Rekindle 2003

Chapter 1181 What a beautiful black pearl!
In this vibrant and peaceful campus, Kong Ziqian felt an atmosphere that was completely different from that at work, and he couldn't help but look forward to his upcoming exchange student life.

Walking along a winding path, there are various tropical plants on both sides, some with bright flowers, some with strange fruits, which are dazzling.

Occasionally, a few birds fly over the treetops, leaving behind a string of crisp chirps, adding a bit of vitality to this quiet campus.

Although it is a hot season, college students can still find a cool habitat under the trees on campus.

The sunlight shines through the dense leaves, casting mottled shadows, and the students under the trees enjoy this moment of coolness.

They either sat on the stone benches or lay on the lawn, exchanging academic ideas and enjoying the tranquility.

What Kong Ziqian found very nice was that the atmosphere here gave people a unique sense of relaxation, as if time had slowed down here.

The architectural style on campus is simple and elegant, with smooth lines, bright colors, and full of modern atmosphere.

Compared with the low-rise bungalows outside the campus, the buildings here are particularly eye-catching.

Walking on the campus, it feels like being in a modern city. It is hard to imagine that this is in Tanzania.

The office building is a modern building with glass curtain walls that sparkle in the sun.

After entering the office building, Kong Ziqian came to the International Exchange Office and prepared to go through the registration procedures.

"Hello, I'm Kong Ziqian, an exchange student from China, and I'm here to report in." Kong Ziqian said to the receptionist in not very fluent English.

The receptionist smiled and nodded, saying, "Welcome, Kong Ziqian. Please wait a moment, I will arrange it for you."

After a while, a middle-aged man came over. He was wearing a white shirt and a pair of glasses and looked very kind.

He said in Chinese: "Hello, Kong Ziqian, I am Professor Bundy, in charge of international exchanges. Welcome to the University of Dar es Salaam."

Kong Ziqian was stunned for a moment, then showed a surprised expression: "You can speak Chinese? That's great!"

Professor Bondi smiled and nodded: "I studied abroad at Xishu University in China, and I speak Chinese fluently.

Here, we have many international students from different countries, and Chinese communication is also common.”

The two began to communicate in Chinese throughout the conversation, which made Kong Ziqian feel a little confused about time and space, as if he was still on a campus in China.

Professor Bundy took him around the buildings on campus.

There is no way. The process of stamping is the same in ancient and modern times, in China and abroad, and requires running around everywhere.

Of course, Professor Bondi was not idle on the way and also introduced the various buildings of the school.

They walked through the teaching buildings, library, and laboratories, and Kong Ziqian praised the university's facilities and environment.

Most of the buildings on the campus of Dada University were built with assistance or contracted by Chinese companies, so the campus is full of Chinese elements.

This feeling is particularly strong in the library of the University of Dartmouth.

The architectural style of the library combines the characteristics of China and Africa, with both the passion and boldness of Africa and the elegance and solemnity of China.

When you enter the library, the first thing that catches your eye is the basic facilities marked in Chinese.

Toilets, fire hydrants and other facilities are labeled in Chinese, making people feel as if they are in a library in China.

These Chinese signs not only provide convenience for international students from China, but also allow other international students to have a better understanding of Chinese culture.

Seeing these familiar words made Kong Ziqian's eyes light up and he felt particularly cordial, as if he had found the feeling of home in a foreign country.

The registration process went smoothly. Professor Bondi introduced the school's rules and regulations and course arrangements to Kong Ziqian in detail.

He patiently explained the school's academic requirements, attendance system, library usage rules, etc., and also specifically mentioned some cultural differences and etiquette norms that need to be paid attention to.

The detailed explanation gave Kong Ziqian a clearer understanding of his upcoming exchange student life and also made him feel the rigor and friendliness of the school.

Professor Bondi also reminded Kong Ziqian that the number of places for elective courses is limited and he needs to choose courses as early as possible.

He also suggested that Kong Ziqian take part in more extracurricular activities, such as academic lectures, club activities, etc. These activities can not only enrich his study life, but also help him better integrate into the campus.

Kong Ziqian had every reason to suspect that this guy was just a chatterbox, or he was catching him to brush up his Chinese speaking skills.

When it was almost over, Professor Bondi, who had returned to the exchange office, took out a form and asked him to fill it out.

When Kong Ziqian took it and looked at it, he was stunned for a moment. This was an exchange student study partner intention form.

He had never expected that such a system existed in Tanzania.

The form lists various options, including the study partner's gender, major, interests and hobbies, etc.

Professor Bondi shrugged and said, "This is a way to help international students quickly integrate into the campus. Many countries have this method."

After listening to this, Confucius nodded to show his understanding.

This system itself is an imported product. It was not first created in China, nor was it invented by some old bear targeting African students.

In fact, the Buddy Program or Peer Education Program, or the DAAD German Academic Exchange Service, Sakura Tutor, or the Korean foreign one-on-one program, can be traced back to the 18th century in Europe.

Regardless of whether they are of the same or opposite sex, the purpose of the study buddy activity is to help foreign students quickly adapt to study and life. Whether the desired results can be achieved, or what will happen in the process, depends on the students themselves.

After all, we are all adults, and we should be responsible for our own bodies both legally and ideologically.

Professor Bondi added, “The buddy system not only helps you adapt to the new environment, but also promotes communication and understanding between different cultures.

Our study partners are carefully selected. They all speak some Chinese and are warm, friendly and helpful.

I hope you can make good friends and get to know Tanzania better through this system.”

Kong Ziqian nodded, and then looked at the options in the column of 'What gender do you want your study partner to be', and checked 'female' without hesitation.

He really wanted to not have a study partner, but when he heard that the cost was already included in his tuition, he felt it would be a waste not to have one.

Although African women are not in line with his aesthetic taste, he feels that female study partners are easier to accept than male study partners.

It’s ugly, it’s black, but at least it can avoid the inferiority complex when going to the bathroom together.

As for the major, he didn't care and checked "either".

He feels that no matter what major the study partner is in, as long as they can help and learn from each other, it's fine.

Professor Bondi looked at Kong Ziqian's choice and smiled, "Do you mind your study partner's appearance?"

After saying that, he blinked at Kong Ziqian and gave him a look that all men understood.

In any case, although women may be indignant, it is frankly true that the honor structure around the world is still set by men.

In short, it is still an existing consensus in the world that men flirting with girls is seen as a form of conquest, and no matter how much women are flirted with, there is nothing to boast about, and it will not gain respect. This is the product of the current existing gender order.

Professor Bondi does not know whether Kong Ziqian is at the top of this order.

only……

The two phone calls he received this morning forced him to think a little more.

When he got to work in the morning, he was sorting documents in the office when suddenly the phone rang.

He picked up the phone and heard the voice of a military representative, who politely but seriously asked Professor Bundy to give special care to Kong Ziqian, who was coming to report today.

Professor Bondi was shocked at the time. The intervention of the military made him realize that Kong Ziqian was not an ordinary self-funded international student.

After hanging up the phone, before he could calm down, the phone rang again. This time it was a representative of the family of the founding father Nyerere, who also asked Professor Bundy to take good care of Kong Ziqian.

He hung up the phone, horrified.

The military and the founding father’s family intervened simultaneously…

Obviously, this student from the mysterious oriental country should be the son of some important figure.

He began to re-examine the information about Kong Ziqian, trying to find some clues.

However, the information only showed that Kong Ziqian was an ordinary exchange student without any special background.

However, as someone who has studied in China for many years and is an expert on China, he knows very well that in China, identity and paper information can serve as a reference in most situations.

But once an exception occurs, it must be a person of Tongtian level.

Since both the military and the founding father's family had given their greetings, he decided to pay more attention and help to this Chinese Tianlong person.

But at this time, Confucius Qian felt fed up.

He now knew that Tanzania was roughly divided into three ethnic groups.

One is people with pure African genes, whose appearance obviously does not conform to the aesthetic taste of Chinese people. One is the descendant of Arab descent, and the other is the descendant of European descent. The latter two races usually do not enter the universities here to study.

Obviously, this so-called study partner must be a local Tanzanian.

Compared with male study partners, female study partners are more acceptable, but the smell of perfume and body odor intertwined with African women is simply suffocating!
This was the main reason why Kong Ziqian refused to take the bus. The smell even cured his 18-year-old rhinitis.

not to mention……

He felt that he had been deceived by Zhu Zhaojiang, Zero List and others.

From chatting with his cheap senior Ken, he learned that in many parts of Africa, fat is considered beautiful, so he didn't have much hope for the appearance of his so-called study partner.

The upright Kong Xiaopang said righteously: "I don't care about appearance, I just hope that I can speak Chinese more fluently, have a better personality, and become good friends. This will make it easier for us to learn and understand each other."

After hearing this, Professor Bondi showed a little confusion in his eyes at first, and then he could only nod helplessly, expressing his understanding and respect for his choice.

Well, society is very diverse nowadays, and heterosexuality is not the only option.

But he didn't expect that Kong Ziqian from China would be so...

I wouldn’t say she’s open-minded, otherwise she should have chosen a male study partner. But I’d say she’s conservative, as her sexual orientation is so avant-garde.

All I can say is that maybe this young man has a lover in his home country who knows him and loves him, and he wants to remain a virgin for the sake of 'him' in his home country.

Professor Bondi quietly took a half step to the side to create some distance, and told Kong Ziqian that the school would try its best to meet his requirements and arrange a suitable study partner for him.

He added: “In fact, our study partners are all excellent, not only have good grades, but also have cheerful personalities and are willing to help others.

I’m sure you’ll like them.”

After hearing this, Kong Ziqian felt a little more at ease, but he was also full of curiosity about his upcoming study partner.

……

After completing the registration procedures, Kong Ziqian walked out of the office building and was about to go to the library to pick up his textbooks.

However, just after taking a few steps, his cell phone suddenly rang.

Professor Bondi told him on the phone that the matter of finding a study partner had been settled and hoped that he could go back.

Kong Ziqian was full of doubts. When did Tanzania become so efficient?
Full of questions, he turned back to Professor Bundy's office.

When Professor Bondi saw Kong Ziqian coming back, he smiled and said, "Kong Ziqian, your study partner has been chosen."

Kong Ziqian was surprised and asked, "So fast? I just finished filling out the form not long ago."

Professor Bondi explained: "If you don't have any particular requirements for your study partner's appearance or major, the range of natural selection will be much wider.

After soliciting the intentions of study partners, the school has received a positive response from a girl. "

Although Kong Ziqian was a little surprised, he also felt that this might be a good start.

Professor Bondi continued, "Please wait a moment, your study partner is on the way here.

Today is a good time for you to get to know each other."

Kong Ziqian agreed indifferently.

Anyway, he had already taken a day off today, so he could just finish everything at once.

The two sat down and waited, and Professor Bundy enthusiastically made a cup of masala tea for Kong Ziqian.

“Try this masala tea, it’s the most common tea consumed in Africa.”

Professor Bundy said with a smile.

Kong Ziqian took the teacup, took a sip, and pinched his thigh hard to stop himself from frowning.

He had lived in Tanzania for some time and was well aware that this tea was not at all what Africans most commonly drank.

Instead, it is most commonly drunk by Indians in Africa, and Professor Bundy is of Indian descent.

The real native Africans... the ones who are free from water problems, don't drink the stuff.

People in North Africa generally drink mint tea, which is green tea with a few fresh mint leaves and some rock sugar. People in other places generally drink coffee, and even the tea they drink is similar to the British black tea.

Although British black tea also needs spices, they are bergamot, lemon peel oil, jasmine, orange slices, etc., rather than the masala tea with spices like the one in front of us.

Masala tea in English is Masala Chai, which literally means spice and tea.

The tea refers to India's Assam black tea, and the spices are a mixture of ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, black pepper and other spices.

Although Kong Ziqian felt that the tea was not unpalatable, it would be a bit of an exaggeration to say that it tasted very good.

In order to prevent himself from drinking more tea, he took the initiative to talk to Professor Bondi.

"Professor Bundy, can you tell me about the origins of this school?"

In response to Kong Ziqian's question, Professor Bundy nodded and began to talk about the history of the University of Dar es Salaam.

He mentioned that the predecessor of this university was the East Africa College of the University of London in 1961.

It was later split into three independent universities in 1970. In addition to the University of Dar es Salaam, the other two universities are Makerere University in Uganda and the University of Nairobi in Kenya. These three universities are the best universities in their respective countries.

Kong Ziqian didn't have to wait long. Soon, an African girl came to the office door panting and knocked politely on the open door.

When Kong Ziqian looked up, he was stunned.

The girl in front of me, although her skin is not fair, it is not completely black either. It is slightly darker than brown, but not so dark that the mobile phone camera has to rely on algorithms to calculate its outline.

And she does not have the thick lips and flat nose that are unique to Africans. Her facial features are very delicate, with deep eyes and a high nose bridge.

She is about 170 cm tall, obviously has a pair of long legs, and her hair is very straight, and most importantly, it is black.

If you ignore her skin color, she can be said to be a standard beauty with a straight and smooth hair.

Kong Ziqian looked at Professor Bundy in confusion, but he could tell something from his implicit expression of disgust.

This is by no means a prank, but the aesthetic differences between China and Africa are simply too great.

He secretly sighed in his heart, if fat is considered beautiful, then this girl with a slender figure and legs as thin as chopsticks is indeed very ugly in Africa...

Professor Bundy did not let the girl in immediately. Instead, he looked at Kong Ziqian apologetically and said in a low voice, "If you are not satisfied, we can change another one."

Kong Ziqian looked at the girl, blinked, and shook his head, indicating that this was it.

He thought to himself that, apart from her skin color, this girl was a typical Asian, African and Latin American mixed-race, combining the advantages of three continents.

If she were in China, she would definitely be a goddess-level school beauty.

Only a psychopath would change it!
Kong Xiaopang's heart was a little fluttered.

He felt that if something happened between him and an African girl like this, it wouldn't be unacceptable.

Professor Bondi reluctantly let the girl in, and the girl moved in with some joy and some trepidation.

Her gait seemed a little cautious, as if she was afraid of stepping on something she shouldn't with every step.

Her body was slightly hunched, with her shoulders slightly leaning forward, as if she was instinctively seeking protection.

This posture made Kong Ziqian think of a frightened little animal, which made people feel both pity and a little distressed.

Professor Bundy introduced Kong Ziqian, "This is the study partner assigned to you by the school. Her name is Imanda Sailon and she is a junior majoring in Swahili."

When Imanda Theron heard her name, she raised her head slightly, with a hint of expectation and uneasiness in her eyes.

Her gaze stayed on Kong Ziqian's face for a moment, then she quickly lowered her head, staring at her toes, her fingers unconsciously twisting the corners of her clothes, as if she was very nervous.

Kong Ziqian saw the girl's face clearly from a close distance and smiled in his heart.

He was well aware that the official languages ​​of Tanzania were English and Swahili.

But in fact, the common languages ​​​​of its military, politics, economy and education are English and Chinese.

Swahili, a folk language, is not often used in official circles, but is mostly used among the people.

Even speaking Chinese and speaking Swahili has become a class division in this country.

The major that senior sister Imanda studied is more like the ancient Chinese language and literature major in China in terms of status.

The significance of this major lies more in the inheritance of national culture.

So Swahili or other gibberish doesn’t matter.

What made him happy was that, as expected, there was no ugly person named Theron.

……

(End of this chapter)