"If it can be approved, this will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You are excellent in every aspect, especially serving as a teaching assistant for the school. Therefore, you must seize this chance and start preparing from now on. After all, even if the school cannot secure approval this year, they will continue to apply next year."
At that time, international students were all government-sponsored, meaning students didn't have to spend a single cent. However, the quotas were extremely limited, and the personal and family background checks were very stringent.
The reason Chen Yinchu revealed this to Chen Lishu first was also due to a selfish motive within the department. Seeing that Chen Lishu intended to stay and teach at the school after graduation, it would be very beneficial for the department if she went abroad to broaden her horizons and enrich her knowledge.
However, there was also a risk involved. In the past, many government-sponsored students, after experiencing the prosperity of developed countries abroad, were unwilling to return home. Less than forty percent of those who reached the age to return actually did so, and the country's talent, cultivated over ten to twenty years, was thus lost, which was truly disheartening.
Chen Lishu was different. According to the department's understanding, her husband was a soldier, and Chen Yinchu believed her patriotism and sense of responsibility would surely be greater than others, which was why he favored her for the opportunity.
"There are many things in developed countries that are worth our reference and learning. If you seize this opportunity, it will be very beneficial for your future work or other aspects. Go back and consider it carefully. After all, nothing is certain yet, so there's no rush. For now, focus on preparing your speech as the student representative."
"Thank you, Teacher." After thanking Chen Yinchu, Chen Lishu left the office.
To be honest, Chen Lishu had never considered going abroad before; she even felt the matter was quite distant, as there was no plan for her to go abroad in the short term.
The eighties and nineties were a period of craze for studying abroad. She recalled a term called "sea turtle" (海归, haigui, meaning returnee from overseas), and going abroad was definitely equivalent to getting a golden sheen.
In her previous life, she had seen too little and still had much to learn. The economic situation in Western countries was completely different from that in China. If she could go out and experience it, it would surely benefit her greatly.
Moreover, the duration of government-sponsored overseas study was not long. She was already in her third year, and she could return within a year at most, which would be just in time for graduation. The national situation would also become clearer, and she could expand her business endeavors.
However, going abroad would mean facing separation from her loved ones. Gu Xingdong's return date was uncertain, and leaving Rui Rui alone…
Chen Lishu shook her head. It would still take some time to receive news, and even if she made the decision, whether she could pass the review standards and study abroad exams was still unknown. She just needed to do her best with what was in front of her for now.
Upon returning home, she began to diligently write her speech.
The next day, at the opening ceremony, after the speeches by the principal and department leaders, Chen Lishu took the stage to speak as the student representative.
Her speech was not long, but its content was brilliant, positive, and inspiring.
After the speech concluded, Zhang Xue and Li Zhiwei, among others in the audience, applauded enthusiastically. Jiang Yuwei glanced at Li Zhiwei, who was clapping with gusto beside her, and her gaze returned to Chen Lishu, her expression inscrutable.
Yang Lili mechanically applauded along with everyone else, looking at Chen Lishu with a hint of envy mixed with something else.
…
"Xiao Ling, have you thought about what you want to do in the future? You can't just keep staying like this."
Sun Mu looked at Sun Ling, who was sitting on the sofa fiddling with something in her hands, and said with a frown.
From before the Spring Festival until now, the girl had been acting strangely, barely speaking to her family and spending entire days shut away in her room.
Sun Ling looked up, her expression indifferent, and her tone laced with sarcasm, "What can I do? Go to the factory to help out like you? Some days there's work, some days there isn't, and you eagerly go whenever called. After all, you were a leader in the admissions office, and look at you now. You're nothing but a disgrace."
A flicker of anger and embarrassment crossed Sun Mu's face.
She had also been too proud to lower her standards before, but her file already had a stain, and she had been expelled from the party. It was impossible to find a legitimate job, and even this was obtained through connections.
"I'd love not to be a disgrace, but to lie around at home doing nothing like you? Then how would everyone eat and drink? You're over twenty, not young anymore. If you don't want to work, then look for a suitable person to marry."
Upon hearing the word "marry," Sun Ling flinched as if stung. She immediately stood up from the sofa and roared at Sun Mu with a ferocious expression, "What boyfriend? What marriage? Whoever wants to get married can get married! Let me tell you, you can't get rid of me this way, not a chance!"
Saying this, she left without regard for Sun Mu's displeased expression, slamming the door behind her.
Stepping out of the house, the cold wind helped to calm Sun Ling's mood somewhat, but she couldn't help but resent her parents in her heart.
They knew nothing about what had happened to her, nor did they know her inner pain. To reduce their burden, they were forcing her to work and even wanted to marry her off to be done with it.
Sun Ling walked, a wry smile on her lips. She was already tainted, so what good family could she marry into? The person she liked was even more impossible. It was all Wang Er Biao's fault. She swore she would dismember him if she ever met him again!
With these hateful thoughts, her footsteps unknowingly led her to the entrance of the Provincial Normal University.
Looking at the students coming and going, Sun Ling belatedly remembered that it was time for the new semester to begin again.
Standing dazed at the entrance for a long time, Sun Ling suddenly realized she hadn't contacted Jiang Yuwei in a while.
Coupled with her desire to see the person she held in her heart, Sun Ling hesitated for a moment before walking into the campus.
…
"Yuwei, the drama club has a performance later. Do you want to go with us?"
As soon as the class bell rang, Li He approached her. They shared the same dormitory, and she had long known about Jiang Yuwei's privileged family background. Unfortunately, in the past, Jiang Yuwei was close to Sun Ling, leaving no opportunity for others to get close. Now that Sun Ling had been expelled, she had been looking for opportunities to ingratiate herself and get closer to Jiang Yuwei, hoping it might help her with her job assignment in the future.
It had only been a short time since the start of the semester, and academics were not yet demanding. Coupled with the fact that there was nothing pressing at the moment, Jiang Yuwei thought about it and agreed.
"Then let's go now," Li He said, waving to Liu Ying and the others. Soon, the group left the classroom together.
As Sun Ling was ascending the stairs, she saw Jiang Yuwei and Li He coming out, chatting and laughing. This scene instantly stung her eyes.
"Yuwei."
Jiang Yuwei looked up, and her eyes flickered upon seeing Sun Ling.
"Sun Ling, why are you here?"
Sun Ling glanced at Li He and the others, "I have something I want to tell you privately."