Chapter 197 The School of Economics
"If it weren't for Noah, I wouldn't have known how to solve the problem of education difficulties for hundreds of children in the poor district in such a short time," the man sighed.
This was Quentin, the director of the Education Bureau in Oceanbridge City.
"But that Noah is really peculiar. I wanted to meet him and thank him personally for his kindness, but he said he was too busy," Quentin lamented. "Maybe he really is busy. A man in his position must be inundated with trivial matters every day. It's really difficult to meet someone of his stature."
Buzz buzz buzz...
Just then, Quentin's phone rang. He picked it up and saw a number he hadn’t saved. However, he was very familiar with that number and had memorized it by heart. It would appear in his mind every night before he went to sleep.
It was Noah's number!
Quentin's eyes lit up, and he rubbed them to make sure he wasn't seeing things. After three full seconds, he finally confirmed that it was Noah's number!
Quentin stood up in excitement, his face serious, and pressed the answer button.
"Hello, Noah, this is Quentin from the Oceanbridge City Education System! It's an honor to receive your call!"
"Oh? You recognize my number?" said a young voice from the other end, tinged with surprise.
"Of course I do! I've memorized your number. I've always wanted to call you and have a chat, to express my gratitude for what you've done for the poor district elementary school," Quentin said sincerely.
"But I was afraid of disturbing your work, so I never dared to call you. I never expected that you would call me personally!"
Quentin's face was filled with joy.
"Well, do me a favor and come to the Oceanbridge City University of Economics," said the voice on the phone.
"Alright! Noah, I'll come right away!"
Quentin immediately agreed without asking for the reason.
After hanging up, Quentin changed into a sharp suit and combed his hair meticulously. He had a serious expression on his face, as if he was about to meet an important person.
"Quentin, are you going out to meet with a leader?" The secretary was slightly puzzled by Quentin's actions.
"No, I'm going to meet someone important," Quentin replied, shaking his head. "Go get the car ready, quickly, don't keep that important person waiting!"
"Okay!"
The secretary's expression also turned serious, and she immediately went downstairs.
...
Noah put his phone in his pocket and continued driving.
In Noah's opinion, solving the issue of graduates going to live-streaming platforms was simple – they just needed to bring in leaders from the education system to help.
"Rongrong, now that you've paid off your debt to the platform, which is equivalent to paying off your tuition, shouldn't you be able to get your diploma?" Noah looked at Grace.
"It still depends on our department head." Grace shook her head. "And there are still over a dozen other students like me. He’s holding their diplomas."
Noah nodded and didn't say anything else.
Half an hour later, Noah arrived at the School of Finance and Economics and parked his car in the school parking lot.
Students walked in groups of two or three within the campus. There were many beautiful and handsome individuals, dressed in cool and fashionable clothes.
When Grace got out of the car, she immediately stood out from these college students. She wore inexpensive clothing and had a thin, emaciated figure, and seemed like a child from a poor mountainous area who couldn't get much to eat or dress warmly.
Grace lowered her head, feeling a bit insecure.
"It's okay, let's go." Noah noticed and gently patted Grace's shoulder. "You're someone with five million in your bank account now. You definitely have more money than most students in university. So walk with your head held high!"
Grace's eyes flashed, and she nodded her head.
"Okay!"
The two of them walked toward the office of the department head.
On the way there, Noah occasionally saw a few international students. Each of them was accompanied by three or four female college students.
The female students were dressed youthfully and gathered around the international students, acting as if they were the center of their attention.
One of the international students had a big smile on his face, showing his white teeth. He casually put his arms around the shoulders of two female college students without any concern.
"There are quite a lot of international students at your school." Noah furrowed his brows imperceptibly. "And it seems like they’re quite popular among the female students. Almost every one of them is accompanied by three or four of them."
"In reality, these students aren't that popular." Grace shook her head. "It's just that our school implemented an exchange program with some impoverished countries in the Desert Continent last year, and we brought in quite a few international students.
"In order to help the international students adapt to campus life as quickly as possible, the school introduced a mentoring program."
"A mentoring program?" Noah was slightly taken aback. "What kind of program is this?"
"In simple terms, the school assigns a few female college students to each international student, so they can study and live together."
"Female college students?"
Noah raised an eyebrow. He had noticed that the international students' gazes fell on their female classmates nearby with occasional greed. Things didn't seem as simple as studying and living together!
"That's right, each student's mentoring partner must be of the opposite sex. The application form also includes an option to 'get to know foreign friends of the opposite sex.'" Grace nodded, somewhat discontentedly.
"And those international students receive a lot of privileges at our school. They live in single occupancy dormitories, complete with air conditioning and water heaters. Unlike us regular college students, who have to share a dorm with four people without air conditioning."
Noah furrowed his brows. This mentoring program seemed a bit sketchy.
He couldn't believe that nothing would happen if three or four female college students surrounded one international student.
These international students, who were dirt poor in their own country, seemed to instantly become superior beings as soon as they became international students.
School policies treated them very well and female college students lived and studied together with them... Noah felt a chill in his heart and dared not think any further.
"Oh well, it seems like only our university has this."
Grace sighed lightly. "But no matter what, we're just regular students and we can't voice any objections. Even if we do, the school won't accept them! Who knows, we might even end up not being able to receive our diplomas!
"So, we have to turn a blind eye to this."
After speaking, Grace shook her head in resignation.
"Let's go to the dean's office first," Noah suggested. Soon, he and Grace arrived at the dean's office.
Knock, knock, knock!
Grace knocked on the office door.
"Come in!"
A voice came from inside.
"Noah, I'll go in first, you wait outside. If everything goes smoothly, Bryce will give me my diploma," Grace said.
"If there's any problem, let me know."
Noah nodded and sat down on a chair against the wall.
