Chapter 46 Chapters 54 and 55

Although Lin Yilan’s name was cleverly concealed in the news, it was not difficult for some people to guess it was her upon seeing the newspaper.

A student from the Industrial University’s Architecture Department designing a house for a retired military officer.

Among all the students at the Industrial University, there were few who could independently complete a design and dared to take on projects outside the school.

When these two conditions were combined, one could even say Lin Yilan was the only one.

When the students of the 1979 Architecture Design specialty saw the news, they immediately speculated it was Lin Yilan. As for students from other majors in the Architecture Department and those in higher grades, they needed to inquire a bit, but for them, it was still easy to find out it was Lin Yilan.

Thus, without her knowledge, Lin Yilan once again became the talk of the school, and this time, her fame spread beyond their university to other universities in the capital city that also had architecture departments. It even reached several architectural design institutes and related enterprises such as the First Construction Bureau, where some people learned that Industrial University had such a remarkable figure.

While everyone was excited, happy, or even jealous and envious, only a few individuals were troubled.

Professor Shen, after leaving the department leadership’s residence, went straight to Professor Wu’s home.

Upon entering, he greeted Wu’s family and was promptly taken to the study by Professor Wu. Before any small talk could be made, Shen hurriedly recounted the earlier situation to Wu.

“Teacher, just now the department came to question me about Lin’s situation.”

“From what I gathered, the school leaders don’t seem very supportive of Lin Yilan taking on design projects privately outside the school.”

“Teacher, could you please help by speaking to the school leadership on Lin’s behalf?”

Professor Shen was not a patient man, especially with acquaintances; he blurted everything out without reservation.

Professor Wu, on the other hand, had grown more patient over the years compared to Shen.

Holding the hot water just brought in, he brewed a cup of tea for Shen.

“Xiao Shen, don’t rush. First, explain the whole situation clearly to me. No matter what, I will protect this rare talent our Architecture Department has finally nurtured.”

Shen’s mood gradually calmed under Wu’s steady voice and resolute tone.

Holding the tea cup with both hands, Shen began, “This morning when I went out for a walk, I ran into Zheng Jin from our department. He invited me to his home this afternoon to chat, saying he wanted to ask about Lin Yilan’s situation.”

“When I arrived, I saw Lin’s counselor, Teacher Wang, was also there. Zheng asked about Lin’s usual performance at school, her grades, work habits, and even her family background.”

Shen sighed as he spoke, “At first, I thought he came because he knew about the newspaper report, but the more I listened, the less it sounded like he was happy.”

“After Teacher Wang left, I asked him if something had happened.” Adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose, he smiled awkwardly, “Teacher, you know my temper—I have to find out what’s going on.”

Professor Wu raised his eyebrows, “Go on.”

Shen cleared his throat behind a clenched fist, “Though Zheng Jin is a tight-lipped person, I still managed to find out a bit. From what he said, the school’s attitude toward Lin’s case isn’t very positive.”

“The school leaders worry that Lin’s designs might not guarantee safety and quality. If something went wrong, it would negatively affect the school.”

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“And they’re also afraid Lin might set a bad example for the Architecture Department, encouraging others to do private design work outside.”

After finishing, Shen sighed deeply.

He understood the school leaders’ concerns were not without reason.

Professor Wu laughed, “Xiao Shen, if those are the only worries, you need not be concerned. I reviewed Lin Yilan’s design plans for the courtyard house project and even signed off on them as a guarantee. To my knowledge, the plans have been filed with the Construction Bureau as well.”

“As for others in the department following her lead to take on outside design work, first, no one else can guarantee they won’t do such things without Lin; second, among the five senior-year students I know, none have Lin’s current level.”

He scoffed, “Those worries might be better saved for when the 1978 batch of students reach their fourth or fifth year.”

“By now, you surely know the skill level of the third, fourth, and fifth-year students in our department without me saying.”

Professor Wu leisurely raised his teacup and took a sip.

Hearing this sharp remark, Shen touched his nose, aware that Wu had never held students from the worker-peasant-soldier era in high regard.

“Teacher, there are still some good students among those three batches,” Shen couldn’t help but defend some of his students.

Professor Wu put down his cup, “Alright, alright, Xiao Shen, with your temper, I don’t even know what to say to you.”

But under Shen’s disapproving gaze, Wu still insisted on a few kind words. “Those three batches may lack design talent, but they have decent characters. Teach them well; doing administrative work in a design institute later on wouldn’t be bad.”

With their level, Wu sincerely believed they were better off not entering the architecture field.

“However, there are a few students with bad intentions and limited abilities. Xiao Shen, I warn you to be careful not to be tricked by them.” Somehow, Wu thought of Peng Junhua, and it was surprising that at nearly sixty years old, he almost ended up quarreling with a student in the logistics department.

It was utterly embarrassing!

Shen knew well about Wu’s loss of face and nodded silently.

“But I think the school’s anxiety also likely comes from those graduates from the 1979 batch who went to design institutes.”

“I think the school worries about them taking on outside projects as well. You don’t know—they’re quite temperamental.”

At this, Shen felt a bitterness rise in his mouth and drank some tea hurriedly.

Wu waved his hand, “Xiao Shen, don’t worry about those few. I’ve seen their assignments; their fundamentals are weak, and they’ve only learned the surface.”

“But you’re right to remind me. When the new semester starts, we should talk to Lin Yilan and advise her to be careful.”

Wu stroked his chin, thinking it’s better to be cautious. After all, he would be Lin’s future teacher. Protecting students was a teacher’s natural duty.

The two sat silently in the study for a while.

After a moment, Wu patted the table, “Xiao Shen, do you have Lin Yilan’s contact information? I remember she once designed a house for someone in the countryside; I think I’ve even seen some of the drawings. Get her to bring all the plans to my place so I can sign the review certificate for her.”

Shen looked surprised at Wu. The teacher was genuinely moved and fond of this student. Otherwise, how could he do something he usually despised?

He felt a twinge of jealousy.

“All right, I’ll ask their counselor for Lin Yilan’s contact number later and let you know,” Shen said obediently, though a bit sour in his heart.

Wu pondered for a moment, then looked up at Shen, “Xiao Shen, since we’ve thought of so many strategies, Lin Yilan probably won’t get into any trouble.”

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Shen nodded, “I think so too. Teacher, I’ll go ask for Lin’s phone number first.”

After dealing with the matter, Shen hurriedly prepared to leave.

Wu knew his temperament and waved his hand, “Go ahead, go ahead. You’re always in such a rush for no reason.”

By evening, Wu finally reached Lin Yilan.

He and Xiao Shen had called her all day, only managing to get through late at night.

It really tested the patience of someone like him who considered himself patient.

“Lin Yilan, what did you do today?” Wu asked, pinching his brow with worry.

Lin’s voice sounded particularly cheerful, “Nothing much, just wandering all over our city. I hadn’t really explored the capital before; today I enjoyed it thoroughly.”

Wu was speechless. She was on vacation and out having fun; he couldn’t really criticize her.

Helpless, he told her about the day’s events, “Bring the plans to my house tomorrow, and I’ll sign the approval for you.”

On the other end, Lin laughed. She had avoided putting her name on the report precisely to avoid these issues. Her name hadn’t yet become widely known, and such things had already happened. She could imagine all the farce that would ensue once her name hit the newspapers.

Wu’s ears caught her laughter, and his brow furrowed, “You’re laughing about this?!”

Lin quickly reassured, “Professor Wu, don’t worry. The client for the rural house project is a businessman from Gangcheng; he’s even more worried than us. He fears the house might collapse and his good intentions might backfire.”

“Once the design plans were finalized, I was asked to send them to Gangcheng. The businessman hired an architectural firm there to carefully review my plans and sent me all their feedback and results.”

“Professor Wu, rest assured!”

As for Wu’s concerns, Lin spoke frankly, “Professor Wu, I think you and Professor Shen don’t need to worry about us taking on private design projects these past two years. You don’t know how much effort I put in.”

“At that time, I was literally standing with a sign at the train station every day, sometimes for over a month, just to find a businessman from Gangcheng. As for the second one, I haven’t found them yet.”

“And even if you try to stop me, you won’t succeed. You’d be better off advising the Construction Bureau to strengthen standards and requirements.”

Wu’s throat tightened; it seemed he and Xiao Shen had wasted their efforts all day.

He said with a hint of exasperation, “Then keep a low profile next semester. Don’t take on outside design work for now. If you need money, I can find you some temporary jobs.”

Lin fell silent. How could she tell him she didn’t plan to take on any outside projects next semester either?