The campus in January looks particularly empty because of the winter vacation.
Occasionally, on the main road of the school, students staying in school hurriedly walked past, wrapped in thick down jackets.
Library Only some areas are open. There are several students running in the cold wind on the playground, and the white breath they exhale quickly dissipates in the air.
Zhao Chen's car slowly drove into the school gate. The guard Old Zhang poked his head out of the guard box, squinted at the car license plate, and then showed a surprised expression.
--He didn't recognize the car, but he recognized the young man in the car who was once ordinary but now appears frequently in Financial News.
"Zhao... Classmate Zhao?" Old Zhang said hesitantly.
Zhao Chen lowered the window, smiled and nodded, "Master Zhang, long time no see."
"Hey, it's really you!" Old Zhang quickly opened the railing, "Come back to do business?"
"Well, let's take care of some academic matters."
The car drove through the familiar tree-lined avenue. Chen Xi was sitting in the passenger seat, looking at Teaching Building and the dormitory building passing by with a complicated expression on his face.
More than a month ago, she was still a counselor here, worrying about the students' trivial matters every day.
Now that I'm back, my identity is different.
"Are you feeling emotional?" Zhao Chen glanced at her.
"A bit." Chen Xi said frankly, "It feels like it happened a lifetime ago."
The car stopped in front of Administration Building.
Zhao Chen was dressed very simply today, wearing a dark coat, black trousers, and no tie, deliberately downplaying his identity as "Chairman".
But his calm demeanor, tempered by shopping malls, still attracted the curious eyes of the teacher on duty when he stepped into the Administration Building hall.
Director Wang from the Academic Affairs Office is already waiting at the door of the office.
The thin-haired professor in his fifties pushed up his glasses with a professional smile on his face, but there was an imperceptible scrutiny in his eyes.
"Zhao Chen, welcome back." Director Wang stretched out his hand.
"Director Wang, sorry for your trouble." Zhao Chen shook hands with moderate strength.
Chen Xi followed behind and nodded to Director Wang: "Director Wang."
"Teacher Chen... oh no, it's time to call Assistant Chen." Director Wang's smile was a little more subtle, "You two, please come in."
The office is small, the bookshelves are filled with documents, and the school's honorary medals are hung on the wall.
Director Wang made tea himself, and the three of them sat down on the sofa.
"We have a general understanding of classmate Zhao Chen's situation."
Director Wang Get straight to the point, word your words carefully,
"You are now shouldering the heavy responsibilities of the enterprise, and it is indeed difficult to balance your time and energy with your studies. The school understands this."
He paused and pushed up his glasses:
"However, the school felt it was a pity to suspend the school in the first place.
You are an outstanding student trained by our Zhengfa University, and we also hope that you can successfully complete your studies."
The words were euphemistic, but the meaning was clear - the school was unwilling to let go of this budding "potential stock."
Zhao Chen had expected it. He picked up the tea cup and said calmly:
"Director Wang, I understand the school's considerations. In fact, I came here today hoping to find a solution that has both sides."
He put down the teacup, leaned forward slightly, and said in a sincere tone:
"I love the legal profession and cherish my learning experience at Zhengfa University.
But right now, Henglong Group is in a critical period of transformation, and the livelihoods of thousands of employees depend on it. I really can't attend classes on time and take exams like an ordinary student."
Director Wang nodded and motioned for him to continue.
"I have considered several options." Zhao Chen was clear and organized.
"Retain your student status, extend your study period, or... apply for early recognition of social practice credits."
Hearing the last one, Director Wang's eyes lit up.
"Social practice?" he pondered,
"That's an idea. However, usual social practice means students go to work units for internships, and you..."
"And I am running a Listed Company." Zhao Chen took over and said frankly,
"The complexity, challenge, and training of comprehensive abilities are probably far beyond ordinary internship positions."
What he said was neither condescending nor arrogant, which not only pointed out the reality, but also gave the school enough face.
Director Wang was silent.
Of course he understands what Zhao Chen means - what kind of "social practice" does a young leader who manages billions of assets Listed Company need to prove his ability?
But this involves the policy boundaries of student status management. He needs to weigh it.
"Zhao Chen, what you said makes sense." Director Wang said slowly,
"However, to identify social practice credits in advance, a complete set of assessment and identification standards is required. Your situation... is quite special."
"Standards can be negotiated." Zhao Chen smiled,
"What kind of materials does the school need? Business data? Industry evaluation?
Or, I can return to school regularly to give special reports and share my experience in corporate governance and financial legal practice - which can also be regarded as giving back to the training of my alma mater."
These words touched Director Wang's heart.
Allowing successful alumni to return to school to share is a routine operation for universities to increase their influence.
If Zhao Chen can come back to give lectures regularly, it will be a good thing for the college and the school.
"This is a good idea." Director Wang's tone was obviously loose,
"However, credit recognition is a serious academic process after all, and it still needs College Academic Committee discussion."