The class advisor’s sharp gaze swept over the room not once, but twice, before finally settling on the one student who had buried her head the deepest into her desk. His voice boomed across the silent lecture hall, "Tang Xue, why don’t you answer the question I just posed? If you were to time-travel thirty years into the future, what profession do you think you’d pursue, and why?"
Tang Xue stood up slowly, feeling as though she had just drawn the unluckiest card in the deck. Right now, her entire existence revolved around eating, sleeping, and showing up for class — who had the time to think about what she’d be doing thirty years from now, let alone under some ridiculous premise like time-traveling?
But there was no choice — she couldn’t simply refuse to answer. She fumbled for an idea and finally stammered out, "I... I think I’d like to be a broadcaster. Broadcasters have stable jobs, good salaries... and, uh, it’s a respectable career?"
The advisor’s lips twisted as he listened to her painfully uninspired answer. He clicked his tongue in disapproval.
"Tang Xue, really? Thirty years into the future, and you still want to be a broadcaster? You think society’s going to stay exactly the same for three decades? No advancement, no innovation? Still stuck where we are now?" He shook his head in disbelief. "Stay standing."
His irritation was almost palpable. Frankly, if she had answered ’government official,’ he wouldn’t have been half as annoyed — but this? This showed a catastrophic lack of vision. He decided he couldn’t bear to risk another disappointing answer and immediately shifted his attention elsewhere.
"Gu Zi," he called out sharply, "you answer."
Gu Zi felt an immediate sense of injustice, like she was being punished just for sitting in the same dormitory as Tang Xue. This was a question she could have answered in her sleep, but still — was it really necessary for the teacher to target the same dorm room twice in a row?
Nevertheless, she rose calmly to her feet and replied, "I think by then, computer networks would be fully integrated into every aspect of life. I would pursue a career in the tech industry — leveraging new, cutting-edge platforms to earn money, build a reputation, and gain social standing."
Her answer stunned the class into silence.
Computer networks? Fully integrated within thirty years? Was she serious? To most of them, it sounded like pure science fiction. Still, there was no denying that thinking that far ahead showed a certain level of boldness and imagination.
As expected, the advisor was thoroughly pleased. He broke into a rare smile. "Now that’s a creative answer. You can sit down. Tang Xue, you will remain standing."
Tang Xue’s face flushed an alarming shade of red. She couldn’t understand it — what was so brilliant about Gu Zi’s answer? It was just a bunch of fancy words! Was this what made someone a so-called ’top student’? In her mind, it was all smoke and mirrors.
But rejecting the offer in public would be a direct slap in the advisor’s face. And everyone understood the golden rule of university life: Never offend your lecturers. These were the people who controlled your character evaluations, your scholarship recommendations, and your entire reputation.
Forcing a smile, Gu Zi replied, "Thank you, teacher. I’d be honored to give it a try."
The advisor nodded approvingly, though his face quickly turned stern. "I expect more than just a half-hearted attempt. You must approach this seriously and responsibly. If anything goes wrong, you will bear full accountability. Come up and take the materials. Also, report to my office tomorrow — you’ll need to sign the contract."
Of course, it wasn’t going to be that simple. But since she had agreed, Gu Zi could only grit her teeth and go along with it.
"Yes, sir. Thank you," she said, rising to collect the documents.
As she made her way to the front, she could feel another laser-sharp gaze drilling into her. She looked up instinctively — and locked eyes with Zhao Ling, who was practically vibrating with anger.
Zhao Ling’s lips were pressed into a thin, furious line. She couldn’t stand it any longer. Watching Gu Zi walk back to her seat, the only one holding that coveted folder, Zhao Ling abruptly rose to her feet and blurted out, "Teacher, I don’t think this is fair! Why should such an excellent opportunity just be handed over to Gu Zi? Aren’t the rest of us your students too?"
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