Chapter 266 Grapes
"Starting with your academic year, the school's scholarship and financial aid system will be more standardized. Scholarships are awarded annually, primarily based on your overall grades and performance, with the aim of recognizing outstanding students and encouraging diligent study. Financial aid, on the other hand, is mainly to help students from families facing genuine financial difficulties to complete their studies without worry. It is generally applied for and awarded once per semester, and students need to submit applications based on their actual circumstances. Students applying for financial aid this semester, please come to my office after the class meeting."
He glanced at the whole class and emphasized again.
"Dear students, whether it's a scholarship or a grant, the core message is to encourage you to cherish this hard-won learning opportunity and dedicate your energy to your studies. Knowledge changes destiny, and I hope you all achieve academic success!"
After a brief class meeting, Ms. Li left, and the class monitor and academic representative began distributing the new semester's textbooks and timetables.
As soon as Teacher Li left, Shan Xiaoyan started talking, "We have scholarships this year, so we have to work harder!"
Nan Zhiyi doesn't have any particular obsession with scholarships, but she has always been serious about her studies and will naturally do her best.
"Yes, let's cheer each other on."
Yang Mei packed her schoolbag and said, "Come on, we don't have class this afternoon, let's go to the dormitory together to get the local specialties."
"Yes, yes, let's go, Zhiyi." Shan Xiaoyan pulled Nan Zhiyi along and walked out together.
Regarding Gao Huiqin's failure to arrive at school on time, Nan Zhiyi, Shan Xiaoyan, and Yang Mei were concerned, but they also understood that everyone has their own destiny and they could not live for others. If she really had to give up her studies for some reason, they could only feel sorry for her and there was nothing they could do to change it.
On the third day of school, Gao Huiqin appeared at the classroom door, her face pale, her eyes dark, and her whole body like a leaf swaying in the autumn wind.
Faced with the concern of Nan Zhiyi, Shan Xiaoyan, and Yang Mei, she simply smiled and whispered, "Something came up at home," before refusing to say anything more.
After that, she became even more taciturn, always keeping to herself, and leaving in a hurry as soon as get out of class was over, her figure thin and hurried.
This situation lasted for more than half a month before Gao Huiqin's face gradually regained some color, but her brows remained somber.
One day at lunchtime, Yang Mei lowered her voice and said, "I heard that Huiqin was late for the start of the semester this time because she had a miscarriage and was resting at home for a while."
Nan Zhiyi was taken aback upon hearing this, and asked in a low voice, "How...how did you know?"
Shan Xiaoyan, quick to speak, picked up the conversation, "It was spread by her roommates. How can a dormitory really keep a secret? She looked so pale and was often unwell, so after asking her in detail, we found out... sigh."
Yang Mei nodded and added softly, "Under one roof, everyone knows what's going on in the dormitory. Her roommates must have asked her a few questions. They heard that her mother-in-law's family was very unhappy about it, feeling that she lost her baby and missed the start of the semester."
Nan Zhiyi was silent for a moment, then said, "Huiqin, it's really tough for you. You're busy with your studies and struggling to make ends meet; you probably don't even have time to rest." She had recently reaffirmed with Teacher Li that her allowance would also be given to Huiqin from now on, hoping to ease her burden...
Shan Xiaoyan added, "That's right! I noticed she doesn't even have a decent thermos, so I brought her mine. I had to beg her for a long time before she finally accepted it."
The three of them were speechless for a moment, and all sighed a few times for Gao Huiqin's situation.
For quite a while.
Yang Mei, however, changed the subject, saying, "I tried submitting a few articles. The two I submitted to *Prose* and *Harvest* were rejected; the editors said they were still a bit rough around the edges. But I submitted one to *Beijing Evening News*, and to my surprise, it was accepted and they even gave me a twenty-yuan fee!"
Yang Mei's candor and sharing surprised Nan Zhiyi, who was genuinely happy for her and gave her a thumbs up: "Yang Mei, keep up the good work."
Shan Xiaoyan exclaimed "Ah!" and began to reflect on her actions: "You received a reply? And you were accepted! I've only written one article so far, and it's all disappeared without a trace. Sigh, I've spent the whole summer playing and haven't done anything. Looks like I really need to get to work!"
Nan Zhiyi encouraged them: "That's how it is with submitting manuscripts. Being rejected is common, and receiving feedback from the editor is even more valuable. As long as you keep writing and accumulate experience, you will always make progress. Don't give up easily, let's work together."
Shan Xiaoyan was the first to cheer herself up, saying, "Of course I can't give up! I still have to prove myself, how can I just admit defeat like this?"
Yang Mei: "That's right, that's right! What's a little setback like this? We'll practice more and we'll be fine!"
Nan Zhiyi then made an agreement with them to supervise each other's writing progress, and Shan Xiaoyan and Yang Mei both agreed very seriously.
After school that day, as soon as Nan Zhiyi opened the courtyard gate, Xiaoman rushed over and hugged her leg tightly, crying, "Mommy! I missed Mommy!"
Nan Zhiyi felt all her fatigue disappear instantly, bent down and picked up her son: "Mom also misses our Xiaoman, she misses him so much."
She sat on the swing in the yard with her son in her arms, gently swaying back and forth.
On the grape trellis overhead, only a few clusters of late-ripening grapes remain, hidden among the yellowing and sparse leaves.
Nan Zhiyi reached out and picked a last purple grape from the shelf, carefully peeled it, and offered it to Xiaoman's lips.
The little guy took it in his mouth with a "woof" sound and squinted his eyes.
The mother and son nestled together on the gently swaying swing.
Just then, the phone rang in the living room.
Nan Zhiyi, carrying Xiaoman, walked over and answered the phone: "Hello?"
Gu Xiao's voice came through the receiver: "Wife."
Just two words.
Nan Zhiyi's nose tingled, and her eyes welled up with tears.
She gripped the receiver tightly, managing to squeeze out only one word: "...Mmm."
Gu Xiao noticed the unusual tone in her voice and quickly said, "I'll be home tomorrow."
Nan Zhiyi bit her lip and remained silent.
He disappeared for months without a word, I was constantly worried sick. That man... he's a real bastard!
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by an even more humble apology: "Zhiyi, don't be angry... it's my fault..."
Nan Zhiyi sniffed. "I'm not angry... I just miss you."
Gu Xiao seemed relieved and immediately assured him, "Tomorrow, you'll see me as soon as you get home."
"real?"
"Yes," he replied without hesitation.
Nan Zhiyi then lowered her head and held the receiver close to Xiaoman's ear, who was looking up at her with curiosity: "Xiaoman, it's Daddy, call him Daddy quickly."
Xiaoman called out into the receiver in a clear, crisp voice, "Daddy!"
Gu Xiao: "Hey! My son is so good! Alright, go play by yourself."
Xiaoman obeyed and ran off with a clattering sound.
Nan Zhiyi was a little puzzled and said reproachfully, "Why don't you talk to Xiaoman a little longer? He misses you so much."
Gu Xiao lowered his voice and said, "What's the point of talking to that brat? I just want to talk to my wife."
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