Chapter 13: Tingting 11

He could see clearly that since Han Tingting shared his surname, she was family. He could no longer rely on his son, but if his granddaughter proved to be successful, she could completely take in a son-in-law in the future, ensuring he would have someone to care for him in his old age.

So, how many fools were there in this world? He estimated that the only truly foolish ones were the former Han Tingting and the current Tan You. But it didn't matter; Tan You would grow into her potential bit by bit.

Besides checking Tan You's grades at school, Han Cunming's mission this time was to bring back her bedding and luggage. Tan You couldn't manage on her own.

Their first stop was naturally the boarding facility. The facility was very busy, with most parents helping their children pack. Han Tingting's reputation was known to almost all the parents; as soon as they saw Han Cunming and his group, they pulled him aside to incessantly praise his ability to raise a child.

"Uncle Han, you really know how to raise a granddaughter. Your Tingting's grades are so good now."

"I heard from my child that Tingting used to be at the bottom of the class, but in just these two months, she suddenly became so serious. She's even ranking first in the grade now."

"That's incredible. I heard she stays up studying with the ninth-grade girls until midnight. Is it true she works that hard?"

"If my child worked that hard, I'd sell everything I own just to keep her in school!"

"Isn't that right? What else would a child that young do if not study? And Han Tingting's grades are so excellent."

Listening to the parents' praise, Han Cunming was stunned. First in the grade? Could they be mistaken? Wasn't Han Tingting always at the bottom? How did she become number one?

Han Cunming managed to keep his composure. He didn't ask on the spot; he would find out once he saw the report card. However, during the half-hour spent packing luggage, everything he heard was praise for Han Tingting.

The landlady was particularly vocal: "Your Han Tingting is bound to have a great future! While others are thinking about going out to play, she comes back and studies immediately, staying up until midnight every night."

"She's so well-behaved and steady in everything she does! You must continue to nurture her well."

Han Cunming nodded to each point: "Don't worry. As long as she is able to learn, I will definitely keep supporting her education."

The landlady thought for a moment, then suddenly pulled Han Cunming aside. "My cousin is the Dean of the High School department. I mentioned Han Tingting's situation to him once. He looked at her transcript and said that if she maintains this level of performance, there is a high probability she will receive the school's scholarship subsidies."

"Tuition and miscellaneous fees would be waived, and the school would even provide a monthly living allowance—provided, of course, that Han Tingting's grades remain this good."

"I will work hard to earn that spot," Tan You suddenly spoke up. She had a vague idea about this, but hearing the definitive word from the landlady made her commit it deeply to her heart.

The landlady smiled. "As long as you work hard, you can definitely do it."

Han Cunming also took this to heart. If his granddaughter truly secured this scholarship, she could definitely continue her studies in high school. If she actually made it to university, he would deal with that when the time came.

Lost in thought, they arrived at the classroom. Since arriving in this world, Tan You had not changed her seat; she still sat in the very last row. While others had desk mates, she sat alone at her own desk.

Han Cunming sat on her small stool. "You're still sitting in the last row? Don't good students sit in the front?"

Tan You was busy wiping the desk. "I don't get along with the others, and we don't have much to say. Sitting alone is fine."

Han Cunming didn't say much more. He was just an ordinary old man from the countryside, and he was not skilled at handling social relationships or peer dynamics. His own reputation in the village wasn't particularly great either, so he truly had little guidance to offer his granddaughter.

The classroom was very lively today, with many parents present. As it was the end of the semester, parents naturally wanted to understand their children's academic progress. Most of those present were grandparents; while some parents were there, they were fewer in number.

Han Cunming didn't talk to others, but parents inevitably sought him out. Especially after learning he was Han Tingting's grandfather, the surrounding parents began asking him for advice on educational experience.

Han Cunming spoke stumblingly, "She... she is just self-disciplined. I can't really help her with much; she just studies as soon as she gets home."

"She used to want to watch TV or go out to play, but now she doesn't touch any of that. It's just studying."

A parent asked in confusion, "She studies even when she comes home for the holidays? Doesn't she catch up on sleep?"

Han Cunming thought of how his granddaughter burned the midnight oil when she returned on Saturdays. "Yes. When I wake up at night, she is still studying. On Sundays, she gets up at six every day; she never sleeps in."

A father slapped his son's head with a palm. "Did you hear that? That is what diligence looks like!"

The boy made a bitter face. "I heard, I heard. Dad, I can't learn like Han Tingting."

The father replied, "As long as you don't die from studying, study like your life depends on it! If a young girl can do it, how can you, a grown boy, not be able to? Starting today, you will also study until midnight every night!"

Han Cunming, who had unintentionally "set up" these students, fell silent. Had he said something he shouldn't have?

Around nine o'clock, Wang Lanfeng entered carrying the grade reports. As soon as she walked in, the classroom fell silent. Tan You stood slightly behind and to the side of Han Cunming, her back against the wall. Her gaze toward Wang Lanfeng was very calm.

She seemed to be someone born with detached emotions; even though Wang Lanfeng had once harbored certain intentions toward her, she couldn't bring herself to feel much animosity. Perhaps it was because she wasn't the original Han Tingting, so she couldn't empathize?

There were many students standing at the back of the classroom. Since each student had one stool, if a parent sat down, the student had to stand. A boy who frequently asked Tan You questions nudged her elbow. "Ms. Wang will look at you first. I bet you did very well this time."

"Drop the 'bet'," a girl beside him whispered. "Ever since Tingting took first place, she hasn't moved from that spot. She'll definitely be first again."

Tan You remained calm. "I'm not sure. We'll see once the results are announced."

Wang Lanfeng was indeed in a good mood. She placed the competency assessment forms and the grade reports on the podium, her eyes scanning the parents below. She paused momentarily when she saw Han Cunming.

"This final exam was a city-wide joint examination, and the difficulty was very high. Some students' results were not ideal," she said, pausing for breath. "However, we have one student in our class who performed exceptionally well."

The boy to Tan You's right muttered, "It's you, isn't it?"

The girl to Tan You's left added, "It's definitely Tingting!"

Sure enough, Wang Lanfeng continued, "Our student Han Tingting achieved a brilliant result, ranking ninth in the entire city in this joint examination, and she is also the top student in the entire second year of junior high."