Chapter 49: Quick Transmigration: Film & Television Multiverse Chapter 49 — Two Daughters Vie for a Slot

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Protagonist:

Lin Hao

Nan Li spent the entire afternoon at Zeshu, her gaze constantly moving through the classroom, observing the teaching environment and the teachers' instructional methods.

Her heart was filled with anticipation for her daughter's future; she so hoped to find a shortcut here to improve Xia Huanhuan's grades.

After school let out, she hurriedly picked up her daughter Xia Huanhuan and brought her to Zeshu without stopping.

Zeshu's teachers gave Xia Huanhuan a thorough assessment.

After the assessment, the teacher's expression turned somewhat grave. He slowly said to Nan Li, "Huanhuan's mother, your daughter is indeed a bit late to join the tutoring class. Nowadays many families start tutoring their children from first grade. Given your daughter's current situation, only entering the Gold Medal Class offers hope of significantly raising her scores. But regrettably, the Gold Medal Class is already full; you can only go home and wait to see if an opening appears."

Nan Li was unwilling to accept this and kept begging the teacher to think of a way, to see if one more slot could be added. "Teacher, please help us. My daughter really needs this opportunity. She's very smart; give her a chance and she'll definitely catch up. Could you ask the leadership to approve an exception?" Nan Li said urgently.

The teacher shook his head helplessly and said, "I'm truly sorry. Our Gold Medal Class has a strict enrollment cap; we can't arbitrarily increase slots. You could consider having your child attend another class first, then transfer to the Gold Medal Class when a spot opens."

Upon hearing she couldn't enter the Gold Medal Class, Xia Huanhuan instantly flushed red with anxiety, throwing a tantrum insisting she must enter the Gold Medal Class and refusing to go to any other class.

"I'm only going to the Gold Medal Class, I won't attend any other class. Mom, think of something, Yan Ziyou is in the Gold Medal Class." Xia Huanhuan tugged at Nan Li's hand, tears welling in her eyes, pleading pitifully.

Nan Li helplessly brought Xia Huanhuan home and discussed the matter with Xia Junshan.

Xia Junshan frowned, pacing back and forth in the room, and said, "What can we do? Huanhuan insists on the Gold Medal Class, but the slots are full. We don't know anyone who can pull strings."

Finally Nan Li decided to call her father Nan Jianlong. Nan Jianlong was the dean of a design institute before retirement and still had some connections. "Maybe Dad can help." Nan Li said.

To strengthen the effect, Nan Li also had her daughter Xia Huanhuan personally tell her maternal grandfather over the phone that she wanted to attend the Gold Medal Class.

At the same time, Nan Jianlong was at home listening to Cai Juying's account, urging him to help secure a Gold Medal Class slot.

Nan Jianlong frowned slightly, a troubled look on his face, and said, "I'm just a retired deputy dean of a design institute; who would still give me face? This is hard to manage."

Cai Juying said urgently, "Old Nan, just help out. Lanlan is worried sick over Zi You's matter. Can't you think of something?"

Nan Jianlong said helplessly, "I want to help too, but I'm retired now — once the person leaves, the tea cools. Who would still sell me this favor?"

"Look at you, so invested in Nan Li's affairs but indifferent to Lanlan's. All these years you've never treated Lanlan as your own daughter." Cai Juying said with some anger.

Those words stung Nan Jianlong badly. "What are you talking about? I treat Yulan well enough. It's just that this matter really isn't easy to handle." Nan Jianlong retorted.

Just as Nan Jianlong and Cai Juying were at an impasse, Nan Li's call came through.

Hearing Xia Huanhuan obediently say into the phone, "Grandpa, I want to attend the Gold Medal Class. Will you help me? I'll definitely study hard."

Nan Jianlong agreed to help in a heartbeat. "Alright, Huanhuan, don't worry. Grandpa will think of something." Nan Jianlong said.

After Nan Jianlong hung up, Cai Juying grew even angrier. "I've been talking for half an hour and you wouldn't agree, but the moment Nan Li calls you immediately say yes. In the end, Lanlan this stepdaughter just doesn't measure up to Nan Li your biological daughter." Cai Juying said with a face full of grievance.

Nan Jianlong said irritably, "Aren't both children trying to get into this Gold Medal Class? One sheep is herded, two sheep are also driven — let's just handle both together. Stop overthinking."

Cai Juying was still unhappy and said, "Even so you can't be this biased. Lanlan is your daughter too."

Nan Jianlong sighed and said, "I know. I'll do my best. But this really isn't easy, so don't get your hopes up too high."

Nan Jianlong pondered in his study for a long while and actually recalled a former subordinate who now served as District Head in their district; she should have a way.

Early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Nan Jianlong hurried out the door. Carrying a trace of apprehension and anticipation, he arrived at the Qu Zhengfu. Guided by a staff member, he met Li Quzhang.

Nan Jianlong was slightly nervous. He said respectfully, "District Head Li, hello. I've come today to ask a favor."

Li Quzhang looked at Nan Jianlong with a smile, gesturing for him to continue.

Nan Jianlong explained the situation: "It's like this. Both my grandsons — actually, both my granddaughters — want to enter a tutoring class's Gold Medal Class, but the slots are full. I know this is asking a lot, but I truly have no other choice, so I've come to seek your help."

Li Quzhang listened, frowned slightly, and pondered for a moment. Then she said, "Old Dean, it's not that I don't want to help, but the tutoring class is a business after all; they can't just add however many people we want. I can help with this, but at most I can get the tutoring class to add one student. As for who goes, you go home and decide that yourselves."

Hearing this, Nan Jianlong felt both grateful and troubled. He hurriedly said, "District Head Li, thank you so much." With that, he took his leave and departed the Qu Zhengfu.

Walking home, Nan Jianlong's mood was extremely heavy. He didn't know how to choose — one slot, who should get it? He sank into deep contemplation.

The reason Li Quzhang did this actually stemmed from an episode many years ago. Back then, Nan Jianlong presented Li Quzhang and his wife with an equally difficult choice.

At that time, Nan Jianlong held a permanent position slot at the design institute. He placed this opportunity before the couple, letting them decide who would stay. The couple underwent a test of human nature and a painful trade-off back then.

Now, Li Quzhang returned that same choice to Nan Jianlong. Perhaps she harbored a hint of curiosity, wanting to see how the man who once plunged them into such a dilemma would choose when faced with an identical predicament. Would he agonize and suffer like they did back then, or would he make a different decision? Li Quzhang quietly awaited Nan Jianlong's verdict, as if revisiting the past years and also examining the complexity of human nature.