Cao Jia was a worker-peasant-soldier student in the class of '76. She was about the same age as Wen Ruan. She was also very lucky. After graduating from high school, she was recommended to go directly to university.

Wen Ruan saw a vitality in Cao Jia, a kind of vigorous life that seemed completely out of place with people today, and couldn't help but look at her with a different eye.

After hearing Wen Ruan's answer, Cao Jia smiled somewhat shyly, looking at Wen Ruan with a hint of admiration in her eyes, and then asked somewhat timidly, "Comrade Wen Ruan, you wrote that book 'Breaking Ground', right?"

"Breaking Ground" is the novel that Wen Ruan wrote before. Before the summer vacation, the editor of the publishing house contacted Wen Ruan and wanted to reprint the book. It sold very well.

They also asked Wen Ruan if she was willing to write a sequel or start another novel. Wen Ruan felt that she was too busy and couldn't handle it, so she politely declined.

Hearing Cao Jia's question, Wen Ruan couldn't help but become interested: "It's me. You've read this novel?"

“I’ve read it! Not only me, but my cousins ​​and my older cousins ​​have all read it. We all like you very much! I knew from the newspaper that you were the top scorer in the national college entrance examination and that you were admitted to our school, but we never had the chance to meet you.”

Then, somewhat embarrassed, he said, "I even secretly went to the teaching building where I had my freshman classes before, hoping to run into you after class... but every time it was unfortunate, and I never saw you."

Then, with a hint of excitement, she said, "But we are really destined to be together. Look, we are now classmates!"

Wen Ruan smiled, very happy to have such a lovely fan: "Why do you want to meet me?"

"Oh no!" Cao Jia looked down and rummaged through her bag, only to find that the thing she wanted wasn't inside. She looked somewhat dejected.

"I always kept the book 'Breaking Ground' in my bag, thinking that since we go to the same school, we'd run into each other sooner or later, and I wanted you to sign it for me! But school just started today, and my bag was cleaned, so I haven't had a chance to put it in yet..."

"It's okay, we'll definitely run into each other again next time we're in class," Wen Ruan comforted her.

Cao Jia rallied again and regained her energy.

She then took the initiative to ask Wen Ruan to have lunch together in the cafeteria, but Wen Ruan remembered what the counselor had told her before leaving, and since she did have something to discuss with him, she politely declined and agreed to meet him another time.

The two walked out of the classroom together, leaving behind a murmur of discussion.

"Teacher Li." Wen Ruan walked into the counselor's office, greeted Li Jin, and also greeted the other teachers sitting in the office.

"Well, I didn't come to you about anything, it's just about your summer internship at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Director Lin has already told me that the unit is very satisfied with you and wants you to continue your internship?" Li Jin asked.

“Yes, Teacher Li.” Wen Ruan nodded.

"Well, okay. Logically speaking, the school's teaching plan for students like you who came up through the college entrance examination is to have you do internships in your senior year. You've already started ahead of schedule."

Wen Ruan wasn't in a hurry when she heard Li Jin's words; she planned to listen to what he had to say next.

Sure enough, "But these kinds of things are handled on a case-by-case basis. As long as it doesn't affect your classes at school and you can pass the exams, everything is not a big problem. As for the teachers, Director Lin said he would also give you a heads-up in advance."

"Go to your internship with peace of mind, work hard, and don't tarnish Tsinghua University's reputation." Li Jin patted Wen Ruan on the shoulder and encouraged her with a smile.

"Teacher Li, don't worry, I will definitely live up to your expectations," Wen Ruan assured her firmly.

Wen Ruan then mentioned wanting the school to reserve her dormitory room, and Li Jin agreed to it.

As Wen Ruan left the office, she found the cafeteria was packed with long queues during lunchtime. Feeling a bit lazy, she decided to go back to her dorm and come out later to eat before her afternoon classes.

So she walked towards the girls' dormitory. Wen Ruan felt that she was very unlucky on this road. Sure enough, in the grove ahead, she saw another couple.

The two sat hand in hand on a bench in the corner, chatting.

Coincidentally, the female protagonist she encountered here both times was the same, but the male protagonist was different. And coincidentally, Wen Ruan had met him before; he was the head of the arts and literature department at Wu Wenqian's school, I think his name was Zhou Wei...

According to her roommates, Wu Wenqian mentioned Zhou Wei very frequently in the dorm, leading them to suspect that she had feelings for him. They had even teased her about it before, and Wu Wenqian, though shy, didn't deny it at the time...

Especially at the end of last semester, the group encountered Zhou Wei coming downstairs to escort Wu Wenqian back to her dorm. Wu Wenqian shyly introduced him to everyone as her senior, her words carrying a hint of intimacy. Zhou Wei didn't seem uncomfortable at all; instead, he responded gently and then greeted everyone, clearly indicating a close relationship.

I thought they'd become a couple sooner or later, but then this happened...

But she was certain that Wu Wenqian didn't know, because in the morning she said the department was going to have a meeting, and when she mentioned Zhou Wei's name, she was full of joy.

For the first time, Wen Ruan was annoyed that her eyesight was so good. She didn't know anything about Zhou Wen, what her relationship with Zhou Wei was, or what to do about her husband and daughter who had been sent to the countryside before...

Wen Ruan could only pretend not to see it, then quickly walked past and returned to her dormitory first.

"Ruan Ruan, you're back? Have you eaten yet? Let's go together later." Wu Wenqian asked happily when she saw Wen Ruan return.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!