ally! I knew it!""If that shop is indeed yours, why isn't the business doing well" he continued to ask.Su Cun paused for a moment and didn't respond immediately. Did this mean his strategy had failedX...Chapter 156: Unique

"Teacher Li, I clearly understand the reasons for my failure. It's because I skipped class midway and didn't take it seriously enough. Apart from missing some of your key points in lectures, I also failed to meet the attendance requirements. Hence, failing this course is justifiable," Su Cen nodded and said.

Li Changlong, who had originally planned to counterattack Su Cen's rebuttal, was momentarily stunned. It felt like punching into cotton when his argument was diluted by Su Cen's passive response, losing its impact entirely.

Naturally, Li Changlong wouldn't let Su Cen off so easily and calmly asked, "Su Cen, are you not a second-generation rich kid"

"Why do you ask that" Su Cen was puzzled by the deeper meaning behind Li Changlong's question.

"What is your purpose for struggling to enter this school Your family isn't exceptionally wealthy, right Didn't your parents provide you with a foundation of wealth and assets so that you wouldn't have to worry about food or clothing for decades in the future So that you could live a life where you don't need to work to have cars and homes"

"No. My parents are not the type who spoil their children," Su Cen calmly replied.

The guidance room was silent at this moment, even teachers who were conversing did so in hushed tones—strangely enough, it had been when President Lu Chuanming was present that such silence had prevailed. Now, even President Lu Chuanming had lowered his voice. The other students accompanying Su Cen remained speechless and held their breaths, as if just explaining the makeup exam requirements required an interrogation which made them uncomfortable.

"I heard you've been busy with extracurricular activities—debates, club participation, et cetera. Do you think your current focus should be on these Some places aren't for you to meddle in; neglecting the subjects you should study and instead focusing elsewhere isn't prioritizing correctly. Now that you're engaging in social activities, do you have the qualifications or the right to enter such circles"

Li Changlong's words were pointedly sharp, with an underlying implication—pointedly referring to Su Cen’s involvement in the Future Entrepreneurs Club at Nankai. In reality, not everyone had a favorable view of this elite club; Li Changlong was one such person who disapproved. His disapproval stemmed from a general resentment towards wealth or a natural aversion toward exclusive circles with specific entry requirements. In fact, during his student days, Li Changlong too had wanted to join the Future Entrepreneurs Club but, just as he said now, he lacked the credentials and qualifications necessary for membership.

Until now, as a lecturer and assistant researcher at Nankai University, his actual status was quite awkward. Every year, he had to rely on family connections and give gifts to the department leader who took care of him. This way, at least he would have some backing, making life in school more comfortable. The most direct effect of maintaining good relations with leaders was that many benefits could be realized for him. Naturally, Li Changlong wanted to move further into administrative roles within five years. Being involved in university administration and getting an official position was much easier than teaching.

There were many teachers like them at Nankai University; they seemed glamorous on the outside but were actually struggling. They were oppressed academically by academic elites and controlled politically by the school authorities. It took him five years just to爭取一些地位。

In comparison, some of his classmates from the same graduation year had managed to fare well through their own efforts, which made him envious. Some others, who held high positions in newspapers, media outlets, or key departments and financial institutions, were famous people and wealthy individuals, rumored to be members of Nankai University's alumni elite club. Li Changlong didn't just envy them but resented them. At the annual Nankai University class reunion, they would often be responsible for funding lavish events, while he was merely a commoner who needed five years to plan his next small step up the ladder. The contrast inevitably created psychological disparity.

In Li Changlong's eyes, failing to join that club and take a decisive step towards changing his life back then meant that Su Cen had no right to be invited by such a group or cause any commotion.

The current criticism of Su Cen also stemmed from some sour feelings within him.

"So, what you said on the podium was wrong. I admit your ideals are correct; everyone should learn for knowledge and teach to impart knowledge rather than seek wealth and power. But you're not an idealist; you need to be more realistic. With such fierce competition nowadays, finding a job isn't easy. After graduating from university without relying on your parents, don't you hope for a well-paid position Don't you hope to realize your self-worth through these studies Without wealth and power, how can you achieve self-realization What is your standard of success then Therefore, everyone needs to be more realistic."

Li Changlong took a sip of tea before continuing.

"Of course, I don't entirely reject you. What you said back then wasn't without reason. Truly top-tier education shouldn't measure the number of mass-produced university students or the height and area of luxurious teaching buildings but whether the self-study rooms are brightly lit at night. That's something I can agree with; I hope you'll continue to learn from it."

The teachers in the classroom didn't find Li Changlong's words inappropriate, as they all thought similarly.

"Oh Truly top-tier universities aren't about measuring luxurious teaching buildings but whether self-study rooms are brightly lit at night. Did this student say that" A deep voice asked; Dean Lu Chanming finally spoke up.

Everyone looked towards Lu Chuanming, and Su Yi Yi secretly wiped his brow. After this sentence circulated on the school's BBS, it became quite popular, but it infuriated the school administration.

This statement seemed to criticize the recent policies of the school management. Not long ago, President Wang Xiaoyi of Nan University excitedly declared at a full-school assembly that they would build an impressive multi-functional administrative building and make it a landmark in Yangpu University Town, even planning to expand with a thousand acres of new campus land and modern teaching facilities, but then this sentence popped up on the BBS. Wasn't this like pouring cold water over their plans

It was no wonder that Information Department Director Gong, who had a round face sweating profusely, urged the BBS administrators to delete several threads. But since the statement had already been released and its source could not be verified.

Could it actually have come from Su Can Although Su Can is just a student, his words resonated with many Nan University students, so he himself wouldn't face any problems. However, as his counselor, Su Yi Yi was worried that others might take advantage of this to undermine him.

You're criticizing the school for building luxurious administrative buildings Well, now that the building is complete, you can't move in, can you

Su Yi Yi glared fiercely at Li Changlong, but since they were both counselors and on equal footing, he couldn't do anything to Li. However, if this word got back to the dean...

Lu Chuanming held a cup of tea and sat down on the sofa. He had just seen off a Singaporean delegation, so now he was bored and looked at Su Can with an imposing demeanor, “You have some interesting things to say. A first-rate university shouldn't build modern teaching buildings Should they all attend night classes instead Whether Nan University is a top-tier institution isn’t something you can evaluate. But if we don't build these facilities, where will the students go for their evening studies”

Su Yi Yi anxiously looked at Su Can but couldn't give him any hints or signals given his position, so he said, "Su Can, as a student, what you're saying is inappropriate. This isn’t something you can evaluate. Just don't talk nonsense." He subtly hinted to Su Can about the identity of the person speaking.

Lu Chuanming glanced at Su Yi Yi; it was unknown if he had figured out his intentions.

The dean indeed was authoritative, and just the phrase "This isn’t something you can evaluate" placed Su Can in a weak position. His words were clearly well-crafted.

But Su Cen was no ordinary student. He thought, "Dean Lu, I don’t mean it that way. What I’m referring to is the mentality problem. Many schools today are competing with each other like children building blocks, trying to outdo one another. It seems as though they can only show their comprehensive abilities and grandeur this way. Of course, there’s also the issue of saving face at play. However, since schools care about their own image, why don’t they consider students’ dignity"

“For example, every year our school posts exam results on the notice board in the teaching building. Most people dislike having their shortcomings exposed to everyone. It’s like putting up a ranking of teachers' performance at the entrance of the office. Dean Lu, what is your pass rate for Philosophy class Miss Li, how many students fail to reach passing standards in your Probability and Statistics course”

Li Changlong was stunned. Am I included as well

“In reality, isn’t this rather awkward when we meet each other I admit that comparisons during the learning process can be quite motivating. However, it could also be achieved by posting commendations for high scorers instead of publicly ranking all students’ scores across the school. Announcing rankings is actually very damaging to one’s self-esteem. For instance, if my Probability and Statistics score falls below passing today, I certainly don’t want to stand in front of so many people explaining myself.”

A female teacher who had just swallowed a mouthful of water looked at Su Cen with surprise and amusement.

Everyone was staring at Su Cen. This was the first time a student had ever brought up this issue in the teaching office, not only making valid points but also speaking confidently. Some people found it hard to suppress their laughter while others were speechless from amazement.

This rumor about him was indeed accurate. Not only did he disrupt the club that many wealthy sons and princelings desperately wanted to join, he criticized the school’s policy of building grand buildings, and even asked why they didn’t abolish the tradition of posting exam scores that Nan University had maintained for decades.

Is this kid a Dragon Warrior who clashes with everything in this era He has stirred up the tranquil Nan University like an ancient well.

Even after Su Cen left, Lu Chuanming, sitting on the sofa and holding his teacup, couldn’t help but shake his head as he blew away the floating tea leaves before taking a sip. This kid is indeed unique.

(To be continued)press nor unify this battlefield across the nation."So this is just a stepping stone. We want to do 'Fashion Culture', which involves more than just fashion, but also the cultural sphere. This magazin...