Qiao Nan was a second-year student. She was already halfway through her college life, but she did not bother to keep abreast of gossip in the college. This did not mean that other students were like Qiao Nan as well, putting their heart and soul on their studies, but paid no attention to outside matters.
Therefore, although the professor had not revealed anything regarding the students who were awarded scholarships in the previous semester, some of Qiao Nan’s classmates already managed to get the name list of the second-year students who were awarded scholarships.
Qiao Nan was absent from school for half a semester. She had lagged in her studies for half a semester, yet she was able to get the second-prize scholarship. Many people were jealous of her and felt unjust. Nobody would be able to understand how upset they were at Qiao Nan’s results.
Since the name list would be revealed to the students eventually, those who had the means would be able to find out information about the scholarship beforehand.
Even if the students felt unconvinced and wanted to do a further check, the school would not stop the students from doing so. After all, the results of the students in every semester would be recorded and filed.
These students had gone for their lessons diligently. After discovering that Qiao Nan had skipped lessons for half a semester, yet her final results for each subject were much better than their results, the students could not help but be ashamed of themselves.
Many students were sincerely convinced and ready to concede to Qiao Nan.
Her results proved that she indeed deserved to be awarded the school-based first-prize scholarship twice in a row. She did not cheat in the exams.
“Qiao Nan, congratulations.” When lessons were over, Yu Xiaoxiao stood in front of Qiao Nan, stretching her hand toward her to congratulate her. “You… are really very smart and capable. I also want to make a sincere apology for doing all those things when school started. I am sorry. This apology may not matter to you, but I still want to say it so that I can feel better.”
Qiao Nan was very outstanding and capable. She seldom interacted with other students and therefore there were rumors that she was cold and aloof.
But if one was able to put aside all prejudices and observe Qiao Nan, one would realize that all the rumors were fabricated by the students who were jealous of her.
To put it nicely, Qiao Nan put her heart and soul on her studies. If one was to put it bluntly, Qiao Nan was a nerd. Other than studying, she was not interested in anything else.
Furthermore, Qiao Nan did not stay in the school and she had less time to interact and mix with other students in school. Therefore, there were many rumors regarding her, and people chose to believe in them.
These students had been thinking too much and they spread rumors about their classmates. They even blamed Qiao Nan for being too serious in her studies and not interacting with her classmates.
To put it bluntly, all those rumors were fabricated. Qiao Nan did not do anything but was implicated.
After spending one and a half years with Qiao Nan, even though they seldom spoke to each other, Yu Xiaoxiao truly conceded defeat to Qiao Nan. She was the only person that she conceded defeat to.
Qiao Nan was astonished. She did not expect this from Yu Xiaoxiao.
Qiao Nan could tell that Yu Xiaoxiao was sincere. She smiled. “Thank you. Congratulations to you as well for realizing your dreams.”
“Likewise. No matter what, sorry, and thank you.” Qiao Nan did not shake her hands. There was a slight awkwardness between the two of them, but Yu Xiaoxiao did not feel humiliated. Yu Xiaoxiao did not take it to heart. “If not for you, I would not be able to do so much better for the other component.”
Yu Xiaoxiao was capable and she would make plans for herself. Back then, she was rejected by Qiao Nan and was also turned down by the Palace Museum as she did not meet their standards.
Yu Xiaoxiao came up with a plan right away to improve herself so that she could meet the requirements of the Palace Museum.
Most importantly, after she found out about Qiao Nan’s method, she also set her sights on other places besides the Palace Museum. She believed that there were many other opportunities in Beijing other than the Palace Museum.
Yu Xiaoxiao had nothing to worry about as long as she was willing to work hard. She was capable and able to endure hardships.
Yu Xiaoxiao was smart. She did not insist on working at the same place as Qiao Nan. Instead, she set her sights on another organization and was accepted by them.
“Thank you. I mean it…” Yu Xiaoxiao could not help but turn teary at the thought of the hard work and persistence this past one year. At least, she got to see the fruits of her labor. Her effort was not wasted. She finally succeeded and was awarded the second-prize scholarship.
Yu Xiaoxiao was not after the small amount of money that the second-prize scholarship was able to provide her with. Instead, she was after the honor and glory that came with the scholarship. If she had trouble with employment after she graduated, having the scholarship would make a lot of difference.
Seeing that Yu Xiaoxiao was moved to tears and was very thankful to her, Qiao Nan felt overwhelmingly flattered and she felt like running off. “Well… Do you need a tissue? It is noon. Aren’t you hungry? Shouldn’t you have your lunch?” She did not do anything or even render any help to Yu Xiaoxiao.
“You’re right. I heard that the second canteen has sweet and sour spare ribs today. If we are late, there won’t be any left.” Tang Jiayun walked happily toward them. “This is such a good piece of news. Two of our roommates were awarded the second-prize scholarship in the previous semester. It is amazing. Since you used to be our roommate and are now our classmate, do you have any good learning methods to share with us? Let’s share our methods and experience. Otherwise, I will be the only pitiful one. All of you are awarded the scholarship except for me.”
Tang Jiayun felt really anxious.
All along, Qiao Nan had good results. Tang Jiayun had never set her sights on following her footsteps.
Yu Xiaoxiao was different. Yu Xiaoxiao was awarded the third-prize scholarship in the first semester. It was nothing much to be proud of. As expected, Yu Xiaoxiao did not get the scholarship in the second semester.
To her surprise, Yu Xiaoxiao was well-prepared in the second year. She was awarded the second-prize scholarship and was so emotional about it. It made her wonder if Yu Xiaoxiao had chicken blood before the exams and was thus so excited.
In the past, Yu Xiaoxiao would avoid Qiao Nan. However, Yu Xiaoxiao took the initiative to walk up to Qiao Nan today. Tang Jiayun noticed it and kept a watch on them.
Initially, she thought that since Yu Xiaoxiao and Qiao Nan were both awarded second-prize scholarship, perhaps Yu Xiaoxiao was overjoyed and wanted to flaunt her capability in front of Qiao Nan.
This was a rare opportunity for Tang Jiayun. Although she was not able to be on close terms with Qiao Nan, it would be good entertainment for her before lunchtime. No matter whether it was Yu Xiaoxiao who made disgusting remarks to Qiao Nan or the other way round, she would be in a good mood after watching the show and she would have a bigger appetite during lunch.
