When the Side Character Gets a System and Travels through Difference Worlds-Chapter 34: Tingting

During the day at the factory, with so many people around, Tan You had to hold back her excitement. But at home, she could finally relax. After all, she had scored exceptionally well.

Seeing her squinting with a smug look on her face, Han Cunming couldn’t help but smile. "You can be as happy as you want at home, but rein it in when you go out. You don’t want people calling you arrogant."

"I know. I didn’t mention it at the factory today. If I brought it up myself, it would seem like I was showing off." Tan You smiled. Han Cunming’s words were exactly what Cheng Wenhui would have said.

Her biological mother, Cheng Wenhui, was always like that, telling her not to be boastful and that it was better to celebrate privately at home than to show off in public.

The next day, when Tan You and Han Cunming arrived at the school, they found the office buzzing with activity. Aside from her own teachers, the other unfamiliar faces must be admissions officers from various universities.

The gazes from the admissions officers were intense. The provincial top scorer was a prize fought over by every major university each year. Though it was a pity they couldn’t approach Han Tingting privately, there was nothing wrong with competing fairly. It simply came down to who could make the most compelling offer.

With her school teachers helping her strategize, Tan You didn’t deliberately keep anyone waiting. She ultimately chose a 985 university in S City, with a major in finance. She wanted to make a lot of money, didn’t she? That’s why her teachers had suggested it.

Tan You considered it. ’S City is less than three hours from home, so it’ll be easy to come back and visit Han Cunming. If I went to the Capital City, I’d probably only be able to return for winter and summer breaks.’

The rewards for getting into university were substantial, especially for the provincial top scorer. If she worked part-time in college, she’d have no trouble earning money. When she thought about it, not only did she not have to spend any money on high school and university, but the schools were actually paying *her*.

Once this news spread, no one dared to say that studying was useless anymore.

On the way back, Han Cunming remarked emotionally, "You’ve gotten into university. I can finally rest in peace with no regrets."

"That’s not happening," Tan You retorted. "I want you to live to be a hundred and watch over me always. I want you to have a good life, better than anyone else’s. I want to show everyone that even if a son is unreliable, a granddaughter isn’t."

Han Cunming’s features softened into a wide smile. "My life is already wonderful. Who isn’t envious of me these days? Look at you—earning money while going to school, and now you’re about to go to university. What could be better?"

"That’s why you have to take good care of yourself," Tan You said. "Once I graduate, I’ll have so many options."

She and Han Cunming had gotten along well over the past few years. While Han Tingting remembered him as a violent old man, Tan You found him manageable. Once she understood his temperament, interacting with him was fairly easy.

At least, it was easier than getting along with her biological father, Tan Lin.

Before going to sleep that night, Tan You held the acceptance letter, looking it over and over. ’When I go back to my own time, I’ll get a beautiful acceptance letter just like this one.’

’And when that time comes, I’m definitely going to check out the universities in the Capital City!’

Just as Tan You was lost in these hopeful thoughts, the Beauty System’s voice suddenly rang out. "Host, Han Tingting has awakened. Do you choose to end the mission and return?"

"Return?" Tan You sat up. "I can, but can she handle all this? If I remember correctly, Han Tingting’s grades were terrible. Do you really think she can complete a university curriculum?"

A timid female voice spoke up. "I... I can learn... I don’t want you to leave yet, either. I can’t handle all of this on my own."

As the voice spoke, a faint, ethereal figure appeared before Tan You. Tan You had always been unflappable, so she wasn’t frightened. She just reached out a finger to poke it, but her finger passed right through.

Han Tingting just smiled, not feeling offended in the slightest. In her past life, she’d even had children of her own. From her perspective, Tan You was just a young girl.

Tan You thought for a moment. "Alright. To be honest, I’m not ready to leave yet anyway. I want to experience university life."

"My mom always used to tell me how wonderful university is, how you can make friends who share your passions. I’d feel some regret if I didn’t get to experience it."

The Beauty System meekly offered a suggestion. "Host... you could return control of the body to Han Tingting. You can assist her from the sidelines, and you’ll still be able to experience university life."

Tan You was curious. "And then I’d be like her?"

"Correct," the Beauty System replied. "After the Host helps Han Tingting navigate the most critical turning points, the mission completion rating might be even higher if the client takes over and manages her own life."

Tan You agreed instantly. "Deal. But I’m not leaving yet. I want to see what university is like."

Han Tingting was overjoyed that Tan You wasn’t leaving. "That’s wonderful! I was hoping you could guide me a bit more. I’m a complete stranger to all of this."

Even though she had been over forty in her past life, Han Tingting found herself naturally depending on Tan You. Tan You didn’t mind. On the contrary, she felt that interacting with different people would broaden her own horizons.

And so, Tan You and Han Tingting switched places. Looking down at herself in her new Soul Body form, Tan You gave a little hop.

"It feels like I’m free from gravity," she commented. "This is pretty interesting."

Han Tingting, now in control of her body, flopped onto the pillow and admitted defeat quite readily. "Youyou, there’s no way I can handle the major you picked. I’m still going to have to count on you for that."

Tan You felt a headache coming on. "I didn’t expect you to wake up. This is my first mission, too... I was planning on making lots and lots of money."

Han Tingting laughed. "I’m not blaming you, I’m trying to work something out with you. How about this: you handle the finance major, and I’ll focus on studying fashion design? I’m actually quite interested in it."

"Works for me," Tan You said, unfazed.

Han Tingting cupped her face in her hands. "I really admire Master Hu. I just never imagined you’d actually become his student. By extension, that makes me his student, too!"

Tan You smiled too. "That’s not a bad way to look at it."

"Now that your exam scores are out, are you going to tell your parents?"

Han Tingting paused for a moment, then smiled. "No. There’s no need."

"They didn’t experience your hard work, so they have no right to share in your glory. I don’t want them coming around, and I can’t be bothered to entertain them. When I think about it, I barely saw them at all after I dropped out of school."

"Later, when I got married, when I gave birth... they never once appeared. It’s as if I’m a complete stranger to them. We had no contact then, so there’s even less reason to have any now."

Tan You couldn’t fully grasp the depth of Han Tingting’s sorrow, but she knew how to be a good listener.

"Then don’t contact them," Tan You said bluntly. "Let’s just live our lives well. The better we do, the more envious and jealous they’ll become." She pursed her lips. ’I’m really not good at comforting people.’

"It’s alright," Han Tingting said. "After so many years, I’m used to handling everything myself. I don’t need a little girl like you to comfort me."

Tan You pouted. "I’m not little. I’m nineteen."

Han Tingting let out a soft laugh. "Right, right. Not a little girl. You’re an adult now."