It's done! With such a comment from Professor Nan, it's enough to get a perfect score. She thanked Professor Nan and hurried back, feeling very pleased. This means Liu Meng's English score will be perfect, unprecedented.

Professor Nan was in high spirits and performed his Tai Chi sword with even more vigor. When he finished, he shouted three times, "I am not alone, I am not alone, I am not alone. What a joy, what a joy."

...

That weekend, the top students had a great time, relaxing and playing. The basketball court, usually empty, was full. The stadium had various fields for soccer, people walking while listening to music, running, and everywhere was crowded. It looked like the school was holding some event.

Even the leader and Dong Dong dragged Liu Meng to play table tennis, waiting for 2 hours to play for only 1 hour before the place closed. The leader was unhappy and cursed a few times.

Back in the dorm, the three of them were left in only their underwear. When Cheng Cheng came in, he was startled and laughed, "What's going on? I thought you were doing a 3P, blinding my eyes."

"See you laughing, you just finished talking to He Qin, right?" Dong Dong said with a smile.

Cheng Cheng seemed to be in a good mood and whistled, "That's right, our relationship is great. I plan to go back home after the results come out, a short separation is like a new marriage."

"You just went back, and you've been in Bingcheng for not long. How many times have you gone back?" Dong Dong was very impressed and gave him a thumbs up.

Cheng Cheng hugged Dong Dong and laughed, "How's it going with your hometown girl, Jiaojiao? Be more proactive, get her quickly, or it might be too late."

Wang Haijiao is the hometown girl Dong Dong has been texting.

Dong Dong smiled shyly and scratched his head, "I still have classes, not as carefree as you."

As they were laughing and joking, Guo Yu knocked on the door and pushed it open, shouting, "Hey, I just checked, the results are out. The school was very efficient this time, the teachers worked overtime to grade the papers. I just checked, and they're all out."

Once the results were out, the top students were no longer calm. It was the fruit of their hard work, their military medals.

Guo Yu continued, "I did poorly in math this time. I thought I would get a perfect score, but I lost 3 points in 'Engineering Mathematical Analysis,' only getting 97. 'Linear Algebra' was a bit better, but I still lost 2 points. Damn, I don't know which bastard graded it."

His voice was full of indignation. He then said, "I only got 127 in English. Damn, how many points did they deduct for the essay? I'm so frustrated, so frustrated."

Hearing the results were out, Cheng Cheng stood up. Hearing Guo Yu's tone, which was clearly showing off, he was very unhappy and wanted to check his results to outdo this idiot.

"Move, you fatso, you're blocking the way," Cheng Cheng pushed Guo Yu's large body aside, very unhappy.

Guo Yu rolled his big eyes.

A moment later, Cheng Cheng and Lao Ma came in. Cheng Cheng had just checked his results and was very unhappy. He got 90 in 'Engineering Mathematical Analysis,' 95 in 'Linear Algebra,' and only 116 in English, completely losing to Guo Yu, which made him very angry.

"Lao Ma, have you checked your results? How many points did you get?" As soon as Lao Ma came in, Guo Yu asked, not even bothering to ask Cheng Cheng. He believed that in this class, only Lao Ma and Liu Meng could pose a threat to him.

"Checked, it's okay!" Lao Ma smiled modestly, his small face blooming like a little chrysanthemum.

"How many points? Just say it, what's there to be embarrassed about!" Guo Yu continued.

"100 in 'Engineering Mathematical Analysis,' 100 in 'Linear Algebra,' and 139 in English," Lao Ma said with a smug smile.

"Damn, Lao Ma, you're amazing!" Guo Yu said excitedly.

Liu Meng was also surprised by these results. It was indeed impressive, getting perfect scores in both math subjects. Although he knew how to solve the problems, Liu Meng couldn't guarantee a perfect score, as it has some element of chance.

He couldn't help but stare at Lao Ma, not expecting him to score so high!

The leader, Cheng Cheng, and Dong Dong also expressed their admiration, saying he was incredibly impressive.

Lao Ma was also very happy. He had always been overshadowed by Liu Meng in math exercises, which made him very unhappy. This time, he got double perfect scores, and no matter how good Liu Meng was at math, he couldn't surpass him. As for English, he was in the advanced class, so he couldn't be outdone by someone in a regular class, right?

"Amazing, Lao Ma, from now on, I'll sit next to you during self-study and learn from you. You scored 17 points more than me, what a gap," Guo Yu praised Lao Ma with his loud voice, glancing at the stunned Liu Meng. He then asked, "Liu Meng, have you checked your results? How many points did you get? Don't be embarrassed to say it!"

...

This chapter is especially dedicated to my reader, Xiao Lin. He just graduated from high school and has been admitted to a military academy. He is very honest and sincere. When he joined the book club, he introduced himself honestly, even revealing his real name. He is a very reliable young man who will soon be studying in Henan. Any single girls in Henan can join the book club and get to know him. Thank you for the support, the reviews, and for fighting for the Baidu Tieba at midnight. Thanks, brother!