When the Side Character Gets a System and Travels through Difference Worlds-Chapter 33: Tingting

"For real?" Tan You’s eyes widened. "Principal, it’s me. I just had my phone on silent."

Principal Tang’s voice on the other end went up an octave. "It’s fine, it’s fine! Tingting, you’ve really made us proud. You know, I got the call in the middle of the night. You’ve truly brought honor to our school."

Tan You pursed her lips into a smile. "It’s all thanks to the teachers. Everyone looked out for me, and the school was very supportive."

Principal Tang was incredibly moved. "That’s wonderful. I even asked around—the person who got second place is the same boy who beat you by one point on the high school entrance exam. So much for his gloating. He still couldn’t beat you this time, could he?"

Tan You found it amusing. "You were paying attention to that? I never even took it to heart."

Principal Tang beamed. "Now that you’re the provincial top scorer, the city will surely give you a generous reward. The top universities will probably be fighting over you, too. Have you thought about what you want to major in?"

"Not yet. Teacher Shi said she’d help me think it over, but I haven’t even told her about this yet. But Principal, what was my actual score?"

"Three points shy of a perfect score! And you got A’s in both your electives." Principal Tang’s voice grew louder. "I never would have dared to imagine it. Tingting, you’re just incredible!"

"As for Teacher Shi, I’ve already told her. By now, every teacher at the school knows you did exceptionally well."

Tan You’s eyes curved into a smile. "I see. I don’t know anything about choosing a major, so I’ll ask Teacher Shi about it. With a score like mine, I’m guessing universities will offer scholarships, right?"

"Absolutely," Principal Tang said, bursting with pride. "When the time comes, if you’re too shy to do it, we’ll handle the negotiations for you. We’ll make sure you don’t get muddled and swindled."

Tan You was happy to let her teachers handle it. "Okay, I trust you all. Let’s plan to meet at the school then."

’I’m not even going to think about letting Han Guangzhi or Han Tingting’s biological mother get involved. I’d have to be crazy to let others dictate my life.’

After hanging up with Principal Tang and returning the phone to Director Yang, Tan You noticed a crowd had gathered around her, everyone’s eyes shining like light bulbs.

"Tingting really is the top scorer? The provincial top scorer? How impressive!"

"Goes without saying. Tingting’s grades have always been excellent."

"She almost topped the city on the high school entrance exam, but the other kid got bonus points because of his father’s connections. Tingting ended up one point short. Now she’s finally gotten her vindication."

Han Tingting felt a bit helpless. She had never held a grudge about it, yet all these aunties had remembered.

Director Yang carefully put the phone away like a treasure. "A provincial top scorer has touched this phone! I have to keep it safe. It’s a good luck charm!"

Tan You shrugged. "Uncle Yang, I’ve touched a lot of things over the past few years. You’re not going to collect them all, are you?"

"I have to!" Director Yang had a flash of inspiration. "I’ll seal up your workbench and everything later. I won’t let anyone touch it."

Tan You was just making a casual remark; she didn’t expect Director Yang to take her seriously.

The crowd buzzed with excitement for a while before finally dispersing. Master Hu patted Tan You’s shoulder. "Well done. Have you decided what you want to study?"

"I haven’t decided, but I want to make lots and lots of money in the future." Tan You wasn’t afraid Master Hu would find her vulgar. "I’m tired of living a life of asking for handouts. I want to earn a lot of money so that Han Guangzhi and... and everyone else will never dare to look down on me again."

Master Hu said, "You’ll definitely make a lot of money someday. I can see you enjoy settling down and working quietly, and you’re not a big fan of socializing. There’s nothing wrong with studying fashion design. Once you become a famous designer and can fly overseas for your own shows, the money will come rolling in."

Tan You propped her chin on her hand. "That might be true, but my imagination is pretty limited, and I don’t have a deep understanding of art. I’m worried that if I dedicate myself to it, my accomplishments will be few and far between."

Master Hu thought for a moment. "Then you should have a backup plan. Don’t universities let you choose a second major? Sometimes I don’t think it’s a good idea to turn a hobby into a career. It might be that when you let your imagination run wild as a pastime, your designs are even more striking."

Tan You understood. "Alright, I’ll think about it more."

The news that Tan You was the provincial top scorer was impossible to keep secret. On her way home from work that afternoon, everyone she saw congratulated her. Tan You wasn’t surprised. That’s just how it was in a small town.

If you farted at noon, the whole town would probably know about it within two hours. Of course, that’s a rather crude analogy.

When she got home, Han Cunming was there, his face flushed with excitement.

Tan You looked at him suspiciously. "I don’t remember you being this happy when my high school entrance exam results came out."

"That was different! You weren’t the top scorer then, but you are now!" Han Cunming said emphatically. "I never would’ve imagined it. Our family has produced a provincial top scorer! Isn’t this a joyous occasion that brings honor to our ancestors?"

Only then did Tan You realize that the one-point difference from the high school entrance exam had been weighing on Han Cunming’s mind for all these years.

She felt a little guilty. "I should have worked a little harder back then. Then you wouldn’t have had to dwell on it."

"That has nothing to do with you. You already did great," Han Cunming said, waving his hand dismissively. "If anyone’s to blame, it’s your useless father. Why can’t he bring any honor to his own child? Look at you. You haven’t benefited from him a single day in your life."

"Other fathers can get bonus points for their sons. And him? He’s got nothing to offer."

Seeing Han Cunming puffing out his cheeks in anger, Tan You found it amusing. "If he has nothing to offer, he has nothing to offer. It’s not like I was ever counting on him anyway."

She sat down at the table. "Did you make a special trip to buy groceries?"

"Of course. A joyous occasion like this must be celebrated." Han Cunming unwrapped the prepared dishes he had bought. "Your principal called me. A few universities have also been in touch."

"What did you tell them?" Tan You paused, her chopsticks hovering. ’This old man is usually pretty sharp. He wouldn’t be foolish enough to drag Han Guangzhi into something this important, would he?’

"I made it clear: if any university contacts Han Guangzhi or your biological mother, we won’t even consider their offer," Han Cunming said proudly. "Do you think I’m brainless? When it comes to a major life decision like this, there’s no way those two are more reliable than your teachers."

"Having your principal and teachers helping you out is far more reliable than anything Han Guangzhi could do."

Tan You picked up a large chicken drumstick with her chopsticks and placed it in Han Cunming’s bowl. "You’re the wise one, Grandpa."

Han Cunming preened. "But of course. Your grandfather is a smart man. Did you think I’d drop the ball at a critical moment like this? Are you still going to work tomorrow?"

"Not for the next two days. The principal contacted me before I got off work. Teachers from various university admissions offices will be visiting the school tomorrow. I’ll take you with me. You have to be there for such an important occasion."

Tan You nibbled on a piece of dried fish, her eyes crinkling at the corners. She was clearly in an excellent mood.