When we arrived at the gathering place at Zhang Jing's house, it was a restaurant by the river. The hotel was beautifully decorated, with lawns along the river. A glass tea room facing the river was built on a platform extending from the second floor of the main building, which was very elegant.
Many of Zhang Jing's relatives were playing on this platform. When Cheng Ran stepped onto the lawn in the backyard of the hotel, Zhang Jing's aunt reached out to greet her. There were also Zhang Jing's cousins next to them. They were very different from the older people and it was obvious that they were looking at him.
The men were playing chess, drinking tea, and chatting in the teahouse. When Zhang Jing and Cheng Ran showed up, those who were close to Zhang Jing smiled and nodded at Cheng Ran, and those who were far away also looked over while chatting. Those who had children asked them to call Zhang Jing "sister" and told them to "call me brother."
The child was not shy and called out "Tiantian", but he obviously preferred the familiar and beautiful Zhang Jing.
Zhang Jing took her aunt's child and Cheng Ran to the teahouse. Zhang Jing's father Zhang Songnian and her third uncle and his group were already in the teahouse.
After greeting the relatives, Zhang Jing introduced Cheng Ran. The men were chatting before, but now some of them went out, leaving basically only Zhang Jing's father and third uncle. Zhang Jing also said hello to the uncles and aunts and would not stay to join in.
This was mainly because Cheng Ran would be able to speak up later and take care of his face. Originally, this could be considered as finding connections for him. In fact, I have been trying to avoid this kind of perception. When I first proposed it, I wanted him to be "sweet-mouthed". The so-called righteous help and jokes were fine at the time. But when it really came to this, of course, I couldn't bring up the issue.
It didn't matter whether Cheng Ran would mention the difficulties she faced when she talked to her father, Uncle San, or even if he was too shy to mention it. Because she had already told Uncle San in advance, she believed that Uncle San would handle it very well.
Outside the teahouse, the series of impressions that had just occurred to Zhang Jing's relatives began to ferment.
"Zhang Jing's college classmate is a very good-looking guy."
"How bad can Jingjing's friends be? Don't you think Jingjing is so outstanding? She is also a talented girl from the University of Science and Technology."
All these comments reached Zhang Jing's mother Liu Yun's ears, and the second aunt beside her even touched her arm with her hand, "This boy is not bad."
Liu Yuncai had to give an evaluation, "Not bad... but it seems not very smart."
"Hey, why do you have to be so clever? It's just like that. It would be great if Jingjing could control herself in the future!"
"What are you talking about..." Liu Yun laughed, "We are just classmates. We talked to Jingjing's dad about something. It's not as bad as you think..."
Zhang Jing knew what the older relatives were talking about without going over. So she didn't go over to join in the fun. She teased her aunt's daughter while asking about her cousin Zhang Han and cousin Zhang Qiao's recent situation.
As a result, the two came to Zhang Jing, and cousin Zhang Han said directly, "Sister Jing, the boyfriend you brought back? He seems to be very dull."
Zhang Qiaoze frowned, "I still like Brother Li!"
When the two men saw that Zhang Jing might be about to hit her aunt's daughter, they ran away at the right time.
Not long after, they heard Zhang Jing asking her parents, "How did Zhang Han and Zhang Qiao do in their exams recently?... I don't think their grades are good enough. They're going to high school now, so you might need to keep a closer eye on them..."
Facing their elder sister, who was always used as a role model at such moments in their family, the two said in unison, "Only villains and women are hard to raise!"
…
In the tea room, Zhang Jing's father and third uncle did not show any airs of being in important positions; instead, they were quite approachable.
It was Zhang Songnian who spoke first. "I heard from Jingjing that you have started a club and successfully held a large event. It was also reported in the newspaper, right? I have read the newspaper "Economic News". This newspaper was newly established not long ago, but it has a history. It is affiliated with the Commercial Daily Group and was once very famous in the propaganda department. It can be said that it filled the gap in domestic business newspapers. The newspaper was also included in the list of advanced people in Nanzhou. The newspaper is aimed at business people and many intellectuals, and has also invited a large number of well-known scholars and experts to open a special edition for comments. It can be said that it provides professionalism and authority. Such a publication reports all the activities held by your University of Science and Technology. It is not easy. It can be seen that first-class universities such as the University of Science and Technology have always been closely followed by our media and society, and as students of the University of Science and Technology, your actions in many cases are the pillars and hopes of the country."
Because of Zhang Songnian's identity, the angle of communication with Cheng Ran was different, but the sudden mention of the newspaper report still made Cheng Ran stunned. However, he reacted and thought, it was Wang Yulan.
"I remember the news in the Economic Report the most because the article was written in a very impressive way, 'The electronic industry is booming... Young people are ambitious... They wish to forge Tai'a with sparks. One day, they will carry a dragon sword and slay all evil.' When this report came out, you, the students of the University of Science and Technology, were really refreshing and made people feel that the next generation is really full of hope!"
Cheng Ran was stunned. Xie Feibai's sister Wang Yulan may seem overbearing, but she had always suppressed Xie Feibai and made Xie Feibai's parents obey her. In fact, she was just frustrated by him. In fact, she was not an ordinary person. This article and her expansion in Nanzhou as one of the founders of Economic News proved her extraordinary professionalism and ability. Xie Feibai was suppressed by her since he was a child, and it was not unfair at all.
No wonder Zhang Jing's high-ranking father and third uncle were so impressed.
Zhang Songnian said this, naturally not to put pressure on Cheng Ran, and at the same time affirmed his achievements as an outstanding student in HKUST.
Uncle Zhang Chenzu also smiled and said, "I heard that your club is in some trouble now. If you submit it to the school for review, you may even face the risk of having your personal files recorded... I heard that you violated the school regulations. In fact, the school can sometimes understand it. After all, USTC is a top-notch university in China. Sometimes it needs a facade and has to consider the social impact... But I think it is right for the school to maintain the system, but will the system be too strict and restrict the creative behavior of some students? Don't worry, I am familiar with your USTC school. I will give you a call. If you violate the system, the school will tell you to rectify it. Don't confront the school. Of course, recording a demerit is unnecessary. We still need to give young people the opportunity to explore and make mistakes."
Cheng Ran nodded, thinking that Zhang Jing's father was no simple man, and Zhang Jing's uncle's words were quite appropriate. He covered both the positive and negative sides of the matter, alleviating the young man's possible dissatisfaction with the school due to his youthful vigor, and also eliminating the idea that he had someone backing him up. At the same time, he finally completed Zhang Jing's commission, dispelled his concerns, and gave him affirmation for daring to take the risk.
If the roles were reversed, Cheng Ran felt that he might not be able to do better than him.
In fact, everyone who can reach a position is a master, and some of them just lack opportunities and momentum.
But the reason why Cheng Ran accepted Zhang Jing's invitation today was not because of this matter.
Cheng Ran said, "Thank you, uncle. I have a good relationship with Academician Li Taihang of the Academic Committee of HKUST, so I am not worried about being punished."
Zhang Songnian was still reaching out to serve the tea.
Zhang Chenzu also smiled and nodded at Cheng Ran's response, "Hmm..."
Then his hand stopped and his smile froze.
The two looked at the young man in front of them.
A string of English words popped into my mind.
E… xuseme!