A Couple's Rebirth to 1977 Before Marriage

Chapter 190: Chapter 187: Becoming a Disciple

After listening to her advisor, Zhou Lian understood what she meant. ’In my past life, this would have been impossible, but in this life...’ Smiling at her advisor, Zhou Lian said softly, "I understand, Professor. My husband will fully support me. I don’t need to provide for our family, and his job gives him a lot of personal time. He’s the one who mostly looks after the children, so it won’t affect my studies at all."

"So you’ve thought this through carefully, then. Are you interested in becoming a formal disciple? The kind that requires an initiation ceremony." The female advisor, Professor Xiao, asked Zhou Lian with a smile. She had noticed this student ever since she started university. A young, beautiful girl with an exceptionally solid grasp of her major, she carried herself with the air of a loner. Some might call it aloofness, but in reality, she was simply uninterested in the things happening around her.

She had taken the previous semester off, and all the professors knew it was because she was pregnant. Many of her colleagues had sighed, "What a shame." A student who was already married with two children would inevitably shift her focus to her family. At the time, Professor Xiao had also lamented that such a talented and patient budding scholar would gradually fade into mediocrity.

Zhou Lian looked at Professor Xiao, pleasantly surprised. "Can I? Can I really become your disciple?" Professor Xiao was a future literary giant, a woman who had dedicated her entire life to her students and her beloved literature. ’If I can study under her,’ Zhou Lian thought, ’I’ll be so happy I’ll wake up laughing in my sleep.’

Seeing Professor Xiao smile and nod, Zhou Lian was ecstatic. She asked excitedly, "Then can I go through the ceremony right now?"

Everyone present found the sight of Zhou Lian staring so eagerly at Professor Xiao quite amusing. The impression she had always given them was one of a quiet, refined woman who was calm, composed, and dignified. They never expected she had this side to her.

The department head looked at the excited Zhou Lian, his brow furrowed with a hint of concern. "Student Zhou Lian, perhaps it would be better for you to go home and discuss this with your husband first before committing."

Hearing the department head, Zhou Lian suppressed her excitement. She looked at the worried expressions on the faces of the professors present and, after a moment’s thought, understood their concern. However, she absolutely refused to give up such a rare opportunity. Making a decision she would be grateful for for the rest of her life, she turned to Professor Xiao and said firmly, but softly, "Teacher Xiao, can you wait twenty minutes for me? Just twenty minutes!"

Professor Xiao nodded, confused. She then watched as the normally poised and elegant Zhou Lian dashed out of the office. Stunned for a moment, she looked around at her colleagues, completely baffled. ’What was that all about?’

Just as the professors and university leaders in the office were all staring at each other in bewilderment, a knock came at the door. The vice-chancellor composed himself and said, "Come in." They all watched as Zhou Lian walked in, panting for breath, supported by her husband.

Seeing this, Professor Xiao gave a knowing smile. She had long heard that Zhou Lian’s husband treated her exceptionally well, and now it seemed those words were no exaggeration. Watching him support Zhou Lian so carefully, the concern and distress in his eyes were impossible to fake. ’Looks like today I’m going to accept the one and only formal disciple of my life.’

After catching her breath, Zhou Lian pulled Li Xiu to stand before Professor Xiao. She said softly, "Professor, this is my husband, Li Xiu, courtesy name Jin Chen. Could you please confirm with him yourself?"

Seeing how cautious Zhou Lian was, Professor Xiao nodded to herself. ’It seems she truly wants to become my disciple. Oh well, it’s rare to find a student who satisfies me in every aspect after all these years.’ She then turned to Li Xiu and asked, "What are your thoughts?"

Li Xiu stared blankly at the female professor who had questioned him. ’My thoughts? What thoughts? My wife burst through the door, grabbed me, and started running without a single word. I was still wondering what was going on, since it wasn’t time for her classes to be over yet. I have no idea what she’s up to. After she dragged me into this office, all I could think about was how exhausted she looked. How could I pay attention to anything else?’

Li Xiu glanced at the room full of professors and university administrators, then back at Zhou Lian, who was still panting heavily. He gently rubbed her back to help her catch her breath, then said to Professor Xiao, "She ran home in a hurry, grabbed me, and then we ran straight back to the university. To be honest, I still don’t know what’s going on!"

The professors and administrators in the room all looked at Zhou Lian with a sense of resignation. ’So even the dignified and composed Student Zhou Lian has her unreliable moments!’

Professor Xiao shook her head, amused. "I would like to take Student Zhou Lian as my formal disciple. However, she is already married and has children. The path of a scholar requires one to endure a simple life and withstand loneliness. If she focuses on her studies, her attention to her family will inevitably decrease, which will certainly have an impact on your home life. That is why I must ask for your opinion."

Li Xiu glanced at the excited Zhou Lian, then smiled and said, "Hello, Professor. Thank you for your concern, but none of that will be a problem. From now on, I’ll be entrusting Zhou Lian to your care!" With that, he gave Professor Xiao a deep bow.

Professor Xiao looked from Zhou Lian to Li Xiu, then asked doubtfully, "Do you truly understand what I’m saying? This is very important. I don’t like my disciples to start strong but finish weak. And, of course, I don’t want this to negatively affect her family life."

Understanding her good intentions, Li Xiu smiled. "I understand. To be honest, Zhou Lian doesn’t need to worry about our family’s finances. The only reason she enrolled in university was because she loves to study. As for the children, my work schedule is very flexible, so she doesn’t need to trouble herself with looking after them. She just needs to be there for them when they need her. She doesn’t have to worry about other household chores, either—she’s not very good at them, anyway. All she needs to do is pursue the things she loves. There’s no need for her to be bothered by such mundane affairs. Please, rest assured, Professor. I’ll handle the house and the children. Please take good care of her!"

Professor Xiao was greatly relieved after hearing Li Xiu’s words. She recalled the private discussions among the university administrators. ’This Li Xiu is no simple man. For a boy from the countryside to so confidently support his wife’s education... his devotion to her is beyond question.’ She smiled gently and said, "It’s good that you understand this so clearly. In that case, let’s have Zhou Lian formally become my disciple this Sunday."

"Thank you, Professor! I’ll be sure to work hard!" Zhou Lian’s face was red with excitement as she looked at Professor Xiao and made her promise.

Looking at Zhou Lian’s excited expression, Li Xiu smiled gently. ’I’ve only ever seen my wife look this happy twice before: in our past life, when our daughter and son were accepted into university. Across two lifetimes, only twice. This is the third time. It seems my wife must have admired this professor even in our last life, otherwise she wouldn’t be this overjoyed. I’ll have to make sure to treat her professor especially well from now on. I’m sure that will make my wife happy!’

Zhou Lian had no idea that Li Xiu was secretly plotting ways to please her; she was still completely absorbed in the excitement of being accepted as a disciple. Naturally, she also didn’t see the vice-chancellor and the department head exchange a look.

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