The Cornell campus was undoubtedly beautiful!

With a total area of 3,000 acres, the campus was incredibly spacious. Ithaca’s natural scenery was already stunning, and Cornell University had claimed 3,000 acres in a prime location – how could the views not be breathtaking? Beyond the natural landscape, there were academic buildings, libraries, and dormitories built over the university’s 120-year history, cleverly integrated with the natural scenery to create today’s unique Cornell University.

Not only could one spend a day here without getting bored, but Xia Xiaolan, who had been at Cornell for over two months, came to the college every day except weekends and still hadn’t tired of it.

She spoke honestly: “Yes, Professor, Cornell’s campus is breathtakingly beautiful.”

McCarthy finally turned his chair around. “I hear the Electronic Plaza you led the design for is already under construction in China. When you submitted that as coursework earlier, I thought the data was very detailed, and the difficulty level exceeded that of a simple assignment.”

The big shots always had sharp eyes.

Xia Xiaolan couldn’t possibly boast proudly in front of Professor McCarthy, so she humbly replied with downcast eyes: “Professor, you provided great help, and it was also due to coincidence.”

“No, I hadn’t yet had the chance to help you. While you’ve indeed improved at Cornell, it’s mainly because your foundation was already strong before you came. Not just you, but also your former classmate – your abilities exceed what second-year undergraduate architecture students should have mastered.”

Before Ning Xue and Xia Xiaolan arrived, Jonathan had been the most outstanding student in this class.

When Ning Xue and Xia Xiaolan came, in less than a semester, they overshadowed Jonathan’s brilliance.

This C·W design competition would probably hit Jonathan hard.

Although Ning Xue won second place, her abilities weren’t inferior to Xia Xiaolan’s. If architecture had a soul, “The Library on the Cliff” was full of spirit, while Xia Xiaolan’s design was more craftsmanship-oriented.

McCarthy was now quite curious about China’s architectural education standards.

Had they sent their two best students of that age to Cornell, or had China’s architectural education truly made remarkable progress?

However, this wasn’t why he called Xia Xiaolan here today.

McCarthy opened his drawer and took out a business card. “This is from Holmes at P&W. Not just you, but also Ning – Holmes hopes to invite both of you to work at P&W after completing your undergraduate education at Cornell’s School of Architecture. If you accept Holmes’s invitation, you can intern at P&W during your senior year. Career choices should be mutual, and you can get a feel for P&W’s atmosphere first.”

Finding a job after graduating from Cornell’s architecture program wasn’t difficult.

However, entering a world-class firm with just an undergraduate degree was somewhat weak – they would accept undergraduate interns but rarely kept undergraduate graduates.

In any industry, to gain better career competitiveness, one has to pursue further education.

A master’s degree was the starting threshold; after completing a doctorate, one could barely be considered talented.

McCarthy didn’t know the situation in China, but this was how it was in America, and because of America’s strength, American standards naturally became globally applicable.

In short, it was very difficult for undergraduates to enter world-class firms, and examples like P&W actively inviting Xia Xiaolan and Ning Xue to work after graduation were even rarer.

That outstanding student other students talked about, who received an A+ from McCarthy and was recruited by Foster’s firm, wasn’t in his second year either.

He hadn’t been as fortunate as Xia Xiaolan and Ning Xue to encounter opportunities like the C·W Design Competition, showcasing their talent early in their second semester to major firms like Foster and P&W.

McCarthy also thought this was quite a good opportunity.

Of course, Xia Xiaolan might have other plans, like pursuing further studies.

Xia Xiaolan muttered, “Mr. Holmes from P&W didn’t say a word to me during the awards ceremony, I never expected him to extend such an invitation…”

Foster’s Dick was witty, seemingly born to be a judge in front of cameras.

P&W’s Mr. Holmes was more low-key, his comments on works were conventional and limited to the works themselves rather than their designers.

“Holmes did indeed invite you both. The business card is genuine, and after talking with you, I’ll also call Ning over!”

What’s the big deal about P&W?

As his student, couldn’t she show some promise instead of looking so incredulous?

Xia Xiaolan touched the business card, then withdrew her hand: “Professor, I’d love to work at a major firm like P&W, but after my exchange period at Cornell ends, I’ll be returning to China, so I won’t be able to join P&W. It’s truly a pity… Could you convey my thanks to Mr. Holmes?”

McCarthy’s hooked nose twitched slightly.

She looked intelligent enough, so why was her reaction so slow?

Since he had taken the trouble to pass on Holmes’s business card and news, and even asked her if Cornell’s campus was beautiful, wasn’t he implying that he could help her stay at Cornell to complete her undergraduate degree?

Exchange students could apply to become regular international students after their exchange period.

Cornell’s School of Architecture wouldn’t possibly reject Xia Xiaolan’s application, and if she was worried about tuition, while it was difficult for undergraduates to apply for scholarships, he could still help secure some sponsorship if he assisted.

Professor McCarthy looked at Xia Xiaolan.

Xia Xiaolan looked back at the professor.

After several seconds of confrontation, Xia Xiaolan was the first to yield. How could someone as astute as her not understand Professor McCarthy’s implications?

Xia Xiaolan was so happy about Professor McCarthy’s sudden regard that she wanted to bubble like a goldfish, but staying at Cornell to complete her undergraduate degree wasn’t in her plans at all, so she could only apologize for declining his kind intentions.

Perfunctory?

Xia Xiaolan chose to tell the truth:

“Professor, I love Cornell, this campus is very beautiful. I also really enjoy your lectures and Cornell University’s academic atmosphere. I know how fortunate I am to study at America’s top undergraduate architecture program, but for personal reasons, I will return to China after my one-year exchange program ends… Professor, I’m very sorry.”

Knowing she was studying at America’s top architecture school, yet still insisting on returning to China?

McCarthy didn’t know what to say.

Many people encounter various opportunities in their lives, and besides talent, opportunities are also very important.

Xia Xiaolan had managed to come from underdeveloped China to developed America as an exchange student, where her talent was discovered, leading to opportunities for further education and entering a top firm, yet she was unclear-headed enough to reject it!

Wasn’t this just giving up an opportunity on her own?

McCarthy had nothing more to say, reverting to his cold demeanor:

“I understand. Please close the door when you leave.”

“Would you like me to call Ning Xue for you?”

Huh, truly fearless – did she think he couldn’t find someone else to call Ning?

Under Professor McCarthy’s glare, Xia Xiaolan could only slink out of the office – the Dark Lord must now think she was beyond hope!