Chapter 243: Exchange Student

Chapter 243 Exchange Student

The new semester flew by.

Apart from attending regular classes at school, Ye Xiaoxiao's reputation at Rende Pharmacy kept growing. Many people traveled from other cities just to meet her.

As a result, Ye Xiaoxiao often had to put in hours at Rende Pharmacy.

Meanwhile, the businesses of both the factory and the pharmaceutical plant were expanding smoothly, with income growing exponentially.

Ye Xiaoxiao used her own money to purchase several more siheyuan (traditional courtyard houses), all of which remained vacant for now.

Zhang Kaining's collaboration with Rende Pharmacy continued, and the newly built pharmaceutical plant under Rende Pharmacy was put under Zhang Kaining's charge.

Students from the traditional Chinese medicine class also picked up shifts at Rende Pharmacy during weekends.

Qu Miao even told Ye Xiaoxiao that after graduation, he didn’t want to work at a large hospital but preferred to stay at Rende Pharmacy.

Ye Xiaoxiao naturally welcomed this idea and assured him that they'd always have a spot for him, so there was no need for an immediate decision.

If Qu Miao changed his mind in the future, he could always pursue better opportunities elsewhere.

Outside of her studies and work, Ye Xiaoxiao frequently wrote and called her parents and brothers at home, occasionally attending get-togethers with compound friends.

Her life was fulfilling and easygoing, and before she knew it, the second semester of her sophomore year came to an end.

At the end of the semester, after exams concluded, Sun Zhengyao called Ye Xiaoxiao and Chu Yunxiao into his office and handed each of them a document.

It was an application packet for an overseas exchange program at Jinghua University.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Overseas exchange student?"

Sun Zhengyao: "St. Warren University in Country A—a two-year exchange program. The traditional Chinese medicine class has two slots, while the Western medicine class has three. After returning, you’ll have one month to settle back in before starting internships at major hospitals.

Of course, I also hope you’ll continue your medical training and apply for our university’s graduate program.

You two are standout students in your class, so think this through carefully. If you agree to the exchange, submit your application forms before the new semester begins."

Chu Yunxiao nodded: "Thank you, Professor. I’ll consider it carefully."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "What would we even do abroad as traditional Chinese medicine students?"

What could they learn there?

Though she had a foundation in Western medicine, Ye Xiaoxiao wondered if this had even been done before.

Sun Zhengyao explained: "Not only will we learn advanced medical techniques from abroad, but we’ll also spread our country’s culture overseas. In Country A, there’s a traditional Chinese medicine college that collaborates with our university.

Your proficiency in traditional Chinese medicine goes beyond what they teach there, which is why you’ve been recommended."

Ye Xiaoxiao just said: "I’ll think this through carefully."

Two years—not exactly short, but not forever either.

Though she said she’d think about it, Ye Xiaoxiao was leaning toward going abroad to see the world.

She wasn’t married to Lu Hanchuan yet, and if they did marry, as an officer's wife, she wouldn’t be able to come and go overseas as she pleased.

Sun Zhengyao drove the point home: "Your foreign language scores are the best in the class, so you’ll handle yourself better abroad than others. Make the most of this chance."

Ye Xiaoxiao and Chu Yunxiao both agreed.

Now that the school was on break, most people had already gone home. There weren’t many people left on campus.

Chu Yunxiao walked outside with Ye Xiaoxiao.

"Are you going to the U.S.?" Chu Yunxiao initiated.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Yes."

Chu Yunxiao was surprised because he knew Ye Xiaoxiao had a boyfriend.

"You're already in a long-distance relationship with your boyfriend. This will turn it into an international one."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Not exactly. I’ll come back eventually."

However, Lu Hanchuan had it worse than most. If he were an ordinary person, he could still fly over to see her.

But he was an officer, and unless it was for an assignment, he couldn’t leave the country.

Chu Yunxiao: "What if your boyfriend doesn’t agree to you going abroad?"

Ye Xiaoxiao stuffed the exchange program papers into her bag and said firmly, "If I want to go, I can go."

Most of the time, Ye Xiaoxiao was a strong-willed person.

Once she made up her mind to do something, few things could change it.

Chu Yunxiao was surprised by her response and said casually, "If you’ve decided, give me a call. We can prepare the materials together."

Chu Yunxiao had no worries—his family was well-off, and his parents were well-educated intellectuals who would surely support his decision.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Sounds good."

……

Ye Xiaoxiao was going to Shen City during the summer break to attend Ye Changan and Shen Qiuyu’s wedding.

Since the whole family would be together, she could tell them about her plans to study abroad.

For now, she first brought it up with her mentor.

Song Guangjing was very supportive when he learned about Ye Xiaoxiao’s exchange program.

"Though these two years might set you back at home, going abroad will open your eyes. You can learn more advanced medicine from them while also showcasing Chinese medicine to the international stage. It’s a good opportunity for you."

Song Guangjing had long known that Ye Xiaoxiao had a foundation in Western medicine—she was the best with lab equipment.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "That’s how I see it too..."

Besides, she wouldn’t be on her own overseas since she’d have classmates with her.

In her past life, she had traveled to the U.S., but the place wasn’t exactly safe.

Now, in the chaotic ’80s, it’d be even riskier.

Song Guangjing knew what was on her mind.

"Lucky you didn’t marry that Lu boy, or this chance wouldn’t exist."

Ye Xiaoxiao looked at her Shifu with a hint of resentment. "Shifu, don't get ahead of yourself."

Song Guangjing straightened up. "What do you mean? Don’t be foolish. If that Lu kid doesn’t agree to you going abroad, just break up with him. We’ll find you someone better in the future."

"A man who stops his partner from pursuing a better future is not worth your time."

Ye Xiaoxiao reassured him, "I'm still working on how to tell him, but don’t worry, Shifu. I’ll seize this opportunity, you know."

Only then did Song Guangjing cheer up. "That's my girl."

...

Every time Ye Xiaoxiao was on vacation, Lu Hanchuan would come to spend a few days with her.

This time was no exception. Ye Xiaoxiao called him in advance, and Lu Hanchuan came to see her the next day.

Ye Xiaoxiao handed the exchange program paperwork to Lu Hanchuan.

Seeing the words "exchange student" on the paper, Lu Hanchuan fell silent.

His Xiao Xiao had really given him a surprise.

Ye Xiaoxiao leaned closer to Lu Hanchuan, giving him puppy-dog eyes.

Lu Hanchuan pulled her into an embrace. "Are you asking me to decide this for you?"

Ye Xiaoxiao immediately replied, "Of course not. I just wanted to show you."

She didn't know how to say it.

Lu Hanchuan sighed. "Do you think you'll like the food there?"

She was holding it together until he said that, but now Ye Xiaoxiao felt like crying. "There's no way I'll get used to it."

And with Lu Hanchuan’s cooking being so delicious, she wouldn’t get to enjoy that either.

"Maybe you could teach me some recipes first? So I don’t starve to death in Country A."

Lu Hanchuan had no intention of stopping Ye Xiaoxiao from going as an exchange student—he was just concerned about her. "Watch out for your safety over there."

Ye Xiaoxiao hugged him tightly. "Two years will fly by, and I’ll be back soon."