Chapter 235

The graduation banquet ended amid various conversations and compliments from the guests.

On the way back, a woman whose son didn’t get into university sighed to her husband, “If I had known Teacher Shi was so capable, I should have let our son learn art from her.”

She believed that Han Wei’s success in getting into Jinling Art Academy was largely due to Shi Tingyu. With Shi Tingyu’s guidance, who knows if she had given Han Wei special consideration during the grading process.

Given Shi Tingyu’s remarkable drawing skills, she must have recognized Han Wei’s work during the grading. Even if she didn’t recognize it, they could have agreed on a way to mark it beforehand.

If her son had received the same treatment, maybe they’d be celebrating a graduation banquet too.

Her husband glared at her, “You’re dreaming. Even if the Han boy could draw well, our son’s drawings are so bad that he can’t even stamp a red seal properly. What kind of art could he produce?”

Seeing his wife about to argue, the man added, “Enough, instead of making the boy study, you’re just imagining things. The grading was done right here in our camp, and it was very strict. It wasn’t just one teacher grading the papers; how could what you said be possible?”

The woman huffed but didn’t argue further.

Still, she felt disgruntled that while others’ kids got into university, theirs didn’t. Not only that, they had to attend other people’s graduation banquets, which made her feel even more upset.

When they got home, their son, who didn’t get into university, got a scolding.

After Han Wei’s banquet, it was Chi Shui’s turn.

Since both got into Jinling Art Academy, Chi Shui also invited Shi Tingyu, who might become her teacher.

Li Dongsheng was overjoyed. His wife got into university, and he had been walking on air for days.

In the camp, his comrades’ envious looks almost drowned him.

Chi Shui’s banquet was also a success, and everyone couldn’t help but marvel at how capable the residents of their compound were.

As the banquets wrapped up, it was mid-February.

Shi Tingyu had to report to her new job at the university.

That day, Lu Weiguo took time off to accompany her, wanting to see the facilities and dormitory. If anything was missing, they could buy it.

Shi Tingyu brought bedding and other essentials, which would also be useful for Deep’s nap.

Shi Tingyu drove carefully and arrived at the university in about half an hour.

To her surprise, the gatekeeper didn’t stop them but let them drive straight into the university.

After parking the car where the gatekeeper directed, the family of three got out and went to the principal’s office.

Principal Sun was there.

Shi Tingyu found out that Principal Sun had informed the gatekeeper about the car, so they weren’t stopped.

Shi Tingyu registered her car number.

Principal Sun said, “From now on, you can drive straight in.”

He handed her a key from his drawer, “This is the key to your single room in the staff dormitory. It’s on the second floor of the building next to the student dormitory.”

Principal Sun also called a student council member to help them get meal tickets, bath tickets, and water tickets, and to familiarize them with the campus.

At that time, students were still recommended from among workers, peasants, and soldiers.

The student council member, Sun Qiao, was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old.

Shi Tingyu knew that students from the workers, peasants, and soldiers’ universities were usually between twenty and twenty-five years old. Sun Qiao must be about to graduate.

Sun Qiao was not tall but was very adept in social interactions.

Seeing Lu Weiguo, he offered him a cigarette.

However, Lu Weiguo didn’t smoke and declined.

Shi Tingyu was a bit taken aback. It was unusual for a student to offer a teacher’s family member a cigarette.

Shi Tingyu hadn’t yet adjusted to the fact that many students at the workers, peasants, and soldiers’ universities had work experience before being recommended, unlike students in later times who had no social experience.

Sun Qiao was very curious about this young and beautiful teacher. Most teachers at the university were much older. He had never seen such a young teacher before.

However, intimidated by the presence of the soldier beside her, he didn’t dare to ask.

He showed them the cafeteria, the sports field, the teaching building, the boiling water room, the bathhouse, and other places, and made sure Shi Tingyu knew where everything was before leaving.

“This university is quite large,” said Lu Weiguo. “Are you tired? If you are, we can rest here for a while.”

Shi Tingyu smiled and said, “Don’t underestimate me. I’ve trained with you for a long time, so I can handle this.”

Finally, they went back to the car and took the things to Shi Tingyu’s single dorm room at the university.

Lu Weiguo asked Shi Tingyu to walk around the corridor with the child while he fetched a basin of water and cleaned the dorm.

After ventilating and letting it dry, he allowed Shi Tingyu and the child to enter.

With the bedding arranged, the dormitory felt more like home.

After everything was set up, Lu Weiguo went to the boiler room to get hot water for Shi Tingyu.

After all his busy work, ensuring everything was in order, he sat down and said, “It’s a good thing I came along. How would you have managed all this by yourself with the child?”

Shi Tingyu felt a bit embarrassed, having confidently claimed she could handle it alone.

Their activity caught the attention of their neighbor.

The neighbor had heard the cleaning noise but hadn’t come over until it stopped. Now, grabbing some candy, she went to visit.

Shi Tingyu’s door was open, and she noticed the neighbor as soon as she arrived.

“Hello, I’m your neighbor from next door. My family name is Qi, you can call me Aunt Qi,” she said, handing the candy to Shi Tingyu. “Here, dear, I brought you some candy.”

Shi Tingyu thanked her repeatedly and invited Aunt Qi to sit and chat.

Aunt Qi was a woman in her fifties, with a fair complexion and a friendly, smiling demeanor. She seemed easy to get along with.

Shi Tingyu introduced herself, her husband, and her son.

Aunt Qi was surprised to learn that this young girl was the new teacher.

The name Shi Tingyu sounded familiar to her.

Suddenly, she remembered. “Dear, were you involved in the college entrance exam art question setting?”

Now it was Shi Tingyu’s turn to be surprised. “You know me?”

Aunt Qi’s smile grew warmer. “Oh, my husband worked with you on the exam questions and grading.”

“Are you Professor Qi’s wife?” Shi Tingyu recalled that one of the three who participated in setting the exam questions had the surname Qi.

With this connection, the two women quickly became close.

Lu Weiguo, holding his son, couldn’t get a word in edgewise and just listened.

However, he felt relieved knowing his wife had met someone familiar here.

At least they had someone they knew who could look out for them a bit.

^[1]Deep’s Nap Deep sleep, also called slow-wave sleep, occurs in the third stage of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep.