Shen Xinhui gave Lu Ziqing a look, and Ziqing, pressing her lips together, answered,
"There will be some impact since only Xilin Military Academy’s campus had issues with the examination. The other two test sites went ahead as planned, so candidates from the academy’s site must retake the exam. The school has already scheduled a time for it."
"In three days... Can Tang Xiaohua still take part?"
Wen Nian picked up the teacup in front of him and swayed it gently. His eyes, half-closed, focused on the Water Vortex at the center of the cup, waiting for their response.
Shen Xinhui was startled inside. Before the President came in, this was the very topic he and Lu Ziqing were arguing about, and it was not a pleasant conversation.
Ziqing did not disappoint him and immediately answered,
"Tang Xiaohua’s injuries are severe; she needs to stay in bed for more than half a month to get up. She can’t take part in the exam in three days."
"Which means she can’t apply to Xilin Military Academy?"
Wen Nian asked with a light tone. Shen Xinhui could not decipher Wen Nian’s emotions, nor could he understand the thoughts behind his words. Talking to this young President made one extremely cautious.
"According to what Commander Shen states, yes. At least for this year, she has no chance to apply to the military academy."
Ziqing’s voice carried a hint of displeasure as he spoke bluntly, causing Shen Xinhui to frown slightly.
Shen Xinhui couldn’t grasp the President’s thoughts and had him speak on his behalf. But a commander is not a fool to shoulder a blame that isn’t his.
"If she can’t this year, she will have to apply next year..."
Wen Nian said indifferently.
Now it was Lu Ziqing’s turn to frown. Just as he was about to speak, Shen Xinhui stepped forward and cut in,
"Your Excellency, for Tang Xiaohua, this result is indeed quite harsh. But our Xilin Military Academy has always had high entrance standards. No matter what the outside world thinks of us, every year the Xilin Military Region produces a batch of outstanding graduates who become young officers in various military regions."
"It’s precisely because of the strict quality control of students during the entrance selection that the high bar for admission to Xilin Military Academy is maintained."
Wen Nian nodded and took a sip of tea, placing the cup back in its original spot.
"The talent that Xilin Military Academy has provided for the troops over the years is indeed there for all to see."
"Tang Xiaohua is severely injured, and even if she could participate in the preliminary exam, she would inevitably fail the subsequent physical fitness tests. Only strict, step-by-step selection can ensure the high standards for admission to Xilin Military Academy are not compromised."
Ziqing’s expression grew increasingly grim, and several times he attempted to speak, only to be glared down by Shen Xinhui.
Wen Nian smiled, his tone neither light nor heavy,
"Kind and brave, righteous and strong, refusing to bow down to evil forces... with her own strength, she dismantled the terrorists’ plot, saving more than fifteen hundred teachers and students from disaster. These don’t exchange for an admission qualification into Xilin Military Academy? Commander Shen, your academy’s standards are indeed very high."
Shen Xinhui’s complexion turned pale in an instant. He swallowed hard and quickly said,
"Your Excellency, what you mean by this is..."
Wen Nian looked up, the smile gone from his face, just looking at him steadily.
Shen Xinhui hurriedly said to Lu Ziqing,
"Commander Lu, Tang Xiaohua is to pass the Xilin Military Academy entrance selection without taking the exam; please see to this matter later."
Ziqing, upon hearing this news, was naturally pleased. That young girl had traveled from the south to the west, all for the sake of applying to Xilin Military Academy. If she didn’t even get a chance, wouldn’t she be heartbroken?
Just before, he was worried about how to convince Commander Shen to grant Tang Xiaohua a special privilege. Now it seemed his problem was resolved...