Chapter 217

When Shi Tingyu heard the news, she was deeply moved. Such important information wouldn’t have been revealed unless the other party truly cared about her.

It wasn’t just news; for many students, having an extra two months for revision significantly increased their chances of getting into university. However, she felt she had to decline Editor Luo’s kindness. “Thank you for remembering me,” Shi Tingyu thanked Editor Luo and continued, “In fact, I graduated from university when I was eighteen.”

 Editor Luo was shocked.

He knew Shi Tingyu had held art exhibitions in the United States, but he didn’t know much beyond that. Shi Tingyu explained, “I have a talent for painting. I was specially admitted to Zhicheng Art Academy and had completed all my studies by the time I returned to China at eighteen.”

 Shi Tingyu retained memories from her original host.

The original host was admitted at sixteen and finished all coursework by eighteen due to her parents’ encouragement. Her parents had long wanted to return to China, but faced tight restrictions in the U.S., making it impossible to return alone.

Therefore, they prepared for the return by supervising the child’s education. If they returned suddenly, the child would follow them and not remain in the U.S. as a hostage.

So, finishing university early would enable the prompt receipt of a graduation certificate. Later, even when returning home, she would have graduated from university, not considered a dropout. The original host truly studied hard day and night.

 Fortunately, Chinese people seem to have a talent for studying. She finished university at eighteen and held her exhibition only after graduation. However, the original host was too sensitive and delicate, unable to bear the news of being reassigned later.

Being overly sensitive seems to be a common problem among many artists. Shi Tingyu believed she could be stronger than the original host due to her upbringing.

She grew up like a wild grass without parental care, so she could withstand pressure and injury. Editor Luo was completely numb when he heard Shi Tingyu’s words.

The fact that Shi Tingyu had graduated from a foreign university was known to some high-ranking military leaders, recorded during marriage background checks. But apart from them and close acquaintances, even the former school principal who had admitted her didn’t know.

All he knew was that Shi Tingyu had graduated from high school. When she interviewed for the position of art teacher at the school, Shi Tingyu presented her high school diploma.

This high school diploma was obtained because her parents, due to national circumstances, feared that Shi Tingyu’s foreign university degree might not be recognized, so they had her take the high school exam.

Their public statement was that their daughter graduated from high school. It was for this reason that Editor Luo considered informing Shi Tingyu about the news of the restoration of the college entrance examination.

He valued talent and believed that Shi Tingyu, with her abilities, could certainly achieve higher academic qualifications.

He knew about Zhicheng Art Academy, a famous art school in the United States where many international celebrities had emerged. After a while, Editor Luo smiled and said, “Since you graduated from Zhicheng, there’s no need for you to take the college entrance exam.” Shi Tingyu hadn’t even considered taking the exam. With the reform and opening up, foreign diplomas were highly valued, hence the trend of studying abroad and seeking overseas experience.

Now that the great movement had ended, Shi Tingyu could gradually reveal that she had already graduated from a foreign university. “I must thank Editor Luo for thinking of me,” Shi Tingyu expressed her gratitude again.

 Thinking that Editor Luo worked for a publishing house, Shi Tingyu felt she could repay his kindness. “Editor Luo, with the current situation, once the news of the college entrance exam’s restoration is announced, there will definitely be a high demand for review materials.

I think the publishing house could start printing some review materials.” “It’s hard to find many review materials these days, but I believe the publishing house has the capability.” Editor Luo at the other end of the phone call was pleasantly surprised.

The imminent news of the college entrance exam restoration had left him stunned; he hadn’t expected it at all. Realizing time was of the essence, Editor Luo didn’t mince words with Shi Tingyu and hung up after saying goodbye. Although Shi Tingyu wouldn’t participate in the exam, she couldn’t help but feel excited.

She didn’t know the specifics of the exam restoration process, only that it was restored on October 21st, 1977. She wondered how Editor Luo had learned of this news. Actually, Editor Luo had learned of it by chance.

 His Beijing Art Publishing House had connections with many scholars and professors. On August 4th, one of his old friends was invited to attend a symposium in Beijing. This symposium, initiated by Mr. D, focused on science and education. It lasted for five days, concluding with Professor Cha proposing the drawbacks of the current college admission system based on recommendations. Ultimately, it was Mr. D who decided to restore the college entrance examination. Interestingly, Professor Cha was from Jinling.

After the symposium, Editor Luo’s friend was also very excited. Once the decision to restore the college entrance examination was made, such news could not be kept secret among the higher-ups. Thus, Editor Luo’s friend mentioned it to him.

 Tears welled in his eyes as he spoke about it, indicating his emotions at the time. When Shi Tingyu came out of the office, Principal Ren also approached her. After thanking Principal Ren, Shi Tingyu prepared to take the child home.

As for this news, Shi Tingyu had no intention of sharing it with anyone else. After all, the official notification about the restoration of the college entrance exam had not been issued yet, and she feared causing trouble if she spread it herself. However, as she walked past the notice board, Shi Tingyu paused and saw Han Wei busy in front of it.

She called out to him, “Xiao Wei, I remember you graduated from high school, right?” Han Wei nodded in confusion, “Yes.” Seeing his innocent look, Shi Tingyu smiled and said, “If you want to improve your portrait painting skills in the future, you still need to lay a solid foundation. Also, don’t neglect your general education courses. If there’s an opportunity for further study in the future, a certain level of education will definitely be required.

Opportunities favor those who are prepared.” Although Han Wei was puzzled, he trusted Shi Tingyu and replied earnestly, “Teacher Shi, I will work hard.” After hearing this, Shi Tingyu waved her hand and said, “Alright, you continue your work. I’m going home with the child.” With that, she left holding the child. Han Wei continued to work diligently at the notice board.

Back home, Shi Tingyu took the child into the room. She didn’t have any relatives or friends who needed to take the college entrance exam, so she set aside thoughts of it. When Han Wei finished work and returned home, he began practicing painting every day.

However, remembering what Shi Tingyu had said earlier, he pulled out his high school textbooks again. Han Wei’s mother was puzzled to see her son reading high school textbooks again. “Why are you looking at high school textbooks again? Didn’t you graduate?” Without looking up, Han Wei replied, “I feel my theoretical knowledge isn’t solid enough.

Teacher Shi said that opportunities are for those who are prepared.” Upon hearing that it was Teacher Shi who said this, Han Wei’s mother didn’t say anything more; she had blind confidence in Teacher Shi.