Chapter 84: After all the hardships, Professor Zhang looked at her...

Professor Zhang looked at the dark circles under her eyes and the determination in her eyes, and pondered for a moment: "I just happened to be sorting out a batch of clippings and manuscript materials on the history of modern translation. I need someone to help transcribe, classify and make preliminary summaries. This work is very boring and may not produce results immediately. Are you willing to do it?"

"I do! Thank you, Professor Zhang!" Cheng Xin agreed immediately.

In the following days, apart from attending classes and learning English, Cheng Xin spent almost all her time in the department library or Professor Zhang's office.

She meticulously copied yellowed newspaper clippings and illegible manuscripts on manuscript paper with a fountain pen, carefully sorted them, and tried to write brief summaries and thoughts in her own words. When she encountered unfamiliar names or events, she would look up reference books in the reference room.

Although these tasks were very basic, she did them very seriously. Professor Zhang saw her perseverance and dedication from the materials she organized and her immature and awkward abstracts.

The personal statement is the highlight of the application. Cheng Xin knows that this requires telling a good story about herself and showing her potential and motivation.

After receiving the form, she first made a draft on the manuscript paper to ensure that every piece of information was accurate. In the family income column, she prepared the income certificate issued by Geng Yunye in the garment factory and underwear factory. She carefully listed the awards and practical experience, and sandwiched it with the internship appraisal issued by the Overseas Chinese Hotel.

Cheng Xin sat by the window in the library with a piece of manuscript paper spread out in front of her, unable to put pen to paper for a long time.

How should I write in order to impress the professors who are reviewing my paper thousands of miles away?

She thought about a lot of things. The shock brought by the flood and reconstruction in her hometown, the power of change she saw from the development of Jiangbin Village, Geng Yunye's unconditional support for her, Professor Zhang's encouragement, and her deep desire to acquire advanced knowledge and build her hometown better in the future.

She decided to abandon empty clichés and use plain language to sincerely describe her growth, her understanding of the profession, and her goals and plans for studying abroad.

After writing it, she nervously showed it to Professor Zhang.

Professor Zhang looked at it very carefully and gave her a lot of suggestions.

Cheng Xin carefully wrote down every suggestion. Back in the dormitory, she spread out new manuscript paper and compared the comments, rewriting and adjusting word by word. Sometimes she would repeatedly consider the choice of a word.

It was late at night and all her roommates had gone to sleep. Only the desk lamp on her desk was still on, illuminating her figure as she worked furiously on her writing.

Cheng Xin revised draft after draft without getting discouraged, until Professor Zhang finally gave his nod, and she finally felt relieved.

Cheng Xin then carefully copied the final draft in the neatest handwriting in the designated location on the formal application form.

Finally, there are letters of recommendation.

In addition to Professor Zhang, she also selected two professional course professors who left a good impression on her and performed well in their courses.

She prepared carefully in advance, organizing her latest transcripts, a draft of her personal statement, and a brief description of her personal situation.

She made appointments with professors during office hours, brought her materials, and explained her situation and goals sincerely.

"Professor Li, sorry to bother you. I would like to apply for an exchange student program in the United States, and the competition is very fierce. I have gained a lot from your class and have worked very hard. Here are my application materials and some personal thoughts, and I would like you to take a look. If you think I can do it, could you please write a letter of recommendation for me?" Cheng Xin was a little nervous and handed over the materials respectfully with both hands.

Professor Li took the thick stack of handwritten materials, looked through her transcript carefully, and read her personal statement carefully. He nodded and said, "Student Cheng Xin, I have an impression of you. You are a hardworking girl. Your efforts are obvious to all. OK, I understand your situation. I will write a letter of recommendation for you."

Another professor, Wang, read the materials carefully and readily agreed: "I support ambitious students to go abroad to broaden their horizons. Please give me the recommendation letter."

Cheng Xin breathed a sigh of relief and bowed excitedly: "Thank you Professor Li! Thank you Professor Wang! Thank you so much!"

Entering the formal application process, various forms and material requirements came one after another. Cheng Xin was spinning like a top, afraid of filling in the wrong information.

She personally handed the file bag, which contained countless efforts, to the teacher in charge of the school's Foreign Affairs Office.

After checking, the teacher gave her a receipt: "Okay, all the materials are complete. Go back and wait for notification. If there is an interview next, I will notify you."

During this period, Cheng Xin hardly had a break. Her life track was dormitory - classroom - library - language room - department reference room - Professor Zhang's office - running around to various departments to get stamps.

She was filled with energy, and thinking of everyone's help to her, she told herself not to slack off and not to let them down.

When she was under a lot of pressure, she would run a few laps in the playground or call Geng Yunye. When she heard his steady voice, she would feel temporarily at ease.

Sometimes when she returned to the dormitory at night, she was so tired that she could not even lift her arms, but when she thought of the unfinished plans for the day, she struggled to get up and continued to read or organize her notes in the dim light.

After waiting for a period of time at school, Cheng Xin finally obtained the valuable interview qualification with her excellent grades and solid application materials.

The night before the interview, she was so nervous that she barely slept, and she rehearsed possible questions and her responses over and over in her mind.

Professor Zhang’s words of advice before leaving are still ringing in my mind: “Don’t be nervous, just discuss the problem with me as you normally would. Answer honestly and highlight your practical experience and thinking ability.”

The interview was held in a small conference room. The questions were very professional and practical. Cheng Xin concentrated all her energy, mobilized all her knowledge and practical experience, and answered in fluent and confident English.

She kept Professor Zhang's words in mind and answered in a modest manner, combining her own real experiences and insights. When she encountered something that required thinking, she paused briefly, organized her words, and then expressed herself clearly.

The interview, which lasted more than half an hour, was like a baptism.

At the end, her clothes on the back were soaked with sweat, but she felt a sense of relief and peace in her heart. She really tried her best and showed herself without reservation.

What followed was an even longer and more agonizing wait. No phone calls, no emails, only written notifications.

Cheng Xin returned to school and tried hard to immerse herself in daily studies, but she was always worried.

Every day she would go to the department office or the Foreign Affairs Office to check if there were any notices posted. Every time she heard a teacher calling her name in the corridor, her heart would skip a beat.

As the days passed, the sycamore trees on campus grew from bare to sprouting new buds, and the weather gradually became warmer, but the long-awaited news still did not come.

Cheng Xin remained calm on the surface and attended classes as usual, but her heart was heavy, as if something was blocking it. She didn't dare to tell her family much, fearing that her parents would get anxious. She only mentioned in the letter to Geng Yunye that the interview was over and she was waiting for news, which was a bit difficult.

Geng Yunye's reply was brief and powerful: "Keep calm, what is coming will eventually come, believe in yourself."

-----------------

Finally, on a bright spring afternoon, Cheng Xin was stopped by the department counselor as soon as she came out of the library.

"Cheng Xin! Hurry, go to the Foreign Affairs Office! Teacher Li wants to see you. There's an important announcement!"

Teacher Li's smile almost overflowed. She took out a notification document with a bright red seal from the drawer and handed it to her: "Student Cheng, congratulations! The final result is out. You have been officially confirmed as an exchange student to King's College, an Ivy League university in the United States! This is the approval document."

Cheng Xin took the thin document with trembling hands and saw her name at a glance.

Joy instantly overwhelmed her like a tide, her eyes became hot and tears welled up uncontrollably.

Months of painstaking efforts, countless nights of working late into the night, the hardship of long-distance travel, the anxiety of waiting...all the efforts and pressures turned into the sweetest fruits at this moment.

"Thank you, Teacher Li! Thank you, school! Thank you." Cheng Xin covered her mouth and sobbed, her words a little incoherent due to excitement.

"Don't thank me, this is the result of your own hard work!" Teacher Li smiled and patted her shoulder: "Remember to tell Professor Zhang the good news, he has been paying attention to it. There are still many procedures to go through, such as visa, medical examination review and pre-departure education, etc. You have to hurry up and prepare."

"Yes!" Cheng Xin nodded vigorously. She rushed out of the Foreign Affairs Office, the bright sunshine shining on her body, making her feel warm.

As I ran down the stairs, an idea popped into my mind. I should find a phone and call Geng Yunye right now to tell him this great news as soon as possible!

She almost trotted towards the school's telephone booth, her steps so light that she seemed to be flying.

The news that Cheng Xin was selected to go abroad for exchange spread quickly in the Foreign Languages Department.

When she returned to the dormitory with a thick stack of forms and materials that needed to be filled out before going abroad, she was greeted with a completely different reaction.

Hou Feifei was drawing her eyebrows in front of a small mirror. She saw Cheng Xin come in and the eyebrow pencil in her hand fell on the table. Her eyes were full of disbelief.

"You really got selected? To go abroad for exchange?" She has always claimed to be a Shanghai native, and after graduation she can work in any government agency in Shanghai. Out-of-town college students don't have a hukou, so they can't stay after graduation and can only return to their hometowns to wait for job assignments.

In her opinion, no matter how hard Cheng Xin and Chen Yuan try, they will end up returning to their hometown to be country people, and will never reach their starting point in their lifetime.

But now, this person whom she called a hometown bastard in her heart is going to represent the school to go to a top university for an exchange in his sophomore year!

The gap between the past and the present was like a dull punch to her heart, and her previous sense of superiority was instantly shattered into pieces.

"Cheng Xin, that's great! You're amazing!" Chen Yuan pounced over like a happy little bird and excitedly grabbed Cheng Xin's arm, her eyes full of sincere joy and pride.

"That's the United States! It's an Ivy League university, and there's only one spot in the entire country. You're amazing! You're everyone's pride!" She jumped excitedly while hugging Cheng Xin.

Guan Shengnan walked up to Cheng Xin, put his hands on his hips, and looked Cheng Xin up and down for more than ten seconds.

"Cheng Xin, you're such a monster!" Her face showed admiration without hiding it, "There are so many great people with backgrounds more terrifying than each other, but you managed to take them down without making any noise!" As the only person in the dormitory who knew that Cheng Xin was married, Guan Shengnan's admiration was even deeper. She knew very well that Cheng Xin had more responsibilities and concerns than ordinary students, yet she burst out with such amazing energy.

Cheng Xin's victory was the result of the combined effect of multiple factors, and she happened to stand at the most suitable intersection.

Those who had better grades than hers had families with less clean backgrounds or were not financially able to support themselves; those who had more prominent family backgrounds than hers did not have the grades and foreign language skills to break through the competition as hard as she did.

Cheng Xin is exactly the optimal solution as she meets the hard requirements, has outstanding soft skills, a clean background, and no financial worries.

Of course, the biggest contributor was her hard work and sweat that watered this lucky flower.

Cheng Xin accepted the congratulations from Chen Yuan and Guan Shengnan and ignored Hou Feifei's deliberate alienation.

She formally invited Chen Yuan and Guan Shengnan: "Are you free on Friday night? I'll treat you. Let's go out to a restaurant to celebrate!"

"Wow, of course I'm free!" Chen Yuan cheered.

Guan Shengnan nodded readily: "Sure, Boss Cheng is treating me, I have to show my support, it's a good opportunity to rip you off!"

Cheng Xin turned to Hou Feifei, who had her back to them, and said calmly, with distant courtesy: "Feifei, you can come too?"

Hou Feifei shrugged her shoulders, without turning her head, and snorted a short sneer through her nose as a response.

Cheng Xin understood. She had never expected Hou Feifei to come. The invitation was just a formality to maintain the superficial friendship between roommates.

On Friday, Cheng Xin changed into new clothes, and Chen Yuan and Guan Shengnan also dressed up a little. The three of them walked out of the school gate, chatting and laughing, and headed straight for Chunhe Building in the city center.

Meanwhile, at the Hou family’s home.

Hou Feifei's father just put down the phone, his face was livid, and he scolded Hou Feifei who was sitting on the sofa watching TV: "You are so stupid! You are so stupid! Your roommates are going to study abroad, what great talents and bright futures they have! But you are so bad, you don't get along with them normally, but you don't even go when they invite you to dinner. Do you know what a great opportunity this is! Why did I give birth to someone as tactless as you!"

Hou Feifei threw the pillow aside in annoyance. "Dad, she's just a country bumpkin who got lucky! You want me to please her? I'd rather starve to death than eat her meal!"

Father Hou was so angry that he couldn't speak.

At this time, Hou Xianjun came out of the room. He was wearing a crisp white shirt, a woolen cardigan, and glasses, looking very gentle.

He pushed his glasses and spoke gently, "Fei Fei, your classmate is very good because she got this opportunity. It's normal for classmates to have some frictions. We should be generous. I'll go with you to apologize to Cheng Xin and congratulate her. I also want to get to know this amazing classmate."

The last time they met briefly in the hospital, Cheng Xin left him with a good impression. Now that he knew she was going to study abroad at a top university in the United States, his impression of her quickly grew.

When Hou Feifei heard this, she jumped up from the sofa as if a spark had ignited a fuse. "Brother, why are you meeting her? Who knows if she wants to take advantage of the opportunity to get close to me to get close to you and get a local residence permit. Stay away from her!"

"Fei Fei! What nonsense are you talking about!" Hou Xianjun frowned, his tone carrying the dignity and impatience of a brother, "Don't think so badly of me. Pack up and come with me. Don't let your parents worry about you anymore!"

Without saying anything, he pulled Hou Feifei, who looked reluctant and was almost half-dragged by him, out of the door.

The entrance of Chunhe Building is brightly lit.

Cheng Xin, Chen Yuan, and Guan Shengnan just walked to the door and were about to go in.

A taxi stopped on the side of the road, and Hou Xianjun pulled the extremely resistant Hou Feifei out of the car.

"Student Cheng Xin!" Hou Xianjun immediately put on a warm and appropriate smile on his face and walked forward quickly.

Cheng Xin and the other two turned around when they heard the voice and were stunned when they saw the Hou siblings.

Chen Yuan and Guan Shengnan exchanged surprised looks.

Guan Shengnan raised her eyebrows, and a meaningful sneer appeared on the corner of her mouth. She knew the inside story and was just waiting to see how Hou Feifei would end up.

Before Cheng Xin could respond, a tall and straight figure walked out of the hotel. It was Geng Yunye who had been waiting inside.

He was wearing the new clothes that Cheng Xin had made for him. He walked straight towards Cheng Xin with a straight posture, steady and powerful steps, and a unique military temperament.

With a gentle smile on his face, he naturally stretched out his hand and lightly supported Cheng Xin's lower back. He lowered his head and asked in a gentle voice, "Are you here? We've reserved a table and just ordered a few dishes."

At this moment, the air at the door seemed to freeze.

Hou Feifei's eyes were as big as bells. She stared at Geng Yunye's face as if she had seen a ghost. She remembered this face! Wasn't this the country brother who sent Cheng Xin to the dormitory at the beginning of the freshman year, carried luggage, bought basins and buckets, and bought a bunch of luxury goods? !

Wait! Isn't he Cheng Xin's biological brother? Why are they so close?! This posture and eyes don't look like brother and sister at all!

The smile on Hou Xianjun's face froze instantly. He looked at Geng Yunye in doubt. He was not dressed fashionably, but he was tall and strong, with sharp eyes, revealing the calmness of someone who had experienced many ups and downs.

Especially his natural and intimate protective attitude towards Cheng Xin made Hou Xianjun's heart skip a beat and he had a bad feeling. He subconsciously looked at his sister and saw Hou Feifei's face was pale, as if she had seen a ghost and was extremely confused, which made him even more suspicious.

Cheng Xin felt the warmth of Geng Yunye's palm and felt very at ease.

She looked up and gave Geng Yunye a bright smile, then turned to the Hou brothers and sisters and roommates and introduced them generously: "This is my husband, Geng Yunye."

She looked at Chen Yuan and Guan Shengnan and added, "Brother Yunye came all the way from home to accompany me and treat you to dinner. I was able to get the quota and study without any worries, all thanks to his support behind me."

"Husband...husband?!" Hou Feifei screamed. She was like being struck by thunder, and she was completely dumbfounded. Husband? Cheng Xin and him were not siblings, but husband and wife? ! Her rejection, ridicule and vigilance were all based on a huge joke?

The overwhelming sense of shame made her wish she could disappear right then and there, and her face felt burning with pain.

Chen Yuan covered her mouth in surprise, her eyes wide open: "Cheng Xin, you are married?! Your husband is so handsome, it turns out that he was the one who sent you here at the beginning of your freshman year! What a big change." She finally matched the figure in her memory with the person in front of her.

Guan Shengnan had met Geng Yunye once before. She crossed her arms and nodded to Geng Yunye as a greeting: "See you again." Then she winked at Cheng Xin mischievously and said jokingly: "Great, Cheng Xin, you invited me to dinner and even brought your family to support us. That's very considerate!"

Geng Yunye nodded politely to Chen Yuan and Guan Shengnan: "Thank you for taking care of Xinxin." He looked at Cheng Xin with gentle eyes: "Go in, don't wait until the food gets cold."

His eyes lightly swept over Hou Feifei, who had an extremely ugly face, and Hou Xianjun, who had a complicated expression. He did not stop, but his arms were still around Cheng Xin, declaring sovereignty and belonging with actions.

Cheng Xin seemed not to notice the embarrassment of the Hou siblings. She took Chen Yuan's arm and called Guan Shengnan: "Yuanyuan, Shengnan, come in quickly!"

The four of them walked into Chunhe Tower happily, leaving the brother and sister with different thoughts behind them in the cool night.

Only the Hou siblings were left at the door.

Hou Feifei's face was pale and her lips were trembling. She had always been wary of Cheng Xin trying to get close to her brother, and she tried her best to exclude her. As a result, she was not only outstanding enough to go abroad, but also had a husband who looked so outstanding and reliable. She remembered that Geng Yunye spent money generously on Cheng Xin, and he didn't seem like a country bumpkin at all.

I was jumping up and down like a clown, and those dark speculations seemed so ridiculous and despicable at this moment.

Hou Xianjun's face turned pale, and he finally understood why his sister rejected Cheng Xin so much. Not only did the opportunity he carefully created to get to know Cheng Xin fall through, but he also witnessed his sister's stupidity and shame.

He felt unprecedented embarrassment and anger, and he had no place to vent his anger. He could only glare at Hou Feifei who was humiliated and said, "Isn't this embarrassing enough? Go home!"

He roughly dragged the staggering Hou Feifei and stuffed her into the taxi he had just stopped like dragging a sack. He quickly got in, slammed the door, and fled from this humiliating place.

-----------------

During the May Day holiday, Cheng Xin set out on her journey home with mixed feelings.

This time, she wanted to formally tell her parents the news of her journey.

The dining table was filled with Cheng Xin’s favorite dishes.

Cheng Xin put down her chopsticks, feeling heavy-hearted: "Dad, Mom, I have something to tell you."

Cheng Cunzhi and Xu Fengxia raised their heads and looked at their daughter's serious expression in confusion.

"The school selected me to study in the United States for a year. I will leave next semester by plane."

"What?!" Xu Fengxia almost dropped the bowl in her hand. "Study abroad? Take a plane? And go for a year?" To her, taking a plane was as distant and unfamiliar as going abroad.

Cheng Cunzhi was also stunned: "How long does it take to fly on a plane? It's so scary to fly in the sky for so long."

The old couple were so shocked by the sudden news that they couldn't recover. Their faces were filled with shock and confusion, as well as disbelief and fear of the unknown.

Cheng Xin explained the project in detail, emphasizing that this was a state-supported exchange, that the opportunity was rare, and that flying was a normal means of transportation.

Looking at the determined light in his daughter's eyes and listening to her explain the whole story clearly, Cheng Cunzhi was the first to come back to his senses.

He rubbed his rough hands on his trousers, and an expression of pride and emotion appeared on his face: "Great! Great, my daughter has a bright future! She can represent the country and go abroad to study, which is a great thing to bring honor to the family!" After he finished speaking, his voice was a little choked.

Xu Fengxia reacted belatedly and her eyes instantly turned red: "I'm just worried that you'll be flying alone to such a far place and you won't know anyone there." As she spoke, tears fell.

"Dad, Mom, don't worry." Geng Yunye, who had been eating quietly, put down his bowl and chopsticks. "Xinxin is going to study. There are arrangements made by the organization. It is safe to take a plane. Someone from the school will pick her up when she arrives. I have contacted some foreign businessmen doing foreign trade before, and I also know a few friends in the United States. If there is anything important, I can ask them for information or help."

"Don't worry about money. I'm at home, and you two are in good health. Xinxin can study with peace of mind outside."

His words were like a stabilizing force, instantly calming the old couple's uneasy emotions.