Chapter 9

August 25.

"Qiangzi, do you see? This is Harbin Institute of Technology, this is the university you will attend; once you get in, you'll become a state official, a high-ranking official!" Gazing at the gate of Harbin Industrial University, Niu Guishan's heart overflowed with excitement.

"Named entities: Harbin Institute of Technology (Ha Gong Da), Harbin (Ha Cheng) (possibly also Harbin Industrial University? Actually 'Harbin Industrial University' would be Ha Cheng Industrial University, but we have the abbreviation Harbin Institute of Technology; the full name may not be needed. We'll include Harbin Institute of Technology and Harbin. Also Niu Guishan. Also 'state cadre' and 'high-ranking cadre' are generic terms."

"Sending a son to college is a big deal! At the factory we can't hold an enrollment celebration; it's unavoidable. Sending my son to school is a must!"

No named entities.

"Qiangzi, your aunt has an old classmate who works as a teacher at Harbin Institute of Technology; once you're officially enrolled, she'll take you to meet her, so you'll have someone to look out for you." Niu Guihua said from the side.

"Named entities: Harbin Institute of Technology (Ha Gong Da), Niu Guihua. Also 'aunt' is a generic term."

"Huh! Niu Qiang's face was full of pride: 'If anyone dares to bully me in the future, I'll go tell the teacher!'"

"Named entities: Niu Qiang."

"Let's go, time to register!" Niu Guishan walked forward carrying a suitcase, which contained bedding, food, some money and documents—enough for Niu Qiang to last half a year here! When you're out and about, you can't let yourself suffer."

"Named entities: Niu Guishan, Niu Qiang."

"Right, Qiangzi, remember: from today on, you will be called Qin Miao; don't slip up later!" Niu Guihua reminded from the side.

"Named entities: Qiangzi, Qin Miao, Niu Guihua."

"Huh, I know, you guys better not slip up."

No named entities.

"In front of the main building, on the tree-lined road, some tables were set up, with red banners hanging in front of them."

"No named entities (maybe 'main building' is generic)."

"Mechanical department, electronic department, mathematics department…… aerospace department! This is the place!"

No named entities (systems are generic).

"Teacher, my son…… Qin Miao is here to register." Niu Guishan put down the bedding and spoke to the person behind the table; his first sentence almost gave him away, and he wanted to slap himself."

"Named entities: Qin Miao, Niu Guishan."

"Opposite them, the teacher in charge of freshman enrollment for the Aerospace Department smiled and said: 'I'm Chen Dinghua, currently representing the four departments of Harbin Institute of Technology; welcome to your enrollment. Come, take out your admission notice, examination permit, household register, student records, and other documents; I need to check them.'"

【26】

"Named entities: Chen Dinghua, Harbin Institute of Technology (Ha Gong Da)."

"Niu Guihua stepped forward, opened her synthetic leather briefcase, and took out the documents one by one."

"Named entities: Niu Guihua."

"Chen Dinghua glanced at the idle, looking-around Niu Qiang and gave him his first definition: a city-raised, spoiled brat who lacks his own opinions and independence… but as long as he's at Harbin Institute of Technology, four years of education will surely reshape him."

"Named entities: Chen Dinghua, Niu Qiang, Harbin Institute of Technology (Ha Gong Da)."

"Qin Miao, come, turn your head and see if the photo matches you. Qin Miao, Qin Miao!"

"Named entities: Qin Miao."

"Niu Guihua tugged at Niu Qiang, and he realized they were calling him; he quickly stepped forward and said, 'Hello, teacher.'"

"Named entities: Niu Guihua, Niu Qiang."

"Hmm, the documents are in order; take your household register back, the school will keep the other papers. Qin Miao, sign here and collect your living and study supplies."

"Named entities: Qin Miao."

"Oh. Niu Qiang picked up a pen and wrote the two characters 'Qin Miao' in a shaky hand."

"Named entities: Niu Qiang, Qin Miao."

"Enamel washbasins printed with Red Double Happiness, pale yellow sheets and duvet covers printed with peonies, and Deer-brand thermoses…… all these daily items were sprayed with red codes."

"Named entities: Red Double Happiness is a real-world brand; exclude. Deer brand maybe generic; exclude."

"Clang, clang, clang…… all the items were placed in front of Niu Guihua; she put the washbasin at the bottom, inside she placed the sheets and duvet cover, etc.; as for the kettle…… she held the washbasin, straining to lift it with a few fingers."

"Named entities: Niu Guihua."

"Chen Dinghua finally couldn't take it anymore: 'Qin Miao, help your mom carry a few things! Now you're the one going to college, not your mom!'"

"Named entities: Chen Dinghua, Qin Miao."

"No, she's my aunt!"

No named entities.

"Your aunt? Then she definitely shouldn't be carrying things—you're not a kid anymore, you're an adult!"

No named entities.

"It's fine, teacher, I'll do it!" Niu Guishan's left hand took the kettle."

"Named entities: Niu Guishan."

"Kind fathers often have failed sons, but never mind; once the parents leave, I'll really train Qin Miao! Chen Dinghua made up his mind: this kid definitely never went through the up‑mountain‑down‑countryside experience, so from now on I'll give him a good workout at Harbin Institute of Technology."

"Named entities: Qin Miao, Chen Dinghua, Harbin Institute of Technology (Ha Gong Da)."

"Next, go to Dormitory Building 1, Room -108, put your things in the dorm, get to know your classmates; tomorrow morning at nine, go to the third floor of the main building, find the classroom for Class 4381, and hold a class meeting."

"Named entities: maybe 'Dormitory Building 1, Room -108' is a dorm building; generic. 'third floor of the main building' generic. 'Class 4381' generic. So none."

"Okay, thank you, teacher." Niu Guishan nodded and bowed slightly."

"Named entities: Niu Guishan."

"Done, the enrollment matter concluded perfectly!"

No named entities.

"The three of them relaxed, turned to head for the dormitory, when at that moment a voice sounded."

No named entities.

"Niu Qiang! Stop! There's still something you haven't collected!"

"Named entities: Niu Qiang."

"Oh! Oh dear!"

No named entities.

"Niu Qiang instinctively stopped, intending to turn back and get it, but Niu Guishan felt a jolt in his heart, kept walking, and bumped Niu Qiang's butt with his suitcase; Niu Qiang stumbled, turned his head with dissatisfaction, and said, 'Dad, what are you doing?'"

"Named entities: Niu Qiang, Niu Guishan."

"Niu Guishan's eyes blazed, 'You little brat, why are you spouting nonsense?! You're supposed to be called Qin Miao now, not Niu Qiang! There are over a thousand freshmen at this university; having the same name isn't that uncommon!'"

"Named entities: Niu Guishan, Qin Miao, Niu Qiang."

"If it weren't for my quick thinking, we'd have run into trouble!"

No named entities.

"Let's go!"

No named entities.

"Wait, how come Niu Guihua's face looks so awful?"

"Named entities: Niu Guihua."

"Niu Guihua's heart pounded thump‑thump violently; that sound was very familiar! After all, she'd taught students for several years, hoping it wasn't, hoping it wasn't……"

"Named entities: Niu Guihua."

"Hey, Section Chief Niu, Principal Niu, what are you doing here?"

"Named entities: Section Chief Niu, Principal Niu."

"We're done for!"

No named entities.

"The three of them turned pale in an instant!"

No named entities.

"Niu Qiang slowly turned around and looked at the person stepping out from behind the tree. Clear eyebrows, handsome eyes, an air of a bookish simpleton."

"Named entities: Niu Qiang."

"Qin Miao! Qin Miao is actually here! Wasn't he traveling in the capital? How did he get to Harbin Institute of Technology? And he's been waiting here for us?"

"Named entities: Qin Miao, the capital, Harbin Institute of Technology (Ha Gong Da)."

"Click!"

No named entities (sound effect).

"It was like a thunderbolt exploding instantly in Niu Qiang's mind."

"Named entities: Niu Qiang."

"No way, calm down, calm down! Damn, how can I stay calm?"

No named entities.

"But Niu Guihua reacted quickly, forcing out a smile: 'Hey classmate, did you mistake us for someone else? Have we met before?'"

"Named entities: Niu Guihua."

"How could we not have met!" Qin Miao stepped up to the three of them: "Principal Niu, headmaster of Qingshan Factory Workers' Children Middle School, my most beloved teacher, who taught me two years of junior high and two years of high school—I'll never forget your kindness, I'll remember you for a lifetime!"

"Named entities: Qin Miao, Principal Niu, Qingshan Factory."

"After saying that, Qin Miao bowed."

"Named entities: Qin Miao."

"Niu Guihua's body began to tremble involuntarily."

"Named entities: Niu Guihua."

"Section Chief Niu, you are a great benefactor to our Qin family! Factory workers' children fight for a chance to work there, yet you gave me this precious spot—I'll remember you for a lifetime!" Qin Miao bowed again."

"Named entities: Section Chief Niu, Qin Family."

"Named entities: Qin Miao."

"Niu Guishan's face went from white to red—this isn't about repaying kindness, it's clearly about holding a grudge!"

"Named entities: Niu Guishan."

"A drop of kindness deserves a spring in return; Section Chief Niu, Principal Niu, you tell me, how should I repay this great favor?"

"Named entities: Section Chief Niu, Principal Niu."

"Niu Guishan took a deep breath, 'Don't panic, don't panic—I've weathered countless storms; how could I possibly fall into the hands of Qin Miao, this bookish simpleton?'"

"Named entities: Niu Guishan, Qin Miao."

"What's going on? One of you is Qin Miao's father, the other his aunt—why do you both bear the surname Niu?" At this point, Chen Dinghua realized there was a problem and walked over from the enrollment table."

"Named entities: Qin Miao, Chen Dinghua."

"Other students waiting to enroll, as well as sophomores and juniors who came to help, also gathered around, creating a lively scene."

No named entities.

"Teacher Chen, this child Qin Miao shares his mother's surname." Niu Guishan's mind was in turmoil, but he knew their names couldn't be changed, so he might as well accept being a son‑in‑law who lives with his wife's family."

"Named entities: Qin Miao, Niu Guishan."

"Young man, you've definitely mistaken the person." Niu Guihua struggled to control her emotions, forcing a smile: "We've never met before!"

"Named entities: Niu Guihua."

"Chen Dinghua looked at Qin Miao and asked, 'Who are you?'"

"Named entities: Chen Dinghua, Qin Miao."

"Me? I'm Qin Miao, a recent graduate of the Qingshan Machinery Factory Workers' Children School, Section Chief Niu, Principal Niu—you all in the factory, didn't you affectionately call me San Shui? Now why are you pretending not to know me?"