The next day, Su Xiaotian did not go to school in the afternoon.
She took an afternoon off to go to the Dongfeng Electronics Factory to submit her translated manuscript.
In Huang Wenbai's mind, Su Xiaotian was the most diligent student. Without any hesitation, he approved her request for leave.
Su Xiao Ba and Su Xiao Jiu, knowing that Su Xiaotian was going to submit the manuscript, also wanted to ask for leave to accompany her. However, Teacher Huang felt that they needed to study harder and did not approve.
"You two brothers are not as good at studying as your own sister, and you have the nerve to ask for leave?"
The two were utterly devastated by Teacher Huang's words.
If they weren't good at studying, did they not even have the right to take leave?
They looked at Teacher Huang with resentful eyes, but Teacher Huang remained unmoved.
Su Xiaotian triumphantly raised her eyebrows at her two brothers.
She didn't want to bring anyone else along.
After submitting the manuscript, she planned to visit the antique street.
Xiao Ba and Xiao Jiu watched Su Xiaotian float away with great resentment, envy, and jealousy.
Finally, they buried their heads in their studies.
They refused to believe they couldn't catch up to their little sister's pace.
Su Xiaotian got on the bus and arrived at the Dongfeng Electronics Factory without any delay.
The security guard at the entrance was the same elderly man she had seen that day.
Seeing Su Xiaotian arrive, the old man said with a smile, "Little girl, are you looking for Director Li? Director Li just returned and is in his office right now!"
After politely thanking him, Su Xiaotian walked briskly towards Director Li's office.
The old man watched Su Xiaotian, unable to suppress his admiration.
Such a young child who understood French was truly remarkable.
He wondered what kind of family raised such a good child.
Alas, he had lived most of his life and hadn't learned any language other than Beijing dialect!
His grandson was also the same, only speaking with a Beijing accent.
Director Li was in his office, reading a document. He was quite surprised to see Su Xiaotian enter.
"Student Su, you're here today. Is there something you need?"
He put down his pen and document and asked Su Xiaotian with a gentle smile.
Su Xiaotian calmly took out the translated manuscript from her schoolbag and placed it in front of Director Li.
"This is the translation?"
Su Xiaotian nodded and said, "It's translated!"
When Director Li saw the thick stack of manuscripts, he couldn't help but scrutinize Su Xiaotian for a while.
This little girl was quite fast.
"Little girl, you're so fast?" Director Li flipped through the manuscript and asked.
Could this girl have translated it carelessly?
Was it reliable?
"I translate fast!" Su Xiaotian said without politeness.
As she spoke, her eyes sparkled as she looked at Director Li, wishing he would immediately ask to pay her.
A thousand yuan!
Director Li, however, did not speak for a long time. He was frowning slightly as he looked at Su Xiaotian's translated manuscript.
But just looking at the manuscript was useless; he didn't know what the French text said.
Therefore, after looking at two pages of the manuscript, he looked up again.
"Student Su, have you shown this translation to Elder Chi?"
The girl's translation skills might be doubted, but if Elder Chi had seen it, it would be guaranteed!
Su Xiaotian was stunned. Show it to Grandpa Chi?
What did that mean?
Was he worried she had hired a ghostwriter?
Or was he worried she had leaked the file content?
She slowly shook her head and said, "No! Director Li, please rest assured, I know this document is confidential and I won't show it to just anyone."
Director Li was speechless.
He didn't mean that!
How confident was this little girl in herself to think she didn't need Elder Chi to review it before submitting it?
What if it was wrong? Would it cause losses to their Dongfeng Electronics Factory and the country?
But could he say this to Su Xiaotian now?
No!
Director Li was at a loss for words.
He couldn't blame Su Xiaotian for not showing the document to Elder Chi; this was the core content of the confidentiality agreement they had signed.
At this moment, Director Li regretted signing the confidentiality agreement in the first place.
Su Xiaotian also understood Director Li's meaning at this time. He didn't trust her and doubted the accuracy of her translation.
It was reasonable for the other party to inspect the goods.
As a teenage girl, she had no reason to demand that others believe her.
But the problem needed to be solved. She couldn't possibly ask Grandpa Chi to come over again for such a small matter, could she?
"Director Li, I assume your factory has people who understand French. Even if they can't translate accurately, they should be able to judge the accuracy by looking at this translation, right?" Su Xiaotian asked tentatively.
She heard that Dongfeng Electronics Factory had many collaborations with France, so it was likely they had French speakers, but perhaps their level was not high.
Director Li nodded. This was indeed a good idea.
Their factory had two translators, but their skills were limited, only enough to translate everyday conversations.
"Student Su, please rest for a moment and have some water. I'll go find someone to look at it. If your translation is correct, I'll pay you immediately!"
Su Xiaotian agreed, and Director Li hurried off to find the factory's translators.
Su Xiaotian sat in Director Li's office, took a sip of water, and felt bored.
Thinking that Director Li would take a long time to return, Su Xiaotian didn't want to waste time and simply took a book from the system library to read.
About an hour later, Director Li returned with a smile on his face.
Su Xiaotian was engrossed in her book, maintaining the same posture for forty minutes.
When Director Li opened the door, she stood up but found her body stiff.
Seeing Su Xiaotian stand up, Director Li almost stumbled and quickly said, "Sit down, sit down!"
What a talent! How could such a talent stand and talk to him?
"Director Li, how is it? Is there any problem with my translation?" Su Xiaotian immediately sat down as advised.
Director Li looked at Su Xiaotian with an indescribable expression.
Not only was there no problem, but according to the factory's translators, the accuracy rate was almost 100%.
Even those two said that they might never find anyone who could translate so accurately again.
"Student Su Xiaotian, this is your translation fee, a total of one thousand yuan."
Director Li suddenly took out a thick stack of "Da Tuan Jie" from his pocket.
Although she knew that a thousand yuan was a lot of money, seeing the thick stack of bills, Su Xiaotian still felt her eyes dazzled.
This money, from now on, was hers.
The saying "books contain golden houses" was absolutely true.
As long as one was willing to work hard, one could earn a lot through knowledge.
Director Li did not miss the starry gleam in Su Xiaotian's eyes. This child was honest and didn't hide her feelings.
Who didn't love money?
"Director Li, then I'll accept it!" Su Xiaotian extended her fair little hand and took the heavy stack of money from Director Li.
"Student Su Xiaotian, if there are any other documents that need translation, I will look for you again. Don't worry, as long as the translation is good, the price is not a problem!" Director Li said with a bright smile.
Being able to find such a talented translator would make his future work less passive.
Author's Notes
Chapter one is here!