novelraw Chapter 89 Interesting
Chapter 89 Interesting
The five roommates stared wide-eyed at the recommendation letter in front of them.
The text was brief. Entirely handwritten. Upright, flowing strokes that pressed deep into the paper.
At the top, it was addressed to Donghai University.
The content was simple as well. It stated that Jiang Ran had provided important assistance in a certain nationally classified research project and was hereby recommended to pursue graduate studies under Professor Zhang Yang… and at the bottom was an unfamiliar signature.
Wait?
Graduate school?!
You could jump straight from junior college to graduate school?
Was this some kind of upgraded “associate-to-bachelor PLUS” package?!
“Th-this… is this real?!”
Roommate No.4 couldn’t believe it.Just moments ago, they had been saying that without a junior college diploma, how could he compete against bachelor’s degree holders?
And now Jiang Ran had directly transcended the realm entirely!
This plotline was way too fantastical!
“What classified project?” Roommate No.5 asked, eyes innocent.
“Idiot!”
Roommate No.1 punched him lightly.
“If it could be casually explained, would it still be called classified?”
“But…”
Roommate No.1 frowned and looked at Jiang Ran with concern.
“Can this recommendation letter convince our principal? Will he forgive you?”
Donghai Vocational College of Foreign Economics and Trade, Principal’s Office.
The principal held the recommendation letter with both hands. His arms trembled so much that his watch knocked repeatedly against the desk with sharp clicks.
He took off his glasses and leaned closer to examine the signature at the bottom.
Then—
He put his glasses back on and looked again.
No mistake.
This was real.
Just earlier, he had received a call directly from the capital, informing him that the Dragon Country Academy of Sciences intended to recommend a student from their school to Donghai University—and that it was personally endorsed by Director Gao Yan.
Although the caller had identified themselves officially and stated that a formal written notice would follow—
Truthfully, he hadn’t quite believed something this absurd. At least, not until he saw the official document.
And now this handwritten recommendation letter lay in front of him.
He was utterly stunned.
Transferring from junior college to bachelor’s was one thing. There were indeed many unevenly developed prodigies in vocational schools.
But—
Skipping straight to graduate school?!
This was the first time he had ever heard of such a case!
An educational miracle!
“You… this…”
The principal stopped mid-sentence.
He was incredibly curious. He wanted to ask what national classified project Jiang Ran had participated in, and what exactly he had contributed.
But when his eyes flicked to the unmistakable signature in the lower right corner—one known to every figure in the education and research world—he swallowed the question.
If Director Gao had personally written, signed, and guaranteed this, then it had to be top-level classified material.
Better not pry.
“Excellent!”
The principal set down the letter, looking at Jiang Ran with excitement.
“Excellent! Jiang Ran! You are the pride of Donghai Vocational College of Foreign Economics and Trade!”
“I dare say that in the past, present, and foreseeable future, this school will never produce a student more outstanding than you!”
“Ah, why are you still standing? Sit, sit, sit! Have some tea!”
He laughed.
He circled around the desk, pulled out a chair for Jiang Ran, and poured him a cup of warm Pu’er tea before returning to his seat.
“Our school fully supports this matter and will provide any assistance you need!”
“Director Gao… I once met him briefly. Years ago in the capital during an education conference, all university principals were present, and Director Gao gave a lecture. I listened very carefully—very inspired.”
“By the way, Jiang Ran, when do you plan to leave school? Such a major achievement—we must hold a grand commendation ceremony for you!”
“I understand the project is classified, of course, but being recommended to Donghai University for graduate study certainly isn’t confidential. You should give a speech, share your learning experiences and journey—let your juniors learn from you!”
“Uh…”
Jiang Ran scratched his head.
“I might not have that chance. I only came today to show you the recommendation letter. I’m leaving immediately.”
“What? No need to rush!”
The principal was surprised.
“Don’t you need to handle withdrawal procedures? It should take some time.”
“I’ve already withdrawn.”
“How did you manage that?!”
The principal was shocked.
That was far too efficient!
Had the student affairs office also received a call from the capital and expedited everything?
“Are you sure all procedures are complete?”
He tried to delay him at least long enough for a commendation ceremony—some photos, a group shot, publicity materials.
“It should be done. I already received a notice…”
Jiang Ran wasn’t entirely certain. He handed over the Expulsion Notice.
The principal took it skeptically.
Then—
“Pfft!!”
A mouthful of tea sprayed straight out. He nearly choked.
“What is this?!”
His eyes widened as he stared at the bold words at the top:
Expulsion.
Ex—expulsion?
They had expelled an educational miracle?!
He read carefully.
Then pressed his lips together, speechless.
Vocational colleges were often stricter than bachelor’s institutions. Morning drills, dorm inspections, even evening self-study sessions—common here, rare elsewhere.
The purpose was tighter management.
Attendance, check-ins, assessments—naturally stricter as well.
In Jiang Ran’s case—absent for a full month, unreachable, repeatedly warned—the regulations indeed allowed direct expulsion.
This…
The principal felt troubled.
He needed to arrange this properly.
A precedent like Jiang Ran’s—skipping straight to graduate school—would allow him to shine at academic forums for years to come. It would elevate the school’s prestige. Annual reports would repeat this case again and again.
He lit a cigarette.
Stood by the window, hands clasped behind his back, lost in thought.
Jiang Ran sipped his Pu’er quietly.
Though the principal smoked silently, one could practically feel the heat of his racing thoughts.
After a long time.
The principal exhaled a chaotic cloud of smoke, turned back, and tapped ash into the tray.
“In fact… many things in this world require a metaphysical way of thinking.”
Jiang Ran tilted his head. “For example?”
“For example, this Expulsion Notice.”
The principal tapped the white paper.
“Institutional management, especially administrative work, emphasizes detail, procedure, sufficiency, and necessity. Rules matter, yes—but rules aren’t dead. Often they must be interpreted in light of actual circumstances.”
“Take withdrawal procedures. It’s not simply a matter of ‘expelled and done.’ Many considerations must be weighed. We advocate gradual withdrawal, deferred withdrawal, staged withdrawal, rhythmic withdrawal, structured withdrawal!”
“That’s what I mean. Jiang Ran, you understand?”
Jiang Ran shook his head blankly.
All Chinese words, yet after that speech, everything felt even more clouded.
For some reason, he recalled how the Student Union President at Donghai University had once jammed filler into their speech with similarly chaotic logic.
Tsk.
Tsk.
The principal gave up on rhetoric. He picked up the Expulsion Notice, folded it in half, tore it apart, and tossed the pieces into the wastebasket.
“Ahem. In plain terms, this is just a notice. Merely informing you.”
“And besides, it says ‘advised to withdraw.’ We advise you to withdraw. It doesn’t mean you must! You can choose not to withdraw!”
Jiang Ran laughed.
So expulsion could be interpreted like this.
A true demonstration of institutional humanism.
“Alright, that settles it.”
The principal waved a hand.
“No matter what, Jiang Ran, Donghai Vocational College of Foreign Economics and Trade is your alma mater. Though your achievements are primarily your own, you did spend two years here.”
“Now that you’re honorably advancing to graduate study, the school has fulfilled part of its educational mission. At least give us the chance to hold an event, to send you off properly.”
Since the principal had spoken so sincerely, Jiang Ran couldn’t refuse outright.
He nodded.
“Then take some time to visit Donghai University and speak with Professor Zhang Yang.”
The principal relaxed, smiling broadly.
“As for us, everything is flexible. The school will always be your warm home!”
Outside the campus gate, Jiang Ran hailed a taxi and headed toward Donghai University.
Graduate enrollment was still months away—official registration would be in September.
But he wanted to greet Professor Zhang Yang first.
Finally, he could officially become his student.
That thought genuinely made him happy.
After spending time together in the future prison, he had grown to truly respect and admire Professor Zhang Yang.
When he had once asked him in prison whether he remembered who had scratched his hand with a pencil, the aged Zhang Yang had said he didn’t remember.
Understandable.
Across twenty years, such a trivial matter could easily fade.
But now—
Professor Zhang Yang had just been promoted to graduate advisor.
Just obtained the qualification to supervise graduate students.
And Jiang Ran would become the very first student of his advising career.
[He can’t possibly forget my name this time.]
“Of course not.”
Jiang Ran smiled.
“No matter what, I’ll be Professor Zhang Yang’s first disciple. His eldest student.”
“Unless he develops dementia, how could he forget his top disciple?”
Clearly, even after ten years in prison, Professor Zhang Yang’s mind had remained sharp. His lectures had been methodical. Dementia was far away.
Jiang Ran was looking forward to it.
The next time he activated the Positron Cannon and traveled to the future prison—stood beneath the bookshelf in Cell No.4, facing Professor Zhang Yang in Cell No.3—
What kind of stunned expression would he wear when he saw Jiang Ran there?
Twenty years intertwined.
Sect founder and first disciple reunited across spacetime inside a prison.
[That would… certainly be interesting, wouldn’t it?]