1979: My fiancée is a goddess

Chapter 304: Surprise of an Invitation

"You are?"

In front of the three-story western-style building.

Professor Ansel opened the door and saw five or six young men with black hair and black eyes standing in a row at the bottom of the stairs in front of the door.

Black hair and black eyes? Yellow skin?

Is this Asian?

"Professor Ansel, we are international students from China."

Then the professor heard a young boy wearing old-fashioned black-framed glasses and a red sweater underneath his winter school uniform standing out from the crowd and introducing himself in somewhat broken English.

"China?"

Professor Ansel looked at them in surprise.

"Good morning, Professor. I am sorry to bother you. Please allow me to say hello."

Then a young girl with neat short hair in the crowd looked helplessly at the boy who had just spoken, walked up to Professor Ansel and bowed slightly.

She behaved quite politely and her English became much more fluent.

"Good morning kid, you are so polite."

Professor Ansel's bad temper after being woken up by someone had dissipated a lot. He looked at the young girl, smiled with satisfaction and said, "If you have anything to say, come in and talk. It's still raining outside."

"Thank you Professor!"

The group of people looked at each other, as if they had not expected the deputy director of the English Department to be so easy-going, and they shouted happily.

"hehe."

Professor Ansel smiled. To be honest, when he heard that they were international students from China, he subconsciously thought of the Chinese writer named Cheng whom he had read some time ago.

As everyone walked into the house, they felt a warm heat rushing towards them.

"I didn't expect the professor to decorate this place like an ordinary residence."

Xiao Ran looked at the fireplace made of red bricks opposite the living room, which was radiating heat continuously. A blazing flame was dancing through the glass plate, and the crackling sound of wood could be heard in the living room, very subtle and quiet.

"After all, he is a professor of literature, so it is inevitable that he will be more casual."

The girl who had just spoken started to guess, then suddenly remembered something and asked quickly, "Xiao Ran, did you bring the invitation letter from the Ministry of Culture?"

"Don't worry, I've brought it. I hope I can be invited successfully..."

Xiao Ran nodded and said hopefully.

"Hopefully."

The girl sighed and said helplessly.

They were the first group of college students to study in the United States two years ago, and there are nearly ten of them in total at the University of Pennsylvania.

Because of their small numbers and nationality and ethnicity, they are considered the most marginalized group at Penn.

The reason we got together this time is to come to Professor Ansel's research institute.

Of course it’s not because of personal matters.

Instead, at the request of the Ministry of Culture and leaders of various universities, they tried to invite Pennsylvania University to visit China for exchanges.

Since we received a letter from China not long ago, we have been trying to invite some professors from the fields of computer science, mathematics, physics, etc. to Penn.

This is also the major that these international students study.

But without exception, the answer was a rejection.

Some teachers would be more tactful, but some teachers would be arrogant and say, "Penn is a world-class university. Not every university is worthy of visiting and exchanging with it. Instead of visiting China, it is better to visit Japan... What does China have?"

As soon as these words were spoken, they were immediately indignant.

What do you mean it’s better to go to Japan than to China?
Chinese students studying abroad like Xiao Ran are also paying attention to this neighboring country and know that their national strength is extraordinary now.

But after they went abroad, they discovered many shocking details.

In this 1980s, quite a number of people in the United States look up to Japan.

Even Japan has become a symbol of Asia.

When they were studying in the United States, some of their American classmates even thought they were Japanese.

The reason is simple. After its defeat in World War II, Japan rose rapidly and achieved considerable achievements in various fields, especially in industrial fields such as automotive electronics.

Today, Japan has become the world's second largest economy, with seven of the top ten banks.

The GDP is as high as 1.08 trillion US dollars, the per capita income is approaching the US dollar mark, the trade surplus with the United States is billion US dollars, and it even threatened to buy the entire New York!

A week of invitations yielded no results, some professors inadvertently looked down on us, and the comparison with Japan...

All these factors make these students studying abroad feel extremely frustrated, and even feel inferior and embarrassed.

For a moment, they couldn't think of any field in the country that would make these arrogant university professors look up to them and be willing to communicate with them.

"literature?"

Xiao Ran suddenly thought of this, so he discussed with the international students and set his sights on the deputy director of the English Department.

The English Department is actually equivalent to the Chinese Department in China, both of which are departments related to literature.

"I think the brilliant literary achievements of China over the past five thousand years should be able to impress this professor, right?"

Xiao Ran and the others thought with pride and some lack of confidence in their hearts.

Because the achievements of modern American literature are quite brilliant, while domestic modern literature is still immersed in the heavy trend of scar literature.

"Sit down, children."

The professor's slightly tired voice rang out in the living room.

"I know, Professor."

When everyone heard the voice, they suddenly woke up and responded respectfully.

Several people watched for a while in the living room, and finally chose to squeeze on a sofa, sitting down with shoulders touching shoulders and buttocks touching buttocks.

Combined with their simple attire, such as thin cotton coats and school uniforms, they looked particularly cramped and restrained.

Professor Ansel saw this scene and felt a little moved.

He thought for a moment, then laughed exaggeratedly and joked, "Kids, are you planning to break my sofa and buy me a new one? God, thank you so much for your generosity!"

"what?!"

"Of course not! Professor, please listen to our explanation..."

Everyone smiled awkwardly.

How could they afford it? A good quality sofa in Philadelphia costs more than two hundred dollars.

Their four-year study abroad expenses were less than $10,000, averaging less than $300 per month.

Fortunately, Xiao Ran and the girl with short hair noticed the professor's kindness and humor, and signaled everyone to sit a little further away with their eyes.

"Professor, you are such a humorous person!"

The short-haired girl said with a smile.

"Oh, thank you for the compliment, little girl."

Professor Ansel nodded in satisfaction, then his expression turned serious, "Children, please get started. If you have anything to say, just speak up."

"Actually, we are here this time because we want to invite you to visit China for exchange. Look, this is the invitation letter jointly signed by our Ministry of Culture and colleges and universities...

Um...Penn's English and Comparative Literature Departments have always been important sources of literary deconstructionist criticism theory, so I hope we can have an exchange and study in the field of literature, what do you think?"

Xiao Ran organized his words and made a sincere invitation.

"Academic visits and exchanges? In the field of literature? This is really unexpected news."

Professor Ansel held his chin, frowned, and murmured thoughtfully.

The international students immediately became nervous and looked at the professor expectantly.

Professor Ansel pondered for a long time, and did not speak for about seven or eight minutes.

The living room became increasingly quiet, and everyone subconsciously held their breath.

Finally, the professor spoke: "However, I cannot give you a definite answer to academic exchange in a short time. I need to think about it carefully. How about this, I will give you an answer the day after tomorrow."

"All right……"

"Sorry to bother you."

When Xiao Ran and the others heard this, their hearts sank to the bottom and they forced a smile and said goodbye.

Everyone left in frustration and made their way back.

"Do you think the professor will agree?"

"I don't know, just try your best."

……

The next morning.

The Center for Children's Literature Studies at the University of Pennsylvania held a research meeting with only six people.

"What? Going to that poor and backward China for an academic visit? It's not that I look down on them, but do they know English?"

A bald man said in a sharp tone.

"If you don't want to go, you don't have to go." Professor Ansel said in a light tone.

"Okay, I'll go."

The bald man shrugged.

"Professor, are you planning to visit China? That's a good thing. The professor won't be able to come up with anything in a short period of time anyway, so maybe he'll get some inspiration if he goes there?"

Ms. Mary said happily.

"Then raise your hands and vote."

George thought about it for a while and then slowly suggested.

"it is good!"

Six people reached an agreement on this exchange visit with a five-to-one ratio.

After the meeting, George found the professor.

"The reason why the teacher agreed to this may be because of Cheng, right?"

"Haha, that's partly the reason. After all, Chinese literature is excellent. As far as I know, their children's literature is also quite good. It doesn't hurt to take a look."

Professor Ansel smiled and admitted it frankly.

"Then let's go and take a look, just treat it as a trip. Can I bring Winnie with me?"

George also thought it was feasible since he didn't have to go to work.

"Of course, if she wants to."

……

In the afternoon, Professor Ansel's application for a visiting exchange was approved.

The speed was terrifyingly fast, which was totally un-American.

But considering that Stanford University had already visited there, the professor was not surprised.

The next morning.

Xiao Ran and others came out of the dormitory, gathered in the cafeteria, and headed towards the research center.

When they arrived in front of this magnificent and classical Victorian building, they saw an old white man sitting at the door, waiting for a long time, "Hey! You are finally here."

"Good morning, Professor."

Xiao Ran looked at the short-haired girl and greeted her politely.

"Good morning."

"Professor, what do you think?"

Xiao Ran clenched his hands, and a hint of nervousness unconsciously appeared in his voice.

"Of course, my team and I have discussed and are planning to make an official visit."

Professor Ansel stood up and said solemnly.

Hearing this, everyone's brain suddenly buzzed, and a huge surprise filled everyone's heart for an instant.

"Great! The professor agreed!"

"Wow...finally someone agreed...we asked so many professors but none of them wanted to go...and they even said those nasty things."

There was a petite girl who covered her face and choked up.

Although they are the chosen ones who study in the United States in their own country, they are just lonely and helpless strangers in a foreign country.

The reason why I chose to go to great lengths and not be afraid of being looked down upon in school is that I invited professors to visit and exchange with my motherland, and I continued to act even when I was insulted.

It's not because they are shameless, but because they just want to make some insignificant contribution within their ability.

Now that there are finally professors and scholars willing to exchange and visit, the contempt and disdain I suffered before are not in vain.

"If you fall behind, you will be beaten. If you fall behind, you will be looked down upon..."

A thin boy said through gritted teeth.

For a moment, everyone was filled with surprise and grievance, and their emotions were extremely complicated.

"call……"

Professor Ansel took in the scenes before him.

He could probably guess how much effort these kids in their early twenties had put in to invite professors and scholars to visit.

After all, no one doesn't want to see a group of young, passionate children fighting for their goals and for their motherland.

There is one type of people in the world that he respects most, and that is patriots.

Professor Ansel suddenly recalled that when he was young, he also met a Chinese student like these children at Pennsylvania University.

But that was fifty years ago, and that ancient Eastern power was still deeply mired in war.

"Children, your efforts will be rewarded. In the next period of time, please study hard at Penn so that you can go back and build your motherland one day."

The professor's heart was burning with excitement, and he was extremely determined about this trip to China.

"Thank you, Mr. Ansel."

Everyone felt sore in their eyes and noses when they heard this, and bowed slightly with respect from the bottom of their hearts.

"Go ahead, kids."

……

That night, an airmail letter was sent from the United States to the distant East Asian continent.

By the time the letter arrived, it was already November 15th.

Ministry of Culture, Bureau of External Cultural Relations.

Tang Minghua rubbed her eyes, which were red and swollen from staying up late to work, and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Director, last week we sent invitations to many universities including New York University, American University, Brown University, etc. Most of them did not receive a response. Only New York University explicitly declined..."

The official from the Ministry of Culture, who had been waiting in front of him for a while, reported with a document in his hand.

"I see."

Tang Minghua's pretty face sank slightly. She knew it wouldn't be so easy to invite her.

In addition to Stanford University's political exchange mission, if you want to conduct academic visits and exchanges with other well-known universities, one thing you must have is the corresponding strength.

Otherwise, what are they trying to achieve? To help alleviate poverty through academic research?

This is just like the exchange and cooperation between Tsinghua University and Peking University and XXX College.

"Director, should we just give up? I'm afraid it won't be easy to find another university to visit."

The officer asked tentatively.

"There's no need to say this anymore. I know everyone has been having a hard time during this period, but how can we make progress if we don't try?"

Tang Minghua interrupted him rudely with a wave of her hand and scolded.

The clerk was about to say something when he heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

"Boom boom boom!"

"Please come in."

Tang Minghua frowned and then saw a female clerk running in with an opened letter.

"Director!"

"The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, USA, has accepted our invitation!"

The female secretary's face flushed and she shouted excitedly.

"What! Penn accepted the invitation?"

Even though Tang Minghua was a dignified person, she couldn't help but feel a little surprised when she heard the news.

Not only did a university accept the invitation, it was even a world-renowned university!

University of Pennsylvania!
This is not inferior to Stanford University!

All of a sudden, everyone in the office stood up and gathered here.

"Whoosh..."

Tang Minghua calmed down and said in a deep voice: "Let me see the letter. What is the specific situation?"

“It was our international students studying at Penn who impressed Professor Ansel Stephens, associate director of the English Department at Penn.

Professor Ansel and his team will arrive at the international airport soon to launch a three-week literary exchange between China and foreign countries.

And this time it is not limited to one school like Stanford, but all major universities!" the secretary explained.

"As expected of a prestigious school, the demeanor is indeed extraordinary."

Tang Minghua read the contents of the letter while listening to the clerk's slight nod.

After reading it, she stood up and clapped her hands, and instructed: "We will go to greet them together and let the scholars of Penn University see our sincerity and respect. Next, everyone should arrange their work schedules immediately!"

"Yes!"

(End of this chapter)