Chapter 445 - 445: Seizing Talent and Being Given Heavy Responsibility – Part 2
“Exactly, Nan Yan, you must think it over carefully. Why not follow Elder Du’s suggestion and try spending some time in each department to see which one you like the most before making a decision.”
While Zong Jinqi was relieved that Nan Yan chose the biology department without needing further persuasion, he became concerned when other department heads continued to insist on their opinions, suggesting that Nan Yan should rotate through different departments.
“Will all of you please be quiet? Nan Yan has already chosen the biology department, and we should support her decision. With her talent, she will excel in any department, and she will be a source of pride for our university.” “Don’t worry; I’ll teach her well and ensure her talent is not wasted!”
However, his words didn’t sit well with the other department heads. They couldn’t accept that they had gained a talented student but were losing her to another department.
In response, several department heads began to argue vehemently with Zong Jinqi. He struggled to respond to all of them at once.
Nan Yan watched the heated exchange and thought it best to let them argue for a while before stepping in. She approached Zhang Chenyin and Qin Shiyu, who were sitting to the side.
Qin Shiyu immediately poured her a cup of tea. “Nan Yan, have some tea to rehydrate after all that exam answering!”
Nan Yan nodded and took a sip before turning to Zhang Chenyin. “Principal, were they like this before?”
Zhang Chenyin shook his head. “No, they weren’t like this before.”
He chuckled and said, “Nan Yan, thanks to you, I’ve witnessed a livelier side of them today. If I wasn’t worried that they’d come after me for revenge, I’d consider recording this and sharing it on the campus network. It would show our students and staff that these department heads are down-to-earth and approachable, rather than distant idols.”
Nan Yan smiled and nodded. She understood that it was best not to record the current situation.
Zhang Chenyin continued, “Nan Yan, I think Elder Du’s suggestion makes sense. You have exceptional talent in all subjects, and you’re a rare all-around talent. If you’d like, I can offer you a privilege. You can freely choose which department you want to join without any pressure. This way, the department heads won’t have to fight over you and strain their relationships.”
Zhang Chenyin’s proposal had been carefully considered before he discussed it with Nan Yan. Based on her speed in completing the exam paper, her problem-solving skills, and her accuracy, it was evident that her true abilities likely surpassed the undergraduate level.
In her analysis, she had employed approaches typically used by graduate students. Moreover, one of her problem-solving methods was entirely unfamiliar to him and proved to be more straightforward and accurate than any known approach.
He had a premonition that Nan Yan would undoubtedly become a world-renowned figure in the future. Offering her more freedom of choice would be advantageous for her and for Imperial University.
Imperial University was currently ranked 69th among the world’s prestigious universities, and it was the only university from China to break into the top 100.
On the surface, this ranking seemed decent. However, China was the world’s most populous country, with a history of civilization spanning five millennia. Throughout those five thousand years, it had achieved numerous firsts.
But several centuries ago, following a major setback, its international influence rapidly declined, falling from the ranks of the powerful nations and even facing threats from some small countries.
After nearly a century of relentless effort, China had finally emerged from its past backwardness and begun its resurgence. Yet, it still lagged behind the developed nations due to the long period of stagnation.
However, this gap was gradually closing, and Zhang Chenyin firmly believed that China would overcome all obstacles to return to the pinnacle of world leadership.
As a cradle for nurturing talent, educational institutions played a crucial role. If Imperial University could become one of the top ten universities in the world, it would retain many talented students who would otherwise seek education abroad, lured by promises of benefits and opportunities that often led them to stay overseas.
Over the years, countless talented students had been recruited by foreign institutions, only to become entrapped by enticing offers and lose their connection to their homeland..