When the Side Character Gets a System and Travels through Difference Worlds-Chapter 32: Tingting

It was a consensus among all the high school teachers that Tan You had an excellent memory. Now that the exam questions and answer keys were out, the teachers were eager to know how she had performed.

Tan You wasn’t flustered. After she wrote down all the answers she could remember, the teachers took her paper away. Teacher Shi looked at the math test first. After a long while, she finally put the paper down. "You did very well. How did you feel while taking the test?"

Tan You thought for a moment. "It went pretty smoothly. It didn’t feel that difficult. This year’s college entrance exam didn’t seem that hard."

The English teacher stared at the reading comprehension questions. "This year’s English section was quite difficult."

The Chinese teacher added, "The Chinese section wasn’t easy either. But for Tingting, none of this is a big deal. Her Chinese and English are both outstanding."

Tan You sidled up to Teacher Shi. "What’s my estimated score for math?"

In truth, she could calculate her own score now, but she just wanted to be a little playful with Teacher Shi, even though the teacher was only about ten years older than her.

Teacher Shi did some quick math. "It’s out of 200 points. I don’t think you lost more than five."

Tan You’s eyes crinkled. "That’s good enough for me. I’m not asking for much, just to pass the cutoff for an undergraduate program."

The teachers all laughed. "Based on your previous scores, you could even dream of universities like Tsinghua or Peking."

Tan You shook her head. "Living in the capital is no easy feat."

The key thing was, if she went too far from home, it would be even harder to take care of Han Cunming.

The teachers fell silent. In the end, it was Teacher Shi who spoke first. "Let’s wait until the results are officially out. From what I see, you did very well this time. Every university needs good students."

Tan You figured that made sense. "Alright, we’ll talk again once the results are out."

Teacher Shi took Tan You’s arm. "Have you thought about what you want to major in? I’ve seen how good you are at designing clothes. Have you considered studying fashion design?"

"That’s a hobby. I never thought of making it a career." Tan You answered without hesitation. "I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, especially a math teacher. Didn’t I tell you before? I want to become someone just like you."

Teacher Shi felt a lump in her throat. "But you don’t have to become a teacher to light up others’ lives and influence them. You have so many choices. For example, you could earn a lot of money in the future and provide jobs for more people."

"Or you could take the civil service exam and work diligently for society. Those things can also light up others’ lives. I was just lucky enough to be your teacher. You still have so many other options."

Tan You fell quiet. She looked at Teacher Shi. "I’ll think about it carefully." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

Teacher Shi gently stroked the top of her head. "You’ve always been so mature and self-sufficient, but you have to plan for yourself, to make your own life better. I hope you live a good life. I hope you won’t have to worry about worldly things like money. I hope one day you can buy whatever you like without looking at the price tag, instead of having to give it up because you’re short on cash."

Tan You’s eyes crinkled into a smile. "Actually, I’m not short on money. Really."

The two of them whispered to each other on the side, and the other teachers didn’t disturb them. Everyone was used to it. The close bond between Han Tingting and Teacher Shi was an open secret at school. To be honest, everyone was a little envious of their teacher-student relationship.

"For the past three years, the school gave me a monthly living allowance and a scholarship every semester. I ate and lived at the school, so there really wasn’t much to spend money on. A lot of my extra tutoring materials were gifts from teachers, so I didn’t spend money on those either. I’ve actually saved up quite a bit."

Tan You chattered on. She was usually a person of few words, but she became much more lively in front of Teacher Shi.

"I told you before, my parents paid for all my living expenses and tuition in full. It’s enough for me to go away for university. Grandpa is also in good health. Once I graduate from college, I’ll be able to earn my own money."

Teacher Shi smiled. "It’s good that you have a plan. I believe you will be outstanding in the future. And even now, you are already my pride. I am also very honored—honored to have been your teacher."

She herself had never imagined that the little extra patience she had shown Han Tingting back then would yield such a sweet reward.

Han Tingting leaned against the hallway railing. "Actually, I’m still a bit intimidated by the thought of majoring in math. Now I think earning a lot of money in the future would be great too. I could provide more jobs for people, and then no one would ever dare to look down on us again."

"If that’s the case, what major should I choose? Business management?"

Teacher Shi said, "Any of those would work. I’ll do some research in the meantime. Contact me when your scores are out, and we can discuss your university application together."

Tan You’s eyes crinkled with a smile. "Okay! I don’t know anything about this, so I’ll have to trouble you then."

After estimating her scores, Tan You went back to work at the clothing factory. The three others from her village who also took the college entrance exam were Yang Shun, Han Wei, and Han Peng. However, she had had very little interaction with them over the past three years.

Yang Shun had been in the same class as Tan You during their first year of high school. But when it was time to choose between the science and liberal arts tracks in the second semester, Yang Shun chose liberal arts. Because of this, he and his mother had a huge fight at the time.

In his mother’s words: "Even Han Tingting can handle the science track. You’re a boy, and you’re not even as good as her at science?"

After Yang Shun moved to the liberal arts class, Tan You didn’t think much of it. But Yang Shun got a girlfriend in high school, a girl widely acknowledged as the school’s "sweetheart." Tan You knew about this too; she just never mentioned it back home.

Of course, Han Cunming also knew about it, but the old man was tight-lipped and couldn’t be bothered with such gossip.

As for Han Wei, Tan You naturally had a poor impression of him because of his spiteful words. Han Peng, on the other hand, was honest, quiet, and diligent, but she rarely ran into him either.

The clothing factory had developed very well over the past few years. The factory grounds had tripled in size, and the number of workers had increased accordingly. The factory had also been training its own designers, but no matter who they were, everyone felt Han Tingting was the best.

’How could she not be the best? Han Tingting had absorbed all the future trends through osmosis, so how could she not know what would be popular? I’m just relying on Han Tingting’s memories. If I, Tan You, had to design them myself, I definitely couldn’t do it.’

This morning, Tan You and Master Hu were huddled together, each with their own opinions on the new autumn collection. The official clothing designer sat to the side, trembling and not daring to say a word.

The phone on Tan You’s desk lit up again and again, but unfortunately, Tan You heard nothing. Not until the factory director burst through the door, his face beaming with excitement.

"Tingting! What luck is this? Last time, during your high school entrance exams, your teacher came looking for you at the factory. And now, your principal is calling me!"

Tan You snapped back to reality. "The results are out? That’s not right. It’s not time for the scores to be released yet."

The factory director handed the phone to Tan You. "It’s not time, but you did incredibly well! Your principal said you’re the top scorer!"