Chapter Eight: Negotiation

Since time immemorial, the saying has been that a mother worries when her child travels far; in Lin Nian’s particular case, it was a "sister worrying when her brother travels far." But Mandy had never heard of the reverse, a "brother worrying when his sister travels far."

"So, I decline," Lin Nian said with a nod.

"No, how can you decline... No, I mean, how could you give up the Gate of Cassel for such a ridiculous reason?" Mandy felt as if she were holding back a scream. The current situation had surpassed every accidental scenario she had rehearsed in the café. She had even considered that if Lin Nian claimed to be airsick, she would immediately contact the college to book him a cruise ticket and ship him off to the United States.

"Do you find this funny?" Lin Nian paused and asked softly.

Mandy was suddenly speechless.

She never imagined the problem wouldn't lie with Lin Nian, but with his sister. She had seen parents crying over their children leaving for study abroad, but she had never seen a child crying over the thought of their parents being left behind in the country. In this situation, could she really bundle Lin Nian’s sister up and toss her to the U.S. too? Professor Manstein would probably hack her to death if he found out.

"I think we can still negotiate," Mandy forced herself to stay calm. "How about this: you come with us to San Antonio for the preparatory program, and I’ll have the college arrange a job for your sister here in China..."

"No need. Like I said, whether it’s San Antonio or Illinois, it’s all too far," Lin Nian said quietly. "I appreciate the college’s interest, and I am very flattered, but my refusal is due to my own personal reasons. I hope your institution will consider recruiting other top students from our high school; as for me, forget it."

Once this polite refusal was out, Mandy’s face turned green. *Forget it? How can you just forget it?* You think refusing is your problem, but if you refuse, the one in trouble is me.

Leaving a hybrid with an estimated A-grade, or one on the verge of awakening, wandering out there—who knows when this coastal city might explode with a mysterious power-related homicide? When that happens, it won't be a young and beautiful admissions officer like her arriving, but that group of cold-blooded butchers from the Department of Execution!

But there were many things Mandy couldn't tell Lin Nian directly. Those messy, complicated matters could only be revealed after signing a non-disclosure agreement, but signing the agreement meant agreeing to enroll. It was a vicious cycle.

"But after thinking about it, I think we might have something to talk about," Lin Nian said suddenly after a moment of silence.

Mandy almost lost her breath and began to cough violently. "Don't pause so dramatically when you speak! If there's something to discuss, then let's discuss it. State your conditions; as long as they aren't too outrageous, our college will try its best to satisfy you."

As soon as she said it, she felt it was strange, as if she were the student begging to enroll and Lin Nian was the admissions officer.

"I want to skip the preparatory program and directly enroll in your college's main campus," Lin Nian said, looking into Mandy’s eyes earnestly.

"This." Mandy was stunned because this condition was unexpected. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Wait a moment. Your request exceeds my authority. I must consult my superiors to decide if we can meet your terms."

Lin Nian took a sip of coffee to signal it was fine; he could wait.

Mandy took an iPhone 3 out of her bag, unlocked the screen, and made a call. Once the other end connected, she spoke immediately: "It’s me, Mandy. Professor Manstein, I’ve run into some issues with the face-to-face interview."

"Yes, that’s right. He said he wanted to propose a condition, otherwise he would flatly refuse the Gate of Cassel..."

"No... the problem lies in the condition itself. He wants early enrollment, skipping the preparatory program to enter the first year directly." After saying this, Mandy fell silent, as the other end of the line had also gone quiet. Across the table, Lin Nian said nothing, simply sipping his coffee.

A moment later, Mandy looked up at Lin Nian. "Professor Manstein wants to speak with you. He is the chairman of the Disciplinary Committee and the faculty member in charge of finance. He has the authority to handle the request you’ve proposed."

"Very well." Lin Nian set down his coffee cup and sat up straight. Mandy pressed the speakerphone button.

"Lin Nian?" The voice of an old man came through the phone. His first impression on Lin Nian was that of someone stern and rigid, but his following words were unexpectedly kind: "I heard from Mandy that your condition is early enrollment at Cassel? Can you tell me why?"

"Because, logically speaking, a university shouldn't have age requirements. As long as one has sufficient knowledge to pass the relevant exams and demonstrates a learning ability above the baseline, one should be able to enroll. I believe that with my academic level, I can skip the final year of high school and attend your institution," Lin Nian said, organizing his thoughts. "Furthermore, given my personality, I don't like being too passive. Your students mentioned scholarships during the introduction, and I would like to obtain one through my own academic efforts in an honest, upright manner, so I can independently cover all my living expenses."

"So you are doing this for the sake of the scholarship?" Professor Manstein asked directly.

"Yes," Lin Nian admitted without reservation. "I want to enroll early to receive the scholarship."

"So you were haggling all this time." Mandy, across the table, leaned her head against her hand. She had never imagined that Lin Nian, who had exhibited such an independent character throughout, was just doing all this for a scholarship.

Lin Nian, holding the phone, glanced at Mandy and said, "This is a country where people can haggle for half an hour over fifty cents when buying cabbage."

Mandy rubbed her temples. A $36,000 scholarship—it wasn't a small amount, but for Cassel College, it was definitely not much; it was a drop in the ocean. If it was just a matter of money, then there was undoubtedly no problem with this recruitment.

"If it were an ordinary student, I might refuse, but if it is you, early enrollment is not impossible," Professor Manstein said. "Is there anything else you would like to add? I want you to know that our college sincerely wants to cultivate excellent students, and you are undoubtedly an excellent student in our eyes. We will pay special attention to your wishes. If you have any other questions, you may ask them all at once now."

Lin Nian was quiet for a few seconds before speaking. "There are many students with excellent grades in this country, so why choose me?"

"No, I must make a correction. You are 'superior' rather than just 'excellent'," Professor Manstein said calmly.

Lin Nian looked up at Mandy suddenly. He seemed to realize that from the very beginning, these people had been using the word "superior" to praise him, not "excellent."

"Excellent" and "superior" were both compliments, but there was a subtle difference.

Now, Lin Nian seemed to realize why this "Cassel College" had traveled thousands of miles to find him.

"You understand," Professor Manstein said with a smile, seeing Lin Nian’s long silence. "Also, I heard from Mandy that you are worried about leaving your sister alone in the country, correct?"

"Yes. My original plan was to advance the scholarship money to rent a place near the college and live with her," Lin Nian said candidly.

"Cassel College is located in a remote suburb. The only way to reach it is by the CC1000 express train. There are no towns near the college, only wilderness and pine forests, so you will likely have to live on campus for the next four years," Professor Manstein said. "However, I am willing to grant you a special favor—the school is willing to grant you a favor. You may bring your sister to the college, and we will arrange a suitable job for her."

"Professor!" Mandy exclaimed in surprise.

Professor Manstein, on the other end of the line, ignored her and continued: "But before she enters our campus, she must sign a non-disclosure agreement, promising not to leak anything she hears, sees, or otherwise experiences related to the college. Only then will I have the qualification to apply to the Principal to let her enter the main campus with you."

"That is quite a significant favor," even Lin Nian couldn't help but be moved. "I need to consider this."

Mandy, across the table, felt like she was going to lose her mind again. Since you know this favor is outrageously large, what is there to consider? Lin Nian didn't know what kind of school Cassel College was, but she had been there for two years and knew it clearly. The favor Professor Manstein was granting Lin Nian was unprecedented. Although there were many "normal people" at the college, this was the first time a student was bringing a relative to enroll as well.

"Do you have any other concerns? Tell me all of them," Professor Manstein said, not only failing to be annoyed by Lin Nian’s hesitation but becoming even kinder. At least, this was the first time Mandy had ever seen her professor look so "benevolent."

"Going abroad is no small matter. Even if I agree, I must discuss it with my sister. I need to respect her wishes," Lin Nian explained.

"Regarding that!" Mandy stood up, eyes gleaming as soon as she heard Lin Nian’s words. "I already considered it!"

Lin Nian looked at Mandy with some confusion, but his expression soon turned to one of astonishment.

Behind Mandy, in another booth of the café, someone stood up, walked directly over, sat down beside Lin Nian, and spoke to the speakerphone on the iPhone 3: "No need to consider further. May I ask, Professor, when can we have a face-to-face meeting?"

"Three days from now, in the executive suite of the Regent Hotel. I will be waiting for you there." Hearing this third voice, Professor Manstein on the other end of the line couldn't help but sigh with relief that his student’s brain had finally functioned for once.

"Sister?" Lin Nian looked in surprise at Lin Xian, who had sat down next to him in her work uniform. At that moment, he seemed to remember something and glanced around the café.

Mandy, across the table, nodded. "I’m sorry, I went to find her at her workplace before talking to you. I talked to her a lot about this before you arrived, but she ultimately decided she wanted to hear your opinion first. She was sitting at the next table while we were talking just now."

"This is not a small matter; a face-to-face talk is best," Lin Xian nodded, agreeing with the proposal for a meeting in three days, ignoring the resentful look Lin Nian was casting her way.

"That is naturally best. I have matters to attend to here, so I will hang up now." With that, Professor Manstein hung up the phone with satisfaction.

"If we reach an agreement at the Regent Hotel in three days, when will we set off for the college?" Lin Xian, sitting next to Lin Nian, asked.

Now that a preliminary agreement had been reached, Mandy finally relaxed, leaning back on the sofa with her coffee. "Naturally, the sooner the better. Classes start on the 12th. All procedures, briefings, and orientation must be completed at the school in advance, so our time is actually quite tight."

"How are the courses arranged after enrollment? It should be the second half of the freshman year when we arrive. Does Lin Nian need to self-study the courses from the first half?" Lin Xian took over the lead in the conversation once she joined the table.

"That is a bit troublesome. He missed the entire first half of the freshman year. Our school’s courses are unique and require a lot of equipment for practical lessons. If he transfers in suddenly, I’m afraid he won't be able to keep up with the teaching pace—actually, I suggest he audits for half a year after enrolling and joins the new freshman class in the second semester," Mandy said, organizing her words.

"You don't need to worry about that. I have confidence in him," Lin Xian said. "What is your school's professional focus?"

"It’s not a matter of confidence," Mandy said with a bitter smile. "Our school’s curriculum is very special, so our majors are also special. I can only reveal the specifics after you sign the agreement, but the one thing I can say is that we guarantee employment upon graduation."

"Guaranteeing employment to clean toilets is still a guarantee," Lin Nian interjected.

"Even if it’s cleaning toilets, it would be at the White House," Mandy said.

"That’s still cleaning toilets," Lin Nian said, feeling some regret for having agreed so quickly.

Seeming to perceive Lin Nian’s regret, Mandy immediately stopped the nonsense and changed her tune: "Our school is very famous in high society. Our graduates are particularly sought after; they are no worse than those from Harvard or Cambridge."

"But I’ve heard that many Cambridge graduates end up cleaning toilets, too," Lin Nian said.

Mandy thought to herself, *Are you really going to hold onto this toilet-cleaning thing all day?*

"Let’s discuss the details in three days," Lin Xian said, handing the phone back with a beautiful smile. "Sorry to have troubled you today, Miss Mandy."

"No trouble at all. Oh, right, Professor Manstein asked me to give this to you." Mandy took a brand-new white iPhone 3 out of her bag and placed it on the table in front of Lin Nian.

"Does your school have a custom of giving gifts at the first meeting?" Lin Nian hesitated, not touching the phone.

"No, this is a necessary means of contact. If you don't have a phone, it will be very troublesome for us to reach you. Consider it a benefit for new students." Mandy helped Lin Nian unlock the phone's address book; the names "Mandy" and "Manstein" lay quietly in the contact list.

"Then I will accept it for now. If we don't reach an agreement in three days, I will return the phone to you." Lin Nian didn't decline the generous gift.

"By the way, I suggest you go eat some hot pot," Mandy said suddenly.

Lin Nian was stunned and didn't react immediately. Mandy looked at him and smiled. "You’ve spent two years with your high school classmates; don't you want to say goodbye before you leave? You have to realize that once you go to the U.S., you’ll be studying for four years. Maybe when you finally find the time to come back, you’ll find you don't recognize a single soul, as if you’re a stranger to this city. That’s when you’ll regret not saying a proper farewell to your old friends."

Lin Nian was speechless. Mandy had said a lot, but he didn't care much; he only felt that Mandy seemed to have already decided that the meeting in three days would definitely be a success.

"Then I won't disturb you any further. We’ll meet again in three days." Mandy picked up her bag and left the café. Soon after, the roar of an engine echoed outside, and a red blur flashed past the window, leaving only the harsh honking of passing cars in the distance.

Inside the café, Lin Nian and Lin Xian sat in silence for a long time. Finally, Lin Nian spoke first: "Are we really going to the Regent Hotel in three days?"

"Since we promised, of course we have to go." Lin Xian brushed her hair behind her ear and looked at Lin Nian. "The key is whether you want to go to this school. If you really don't want to go, I will explain it clearly to that professor when the time comes."

"Who wouldn't want to go with such a large scholarship?" Lin Nian said. "But I still want to check up on this Cassel College later. There are too many scammers these days, and I’m not at ease."

"If they were scammers, they certainly put a lot on the line," Lin Xian said, glancing at the brand-new iPhone 3 on the table.

"Maybe it’s a fake." Lin Nian didn't even look at the phone. "How about I trade this phone for your PHS?"

"That’s yours, so you keep it and use it," Lin Xian shook her head. "I don't use QQ or anything like that often, so my PHS is enough."

The café door was pushed open as a guest entered. Lin Xian instinctively turned her head and stood up.

"Then I’ll head back first. You keep busy," Lin Nian said, standing up.

"I’ll be home in the afternoon to cook dinner. Remember to buy some vegetables; there aren't many left in the fridge," Lin Xian said before leaving.

"Understood," Lin Nian said. He walked out of the café, and before stepping out, he looked back at the interior. Lin Xian, in her work uniform, stood straight before a guest’s table, pen in hand, wearing a "smile" he rarely saw. She nodded from time to time to take notes. The shop owner was shouting about her previous "absenteeism," but Lin Xian kept promising to make up for it, returning to the counter to pick up a mop and start cleaning the floor, busy without a moment's rest.

After just one glance, Lin Nian didn't want to look anymore. He tucked the iPhone into his pocket and walked toward the distant bus stop.