Chapter 402
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"Nianzhi, Nianzhi! Get up right now!" Ma Qiqi pounded on Gu Nianzhi's door fiercely . "Big news! It's so amazing! Probably the news of the century!"
Gu Nianzhi had no class that day . After leaving He Zhichu's building yesterday, she'd gone straight to the library to edit her thesis and didn't return home until 7pm . Her brain had been exhausted from the day's events and she tiredly took a shower before passing out on the bed . When she was roused by Ma Qiqi the next day, she saw that it was already 9am . She'd slept a full 12 hours . Gu Nianzhi sat up from the bed in a daze before removing the blankets and putting on a silk and cotton robe and opening the door .
Ma Qiqi's hand was raised in md-kock and froze when she saw Gu Nianzhi's sleepy state . She giggled . "Nianzhi! You overslept!"
Gu Nianzhi smoothed her hair and sheepishly . "I had no class today so I wanted to get some more sleep . What's going on? You almost broke down my door . "
"You're exaggerating . " Ma Qiqi peered at the door though, just in case . "Where did I break it?" She smiled at Gu Nianzhi happily . "Don't change the topic! I just saw breaking news: that haughty Professor He Zhichu is recruiting a Teaching Assistant within the Faculty of Law!"
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Gu Nianzhi's heart thumped; she secretly thought that He Zhichu was indeed a man of action . He'd just told her yesterday that he was going to make the posting and did it the next day . "Is he really recruiting within the faculty?" Gu Nianzhi asked dubiously . "Where did you see this?"
"Here, see for yourself . " Ma Qiqi passed her iPad over . "This is our faculty app . You can see it pushing the hottest news!"
Gu Nianzhi looked down to take Ma Qiqi's iPad and carefully read from it . He Zhichu's recruitment posting was concise—he required a teaching assistant and planned to recruit from the Faculty of Law; everyone, from undergraduates to doctoral students, was welcome to apply . The conditions were also simple but high: the candidate must have outstanding academic ability, good conduct, and have at least three recommendation letters . The applicants needed to also pass an exam He Zhichu would administer . If selected, the applicant would be employed as a Teaching Assistant for three years and receive a generous salary .
Gu Nianzhi looked at the iPad with a conflicted expression before returning it to Ma Qiqi . "Are you applying?"
"Of course! You must understand that it's always good to have a dream, and maybe one day it'll come true!" Ma Qiqi giggled as she tapped on the application page on the faculty site to enter her email application . Every B University student had their own unique email address to receive official emails and contact their instructors . It basically acted as a student ID and internal applications only required logging into their email accounts . "Nianzhi, you should apply too . " Ma Qiqi pulled her arm to the iPad . "Enter it now!"'
Gu Nianzhi was still hesitating . He Zhichu had an odd temper and severe mood swings . She was already his masters student as well . If she became his teaching assistant on top of that, she would be with him all the time .
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Ma Qiqi raised her brows as Gu Nianzhi hesitated to apply . "Nianzhi, what's stopping you? Why are you making things difficult for yourself?" She urged good naturedly, "Are you going to give up such a precious opportunity?"
Yes, it was truly a precious opportunity . Not only did the position provide a generous salary, but it would make for an impressive record on her resume in the future . He Zhichu was a well respected name in both the Imperial Empire and American legal domains . With his reference on her resume, finding a job would be much easier . Additionally, becoming his teaching assistant would also be a chance to learn many new things . Gu Nianzhi thought about it carefully and finally came to a decision . "Ok, I'll apply . "
"That's the way to do it!" Ma Qiqi slapped her shoulder . "We'll make the pact now: whoever gets accepted will have to pay for dinner!"
"Ok!" Gu Nianzhi high-fived Ma Qiqi three times as a promise . In the time it took for Gu Nianzhi to apply, she found that she was already applicant #402 . The B University Faculty of Law comprised of about 600 students in total, from undergraduate to postgraduate . In other words, two thirds of the faculty were vying for the position .
"Look, this is a highly desirable position! A true testament of power!" Ma Qiqi giggled . "At this rate, this is even more dramatic than electing the new dean!"
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Gu Nianzhi became anxious when she saw the number of applicants . Could she even compare with them?"
"Let's see here, looks like everyone applied—even the ones who don't qualify . " Ma Qiqi looked at the email addresses of the applicants . "Look, I know this person too . She's in her fourth year so she'll graduate in the summer but applied anyway, Professor He already made it clear he's looking for a teaching assistant to work for the next three years, this girl is about to graduate and didn't even apply for post-grad studies . Who is she kidding?! Huaxia people ought to kick the bad habit of joining in for fun . "
Gu Nianzhi laughed, "You're so whiny . Anyway, go prepare now . I still need to wash up and take a shower . " She pushed Ma Qiqi out and closed the door to prepare a bath .
He Zhichu sat in his office, watching the applicant names appear on his computer . After waiting for a long time, Gu Nianzhi's name finally appeared . He made two marks by her name and shut down the application interface . The application deadline was over . He then began preparing the exam .
After Gui Suyao scrambled home in a daze, she cried to her mother about what happened at school but didn't dare tell her the truth . She merely said she had accidentally offended Professor He and so, she may no longer be able to continue as his doctoral student . She added to her son story that since she had also double- crossed her previous mentor, there was no where she could go . Gui Suyao felt that her world was ending—her promising future had been totally destroyed by Gu Nianzhi . The more she thought about it, the angrier she became . The initial terror slowly transformed into blame and finally hatred for Gu Nianzhi . Just as she was wishing for nothing more but to bring Gu Nianzhi down with her, her mother connected to her uncle, Prime Minister Dou . Of course, they weren't able to talk to him right away and had to leave a message for the operator .
Prime Minister Dou called back as soon as he finished work for the day . When he heard about Gui Suyao's experience, Prime Minister Dou agreed that He Zhichu was being too dramatic . Forgetting to relay a message was no ground for expulsion .
…
At noon, He Zhichu received a call from Prime Minister Dou himself . "Lawyer He, I heard that my niece has caused some trouble recently and angered you?" Prime Minister Dou chuckled . "It was wrong of her and I've already scolded her . I've asked her to apologize to you and she's willing to accept academic penalty . Please forgive her childish behaviour . "
He Zhichu was stunned but replied cooly, "Your mischievous niece is already 26 . I've never heard of a someone that age being regarded as a child . "
Prime Minister Dou laughed heartily . "Professor He is so humorous . Fine, I can't argue as well as you can . I'll have Little Gui go apologize and you can punish her as you see fit; she will never dare say anything contrary . "
He Zhichu smiled and after Prime Minister pleaded for a long time and even offered to pull favors for He Zhichu's Sovereign Law Office by promising them several large government contracts, He Zhichu finally agreed reluctantly . "Since Prime Minister Dou is so sincere, I can only accept your kindness . In this case, Gui Suyao may return for now and her behaviour will be observed . "
In other words, Gui Suyao had no other chance after this if she made another mistake . Prime Minister Dou was satisfied as long as He Zhichu accepted Gui Suyao; he accepted all the terms . As soon as he set the phone down, his study door was opened and his youngest daughter, Dou Aiyan, burst in excitedly . "Dad! Professor He is recruiting for a teaching assistant! Can you write a recommendation letter for me?"