Chapter 453: Really Not the Same Thing
Tang Chuxia was about to refuse, but the head teacher said, "I suggest you consider it seriously since following me would allow you to directly enter the graduate phase!"
Before Tang Chuxia could react, Zheng Daqing was almost about to explode.
"Teacher, what do you mean by this? My sister hasn’t even gotten into college, and you’re going to have her work as a graduate student? And aren’t you a high school teacher?"
How could he be a master’s advisor?
Tang Chuxia, on the other hand, didn’t doubt the head teacher’s word. If it wasn’t for the interruption over these years, the head teacher would definitely be an impressive figure. Even now, in fact, the head teacher was a professor; he had been sidelined here, not because he had started as a teacher in this place.
The head teacher ignored Zheng Daqing and instead looked at Tang Chuxia, "I’ve investigated your situation thoroughly, and your prior ability in mechanics has truly been eye-opening!"
Their generation had gone through too much, so they didn’t place much emphasis on going through each conventional step. If there was a promising candidate, they’d want to mentor them closely.
Tang Chuxia had the ability, what was key was that she lacked excessive utilitarian ambitions and could genuinely be led to conduct research well.
Tang Chuxia, rubbing her chin, asked, "I won’t need to take the college entrance exams?"
She really wasn’t confident about that winter exam.
Not to mention that she now had memories of her past life, but in the competition for the narrow bridge that the multitudes must cross, she didn’t believe she could just activate a "Golden Finger" and win lying down.
She hadn’t prepared well in the first place.
The head teacher affirmed very seriously, "No need, you’re my student, and I’ll vouch for you myself!"
Tang Chuxia glanced at Zheng Daqing; his face was twisted with jealousy, which was utterly amusing.
"Fine, but let me be clear, I’ve always been carefree, and many things I just can’t conform to," stated Tang Chuxia, pre-empting any issues.
The head teacher laughed, "What’s that matter? I’m also not one for cookie-cutter approaches. As long as you agree, I’ll submit the application, and then you’ll be my first graduate student!"
Tang Chuxia indicated it wasn’t a problem.
She had to attend school anyway, and not taking the exams was even better.
And so it was that Tang Chuxia became a graduate student studying directly under the head teacher without having to complete an undergraduate degree, while Zheng Daqing tried to speak several times but didn’t know what to say.
After parting ways with the head teacher, Zheng Daqing pestered Tang Chuxia, "Sister, dear sister, you’re really making me jealous, aren’t you?"
He wanted to attend college but faced many restrictions, yet here Tang Chuxia had no such need and even had people fighting to take her in!
Tang Chuxia said, "Don’t be jealous, it’s useless. Jealousy will make you unrecognizable."
Zheng Daqing sighed, "Do I really have to go abroad?"
Tang Chuxia replied, "Little brother is also going to study abroad for a year. If you want to go abroad, you can go with him, at least for mutual support!"
Zheng Daqing could only agree, deciding that it was better than being alone in a strange place; even having fellow townsmen wouldn’t be as convenient.
The two returned to the Zheng Family home, where the grandparents had come back.
Tang Chuxia went to chat with her grandmother while Zheng Daqing went to tell his grandfather about everything that happened.
"Grandma, Elder Yan and the others have been reinstated to their official positions. Should we start preparing some gifts to send over?"
Tang Chuxia still remembered this matter. Her grandmother was wiping her orchids with a towel.
"Send them."
Tang Chuxia knew that if her grandmother had agreed, then there would be no problem.
Previously, Tang Chuxia’s interactions with Elder Yan and company had also been with her grandmother’s soothing of everyone at home, allowing Tang Chuxia to do as she liked. Now, once again, her grandmother supported Tang Chuxia.
"Grandma, do you know of Tianji?"
Compared with Elder Yan and the others, Tang Chuxia was more interested in this entity.
Her grandmother nodded.
"Heavenly secrets should not be divulged, yet this Tianji is not that heavenly secret. Tianji is a very special department. How come you suddenly asked about it?"
Her grandmother didn’t think Tang Chuxia was asking out of a whim; she must have her reasons.
Because those who knew about Tianji were few.
Tang Chuxia responded, "I’m just curious if one can leave Tianji?"
Why did Tang Chuxia know about Tianji?
That had to go back to the time she saw Gu Beihuai and the others in that underground training facility. Only then did Tang Chuxia recall what was written about Gu Beihuai in the book.
It mentioned a mysterious organization. Because the book mainly revolved around Tang Wanqiu and Hu Mingcheng’s romantic life, other details were sketchy and glossed over.
Tang Chuxia wasn’t very diligent in reading; after transmigrating into the book, although she tried to recall the plot, there were many parts she hadn’t remembered. However, after marrying Gu Beihuai, she had analyzed him to some extent.
Such a formidable man was the first love of both the main characters; if not for an accident, he might always have been the mountain in the hearts of the male and female leads that couldn’t be surpassed.
How could such an individual be simple?
Piecing together her own special circumstances, Tang Chuxia fished the term Tianji from the hidden nooks and crannies of her memory.
Gu Beihuai had once asked Tang Chuxia if she knew of Tianji, and it wasn’t until today, after she met with Elder Yan and others, that Tang Chuxia realized Tianji’s strength.
Her grandmother shook her head, "Tianji has a long history, just with many different names before, like Jinyi Guard, Supervision Bureau, or the Glue Pole Office from the previous dynasty. It’s all somewhat synonymous!"
Tang Chuxia came to a realization.
Today’s Tianji was like the national Jinyi Guard!
It made sense why Gu Beihuai disappeared early.
He knew too many secrets.
"Tianji has only casualties, not retirements," her grandmother concluded, looking at Tang Chuxia, "Who is in Tianji?"
Even her grandmother didn’t know who was in Tianji; Tang Chuxia was puzzled, how did Gu Beihuai end up leading Tianji?
Tang Chuxia shook her head, "Third Grandpa once mentioned it in passing, so I guess Third Grandpa must be part of Tianji."
Her grandmother nodded, "If it’s your Third Grandpa, then it’s possible. That old man does have some resources. Even the old monk and others must be part of it."
Tang Chuxia didn’t continue the topic; she was afraid to speak too much and stress herself out even more.
After chatting with her grandmother for a while and bringing up her little brother’s opportunity to study abroad, her grandmother said, "It’s good to go out and have a look. Your little brother’s love life hasn’t been smooth; focusing on work is appropriate!"
Tang Chuxia gave her grandmother a thumbs up.
Indeed, only her grandmother would think so thoroughly.
"Oh, and tell your mother when you get back that the man who abandoned her can be thrown away. No need to keep him in front of her and be an eyesore."
Her grandmother clearly had a low opinion of Madam Tang’s politeness toward Xue Zhanyi and, of course, disapproved of Father Tang’s behavior.
Neither was good.
Tang Chuxia laughed softly, "Grandma, how come my mom hasn’t learned a bit of your carefreeness? Men are just for comfort; surely they shouldn’t be taken too seriously, right?"
Her grandmother was amused, "You, my girl, understand me the best!"