Su Xiaotian had no idea that her casual remarks would lead Director Li to such deep contemplation.
She continued to smile and say, "Of course, I truly believe this. I believe our country will prosper and become strong in the future, and our people will live happy and peaceful lives. I believe even more that our motherland will become so powerful that no country in the world will dare to underestimate us! By then, our people will no longer be looked down upon!"
Director Li was truly surprised that Su Xiaotian could utter such grand words, even thinking so far into the future.
"Good, good, good child, well said. I believe the day you speak of will come."
In truth, even as he said this, he still felt that the day Su Xiaotian spoke of was too distant.
The gap between them and those developed countries abroad was truly vast. While not an insurmountable chasm, it was still decades, even nearly a century, apart.
In Director Li's mind, catching up was not something that could be achieved in a day or two, or a year or two.
The task was arduous and the road long; perhaps it would require the diligent efforts of several generations.
As the Director of Education, he hoped to cultivate more talented individuals for the country.
And this young girl before him was undoubtedly a talent worth nurturing.
"Xiaotian, which school do you plan to apply to in the future?"
Director Li's tone was exceptionally warm, making Su Xiaotian feel a moment of awkwardness.
Director Li, thinking about the country's current lack of foreign language talent, considered recommending this path to Su Xiaotian.
Su Xiaotian, unaware of Director Li's thoughts, pondered for a moment and replied, "I think I'll pursue a path in electronic technology!"
This was the result of Su Xiaotian's careful consideration.
The industrial development of the country, especially in electronic technology, was truly lagging.
If the system could provide books with relevant knowledge, it wouldn't be impossible to make efforts in this direction in the future.
Hearing that Su Xiaotian was determined in this regard, Director Li couldn't help but be shocked.
This was a young girl before him, so delicate and soft. Why would she choose a path in electronic technology?
That was a difficult path.
It was said that this field was developing rapidly abroad, but progress in China was less than satisfactory.
The country possessed too little technology, and once abroad, one might not be able to return.
However, on second thought, Director Li felt that for a bright child, this path might be the best choice.
Su Xiaotian was a bright child, and more importantly, she knew foreign languages.
If she could leverage these advantages to learn advanced foreign electronic technology, she would undoubtedly become a talent useful to the country.
"Good child, you have ambition!" Director Li couldn't help but give Su Xiaotian a thumbs-up.
Just as Su Xiaotian was about to offer some polite words, she heard Director Li say, "Bring me the items you acquired today to take a look!"
...
The topic shifted too abruptly, didn't it?
Su Xiaotian was momentarily stunned.
What did he mean?
Could it be that Director Li also understood the antique trade?
"Director Li..."
"Don't worry, I'll just lend you my discerning eye!"
Director Li, seeing Su Xiaotian's reluctance to show her items, said with a hint of disdain.
Although he had only taken a cursory glance, he felt that everything Su Xiaotian was carrying seemed to be genuine. Even the least valuable items were from the Republic of China era.
In contrast, the two foreigners were holding imitation items that had been artificially aged.
He didn't believe this was a coincidence.
He was more inclined to believe that this child, Su Xiaotian, truly understood relevant knowledge.
People are like this: when they believe someone knows nothing, they unconsciously look down on them.
But when they believe someone possesses a great deal of knowledge, they don't question the reasonableness of their extensive knowledge.
This was Director Li's current mindset towards Su Xiaotian; she had already been viewed through a heavily filtered lens.
Su Xiaotian shyly brought her treasures from the cabinet to show Director Li.
These were indeed good items. She hadn't expected to gain so much from following the Christina siblings today.
Fortunately, the siblings didn't understand, otherwise, she wouldn't have found so many bargains.
As Director Li picked up the bronze censer, he heard a gruff voice next to him.
"Oh my, this looks like a genuine piece!"
Teacher Yu's surprised voice made Su Xiaotian pause.
Teacher Yu, with his burly build, could understand antiques?
Were there so many people who understood antiques in this era?
It wasn't surprising that Su Xiaotian thought this way, after all, Teacher Yu was just a logistics teacher at the Seventh Middle School, and had no connection to refined pursuits like antiques.
"Sit down, and don't be so loud!" Director Li glared at Teacher Yu with distaste.
Director Li was also worried that Teacher Yu's careless talk might be overheard, which would be problematic, so he quickly reprimanded him sternly.
Teacher Yu obediently sat opposite Director Li, but his gaze was fixed on the items on the table.
"Good heavens, cousin, where did you get these?"
Cousin?
Su Xiaotian was dumbfounded. What had she heard?
Teacher Yu called Director Li cousin?
Why hadn't she heard about this before?
They had even eaten together, and at that time, they hadn't mentioned being related as cousins!
Su Xiaotian looked at the two of them blankly, trying to find any resemblance in their features.
However, the result disappointed her; there was no similarity in their appearance whatsoever!
How to put it? The two of them were like heaven and earth apart.
One had the refined temperament of a scholar, while the other had the rough demeanor of a butcher.
"No need to guess, we are cousins. My mother is his aunt. However, don't tell anyone about this!"
Director Li looked at his cousin opposite him and spoke with a look of disdain.
It was as if Teacher Yu opposite him was someone to be ashamed of.
Teacher Yu smiled indifferently and said, "Exactly. I became a teacher through my own merit. If word got out that I have a cousin who is the Director of Education, people might think I got the job through connections!"
Su Xiaotian was even more bewildered.
From Teacher Yu's words, it seemed he was quite disdainful of his cousin?
Having a cousin who was the Director of Education might not be a direct path to success, but it would certainly make the road ahead smoother.
What was Teacher Yu's mindset?
Even stranger was that Director Li didn't seem to take his cousin's blunt remarks to heart at all.
It was likely that he was already accustomed to them!
"Cousin, tell me, where did you get these good things? You didn't happen to misuse your position during your business trip to get them, did you?"
At his cousin's words, Director Li couldn't help but roll his eyes.
This cousin was always so careless. If these words got out, could he still remain Director?
Su Xiaotian also couldn't help but put her hand to her forehead. Teacher Yu, as always, still didn't know how to speak!
Wasn't he afraid of implicating Director Li?
"If you don't know how to speak, then shut up. These aren't mine!"