Chapter 33: Tingting 31

"Really?" Tan You's eyes widened. "Principal, it's me. I just had my phone on silent."

Principal Tang's voice rose an octave on the other end. "It's fine, it's fine! Tingting, you've really done it! You know, getting a call in the middle of the night like this—you've truly brought honor to our school."

Tan You pursed her lips and smiled. "It's all thanks to the teachers. Everyone has taken such good care of me, and the school has been very supportive."

Principal Tang was deeply moved. "That's wonderful. I even went out of my way to look into it—the boy who took second place this time is the same one who beat you by a single point in the high school entrance exam. Let him be proud; look at him now, still not being able to match you!"

Tan You found it amusing. "You're still keeping track of that? I never even thought about it."

Principal Tang said with a beaming smile, "You've won the provincial top spot this time; the rewards from the city won't be small. I expect those prestigious universities will be fighting to recruit you. Have you decided what major you want to study?"

"Not yet. Teacher Shi said she would help me consult, but I haven't mentioned it to her yet. But Principal, exactly how many points did I get?"

"Only three points away from a perfect score! And you got A's in both elective subjects." Principal Tang's voice grew louder. "I can hardly believe it—Tingting, you are truly amazing!"

"I've already spoken to Teacher Shi on your behalf. Now, all the teachers at school know how exceptionally well you performed."

Tan You's eyes crinkled into a smile. "I see. I don't really know much about choosing a major, so I'll ask Teacher Shi later. With my grades, I assume the university will provide scholarships as well?"

"That's a given," Principal Tang said with immense satisfaction. "If you feel too shy to ask when the time comes, we'll negotiate for you. We definitely won't let you be tricked into something blindly."

Tan You happily let the teachers worry. "Alright, I trust the teachers. Let's arrange to meet at the school then."

She didn't even consider letting Han Guangzhi or Han Tingting's biological mother get involved. She would have to be insane to let others dictate her life.

After hanging up with Principal Tang, Tan You returned the phone to Factory Director Yang, only to find a crowd gathered around her, every eye shining like a lightbulb.

"Did Tingting really become the top scorer? The provincial top scorer? How impressive!"

"Is there even a question? Tingting's grades have always been excellent."

"During the high school entrance exam, she was just one point away from being the city top scorer. It was because the other student's father had policy bonus points that she lost by a single point. Now, she can finally hold her head high."

Han Tingting felt helpless. She hadn't even taken the matter to heart, yet all these aunts and neighbors remembered it vividly.

Factory Director Yang tucked the phone away as if it were a treasure. "This is a phone touched by the provincial top scorer! I must keep it safe; this is good luck!"

Tan You shrugged. "Uncle Yang, I've touched so many things over the past few years. Are you going to collect every single one of them?"

"That's a must!" Factory Director Yang had a sudden idea. "In the future, I'll seal up your workbench and everything else. I won't let anyone touch it."

Tan You had only spoken in passing, but she hadn't expected Factory Director Yang to take her seriously.

After the commotion died down, everyone dispersed. Master Hu patted Tan You on the shoulder. "Well done. Have you thought about what major you want to study?"

"Not yet, but I want to earn a lot, a lot of money in the future." Tan You wasn't afraid of her master thinking she was vulgar. "I've had enough of this life of living hand-to-mouth. I want to earn enough money so that Han Guangzhi and... others... no one will ever dare look down on me again."

Master Hu said, "You will definitely earn a lot of money. I see that you enjoy settling down to work and don't particularly enjoy socializing. Studying fashion design wouldn't be a bad idea. Once you become a famous designer and can fly abroad to hold shows, you'll also have a steady stream of wealth."

Tan You rested her chin on her hand. "That sounds plausible, but my imagination is quite limited, and my understanding of art isn't deep. I worry that if I focus solely on this, my achievements might be meager in the end."

Master Hu thought for a moment. "Then choose a second major as a backup. Don't universities offer elective second majors? Sometimes, I don't agree with turning a hobby into a profession. Perhaps having a bit of wild imagination in your daily life will actually result in more striking designs."

Tan You understood. "Alright, I'll think about it later."

The news of Tan You being the provincial top scorer was impossible to hide. On her way home from work in the afternoon, everyone she met congratulated her. Tan You wasn't surprised; that was just how life was in the countryside.

It was the kind of place where if you passed gas at noon, the whole village would know within two hours—though that was a somewhat unrefined metaphor.

When she arrived home, Han Cunming was flushed with excitement.

Tan You looked at her suspiciously. "You weren't this happy when the high school entrance exam results came out."

"That's different! Back then, you weren't the top scorer, but now you are!" Han Cunming said decisively. "I never imagined that one day our family would produce a top scorer. Isn't this a grand event that brings glory to our ancestors?"

Only then did Tan You realize that the one-point difference from the high school entrance exam had been something Han Cunming had held onto for all these years.

She felt a bit guilty. "If only I had worked harder back then, you wouldn't have had to worry about it all this time."

"That's not your fault; you already did very well." Han Cunming waved it off. "If anyone is to blame, it's your father for being useless. Who told him he couldn't bring glory to his children? Look at you—you haven't enjoyed any of his benefits since the day you were born."

"Look at other people's fathers, being able to add points for their sons. And him? He has nothing to show for it."

Seeing Han Cunming's huffy expression, Tan You found it funny. "If he has nothing to show, then so be it. I never expected anything from him anyway."

As she spoke, she sat down at the table. "Did you go out specifically to buy groceries?"

"Of course! For a joyous occasion like this, we must celebrate." Han Cunming unwrapped the prepared dishes. "Your principal called me, too, and several other schools have contacted me."

"And what did you say?" Tan You's chopsticks paused. This old woman was usually quite shrewd; surely she wouldn't involve Han Guangzhi in something this important?

"I made it clear: we will not consider any offer that involves contacting Han Guangzhi or your biological mother." Han Cunming said proudly. "Do I look like someone without a brain? For a major life event like this, they can't possibly compare to your school's teachers."

"Having your principal and the teachers help is much more reliable than Han Guangzhi."

Tan You placed a large chicken drumstick in Han Cunming's bowl. "You are truly wise."

Han Cunming was beaming with pride. "Naturally. Your grandfather is this smart; do you think I'd drop the ball at a time like this? Are you going to work tomorrow?"

"I won't go for the next two days. Before I finished work, the principal contacted me. Tomorrow, admissions officers from various schools will be coming to the school. I'll take you with me then. You must be present for such an important occasion."

Tan You took a bite of dried fish, her eyes narrowing slightly, clearly in a very good mood.