Riding the wind of rebirth

“That’s true. You’re practically in the education system’s safe haven. Just wait for your job assignment.” Zhou Zhi started the car and drove towards Tongji University, where Zhang Xinyi was.

The importance the country attaches to education can be seen from the great man's famous saying, "No matter how poor we are, we must not neglect education."

To address the huge teacher shortage, the Ministry of Education designated six universities to train teachers. These six universities are called "Ministry-affiliated normal schools." They are entrusted by the Ministry of Education to train teachers and assign them to schools. As long as you don't misbehave at school and get punished, you will generally be given priority to be assigned to middle schools in major cities as teachers.

This policy will continue for a long time, until more than a decade later, when graduates of the Ministry of Education's teacher training program gradually begin working in small and medium-sized cities.

Although graduates of the Ministry of Education's teacher training undergraduate programs are required to enter the workforce and can only take the postgraduate entrance examination seven years later, which to some extent restricts their academic development, the good employment prospects and social respect mean that quite a few students still apply to six universities each year.

However, the luxury cars that had just parked at the school gate still provoked Zhou Zhi: "Your school is quite open now, aren't you? Those cars are openly picking up girls at the school gate."

"What are those cars for?" Mai Xiaomiao asked curiously.

"Sweet Daddy, isn't that how it's said in English?" Ye Xin pouted. "Half of the students in our school aren't from the Ministry of Education's teacher training program. Their tuition is high, and they still have to find their own jobs after graduation."

"Oh my!" Mai Xiaomiao had always had a very good impression of Chinese girls, but when Ye Xin uttered this word, she was quite shocked.

Zhou Zhi understood. Universities across the country are now expanding their enrollment at an alarming rate, and the Ministry of Education's teacher training colleges have also added many "non-teacher training majors." These students are not actually in the Ministry's assigned program, and their overall quality is lower than that of the Ministry's teacher training students.

However, another phenomenon has emerged: because teacher-training students don't have to worry about job placement after graduation, they are less motivated to study than non-teacher-training students who need to find their own jobs. At the same time, some negative social trends have inevitably entered the campus along with the expansion of enrollment.

"Have you thought about your job assignments after graduation? I remember you were a student council member, right? And you received scholarships every year?" Zhou Zhi changed the subject and asked with concern.

“There’s a major development project going on in Hudong right now, and several schools are going to be built,” Ye Xin said. “Xinyi wants to continue her postgraduate studies, and I also want to stay in Shanghai to be with her. Now is the best time to stay in Shanghai.”

"What about Wenyu? Why do you care about Xinyi?" Zhou Zhi was a little confused by the girl's thoughts: "Military medical university has far more job opportunities in the capital than in Shanghai, right? If Wenyu can stay and work in the capital, wouldn't it be better for you to go there too?"

“Going to the capital might be a bit more difficult.” Ye Xin frowned. “And I’m afraid I won’t be used to living in the capital.”

"It seems like the Navy uncles come to Shanghai quite often?" Mai Xiaomiao suddenly asked.

“Eh? Come to think of it.” Zhou Zhi also realized this: “The Second Military Medical University is in Shanghai. There are several hospitals and sanatoriums in Shanghai, but they belong to the Navy. Wen Yu’s Third Military Medical University belongs to the Army. If we want to get Wen Yu to Shanghai, I can ask my uncle in the Navy for some information.”

"It's possible to do that?" Ye Xin's eyes lit up: "Then please help me find out."

"I'll call Uncle Navy, Elbow, you keep driving." Mai Xiaomiao picked up Zhou Zhi's phone from the dashboard and started dialing.

In terms of familiarity, Qin Haifeng had dealt with Mai Xiaomiao far more than Zhou Zhi, after all, the two had exchanged a lot of technical information when they were working on cavitation simulation.

"Hey Xiaomiao! Isn't this Zhouzi's phone number?" Qin Haifeng was delighted to receive Mai Xiaomiao's call: "That's perfect, I was just looking for you too. When are you free? Let's discuss the medium and large-sized five-axis CNC machine tool."

"It's up to you," Mai Xiaomiao said with a smile. "But we probably can't be of much help. Your technical capabilities are strong enough for the control system upgrade." "Uncle is worried without you in charge," Qin Haifeng insisted. "The main issue is the schedule. With you here, I'm confident that the project will proceed on schedule."

“Okay, Uncle, you can contact me then.” Mai Xiaomiao said with a smile, “By the way, Zhouzi has a classmate, I think he’s from a military medical university, and he wants to be assigned to Shanghai after graduation. I’ll have him talk to you about it.”

As he spoke, he put the phone to Zhou Zhi's ear.

"Uncle Navy."

"You little rascal, you're treating Xiao Miao like a secretary, huh? I'll teach you a lesson next time I come!"

"No, no, I'm driving. Are you alright?"

"If you're driving, get to the point! What happened to your classmate?"

“My classmate is very outstanding. He is a military student at the Third Military Medical University. His girlfriend is also my classmate, at East China Normal University.”

"The two of them are about to graduate. The girl is likely to stay in Shanghai because several new middle schools have been built recently and there's a need for teachers. But it's a bit more complicated for the boy. It seems easier for him to stay in the capital. This student is academically excellent, a school leader, and oh right, he even received a commendation for his act of bravery!"

Ye Xin whispered something in Zhou Zhi's other ear, and Zhou Zhi quickly added, "Also, this classmate of mine has been recommended for admission to the graduate program at our university."

“That does sound good,” Qin Haifeng said. “What’s his name? I’ll ask my colleagues in Shanghai.”

"His name is Fang Wenyu, Wen as in literature and Yu as in jade. He should be quite famous in the 1997 class of the Third Military Medical University. You can find out about him easily."

"Then drive carefully, I'll let you know when I get the news."

After hanging up the phone, Elbow laughed and said, "Who cares? Let's try our luck first. Xin Xin, I'm not familiar with the area, so you'll have to give me directions."

"You should turn left at the next intersection," Ye Xin said. "Thank you, Zhouzi."

When the car arrived at the gate of Tongji University, Zhou Zhi and Ye Xin saw Zhang Xinyi standing on the edge of the square in front of the gate, looking around.

Zhang Xinyi was wearing a simple white shirt, thin jeans, and white sneakers. She was holding a few books and waiting for Zhou Zhi. She became a sight to behold, and passing boys couldn't help but glance at her.

The Audi pulled up beside Zhang Xinyi, startling her. When she realized it was Zhou Zhi driving, she was both amused and surprised: "Why did you drive here!"

"Such a nice car!" Ye Xin rolled her eyes. "Just like those rich kids at our school gate who use luxury cars to attract girls. I hate them!"

"Xinyi, this is Xiaomiao, Xiaomiao, this is Zhang Xinyi, we grew up together. Oh, Uncle Navy is calling, I'll take this call first..." (End of this chapter)