“Teacher Zhou, any plans for National Day?” Shi Anlan, freshly praised by Yao Di, started a new topic.
“Huh?” Zhou Nuan turned back, puzzled. “I was planning to go home for the holiday. Did you have something in mind, Secretary Shi?”
“Don’t call it ‘something in mind.’ Consider this a personal favor,” Shi Anlan said humbly, completely shedding the imposing aura he carried during the awards ceremony.
“A favor?” Zhou Nuan was confused.
“Yes.” Shi Anlan nodded. “Here’s the thing. National Day and Mid-Autumn together give an eight-day holiday, right? Shi Yan will take this time to go home. Due to work, I might not have enough time to be with Xu Zhi.
So, if it’s convenient for you—just if it’s convenient—could you spend some time with him? Xu Zhi doesn’t really have friends or anyone familiar here, and the only person he likes is you.” Shi Anlan chose his words carefully.
Technically, he could have had Shi Yan take Xu Zhi around, as he’d done before. But today, he had a new idea.
“Well…” Zhou Nuan tilted her head, thinking. Her own trip home would only take a day or two—just to see her parents and give them some money. The rest of the time she had planned for studying.
But now that Secretary Shi had asked, she couldn’t outright refuse. After all, he was one of the most influential figures in Jiangcheng.
And she did feel for Xu Zhi. A child without a mother—just thinking about it made her heart ache.
Gathering her thoughts, she said, “I don’t need more than a couple of days at home. I still have to prepare for the graduate exam, so my time with Xu Zhi might be limited.”
“Oh, you’re taking the graduate exam?” Shi Anlan’s interest was piqued.
“Yes,” Zhou Nuan nodded.
“Have you considered which school and program?” he asked.
She hadn’t expected the young woman to be so ambitious—working yet still planning for further study.
“The Education Department at Yunda University. I want to study educational psychology.”
“What a coincidence,” Shi Anlan chuckled. “I have a friend who is a professor there, also in the Education Department.”
“Really?” Zhou Nuan could hardly believe her ears.
“Absolutely,” he said confidently.
“Have you thought about which advisor you’d like?” Shi Anlan asked again.
“Can I choose any advisor?” Zhou Nuan asked in disbelief.
She did have a preferred advisor, but she felt her chances were too low to request one. Passing the interview seemed uncertain enough.
In today’s world, connections mattered. Without them, progress was tough.
“Okay. I’ll ask for you,” Shi Anlan nodded. The friend he mentioned was actually the head of the Education Department—finding the right advisor would be easy for him.
He added quickly, “As long as you meet Yunda’s score threshold, contacting the advisor in advance could greatly improve your chances of passing the interview.”
Zhou Nuan’s jaw nearly dropped again.
Of course she knew this, but she had never thought she could personally reach an advisor ahead of time. This was beyond her wildest dreams.
Once again, her respect for Shi Anlan grew.
“Well… I’ll try to spend as much time as possible with Xu Zhi during the holiday,” she said, sheepishly touching the back of her neck, feeling embarrassed for her earlier hesitation.
If you’re asking for help, you have to show some sincerity, right?
“Good. Thank you, Teacher Zhou,” Shi Anlan said, a faint smile playing on his lips, his low voice smooth and pleasant as ever.
Zhou Nuan felt an inexplicable warmth spread across her face—but her heart was undoubtedly elated.
According to Shi Anlan, as long as she met Yunda’s score line, he would help with the interviews. The thought made her feel energized, filled with determination.
The car stopped steadily in front of Chaoling Apartments.
Before getting out, Zhou Nuan confirmed once more, “Secretary Shi, I’ll go home tomorrow and be back the night after. When would you like me to spend time with Xu Zhi?”
“That’s not certain yet. I’ll contact you when the time comes,” Shi Anlan replied.
He also needed to visit the provincial city. With the holidays together, he’d take Xu Zhi to see his grandparents first; the time with her would come afterward.
“All right. I’ll wait for your notice. Goodbye for now, Secretary Shi.” Zhou Nuan waved and walked toward the apartment entrance with an unusually light step.
This girl really knows how to handle things! Shi Anlan covered his lips to smile, feeling pleased.
Yao Di, driving upfront, thought: It’s been a long time since Secretary Shi looked this happy! This girl’s impressive—really top-notch!
The next day was National Day. Zhou Nuan had arranged with a fellow townsman to pick her up at 8 a.m. at the apartment.
Even before 8, she was downstairs, carrying all the things she had bought.
She got two packs of cigarettes for her father, new outfits for her mother and younger brother Zhou Yang, and extra study materials for Zhou Yang, who was in his final year of high school and preparing for college entrance exams.
At 8 sharp, Shen Mo’s car pulled up at Chaoling Apartments.
Shen Mo, three years older than Zhou Nuan, worked at a tech company in Jiangcheng. Their parents were acquaintances, and Zhou Nuan had known him since childhood.
After she graduated and began working in Jiangcheng, their parents had tried to match them. Before she met Jiang Hao, she always rode with Shen Mo when going home.
Once she started dating Jiang Hao, Shen Mo gave up. Jiang Hao’s qualities were simply unbeatable.
During nearly a year with Jiang Hao, Zhou Nuan was mostly picked up by him. She never took Jiang Hao home, so her parents didn’t know about him. Shen Mo also never mentioned it.
This time she took Shen Mo’s car again because she casually asked when he sent holiday greetings, and he agreed without hesitation.
“Buying so many things?” Shen Mo teased when he saw her laden with bags. “You really are a filial daughter!”
“Look at me, I bought nothing.” He spread his hands.
“How can I compete with you? We’re from different family circumstances,” Zhou Nuan laughed, teasing him back.
Shen Mo opened the trunk and helped load her items.
Zhou Nuan naturally got into the passenger seat.
As she fastened her seatbelt, Shen Mo glanced at her. “Why didn’t Jiang Hao send you this time?”
“I… broke up with him,” Zhou Nuan said softly.
She had never hidden her relationship with Jiang Hao from Shen Mo. In her heart, she always regarded him as an older brother.