After having dinner at home, Lin Li took a short nap before heading to Tsinghua University again.
Lin Laosan's melancholy look yesterday made her realize that it's not easy to get an exchange student position.
Board bus number 331.
When the bus stopped at Haidian Huangzhuang Station, Lin Li was almost pushed back by the students who rushed on.
She gripped the canvas bag tightly in her hand, and the frayed edge of the bag snagged on the polyester shirt of the girl next to her.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
She apologized repeatedly, noticing the school badge "Tsinghua University" pinned to the girl's chest.
The girl smiled and said, "It's okay!"
Lin Li smiled when she saw her sweet smile.
"Young lady, may I ask you where Professor Chen Jingming of Tsinghua University has his office?"
Professor Chen works in the West Main Building.
The girl pointed to the gray brick buildings that flashed past the car window.
"Get off at Wudaokou and walk 300 meters south."
Lin Li quickly thanked her.
At the intersection of Wudaokou, there is a tin mailbox with rust showing through the peeling green paint.
Lin Li followed several students carrying canvas bags southward. The poplar trees along the roadside had just sprouted new leaves, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting shimmering spots of light on the red brick wall.
Two young men in military green shirts were squatting against the wall, holding up signs that read "Tutor". When they saw Lin Li pass by, they looked up and asked.
"Does the nanny need to tutor the child in English?"
She shook her head and continued walking forward.
The rose bushes in front of the West Main Building had just been watered, and the earthy smell mixed with the scent of laundry detergent wafted over.
Lin Li was standing at the entrance of the gatehouse when she was stopped by an old man wearing a red armband.
Comrade, who are you looking for?
"I'm looking for Professor Chen. I'm Lin Li, and Lin Laosan is my son. I'd like to talk to Professor Chen about my son's recent studies."
The old man squinted at her for a long time before nodding, picking up the telephone receiver next to the table, and calling Professor Chen.
A short while later, he put down the microphone.
Looking at Lin Li, his expression softened a bit.
"Professor Chen is on the third floor, room 307."
"Thanks!"
Following his directions, Lin Li walked towards the Louxue Building.
The entire church building's staircase is made of terrazzo. Lin Li held onto the mottled red-painted railing as she walked up, and heard the sound of reading aloud coming from the second floor.
The melody of "We are Chinese" carries a strong Beijing accent.
A banner reading "Marching Towards Science" hangs on the corridor wall, written in vigorous calligraphy, and dated 1978.
The door to room 307 was ajar, and the crisp sound of abacus beads could be heard from inside.
Lin Li knocked on the door. Professor Chen, who was sitting at his desk writing and drawing, immediately smiled when he saw Lin Li.
"Dr. Lin, it's been a long time."
"Hello, Professor Chen."
Lin Li walked over with a smile.
"You're here for Lin Laosan's exchange student spot?"
Professor Chen looked at her, his eyes flickering.
Lin Li nodded and handed over the University of Hong Kong's admission letter.
Professor Chen took the admission notice, looked at it, got up, and poured her a cup of hot water from an enamel mug with the words "Model Worker" printed on it.
Lin Li noticed that there was a copy of "An Introduction to the Economy of Hong Kong and Macao" open on his desk, with a "Internal Document" label on the spine.
Lin Li took a sip of hot water and said with a smile, "I came here today to ask if the third brother has the qualifications to go to Hong Kong as an exchange student?"
Professor Chen smiled and said, "Lin Laosan is a good kid. He has good grades and is willing to study hard. He is qualified. However, being an exchange student isn't something you can just do because you're qualified. There are some procedures to go through."
Lin Li was secretly delighted: "What are the procedures? Tell me so that Lao San can prepare."
Professor Chen pulled a document out of the drawer; the mimeographed text was somewhat blurry.
“You see, first he has to write the application himself, then the department recommends him, then the school reviews it, and finally the Ministry of Education approves it. It takes a lot of work to go through all these steps.”
"So his grades are good enough, right?"
This was what Lin Li cared about most.
Professor Chen nodded.
"The third student's grades are among the best in the department. He has received scholarships for two consecutive years, which is not easy in our department. Moreover, his English is also good. He won an award in the English competition last time and went to the port city for an exchange program. He has no problem with the language."
The poplar catkins outside the window drifted in and landed on Lin Li's black trousers.
She remembered that her third son loved to tinker with radios, taking them apart and putting them back together, and she never expected him to be so successful now.
"Is there anything else I should be careful about?"
Lin Li pressed on, afraid of missing any crucial information.
"He's of good character and hasn't made any mistakes,"
Professor Chen adjusted his glasses. "Also, you need two recommendation letters from professors with the rank of associate professor or above. I can write one for him, and then have their department head write another one."
"Okay, I'll tell him."
Lin Li's eyes disappeared as she laughed.
The school bell rang in the corridor, signaling the end of get out of class, and the sound of students' footsteps echoed in.
Professor Chen got up and closed the doors and windows.
"Have the third son come to my place next Monday to pick up the letter of recommendation."
The professor wrote the address on a sticky note, "I'll also let their department head know and ask him to prepare the materials as soon as possible."
The pen paused on the paper. "Oh, right, have him prepare all the award certificates and stuff. We'll need them during the review."
"Okay! No problem."
Lin Li smiled, took the note, stood up to thank her, and left.
As we left the West Main Building, the setting sun cast long shadows of the teaching building.
Lin Li walked along the tree-lined path and saw several students flying kites. The kite string of the "Peace Dove" kite was taut in the wind.
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