441. QIAO NIAN STILL DIDN'T WANT TO STUDY IT
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Just now, when Qiao Chen tried to appeal to him, Master Nie was completely unfazed and even rejected her directly.
Now, he was actually offering a minor to a student who already chose the Chinese Medicine Faculty.
Liang Lu and Cheng Wu's expressions darkened again, and the rest of the people present were stunned.
This Qiao Nian... just what charm did she have to have both honorary professors from Qing University want her?!
''You have Chinese Medicine as your major, but you'll need a minor. You wouldn't possibly take another Medicine-based course as a minor, right? It wouldn't mean as much.'' Nie Mi wasn't otherwise about what others would think of his actions now. All of his attention was on Qiao Niam. ''What about learning music?"
The music teacher was speechless.
She flipped through the document.
There wasn't a single word written under her 'Strengths' section.
It was as blank as it could be!
She hadn't recalled wrongly, this Qiao Nian clearly had not written anything about having strength in music.
Compared to Qiao Chen who had a grade eight certificate in piano and exposure to other instruments, she actually didn't know a single instrument.
The music teacher was confused and couldn't figure out why Nie Mi would be interested in a student with no basic foundation in music?
Unlike other faculties, the Music Faculty was extremely niche and had strict criteria for enrollment. It didn't just take a day or two to pick a new instrument, nor did good grades guarantee that one would be good at playing an instrument. It requires exposure and guidance since young. Only with strong foundation would student be able to hone their skills and techniques at this age.
But Qiao Nian... no offense, but she had no idea what Nie Mi was trying to do.
She dared not to interrupt, since she had no knowledge of what was going on. She couldn't possibly tell Nie Mi that he was doing the wrong thing and that this student was impossible to teach.
After all, they knew that the honorary professor of their faculty had a different temperament than Mr. Huang from the Chinese Medicine Faculty.
Mr. Huang was firm but gentle.
Master Nie, on the other hand...
The music teacher recalled how she had ruthlessly rejected the girl who self-recommended previously and immediately shut herself up. She didn't want to be embarrassed by Master Nie in front of everyone, so it was best she kept quiet...
''Music can help with mood adjustment. If you find studying Chinese Medicine dry and tiring, you can find some joy in music.''
Shen Yugui was speechless.
Dry and tiring?
He felt attacked.
Mr. Huang, however, did not have much of a reaction. His expression was calm and usual, and it was evident that he had known Nie Mi for long. He was clear that Nie Mi's words just sounded awful, but he meant no harm.
He simply looked at Qiao Nian with a slightly shocked expression and with a hint of curiosity. He couldn't understand why Nie Mi was also interested in Qiao Nian.
Qiao Nian had never thought of taking up two different courses in university. She was busy as it was, usually, and while she managed high school well, she didn't want to inconvenience herself in university.
''I might not have the time.''
This was a rejection.
Nie Mi didn't seem to understand her, though, and followed up seamlessly. ''It's alright, I have the time. I can work around your time. If you're free, we'll practice music. If you're busy, you can just do your your, I won't stop you. Is that okay?"
Qiao Nian felt a vein in her forehead pop. She wanted to say ''not okay''.
Nie Mi eyes her with a look of anticipation. He didn't even blink as he looked at her, making it difficult for her to reject him explicitly.
She was getting a bit upset about this. She noticed that ever since she left the Qiao Family, she had been getting increasingly soft-hearted and finding it more difficult to reject others. Slightly frustrated, she looked up at him with her dark eyes and sighed. ''I really might not have the time. If you don't mind just having it on paper, then I don't mind it too.''
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442. WAS THIS QIAO NIAN VENOMOUS?
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So smug?
Master Nie invited her, and she actually said that she could have it on paper but might not have the time to learn it?
Everyone had the same thought: This Qiao Nian is top arrogant!
Only Nie Mi was used to this attitude of hers and did not mind it. He laughed it off. ''Sure. If you're willing to put it down on paper, you'll eventually find the time for it.''
Qiao Nian couldn't beat him to it. She pulled her cap down slightly to hide her frustration and said, ''Up to you.''
''That's it, then. You'll take a minor in Music, and I'll coach you personally.'' Nie Mi was just waiting for her to say that. He was afraid that she'd change her mind later and couldn't wait to set it in stone. He quickly got the music teacher to note it down. It was as if he was learning Music from Qiao Nian and not the other way around.
This huge imbalance shocked everyone.
Liang Lu was practically having a facial spasm while stuck in a daze. She looked at the two nationally-revered elderly, unbaked to understand what was going on.
Was this Qiao Nian venemous or something?
...
Qiao Chen walked around dejectedly in the campus. Fu Ge and his classmates were waiting outside. When Qiao Chen emerged, a smile appeared on Fu Ge's handsome face, and he quickened his pace toward her.
He was tall and his strides were wide, so he got to her soon enough. He lowered his head and looked at her gently, ''How was it?"
Qiao Chen was wearing a long dress with a floral scarf, looking innocent and refreshing. It enhanced her gentle aura and beauty, making her appear more adorable. Since her face was fair and her complexion good, the dress enhanced her looks further. She blinked sadly and said, ''Master Nie didn't listen to the song I prepared.''
Fu Ge was slightly stunned but not exactly surprised. He comforted her. ''Don't think too much about it. Just because Master Ni didn't listen to your song does not mean that he doesn't like you. He's just unwilling to take in any students.''
Qiao Chen bit her lips and felt that it wasn't the case. Distracted, she said, ''Is that the case?"
If Master Nie was really unwilling to take in any students, why did he turn up for the enrollment interview this time? His presence meant that he had the intention to take in students.
Since he was unwilling to listen to her CD, it just meant that he wasn't interested in her!
Qiao Chen felt awful, but no matter how she thought about it, she couldn't figure out how anyone in the 30-odd people could be more qualified and talented than her, and who would interest Master Nie.
Fu Ge's friend gathered around and listened to their conversation. One of them patten Qiao Chen on the shoulder and said cheerfully, ''Junior, your boyfriend isn't kidding you. Everyone in Qing University knows that Master Nie's position in the Music Faculty is just honorary, he doesn't actually take in any students. It's normal that he isn't taking you in. In fact, we'd be shocked if he did expect you.''
With that, he nudged the boy beside him to confirm. ''Right, Ziyu?"
''Oh.'' Wen Ziyu wasn't paying attention to Qiao Chen. He didn't even glance at her. He'd only responded intuitively when he was nudged, but he actually had no idea what they were saying.
Fu Ge didn't bother about them. His focus was still on his girlfriend. His eyes softened as he asked thoughtfully, ''Let's not talk about Master Nie for now. Since you've had the chance to encounter Master Nie, you might have a chance to be his disciple in the future, even if not now. Let's talk about your interview first. Do you think you made it?"
Qiao Chen remembered seeing the music teacher put a mark on her name during the interview. She knew full well.
On that note, she felt a bit better and finally smiled. She lowered her head shyly and said, ''I think I made it... The teacher put a circle around my name. Brother Fu, does this mean I've made it?"
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443. THE FIRST PLACE IN THE INDEPENDENT ENROLLMENT EXAMINATION THIS TIME IS ALSO CALLED QIAO NIAN!
*******
''A tick beside your name means you have passed already.'' Fu Ge breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed his shoulders. He looked at her with a pair of beautiful eyes and said with a low and provocative voice, ''Congratulations, Chen Chen. You have been admitted to Qing University!"
The corners of Qiao Chen's mouth couldn't help but rise. She blushed and looked back at him.
Then, she suddenly remembered something and looked embarrassed. She said, ''By the way, Brother Fu, I have something else to tell you.''
Just the thought of her making it into Qing University put Fu Ge in a good mood, and he asked without much thought, ''What's the matter? You can tell me.''
Qiao Chen started speaking implicitly. ''Professor Cheng Wu asked me if inwas interested in studying finance for my second major. I thought about it for a while and agreed.''
The boys fell silent for a few seconds as soon as these words came out of her mouth.
The most lively and cheerful, Zhou Yang suddenly exclaimed in surprise and jumped up. He patted Fu Ge on the shoulder and started to praise him, ''Wow! Fu Ge, your girlfriend is so talented! Not only is she beautiful, but she's also the campus Belle of First High School. Her academic performance is also so good. Our professor doesn't take a liking to just anybody. He even asked your girlfriend if she wanted to minor in Finance Department. That shows she did very well in the examination! You're really lucky to find such an excellent girlfriend!"
This compliment not only praised Fu Ge but also Qiao Chen.
Both of them had a good image to uphold. They couldn't help but want people to think even more highly of them. Fu Ge couldn't hide his arrogance. He turned his head and said generously to the others, ''Let's eat at the Imperial Mansion later. It'll be my treat!"
Wen Ziyu casually put his hand in his trouser pocket.
The other two roommates were very happy when they heard that they would be having dinner at the Imperial Mansion. Their happiness was to be expected. The Imperial Mansion wasn't a place where ordinary students could afford to go to.
Just because Fu Ge and Wen Ziyu could afford to eat there didn't mean that the other two roommates could.
However, they were fortunate enough to be assigned a room together with them. They would be treated to a meal occasionally.
Fu Ge was treating because of Qiao Chen. She wasn't only proud, but also enjoying the feeling of being the center of attention.
She suddenly heard Wen Ziyu's surprised voice, ''Why is she here?"
Her?
Who?
Qiao Chen intuitively turned her head to look.
She saw a thin figure walking out of the big classroom used for the examinations. Walking slowly, the figure was wearing a cap with a hoodie, and her straight and long legs were wrapped in jeans. Even with a thin figure, it couldn't hide the wild aura around her.
This figure looked very familiar!
She recognized who this figure belonged to at a glance!
Qiao Nian?!
Fu Ge also saw the girl walking slowly outside the school. Stunned, he blurted out, ''Qiao Nian?"
When Wen Ziyu heard this, he turned around and asked, ''Do you know her?"
He looked a little excited!
Fu Ge was stunned at his question and couldn't control his expression momentarily. Not daring to offend Wen Ziyu, he explained vaguely, ''We could be considered acquaintances. She's also from Rao City, so I have seen her around before. She's a junior at my high school.''
After saying that, he screwed up his eyebrows and said, ''I thought she had failed the examination. What's she here at Qing University for?"
When Qiao Chen called him yesterday, she said that Qiao Nian had failed the examination and would go back to Rao City the day after tomorrow. That was why he was more surprised that the others when they saw Qiao Nian.
Qiao Chen was also pondering over this.
Wen Ziyu hung hands beside himself, raised his fair-skinned face, and asked him, ''What did you say her name was?"
Fu Ge saw that he was interested in Qiao Nian and felt unpleasant inside. He forced himself not to overthink and answered, ''Her name is Qiao Nian. What's the matter?"
Wen Ziyu looked at him and Qiao Chen meaningfully and said, ''Do you know that the first place in the independent enrollment examination this time is also called Qiao Nian?"
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444. QIAO CHEN AND FU GE WERE SHAMED
*******
Fu Ge and Qiao Chen were stunned after hearing what he said.
First place? Qiao Nian? Was there a mistake somewhere?
This was the only thought running through their heads.
Qiao Chen was sure that he had made a mistake. She heard from Wei Ling that Qiao Nian had failed the examination and would be going back to Rao City. How could she suddenly become first in Qing University's independent enrollment examination?
Her first reaction was awkwardness. She bit her lip and said in a panic, ''She has the same name?"
At least 2,500 students sat fkr the examination this time. Among so many people from all over the country, it was inevitable that they would meet one or two people with the same name.
''Is it just a coincidence that they have the same name?" Wen Ziyu glanced at her and did not notice her reaction. He put his hands leisurely into his pockets, raised his jaw slightly, and said, ''I saw the list of people sitting for the examination. There's only one person called Qiao Nian, so I don't think that this is this is coincidence. Furthermore, I don't think I would make such a mistake! Her grades are unforgettable!"
''Fu Ge's girlfriend's grades are also good. I heard she ranked ninth in the examination.'' Zhou Yang leveled the playing field. He put his hand on Wen Ziyu's shoulders and said with a smile, ''The higher ranked you are, the closer people's scores get. I remember that Qiao Chen scored 588 points. Is the right?"
588 points was not considered low. If this score was to be ranked in the College entrance examination, it would be ranked quite highly. Not to mention, Qing University's independent enrollment examination was more difficult than the College entrance examination.
Qiao Chen was also very satisfied with her achievement. She thought that her efforts for the past month finally paid off. But the news about Qiao Nian unsettled her. She was no longer satisfied with her results. It was as though a stone was weighing down her heart. It would be hard for her to relax if she didn't clear things up.
''Yes.''
Seeing that he remembered correctly, Zhou Yang turned his head and said to Wen Ziyu, ''Look, Qiao Chen scored 588. I estimate that the first place should have scored slightly more than 600. About 605 or 610...?"
Qiao Chen's face still did not look better. Her fists were clenched tightly by her sides. She couldn't even feel her nails digging into the palms of her hands. She felt so uncomfortable, as though a hundred ants were gnawing at her heart.
Qiao Nian scored 600 points?
Qiao Chen turned pale.
Who would have thought that Wen Ziyu would brush Zhou Yang's hand away? He then sneered, refusing to show Qiao Chen and Fu Ge any mercy. He faintly said, ''This estimate is based on previous year. This year is different. A genius has appeared in Qing University, and teachers from all departments are going crazy. I heard that when the results came out, Professor Cheng spread the word that the Finance Department would try to get her into his faculty no matter what kind of conditions she set. I think he's set on recruiting her this time.''
Wen Ziyu narrowed his eyes as he looked at Fu Ge meaningfully and said slowly, ''He didn't like any of the students last year, and he hasn't brought any students under him for more than a year. It looks like we will be getting a junior very soon!''
If Qiao Nian was really going to be their junior in Finance Department, Wen Ziyu's mood would brighten up like a sunny day.
Fu Ge was speechless. Seeing that he was talking to himself, his handsome-looking face turned blue. He stopped himself from having a direct conflict with him.
The Wen family wasn't something he could afford to offend. It was a fact that Wen Ziyu was someone he needed to interact with carefully.
He would be able to smoothly enter Beijing's upper circles only if he had Wen Ziyu behind him.
Otherwise, no matter how powerful the Fu family was, they were merely a small family from Rao City.
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455. UNLESS ALL THE BOYS IN THE SCHOOL ARE BLIND
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Zhou Yang wasn't familiar with the inner circles in Beijing. He was intrigued by their exchange. After all, he was in his twenties and was not that attentive.
Although he spoke for Qiao Chen before, this time, he didn't consider her feelings.
Standing in front of Wen Ziyu, he asked curiously, ''I'm interested in what you said. Is she really that great? How many marks did she get? She scored so well that even Professor Cheng was excited. Our Finance Department has so many applicants every year. Our Department is already spoiled for choice, yet we still need to try so hard to recruit her?"
Wen Ziyu said, ''If you were in his shoes, you would also want to fight for her.''
Zhou Yang was completely dumbfounded and tugged at his clothes. Determined to get to the bottom of this matter, he asked, ''Wen Ziyu, don't keep us on the edge! How many points did she get? Tell us her score and let me see how well she did.''
He was actually just joking with Wen Ziyu and wanted to tease him. He didn't believe that the results of the first place would be so much better than that of the ninth place.
Wen Ziyu narrowed his eyes. He had a gentle and handsome face that gave off a feeling that he was good-tempered and approachable. Only the people close to him knew whether his face displayed his true character.
''650.''
''What?'' Zhou Yang was the first to respond. He pulled his own ear, doubting what he had heard. ''You're talking about the manimum score, right?"
Everyone knew that the maximum score was 650.
''I'm asking you about the girl's score, not the maximum score.''
Fu Ge and Qiao Chen both had their hearts in their throats. They were expressionless and quiet. It wad obvious to everyone that they were very nervous.
Wen Ziyu glanced in their direction and looked away again. He faintly said, ''I said that she scored 650, the full score! She's the only person in the history of Qing University to get the full score in the independent enrollment examination. Do you know why Professor Cheng is trying to recruit her now? From what I have heard, not only our department, but all other departments are also aiming to recruit her. A fight almost broke out between the Finance Department and Architecture Department.''
Zhou Yang's eyes were distracted. He couldn't react for a long time, and his mouth was slightly open. He couldn't find his voice, ''Oh my goodness, 650! This is the first time I heard someone scoring full marks in the independent enrollment examination. This Qiao Nian is genius!"
Suddenly remembering something, he turned to Fu Ge and said excitedly, ''I remember you saying that she's your junior? And that she comes from Rao City, too.''
Fu Ge was having trouble maintaining a calm expression. He clenched his hands and nodded with a stern face. ''Yes.''
However, Zhou Yang couldn't read the atmosphere. He patted Fu Ge on the shoulder as though they were good brothers and started to talk in a loud voice. ''Wow, people from Rao City are so talented. There's going to be a national champion from Rao City this year!"
Fu Ge was speechless.
Still not picking up on Fu Ge and Qiao Chen's conflicting feelings, Zhou Yang smiled so widely that his eyes became narrow slits. He glanced at Qiao Chen and asked curiously, ''I remember your girlfriend was also once your junior. They're both your juniors. Is it possible they were schoolmates in high school?"
Wen Ziyu's gaze landed on Qiao Chen. He then spoke, and no one knew whether he said it intentionally or not. ''Fu Ge's girlfriend is the campus Belle, right? Then, they shouldn't be from the same high school.''
''What do you mean? Have you met Qiao Nian before? Is she very pretty?" Zhou Yang scratched his head. He was very curious.
Wen Ziyu deliberately said it implicitly, ''Anyways, she wouldn't be the campus Belle if she was in the same high school as Qiao Nian, unless all the boys were blind!"
The ''blind'' Fu Ge was speechless.
Qiao Chen pinched the palms of her hand and told herself that Wen Ziyu didn't necessarily mean Qiao Nian. It must be a coincidence. However, the resentment, jealousy, and indignation felt as though the devil was gnawing at her heart.
Her face was very pale, almost transparent. She didn't feel as proud as when she mentioned Cheng Wu's offer for her to take up a minor in the Finance Department. Not wanting to stay here any longer and not wanting to continue speaking about this topic anymore, she raised her watery eyes, looked at Fu Ge, and said softly, ''Brother Fu, I'm hungry... Let's go eat now.''