After Crossing Over to the Republic of China, I've Become a Heartthrob Chapter 13

Attracted to Each Other

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By the end of the month, with Han Pu's help, Shi Yao's knowledge level had improved dramatically.

After taking all of the supplementary exams, the lousy student finally felt the joy of answering the questions with confidence.

When he left the exam room, Jacob asked him, "How did you do?"

"Sixty marks is not a big problem, how about you?"

Jacob, like him, was a perpetual underachiever, first from the bottom and second from the bottom: "I don't care. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't even have taken the supplementary exams."

"So you'll still get your degree?"

"I don't care," Jacob shrugged, “life is about enjoyment. If I don't get a degree here, I'll go to England."

"No university would take you in England."

"Who says I'm going to study? Have you forgotten? I am of English nobility." Jacob's blue eyes lit up, "I can inherit the title and the castle, and they'll give me an honorary degree."

"That's enough to fool those little sisters who don't know any better, don't try to make a fool of me." Shi Yao said, "You were still playing in the mud when I packaged myself as a descendant of the Aixinjueluo royal family."

"You don't believe me?" Jacob looked downcast.

"Believe believe believe," Shi Yao said perfunctorily, "when you inherit the castle, remember to call me when you throw a party."

"Don't wait that long, we can have a private party, tonight, at my house." Jacob looked at him affectionately, "Because today is the 86th day of my courtship of you."

Shi Yao: ? No, thanks.

Jacob asked casually, "So where are you going now? Can I come with you?"

"The library."

"Oh God the library, a place I'll never want to set foot in for the rest of my life, let's say goodbye, salut!"

Shi Yao: ......

When he was checking in at the front desk of the library, his pen ran out of ink.

He was about to open his bag and look for a pen when he was handed an exquisite gold plated fountain pen.

When he looked up, he saw Han Pu's profile.

"How was your exam?"

"Professor Han, thank you so much." Shi Yao took the pen and scribbled down the information, "I think I passed it with no problem."

"Just a pass?"

"Haven't I studied for a long time?" Shi Yao touched his nose in embarrassment, "In the future, I will work hard to become the best student in your class!"

He handed the pen back to Han Pu, who put it in his briefcase: "I'm going to Xinmin School, do you want to join me?"

"Okay!"

Xinmin School was located in a courtyard on the outskirts of the city. It was originally a private school that had fallen into disrepair, and Han Pu bought it for the purpose of popularising the new-style education.

As soon as he arrived at the entrance to the school, the gentleman who looked after the school greeted him warmly, “Great Sir, you're back! Who is this?”

Han Pu said, "This is Mr. Shi Yao, a student of mine at Nanyang University, who will also be teaching in the future."Uncle Zhang shook Shi Yao's hand and burst into tears, "Mr. Shi, I am Old Zhang. I was a farmer, but a war fire burned down my home and killed my wife. My children and I were left to beg for a living. Mr. Han was kind enough to find this job for me, and to send my children to school. In the future, if you need anything at the school, just ask."

Shi Yao's heart was filled with emotion, and at that moment, the sound of reading echoed in his ears.

In such a troubled and chaotic world, it was not easy for a poor family to find a quiet place like this.

In the main hall, a grey-haired gentleman was reading ‘The Analects' to a group of children.

Han Pu said, "Mr. He was originally a Qing Dynasty scholar, but after the abolition of the imperial examination system, he lost his job. I invited him to come here to teach Chinese studies."

Qing Dynasty, scholar! Shi Yao couldn't help but look at him again. In modern times, this man's level of Chinese studies must exceed that of many Chinese professors.

How does Han Pu compare to him?

Of course he can’t compare, Shi Yao thought, Professor Han has thorough knowledge of both the East and the West, he is definitely the best!

In the small classroom in the side hall, Shi Yao saw Song Xiang and Nian Zhen.

The two were studying a foreign language with great enthusiasm, looking at a list of words.

"Miss Song," Shi Yao greeted her, "congratulations on getting what you want."

Song Xiang looked at Shi Yao and was very happy: "Mr. Shi, don't call me Miss anymore, just call me Xiang'er."

Nian Zhen asked, "What are you doing here?"

Shi Yao said, "Teaching."

"Are you the only one who can teach?” Nian Zhen said, "You're in the bottom of your class, and the story has spread around the Song residence."

Who had let the news slip?

It had to be Song Liao.

Song Liao, I hate him!

Shi Yao made something up: " That was a mistake, I fell asleep during my exams last term. Ask Professor Han if you don't believe me."

To Shi Yao's surprise, Han Pu actually helped him to perjure himself without changing his expression: "It's true."

When they arrived at Han Pu's office, Shi Yao teased him, "I didn't expect that the upright Professor Han would also lie."

"Have I ever lied?"

"I made up the story about falling asleep in the exam..."

"You did fall asleep in the exam room, and the whole Nanyang University knows about it, six times in a row."

Who is spreading rumours about me?

It had to be Song Liao.

Song Liao, I hate him!

Song Liao: ?

For the rest of the day, Shi Yao followed Han Pu to deliver books.

During the time of the Republic of China, unlike modern times, compulsory education was not as widespread as it is today, and people were not very aware of education.

Most families who had children expected them to help the family. Boys had to work while girls did the housework, and they were simply not willing or able to send them to school.

In this situation, Han Pu could only write some basic reading materials and give them away for free to children who were interested in learning.

Unexpectedly, it happened to start raining on their way back.

The two of them had no umbrellas with them and were soaked through and through.

Han Pu took Shi Yao home.

Unlike the traditional Chinese-style building of the Song residence, Han Pu lived in a small, two-storey building in the British Concession.

The building was designed by a foreigner in accordance with the latest architectural concepts and had many modern facilities, such as bathtubs for soaking.

After taking a hot bath and putting on a warm bathrobe, Han Pu had already made some tea.

While Shi Yao was comfortably sipping the hot tea, Han Pu also finished his bath, wearing the same bathrobe, and said to Shi Yao, "Come here."

Shi Yao moved over a little.

A soft towel was placed over his head, and Han Pu helped him dry the water stains on his hair.

"Professor Han!" Shi Yao pressed his hand, "I can do it myself."

"It's okay." Han Pu sat behind him: "What did you mean by the polysystem theory you mentioned before?"

The polysystem theory of translation by Itama Even-Zohar, which was proposed in the 1970s based on Russian formalism and Czech structuralism, regarded various social symbols as an open and dynamic grand system composed of multiple subsystems, and integrated translation with the practice of socialisation and the dynamic development process of socialisation, thus promoting the 'cultural turn' in the field of translation studies.

The Republic of China, in which Shi Yao now lives, was only in the 1920s, and this theory was a little too advanced for Han Pu.

Shi Yao said, "Then we have to talk about Russian Formalism and Czech Structuralism first."

"Okay." Han Pu reheated the tea: "There's still plenty of time tonight."

The fire was burning brightly, and a light dusting of snow was falling outside.

Shi Yao struggled to describe the polysystem theory from his remaining memory.

Han Pu handed him a cup of tea: "It's late and it's snowing, would you like to have a cup?"

‿︵‿︵ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ・❉・ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ‿︵‿︵

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Translator Notes

Please feel free to comment any mistakes I made so I can improve and do better as I go through the book.

Translated: June 12, 2023