Training the Heavens

Chapter 47 Why are some people always confused?
It was sour, too sour. I could smell the sourness in Wang Weihua’s words from a long distance away.

Gao Jialin was no pushover. When faced with sarcasm, he directly retorted, "Isn't it normal for classmates to love and help each other? During the days I was away from school, my classmates helped me copy notes so I could catch up. I've used my royalties to buy tape recorders and cassettes to provide some convenience for my classmates in learning English. This is also a way to thank them!"

Gao Jialin took the opportunity to explain where the royalties went, so that no one would think he was rich and was keeping an eye on him.

"You" Wang Weihua was choked to death, his face flushed red and he couldn't speak.

"That's right, Jialin, thank you! Count me in when you listen to English next time!"

"Wow, the royalties from a novel can buy so many things, Jialin, you're rich!"

College students in the 1980s were no pushovers in front of student leaders. They immediately agreed, and some even asked directly, "If student leaders don't serve their classmates, what are they doing? Are they just being tyrannical?"

Gao Jialin gave him a thumbs up in his heart, what he said was so true.

Seeing Wang Weihua in a passive position, Vice Chairman Huang Donghai quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Alright, alright, Jialin, when we heard you were back, Teacher Zhang asked us to call you to a meeting. Let's go!"

"Okay, I'll go right away!" Gao Jialin put down his things, handed the tape recorder to Ma Chuanjie to operate, and followed them.

On the way to the office, Wang Weihua didn't speak to Gao Jialin the whole time, and it was obvious that he was still angry.

Gao Jialin recalled the gossip he had heard some time ago, and he roughly knew why Wang Weihua disliked him. The reason was very simple. Before this, Wang Weihua was the most popular one in the Chinese Department. He had good writing skills and had published essays and poems in newspapers. Therefore, he was valued by teachers and admired by classmates.

Now, just one month after Gao Jialin entered the school, he published an article in a high-level literary journal such as "Mengya". The three words "Gao Jialin" quickly replaced Wang Weihua and became the new hot spot of the Chinese Department and even the entire Pujiang College.

This is like a future celebrity who works hard to become famous, but suddenly a newcomer appears and completely overshadows him. Can he be happy?

Gao Jialin wasn't worried. Zhang Changqing was in charge of the student union. What could he do to him? Given how much Zhang Changqing valued him, if there was a conflict between the two, Zhang Changqing would probably be more likely to help him.

Entering the conference room, Zhang Changqing smiled amiably. "Jialin's back so soon? Did the manuscript revision go smoothly?"

"Thank you for your concern, everything is going well and it is expected to be published next month!"

"Okay, okay, this time you have brought great honor to our Chinese Department and even the entire Pujiang College. When you get the sample manuscript, come to me immediately and I will take you to report the good news to the department head and the president!" The more Zhang Changqing looked at Gao Jialin, the more he liked him. When delivering the sample manuscript, he could also show his face in front of the leaders.

Originally, such an opportunity would only come once a year. However, since Gao Jialin entered school, the article about the evening party has been published once, and now the second time is about to come. Such a student is simply his lucky star.

After a few compliments, he got down to business. "Today's meeting has two main topics. The first is Gao Jialin joining the Student Union as the Deputy Director of the Propaganda Department. Let's vote. Raise your hands if you agree!"

Every student union official in Zhang Changqing's sight raised their hands. Even though Wang Weihua was reluctant, he could only raise his hand despite his frustration. "Okay, unanimous approval, Gao Jialin. I hope you'll continue to serve your classmates wholeheartedly in your new position!" Zhang Changqing encouraged.

The word "service" made Wang Weihua feel sick. He had just finished saying it when the other party actually started serving him.

This wasn't the end yet. Zhang Changqing looked at him again and said, "Weihua, Jialin is a freshman after all. As a senior, you need to help him integrate into the student union team as quickly as possible."

"Fine." Wang Weihua felt that he didn't need to eat dinner tonight because he was too angry.

"Secondly, the Youth League has been urging us to actively carry out 'Second Classroom' activities. Our department's work in this area was mediocre last year, so this year we must be determined to do a good job! What are your ideas? Tell us."

Gao Jialin immediately became serious because he had seen information about the "Second Classroom" in the archives. The "Second Classroom" refers to various educational activities organized and guided by the school for students outside the teaching plan.

This concept was first proposed in 1981 by Professor Zhu Jiusi, President of Huazhong Institute of Technology (now Huazhong University of Science and Technology). During his long-term teaching career, he found that after my country fully copied the Russian model and split comprehensive universities into single-subject universities, the educational drawbacks of "single-subject" and "narrow caliber" became increasingly obvious. He then tried to use the "second classroom" to enhance students' comprehensive qualities.

The school organized teachers and students to visit and study the Gezhouba Water Conservancy Project in Yichang, invited experts and scholars to give lectures at the school, encouraged students to conduct scientific research, etc., and achieved good results.

It has also received attention from the Youth League system, which has called on universities across the country to learn from South China University of Technology and actively develop a "second classroom" that suits them. Every year, it commends universities with outstanding performance, and several senior leaders of the Youth League system have personally visited these universities to view their achievement exhibitions.

Therefore, if he could stand out in this activity, he would gain the attention of the Youth League system and even have the opportunity to get his name heard by the leaders of the Youth League system. Gao Jialin knew very well what this meant.

Wang Weihua was having a headache because he couldn't think of any good ideas. The physics department could conduct experiments and set up stalls on the street to help residents repair appliances for free. The biology department could collect specimens outdoors and serve as volunteer guides at botanical gardens and zoos. What could the Chinese department do? Recite poetry on the street?
"We can invite well-known writers to give lectures at school!" He thought about it for several days and came up with this idea.

Zhang Changqing was not satisfied, because inviting writers to give lectures was not original at all. Other universities had already started doing it. Even if Pujiang College followed suit, it would not be able to stand out. Besides, is it so easy to invite famous writers?

"Well, it can be listed as an alternative. Do other students have any ideas?"

“Hold a reading event.”

"Hold a speech contest."

The other students spoke one after another, but none of them could impress Zhang Changqing. Seeing that Gao Jialin hadn't spoken yet, Zhang Changqing called on his name, "Jialin, what are your ideas?"

"Teacher, Gao Jialin just joined the Student Union and doesn't even know the responsibilities of the Student Union. There's no need to ask him, right?" Wang Weihua couldn't help but interrupt.

Why are there always people who can't figure it out? Gao Jialin is helpless.

(End of this chapter)