Huaxia, Beidou, "Wudaokou Vocational and Technical College."
As a secondary college of Tsinghua, the Art College had its own independent campus.
In front of two well-manicured lawns, driveways crisscrossed with each other, and a teaching building with a glass exterior wall connected to a light-brown exhibition hall formed the main structures of Qingmei.
Speaking of Tsinghua Art College, a certain period saw a prevalent online opinion, and even on some variety shows, guests openly declared,
"Tsinghua Art College and Tsinghua are not the same; Tsinghua Art College is not considered a prestigious school."
Such remarks, while not outrageously wrong, were almost akin to nonsense, essentially "belittling for the sake of belittling."
Firstly, Qingmei was a legitimate secondary college of Tsinghua, on par with the Civil Engineering, Architecture, and Information Science colleges, all part of Tsinghua University, rather than independent entities.
Secondly, the predecessor of the Tsinghua Art College was the Huaxia Institute of Arts and Crafts, which, before its incorporation into Tsinghua in 1999, was already one of the 12 key art schools designated by the Ministry of Culture.
What was the status of the Institute of Arts and Crafts at that time?
Well, considering its international influence and global ranking, its merger with Tsinghua was seen by many as a "marriage into a lesser family."
For this reason, many Qingmei graduates of that era insisted they graduated from "Gongmei," rather than say they were alumni of "Tsinghua..."
Tsinghua Art College admitted only about 240 students each year from across Huaxia, with an application-to-admission ratio of roughly 2%, not counting the over 50% elimination rate in the second test. Those who got in were essentially the top students in the arts track from each province.
At this time, a group walked out of a teaching building covered in blue glass, chatting and laughing.
Although it was still summer break, some freshmen who had come to settle in early happened to pass by and couldn’t help but repeatedly look back, feeling both excited and amazed.
"Are all the seniors in the Art College this beautiful? Damn, I have to come here often in the future!"
Drawing the attention of the passersby were two young women in the group with entirely contrasting temperaments but each possessing stunning beauty.
In front, engaged in light conversation with a middle-aged woman wearing glasses, was a girl slightly over 1.7 meters tall, carrying a mint-green Hermes Minikelly 2nd generation bag single-handedly, her smile poised, steps leisurely.
Her light-green chiffon blouse in a Chanel style paired with a snow-white pearl skirt showed off features defined by mixed-race genes, presenting both purity and allure, like an angel stepping out from the night, with the sunlight unable to overshadow her brilliance.
Two steps behind her was another girl with her head slightly lowered and an expressionless face, whose height did not lose out to the few men following behind, even though she wore flat shoes.
Incredibly simple black trench coat and almost unadorned slightly curled long hair, her windswept tresses brushed against her flawless cheek, cold and ethereal features, exuding a celestial air at odds with her surroundings...
As Professor Gong Meizhen, Vice Dean of Qingmei, exclaimed while talking with Ding Yi at the moment:
"What a girl out of a painting!"
"Auntie Gong, really, no need to see us off; I’ve already asked the driver to pick us up."
Ding Yi stopped walking, then turned around and affectionately held Gong Meizhen’s hand, smiling.
"Ah, Yi Yi, the timing is just off today, otherwise I would definitely have kept you for dinner..."
Gong Meizhen squeezed Ding Yi’s hand, sighing, "Time flies indeed. Ever since your mother followed your father to work in Yunan Province, it must have been four or five years since I last saw you. I remember when I used to visit your home for meals, you were still a shy little girl, and in the blink of an eye, you’ve grown into a beautiful young woman!"
"Hee hee, but Auntie Gong, you haven’t aged at all, and you even have an improved aura; I envy you to death. I should have studied art back then too!"
"Nonsense, I’m already approaching fifty, how can I not have aged..."
Gong Meizhen retorted softly, yet couldn’t suppress the smile at the corners of her mouth.
After exchanging a few more laughs, Gong Meizhen proactively took the hand of Jiang Mo, who had been standing quietly all along, and instructed:
"Jiang Mo, the painting you created on the spot was very good, full of artistic flair, and the style is just what’s missing in the current market. Several professors unanimously gave high praise, so make sure to prepare well when you return. There’s one more interview next week, and once you pass, you’ll be able to enroll..."
"Okay, thank you, Dean."
Jiang Mo nodded, finally revealing a slight smile.
After Gong Meizhen left with several college staff, only Jiang Mo and Ding Yi remained on the scene.
While waiting for the driver to bring the car, Ding Yi tilted her head to look at Jiang Mo, then grinned.
"Sister Jiang, you’re sure to ace the interview, so we can already celebrate in advance. It means you’ve simultaneously been admitted to both Huaxia Music College and Qingmei, two of the top domestic art graduate schools!"
"It’s because of your help... otherwise, it wouldn’t have been that easy."
Jiang Mo shook her head, as she was sometimes a bit naive, but not entirely clueless.
"That’s also because you truly have talent. No matter how strong the connections, universities would still care about their reputations!"
Ding Yi smiled and then asked: "By the way, the Huaxia Music College will start at the end of the month. So, will you be staying in the dorms, or..."
"He... wants me to just buy a house."
Jiang Mo hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"But in such a rush, you actually wouldn’t know where is suitable to buy, right? In the future, you’ll have to rush between both places... Hmm, how about this: I provide you with a living place?"