Chapter 163 : Learn from the Seniors
Tan Mo was relying on her very long past lifetime, as well as her experience under the tutelage of her Master.
Regardless of how proficient one is at history, nothing can beat personally having experienced past events.
As ancient languages evolved, Tan Mo had journeyed throughout the changing times and personally witnessed all of it.
However, as a little snow fairy, she was unable to move around everywhere. Thus, even though she knew a bit about what had gone on, she didn’t understand everything.
She had heard about a lot of it from her Master. But there were other events and happenings that her Master had never mentioned.
At this time, Tan Mo was producing outstanding results. She knew that this was largely because of her photographic memory.
However, there were still holes in her knowledge when it came to literature she had never read, as well as parts of history she had not personally experienced.
So Tan Mo truly had a lot to learn from Professor Guo. She had already learned a lot from him.
She progressed quickly under the tutelage of Professor Guo.
Until the day of the competition…
Early that morning, Tan Mo had met up with Wang Yuemu and the rest of the team. Together, they had set off toward Tsinghua University.
A male teacher from the Chinese Department led the group. He wore a pair of spectacles as well as a plain white shirt.
This time, Professor Guo also came along with them.
The group boarded the bus that had been arranged by the school and set off for Tsinghua University.
Tan Mo was the only one who had yet to meet the teacher who had been put in charge of them.
The teacher held a microphone and stood at the front of the coach. He introduced himself to Tan Mo, “Let me introduce myself. I am Mr. Lao. I graduated from Beijing University and remained here after graduation. During my student days, I was fortunate enough to have Professor Guo as my teacher. So in a way we’re all fellow mentees. Everyone is already familiar with me. Since you never attended classes in the Chinese Department, you probably don’t know me.
“All the other students already know me well. I’m quite a chill person, so please be at ease when you’re with me, Tan Mo. Feel free to tell me anything.
“Apart from Yuemu and Siyuan, this is everyone’s first time participating in this competition.”
In order to ensure their comfort, the school had arranged a 30-seat bus for them.
Everyone had two seats. That gave them a chance to spread out and there was quite a distance between their seats.
Thankfully, the vehicle had been equipped with a PA system. This way, Mr. Lao didn’t have to strain his voice to speak in order for everyone to hear him.
“Don’t be too stressed.” Mr. Lao chuckled. “Relax and perform as you usually do. Don’t put yourself under too much pressure. It will cause you to screw up.
“All right, I won’t talk too much. They’ll announce the specific rules once all the six groups have gathered at Tsinghua University. Everyone should relax for now.” After he had said all this, he took his seat.
Unexpectedly, Professor Guo picked up the microphone a few moments later. “But don’t relax too much. Become the champions of this competition!”
Mr. Lao: “…”
Everyone: “…”
From the looks of it, the effects of Professor Liu’s provocations were quite potent.
No one dared to breathe too loudly at that point. Everyone was utterly silent.
Finally, they reached Tsinghua University.
Mr. Lao got off the bus first. He stood by the door and got ready to help Professor Guo off.
However, Professor Guo seemed to be the picture of health. His steps were light, comparable to that of a youth. He did not give Mr. Lao a chance to help him.
Following which, Ying Siyuan and the rest of the team also got off the bus, one by one.
Everyone arranged themselves into an orderly line. Since Tan Mo was the youngest, her seniors protected her by sandwiching her in the middle of the line.
This was how the team arranged themselves into formation.
“Nice to meet you, Professor Guo.” A teacher who was in charge of ushering the guests came forward to welcome them. “Hello everyone, I’m Mr. Liao. Welcome to Tsinghua University. Professor Guo, we are happy to have the opportunity to seek your guidance.”
Before Professor Guo could reply, he heard the sound of hearty laughter. “Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Old Guo, I already guessed that you’d make a personal visit this year. Hence, I specially came over to take a look at you. I can’t believe that my guess was right. I didn’t make this visit in vain.”
Professor Guo couldn’t stand his arch enemy Professor Liu’s arrogant expression. He smirked and said, “It’s been many years since I last visited. This time, most of our students are competing for the first time. Hence, I decided to follow along and watch them.”
“Oh, you came over for the sake of these students?” Professor Liu clearly didn’t believe Professor Guo’s claims.
These were all excuses.
Professor Guo had been provoked by him. Hence, he decided to lead the team personally.
“Are these really all your students?” Professor Liu asked.
“Listen to yourself. Such poor discernment.” Professor Gu flattened his lips. “I’m a professor of the Chin-… I mean Beijing University. If they’re not my students, then who are they?”
Professor Gu almost said the words Chinese Department.
Just as the words left his mouth, he suddenly remembered that Tan Mo wasn’t a student from the Chinese Department
If other people found out about this, it would be quite embarrassing for him.
He quickly changed his words.
“I can’t believe you’re a professor at Tsinghua.” Professor Guo took the chance to trample on Professor Liu. “At least there are no strangers here. Otherwise, it would be a huge joke. Such poor discernment from a Tsinghua professor? Is this the standard of Tsinghua University?”
On the side, Mr. Liao was sweating buckets.
Every time these two individuals met, they were at loggerheads.
Professor Guo had even taken the chance to take a jab at Tsinghua University. He couldn’t just watch it happen.
He hastily smoothed things out. “Professor Guo, Professor Liu. Shall we talk on the way there?”
“Let’s go.” Professor Guo nodded his head.
As Professor Liu walked, he said, “Old Guo, we’re all literary scholars. Yet, you have been affected by my playful choice of words. You know what I’m implying. Are these students your mentees?
“What? Why are you scared to admit to this? Are you worried that you’ll be humiliated if they lose?” Professor Liu raised his brows and intentionally provoked Professor Guo.
“You don’t have to put in so much effort to provoke me.” Professor Guo could see through what he was doing immediately. “Will I fall for your tricks? These kids are all good students. They are mentees who I’m proud of. I’ll be excited to introduce them to you. Don’t make them look like incompetent and embarrassing students.
“You’re already well on in years. Why is your heart so malicious?” Professor Guo threw him a sidelong glance.
Professor Liu: “…”
What malicious heart was he talking about?
Old Guo had made bogus accusations and tarnished his reputation. He was the one with a malicious heart.
Professor Liu glanced back at him. Tan Mo was standing in the middle of the formation and stood out quite a bit.
“Why is there a child here?” From his quick glance, she looked like a student who had recently started university.
“What child are you taking about. She is my student.” In his heart, Professor Guo was wondering if Professor Liu was underestimating Tan Mo.
HMPH! Just you wait.
“Hello, Professor Liu, my name is Tan Mo.” Tan Mo flashed the most innocent smile she could manage and replied obediently, “I am indeed the youngest in the team. I followed my seniors here to expand my horizons.”
“Are you competing?” Professor Liu could tell that Tan Mo was an obedient child. Who wouldn’t like such an obedient and docile little kid?
Hence, his heart melted. He asked this question with a smile.
“Oh, I’m not sure if I’ll be sent to the competition grounds,” Tan Mo said. “Professor Guo said that I was here mainly to learn. I will learn from my seniors as well as from the seniors of Tsinghua University.”