Ruan Chen had not told Nan Jing about this before.
Choosing a school is a two-way process. All four colleges reserved her admission, and Ruan Chen never promised Nan Jing anything.
She didn't need to give Nan Jing any explanation or tell him about her choices and where she was going.
Nan Jing rattled off a barrage of questions, "When did this happen? What did Beijing University of Technology promise you? Do you have a mentor yet? Why is the Martial Arts Research Institute so tight-lipped?"
Ruan Chen held her phone, her tone serious, "Nan Suo, I don't think I need to explain my choice to you. We agreed at the time that it was your business to reserve my admission, but whether I go or not, you would respect my wishes."
Nan Jing realized at this moment that she had misunderstood.
Ever since he met Ruan Chen, he has gotten into the habit of asking her for help whenever he has a problem, such as looking at data or making models.
Later, he discovered the connection between Ruan Chen and Su Ze, and in Nan Jing's heart, his relationship with Ruan Chen grew even closer.
In addition, he had watched Ruan Chen grow up over the years—he had a team that reported Ruan Chen's situation to him every two weeks.
He had long regarded Ruan Chen as his junior, or even... his successor.
Although he himself knew that a mere research institute could not keep her in the future.
Nan Jing stopped arguing with Ruan Chen about those questions and picked the most important one to ask, "Who is your mentor?"
This was actually a trivial matter, nothing to hide, but Ruan Chen just couldn't help wanting to be a little sarcastic with Nan Jing lately, so she said casually, "This doesn't seem to have anything to do with Director Nan, does it?"
Nan Jing sighed helplessly.
He asked, "Would you like to see Yan Qian?"
A few seconds later, Ruan Chen spoke up without any backbone, "Duan Jingfu, Professor Duan."
If Ruan Chen were face to face with Nan Jing at this moment, she would see a solemn look on Nan Jing's face.
"If you're free this weekend, you can come anytime. I'll take you to see Yan Qian."
Ruan Chen's tone then became sincere and earnest, "Thank you, Director Nan."
"If I could erase your student status at Beijing University of Technology, would you be willing to come to our First Department?" Nan Jing steered the conversation back to the main topic. "Your uncle was my student back then. Speaking of which, you have a deep connection with our First Department. Maybe if you come here, you'll be able to understand your uncle better—we still haven't heard from him lately, have we?"
Ruan Chen's beautiful, cat-like eyes narrowed slightly.
Nan Jing was using Su Ze's clues to hint at something to her.
Indeed, Su Ze and Yan Qian both come from the First Affiliated Hospital, while Nan Jing seems to know more about Crescent Bay.
but...
"I'm sorry, Nan Suo, I really can't. This is a promise I made to a friend."
Ruan Chen didn't even dare to imagine what kind of trouble Fu Jianzhi would cause if she stopped studying at Beijing University of Technology.
Nan Jing sighed again, as if she knew everything, and asked, "Is it that boy from the Fu family?"
Ruan Chen's hand holding the phone trembled slightly. She frowned and her tone hardened, "Director Nan, you've investigated me very thoroughly."
Nan Jing sighed helplessly, "Do I need to specifically investigate your social circle? Ruan Chen, you came to Jingzhou at the age of twelve and soon caught the eye of the four major academies. You are on the research institute's key protection list. I don't need to deliberately investigate you."
Ruan Chen added in a chilling tone, "I thought it was a list of people under close surveillance."
"Speaking of which, the Fu family and the Martial Arts Research Institute have quite a history, the young master of the Fu family..."
Ruan Chen interrupted him, "Nan said he doesn't want to hear it."
She really didn't want to listen. For some reason, Ruan Chen deliberately resisted learning anything about Fu Jianzhi from any source. She was willing to patiently wait for Fu Jianzhi to tell her everything little by little.
"Anyway, think about it," Nan Jing said seriously, putting away his rambling thoughts. "If you've decided, win an award in the National Biochemical Operation Grand Prix, and then choose our college's summer camp. That way, you won't miss your enrollment in September."
Before hanging up the phone, Nan Jing asked Ruan Chen one last question, "Do you want to go to Crescent Bay?"
Ruan Chen hung up the phone, and, feeling a bit irritated, tugged at her hair as she walked towards the bathroom.
If I had known I would have such a deep connection with the First Affiliated Hospital, I probably shouldn't have made such a definitive statement to Beijing University of Technology back then.
But even if it's not a death sentence, I've already promised Fu Jianzhi, so I can't go back on my word, can I?
This is really a headache.
She thought again, who would have thought that three or four years ago she was a poor girl from the neighborhood who had never been to school and whose education level could only be listed as illiterate, and now she has become a hot commodity that the four major hospitals are vying for.
Would Rao be happy if he knew?
Ruan Chen thought about it seriously, and only then did she realize that she didn't know much about Cong Rao either—she couldn't afford to go to school back then—she really couldn't afford it, and Cong Rao never mentioned anything about the four major colleges, studying hard, or being successful in front of her.
She gave a wry smile.
-------------------------------------
"Come here, Ruan Chen, this is your teammate."
Old He assembled Ruan Chen's team that very afternoon.
"Yao Na and Feng Shuang are both from our class."
Ruan Chen took the initiative to extend her hand and gave the two of them a light handshake, her tone not particularly enthusiastic, "Ruan Chen."
Yao Na and Liang Shuang were originally in the same group as someone from another school, but the boy changed his mind at the last minute and stood them up when there were only three days left before the registration deadline.
Yao Na is petite, with thick black glasses and short hair. She looks like a typical good student, the kind who studies hard.
Her eyes were a little timid and evasive, and she subconsciously stood close to Feng Shuang.
Feng Shuang was a head taller than Ruan Chen. Despite the strict rule against dyeing hair, she had boldly dyed her hair chestnut brown and was chewing gum, exuding an arrogant air.
The three filled out registration forms in Lao He's office and then left.
Although they were in the same class, Ruan Chen wasn't familiar with them and didn't know how to start a conversation, so the atmosphere was a bit awkward.
Feng Shuang spoke first.
"Actually, I didn't want to participate in this competition—my grades are average, and I can't win a prize. If it weren't for my grandfather forcing me, I really wouldn't want to waste my time. I'd rather play a couple of games."
Ruan Chen gave a polite, fake smile and nodded, "It's alright."
Wait... Grandpa...
Ruan Chen has a good memory and won't forget rumors she's heard occasionally before; these rumors resurfaced at this moment.
"Is that Principal Feng?"
Feng Shuang rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Who else would it be?"
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