Chapter 354 Vivid
When she reached the front of the teaching building, she stomped her feet to shake off the snowflakes from her shoes before heading to the classroom.
Some students were already seated in the classroom, their voices buzzing with conversation.
The heating system caused a layer of white mist to cover the glass windows, blurring the snow scene outside.
Nan Zhiyi found a seat by the window, took off her gloves, and placed them above the radiator to dry before taking out her books and notes.
New Year's Day is just around the corner, and final exams are just around the corner...
With a "thump," Shan Xiaoyan sat down in the seat next to her. "It's so cold outside today! Zhiyi, why did you come so early today?"
Nan Zhiyi didn't even look up, her pen still moving, "My husband brought me here today."
Shan Xiaoyan leaned closer and winked mischievously, "Oh, how sweet! Your husband is so busy with work, yet he still made time to bring you here?"
Nan Zhiyi then looked up from her notebook, proudly raising her chin: "Yes."
Hearing this, Yang Mei and Shan Xiaoyan exchanged a glance and couldn't help but laugh.
Yang Mei shook her head. "Look how pleased you are with yourself."
She put down her schoolbag, took out a brand new magazine, and handed it to Nan Zhiyi. "Zhiyi, look, the article I submitted last month has been published."
Nan Zhiyi took it, turned to the page with Yang Mei's article, carefully looked at the title and author's name, and sincerely praised, "That's great. Yang Mei, you've published quite a few articles this year, haven't you? It's clear that persistence leads to better and better results."
She recalled that Yang Mei faced numerous setbacks when she first started submitting her work, and her current success is entirely due to her unwavering perseverance.
Shan Xiaoyan also peeked over, exclaimed "Wow!" with envy, then slumped her shoulders, "Sigh, I just don't have the talent, and I'm not hardworking enough..."
Her voice trailed off as she spoke, twisting the tassels of her scarf somewhat embarrassedly. "We agreed to improve together, but I ended up holding everyone back."
That year, she was restless. Besides dealing with her studies, she spent most of her free time meeting with that fellow villager, leaving very little time for reading and writing. Even her midterm exam results were only average.
Nan Zhiyi put down the magazine and looked at her gently: "It's never too late to start if you're willing to work hard."
Yang Mei also knew her friend's personality well; he was impulsive and easily distracted by external things.
Following Nan Zhiyi's words, she became more serious: "Yes, Xiaoyan, the final exams are coming up soon, and they affect your scholarship next semester. Why don't you come to the library with me and Zhiyi to study at noon? Don't wander off again."
Nan Zhiyi glanced at Yang Mei and understood that the girl wanted to help her friend, so she nodded in agreement: "Yes, come with us. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask each other."
Shan Xiaoyan looked somewhat ashamed, knowing that the two of them were doing it for her own good.
She listened to the advice, nodded vigorously, and encouraged herself: "Okay! I'm going to study hard! I can't waste my days anymore!"
He even clenched his fist and shouted a few slogans, which made Nan Zhiyi and Yang Mei laugh.
At noon, after school, Shan Xiaoyan didn't rush out as usual. Instead, she obediently packed up her books and stationery, ate lunch with Nan Zhiyi and Yang Mei, and then hurried to the library through the snow.
At first, Shan Xiaoyan was a little restless, but under the influence of Nan Zhiyi and Yang Meichen, she gradually calmed down and began to review seriously.
Kyoto University offers a wide variety of scholarships, including the "Three Good Students" scholarship that recognizes well-rounded development, individual awards for specific disciplines, and special funds donated by various companies and alumni.
Nan Zhiyi has always believed that one should strive for the honors that are deserved.
This is not only a financial subsidy, but also a valuable addition to her resume, which will greatly benefit her in terms of further studies or job placement in the future.
She has received the school-level second-class scholarship twice and a special award for literary criticism once.
Yang Mei's diligence is truly admirable.
She knew how precious the opportunity to study was, so she devoted all her energy to her studies and writing.
She is not only a frequent recipient of various scholarships, including two first-class scholarships and one "diligence" award, but she has also published several short stories and essays in various newspapers and magazines.
Nan Zhiyi often felt that Yang Mei possessed a silent yet powerful strength.
In contrast, Shan Xiaoyan comes from a wealthy family and has no worries about life. She doesn't have any specific plans for the future, so she is somewhat casual about her studies. She only received an encouragement scholarship for "cultural and sports activities" once during her freshman year.
As for Zhang Yueran, she is a recognized top student in the Department of Radio Engineering. She has strong logical thinking skills and is willing to work hard. She consistently ranks among the top students in her grade in the final exams and has never missed out on the first-class scholarship.
Now that it's final exam review season, she's so busy she barely has time to breathe. Nan Zhiyi knows how hard her sister works, so she doesn't easily bother her.
That day, Nan Zhiyi was studying in the library when Zhang Yueran hurried over to borrow some textbooks. She happened to walk over to Nan Zhiyi's table and greeted her in a low voice.
Nan Zhiyi noticed her younger sister's pointed chin and thin, almost fleshless cheeks, and couldn't help but feel sorry for her. "Have you not been eating properly again? How did you get so thin?"
Zhang Yueran felt guilty, but she said stubbornly, "No way, I eat on time every day."
“If you go home for the New Year, Aunt Feng will be heartbroken to see you like this.”
Nan Zhiyi felt conflicted. She hoped her younger sister would work hard for her future, but she also hoped that her sister wouldn't have to work too hard and could be happy.
"Okay, okay, I know. I'll definitely make sure to take good care of myself during the New Year, alright? Sis, don't worry about me all the time, don't worry."
Zhang Yueran chatted for a few more minutes, then hurriedly left with a thick stack of books in her arms.
Nan Zhiyi watched her younger sister's thin figure disappear at the end of the bookshelf, feeling a little empty inside. The older this girl got, the more opinionated she became, and she no longer easily shared many of her thoughts with her older sister.
When she got home that evening, she sighed to Gu Xiao, "Yueran seems to have grown up a lot all of a sudden. When I look at her, I always feel that she has something on her mind, but she doesn't tell me."
Gu Xiao had just finished showering and came over, still damp. He squeezed in front of the desk and sat down, letting her sit sideways on his lap.
“You’re worrying about other people’s business. She’s an adult now, but you and Aunt Feng still treat her like a child who needs constant care.”
He had one arm around her waist, and with the other hand he habitually kneaded her soft earlobe.
Nan Zhiyi turned her head slightly, trying to avoid his mischievous fingers, and denied it softly: "I didn't. I'm very careful now, and I don't dare to ask her too much about her private affairs, for fear that she will find me annoying."
"Really? Then why do you keep having her brought food and other necessities every few days? From malted milk powder and steamed cakes to newly bought scarves and clothes, you practically arrange a car for her to take care of everything from food and clothing to housing and transportation."
Nan Zhiyi felt a little embarrassed when he pointed out her mistake and leaned against his chest.
"Isn't Aunt Feng the same way to us? Look at all the packages we receive, Aunt Feng sends the most and the most frequently."
She seemed thoughtful: "I feel... Yue Ran might be in a relationship."
Gu Xiao's fingers traced down her earlobe, brushing against the side of her neck. He raised an eyebrow, a hint of interest in his voice: "How did you sense that?"
He loved watching her ponder things so intently; it was a particularly vivid sight.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com