Chapter 46: The Rise and Fall of Branching Disciplines (03)

  Before long, the evening self-study session was over. After Director Li collected each student's "elective course application", the classroom quieted down again, leaving only a few thick-skinned guys doing "underground work".

  However, after more than ten minutes, Old Li hurriedly returned to the classroom, and his classmates were shocked and involuntarily made instinctive sounds, their eyes following Old Li as he walked. However, Old Li didn't stop anywhere, but went straight to Chen Haonan's desk. He tapped twice on Chen Haonan's desk with his finger and then said in a low voice "Come out with me for a moment" before quickly walking out of the classroom.

  Just as Old Li had just made a "U-turn" and turned back to the classroom, Chen Haonan felt strange. Unexpectedly, Old Li actually came over to call him out directly, and his expression was very serious, Chen Haonan couldn't help but be even more shocked. "Could it be because of the liberal arts thing I filled out earlier?" he thought involuntarily...

  Chen Haonan was stunned for half a day without reacting, and his deskmate Zeng Shaoyang became anxious, hastily pulling on the hem of his clothes. Chen Haonan finally came to himself, stood up, and walked outside. At this time, he clearly saw Li Donglin holding up a thumbs-up and smiling at him firmly - he also smiled and nodded slightly.

  Old Li waited in the corridor for a while, and when he didn't see Chen Haonan come out, he began to suspect something. Just as he was thinking of going back to the classroom to take another look, Chen Haonan suddenly rushed out. Old Li, who had prepared many words, was suddenly rendered speechless by Chen's sudden "killing" appearance. To cover up, he calmly took out a cigarette and lit it with his lighter.

  "Teacher, are you going to ask me about choosing liberal arts?" Chen Haonan stood honestly in front of Old Li and asked softly.

  Old Li spat out a mouthful of smoke and said: "Tell me, what's your reason for choosing liberal arts? Is this what your family wants?"

  "No, this is my own choice!" Chen Haonan's words were forceful. Looking at the face of his class teacher, he continued: "Teacher, I also know that studying science will have more job opportunities and wider prospects in the future, but all along I've had a literary inclination, I hope to achieve something in writing..."

  "Studying science can also lead to literature, aren't many famous writers from a science background? " Old Li seized the opportunity to persuade him, hoping that Chen Haonan could "change his mind" - switch to science and stay in his class.

  "Teacher, don't persuade me anymore, I've made up my mind and won't change it!" Chen Haonan's heart was a bit excited, but he still controlled himself well and continued to say, "I know you're worried about me, afraid that I'll make a wrong move and regret it for the rest of my life. But I didn't make this decision on impulse, I thought about it for a long time, asked for opinions from my family, and then made up my mind... All along, physics and chemistry haven't been my strong suits, my grades have always been fluctuating, especially after wasting a week's time last time, I realized that I was even more unable to keep up with the pace. And this semester's new biology class, I've been feeling confused all the time, after learning for over a month, I found that I still haven't grasped it... As for politics, history, and geography, although I'm not very good at them either, can't catch up with many of my classmates, but I have confidence that I can learn well... So, I've decided to choose liberal arts, I think I won't regret it."

  "Now that you've analyzed it so thoroughly, I, as a teacher, don't have much to say. To be honest, I'm really reluctant to let you go to another class...” Mr. Li sighed deeply, feeling regret and disappointment at Chen Haonan's impending departure. However, he was also secretly delighted and pleased that this student had such profound insights and confidence. As he thought about it, Mr. Li couldn't help but smile and say: "Your father should be happy to have a son like you. He said you were indecisive and lacked confidence, but I think you're much stronger than what he said... Now, I can finally hand over the task your father entrusted me with, and I can rest assured." As Mr. Li spoke, he heavily patted Chen Haonan's shoulder, conveying his care, praise, encouragement, and approval through that one hand.

  "What's the matter with my dad?" Chen Haonan asked with wide eyes.

  "Oh, it doesn't matter if I tell you or not," Old Li said with a smile. "Last time I went to your house, your dad said you were doing this and that wrong, and he asked me to keep an eye on you and help you make some decisions... 'The hearts of all parents are pitiful' indeed! He's still worried that you'll go astray, but I think you'll be fine - you can't let your dad down!" Old Li looked at Chen Haonan with kindness, his eyes filled with concern that only a few people could understand.

  "I know, I won't let myself go astray!" Chen Haonan gritted his teeth, the tears in his eyes sparkling but never falling.

  Old Li knew that his words had touched Chen Haonan's sore spot, so he quickly said: "Haonan, you should know that a man can't easily shed tears. The road ahead is still long and winding! No matter what you encounter, as long as you grit your teeth and persevere, no difficulty can overwhelm you or hold you back - you're really great, even the teachers have something to learn from you..."

  Chen Haonan gradually jumped out of the pain, and the tears also slowly calmed down. With a smile, he said: "Teacher, thank you! I won't say anything else!"

  "Don't say any more, as long as you study well and live well in the future!" Old Li couldn't help but get excited too. Afraid that he wouldn't be able to hold back his own tears and let Chen Haonan see them, Old Li hastily instructed: "Haonan, go back to class, I still need to make a trip to the teaching affairs office."

  "Then I'll go in, teacher, see you later!" Chen Haonan said as he turned around.

  Old Li was just about to say "Okay, you can go!" when he suddenly thought of something. So, he hurriedly called Chen Haonan back and said: "Prepare a speech draft, the day after tomorrow morning, which is Wednesday morning, you will represent our class to give a farewell speech to the liberal arts students..."

  "Oh, I see!" Chen Haonan agreed without thinking much. But suddenly he felt something was off, so he quickly asked: "Teacher, didn't you say that whether or not to go to the liberal arts class still needs to be studied by the teaching affairs department? Then me——"

  "It's what you're going to study - are you worried that you won't get into the liberal arts class? That's impossible, every good student is wanted by each class!" Old Li saw Chen Haonan's tense expression and quickly said with a smile, "I dare to guarantee, several liberal arts classes will be fighting for you, just prepare your speech draft and that's it..." Old Li patted Chen Haonan again and walked down the stairs with a happy laugh.