6 I’m Deeply Sorry, But I Wish to Change My Major
Early during the next day, much to Fang Man's utter disappointment and concern, Xi Chen finalized his decision of skipping class for the second day of the semester. Instead of heading off to the compartmentalized classrooms of a well-fashioned building, he marched throughout the winding paths of Jiangbei University towards its admissions office.
More particularly, the third floor that housed all faculty responsible for undergraduate services and duties.
"Student Xi, third year undergraduate student – first semester."
The young lady seated at the front desk received the polished rectangular strip from Xi Chen and compared the details with those registered within the university's records. As her gaze flickered from identification card to the computer screen, her expression creased and her trimmed eyelashes began to quiver.
"Student Xi… there seems to be an additional comment to your profile. It seems that… you've skipped all of your classes for the beginning of this semester?"
"I was unable to return to the school campus in time for the beginning classes due to extenuating circumstances," Xi Chen quickly affirmed with a straight expression.
"I will apply for the leave registration as soon as possible."
"…Student Xi, you know that this isn't the proper procedure for filing out leave registrations, no?"
The lady scanning over his documents scolded with a thin smile. Glaring at him with pursed lips, she passed back the student identification card to Xi Chen with a light huff.
"Alright, Student Xi," she tapped her fingers on the lacquered surface of the table.
"Missing the second day's classes of the semester, what brings you here?"
Xi Chen calmly received his identification card, and swiftly stored it into his wallet. With his eyes focused directly onto the young lady's countenance, he took a step backwards, and adopted a deadpan expression as he tossed out a bombshell.
"I would like to change my major!"
It was a simple statement that took no longer than a few seconds to pass, but the effects were devastating. The young lady who had managed the administrative matters of undergraduate students for the past five years, found herself utterly speechless at Xi Chen's request.
There were indeed students who decided to change their major partway through their curriculum and studies, but to change majors at this stage and time…
"…sorry, I didn't get what you said last time. Student Xi, could you please repeat your request a little more clearly? This has to be recorded as part of administrative procedure, you know…"
"I would like to change my major!"
Urk…
Delusional student…
A single glance at Xi Chen's expressionless countenance and his perfectly tranquil gaze was sufficient to alert the lady realize that the student standing before her was not delusional, or rather, so lost in his delusion. With a faint breath escaping her lips, there was a loud thud as a beautiful administrative worker slammed her head onto the smooth, lacquered surface of her desk.
"Er…"
Deng! Deng!
"…students are delusional nowadays, they don't have enough conviction or dedication…"
"Sister Ning! Are you alright?"
The rhythmic knocking of a beauty's forehead against a polished table incited attention from the remaining administrative staff stationed within the department. Soon enough, an older female staff walked forwards to console the agonized young lady with a worried expression on her countenance.
"Senior L-Liu, you need to take this case from me," the young lady gasped in response.
"I-I do not have the capability of handling this student!"
The older woman blinked in confusion, and threw a glance towards the still-standing Xi Chen. Then, with a sigh, she sat down besides the traumatized young lady, and neatly slotted her fingers against each other in an organized, rhythmic movement.
"Student, state your name, year, and reason!"
"Surnamed Xi, given name Chen. Third year, and I would like to change my major!"
Unlike that of the younger, more popular administrative lady, the senior staff member didn't allow her exasperation and surprise display on her countenance. Muting her thoughts with a well-timed cough, she grasped a pen from a nearby cupholder, and tapped thrice onto the wooden table.
"Student Xi, the process of changing majors can only be done freely until the end of the second year, first semester," she reminded gently with a smile.
"To initiate a major change so late in your academics, are you not worried…?"
"I have already confirmed that many of the classes and required credits overlap, and can be transferred over," Xi Chen cut her off with a look of determination.
"Even after changing majors, there won't be much issue with classes and the remaining curriculum. My graduation will not be jeopardized by this."
The office worker heaved a long sigh, and gestured for Xi Chen to take a seat before the desk. After having sorted her thoughts and revised them according to the code of conduct for Jiangbei University's administrative staff, she motioned with a smile.
"Have you… have you fully considered the effects of changing majors?"
With a few deft movements of her fingers towards the mouse and keyboards, the display brought forth a multitude of infographics, data analysis charts, and websites. She swiveled the screen to face Xi Chen, and began rattling off with her fingers ramming themselves against the table for good measure.
"Student Xi, your currently declared major is in global economics. Certainly, in Jiangbei, particularly, it would be difficult to secure a monthly salary exceeding 28,000 RMB a month – since not many companies require those with global economics majors, not in Jiangbei. However terrifying the wage prospects of an unpopular major may be, don't you need to consider several other factors as well?"
"Money can't solve every problem, and not every problem can be avoided via great amounts of money, either. Even if you change your major to one that's more economically viable, shouldn't you consider your overall happiness and dedication to your new track of study? Stress?"
"Student Xi Chen, you must be careful with every decision you make – since you're no longer at the phase where mistakes can be quickly recovered and with ease. Although this is now going beyond what I'm eligible to say, I really wouldn't recommend changing majors so late in your academical education –"
"Please do not worry. I have already filled out the necessary paperwork."
In response, Xi Chen reached into his bag and extracted a dozen sheets of paper forms, and placed them on the table before the two dumbfounded administrative staff. As if they had not managed to obtain the message, he circled the top of the cover page with his finger, and finished his remark with a solid tap.
"All sections that the student is responsible for filling out has been completed. The remaining portions are for confirmation and approval from the faculty."
"Student Xi Chen, date of birth… requesting for a change in academical undergraduate major at Jiangbei University from the study of Global Economics to Accounting… required courses…"
The administrative staff pursed her lips as she scanned each page, her eyes carefully pruning the written words for any mishap or mistake. Whilst she nodded in approval towards the meticulous handwriting and careful wording employed by Xi Chen, she couldn't quite grasp the central idea towards what the table before her represented.
"Student Xi Chen, on Section 3a, 4.2, where you are to report all transferrable academic credit that are compatible with the requested major… how have you completed the main curriculum at the same time as your previous major's studies? The auxiliary studies, I understand, but completing at least three-fourths of the main curriculum in two years…"
"Given my background and the economic requirements of Jiangbei City, it was a bit difficult to enjoy anything during the breaks," Xi Chen displayed a rare, rueful smile.
"Since Jiangbei University offered summer courses to students for free in exchange for a harsher grading scale, so it was inevitable…"
"…I understand. I will forward the request to the administrative director, and your request should be processed within two business days," the female administrator capitulated with grace. She delivered a final stare towards Xi Chen's standing figure, with hints of lingering confusion within her gaze.
"Student Xi Chen, your reported grades for the two years were naturally astounding, so why would you…"
Xi Chen responded with a small smile and a light bow. Hoisting the bag onto his shoulder, he strode out of the administrative office with calm and collected steps, nor did he look back towards the visibly shaken and impressed young administrative lady.
Was he changing his major for economic concerns for the future?
Certainly, given the discrepancy between a global economics and accounting degree, it was inevitable for Xi Chen's future in Jiangbei City post-graduation a bit bleak compared to his colleagues in the engineering and scientific fields. However, since he had proved himself as a worthy liaison between international entities during his previous life, Xi Chen was more concerned regarding another matter – the damned exploratory periods and internships that every Jiangbei University undergraduate had to experience.
An accounting major could allow him to experience an internship and exploratory semester at virtually any company that handled financial transactions to any extent, but a global economics major… hehe.
"Back then, I was picked by a historical catalogue organization for my internship. It had nothing to do with global economics save for a historical analysis, and when everyone back at the university discovered that the organization wasn't even a registered non-profit entity…"
Thinking of the embarrassing times of the past that were to overwhelm him should he not have decided to change his major, Xi Chen felt a cold trail of sweat trickle down his back. After a few minutes of awkward, stiff standing in the middle of the cobbled stone path occupied by him alone, Xi Chen managed to recover his nerves and return to his present.
