Chapter 32: Tingting at 30

It was a consensus among all the teachers in the high school department that Tan You had an excellent memory. Now that the exam questions and answers had been released, the teachers wanted to know how she had performed.

Tan You remained unruffled. After writing down everything she remembered from the answers, her exam paper was taken away by the teachers. Teacher Shi was the first to check the mathematics paper; it took a long time before she finally set it down. "You did very well. How did you feel while you were solving the problems?"

Tan You thought for a moment. "It was quite smooth. I didn't feel it was particularly difficult. This year's Gaokao doesn't seem to be that hard."

The English teacher stared at the reading comprehension section. "The English difficulty this year is quite high."

The Chinese teacher added, "The Chinese difficulty isn't low either, but these things are nothing to Tingting. She is very proficient in both Chinese and English."

Tan You leaned closer to Teacher Shi. "Based on my estimation, about how many points can I get in math?"

In truth, she knew how to calculate her score now, but she simply wanted to act a little spoiled with Teacher Shi, even though Teacher Shi was only about ten years older than her.

Teacher Shi did some mental math. "The full score is 200. I think your deductions shouldn't exceed five points."

Tan You squinted her eyes. "Then that's already good enough. I don't have high expectations; as long as I can pass the undergraduate line, I'll be satisfied."

The teachers all laughed together. "If we went by your previous scores, you could even dream of universities like Tsinghua or Peking University."

Tan You shook her head. "Living in the capital is not easy."

Crucially, if she lived too far from home, it would be even harder to take care of Han Cunming.

The teachers fell silent, and finally, Teacher Shi spoke up first. "Let's wait until the results are officially out. From what I can see, you performed very well this time. Good students are needed by any school."

Tan You thought that made sense. "Alright, then we'll wait for the results."

Teacher Shi pulled Tan You closer. "Have you thought about what major you want to study? I see you are very good at designing clothes; do you want to study fashion design?"

"That is a hobby; I don't intend to make it my profession," Tan You said without hesitation. "I have always wanted to be a teacher, especially a math teacher. Didn't I say it before? I want to become a person like you."

Teacher Shi felt a bit choked up. "But illuminating and influencing others doesn't necessarily mean you have to become a teacher. You have many choices. For example, you could earn a lot of money in the future and provide jobs for more people."

"Or perhaps you could take the civil service exam and work diligently for society; all of these can illuminate others. I am just fortunate enough to be your teacher, but you have many other paths available."

Tan You grew quiet. She looked at Teacher Shi. "I will think about it carefully."

Teacher Shi stroked the top of her head. "You have always been a child who doesn't cause trouble, but you must plan for yourself and strive to live a better life. I hope you live very well. I hope you don't have to worry about money or other external things. I hope that one day, you can buy the things you like without having to ask the price, rather than being forced to give them up because your pockets are empty."

Tan You squinted and smiled. "Actually, I'm not short on money, really."

As the two of them whispered to each other, the other teachers did not disturb them. Everyone was used to it; it was a well-known secret in the school that Han Tingting and Teacher Shi had a close bond. To be honest, everyone envied the teacher-student relationship between the two.

"The school gave me a living allowance every month for these three years, and there were scholarships every semester. I eat and sleep at school, so there really aren't many places where I need to spend money. Many of my extracurricular study materials were given to me by the teachers, so those didn't cost anything either. I've actually saved quite a bit."

Tan You rambled on. Usually, she was a woman of few words, but in front of Teacher Shi, she became much more lively.

"As I told you before, my parents have already paid all my tuition and living expenses, which is enough for me to go to university. Grandpa is also in good health. Once I graduate from university, I'll be able to earn my own money."

Teacher Shi smiled. "It's good that you have a plan. I believe you will be very outstanding in the future, and right now, you are already my pride. I am also honored—honored to be your teacher."

She herself had never expected that by simply showing a little more patience toward Han Tingting back then, she would reap such sweet fruit.

Han Tingting leaned against the corridor. "Actually, thinking about a math major makes me a bit timid. Now I feel that earning a lot of money in the future would be great too. I can provide more jobs for everyone, and I can make sure no one ever dares to look down on us again."

"In that case, what major should I study? Management?"

Teacher Shi replied, "Anything is fine. I will do some research during this time as well. Contact me once your results are out, and we can discuss filling out your preferences."

Tan You smiled with squinted eyes. "Alright. I don't understand much about these things, so I'll have to trouble you then."

After estimating her score, Tan You went back to work at the garment factory. The others from her village who took the Gaokao with her were Yang Shun, Han Wei, and Han Peng, but she had had very little interaction with them over the past three years.

Yang Shun had been in the same class as Tan You in his first year of high school, but when the tracks were split into arts and sciences in the second semester, he chose the arts track. Because of this, Yang Shun had a major falling out with his mother at the time.

To use his mother's words: "Even Han Tingting can study sciences; you're a boy, and you can't even keep up with her in science?"

After Yang Shun went to the arts class, Tan You didn't feel much about it. However, Yang Shun had been in a relationship during high school; the girl was widely recognized as the school's "sweetheart." Tan You knew about this, she just hadn't mentioned it upon her return.

Of course, Han Cunming also knew about it, but the old man was tight-lipped and had no interest in discussing such gossip.

As for Han Wei, because he was caustic in his speech, Tan You naturally had no good impression of him. Han Peng, on the other hand, was honest, silent, and diligent; she didn't encounter him very often.

The garment factory had developed very well over the past few years. The factory area had doubled in size, and the number of workers had increased accordingly. In recent years, the factory had also been training its own designers, but no matter who it was, they all felt that Han Tingting was the best.

Tan You thought: *How could she not be? She has been exposed to whatever becomes popular in the future; how could she not know? She was simply relying on Han Tingting's memories. If Tan You were to design something on her own, she certainly couldn't do it.*

One morning, Tan You and Master Hu were huddled together, each having different opinions on the new autumn collection. The garment designer sat to one side, trembling in fear, not daring to say a word.

The phone on Tan You's desk lit up repeatedly, but unfortunately, Tan You heard nothing. It wasn't until the factory director pushed the door open, looking incredibly jubilant, that she noticed.

"Tingting! Tell me, what kind of luck is this? Last time during the middle school entrance exam, your teachers came to the factory, and now your principal's call has reached me too!"

Tan You snapped back to reality. "The results are out? That's not right, it's not time for the scores to be released yet."

The director handed the phone to Tan You. "It's not time yet, but you performed so well! Your principal said you scored as the top student!"